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Lo Cigno I, Calati F, Girone C, Catozzo M, Gariglio M. High-risk HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 and their interplay with the innate immune response: Uncovering mechanisms of immune evasion and therapeutic prospects. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29685. [PMID: 38783790 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) tumor viruses causally associated with 5% of human cancers, comprising both anogenital and upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas. Despite the availability of prophylactic vaccines, HPVs continue to pose a significant global health challenge, primarily due to inadequate vaccine access and coverage. These viruses can establish persistent infections by evading both the intrinsic defenses of infected tissues and the extrinsic defenses provided by professional innate immune cells. Crucial for their evasion strategies is their unique intraepithelial life cycle, which effectively shields them from host detection. Thus, strategies aimed at reactivating the innate immune response within infected or transformed epithelial cells, particularly through the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and lymphocyte-recruiting chemokines, are considered viable solutions to counteract the adverse effects of persistent infections by these oncogenic viruses. This review focuses on the complex interplay between the high-risk HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 and the innate immune response in epithelial cells and HPV-associated cancers. In particular, it details the molecular mechanisms by which E6 and E7 modulate the innate immune response, highlighting significant progress in our comprehension of these processes. It also examines forward-looking strategies that exploit the innate immune system to ameliorate existing anticancer therapies, thereby providing crucial insights into future therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Lo Cigno
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Calati
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Girone
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Marta Catozzo
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Marisa Gariglio
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
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Kentnowski M, Cortez AJ, Mazurek AM, Mrochem-Kwarciak J, Hebda A, Kacorzyk U, Drosik-Rutowicz K, Chmielik E, Paul P, Gajda K, Łasińska I, Bobek-Billewicz B, d'Amico A, Składowski K, Śnietura M, Faden DL, Rutkowski TW. Determinants of the level of circulating-tumor HPV16 DNA in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer at the time of diagnosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21226. [PMID: 38040848 PMCID: PMC10692143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48506-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPV16) assessed in liquid biopsy may be used as a marker of cancer in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV + OPC). Factors influencing the initial ctHPV16 quantity are not well recognized. In this study we aimed to establish what factors are related to the level of ctHPV16 at the time of diagnosis. 51 patients (37 men and 14 women, median age of 57 years old) with HPV + OPC prior to definitive treatment were included. ctHPV16 was measured by qPCR. Tumor and nodal staging were assessed according to AJCC8. Blood derived factors included squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), serum soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA 21-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin level (Alb), neutrophils (Neut), thrombocytes (Plt) and lymphocyte (Lym) count, Neut/Lym ratio were assessed. The volumes of the primary tumor (TV) and involved lymph nodes (NV) were calculated using MRI, CT or PET-CT scans. Data were analysed using parametric and nonparametric methods. Variables for multivariable linear regression analysis were chosen based on the results from univariable analysis (correlation, univariable regression and difference). There were 9 (18%), 10 (19%) and 32 (63%) patients who had TV and NV assessed in MRI, CT or PET respectively. Primary tumor neither as T-stage nor TV was related to ctHPV16 level. Significant differences in the ctHPV16 between patients with high vs low pain (P = 0.038), NV (P = 0.023), TV + NV (P = 0.018), CYFRA 21-1 (P = 0.002), CRP (P = 0.019), and N1 vs N3 (P = 0.044) were observed. ctHPV16 was significantly associated with CYFRA 21-1 (P = 0.017), N stage (P = 0.005), NV (P = 0.009), TV + NV (P = 0.002), CRP (P = 0.019), and pain (P = 0.038). In univariable linear regression analysis the same variables predicted ctHPV16 level. In multivariable analyses, CYFRA 21-1 and CRP (both as categorical variables) were predictors of ctHPV16 level even above NV. ctHPV16 at presentation is driven by tumor volume measured mostly by N. CYFRA 21-1 and CRP are additional factors related to ctHPV16 prior to the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Kentnowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Alexander J Cortez
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka M Mazurek
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Jolanta Mrochem-Kwarciak
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Anna Hebda
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Urszula Kacorzyk
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Drosik-Rutowicz
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Ewa Chmielik
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Piotr Paul
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Karolina Gajda
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Izabela Łasińska
- Department of Medical and Experimental Oncology, Cancer Institute, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 16/18 Grunwaldzka Street, 60-786, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, 2 Energetyków Street, 65-417, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Barbara Bobek-Billewicz
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Andrea d'Amico
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Składowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Mirosław Śnietura
- Department of Pathomorphology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Daniel L Faden
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Harvard Medical School, Mass Eye and Ear, Mass General Hospital, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Tomasz W Rutkowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland.
