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Zhou C, Li C, Luo L, Li X, Jia K, He N, Mao S, Wang W, Shao C, Liu X, Huang K, Yu Y, Cai X, Chen Y, Dai Z, Li W, Yu J, Li J, Shen F, Wang Z, He F, Sun X, Mao R, Shi W, Zhang J, Jiang T, Zhang Z, Li F, Ren S. Anti-tumor efficacy of HRS-4642 and its potential combination with proteasome inhibition in KRAS G12D-mutant cancer. Cancer Cell 2024:S1535-6108(24)00226-5. [PMID: 38942026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
KRAS G12D is the most frequently mutated oncogenic KRAS subtype in solid tumors and remains undruggable in clinical settings. Here, we developed a high affinity, selective, long-acting, and non-covalent KRAS G12D inhibitor, HRS-4642, with an affinity constant of 0.083 nM. HRS-4642 demonstrated robust efficacy against KRAS G12D-mutant cancers both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, in a phase 1 clinical trial, HRS-4642 exhibited promising anti-tumor activity in the escalating dosing cohorts. Furthermore, the sensitization and resistance spectrum for HRS-4642 was deciphered through genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening, which unveiled proteasome as a sensitization target. We further observed that the proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, improved the anti-tumor efficacy of HRS-4642. Additionally, HRS-4642, either as a single agent or in combination with carfilzomib, reshaped the tumor microenvironment toward an immune-permissive one. In summary, this study provides potential therapies for patients with KRAS G12D-mutant cancers, for whom effective treatments are currently lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caicun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Chongyang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Libo Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xin Li
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Keyi Jia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ning He
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shiqi Mao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wanying Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chuchu Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Kan Huang
- Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yaxin Yu
- Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xinlei Cai
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 100049, China
| | - Yingxue Chen
- Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zican Dai
- Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiayu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Feng Shen
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zaiyong Wang
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Feng He
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xing Sun
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Rongfu Mao
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Pathology and Frontier Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Shengxiang Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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2
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Aleksic M, Meng X. Protein Haptenation and Its Role in Allergy. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:850-872. [PMID: 38834188 PMCID: PMC11187640 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to numerous electrophilic chemicals either as medicines, in the workplace, in nature, or through use of many common cosmetic and household products. Covalent modification of human proteins by such chemicals, or protein haptenation, is a common occurrence in cells and may result in generation of antigenic species, leading to development of hypersensitivity reactions. Ranging in severity of symptoms from local cutaneous reactions and rhinitis to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions such as Stephen-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), all these reactions have the same Molecular Initiating Event (MIE), i.e. haptenation. However, not all individuals who are exposed to electrophilic chemicals develop symptoms of hypersensitivity. In the present review, we examine common chemistry behind the haptenation reactions leading to formation of neoantigens. We explore simple reactions involving single molecule additions to a nucleophilic side chain of proteins and complex reactions involving multiple electrophilic centers on a single molecule or involving more than one electrophilic molecule as well as the generation of reactive molecules from the interaction with cellular detoxification mechanisms. Besides generation of antigenic species and enabling activation of the immune system, we explore additional events which result directly from the presence of electrophilic chemicals in cells, including activation of key defense mechanisms and immediate consequences of those reactions, and explore their potential effects. We discuss the factors that work in concert with haptenation leading to the development of hypersensitivity reactions and those that may act to prevent it from developing. We also review the potential harnessing of the specificity of haptenation in the design of potent covalent therapeutic inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Aleksic
- Safety
and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever,
Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44
1LQ, U.K.
| | - Xiaoli Meng
- MRC
Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Molecular and Clinical
Pharmacology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, U.K.
