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Patnaik E, Madu C, Lu Y. Epigenetic Modulators as Therapeutic Agents in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14964. [PMID: 37834411 PMCID: PMC10573652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics play a crucial role in gene regulation and cellular processes. Most importantly, its dysregulation can contribute to the development of tumors. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, are reversible processes that can be utilized as targets for therapeutic intervention. DNA methylation inhibitors disrupt DNA methylation patterns by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases. Such inhibitors can restore normal gene expression patterns, and they can be effective against various forms of cancer. Histone deacetylase inhibitors increase histone acetylation levels, leading to altered gene expressions. Like DNA methylation inhibitors, histone methyltransferase inhibitors target molecules involved in histone methylation. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitors target proteins involved in gene expression. They can be effective by inhibiting oncogene expression and inducing anti-proliferative effects seen in cancer. Understanding epigenetic modifications and utilizing epigenetic inhibitors will offer new possibilities for cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshaan Patnaik
- Department of Biology, Memphis University School, Memphis, TN 38119, USA;
| | - Chikezie Madu
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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2
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Castro-Muñoz LJ, Vázquez Ulloa E, Sahlgren C, Lizano M, De La Cruz-Hernández E, Contreras-Paredes A. Modulating epigenetic modifications for cancer therapy (Review). Oncol Rep 2023; 49:59. [PMID: 36799181 PMCID: PMC9942256 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a global public health concern. Alterations in epigenetic processes are among the earliest genomic aberrations occurring during cancer development and are closely related to progression. Unlike genetic mutations, aberrations in epigenetic processes are reversible, which opens the possibility for novel pharmacological treatments. Non‑coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent an essential epigenetic mechanism, and emerging evidence links ncRNAs to carcinogenesis. Epigenetic drugs (epidrugs) are a group of promising target therapies for cancer treatment acting as coadjuvants to reverse drug resistance in cancer. The present review describes central epigenetic aberrations during malignant transformation and explains how epidrugs target DNA methylation, histone modifications and ncRNAs. Furthermore, clinical trials focused on evaluating the effect of these epidrugs alone or in combination with other anticancer therapies and other ncRNA‑based therapies are discussed. The use of epidrugs promises to be an effective tool for reversing drug resistance in some patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elenaé Vázquez Ulloa
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland,Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland,Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Marcela Lizano
- Unidad de Investigacion Biomedica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico,Departamento de Medicina Genomica y Toxicologia Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Erick De La Cruz-Hernández
- Laboratory of Research in Metabolic and Infectious Diseases, Multidisciplinary Academic Division of Comalcalco, Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco, Comalcalco, Tabasco 86650, Mexico
| | - Adriana Contreras-Paredes
- Unidad de Investigacion Biomedica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico,Correspondence to: Professor Adriana Contreras-Paredes, Unidad de Investigacion Biomedica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenue San Fernando, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico, E-mail:
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3
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Epigenetic-Like Stimulation of Receptor Expression in SSTR2 Transfected HEK293 Cells as a New Therapeutic Strategy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102513. [PMID: 35626117 PMCID: PMC9140012 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) expressing the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) are promising targets for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) using the somatostatin analogue Lu-177-DOTATATE. Patients expressing low levels of SSTR2 do not benefit from PRRT. Therefore, an approach to increase the efficacy of PRRT utilizing the effects of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) and valproic acid (VPA) on the SSTR2 expression levels is investigated. The cell lines HEKsst2 and PC3 are incubated with 5-aza-dC and VPA in different combinations. The drug pretreatment of HEKsst2 cells leads to increased Lu-177-DOTATATE uptake values (factor 28) and lower cell survival (factor 4) in comparison to unstimulated cells; in PC3 cells, the effects are negligible. Further, for the stimulated cell types, the maintenance of the intrinsic radiosensitivity in each cell type is confirmed by X-ray irradiation. The increased SSTR2 expression induced by VPA and 5-aza-dC stimulation in HEKsst2 cells might improve treatment strategies for patients with NETs. Abstract The aim of the study was to increase the uptake of the SSTR2-targeted radioligand Lu-177-DOTATATE using the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) and the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA). The HEKsst2 and PC3 cells were incubated with variable concentrations of 5-aza-dC and VPA to investigate the uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE. Cell survival, subsequent to external X-rays (0.6 or 1.2 Gy) and a 24 h incubation with 57.5 or 136 kBq/mL Lu-177-DOTATATE, was investigated via colony formation assay to examine the effect of the epidrugs. In the case of stimulated HEKsst2 cells, the uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE increased by a factor of 28 in comparison to the unstimulated cells. Further, stimulated HEKsst2 cells demonstrated lower survival fractions (factor 4). The survival fractions of the PC3 cells remained almost unchanged. VPA and 5-aza-dC did not induce changes to the intrinsic radiosensitivity of the cells after X-ray irradiation. Clear stimulatory effects on HEKsst2 cells were demonstrated by increased cell uptake of the radioligand and enhanced SST2 receptor quantity. In conclusion, the investigated approach is suitable to stimulate the somatostatin receptor expression and thus the uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE, enabling a more efficient treatment for patients with poor response to peptide radionuclide therapy (PRRT).
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Zheng Z, Li L, Li G, Zhang Y, Dong C, Ren F, Chen W, Ma Y. EZH2/EHMT2 Histone Methyltransferases Inhibit the Transcription of DLX5 and Promote the Transformation of Myelodysplastic Syndrome to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:619795. [PMID: 34409024 PMCID: PMC8365305 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.619795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is characterized by clonal hematopoiesis and impaired differentiation, and may develop to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We explored the mechanism of histone methyltransferase EZH2/EHMT2 during the transformation of MDS into AML. Expression of EZH2/EHMT2 in patients and NHD13 mice was detected. EZH2 and EHMT2 were silenced or overexpressed in SKM-1 cells. The cell proliferation and cycle were evaluated. Levels of DLX5, H3K27me3, and H3K9me2 in SKM-1 cells were detected. Binding of DLX5 promoter region to H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 was examined. Levels of H3K27me3/H3K9me2 were decreased by EZH2/EHMT2 inhibitor (EPZ-6438/BIX-01294), and changes of DLX5 expression and cell proliferation were observed. EZH2 was poorly expressed in MDS patients but highly expressed in MDS-AML patients. EHMT2 was promoted in both MDS and MDS-AML patients. EZH2 expression was reduced and EHMT2 expression was promoted in NHD13 mice. NHD13 mice with overexpressing EZH2 or EHMT2 transformed into AML more quickly. Intervention of EZH2 or EHMT2 inhibited SKM-1 cell proliferation and promoted DLX5 expression. When silencing EZH1 and EZH2 in SKM-1 cells, the H3K27me3 level was decreased. EZH2 silencing repressed the proliferation of SKM-1 cells. Transcription level of DLX5 in SKM-1 cells was inhibited by H3K27me3 and H3K9me2. Enhanced DLX5 repressed SKM-1 cell proliferation. In conclusion, EZH2/EHMT2 catalyzed H3K27me3/H3K9me2 to inhibit the transcription of DLX5, thus promoting the transformation from MDS to AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanzhen Zheng
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Guoxia Li
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yaofang Zhang
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunxia Dong
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fanggang Ren
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wenliang Chen
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanping Ma
- Department of Hemapathotology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Bloniarz D, Adamczyk-Grochala J, Lewinska A, Wnuk M. The lack of functional DNMT2/TRDMT1 gene modulates cancer cell responses during drug-induced senescence. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:15833-15874. [PMID: 34139673 PMCID: PMC8266355 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence may be a side effect of chemotherapy and other anti-cancer treatments that may promote inflammation and paracrine secondary senescence in healthy tissues. DNMT2/TRDMT1 methyltransferase is implicated in the regulation of cellular lifespan and DNA damage response (DDR). In the present study, the responses to senescence inducing concentrations of doxorubicin and etoposide in different cancer cells with DNMT2/TRDMT1 gene knockout were evaluated, namely changes in the cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, interleukin levels, genetic stability and DDR, and 5-mC and NSUN1-6 levels. Moreover, the effect of azacytidine post-treatment was considered. Diverse responses were revealed that was based on type of cancer cells (breast and cervical cancer, osteosarcoma and glioblastoma cells) and anti-cancer drugs. DNMT2/TRDMT1 gene knockout in drug-treated glioblastoma cells resulted in decreased number of apoptotic and senescent cells, IL-8 levels and autophagy, and increased number of necrotic cells, DNA damage and affected DDR compared to drug-treated glioblastoma cells with unmodified levels of DNMT2/TRDMT1. We suggest that DNMT2/TRDMT1 gene knockout in selected experimental settings may potentiate some adverse effects associated with chemotherapy-induced senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Bloniarz
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
| | - Jagoda Adamczyk-Grochala
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
| | - Anna Lewinska
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
| | - Maciej Wnuk
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
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6
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Han SY, Lee EM, Kim S, Kwon AM, Baek EJ. Role of Plasma Gelsolin Protein in the Final Stage of Erythropoiesis and in Correction of Erythroid Dysplasia In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197132. [PMID: 32992584 PMCID: PMC7583768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gelsolin, an actin-remodeling protein, is involved in cell motility, cytoskeletal remodeling, and cytokinesis and is abnormally expressed in many cancers. Recently, human recombinant plasma gelsolin protein (pGSN) was reported to have important roles in cell cycle and maturation of primary erythroblasts. However, the role of human plasma gelsolin in late stage erythroblasts prior to enucleation and putative clinical relevance in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and hemato-oncologic diseases have not been reported. Polychromatic and orthochromatic erythroblasts differentiated from human cord blood CD34+ cells, and human bone marrow (BM) cells derived from patients with MDS, were cultured in serum-free medium containing pGSN. Effects of pGSN on mitochondria, erythroid dysplasia, and enucleation were assessed in cellular and transcriptional levels. With pGSN treatment, terminal maturation at the stage of poly- and ortho-chromatic erythroblasts was enhanced, with higher numbers of orthochromatic erythroblasts and enucleated red blood cells (RBCs). pGSN also significantly decreased dysplastic features of cell morphology. Moreover, we found that patients with MDS with multi-lineage dysplasia or with excess blasts-1 showed significantly decreased expression of gelsolin mRNA (GSN) in their peripheral blood. When BM erythroblasts of MDS patients were cultured with pGSN, levels of mRNA transcripts related to terminal erythropoiesis and enucleation were markedly increased, with significantly decreased erythroid dysplasia. Moreover, pGSN treatment enhanced mitochondrial transmembrane potential that is unregulated in MDS and cultured cells. Our findings demonstrate a key role for plasma gelsolin in erythropoiesis and in gelsolin-depleted MDS patients, and raises the possibility that pGSN administration may promote erythropoiesis in erythroid dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Yeon Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; (S.Y.H.); (S.K.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Eun Mi Lee
- Department of Translational Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Suyeon Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; (S.Y.H.); (S.K.)
