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Shires K, Wyk TV, Wienand K. The expression of multiple cancer/testis antigens can potentially be used to detect circulating disease and clonal evolution in the peripheral blood of multiple myeloma patients. Blood Res 2021; 56:156-165. [PMID: 34462402 PMCID: PMC8478621 DOI: 10.5045/br.2021.2020335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is thought that cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are expressed in a cascade-like manner in multiple myeloma as the disease progresses. In this pilot study, we investigated the co-expression of several CTAs in the peripheral blood (PB) during patient therapy to establish whether monitoring multiple CTAs allows for the prediction of relapse and clonal evolution. Methods We examined the co-expression of MAGEC1, MAGEA3, PRAME, and BAGE2 via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) duplex assays in the PB mononuclear cells of 10 patients on chemotherapy at 3-month intervals, and correlated the levels to those of two basic clinical monitoring markers, serum b-2-microglobulin and serum M protein. Clonal evolution was investigated using flow cytometry to label the circulating malignant stem cell components with MAGEC1, PRAME, and MAGEA3 antibodies. Results Simultaneous monitoring of MAGEC1/PRAME provided sensitive detection of circulating malignant cells in easily accessible PB samples; transcript levels increased prior to changes in indicators of clinical relapse. While MAGEA3/BAGE2 expression levels did not offer earlier prediction of relapse, they provided insight into significant changes occurring within the malignant cell population; the addition of either CTA to a MAGEC1-monitoring panel allowed for better classification of the relapse event (clonal evolution), which in turn could potentially guide treatment strategies in the future. Conclusion This pilot study supports the novel idea of determining the levels and CTA expression patterns of the total circulating malignant cell population (pro-B/pre-B stem cell progenitors and proliferating plasma cells) as an alternate disease monitoring methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Shires
- Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service/Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
| | - Teagan Van Wyk
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsty Wienand
- Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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Liu Y, Wen L, Ma L, Kang Y, Liu KY, Huang XJ, Ruan GR, Lu J. MAGE genes: Prognostic indicators in AL amyloidosis patients. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:5672-5678. [PMID: 31222935 PMCID: PMC6653474 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A high frequency of MAGE-CT (cancer testis) antigens are expressed in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients; however, in other plasma cell dyscrasias, their potential function remains unclear. We measured the expression of MAGE-CT genes (MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-A3, MAGE-C2/CT10) in 105 newly diagnosed amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis patients between June 2013 and January 2018 at Peking University People's Hospital using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In the newly diagnosed AL patients, the positive expression rates of patients with MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2/CT10 and MAGE-A3 were 83.8% (88/105), 56.71% (38/67) and 22.0% (13/59) respectively. There was no significant correlation between organ propensity and MAGE-CT gene expression. Changes in the MAGE-C1/CT7 levels were consistent with a therapeutic effect. The expression levels of MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2/CT10 and MAGE-A3 provide potentially effective clinical indicators for auxiliary diagnoses and monitoring treatment efficacy in AL amyloidosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wen
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Kang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Yan Liu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guo-Rui Ruan
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Lu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Gorlov IP, Gorlova OY, Amos CI. Untouchable genes in the human genome: Identifying ideal targets for cancer treatment. Cancer Genet 2019; 231-232:67-79. [PMID: 30803560 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usually, genes with a higher-than-expected number of somatic mutations in tumor samples are assumed to be cancer related. We identified genes with a fewer-than-expected number of somatic mutations - "untouchable genes". METHODS To predict the expected number of somatic mutations, we used a linear regression model with the number of mutations in the gene as an outcome, and gene characteristics, including gene size, nucleotide composition, level of evolutionary conservation, expression level and others, as predictors. Analysis of residuals from the regression model was used to compare the observed and predicted number of mutations. RESULTS We have identified 19 genes with a less-than-expected number of loss-off-function (nonsense, frameshift or pathogenic missense) mutations - i.e., untouchable genes. The number of silent or neutral missense mutations in untouchable genes was equal or higher than the expected number. Many mucins, including MUC16, MUC17, MUC6, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC12, are untouchable. We hypothesized that untouchable mucins help tumor cells to avoid immune response by providing a protective coat that prevents direct contact between effector immune cells, e.g., cytotoxic T-cells, and tumor cells. Survival analysis of available TCGA data demonstrated that overall survival of patients with low (below the median) expression of untouchable mucins was better compared to patients with high expression of untouchable mucins. Aside from mucins, we have identified a number of other untouchable genes. CONCLUSIONS Untouchable genes may be ideal targets for cancer treatment since suppression of untouchable genes is expected to inhibit survival of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan P Gorlov
- The Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth College, HB7936, One Medical Center Dr., Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States.
| | - Olga Y Gorlova
- The Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth College, HB7936, One Medical Center Dr., Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States
| | - Christopher I Amos
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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Shires K, Van Wyk T. The role of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Multiple Myeloma pathogenesis and their application in disease monitoring and therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 132:17-26. [PMID: 30447924 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A unique group of genes, encoding tumour associated antigens, known as the Cancer/Testis Antigens (CTAs), have been explored as novel markers of disease progression and as targets of immunotherapy in several cancers, including the haematological malignancy Multiple Myeloma (MM). This review aims to update the knowledge of CTA involvement in MM pathogenesis and how their potential as biomarkers for disease monitoring and targets of immunotherapy has been explored in the MM disease arena. Despite the initial promise of these antigens, their use as immunotherapy targets has not been successful, yet with a greater understanding of their role in disease pathogenesis they may still have a significant role to play as biomarkers of disease and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Shires
- Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service/Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Teagan Van Wyk
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Innao V, Allegra A, Russo S, Gerace D, Vaddinelli D, Alonci A, Allegra AG, Musolino C. Standardisation of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2017; 26. [PMID: 28671297 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The assessment of the effectiveness of chemotherapy in oncology cannot disregard the concept of minimal residual disease (MRD). In fact, the efforts of numerous scientific groups all over the world are currently focusing on this issue, with the sole purpose of defining sensitive, effective assessment criteria that are, above all, able to give acceptable, easily repeatable results worldwide. Regarding this issue, especially with the advent of new drugs, multiple myeloma is one of the haematologic malignancies for which a consensus has not yet been reached. In this review, we analyse various techniques that have been used to improve the sensitivity of response, aimed at reducing the cut-off values previously allowed, as well as serological values like serum-free light chain, or immunophenotypic tools on bone marrow or peripheral blood, like multi-parameter flow cytometry, or molecular ones such as allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO)-qPCR and next-generation/high-throughput sequencing technologies (NGS). Moreover, our discussion makes a brief reference to promising techniques, such as mass spectrometry for identifying Ig light chain (LC) in peripheral blood, and the assessment of gene expression profile not only in defining prognostic risk at the diagnosis but also as a tool for evaluation of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Innao
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Russo
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D Gerace
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D Vaddinelli
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Alonci
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A G Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - C Musolino
- Division of Hematology, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva, Policlinico G Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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