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3
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Qin G, Dai J, Chien S, Martins TJ, Loera B, Nguyen QH, Oakes ML, Tercan B, Aguilar B, Hagen L, McCune J, Gelinas R, Monnat RJ, Shmulevich I, Becker PS. Mutation Patterns Predict Drug Sensitivity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2659-2671. [PMID: 38619278 PMCID: PMC11176916 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The inherent genetic heterogeneity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has challenged the development of precise and effective therapies. The objective of this study was to elucidate the genomic basis of drug resistance or sensitivity, identify signatures for drug response prediction, and provide resources to the research community. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed targeted sequencing, high-throughput drug screening, and single-cell genomic profiling on leukemia cell samples derived from patients with AML. Statistical approaches and machine learning models were applied to identify signatures for drug response prediction. We also integrated large public datasets to understand the co-occurring mutation patterns and further investigated the mutation profiles in the single cells. The features revealed in the co-occurring or mutual exclusivity pattern were further subjected to machine learning models. RESULTS We detected genetic signatures associated with sensitivity or resistance to specific agents, and identified five co-occurring mutation groups. The application of single-cell genomic sequencing unveiled the co-occurrence of variants at the individual cell level, highlighting the presence of distinct subclones within patients with AML. Using the mutation pattern for drug response prediction demonstrates high accuracy in predicting sensitivity to some drug classes, such as MEK inhibitors for RAS-mutated leukemia. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the importance of considering the gene mutation patterns for the prediction of drug response in AML. It provides a framework for categorizing patients with AML by mutations that enable drug sensitivity prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin Dai
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sylvia Chien
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Timothy J. Martins
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brenda Loera
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Quy H. Nguyen
- University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | | | - Bahar Tercan
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Lauren Hagen
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Raymond J. Monnat
- Lab Medicine|Pathology and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Pamela S. Becker
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
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4
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Lokhandwala J, Smalley TB, Tran TH. Structural perspectives on recent breakthrough efforts toward direct drugging of RAS and acquired resistance. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1394702. [PMID: 38841166 PMCID: PMC11150659 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1394702] [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: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncoprotein homolog (KRAS) is currently a primary focus of oncologists and translational scientists, driven by exciting results with KRAS-targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. While KRAS mutations continue to drive high cancer diagnosis and death, researchers have developed unique strategies to target KRAS variations. Having been investigated over the past 40 years and considered "undruggable" due to the lack of pharmacological binding pockets, recent breakthroughs and accelerated FDA approval of the first covalent inhibitors targeting KRASG12C, have largely sparked further drug development. Small molecule development has targeted the previously identified primary location alterations such as G12, G13, Q61, and expanded to address the emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance. Of interest, the non-covalent KRASG12D targeting inhibitor MRTX-1133 has shown promising results in humanized pancreatic cancer mouse models and is seemingly making its way from bench to bedside. While this manuscript was under review a novel class of first covalent inhibitors specific for G12D was published, These so-called malolactones can crosslink both GDP and GTP bound forms of G12D. Inhibition of the latter state suppressed downstream signaling and cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Moreover, a non-covalent pan-KRAS inhibitor, BI-2865, reduced tumor proliferation in cell lines and mouse models. Finally, the next generation of KRAS mutant-specific and pan-RAS tri-complex inhibitors have revolutionized RAS drug discovery. This review will give a structural biology perspective on the current generation of KRAS inhibitors through the lens of emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jameela Lokhandwala
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Tracess B. Smalley
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Timothy H. Tran
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
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5
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Eiken AP, Smith AL, Skupa SA, Schmitz E, Rana S, Singh S, Kumar S, Mallareddy JR, de Cubas AA, Krishna A, Kalluchi A, Rowley MJ, D'Angelo CR, Lunning MA, Bociek RG, Vose JM, Natarajan A, El-Gamal D. Novel Spirocyclic Dimer, SpiD3, Targets Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Survival Pathways with Potent Preclinical Effects. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1328-1343. [PMID: 38687198 PMCID: PMC11110724 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell survival and growth is fueled by the induction of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling within the tumor microenvironment (TME) driving activation of NFκB signaling and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Malignant cells have higher basal levels of UPR posing a unique therapeutic window to combat CLL cell growth using pharmacologic agents that induce accumulation of misfolded proteins. Frontline CLL therapeutics that directly target BCR signaling such as Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors (e.g., ibrutinib) have enhanced patient survival. However, resistance mechanisms wherein tumor cells bypass BTK inhibition through acquired BTK mutations, and/or activation of alternative survival mechanisms have rendered ibrutinib ineffective, imposing the need for novel therapeutics. We evaluated SpiD3, a novel spirocyclic dimer, in CLL cell lines, patient-derived CLL samples, ibrutinib-resistant CLL cells, and in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model. Our integrated multi-omics and functional analyses revealed BCR signaling, NFκB signaling, and endoplasmic reticulum stress among the top pathways modulated by SpiD3. This was accompanied by marked upregulation of the UPR and inhibition of global protein synthesis in CLL cell lines and patient-derived CLL cells. In ibrutinib-resistant CLL cells, SpiD3 retained its antileukemic effects, mirrored in reduced activation of key proliferative pathways (e.g., PRAS, ERK, MYC). Translationally, we observed reduced tumor burden in SpiD3-treated Eµ-TCL1 mice. Our findings reveal that SpiD3 exploits critical vulnerabilities in CLL cells including NFκB signaling and the UPR, culminating in profound antitumor properties independent of TME stimuli. SIGNIFICANCE SpiD3 demonstrates cytotoxicity in CLL partially through inhibition of NFκB signaling independent of tumor-supportive stimuli. By inducing the accumulation of unfolded proteins, SpiD3 activates the UPR and hinders protein synthesis in CLL cells. Overall, SpiD3 exploits critical CLL vulnerabilities (i.e., the NFκB pathway and UPR) highlighting its use in drug-resistant CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Humans