| | - Amy M. Kwon
- Biostatistical Consulting and Research Laboratory, Medical Research Collaborating Center, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Eun Jung Baek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; (S.Y.H.); (S.K.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-560-2485; Fax: +82-31-560-2489
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Scaletti E, Claesson M, Helleday T, Jemth AS, Stenmark P. The First Structure of an Active Mammalian dCTPase and its Complexes With Substrate Analogs and Products. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:1126-1142. [PMID: 31954130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Precise regulation of dNTPs within the cellular nucleotide pool is essential for high accuracy of DNA replication and is critical for retaining the genomic integrity. Recently, human dCTPase (deoxycytidine triphosphatase), also known as DCTPP1 (human all-alpha dCTP pyrophosphatase 1), has been revealed to be a key player in the balance of pyrimidine nucleotide concentrations within cells, with DCTPP1 deficiency causing DNA damage and genetic instability in both chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA. DCTPP1 also exhibits an additional "house cleaning" function as it has been shown to be highly active against modified cytidine triphosphates, such as 5-methyl-dCTP, which, if incorrectly incorporated into DNA can introduce undesirable epigenetic marking. To date, structural studies of mammalian dCTPase have been limited to inactive constructs, which do not provide information regarding the catalytic mechanism of this important enzyme. We present here the first structures of an active mammalian dCTPase from M. musculus in complex with the nonhydrolyzable substrate analog dCMPNPP and the products 5-Me-dCMP and dCMP. These structures provide clear insights into substrate binding and catalysis and clearly elucidate why previous structures of mammalian dCTPase were catalytically inactive. The overall structure of M. musculus dCTPase is highly similar to enzymes from the all-alpha NTP phosphohydrolase superfamily. Comparison of M. musculus dCTPase with homologs from a diverse range of mammals, including humans, shows that the residues, which contribute to substrate recognition, are entirely conserved, further supporting the importance of this enzyme in the protection of genomic integrity in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Scaletti
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, 221 00, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, S-106 91, Sweden
| | - Magnus Claesson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, S-106 91, Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, S-171 76, Sweden; Sheffield Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Ann-Sofie Jemth
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, S-171 76, Sweden.
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, 221 00, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, S-106 91, Sweden.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kiesslich
- a Department of Internal Medicine I , Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK) , Salzburg , Austria.,b Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology , Paracelsus Medical University , Salzburg , Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- c Institute of Pathology , Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK) , Salzburg , Austria.,d Cancer Cluster Salzburg , Salzburg , Austria
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Roberti A, Valdes AF, Torrecillas R, Fraga MF, Fernandez AF. Epigenetics in cancer therapy and nanomedicine. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:81. [PMID: 31097014 PMCID: PMC6524244 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of nanotechnology applied to medicine has revolutionized the treatment of human cancer. As in the case of classic drugs for the treatment of cancer, epigenetic drugs have evolved in terms of their specificity and efficiency, especially because of the possibility of using more effective transport and delivery systems. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in oncology management offers promising advantages in terms of the efficacy of cancer treatments, but it is still unclear how these NPs may be affecting the epigenome such that safe routine use is ensured. In this work, we summarize the importance of the epigenetic alterations identified in human cancer, which have led to the appearance of biomarkers or epigenetic drugs in precision medicine, and we describe the transport and release systems of the epigenetic drugs that have been developed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Roberti
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), ISPA-FINBA-Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo, Avenida de Roma, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Adolfo F Valdes
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo-Principado de Asturias, Avenida de Roma, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ramón Torrecillas
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo-Principado de Asturias, Avenida de Roma, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo-Principado de Asturias, Avenida de Roma, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Agustin F Fernandez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), ISPA-FINBA-Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo, Avenida de Roma, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
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Continuous zebularine treatment enhances hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells under liver-specific factors induction in vitro. Life Sci 2018; 215:57-63. [PMID: 30473025 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the effect of zebularine, a stable inhibitor of DNA methylation, on hepatic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) under liver-specific factors induction in vitro. MAIN METHODS BM-MSCs were isolated from the mononuclear cell fraction of rabbit bone marrow samples. The identification of these cells was carried out by immunophenotype analysis. The three hepatic differentiation protocols of BM-MSCs were as follows: liver-specific factors (hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor) without zebularine, liver-specific factors combined with a 24 h zebularine pre-treatment, and liver-specific factors combined with continuous zebularine treatment. BM-MSCs cultured in basic medium without the differentiation stimuli were set as the control. Morphological features, liver-specific gene and protein expression, and functional analyses were assessed to evaluate hepatic differentiation of BM-MSCs. Global DNA methylation status was tested for investigating the underlying mechanism. KEY FINDINGS Flow cytometry immunophenotyping proved the isolated cells with plastic adherence and a spindle shape were CD29, CD90 positive and CD34, CD45 negative. Albumin (ALB) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA and protein expression, glycogen storage and urea production were significantly higher in the continuous zebularine-treated group than the other groups while the differences between the zebularine-untreated group and 24 h zebularine pre-treated group were not significant. Meanwhile, significant decrease of global DNA methylation was observed in the continuous zebularine-treated group. SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that continuous zebularine treatment can improve hepatic differentiation of BM-MSCs under liver-specific factors induction in vitro, and the decrease of global DNA methylation maybe involved in this process.