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Lo Cigno I, Calati F, Girone C, Borgogna C, Venuti A, Boldorini R, Gariglio M. SIRT1 is an actionable target to restore p53 function in HPV-associated cancer therapy. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1863-1874. [PMID: 37838812 PMCID: PMC10667542 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02465-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and anti-cancer action of a precision medicine approach involving a novel SIRT1-dependent pathway that, when disrupted, leads to the restoration of a functional p53 in human papillomavirus (HPV)-transformed cells. METHODS The anticancer potential of inhibiting SIRT1 was evaluated by examining the effects of the specific SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 (also known as Selisistat) or genetic silencing, either individually or in conjunction with standard chemotherapeutic agents, on a range of HPV+ cancer cells and a preclinical mouse model of HPV16-induced cancer. RESULTS We show that SIRT1 inhibition restores a transcriptionally active K382-acetylated p53 in HPV+ but not HPV- cell lines, which in turn promotes G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibits clonogenicity specifically in HPV+ cells. Additionally, EX527 treatment increases the sensitivity of HPV+ cells to sublethal doses of standard genotoxic agents. The enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin as well as p53 restoration were also observed in an in vivo tumorigenicity assay using syngeneic C3.43 cells harbouring an integrated HPV16 genome, injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6J mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings uncover an essential role of SIRT1 in HPV-driven oncogenesis, which may have direct translational implications for the treatment of this type of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Lo Cigno
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Calati
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Girone
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Cinzia Borgogna
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Aldo Venuti
- HPV Unit, UOSD Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy
| | - Marisa Gariglio
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy.
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Girone C, Calati F, Lo Cigno I, Salvi V, Tassinari V, Schioppa T, Borgogna C, Lospinoso Severini L, Hiscott J, Cerboni C, Soriani A, Bosisio D, Gariglio M. The RIG-I agonist M8 triggers cell death and natural killer cell activation in human papillomavirus-associated cancer and potentiates cisplatin cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3097-3110. [PMID: 37356050 PMCID: PMC10412503 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Although the activation of innate immunity to treat a wide variety of cancers is gaining increasing attention, it has been poorly investigated in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies. Because these tumors harbor a severely impaired cGAS-STING axis, but they still retain a largely functional RIG-I pathway, another critical mediator of adaptive and innate immune responses, we asked whether RIG-I activation by the 5'ppp-RNA RIG-I agonist M8 would represent a therapeutically viable option to treat HPV+ cancers. Here, we show that M8 transfection of two cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines, CaSki and HeLa, both expressing a functional RIG-I, triggers intrinsic apoptotic cell death, which is significantly reduced in RIG-I KO cells. We also demonstrate that M8 stimulation potentiates cisplatin-mediated cell killing of HPV+ cells in a RIG-I dependent manner. This combination treatment is equally effective in reducing tumor growth in a syngeneic pre-clinical mouse model of HPV16-driven cancer, where enhanced expression of lymphocyte-recruiting chemokines and cytokines correlated with an increased number of activated natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with a role of RIG-I signaling in immunogenic cell killing, stimulation of NK cells with conditioned medium from M8-transfected CaSki boosted NK cell proliferation, activation, and migration in a RIG-I-dependent tumor cell-intrinsic manner. Given the highly conserved molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and genomic features of HPV-driven cancers and the remarkably improved prognosis for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer, targeting RIG-I may represent an effective immunotherapeutic strategy in this setting, favoring the development of de-escalating strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Girone
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Calati
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Irene Lo Cigno
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Borgogna
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - John Hiscott
- Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Cerboni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bosisio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marisa Gariglio
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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Practical Application of Circulating Tumor-Related DNA of Human Papillomavirus in Liquid Biopsy to Evaluate the Molecular Response in Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041047. [PMID: 36831390 PMCID: PMC9953792 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is present in the blood as a tumor-specific biomarker (circulating tumor-related HPV; ctHPV) in patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-related OPC). The molecular response (MR) in patients with HPV-related OPC can be defined as the change in the number of ctHPV copies in relation to its initial quantity. The optimal model for assessing the MR using a liquid biopsy (LB) should be based on the E6/E7 sequences of the viral genome. MR assessment can help to evaluate the intensity of ongoing treatments in relation to the tumor response. The evaluation of the residual disease at the end of therapy may also be performed by MR assessment. If a partial MR (pMR) is found, caution is indicated and a subsequent LB should be considered, due to the likelihood of disease progression. Complete radiological and clinical responses together with a complete MR (cMR) convincingly indicate a low risk of treatment failure. Moreover, molecular recurrence (Mrec) during a follow-up, confirmed in two consecutive assays, even despite the lack of any other clinical or radiological symptoms of progression, indicates patients at high risk of disease recurrence. In conclusion, MR by ctHPV assessment may hasten the early detection of disease progression, at any stage of the management of the patient with HPV-related OPC.