- Animals
- Mice
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Unfolded Protein Response/drug effects
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- Adenine/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Spiro Compounds/pharmacology
- Spiro Compounds/therapeutic use
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria P. Eiken
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Audrey L. Smith
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sydney A. Skupa
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Elizabeth Schmitz
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sandeep Rana
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sarbjit Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Siddhartha Kumar
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jayapal Reddy Mallareddy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Aguirre A de Cubas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Akshay Krishna
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Achyuth Kalluchi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - M. Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Christopher R. D'Angelo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Matthew A. Lunning
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - R. Gregory Bociek
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Julie M. Vose
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Dalia El-Gamal
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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6
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Musiu C, Lupo F, Agostini A, Lionetto G, Bevere M, Paiella S, Carbone C, Corbo V, Ugel S, De Sanctis F. Cellular collusion: cracking the code of immunosuppression and chemo resistance in PDAC. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341079. [PMID: 38817612 PMCID: PMC11137177 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the efforts, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still highly lethal. Therapeutic challenges reside in late diagnosis and establishment of peculiar tumor microenvironment (TME) supporting tumor outgrowth. This stromal landscape is highly heterogeneous between patients and even in the same patient. The organization of functional sub-TME with different cellular compositions provides evolutive advantages and sustains therapeutic resistance. Tumor progressively establishes a TME that can suit its own needs, including proliferation, stemness and invasion. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, the main non-neoplastic cellular TME components, follow soluble factors-mediated neoplastic instructions and synergize to promote chemoresistance and immune surveillance destruction. Unveiling heterotypic stromal-neoplastic interactions is thus pivotal to breaking this synergism and promoting the reprogramming of the TME toward an anti-tumor milieu, improving thus the efficacy of conventional and immune-based therapies. We underscore recent advances in the characterization of immune and fibroblast stromal components supporting or dampening pancreatic cancer progression, as well as novel multi-omic technologies improving the current knowledge of PDAC biology. Finally, we put into context how the clinic will translate the acquired knowledge to design new-generation clinical trials with the final aim of improving the outcome of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Musiu
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Lupo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lionetto
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Bevere
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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7
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Linette GP, Bear AS, Carreno BM. Facts and Hopes in Immunotherapy Strategies Targeting Antigens Derived from KRAS Mutations. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2017-2024. [PMID: 38266167 PMCID: PMC11094419 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
In this commentary, we advance the notion that mutant KRAS (mKRAS) is an ideal tumor neoantigen that is amenable for targeting by the adaptive immune system. Recent progress highlights key advances on various fronts that validate mKRAS as a molecular target and support further pursuit as an immunological target. Because mKRAS is an intracellular membrane localized protein and not normally expressed on the cell surface, we surmise that proteasome degradation will generate short peptides that bind to HLA class I (HLA-I) molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum for transport through the Golgi for display on the cell surface. T-cell receptors (TCR)αβ and antibodies have been isolated that specifically recognize mKRAS encoded epitope(s) or haptenated-mKRAS peptides in the context of HLA-I on tumor cells. Case reports using adoptive T-cell therapy provide proof of principle that KRAS G12D can be successfully targeted by the immune system in patients with cancer. Among the challenges facing investigators is the requirement of precision medicine to identify and match patients to available mKRAS peptide/HLA therapeutics and to increase the population coverage by targeting additional mKRAS epitopes. Ultimately, we envision mKRAS-directed immunotherapy as an effective treatment option for selected patients that will complement and perhaps synergize with small-molecule mKRAS inhibitors and targeted mKRAS degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald P. Linette
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Adham S. Bear
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Beatriz M. Carreno
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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8