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Daitoku S, Aoyagi T, Takao S, Tada S, Kuroiwa M. Successful Treatment of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Low-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome by Azacitidine. Intern Med 2018; 57:2995-2999. [PMID: 29780114 PMCID: PMC6232014 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.0497-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome that occurs as a complication in many clinical settings. Malignancy-associated HLH develops in patients with hematopoietic neoplasms, particularly in those with lymphoma, and its development in those with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is uncommon. We herein report a case of HLH in a patient with low-risk MDS that was successfully treated with azacitidine. The prevalence of immune abnormalities among MDS patients and the immune effects of azacitidine have recently been elucidated, suggesting that MDS-associated HLH occurs as a result of immune impairment, and azacitidine improves this condition by restoring the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Daitoku
- Department of Hematology, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, Japan
| | - Tomomi Aoyagi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Takao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, Japan
| | - Seiya Tada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, Japan
| | - Mika Kuroiwa
- Department of Hematology, National Hospital Organization Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, Japan
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Ungerstedt JS. Epigenetic Modifiers in Myeloid Malignancies: The Role of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103091. [PMID: 30304859 PMCID: PMC6212943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid hematological malignancies are clonal bone marrow neoplasms, comprising of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and systemic mastocytosis (SM). The field of epigenetic regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis is rapidly growing. In recent years, heterozygous somatic mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulators have been found in all subtypes of myeloid malignancies, supporting the rationale for treatment with epigenetic modifiers. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are epigenetic modifiers that, in vitro, have been shown to induce growth arrest, apoptotic or autophagic cell death, and terminal differentiation of myeloid tumor cells. These effects were observed both at the bulk tumor level and in the most immature CD34+38− cell compartments containing the leukemic stem cells. Thus, there is a strong rationale supporting HDACi therapy in myeloid malignancies. However, despite initial promising results in phase I trials, HDACi in monotherapy as well as in combination with other drugs, have failed to improve responses or survival. This review provides an overview of the rationale for HDACi in myeloid malignancies, clinical results and speculations on why clinical trials have thus far not met the expectations, and how this may be improved in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna S Ungerstedt
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, and Hematology Center, and Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Mao J, Li S, Zhao H, Zhu Y, Hong M, Zhu H, Qian S, Li J. Effects of chidamide and its combination with decitabine on proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cell lines. Am J Transl Res 2018; 10:2567-2578. [PMID: 30210693 PMCID: PMC6129529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Chidamide, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), shows anticancer ability against leukemia and solid tumors. Decitabine (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, DAC), an anti-leukemic drug, is effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In our study, we investigated the anti-leukemic ability of chidamide, as well as its combination with decitabine in leukemia cells (HL60 and NB4). The results showed that the inhibitive effect of chidamide was dose- and time-dependent at concentration of 0.25-8 μM. The proliferation of HL60 and NB4 cells were significantly inhibited by chidamide or its combination with decitabine. The combination had a remarkable synergistic anti-leukemic effect. Chidamide increased the levels of acetylated histone H3 in both HL60 and NB4 cells by effectively inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDAC) enzymatic activities. The cells were blocked in G0/G1 phase by chidamide, but when chidamide was combined with decitabine, the cell cycle was mainly blocked in G2/M phase, accompanied by the induction of p21 expression. In both cases (chidamide or chidamide combined with decitabine), apoptosis of tumor cells was induced through up-regulation of Bax and Caspase-3, and down-regulation of Bcl-2, showing a synergistic cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our results suggested that chidamide in combination with decitabine might be an effective therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Mao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Huihui Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southeast UniversityZhongfu Road 1-1, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Ming Hong
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Han Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Sixuan Qian
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province HospitalNanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized MedicineNanjing 210029, China
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14
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Raneros AB, Minguela A, Rodriguez RM, Colado E, Bernal T, Anguita E, Mogorron AV, Gil AC, Vidal-Castiñeira JR, Márquez-Kisinousky L, Bulnes PD, Marin AM, Garay MCG, Suarez-Alvarez B, Lopez-Larrea C. Increasing TIMP3 expression by hypomethylating agents diminishes soluble MICA, MICB and ULBP2 shedding in acute myeloid leukemia, facilitating NK cell-mediated immune recognition. Oncotarget 2018; 8:31959-31976. [PMID: 28404876 PMCID: PMC5458262 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease with great morphological and genetic heterogeneity, which complicates its prognosis and treatment. The hypomethylating agents azacitidine (Vidaza®, AZA) and decitabine (Dacogen®, DAC) have been approved for the treatment of AML patients, but their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the recognition of AML blasts through the interaction of the activating NKG2D receptor with its ligands (NKG2DL: MICA/B and ULBPs1-3). However, soluble NKG2DL (sNKG2DL) can be released from the cell surface, impairing immune recognition. Here, we examined whether hypomethylating agents modulate the release of sNKG2DL from AML cells. Results demonstrated that AZA- and DAC-treated AML cells reduce the release of sNKG2DL, preventing downregulation of NKG2D receptor on the cell surface and promoting immune recognition mediated by NKG2D-NKG2DL engagement. We show that the shedding of MICA, MICB and ULBP2 is inhibited by the increased expression of TIMP3, an ADAM17 inhibitor, after DAC treatment. The TIMP3 gene is highly methylated in AML cells lines and in AML patients (25.5%), in which it is significantly associated with an adverse cytogenetic prognosis of the disease. Overall, TIMP3 could be a target of the demethylating treatments in AML patients, leading to a decrease in MICA, MICB and ULBP2 shedding and the enhancement of the lytic activity of NK cells through the immune recognition mediated by the NKG2D receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfredo Minguela
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ramon M Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Enrique Colado
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Teresa Bernal
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eduardo Anguita
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Vasco Mogorron
- Immunology Service, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alberto Chaparro Gil
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Paula Díaz Bulnes
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amelia Martinez Marin
- Hematology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Lopez-Larrea
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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15
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Fratta E, Montico B, Rizzo A, Colizzi F, Sigalotti L, Dolcetti R. Epimutational profile of hematologic malignancies as attractive target for new epigenetic therapies. Oncotarget 2018; 7:57327-57350. [PMID: 27329599 PMCID: PMC5302993 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, recurrent somatic mutations in epigenetic regulators have been identified in patients with hematological malignancies. Furthermore, chromosomal translocations in which the fusion protein partners are themselves epigenetic regulators or where epigenetic regulators are recruited/targeted by oncogenic fusion proteins have also been described. Evidence has accumulated showing that "epigenetic drugs" are likely to provide clinical benefits in several hematological malignancies, granting their approval for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. A large number of pre-clinical and clinical trials evaluating epigenetic drugs alone or in combination therapies are ongoing. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of known epigenetic alterations and of the current use of epigenetic drugs for the treatment of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Fratta
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Aurora Rizzo
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.,University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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16
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DNA Methylation Events as Markers for Diagnosis and Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. DISEASE MARKERS 2017; 2017:5472893. [PMID: 29038614 PMCID: PMC5606093 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5472893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
During the onset and progression of hematological malignancies, many changes occur in cellular epigenome, such as hypo- or hypermethylation of CpG islands in promoter regions. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and is a key event for tumorigenesis. The continuous search for biomarkers that signal early disease, indicate prognosis, and act as therapeutic targets has led to studies investigating the role of DNA in cancer onset and progression. This review focuses on DNA methylation changes as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, response to treatment, and early toxicity in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Here, we report that distinct changes in DNA methylation may alter gene function and drive malignant cellular transformation during several stages of leukemogenesis. Most of these modifications occur at an early stage of disease and may predict myeloid/lymphoid transformation or response to therapy, which justifies its use as a biomarker for disease onset and progression. Methylation patterns, or its dynamic change during treatment, may also be used as markers for patient stratification, disease prognosis, and response to treatment. Further investigations of methylation modifications as therapeutic biomarkers, which may correlate with therapeutic response and/or predict treatment toxicity, are still warranted.
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17
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McPherson S, McMullin MF, Mills K. Epigenetics in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:1660-1667. [PMID: 28677265 PMCID: PMC5571538 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A decade on from the description of JAK2 V617F, the MPNs are circumscribed by an increasingly intricate landscape. There is now evidence that they are likely the result of combined genetic dysregulation, with several mutated genes involved in the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic changes are not due to a change in the DNA sequence but are reversible modifications that dictate the way in which genes may be expressed (or silenced). Among the epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation is probably the best described. Currently known MPN‐associated mutations now include JAK2, MPL, LNK, CBL, CALR, TET2, ASXL1, IDH1, IDH2, IKZF1 and EZH2. Enhancing our knowledge about the mutation profile of patients may allow them to be stratified into risk groups which would aid clinical decision making. Ongoing work will answer whether the use of epigenetic therapies as alterative pathway targets in combination with JAK inhibitors may be more effective than single agent treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne McPherson
- Blood Cancer Research Group, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Mary Frances McMullin
- Centre for Medical Education, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ken Mills
- Blood Cancer Research Group, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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18
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Zebularine Treatment Induces MAGE-A11 Expression and Improves CTL Cytotoxicity Using a Novel Identified HLA-A2-restricted MAGE-A11 Peptide. J Immunother 2017; 40:211-220. [DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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19
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Hepatoepigenetic Alterations in Viral and Nonviral-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:3956485. [PMID: 28105421 PMCID: PMC5220417 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3956485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern and one of the leading causes of tumour-related deaths worldwide. Extensive evidence endorses that HCC is a multifactorial disease characterised by hepatic cirrhosis mostly associated with chronic inflammation and hepatitis B/C viral infections. Interaction of viral products with the host cell machinery may lead to increased frequency of genetic and epigenetic aberrations that cause harmful alterations in gene transcription. This may provide a progressive selective advantage for neoplastic transformation of hepatocytes associated with phenotypic heterogeneity of intratumour HCC cells, thus posing even more challenges in HCC treatment development. Epigenetic aberrations involving DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding miRNA dysregulation have been shown to be intimately linked with and play a critical role in tumour initiation, progression, and metastases. The current review focuses on the aberrant hepatoepigenetics events that play important roles in hepatocarcinogenesis and their utilities in the development of HCC therapy.
