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Eldridge RC, Qin ZS, Saba NF, Houser MC, Hayes DN, Miller AH, Bruner DW, Jones DP, Xiao C. Unsupervised Hierarchical Clustering of Head and Neck Cancer Patients by Pre-Treatment Plasma Metabolomics Creates Prognostic Metabolic Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3184. [PMID: 37370794 PMCID: PMC10296258 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that the metabolism is deeply intertwined with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and survival but little is known about circulating metabolite patterns and their clinical potential. We performed unsupervised hierarchical clustering of 209 HNSCC patients via pre-treatment plasma metabolomics to identify metabolic subtypes. We annotated the subtypes via pathway enrichment analysis and investigated their association with overall and progression-free survival. We stratified the survival analyses by smoking history. High-resolution metabolomics extracted 186 laboratory-confirmed metabolites. The optimal model created two patient clusters, of subtypes A and B, corresponding to 41% and 59% of the study population, respectively. Fatty acid biosynthesis, acetyl-CoA transport, arginine and proline, as well as the galactose metabolism pathways differentiated the subtypes. Relative to subtype B, subtype A patients experienced significantly worse overall and progression-free survival but only among ever-smokers. The estimated three-year overall survival was 61% for subtype A and 86% for subtype B; log-rank p = 0.001. The association with survival was independent of HPV status and other HNSCC risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.58, 95% CI: 1.46, 8.78). Our findings suggest that a non-invasive metabolomic biomarker would add crucial information to clinical risk stratification and raise translational research questions about testing such a biomarker in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald C. Eldridge
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.C.H.); (D.W.B.); (C.X.)
| | - Zhaohui S. Qin
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Madelyn C. Houser
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.C.H.); (D.W.B.); (C.X.)
| | - D. Neil Hayes
- Department of Medicine, UT/West Institute for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Andrew H. Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Deborah W. Bruner
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.C.H.); (D.W.B.); (C.X.)
| | - Dean P. Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Canhua Xiao
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.C.H.); (D.W.B.); (C.X.)
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Yu W, Chen Y, Putluri N, Osman A, Coarfa C, Putluri V, Kamal AHM, Asmussen JK, Katsonis P, Myers JN, Lai SY, Lu W, Stephan CC, Powell RT, Johnson FM, Skinner HD, Kazi J, Ahmed KM, Hu L, Threet A, Meyer MD, Bankson JA, Wang T, Davis J, Parker KR, Harris MA, Baek ML, Echeverria GV, Qi X, Wang J, Frederick AI, Walsh AJ, Lichtarge O, Frederick MJ, Sandulache VC. Evolution of cisplatin resistance through coordinated metabolic reprogramming of the cellular reductive state. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:2013-2024. [PMID: 37012319 PMCID: PMC10205814 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02253-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cisplatin (CDDP) is a mainstay treatment for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) despite a high frequency of innate and acquired resistance. We hypothesised that tumours acquire CDDP resistance through an enhanced reductive state dependent on metabolic rewiring. METHODS To validate this model and understand how an adaptive metabolic programme might be imprinted, we performed an integrated analysis of CDDP-resistant HNSCC clones from multiple genomic backgrounds by whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, mass spectrometry, steady state and flux metabolomics. RESULTS Inactivating KEAP1 mutations or reductions in KEAP1 RNA correlated with Nrf2 activation in CDDP-resistant cells, which functionally contributed to resistance. Proteomics identified elevation of downstream Nrf2 targets and the enrichment of enzymes involved in generation of biomass and reducing equivalents, metabolism of glucose, glutathione, NAD(P), and oxoacids. This was accompanied by biochemical and metabolic evidence of an enhanced reductive state dependent on coordinated glucose and glutamine catabolism, associated with reduced energy production and proliferation, despite normal mitochondrial structure and function. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis identified coordinated metabolic changes associated with CDDP resistance that may provide new therapeutic avenues through targeting of these convergent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangie Yu
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yunyun Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nagireddy Putluri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abdullah Osman
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vasanta Putluri
- Advanced Technology core, Dan Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abu H M Kamal
- Advanced Technology core, Dan Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer Kay Asmussen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Panagiotis Katsonis
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Y Lai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wuhao Lu
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Clifford C Stephan
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Reid T Powell
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Faye M Johnson
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heath D Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jawad Kazi
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kazi Mokim Ahmed
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linghao Hu
- Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Addison Threet
- Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Matthew D Meyer
- Shared Equipment Authority, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James A Bankson
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tony Wang
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jack Davis
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kirby R Parker
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Madison A Harris