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Feng JL, Liang B, Zheng WJ, Xu L, Zhou QY, Chen J. Integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing unveils a machine learning-based pan-cancer major histocompatibility complex-related signature for predicting immunotherapy efficacy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:121. [PMID: 38714579 PMCID: PMC11076435 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03714-5] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) could serve as a potential biomarker for tumor immunotherapy, however, it is not yet known whether MHC could distinguish potential beneficiaries. Single-cell RNA sequencing datasets derived from patients with immunotherapy were collected to elucidate the association between MHC and immunotherapy response. A novel MHCsig was developed and validated using large-scale pan-cancer data, including The Cancer Genome Atlas and immunotherapy cohorts. The therapeutic value of MHCsig was further explored using 17 CRISPR/Cas9 datasets. MHC-related genes were associated with drug resistance and MHCsig was significantly and positively associated with immunotherapy response and total mutational burden. Remarkably, MHCsig significantly enriched 6% top-ranked genes, which were potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, we generated Hub-MHCsig, which was associated with survival and disease-special survival of pan-cancer, especially low-grade glioma. This result was also confirmed in cell lines and in our own clinical cohort. Later low-grade glioma-related Hub-MHCsig was established and the regulatory network was constructed. We provided conclusive clinical evidence regarding the association between MHCsig and immunotherapy response. We developed MHCsig, which could effectively predict the benefits of immunotherapy for multiple tumors. Further exploration of MHCsig revealed some potential therapeutic targets and regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Lin Feng
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Liang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Le Xu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin-Yi Zhou
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Yin H, Tang Q, Xia H, Bi F. Targeting RAF dimers in RAS mutant tumors: From biology to clinic. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1895-1923. [PMID: 38799634 PMCID: PMC11120325 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations occur in approximately 30% of tumors worldwide and have a poor prognosis due to limited therapies. Covalent targeting of KRAS G12C has achieved significant success in recent years, but there is still a lack of efficient therapeutic approaches for tumors with non-G12C KRAS mutations. A highly promising approach is to target the MAPK pathway downstream of RAS, with a particular focus on RAF kinases. First-generation RAF inhibitors have been authorized to treat BRAF mutant tumors for over a decade. However, their use in RAS-mutated tumors is not recommended due to the paradoxical ERK activation mainly caused by RAF dimerization. To address the issue of RAF dimerization, type II RAF inhibitors have emerged as leading candidates. Recent clinical studies have shown the initial effectiveness of these agents against RAS mutant tumors. Promisingly, type II RAF inhibitors in combination with MEK or ERK inhibitors have demonstrated impressive efficacy in RAS mutant tumors. This review aims to clarify the importance of RAF dimerization in cellular signaling and resistance to treatment in tumors with RAS mutations, as well as recent progress in therapeutic approaches to address the problem of RAF dimerization in RAS mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Yin
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiulin Tang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongwei Xia
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Feng Bi
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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10
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Perurena N, Situ L, Cichowski K. Combinatorial strategies to target RAS-driven cancers. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:316-337. [PMID: 38627557 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Although RAS was formerly considered undruggable, various agents that inhibit RAS or specific RAS oncoproteins have now been developed. Indeed, the importance of directly targeting RAS has recently been illustrated by the clinical success of mutant-selective KRAS inhibitors. Nevertheless, responses to these agents are typically incomplete and restricted to a subset of patients, highlighting the need to develop more effective treatments, which will likely require a combinatorial approach. Vertical strategies that target multiple nodes within the RAS pathway to achieve deeper suppression are being investigated and have precedence in other contexts. However, alternative strategies that co-target RAS and other therapeutic vulnerabilities have been identified, which may mitigate the requirement for profound pathway suppression. Regardless, the efficacy of any given approach will likely be dictated by genetic, epigenetic and tumour-specific variables. Here we discuss various combinatorial strategies to treat KRAS-driven cancers, highlighting mechanistic concepts that may extend to tumours harbouring other RAS mutations. Although many promising combinations have been identified, clinical responses will ultimately depend on whether a therapeutic window can be achieved and our ability to prospectively select responsive patients. Therefore, we must continue to develop and understand biologically diverse strategies to maximize our likelihood of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Perurena
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Situ
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen Cichowski
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Imperial R, Mosalem O, Majeed U, Tran NH, Borad MJ, Babiker H. Second-Line Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Shedding Light on New Opportunities and Key Talking Points from Clinical Trials. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 2024; 17:121-134. [PMID: 38650920 PMCID: PMC11034511 DOI: 10.2147/ceg.s390655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite improvements in overall cancer mortality, deaths related to pancreatic cancer continue to rise. Following first-line treatment, second-line options are significantly limited. Classically, first-line treatment consisted of either gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil based systemic chemotherapy. Upon progression of disease or recurrence, subsequent second-line treatment is still gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy, depending on what was used in the first line and the timing of progression or recurrence. A better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has led to new treatment strategies including specifically targeting the desmoplastic stroma, cytokine signaling and actionable mutations. Furthermore, efforts are also directed to enhance the immunogenicity profile of PDAC's well-established immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironment. More recently, the outstanding response rates of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells in hematologic malignancies, have led to clinical trials to evaluate the treatment modality in PDAC. In this review, we summarize recently presented clinical trials for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with novel treatment approaches in the second line and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Imperial
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Osama Mosalem