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20
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Connolly RM, Li H, Jankowitz RC, Zhang Z, Rudek MA, Jeter SC, Slater SA, Powers P, Wolff AC, Fetting JH, Brufsky A, Piekarz R, Ahuja N, Laird PW, Shen H, Weisenberger DJ, Cope L, Herman JG, Somlo G, Garcia AA, Jones PA, Baylin SB, Davidson NE, Zahnow CA, Stearns V. Combination Epigenetic Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer with 5-Azacitidine and Entinostat: A Phase II National Cancer Institute/Stand Up to Cancer Study. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2691-2701. [PMID: 27979916 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: In breast cancer models, combination epigenetic therapy with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor and a histone deacetylase inhibitor led to reexpression of genes encoding important therapeutic targets, including the estrogen receptor (ER). We conducted a multicenter phase II study of 5-azacitidine and entinostat in women with advanced hormone-resistant or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).Experimental Design: Patients received 5-azacitidine 40 mg/m2 (days 1-5, 8-10) and entinostat 7 mg (days 3, 10) on a 28-day cycle. Continuation of epigenetic therapy was offered with the addition of endocrine therapy at the time of progression [optional continuation (OC) phase]. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) in each cohort. We hypothesized that ORR would be ≥20% against null of 5% using Simon two-stage design. At least one response was required in 1 of 13 patients per cohort to continue accrual to 27 per cohort (type I error, 4%; power, 90%).Results: There was one partial response among 27 women with hormone-resistant disease (ORR = 4%; 95% CI, 0-19), and none in 13 women with TNBC. One additional partial response was observed in the OC phase in the hormone-resistant cohort (n = 12). Mandatory tumor samples were obtained pre- and posttreatment (58% paired) with either up- or downregulation of ER observed in approximately 50% of posttreatment biopsies in the hormone-resistant, but not TNBC cohort.Conclusions: Combination epigenetic therapy was well tolerated, but our primary endpoint was not met. OC phase results suggest that some women benefit from epigenetic therapy and/or reintroduction of endocrine therapy beyond progression, but further study is needed. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2691-701. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin M Connolly
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Huili Li
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Zhe Zhang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michelle A Rudek
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stacie C Jeter
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shannon A Slater
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Penny Powers
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Antonio C Wolff
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John H Fetting
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adam Brufsky
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard Piekarz
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nita Ahuja
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peter W Laird
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Hui Shen
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | - Leslie Cope
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James G Herman
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Peter A Jones
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nancy E Davidson
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Cynthia A Zahnow
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vered Stearns
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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21
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Brunner R, Lai HL, Deliu Z, Melman E, Geenen DL, Wang QT. Asxl2 -/- Mice Exhibit De Novo Cardiomyocyte Production during Adulthood. J Dev Biol 2016; 4:jdb4040032. [PMID: 29615595 PMCID: PMC5831801 DOI: 10.3390/jdb4040032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart attacks affect more than seven million people worldwide each year. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, may result in the death of a billion cardiomyocytes within hours. The adult mammalian heart does not have an effective mechanism to replace lost cardiomyocytes. Instead, lost muscle is replaced with scar tissue, which decreases blood pumping ability and leads to heart failure over time. Here, we report that the loss of the chromatin factor ASXL2 results in spontaneous proliferation and cardiogenic differentiation of a subset of interstitial non-cardiomyocytes. The adult Asxl2-/- heart displays spontaneous overgrowth without cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Thymidine analog labeling and Ki67 staining of 12-week-old hearts revealed 3- and 5-fold increases of proliferation rate for vimentin⁺ non-cardiomyocytes in Asxl2-/- over age- and sex-matched wildtype controls, respectively. Approximately 10% of proliferating non-cardiomyocytes in the Asxl2-/- heart express the cardiogenic marker NKX2-5, a frequency that is ~7-fold higher than that observed in the wildtype. EdU lineage tracing experiments showed that ~6% of pulsed-labeled non-cardiomyocytes in Asxl2-/- hearts differentiate into mature cardiomyocytes after a four-week chase, a phenomenon not observed for similarly pulse-chased wildtype controls. Taken together, these data indicate de novo cardiomyocyte production in the Asxl2-/- heart due to activation of a population of proliferative cardiogenic non-cardiomyocytes. Our study suggests the existence of an epigenetic barrier to cardiogenicity in the adult heart and raises the intriguing possibility of unlocking regenerative potential via transient modulation of epigenetic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Brunner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
| | - Hsiao-Lei Lai
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
- PTM Biolabs Inc., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Zane Deliu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
| | - Elan Melman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
- The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA.
| | - David L Geenen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
- Physician Assistant Studies, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
| | - Q Tian Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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22
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Reddy H, Duffy A, Holtzman NG, Emadi A. The role of β-elimination for the clinical activity of hypomethylating agents and cyclophosphamide analogues. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CANCER THERAPY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 3:1-8. [PMID: 30406218 PMCID: PMC6217992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A beta-elimination reaction generally involves the cleavage of a sigma (σ) bond at the position beta (β) to a pair of electrons that departs a molecule via a nucleophilic leaving group, subsequently leading to the formation of a new pi (π) bond. We describe the importance of β-elimination reactions in the mechanisms of action of two classes of chemotherapeutic agents. First, we evaluate the chemical steps resulting in formation of 5-methyl-cytosine and its disassociation from DNA methytransferase (DNMT) by β-elimination reaction. When carbon 5 (C5) of cytosine is substituted with a nitrogen atom (N) in 5-aza-cytosine analogues, the critical β-elimination reaction cannot proceed, which results in the permanent attachment of 5-aza-cytosine to DNMT. The net outcome is entrapment of the DNMT by 5-aza-cytosine analogues and its eventual degradation, leading to DNA hypomethylation. Second, we analyze the critical role of β-elimination reaction in the activation of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. The incapability of undergoing β-elimination results in reduction of the cytotoxic activity of these agents. It appears that the conversion of aldehyde group, in aldophosphamide metabolites of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, to carboxyl group by aldehyde dehydrogenase makes the protons on the carbon atom attached to carboxyl group not acidic enough that can be removed under physiologic conditions via initiation of the critical β-elimination reaction. This ultimately culminates in selective cytotoxic effect of these agents against lymphocytes but not hematopoietic and other stem cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haritha Reddy
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alison Duffy
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD
| | - Noa G. Holtzman
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
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23
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Liu Z, Ding K, Li L, Liu H, Wang Y, Liu C, Fu R. A novel histone deacetylase inhibitor Chidamide induces G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in myelodysplastic syndromes. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:1032-1037. [PMID: 27541047 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chidamide as a newly designed and synthesized histone deacetylase inhibitor induces an antitumor effect in various cancer, and it has been used in several clinical trials such as peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Here we demonstrate that Chidamide was able to increase the acetylation levels of histone H3 and decrease HDAC activity in MDS cell lines(SKM-1,MUTZ-1)and AML cell line(KG-1). In vitro, at low concentration (<250nM) of Chidamide inhibited cell proliferation and delayed G0/G1 cell cycle progression by down-regulating CDK2 and regulating p-P53 and P21 protein expression. Meanwhile,it also induced cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bcl-2 and up-regulating cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax protein expression.The results of the present study demonstrates the potential utility of Chidamide for the treatment of Myelodysplastic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Kai Ding
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Lijuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Yihao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China.