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mokryun L Baek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gloria V Echeverria
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andy I Frederick
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Department, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | - Alex J Walsh
- Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Olivier Lichtarge
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
- Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mitchell J Frederick
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Vlad C Sandulache
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Krupar R. [The tumor microenvironment-relay station for prognosis and therapy response]. PATHOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 43:141-147. [PMID: 36414699 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-022-01159-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with a dismal prognosis. Besides tobacco and alcohol abuse, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is an independent risk factor, particularly in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). One key determinant of therapy response and prognosis is the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). A strong anti-tumor immune response represents an important mechanism of tumor cell killing. Another major determinant is the tumor metabolism. One feature of tumor cells is their reliance on glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for energy production despite sufficient oxygen supply.The presented studies were based on several different clinically and pathologically well annotated HNSCC cohorts. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed on tissue microarrays and whole slides against p16, different immune cell markers, and metabolic markers. DNA and mRNA were extracted to detect HPV and assess immune-related and metabolic genes via RT-PCR and Nanostring.An initial assessment of HPV infection frequencies in different HNSCC cohorts showed that socioeconomic and regional factors strongly influence HPV prevalence. An analysis of the immunological and metabolic differences of HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC demonstrated an enhanced anti-tumor immune response together with increased levels of OXPHOS metabolism in HPV-positive OPSCC. In a subsequent study, a strong anti-tumor immune response together with an OXPHOS metabolism was associated with improved short-term survival in HNSCC. Finally, TIME differences of HNSCC primary tumors and recurrent tumors were analyzed to understand the poor therapeutic response of recurrences and discovered an overall decrease of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes with significant loss of CD8-positive T cells and B lymphocytes as well as a significant decrease of tertiary lymphoid structures in recurrences after chemoradiation.These results demonstrate the clinical and molecular differences of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC with a focus on OPSCC. Furthermore, they delineate the interdependencies of TIME and tumor metabolism in HNSCC in general and stress their impact on therapy response. Additionally, they show an impairment of anti-tumor immune response in recurrences after chemoradiation, which indicates immune evasion as one recurrence driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemarie Krupar
- Pathologie des Forschungszentrums Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum und Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Parkallee 1-40, 23845, Borstel, Deutschland.
- Aignostics GmbH, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Ahmed KM, Veeramachaneni R, Deng D, Putluri N, Putluri V, Cardenas MF, Wheeler DA, Decker WK, Frederick AI, Kazi S, Sikora AG, Sandulache VC, Frederick MJ. Glutathione peroxidase 2 is a metabolic driver of the tumor immune microenvironment and immune checkpoint inhibitor response. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004752. [PMID: 36002187 PMCID: PMC9413193 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The existence of immunologically 'cold tumors' frequently found across a wide spectrum of tumor types represents a significant challenge for cancer immunotherapy. Cold tumors have poor baseline pan-leukocyte infiltration, including a low prevalence of cytotoxic lymphocytes, and not surprisingly respond unfavorably to immune checkpoint (IC) inhibitors. We hypothesized that cold tumors harbor a mechanism of immune escape upstream and independent of ICs that may be driven by tumor biology rather than differences in mutational neoantigen burden. METHODS Using a bioinformatic approach to analyze TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) RNA sequencing data we identified genes upregulated in cold versus hot tumors across four different smoking-related cancers, including squamous carcinomas from the oral cavity (OCSCC) and lung (LUSC), and adenocarcinomas of the bladder (BLCA) and lung (LUAD). Biological significance of the gene most robustly associated with a cold tumor phenotype across all four tumor types, glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2), was further evaluated using a combination of in silico analyses and functional genomic experiments performed both in vitro and in in vivo with preclinical models of oral cancer. RESULTS Elevated RNA expression of five metabolic enzymes including GPX2, aldo-keto reductase family 1 members AKR1C1, AKR1C3, and cytochrome monoxygenases (CP4F11 and CYP4F3) co-occurred in cold tumors across all four smoking-related cancers. These genes have all been linked to negative regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism-a well-established inflammatory pathway-and are also known downstream targets of the redox sensitive Nrf2 transcription factor pathway. In OCSCC, LUSC, and LUAD, GPX2 expression was highly correlated with Nrf2 activation signatures, also elevated in cold tumors. In BLCA, however, GPX2 correlated more strongly than Nrf2 signatures with decreased infiltration of multiple leukocyte subtypes. GPX2 inversely correlated with expression of multiple pro- inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and NF-kB activation in cell lines and knockdown of GPX2 led to increased secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6. Conversely, GPX2 overexpression led to reduced PGE2 production in a murine OCSCC model (MOC1). GPX2 overexpressing MOC1 tumors had a more suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and responded less favorably to anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocytes-associated protein 4 IC therapy in mice. CONCLUSION GPX2 overexpression represents a novel potentially targetable effector of immune escape in cold tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Mokim Ahmed