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Umair Majeed
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Mitesh J Borad
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hani Babiker
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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12
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Kelly JJ, Ankrom ET, Newkirk SE, Thévenin D, Pires MM. Targeted acidosis mediated delivery of antigenic MHC-binding peptides. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1337973. [PMID: 38665920 PMCID: PMC11043575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1337973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the primary effector immune cells responsible for protection against cancer, as they target peptide neoantigens presented through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on cancer cells, leading to cell death. Targeting peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex offers a promising strategy for immunotherapy due to their specificity and effectiveness against cancer. In this work, we exploit the acidic tumor micro-environment to selectively deliver antigenic peptides to cancer using pH(low) insertion peptides (pHLIP). We demonstrated the delivery of MHC binding peptides directly to the cytoplasm of melanoma cells resulted in the presentation of antigenic peptides on MHC, and activation of T cells. This work highlights the potential of pHLIP as a vehicle for the targeted delivery of antigenic peptides and its presentation via MHC-bound complexes on cancer cell surface for activation of T cells with implications for enhancing anti-cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey J. Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Emily T. Ankrom
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Newkirk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Damien Thévenin
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Marcos M. Pires
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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13
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Klein C, Brinkmann U, Reichert JM, Kontermann RE. The present and future of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:301-319. [PMID: 38448606 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) enable novel mechanisms of action and/or therapeutic applications that cannot be achieved using conventional IgG-based antibodies. Consequently, development of these molecules has garnered substantial interest in the past decade and, as of the end of 2023, 14 bsAbs have been approved: 11 for the treatment of cancer and 3 for non-oncology indications. bsAbs are available in different formats, address different targets and mediate anticancer function via different molecular mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy. We focus on bsAbs that are approved or in clinical development, including bsAb-mediated dual modulators of signalling pathways, tumour-targeted receptor agonists, bsAb-drug conjugates, bispecific T cell, natural killer cell and innate immune cell engagers, and bispecific checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulators. Finally, we provide an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development, including trispecifics, bsAb prodrugs, bsAbs that induce degradation of tumour targets and bsAbs acting as cytokine mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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14
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Molina-Arcas M, Downward J. Exploiting the therapeutic implications of KRAS inhibition on tumor immunity. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:338-357. [PMID: 38471457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, RAS oncogenic proteins have transitioned from being deemed undruggable to having two clinically approved drugs, with several more in advanced stages of development. Despite the initial benefit of KRAS-G12C inhibitors for patients with tumors harboring this mutation, the rapid emergence of drug resistance underscores the urgent need to synergize these inhibitors with other therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes. RAS mutant tumor cells can create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), suggesting an increased susceptibility to immunotherapies following RAS inhibition. This provides a rationale for combining RAS inhibitory drugs with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, achieving this synergy in the clinical setting has proven challenging. Here, we explore how understanding the impact of RAS mutant tumor cells on the TME can guide innovative approaches to combining RAS inhibition with immunotherapies, review progress in both pre-clinical and clinical stages, and discuss challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julian Downward
- Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
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15
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Xu M, Zhao X, Wen T, Qu X. Unveiling the role of KRAS in tumor immune microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116058. [PMID: 38171240 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116058] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rats sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), the first discovered human oncogene, has long been recognized as "undruggable". KRAS mutations frequently occur in multiple human cancers including non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), colorectal cancer(CRC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC), functioning as a "molecule switch" determining the activation of various oncogenic signaling pathways. Except for its intrinsic pro-tumorigenic role, KRAS alteration also exhibits an unique immune signature characterized by elevated PD-L1 level and high tumor mutational burden(TMB). KRAS mutation shape an immune suppressive microenvironment by impeding effective T cells infiltration and recruiting suppressive immune cells including myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs), regulatory T cells(Tregs), cancer associated fibroblasts(CAFs). In immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI) era, NSCLC patients with mutated KRAS tend to be more responsive to ICI than patients with intact KRAS. The hallmark for KRAS mutation is the existence of multiple kinds of co-mutations. Different types of co-alterations have distinct tumor microenvironment(TME) signatures and responses to ICI. TP53 co-mutation possess a "hot" TME and achieve higher response to immunotherapy while other loss of function mutation correlated with a "colder" TME and a poor outcome to ICI-based therapy. The groundbreaking discovery of KRAS G12C inhibitors significantly improved outcomes for this KRAS subtype even though efficacy was limited to NSCLC patients. KRAS G12C inhibitors also restore the suppressive TME, creating an opportunity for combinations with ICI. However, an inevitable challenge to KRAS inhibitors is drug resistance. Promising combination strategies such as combination with SHP2 is an approach deserve further exploration because of their immune modulatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ti Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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16