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Schuman A, Anderson KS, Day AT, Ferrell J, Sturgis EM, Dahlstrom KR. Is 2045 the best we can do? Mitigating the HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer epidemic. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:751-761. [PMID: 35679626 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2088514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) will be among the most common cancers in men by 2045 due to a rapid rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related OPC. Those who survive their cancer often suffer life-long treatment effects and early death. HPV vaccination could prevent virtually all HPV-related cancers but is not an effective preventive strategy for those already exposed. Without a dramatic increase in vaccine uptake in the U.S., HPV vaccination will have a negligible effect on OPC incidence through 2045 and no substantial impact until 2060. Additionally, targeted screening for earlier diagnosis may soon be feasible for those inadequately protected by vaccination. AREAS COVERED PubMed search for English-language articles related to incidence, screening, and prevention of HPV-related malignancies, focused on OPC in the U.S. EXPERT OPINION HPV-related OPC incidence will continue to increase for the foreseeable future with prophylactic vaccination offering no substantial public health impact for decades. Consequently, we must rapidly increase vaccination rates and develop screening methods to identify high-risk individuals. Such individuals would be eligible for potential preventive treatments and screening to diagnose early-stage HPV-related OPC allowing less morbid treatments. These methods will bridge the population into an era of decreasing incidence after vaccination takes effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Schuman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen S Anderson
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew T Day
- and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jay Ferrell
- and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science CenterDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Erich M Sturgis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristina R Dahlstrom
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Wu F, Du Y, Hou X, Cheng W. A prognostic model for oral squamous cell carcinoma using 7 genes related to tumor mutational burden. BMC Oral Health 2022; 22:152. [PMID: 35488327 PMCID: PMC9052477 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-022-02193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a rising problem in global public health. The traditional physical and imageological examinations are invasive and radioactive. There is a need for less harmful new biomarkers. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a novel prognostic biomarker for various cancers. We intended to explore the relationship between TMB-related genes and the prognosis of OSCC and to construct a prognostic model. Methods TMB-related differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by differential analysis and optimized via the univariate Cox and LASSO Cox analyses. Risk Score model was constructed by expression values of screened genes multiplying coefficient of LASSO Cox. Results Seven TMB-related DEGs (CTSG, COL6A5, GRIA3, CCL21, ZNF662, TDRD5 and GSDMB) were screened. Patients in high-risk group (Risk Score > − 0.684511507) had worse prognosis compared to the low-risk group (Risk Score < − 0.684511507). Survival rates of patients in the high-risk group were lower in the gender, age and degrees of differentiation subgroups compared to the low-risk group. Conclusions The Risk Score model constructed by 7 TMB-related genes may be a reliable biomarker for predicting the prognosis of OSCC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02193-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wu
- Department I of Oral Comprehensive Outpatient, Yantai Stomatological Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Du
- Department of Dental Implant, Yantai Stomatological Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China
| | - Xiujuan Hou
- Department I of Oral Comprehensive Outpatient, Yantai Stomatological Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Dental Prosthodontics, Yantai Stomatological Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, No. 142 Zhifu District, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China.
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