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ratna Veeramachaneni
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Defeng Deng
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nagireddy Putluri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vasanta Putluri
- Advanced Technology Core, Dan Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria F Cardenas
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David A Wheeler
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - William K Decker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andy I Frederick
- Undergraduate School of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Sawad Kazi
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Biological Sciences, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vlad C Sandulache
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- ENT Section, Operative Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mitchell J Frederick
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Oropharyngeal cancer outcomes correlate with p16 status, multinucleation and immune infiltration. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1045-1054. [PMID: 35184149 PMCID: PMC10391519 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01024-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), largely fueled by the human papillomavirus (HPV), has a complex biological and immunologic phenotype. Although HPV/p16 status can be used to stratify OPSCC patients as a function of survival, it remains unclear what drives an improved treatment response in HPV-associated OPSCC and whether targetable biomarkers exist that can inform a precision oncology approach. We analyzed OPSCC patients treated between 2000 and 2016 and correlated locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) with conventional clinical parameters, risk parameters generated using deep-learning algorithms trained to quantify tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (OP-TIL) and multinucleated tumor cells (MuNI) and targeted transcriptomics. P16 was a dominant determinant of LRC, DFS and OS, but tobacco exposure, OP-TIL and MuNI risk features correlated with clinical outcomes independent of p16 status and the combination of p16, OP-TIL and MuNI generated a better stratification of OPSCC risk compared to individual parameters. Differential gene expression (DEG) analysis demonstrated overlap between MuNI and OP-TIL and identified genes involved in DNA repair, oxidative stress response and tumor immunity as the most prominent correlates with survival. Alteration of inflammatory/immune pathways correlated strongly with all risk features and oncologic outcomes. This suggests that development of OPSCC consists of an intersection between multiple required and permissive oncogenic and immunologic events which may be mechanistically linked. The strong relationship between tumor immunity and oncologic outcomes in OPSCC regardless of HPV status may provide opportunities for further biomarker development and precision oncology approaches incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors for maximal anti-tumor efficacy.
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Callejas-Valera JL, Vermeer DW, Lucido CT, Williamson C, Killian M, Vermeer PD, Spanos WC, Powell SF. Characterization of the Immune Response to PD-1 Blockade during Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2499. [PMID: 35626103 PMCID: PMC9139476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemoradiotherapy is a standard treatment for HNSCC. Blockade of the PD-1/L1-2 interaction may represent a target to overcome immune escape during this treatment. METHODS Utilizing a HNSCC mEERL C57BL/6 mouse model, we evaluated a PD-1 blockade alone or in combination with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy. Next, we evaluated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with relative PD-1, TIM-3, and LAG-3 expression, and myeloid-derived suppressor-like (MDSC-like) populations from a clinical trial evaluating PD-1 blockade with chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC. Finally, we analyzed the effect of therapy on human T-cell clonality through T-cell Receptor (TCR) sequencing. RESULTS Anti-PD-1 monotherapy induced no response in the mEERL model; however, combination with chemoradiotherapy improved tumor clearance and survival. PBMCs from patients treated with this combination therapy demonstrate a decline in circulating T-cell populations with knockdown of PD-1 expressing CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells during treatment. However, TIM-3, LAG-3 expressing T-cell and MDSC-like populations concordantly rose. During treatment, the TCR repertoire demonstrates overall clonal expansion, with both unique and previously reported T-cell clones. CONCLUSIONS Our murine HNSCC model demonstrates efficacy of PD-1 blockade during chemoradiotherapy. However, while PD-1-expressing T cells decreased with this therapy, human PBMC findings also identified an increase in populations contributing to immune exhaustion. These findings further characterize PD-1 blockade during chemoradiotherapy for HNSCC and highlight potential competing mechanisms of immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan L. Callejas-Valera
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
| | - Daniel W. Vermeer
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
| | - Christopher T. Lucido
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 1400 W 22nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA;
| | - Caitlin Williamson
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
| | - Marisela Killian
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
| | - Paola D. Vermeer
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
| | - William C. Spanos
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 1400 W 22nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA;
| | - Steven F. Powell
- Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (J.L.C.-V.); (D.W.V.); (C.W.); (M.K.); (P.D.V.); (W.C.S.)