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24
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Borssén M, Haider Z, Landfors M, Norén-Nyström U, Schmiegelow K, Åsberg AE, Kanerva J, Madsen HO, Marquart H, Heyman M, Hultdin M, Roos G, Forestier E, Degerman S. DNA Methylation Adds Prognostic Value to Minimal Residual Disease Status in Pediatric T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:1185-92. [PMID: 26928953 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increased knowledge about genetic aberrations in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), no clinically feasible treatment-stratifying marker exists at diagnosis. Instead patients are enrolled in intensive induction therapies with substantial side effects. In modern protocols, therapy response is monitored by minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis and used for postinduction risk group stratification. DNA methylation profiling is a candidate for subtype discrimination at diagnosis and we investigated its role as a prognostic marker in pediatric T-ALL. PROCEDURE Sixty-five diagnostic T-ALL samples from Nordic pediatric patients treated according to the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ALL 2008 (NOPHO ALL 2008) protocol were analyzed by HumMeth450K genome wide DNA methylation arrays. Methylation status was analyzed in relation to clinical data and early T-cell precursor (ETP) phenotype. RESULTS Two distinct CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) groups were identified. Patients with a CIMP-negative profile had an inferior response to treatment compared to CIMP-positive patients (3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR3y ) rate: 29% vs. 6%, P = 0.01). Most importantly, CIMP classification at diagnosis allowed subgrouping of high-risk T-ALL patients (MRD ≥0.1% at day 29) into two groups with significant differences in outcome (CIR3y rates: CIMP negative 50% vs. CIMP positive 12%; P = 0.02). These groups did not differ regarding ETP phenotype, but the CIMP-negative group was younger (P = 0.02) and had higher white blood cell count at diagnosis (P = 0.004) compared with the CIMP-positive group. CONCLUSIONS CIMP classification at diagnosis in combination with MRD during induction therapy is a strong candidate for further risk classification and could confer important information in treatment decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Borssén
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Zahra Haider
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mattias Landfors
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann E Åsberg
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jukka Kanerva
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hans O Madsen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Marquart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mats Heyman
- Department of Woman and Child health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Hultdin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Roos
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik Forestier
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sofie Degerman
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway
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25
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Jiang X, Hu C, Arnovitz S, Bugno J, Yu M, Zuo Z, Chen P, Huang H, Ulrich B, Gurbuxani S, Weng H, Strong J, Wang Y, Li Y, Salat J, Li S, Elkahloun AG, Yang Y, Neilly MB, Larson RA, Le Beau MM, Herold T, Bohlander SK, Liu PP, Zhang J, Li Z, He C, Jin J, Hong S, Chen J. miR-22 has a potent anti-tumour role with therapeutic potential in acute myeloid leukaemia. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11452. [PMID: 27116251 PMCID: PMC5477496 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are subject to precise regulation and have key roles in tumorigenesis. In contrast to the oncogenic role of miR-22 reported in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and breast cancer, here we show that miR-22 is an essential anti-tumour gatekeeper in de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) where it is significantly downregulated. Forced expression of miR-22 significantly suppresses leukaemic cell viability and growth in vitro, and substantially inhibits leukaemia development and maintenance in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-22 targets multiple oncogenes, including CRTC1, FLT3 and MYCBP, and thus represses the CREB and MYC pathways. The downregulation of miR-22 in AML is caused by TET1/GFI1/EZH2/SIN3A-mediated epigenetic repression and/or DNA copy-number loss. Furthermore, nanoparticles carrying miR-22 oligos significantly inhibit leukaemia progression in vivo. Together, our study uncovers a TET1/GFI1/EZH2/SIN3A/miR-22/CREB-MYC signalling circuit and thereby provides insights into epigenetic/genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of AML, and also highlights the clinical potential of miR-22-based AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Chao Hu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003 Zhejiang, China
| | - Stephen Arnovitz
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Jason Bugno
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, The University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Zhixiang Zuo
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060 Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Hao Huang
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Bryan Ulrich
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Sandeep Gurbuxani
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Hengyou Weng
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Jennifer Strong
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA
| | - Yungui Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003 Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Justin Salat
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Shenglai Li
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Abdel G Elkahloun
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, The University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
| | - Mary Beth Neilly
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Richard A Larson
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Michelle M Le Beau
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Tobias Herold
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Paul P Liu
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jiwang Zhang
- Oncology Institute, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA
| | - Zejuan Li
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Jie Jin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003 Zhejiang, China
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, The University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.,Integrated Science and Engineering Division, Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Incheon 406-840, Korea
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, USA.,Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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Srivastava P, Paluch BE, Matsuzaki J, James SR, Collamat-Lai G, Taverna P, Karpf AR, Griffiths EA. Immunomodulatory action of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and xenografts. Epigenetics 2015; 10:237-46. [PMID: 25793777 PMCID: PMC4623048 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1017198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine the effect of SGI-110 on methylation and expression of the cancer testis antigens (CTAs) NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells in vitro and in vivo and to establish the impact of SGI-110 on expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on EOC cells, and on recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. We also tested the impact of combined SGI-110 and NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells on tumor growth and/or murine survival in a xenograft setting. EOC cells were treated with SGI-110 in vitro at various concentrations and as tumor xenografts with 3 distinct dose schedules. Effects on global methylation (using LINE-1), NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A methylation, mRNA, and protein expression were determined and compared to controls. SGI-110 treated EOC cells were evaluated for expression of immune-modulatory genes using flow cytometry, and were co-cultured with NY-ESO-1 specific T-cell clones to determine immune recognition. In vivo administration of SGI-110 and CD8+ T-cells was performed to determine anti-tumor effects on EOC xenografts. SGI-110 treatment induced hypomethylation and CTA gene expression in a dose dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo, at levels generally superior to azacitidine or decitabine. SGI-110 enhanced the expression of MHC I and ICAM-1, and enhanced recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. Sequential SGI-110 and antigen-specific CD8+ cell treatment restricted EOC tumor growth and enhanced survival in a xenograft setting. SGI-110 is an effective hypomethylating agent and immune modulator and, thus, an attractive candidate for combination with CTA-directed vaccines in EOC.
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Key Words
- AZA, Azacitidine (5-azacytidine)
- CTA, Cancer-testis antigen or cancer-germline antigen
- CTAG1B, Cancer/testis antigen 1B
- DAC, Decitabine (5-aza-2′-deoxycitidine)
- DNA methylation
- DNA methyltransferase inhibitors
- DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DNMTi, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor
- EOC, Epithelial ovarian cancer
- HLA, Human leukocyte antigen
- ICAM-1, Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1
- LINE-1, Long interspersed nuclear element-1
- MAGE-A, Melanoma antigen family A
- MHC, Major histocompatibility complex
- NY-ESO-1, New york esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1
- RNA, Ribonucleic acid
- SGI-110
- cancer germline genes
- cancer testis antigens
- epigenetics
- epithelial ovarian cancer
- immune modulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Srivastava
- a Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Cancer Institute ; Buffalo NY USA
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27
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Anzengruber F, Avci P, de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. T-cell mediated anti-tumor immunity after photodynamic therapy: why does it not always work and how can we improve it? Photochem Photobiol Sci 2015; 14:1492-1509. [PMID: 26062987 PMCID: PMC4547550 DOI: 10.1039/c4pp00455h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of non-toxic photosensitizers and harmless light to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy tumors by a combination of direct tumor cell killing, vascular shutdown, and activation of the immune system. It has been shown in some animal models that mice that have been cured of cancer by PDT, may exhibit resistance to rechallenge. The cured mice can also possess tumor specific T-cells that recognize defined tumor antigens, destroy tumor cells in vitro, and can be adoptively transferred to protect naïve mice from cancer. However, these beneficial outcomes are the exception rather than the rule. The reasons for this lack of consistency lie in the ability of many tumors to suppress the host immune system and to actively evade immune attack. The presence of an appropriate tumor rejection antigen in the particular tumor cell line is a requisite for T-cell mediated immunity. Regulatory T-cells (CD25+, Foxp3+) are potent inhibitors of anti-tumor immunity, and their removal by low dose cyclophosphamide can potentiate the PDT-induced immune response. Treatments that stimulate dendritic cells (DC) such as CpG oligonucleotide can overcome tumor-induced DC dysfunction and improve PDT outcome. Epigenetic reversal agents can increase tumor expression of MHC class I and also simultaneously increase expression of tumor antigens. A few clinical reports have shown that anti-tumor immunity can be generated by PDT in patients, and it is hoped that these combination approaches may increase tumor cures in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Anzengruber
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pinar Avci
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatooncology and Venerology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Lucas Freitas de Freitas
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Programa de Pos Graduacao Interunidades Bioengenharia – USP – Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Correspondence to: Michael R Hamblin, PhD, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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28