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Nussinov R, Jang H. Direct K-Ras Inhibitors to Treat Cancers: Progress, New Insights, and Approaches to Treat Resistance. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 64:231-253. [PMID: 37524384 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-022823-113946] [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] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Here we discuss approaches to K-Ras inhibition and drug resistance scenarios. A breakthrough offered a covalent drug against K-RasG12C. Subsequent innovations harnessed same-allele drug combinations, as well as cotargeting K-RasG12C with a companion drug to upstream regulators or downstream kinases. However, primary, adaptive, and acquired resistance inevitably emerge. The preexisting mutation load can explain how even exceedingly rare mutations with unobservable effects can promote drug resistance, seeding growth of insensitive cell clones, and proliferation. Statistics confirm the expectation that most resistance-related mutations are in cis, pointing to the high probability of cooperative, same-allele effects. In addition to targeted Ras inhibitors and drug combinations, bifunctional molecules and innovative tri-complex inhibitors to target Ras mutants are also under development. Since the identities and potential contributions of preexisting and evolving mutations are unknown, selecting a pharmacologic combination is taxing. Collectively, our broad review outlines considerations and provides new insights into pharmacology and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA;
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA;
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17
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Chauhan P, V R, Kumar M, Molla R, Mishra SD, Basa S, Rai V. Chemical technology principles for selective bioconjugation of proteins and antibodies. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:380-449. [PMID: 38095227 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00715d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Proteins are multifunctional large organic compounds that constitute an essential component of a living system. Hence, control over their bioconjugation impacts science at the chemistry-biology-medicine interface. A chemical toolbox for their precision engineering can boost healthcare and open a gateway for directed or precision therapeutics. Such a chemical toolbox remained elusive for a long time due to the complexity presented by the large pool of functional groups. The precise single-site modification of a protein requires a method to address a combination of selectivity attributes. This review focuses on guiding principles that can segregate them to simplify the task for a chemical method. Such a disintegration systematically employs a multi-step chemical transformation to deconvolute the selectivity challenges. It constitutes a disintegrate (DIN) theory that offers additional control parameters for tuning precision in protein bioconjugation. This review outlines the selectivity hurdles faced by chemical methods. It elaborates on the developments in the perspective of DIN theory to demonstrate simultaneous regulation of reactivity, chemoselectivity, site-selectivity, modularity, residue specificity, and protein specificity. It discusses the progress of such methods to construct protein and antibody conjugates for biologics, including antibody-fluorophore and antibody-drug conjugates (AFCs and ADCs). It also briefs how this knowledge can assist in developing small molecule-based covalent inhibitors. In the process, it highlights an opportunity for hypothesis-driven routes to accelerate discoveries of selective methods and establish new targetome in the precision engineering of proteins and antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Chauhan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Ragendu V
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Mohan Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Rajib Molla
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Surya Dev Mishra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Sneha Basa
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
| | - Vishal Rai
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, 462 066, India.
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18
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Yao Z, Zhang F, Qi C, Wang C, Mao M, Zhao C, Qi M, Wang Z, Zhou G, Jiang X, Xia H. SECTM1 promotes the development of glioblastoma and mesenchymal transition by regulating the TGFβ1/Smad signaling pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:78-93. [PMID: 38164182 PMCID: PMC10750278 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.84591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Secreted and transmembrane protein 1 (SECTM1) is a gene encoding a transmembrane protein. The role of SECTM1 in glioblastoma (GBM) is unclear. Here, we reported the abnormal expression of SECTM1 in GBM for the first time and studied the role and mechanism of SECTM1 in GBM. Methods: qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of SECTM1 in gliomas of different grades and GBM cell lines. After the knockdown of SECTM1 expression in cell lines by shRNA, the effect of SECTM1 in GBM cell lines was verified by CCK-8, Transwell, EdU and wound healing experiments. We further investigated the effect and mechanism of SECTM1 on GBM in vitro and in vivo. The effect of SECTM1 on glioma growth was detected by subcutaneous tumor xenografts in nude mice in vivo. Results: The results showed that the knockdown of SECTM1 expression in cell lines significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GBM cells while inhibiting the progression of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice. However, the role and molecular mechanism of SECTM1 in GBM remain unclear. SECTM1 was found to promote GBM epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) like processes. Bioinformatics analysis and Western blotting showed that SECTM1 regulates glioblastoma invasion and EMT-like processes mainly through the TGFβ1/Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion: The low expression of SECTM1 has an inhibitory effect on GBM and is a potential target for GBM treatment. SECTM1 may also be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Chenxue Qi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Mao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) and Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chenhui Zhao
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Min Qi
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Zhichun Wang
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Guoren Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaochun Jiang
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Hongping Xia
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital (Yijishan Hospital), Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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19