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 1400 W 22nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA;
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Chu YD, Lim SN, Yeh CT, Lin WR. COX5B-Mediated Bioenergetic Alterations Modulate Cell Growth and Anticancer Drug Susceptibility by Orchestrating Claudin-2 Expression in Colorectal Cancers. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010060. [PMID: 35052740 PMCID: PMC8772867 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) consists of four enzyme complexes and ATP synthase, and is crucial for maintaining physiological tissue and cell growth by supporting the main bioenergy pool. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) has been implicated as a primary regulatory site of OXPHOS. Recently, COX subunit 5B (COX5B) emerged as a potential biomarker associated with unfavorable prognosis by modulating cell behaviors in specific cancer types. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear, particularly in colorectal cancers (CRCs). To understand the role of COX5B in CRCs, the expression and postoperative outcome associations using independent in-house patient cohorts were evaluated. A higher COX5B tumor/nontumor expression ratio was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes (p = 0.001 and 0.011 for overall and disease-free survival, respectively. In cell-based experiments, the silencing of COX5B repressed cell growth and enhanced the susceptibility of CRCs cells to anticancer drugs. Finally, downstream effectors identified by RNA sequencing followed by RT-qPCR and functional compensation experiments revealed that the tight junction protein Claudin-2 (CLDN2) acts downstream of COX5B-mediated bioenergetic alterations in controlling cell growth and the sensitivity to anticancer drugs in CRCs cells. In conclusion, it was found that COX5B promoted cell growth and attenuated anticancer drugs susceptibility in CRCs cells by orchestrating CLDN2 expression, which may contribute to unfavorable postoperative outcomes of patients with CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-De Chu
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Siew-Na Lim
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-T.Y.); (W.-R.L.)
| | - Wey-Ran Lin
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-T.Y.); (W.-R.L.)
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8
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Ramzan R, Kadenbach B, Vogt S. Multiple Mechanisms Regulate Eukaryotic Cytochrome C Oxidase. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030514. [PMID: 33671025 PMCID: PMC7997345 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the rate-limiting enzyme of mitochondrial respiration, is regulated by various mechanisms. Its regulation by ATP (adenosine triphosphate) appears of particular importance, since it evolved early during evolution and is still found in cyanobacteria, but not in other bacteria. Therefore the "allosteric ATP inhibition of COX" is described here in more detail. Most regulatory properties of COX are related to "supernumerary" subunits, which are largely absent in bacterial COX. The "allosteric ATP inhibition of COX" was also recently described in intact isolated rat heart mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Ramzan
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Biochemical-Pharmacological Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 1, D-35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Bernhard Kadenbach
- Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-University, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Sebastian Vogt
- Department of Heart Surgery, Campus Marburg, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany;
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Wang Y, Li Y, Jiang L, Ren X, Cheng B, Xia J. Prognostic value of glycolysis markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:7284-7299. [PMID: 33653965 PMCID: PMC7993722 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Glycolysis markers including glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) play vital roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, their prognostic value in HNSCC is still controversial. In this meta-analysis, we searched the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases and included thirty-seven studies (3272 patients) that met the inclusion criteria. Higher expression levels of the glycolysis markers in tumor tissues correlated with poorer overall survival (OS; P < 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.03) and recurrence-free survival (RFS; P < 0.001) of HNSCC patients. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses demonstrated that higher expression levels of GLUT1 (P < 0.001), MCT4 (P = 0.002), HK2 (P = 0.002) and PKM2 (P < 0.001) correlated with poorer OS among HNSCC patients. Higher expression of MCT4 (P < 0.001) and PKM2 (P = 0.008) predicted poorer DFS among HNSCC patients. However, GLUT4 expression levels did not associate with clinical outcomes in HNSCC patients. These results demonstrate that glycolysis markers, such as GLUT1, MCT4, HK2 and PKM2, are potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
| | - Laibo Jiang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianyue Ren
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Xia
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China