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Chaidos A, Caputo V, Karadimitris A. Inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins (BET) as a potential therapeutic approach in haematological malignancies: emerging preclinical and clinical evidence. Ther Adv Hematol 2015; 6:128-41. [PMID: 26137204 DOI: 10.1177/2040620715576662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of the nucleosomal histone proteins orchestrate chromatin organization and gene expression in normal and cancer cells. Among them, the acetylation of N-terminal histone tails represents the fundamental epigenetic mark of open structure chromatin and active gene transcription. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers which utilize tandem bromodomains (BRD) modules to recognize and dock themselves on the acetylated lysine tails. The BET proteins act as scaffolds for the recruitment of transcription factors and chromatin organizers required in transcription initiation and elongation. The recent discovery of small molecules capable of blocking their lysine-binding pocket is the first paradigm of successful pharmacological inhibition of epigenetic readers. JQ1 is a prototype benzodiazepine molecule and a specific BET inhibitor with antineoplastic activity both in solid tumours and haematological malignancies. The quinolone I-BET151 and the suitable for clinical development I-BET762 benzodiazepine were introduced in parallel with JQ1 and have also shown potent antitumour activity in preclinical studies. I-BET762 is currently being tested in early phase clinical trials, along with a rapidly growing list of other BET inhibitors. Unlike older epigenetic therapies, the study of BET inhibitors has offered substantial, context-specific, mechanistic insights of their antitumour activity, which will facilitate optimal therapeutic targeting in future. Here, we review the development of this novel class of epigenetic drugs, the biology of BET protein inhibition, the emerging evidence from preclinical work and early phase clinical studies and we discuss their potential role in the treatment of haematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristeidis Chaidos
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Valentina Caputo
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anastasios Karadimitris
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, 4th Floor Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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29
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Eriksson A, Lennartsson A, Lehmann S. Epigenetic aberrations in acute myeloid leukemia: Early key events during leukemogenesis. Exp Hematol 2015; 43:609-24. [PMID: 26118500 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As a result of the introduction of new sequencing technologies, the molecular landscape of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rapidly evolving. From karyotyping, which detects only large genomic aberrations of metaphase chromosomes, we have moved into an era when sequencing of each base pair allows us to define the AML genome at highest resolution. This has revealed a new complex landscape of genetic aberrations where addition of mutations in epigenetic regulators has been one of the most important contributions to the understanding of the pathogenesis of AML. These findings, together with new insights into epigenetic mechanisms, have placed dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms at the forefront of AML development. Not only have several new mutations in genes directly involved in epigenetic regulatory mechanisms been discovered, but also previously well-known gene fusions have been found to exert aberrant effects through epigenetic mechanisms. In addition, mutations in epigenetic regulators such as DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1 have recently been found to be the earliest known events during AML evolution and to be present as preleukemic lesions before the onset of AML. In this article, we review epigenetic changes in AML also in relation to what is known about their mechanism of action and their prognostic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Eriksson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lennartsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Centre of Hematology, HERM, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
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30
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Dai SP, Xie C, Ding N, Zhang YJ, Han L, Han YW. Targeted inhibition of genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in epigenetically modulated phenotypes in lung cancer. Med Oncol 2015; 32:615. [PMID: 25926333 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0615-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation analysis, an epigenetic specification, has been explored for partial determination of cancer cell phenotypes. The development of metastasis in cancerogenesis has led its feasible association with the epigenetic modulations. We generated highly aggressive non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (HTB56 and A549) by using in vivo selection approach. These were, then, subjected to DNA methylation analysis (genome-wide). We also explored the therapeutic effects of azacytidine, an epigenetic agent, on DNA methylation patterns as well as the in vivo phenotypes. During the development of highly aggressive cell lines, we observed widespread modulations in DNA methylation. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was used and compared with the less aggressive parental cell lines to identify the differential methylation, which was achieved up to 2.7 % of CpG-rich region. Azacytidine inhibited DNA methyltransferase and reversed the prometastatic phenotype. We found its high association with the preferential loss of DNA methylation from hypermethylated sites. After persisted exposure of azacytidine, we observed that DNA methylation affected the polycomb-binding sites. We found close association of DNA methylome modifications with metastatic capability of non-small cell lung cancer. We also concluded that epigenetic modulation could be used as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent metastasis formation as prometastatic phenotype was reversed due to inhibition of DNA methyltransferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Ping Dai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
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31
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DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitor Zebularine Induces Human Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Death through Alteration of DNA Methylation Status. PLoS One 2015. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120545
expr 911344426 + 964939221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
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32
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Nakamura K, Nakabayashi K, Htet Aung K, Aizawa K, Hori N, Yamauchi J, Hata K, Tanoue A. DNA methyltransferase inhibitor zebularine induces human cholangiocarcinoma cell death through alteration of DNA methylation status. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120545. [PMID: 25799509 PMCID: PMC4370694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a cancer arising from the neoplastic transformation of cholangiocytes. During tumorigenesis, tumor suppressor and cancer-related genes are commonly silenced by aberrant DNA methylation in their promoter regions. Zebularine (1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one) acts as an inhibitor of DNA methylation and exhibits chemical stability and minimal cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we explore the effect and possible mechanism of action of zebularine on CCA cells. We demonstrate that zebularine exerts an antitumor effect on CCA cells. Zebularine treatment decreased the concentrations of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) proteins, and DNMT1 knockdown led to apoptotic cell death in the CCA cell lines TFK-1 and HuCCT1. DNA methylation analysis demonstrated that zebularine induced DNA demethylation, and the GO Biological Process terms “hemophilic cell adhesion”, “regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent” and “Wnt signaling pathway” were found to be significantly enriched in association with demethylated genes. Furthermore, we observed that zebularine treatment decreased β-catenin protein levels in TFK-1 and HuCCT1 cells. These results suggest that zebularine alters DNA methylation status, and that some aspect of DNA demethylation by zebularine induces suppression of the Wnt signaling pathway, which leads to apoptotic cell death in CCA. We previously reported a novel mechanism of zebularine-induced cell growth arrest and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma via a DNA methylation-independent pathway. Together, our present and previous studies indicate that zebularine could function as both a DNMT inhibitor and a non-DNMT inhibitor reagent, and that, while the optimal usage of zebularine may depend on cancer type, zebularine may be useful for chemotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Nakamura
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kazuhiko Nakabayashi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyaw Htet Aung
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuko Aizawa
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoko Hori
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junji Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Hata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akito Tanoue
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Kroeze LI, van der Reijden BA, Jansen JH. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine: An epigenetic mark frequently deregulated in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:144-54. [PMID: 25579174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has gained interest since 2009, when it was discovered that Ten-Eleven-Translocation (TET) proteins catalyze the conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5hmC. This conversion appears to be an intermediate step in the active DNA demethylation pathway. Factors that regulate DNA hydroxymethylation are frequently affected in cancer, leading to deregulated 5hmC levels. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of DNA hydroxymethylation, defects in this pathway in cancer, and novel therapies that may correct deregulated (hydroxy)methylation of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie I Kroeze
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Bert A van der Reijden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Chadwick LH, Sawa A, Yang IV, Baccarelli A, Breakefield XO, Deng HW, Dolinoy DC, Fallin MD, Holland NT, Houseman EA, Lomvardas S, Rao M, Satterlee JS, Tyson FL, Vijayanand P, Greally JM. New insights and updated guidelines for epigenome-wide association studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nepig.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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35
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Rodriguez R, Miller KM. Unravelling the genomic targets of small molecules using high-throughput sequencing. Nat Rev Genet 2014; 15:783-96. [PMID: 25311424 DOI: 10.1038/nrg3796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules--including various approved and novel cancer therapeutics--can operate at the genomic level by targeting the DNA and protein components of chromatin. Emerging evidence suggests that functional interactions between small molecules and the genome are non-stochastic and are influenced by a dynamic interplay between DNA sequences and chromatin states. The establishment of genome-wide maps of small-molecule targets using unbiased methodologies can help to characterize and exploit drug responses. In this Review, we discuss how high-throughput sequencing strategies, such as ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing) and Chem-seq (chemical affinity capture and massively parallel DNA sequencing), are enabling the comprehensive identification of small-molecule target sites throughout the genome, thereby providing insights into unanticipated drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Rodriguez
- 1] Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles du CNRS, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France. [2] Institut Curie Research Center, Organic Synthesis and Cell Biology Group, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris Cedex 05, France. [3]
| | - Kyle M Miller
- 1] Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 2506 Speedway Stop A5000, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. [2]
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Abstract
Key Points
5hmC levels vary considerably in patients with AML. High levels of 5hmC independently correlate with inferior overall survival in AML.