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Yan T, Boatner LM, Cui L, Tontonoz PJ, Backus KM. Defining the Cell Surface Cysteinome Using Two-Step Enrichment Proteomics. JACS AU 2023; 3:3506-3523. [PMID: 38155636 PMCID: PMC10751780 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The plasma membrane proteome is a rich resource of functionally important and therapeutically relevant protein targets. Distinguished by high hydrophobicity, heavy glycosylation, disulfide-rich sequences, and low overall abundance, the cell surface proteome remains undersampled in established proteomic pipelines, including our own cysteine chemoproteomics platforms. Here, we paired cell surface glycoprotein capture with cysteine chemoproteomics to establish a two-stage enrichment method that enables chemoproteomic profiling of cell Surface Cysteinome. Our "Cys-Surf" platform captures >2,800 total membrane protein cysteines in 1,046 proteins, including 1,907 residues not previously captured by bulk proteomic analysis. By pairing Cys-Surf with an isotopic chemoproteomic readout, we uncovered 821 total ligandable cysteines, including known and novel sites. Cys-Surf also robustly delineates redox-sensitive cysteines, including cysteines prone to activation-dependent changes to cysteine oxidation state and residues sensitive to addition of exogenous reductants. Exemplifying the capacity of Cys-Surf to delineate functionally important cysteines, we identified a redox sensitive cysteine in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) that impacts both the protein localization and uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. Taken together, the Cys-Surf platform, distinguished by its two-stage enrichment paradigm, represents a tailored approach to delineate the functional and therapeutic potential of the plasma membrane cysteinome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyang Yan
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Lisa M. Boatner
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Liujuan Cui
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Peter J. Tontonoz
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Keriann M. Backus
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- DOE
Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Jonsson
Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Eli
and Edythe
Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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20
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Boumelha J, Molina-Arcas M, Downward J. Facts and Hopes on RAS Inhibitors and Cancer Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5012-5020. [PMID: 37581538 PMCID: PMC10722141 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-3655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Although the past decade has seen great strides in the development of immunotherapies that reactivate the immune system against tumors, there have also been major advances in the discovery of drugs blocking oncogenic drivers of cancer growth. However, there has been very little progress in combining immunotherapies with drugs that target oncogenic driver pathways. Some of the most important oncogenes in human cancer encode RAS family proteins, although these have proven challenging to target. Recently drugs have been approved that inhibit a specific mutant form of KRAS: G12C. These have improved the treatment of patients with lung cancer harboring this mutation, but development of acquired drug resistance after initial responses has limited the impact on overall survival. Because of the immunosuppressive nature of the signaling network controlled by oncogenic KRAS, targeted KRAS G12C inhibition can indirectly affect antitumor immunity, and does so without compromising the critical role of normal RAS proteins in immune cells. This serves as a rationale for combination with immune checkpoint blockade, which can provide additional combinatorial therapeutic benefit in some preclinical cancer models. However, in clinical trials, combination of KRAS G12C inhibitors with PD-(L)1 blockade has yet to show improved outcome, in part due to treatment toxicities. A greater understanding of how oncogenic KRAS drives immune evasion and how mutant-specific KRAS inhibition impacts the tumor microenvironment can lead to novel approaches to combining RAS inhibition with immunotherapies.
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21
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Cheng NC, Vonderheide RH. Immune vulnerabilities of mutant KRAS in pancreatic cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:928-936. [PMID: 37524642 PMCID: PMC10592263 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.004] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The 40-year desire to target the mutant Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene (mKRAS) therapeutically is being realized with more and more broadly applicable and tumor-specific small-molecule inhibitors. Immunologically, mKRAS has equal desirability as a target. Tumor KRAS signaling plays a large role in shaping the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment, especially in pancreatic cancer, leaving mKRAS inhibitors with potentially powerful immune modulatory capabilities that could be exploited in immunological-oncological combinations. mKRAS is itself an immunological antigen, a 'shared neoepitope' linked to the oncogenic process, validated biochemically and immunologically. Novel approaches in the clinic are taking advantage of the fact that mKRAS peptides are naturally processed and presented in tumors by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah C Cheng
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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22
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Kelly JJ, Ankrom E, Thévenin D, Pires MM. Targeted Acidosis Mediated Delivery of Antigenic MHC-Binding Peptides. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.18.562409. [PMID: 37904977 PMCID: PMC10614887 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.18.562409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the primary effector immune cells responsible for protection against cancer, as they target peptide neoantigens presented through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on cancer cells, leading to cell death. Targeting peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes offers a promising strategy for immunotherapy due to its specificity and effectiveness against cancer. In this work, we exploit the acidic tumor micro-environment to selectively deliver antigenic peptides to cancer cells using pH(low) insertion peptides (pHLIP). We demonstrated that the delivery of MHC binding peptides directly to the cytoplasm of melanoma cells resulted in the presentation of antigenic peptides on MHC, and subsequent activation of T cells. This work highlights the potential of pHLIP as a vehicle for targeted delivery of antigenic peptides and their presentation via MHC-bound complexes on cancer cell surfaces for activation of T cells with implications for enhancing anti-cancer immunotherapy.