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Ribbat-Idel J, Perner S, Kuppler P, Klapper L, Krupar R, Watermann C, Paulsen FO, Offermann A, Bruchhage KL, Wollenberg B, Idel C. Immunologic "Cold" Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck Are Associated With an Unfavorable Prognosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:622330. [PMID: 33585526 PMCID: PMC7873597 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.622330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a common cancer worldwide. Past therapeutic advances have not significantly improved HNSCC prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to further stratify HNSCC, especially with recent advances in tumor immunology. Methods: Tissue microarrays were assembled from tumor tissue samples and were complemented with comprehensive clinicopathological data of n = 419 patients. H&E whole slides from resection specimen (n = 289) were categorized according to their immune cell infiltrate as “hot,” “cold,” or “excluded.” Results: Investigating tumor immune cell patterns, we found significant differences in survival rates. Immunologic “hot” and “excluded” HNSCCs are associated with better overall survival than “cold” HNSCC patients (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the percentage of all three patterns is nearly identical in p16 positive and negative HNSCCs. Conclusions: Using a plain histological H&E approach to categorize HNSCC as being immunologic “hot,” “cold,” or “excluded” can offer a forecast of patients' prognosis and may thus aid as a potential prognostic tool in routine pathology reports. This “hot-cold-excluded” scheme needs to be applied to more HNSCC cohorts and possibly to other cancer types to determine prognostic meaning, e.g., regarding OS or DFS. Furthermore, our cohort reflects epidemiological data in the national, European, and international context. It may, therefore, be of use for future HNSCC characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julika Ribbat-Idel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany.,Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Patrick Kuppler
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Luise Klapper
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Krupar
- Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Christian Watermann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Finn-Ole Paulsen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Anne Offermann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, München rechts der Isar Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Idel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
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11
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Wang J, Tian S, Sun J, Zhang J, Lin L, Hu C. The presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the ratios between different subsets serve as prognostic factors in advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:731. [PMID: 32758195 PMCID: PMC7406390 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07234-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer cells induce the infiltration of various immune cells that are located or distributed in different sites and play multiple roles, which have recently been proposed to predict clinical outcomes. We therefore studied the prognostic significance of the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the ratios between different types of immune cells in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). Methods We retrospectively analysed 132 consecutive patients diagnosed with advanced HPSCC in 2013–2017. Tumoural parenchyma was immunohistochemically counted manually for the number of CD8, CD4 and Foxp3 cells. The ratios of CD8/Foxp3 and CD8/CD4 ratios were calculated for each specimen and analyzed with respect to patient clinicopathological variables and prognosis. Results HPSCC patients with high levels of TILs showed evident correlations with well differentiated tumors (P < 0.05). Moreover, Foxp3+ TIL is also associated with overall staging group and T category (P = 0.048 and P = 0.046, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high CD8 and FoxP3 infiltration correlated with favourable overall survival (OS, P = 0.019 and P = 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.045 and P = 0.028) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, P = 0.034 and P = 0.009), respectively, but only Foxp3 displayed prognostic significance for DMFS in multivariate analysis (MVA). In the lymphocyte ratio analysis, CD8/Foxp3 appeared to play a pivotal role, and patients with a high CD8/Foxp3 ratio had a superior 3-year DFS and DMFS compared with those a low CD8/Foxp3 ratio in both univariate analysis (UVA) and MVA (P = 0.015 and P = 0.011). A high CD8/CD4 ratio was associated with better DFS and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) in UVA, and was an independent prognostic factor for improved LRFS in MVA (P = 0.040). Conclusion Although high TILs levels were determined to be prognostically significant in advanced HPSCC, the ratios of these subsets may be more informative. Particularly, a higher ratio of CD8/Foxp3 accurately predicts prognosis for improved DFS and DMFS, and an increased CD8/CD4 ratio is an independent predictor for favourable LRFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Tian
- Department of Radiotherapy, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji Sun
- Department of Pathology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 2600 jiangyue Road, Shanghai, 201112, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 2600 jiangyue Road, Shanghai, 201112, China
| | - Lan Lin
- Department of Pathology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 2600 jiangyue Road, Shanghai, 201112, China
| | - Chunyan Hu
- Department of Pathology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 2600 jiangyue Road, Shanghai, 201112, China.