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Honda H, Nagamachi A, Inaba T. -7/7q- syndrome in myeloid-lineage hematopoietic malignancies: attempts to understand this complex disease entity. Oncogene 2014; 34:2413-25. [PMID: 24998854 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The recurrence of chromosomal abnormalities in a specific subtype of cancer strongly suggests that dysregulated gene expression in the corresponding region has a critical role in disease pathogenesis. -7/7q-, defined as the entire loss of chromosome 7 and partial deletion of its long arm, is among the most frequently observed chromosomal aberrations in myeloid-lineage hematopoietic malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, particularly in patients treated with cytotoxic agents and/or irradiation. Tremendous efforts have been made to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease development, and several possible candidate genes have been cloned. However, the study is still underway, and the entire nature of this syndrome is not completely understood. In this review, we focus on the attempts to identify commonly deleted regions in patients with -7/7q-; isolate the candidate genes responsible for disease development, cooperative genes and the factors affecting disease prognosis; and determine effective and potent therapeutic approaches. We also refer to the possibility that the accumulation of multiple gene haploinsufficiency, rather than the loss of a single tumor suppressor gene, may contribute to the development of diseases with large chromosomal deletions such as -7/7q-.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Honda
- Department of Disease Model, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - A Nagamachi
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - T Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Lou YF, Zou ZZ, Chen PJ, Huang GB, Li B, Zheng DQ, Yu XR, Luo XY. Combination of gefitinib and DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine exerts synergistic anti-cancer activity in colon cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97719. [PMID: 24874286 PMCID: PMC4038521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the treatment of human colon cancer, the chemotherapy efficacy against colon cancer is still unsatisfactory. In the present study, effects of concomitant inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and DNA methyltransferase were examined in human colon cancer cells. We demonstrated that decitabine (a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) synergized with gefitinib (an EGFR inhibitor) to reduce cell viability and colony formation in SW1116 and LOVO cells. However, the combination of the two compounds displayed minimal toxicity to NCM460 cells, a normal human colon mucosal epithelial cell line. The combination was also more effective at inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/S6 kinase pathway. In addition, the combination of decitabine with gefitinib markedly inhibited colon cancer cell migration. Furthermore, gefitinib synergistically enhanced decitabine-induced cytotoxicity was primarily due to apoptosis as shown by Annexin V labeling that was attenuated by z-VAD-fmk, a pan caspase inhibitor. Concomitantly, cell apoptosis resulting from the co-treatment of gefitinib and decitabine was accompanied by induction of BAX, cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP, along with reduction of Bcl-2 compared to treatment with either drug alone. Interestingly, combined treatment with these two drugs increased the expression of XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) which play an important role in cell apoptosis. Moreover, small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion of XAF1 significantly attenuated colon cancer cells apoptosis induced by the combination of the two drugs. Our findings suggested that gefitinib in combination with decitabine exerted enhanced cell apoptosis in colon cancer cells were involved in mitochondrial-mediated pathway and induction of XAF1 expression. In conclusion, based on the observations from our study, we suggested that the combined administration of these two drugs might be considered as a novel therapeutic regimen for treating colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-feng Lou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
| | - Zheng-zhi Zou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pin-jia Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
| | - Guo-bin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Donghua Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
| | - De-qing Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Donghua Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xiu-rong Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
| | - Xiao-yong Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
- * E-mail:
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Hascher A, Haase AK, Hebestreit K, Rohde C, Klein HU, Rius M, Jungen D, Witten A, Stoll M, Schulze I, Ogawa S, Wiewrodt R, Tickenbrock L, Berdel WE, Dugas M, Thoennissen NH, Müller-Tidow C. DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition Reverses Epigenetically Embedded Phenotypes in Lung Cancer Preferentially Affecting Polycomb Target Genes. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 20:814-26. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-1483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cellular determinants for preclinical activity of a novel CD33/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody, AMG 330, against human AML. Blood 2013; 123:554-61. [PMID: 24311721 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2013-09-527044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CD33 is a valid target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but has proven challenging for antibody-drug conjugates. Herein, we investigated the cellular determinants for the activity of the novel CD33/CD3-directed bispecific T-cell engager antibody, AMG 330. In the presence of T cells, AMG 330 was highly active against human AML cell lines and primary AML cells in a dose- and effector to target cell ratio-dependent manner. Using cell lines engineered to express wild-type CD33 at increased levels, we found a quantitative relationship between AMG 330 cytotoxicity and CD33 expression; in contrast, AMG 330 cytotoxicity was neither affected by common CD33 single nucleotide polymorphisms nor expression of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins, P-glycoprotein or breast cancer resistance protein. Unlike bivalent CD33 antibodies, AMG 330 did not reduce surface CD33 expression. The epigenetic modifier drugs, panobinostat and azacitidine, increased CD33 expression in some cell lines and augmented AMG 330-induced cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that AMG 330 has potent CD33-dependent cytolytic activity in vitro, which can be further enhanced with other clinically available therapeutics. As it neither modulates CD33 expression nor is affected by ABC transporter activity, AMG 330 is highly promising for clinical exploration as it may overcome some limitations of previous CD33-targeted agents.
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Togano T, Nakashima M, Watanabe M, Umezawa K, Watanabe T, Higashihara M, Horie R. Synergistic effect of 5-azacytidine and NF-κB inhibitor DHMEQ on apoptosis induction in myeloid leukemia cells. Oncol Res 2013; 20:571-7. [PMID: 24139415 DOI: 10.3727/096504013x13775486749371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutive NF-κB activation characterizes a subset of myeloid leukemia (ML) cells. Recent reports have indicated that DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors are alternative candidates for the treatment of ML. However, the optimal use of DNMT as a chemotherapeutic agent against ML has yet to be established. In this report, we examined the effect of the NF-κB inhibitor dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) and its combinational use with the DNMT inhibitor 5-azacytidine (AZA) in ML cell lines. DHMEQ alone induced cell death in ML cell lines with NF-κB activation, although the response varied among the cell lines. The addition of DHMEQ enhanced the effect of AZA on the viability and apoptosis induction of ML cell lines. The treatment of ML cell lines with AZA marginally induced NF-κB binding activity, although the treatment induced NF-κB protein. These results indicate the potential usefulness of DHMEQ and its combinational use with AZA in the treatment of ML, although the molecular effect by AZA on the NF-κB pathway awaits further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomiteru Togano
- Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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Amodio N, Bellizzi D, Leotta M, Raimondi L, Biamonte L, D'Aquila P, Di Martino MT, Calimeri T, Rossi M, Lionetti M, Leone E, Passarino G, Neri A, Giordano A, Tagliaferri P, Tassone P. miR-29b induces SOCS-1 expression by promoter demethylation and negatively regulates migration of multiple myeloma and endothelial cells. Cell Cycle 2013; 12:3650-62. [PMID: 24091729 DOI: 10.4161/cc.26585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes frequently occurs and may account for their inactivation in cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that miR-29b is a tumor suppressor microRNA (miRNA) that targets de novo DNA methyltransferases and reduces the global DNA methylation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Here, we provide evidence that epigenetic activity of miR-29b leads to promoter demethylation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), a hypermethylated tumor suppressor gene. Enforced expression of synthetic miR-29b mimics in MM cell lines resulted in SOCS-1 gene promoter demethylation, as assessed by Sequenom MassARRAY EpiTYPER analysis, and SOCS-1 protein upregulation. miR-29b-induced SOCS-1 demethylation was associated with reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and impaired NFκB activity. Downregulation of VEGF-A and IL-8 mRNAs could be detected in MM cells transfected with miR-29b mimics as well as in endothelial (HUVEC) or stromal (HS-5) cells treated with conditioned medium from miR-29b-transfected MM cells. Notably, enforced expression of miR-29b mimics increased adhesion of MM cells to HS-5 and reduced migration of both MM and HUVEC cells. These findings suggest that miR-29b is a negative regulator of either MM or endothelial cell migration. Finally, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which induces the expression of miR-29b, decreased global DNA methylation by a miR-29b-dependent mechanism and induced SOCS-1 promoter demethylation and protein upregulation. In conclusion, our data indicate that miR-29b is endowed with epigenetic activity and mediates previously unknown functions of bortezomib in MM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Graecia University and Medical Oncology Unit; T. Campanella Cancer Center; Salvatore Venuta University Campus; Catanzaro, Italy
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Mengxi D, Qian W, Nan W, Xiaoguang X, Shijun L. Effect of DNA methylation inhibitor on RASSF1A genes expression in non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 and A549DDP. Cancer Cell Int 2013; 13:91. [PMID: 24011511 PMCID: PMC3846638 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-13-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ras association domain family 1A gene (RASSFlA) is a candidate suppressor gene, Lack of RASSF1A expression was found in lung cancer. High DNA methylation at the promoter region is the main reason for inactivating RASSF1A transcription. Methods In this study, we examined RASSF1A’s methylation status and its mRNA expression level between non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 and anti-Cisplatin cell strain A549DDP, Furthermore, methylation of A549DDP was reversed by treatment of 5-Aza-2′ - deoxycytidine (5-Aza-cdR),a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Results We found that RASSF1A’s methylation status and its mRNA expression were obvious differences between A549 and A549DDP. 5-Aza-CdR treatment remarkablly reduced cell vability of A549DDP. Moreover, 5-Aza-CdR treatment induced A549DDP cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with declining cell percentage in S and G2/M stage, and increasing proportion in G0/G1 stage. Cell motility was blocked in G0/G1 stage. All of A549DDP cells showed unmethylated expression, its high methylation status was reversed in a dose-dependent manner within a certain range. Conclusions The abnormal gene methylation status of RASSF1A is a molecular biomarker in lung cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Mengxi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
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Epigenetic control of cytokine gene expression: regulation of the TNF/LT locus and T helper cell differentiation. Adv Immunol 2013; 118:37-128. [PMID: 23683942 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407708-9.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics encompasses transient and heritable modifications to DNA and nucleosomes in the native chromatin context. For example, enzymatic addition of chemical moieties to the N-terminal "tails" of histones, particularly acetylation and methylation of lysine residues in the histone tails of H3 and H4, plays a key role in regulation of gene transcription. The modified histones, which are physically associated with gene regulatory regions that typically occur within conserved noncoding sequences, play a functional role in active, poised, or repressed gene transcription. The "histone code" defined by these modifications, along with the chromatin-binding acetylases, deacetylases, methylases, demethylases, and other enzymes that direct modifications resulting in specific patterns of histone modification, shows considerable evolutionary conservation from yeast to humans. Direct modifications at the DNA level, such as cytosine methylation at CpG motifs that represses promoter activity, are another highly conserved epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation. Furthermore, epigenetic modifications at the nucleosome or DNA level can also be coupled with higher-order intra- or interchromosomal interactions that influence the location of regulatory elements and that can place them in an environment of specific nucleoprotein complexes associated with transcription. In the mammalian immune system, epigenetic gene regulation is a crucial mechanism for a range of physiological processes, including the innate host immune response to pathogens and T cell differentiation driven by specific patterns of cytokine gene expression. Here, we will review current findings regarding epigenetic regulation of cytokine genes important in innate and/or adaptive immune responses, with a special focus upon the tumor necrosis factor/lymphotoxin locus and cytokine-driven CD4+ T cell differentiation into the Th1, Th2, and Th17 lineages.