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12
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Klapper L, Ribbat-Idel J, Kuppler P, Paulsen FO, Bruchhage KL, Rades D, Offermann A, Kirfel J, Wollenberg B, Idel C, Perner S. NR2F6 as a Prognostic Biomarker in HNSCC. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5527. [PMID: 32752295 PMCID: PMC7432340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)is the 6th most common cancer in humans worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis for patients. NR2F6 has been identified as an immune checkpoint molecule in tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes and is associated with a poor prognostic outcome in various cancers. The prognostic value of NR2F6 in HNSCC has not been described yet. We used a large, representative and clinically well-characterized cohort of 383 HNSCC patients, of which 22.4% developed a local recurrence. The NR2F6 expression was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry and was afterward correlated with clinical characteristics and clinicopathological features of HNSCC patients. Primary tumors from patients who develop a local recurrence have a higher NR2F6 expression than primary tumors which do not develop a local recurrence. Furthermore, a high NR2F6 expression is associated with poorer recurrence-free survival, although there is no correlation with overall survival. NR2F6 expression is independent of the T stage and UICC stage. NR2F6 might be a new prognostic biomarker for the early detection of local recurrences in HNSCC patients. Therefore, it may help to improve the recognition of patients who would benefit from more frequent follow-up examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luise Klapper
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Julika Ribbat-Idel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Patrick Kuppler
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Finn-Ole Paulsen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Karl-Ludwig Bruchhage
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, 23538 Luebeck, Germany;
| | - Dirk Rades
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Anne Offermann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
| | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, MRI Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Christian Idel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, 23538 Luebeck, Germany;
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (L.K.); (J.R.-I.); (P.K.); (F.-O.P.); (A.O.); (J.K.); or (S.P.)
- Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, 23845 Borstel, Germany
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13
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Chu YD, Lin WR, Lin YH, Kuo WH, Tseng CJ, Lim SN, Huang YL, Huang SC, Wu TJ, Lin KH, Yeh CT. COX5B-Mediated Bioenergetic Alteration Regulates Tumor Growth and Migration by Modulating AMPK-UHMK1-ERK Cascade in Hepatoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061646. [PMID: 32580279 PMCID: PMC7352820 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The oxidative phosphorylation machinery in mitochondria, which generates the main bioenergy pool in cells, includes four enzyme complexes for electron transport and ATP synthase. Among them, the cytochrome c oxidase (COX), which constitutes the fourth complex, has been suggested as the major regulatory site. Recently, abnormalities in COX were linked to tumor progression in several cancers. However, it remains unclear whether COX and its subunits play a role in tumor progression of hepatoma. To search for the key regulatory factor(s) in COX for hepatoma development, in silico analysis using public transcriptomic database followed by validation for postoperative outcome associations using independent in-house patient cohorts was performed. In which, COX5B was highly expressed in hepatoma and associated with unfavorable postoperative prognosis. In addressing the role of COX5B in hepatoma, the loss- and gain-of-function experiments for COX5B were conducted. Consequently, COX5B expression was associated with increased hepatoma cell proliferation, migration and xenograft growth. Downstream effectors searched by cDNA microarray analysis identified UHMK1, an oncogenic protein, which manifested a positively correlated expression level of COX5B. The COX5B-mediated regulatory event on UHMK1 expression was subsequently demonstrated as bioenergetic alteration-dependent activation of AMPK in hepatoma cells. Phosphoproteomic analysis uncovered activation of ERK- and stathmin-mediated pathways downstream of UHMK1. Finally, comprehensive phenotypic assays supported the impacts of COX5B-UHMK1-ERK axis on hepatoma cell growth and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-De Chu
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
| | - Wey-Ran Lin
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (C.-J.T.); (S.-N.L.)
| | - Yang-Hsiang Lin
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
| | - Wen-Hsin Kuo
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
| | - Chin-Ju Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (C.-J.T.); (S.-N.L.)
| | - Siew-Na Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (C.-J.T.); (S.-N.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Lin Huang
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-L.H.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Shih-Chiang Huang
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-L.H.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Ting-Jung Wu
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (Y.-D.C.); (W.-R.L.); (Y.-H.L.); (W.-H.K.); (T.-J.W.); (K.-H.L.)
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (C.-J.T.); (S.-N.L.)
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-3281200 (ext. 8129)
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In silico analysis reveals EP300 as a panCancer inhibitor of anti-tumor immune response via metabolic modulation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9389. [PMID: 32523042 PMCID: PMC7287052 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and other solid malignancies is a key determinant of therapy response and prognosis. Among other factors, it is shaped by the tumor mutational burden and defects in DNA repair enzymes. Based on the TCGA database we aimed to define specific, altered genes associated with different TIME types, which might represent new predictive markers or targets for immuno-therapeutic approaches. The HNSCC cohort of the TCGA database was used to define 3 TIME types (immune-activated, immune-suppressed, immune-absent) according to expression of immune-related genes. Mutation frequencies were correlated to the 3 TIME types. Overall survival was best in the immune-activated group. 9 genes were significantly differentially mutated in the 3 TIME types with strongest differences for TP53 and the histone-acetyltransferase EP300. Mutations in EP300 correlated with an immune-activated TIME. In panCancer analyses anti-tumor immune activity was increased in EP300 mutated esophageal, stomach and prostate cancers. Downregulation of EP300 gene expression was associated with higher anti-tumor immunity in most solid malignancies. Since EP300 is a promoter of glycolysis, which negatively affects anti-tumor immune response, we analyzed the association of EP300 with tumor metabolism. PanCancer tumor metabolism was strongly shifted towards oxidative phosphorylation in EP300 downregulated tumors. In silico analyses of of publicly available in vitro data showed a decrease of glycolysis-associated genes after treatment with the EP300 inhibitor C646. Our study reveals associations of specific gene alterations with different TIME types. In detail, we defined EP300 as a panCancer inhibitor of the TIME most likely via metabolic modulation. In this context EP300 represents a promising predictive biomarker and an immuno-therapeutic target.
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15
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Stein J, Tenbrock J, Kristiansen G, Müller SC, Ellinger J. Systematic expression analysis of the mitochondrial respiratory chain protein subunits identifies COX5B as a prognostic marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Int J Urol 2019; 26:910-916. [PMID: 31280487 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain protein subunits in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. METHODS Possible prognostic candidates were determined using The Cancer Genome Atlas database (n = 605). The database provided valid messenger ribonucleic acid expression data for 93 genes encoding for the subunits. Selected subunits were further investigated at the messenger ribonucleic acid and protein level by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry with the cohorts of the University Hospital Bonn. RESULTS The Cancer Genome Atlas messenger ribonucleic acid expression data indicated univariate and multivariate prognostic impact for seven subunits (NDUFS8, NDUFS7, COX5B, COX6B1, SDHD, COX15 and COX19). Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, significant downregulation (P < 0.05, n = 74) could be shown for COX5B, COX6B1, NDUFS7 and NDUF8 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma tissue. Survival analysis of polymerase chain reaction data showed a non-significant relationship (P = 0.067) of high COX5B expression and poor overall survival. Western blot (n = 8) and immunohistochemistry analysis (n = 167) confirmed significant COX5B downregulation on the protein level. Immunohistochemistry analysis identified COX5B as a prognostic marker for overall (P = 0.017) and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS The present study findings suggest downregulation of additional subunits of mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Remarkably, COX5B, a subunit of the respiratory chain complex IV, can be identified as a novel prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Stein
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia Tenbrock
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Stefan C Müller
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörg Ellinger
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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16
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Sawayama H, Ogata Y, Ishimoto T, Mima K, Hiyoshi Y, Iwatsuki M, Baba Y, Miyamoto Y, Yoshida N, Baba H. Glucose transporter 1 regulates the proliferation and cisplatin sensitivity of esophageal cancer. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:1705-1714. [PMID: 30861255 PMCID: PMC6500964 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression is a prognostic marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Recent work on GLUT1 and development of specific inhibitors supports the feasibility of GLUT1 inhibition as a treatment for various cancers. The anti–proliferative effects of GLUT1‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a GLUT1 inhibitor were evaluated in ESCC cell lines. Expression of pro–proliferative and anti–proliferative signaling and effector molecules was examined by western blotting and quantitative RT‐PCR. GLUT1 expression in pretreatment clinical biopsy samples was measured by immunohistochemistry and correlated with various clinicopathological parameters and response to chemotherapy. The reduction in standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F‐fluoro‐deoxyglucose was calculated using the formula: ([pretreatment SUVmax – posttreatment SUVmax]/pretreatment SUVmax) × 100. GLUT1‐specific siRNA expression in ESCC cells inhibited their proliferation, increased expression of p27kip, and decreased expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase 6, pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2, lactate dehydrogenase A and phospho‐ERK1/2. Suppression of GLUT1 by siRNA increased low‐dose cisplatin‐induced inhibition of proliferation of TE‐11 ESCC cells, which express high GLUT1 levels. Similarly, BAY‐876, a GLUT1 inhibitor, enhanced cisplatin‐mediated inhibition of ESCC cell proliferation. GLUT1 expression in pretreatment biopsy samples was associated with the response to chemotherapy as well as the pathological tumor stage and histological response