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Venturelli S, Berger A, Weiland T, Essmann F, Waibel M, Nuebling T, Häcker S, Schenk M, Schulze-Osthoff K, Salih HR, Fulda S, Sipos B, Johnstone RW, Lauer UM, Bitzer M. Differential induction of apoptosis and senescence by the DNA methyltransferase inhibitors 5-azacytidine and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in solid tumor cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:2226-36. [PMID: 23924947 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are a hallmark of cancer that govern the silencing of genes. Up to now, 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR, Vidaza) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC, Dacogen) are the only clinically approved DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). Current effort tries to exploit DNMTi application beyond acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, especially to solid tumors. Although both drugs only differ by a minimal structural difference, they trigger distinct molecular mechanisms that are highly relevant for a rational choice of new combination therapies. Therefore, we investigated cell death pathways in vitro in human hepatoma, colon, renal, and lung cancer cells and in vivo in chorioallantoic membrane and xenograft models. Real-time cancer cell monitoring and cytokine profiling revealed a profoundly distinct response pattern to both drugs. 5-aza-dC induced p53-dependent tumor cell senescence and a high number of DNA double-strand breaks. In contrast, 5-aza-CR downregulated p53, induced caspase activation and apoptosis. These individual response patterns of tumor cells could be verified in vivo in chorioallantoic membrane assays and in a hepatoma xenograft model. Although 5-aza-CR and 5-aza-dC are viewed as drugs with similar therapeutic activity, they induce a diverse molecular response in tumor cells. These findings together with other reported differences enable and facilitate a rational design of new combination strategies to further exploit the epigenetic mode of action of these two drugs in different areas of clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Venturelli
- Corresponding Author: Michael Bitzer, Medical University Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Mueller-Str. 10, Tuebingen D-72076, Germany.
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Palombi M, Niscola P, Tendas A, Trawinska MM, Scaramucci L, Giovannini M, Fratoni S, Perrotti A, de Fabritiis P. Simultaneous occurrence of large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia in an elderly patient: complete remissions of both diseases by rituximab-bendamustine regimen combined to hypomethylating therapy. J Chemother 2013; 25:247-9. [PMID: 23906078 DOI: 10.1179/1973947813y.0000000076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The case of an elderly and frail patient affected by simultaneous large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia is reported. The complete remissions of both diseases by azacitidine and rituximab-bendamustine regimen were achieved.
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Hummel-Eisenbeiss J, Hascher A, Hals PA, Sandvold ML, Müller-Tidow C, Lyko F, Rius M. The role of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 on the cellular transport of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitors 5-azacytidine and CP-4200 in human leukemia cells. Mol Pharmacol 2013; 84:438-50. [PMID: 23814180 DOI: 10.1124/mol.113.086801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleoside analog 5-azacytidine is an archetypical drug for epigenetic cancer therapy, and its clinical effectiveness has been demonstrated in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). However, therapy resistance in patients with MDS/AML remains a challenging issue. Membrane proteins that are involved in drug uptake are potential mediators of drug resistance. The responsible proteins for the transport of 5-azacytidine into MDS/AML cells are unknown. We have now systematically analyzed the expression and activity of various nucleoside transporters. We identified the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) as the most abundant nucleoside transporter in leukemia cell lines and in AML patient samples. Transport assays using [¹⁴C]5-azacytidine demonstrated Na⁺-independent uptake of the drug into the cells, which was inhibited by S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI), a hENT1 inhibitor. The cellular toxicity of 5-azacytidine and its DNA demethylating activity were strongly reduced after hENT1 inhibition. In contrast, the cellular activity of the 5-azacytidine derivative 5-azacytidine-5'-elaidate (CP-4200), a nucleoside transporter-independent drug, persisted after hENT1 inhibition. A strong dependence of 5-azacytidine-induced DNA demethylation on hENT1 activity was also confirmed by array-based DNA methylation profiling, which uncovered hundreds of loci that became demethylated only when hENT1-mediated transport was active. Our data establish hENT1 as a key transporter for the cellular uptake of 5-azacytidine in leukemia cells and raise the possibility that hENT1 expression might be a useful biomarker to predict the efficiency of 5-azacytidine treatments. Furthermore, our data suggest that CP-4200 may represent a valuable compound for the modulation of transporter-related 5-azacytidine resistances.
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Abstract
Genetic analysis of hematologic malignancies over the past 5 years has revealed abundant mutations in epigenetic regulators in all classes of disorders. Here, we summarize the observations made within our review series on the role of epigenetics in hematology. We highlight the clinical implications of mutations in epigenetic regulators and outline what we envision are some of the major areas that merit future research. Recent findings may have immediate prognostic value, but also offer new targets for drug development. However, the pleiotropic action of these regulators indicates caution is warranted and argues for investment in understanding of their underlying mechanisms of action as we proceed to exploit these findings for the benefit of patients.
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Pandiyan K, You JS, Yang X, Dai C, Zhou XJ, Baylin SB, Jones PA, Liang G. Functional DNA demethylation is accompanied by chromatin accessibility. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:3973-85. [PMID: 23408854 PMCID: PMC3627572 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation inhibitors such as 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) are currently used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Although global DNA demethylation has been observed after treatment, it is unclear to what extent demethylation induces changes in nucleosome occupancy, a key determinant of gene expression. We use the colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 as a model to address this question and determine that <2% of regions demethylated by 5-Aza-CdR treatment assume an open configuration. Consolidating our findings, we detect nucleosome retention at sites of global DNA methylation loss in DKO1, an HCT116-derived non-tumorigenic cell-line engineered for DNA methyltransferase disruption. Notably, regions that are open in both HCT116 cells after treatment and in DKO1 cells include promoters belonging to tumor suppressors and genes under-expressed in colorectal cancers. Our results indicate that only a minority of demethylated promoters are associated with nucleosome remodeling, and these could potentially be the epigenetic drivers causing the loss of tumorigenicity. Furthermore, we show that the chromatin opening induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid has strikingly distinct targets compared with those of 5-Aza-CdR, providing a mechanistic explanation for the importance of combinatorial therapy in eliciting maximal de-repression of the cancer epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurinji Pandiyan
- Department of Urology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
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