grade after esophagectomy. Finally, GLUT1‐negative tumors showed a significantly larger reduction in SUVmax (61.2% ± 4.5%) compared with GLUT1‐positive tumors (46.2% ± 4.4%). GLUT1 expression may be a surrogate marker of response to chemotherapy, and inhibition of GLUT1 may be a potential novel therapy for ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Sawayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Ogata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yukiharu Hiyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaaki Iwatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Means C, Clayburgh DR, Maloney L, Sauer D, Taylor MH, Shindo ML, Coussens LM, Tsujikawa T. Tumor immune microenvironment characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma are associated with histopathological aggressiveness and BRAF mutation status. Head Neck 2019; 41:2636-2646. [PMID: 30896061 DOI: 10.1002/hed.25740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) follows an indolent course; however, up to 30% of patients develop recurrent disease requiring further treatment. Profiling PTC immune complexity may provide new biomarkers for improved risk prediction. METHODS Immune complexity profiles were quantitatively evaluated by multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) in archived tissue sections from 39 patients with PTC, and were assessed for correlations with aggressive histopathological features based on the presence of lymphovascular invasion and/or extrathyroidal extension, and BRAF V600E mutational status. RESULTS mIHC revealed two distinct immune clusters stratifying patients: a lymphoid-inflamed group (higher CD8+ T cells, reduced dendritic and mast cells) and a myeloid/hypo-inflamed group that correlated with aggressive pathological features. BRAF mutation was not associated with aggressive pathological features but did correlate with increased mast cell density. CONCLUSIONS Distinct immune microenvironments exist in PTC correlating with pathological aggressiveness. Immune-based biomarkers associated with possible tumor-immune interactions may be used for risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Means
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Daniel R Clayburgh
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Operative Care Division, Portland Veterans' Affairs Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Lauren Maloney
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - David Sauer
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Matthew H Taylor
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Maisie L Shindo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Lisa M Coussens
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Takahiro Tsujikawa
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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18
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Chaudhary S, Ganguly K, Muniyan S, Pothuraju R, Sayed Z, Jones DT, Batra SK, Macha MA. Immunometabolic Alterations by HPV Infection: New Dimensions to Head and Neck Cancer Disparity. J Natl Cancer Inst 2019; 111:233-244. [PMID: 30615137 PMCID: PMC6410958 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer, with high morbidity and mortality. Racial disparity in HNSCC is observed between African Americans (AAs) and whites, effecting both overall and 5-year survival, with worse prognosis for AAs. In addition to socio-economic status and demographic factors, many epidemiological studies have also identified factors including coexisting human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, primary tumor location, and a variety of somatic mutations that contribute to the prognostic incongruities in HNSCC patients among AAs and whites. Recent research also suggests HPV-induced dysregulation of tumor metabolism and immune microenvironment as the major regulators of HNSCC patient prognosis. Outcomes of several preclinical and clinical studies on targeted therapeutics warrant the need to elucidate the inherent mechanistic and population-based disparities underlying patient responses. This review systematically reports the underlying reasons for inconsistency in disease prognosis and therapy responses among HNSCC patients from different racial populations. The focus of this review is twofold: aside from discussing the causes of racial disparity, we also seek to identify the consequences of such disparity in terms of HPV infection and its associated mutational, metabolic, and immune landscapes. Considering the clinical impact of differential patient outcomes among AA and white populations, understanding the underlying cause of this disparity may pave the way for novel precision therapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib Chaudhary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Koelina Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Sakthivel Muniyan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Zafar Sayed
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Dwight T Jones
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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19
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Qian X, Nie X, Yao W, Klinghammer K, Sudhoff H, Kaufmann AM, Albers AE. Reactive oxygen species in cancer stem cells of head and neck squamous cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:248-257. [PMID: 29935313 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges in systemic treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a small tumor cell population, namely, cancer stem-like cells (CSC). CSC can regenerate and maintain a heterogenic tumor by their self-renewal capacity. Their potential ability to be more resistant to and survival after chemo- and radiation therapy was also identified. Further studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to this CSC-associated resistance. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge of HNSCC-CSC, with regard to ROS as a possible and novel therapeutic approach in targeting CSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany; Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaobo Nie
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, PR China
| | - Wenhao Yao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Konrad Klinghammer
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Sudhoff
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Klinikum Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
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