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23
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Yan T, Boatner LM, Cui L, Tontonoz P, Backus KM. Defining the Cell Surface Cysteinome using Two-step Enrichment Proteomics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.17.562832. [PMID: 37904933 PMCID: PMC10614875 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
The plasma membrane proteome is a rich resource of functional and therapeutically relevant protein targets. Distinguished by high hydrophobicity, heavy glycosylation, disulfide-rich sequences, and low overall abundance, the cell surface proteome remains undersampled in established proteomic pipelines, including our own cysteine chemoproteomics platforms. Here we paired cell surface glycoprotein capture with cysteine chemoproteomics to establish a two-stage enrichment method that enables chemoproteomic profiling of cell Surface Cysteinome. Our "Cys-Surf" platform captures >2,800 total membrane protein cysteines in 1,046 proteins, including 1,907 residues not previously captured by bulk proteomic analysis. By pairing Cys-Surf with an isotopic chemoproteomic readout, we uncovered 821 total ligandable cysteines, including known and novel sites. Cys-Surf also robustly delineates redox-sensitive cysteines, including cysteines prone to activation-dependent changes to cysteine oxidation state and residues sensitive to addition of exogenous reductants. Exemplifying the capacity of Cys-Surf to delineate functionally important cysteines, we identified a redox sensitive cysteine in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) that impacts both the protein localization and uptake of LDL particles. Taken together, the Cys-Surf platform, distinguished by its two-stage enrichment paradigm, represents a tailored approach to delineate the functional and therapeutic potential of the plasma membrane cysteinome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyang Yan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Lisa M. Boatner
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Liujuan Cui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Peter Tontonoz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Keriann M. Backus
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
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24
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Chung DH, Kong S, Young NJ, Chuo SW, Shiah JV, Connelly EJ, Rohweder PJ, Born A, Manglik A, Grandis JR, Johnson DE, Craik CS. Rare antibody phage isolation and discrimination (RAPID) biopanning enables identification of high-affinity antibodies against challenging targets. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1036. [PMID: 37828150 PMCID: PMC10570357 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05390-0] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro biopanning platforms using synthetic phage display antibody libraries have enabled the identification of antibodies against antigens that were once thought to be beyond the scope of immunization. Applying these methods against challenging targets remains a critical challenge. Here, we present a new biopanning pipeline, RAPID (Rare Antibody Phage Isolation and Discrimination), for the identification of rare high-affinity antibodies against challenging targets. RAPID biopanning uses fluorescent labeled phage displayed fragment antigen-binding (Fab) antibody libraries for the isolation of high-affinity binders with fluorescent activated sorting. Subsequently, discriminatory hit screening is performed with a biolayer interferometry (BLI) method, BIAS (Biolayer Interferometry Antibody Screen), where candidate binders are ranked and prioritized according to their estimated kinetic off rates. Previously reported antibodies were used to develop the methodology, and the RAPID biopanning pipeline was applied to three challenging targets (CHIP, Gαq, and CS3D), enabling the identification of high-affinity antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hee Chung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Sophie Kong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Nicholas J Young
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Shih-Wei Chuo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jamie V Shiah
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Emily J Connelly
- The Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Peter J Rohweder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Alexandra Born
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Aashish Manglik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- The Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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25
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Li J, Xiao Z, Wang D, Jia L, Nie S, Zeng X, Hu W. The screening, identification, design and clinical application of tumor-specific neoantigens for TCR-T cells. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:141. [PMID: 37649123 PMCID: PMC10466891 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development of tumor immunotherapies, including adoptive cell therapies (ACTs), cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies, particularly for solid tumors. With the development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics technology, the rapid identification and prediction of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has become possible. Compared with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), highly immunogenic TSAs provide new targets for personalized tumor immunotherapy and can be used as prospective indicators for predicting tumor patient survival, prognosis, and immune checkpoint blockade response. Here, the identification and characterization of neoantigens and the clinical application of neoantigen-based TCR-T immunotherapy strategies are summarized, and the current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translational potential of these strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghui Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jia
- International Health Medicine Innovation Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Nie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingda Zeng
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, People's Republic of China
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26
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Desai H, Ofori S, Boatner L, Yu F, Villanueva M, Ung N, Nesvizhskii AI, Backus K. Multi-omic stratification of the missense variant cysteinome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.12.553095. [PMID: 37645963 PMCID: PMC10461992 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.12.553095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Cancer genomes are rife with genetic variants; one key outcome of this variation is gain-ofcysteine, which is the most frequently acquired amino acid due to missense variants in COSMIC. Acquired cysteines are both driver mutations and sites targeted by precision therapies. However, despite their ubiquity, nearly all acquired cysteines remain uncharacterized. Here, we pair cysteine chemoproteomics-a technique that enables proteome-wide pinpointing of functional, redox sensitive, and potentially druggable residues-with genomics to reveal the hidden landscape of cysteine acquisition. For both cancer and healthy genomes, we find that cysteine acquisition is a ubiquitous consequence of genetic variation that is further elevated in the context of decreased DNA repair. Our chemoproteogenomics platform integrates chemoproteomic, whole exome, and RNA-seq data, with a customized 2-stage false discovery rate (FDR) error controlled proteomic search, further enhanced with a user-friendly FragPipe interface. Integration of CADD predictions of deleteriousness revealed marked enrichment for likely damaging variants that result in acquisition of cysteine. By deploying chemoproteogenomics across eleven cell lines, we identify 116 gain-of-cysteines, of which 10 were liganded by electrophilic druglike molecules. Reference cysteines proximal to missense variants were also found to be pervasive, 791 in total, supporting heretofore untapped opportunities for proteoform-specific chemical probe development campaigns. As chemoproteogenomics is further distinguished by sample-matched combinatorial variant databases and compatible with redox proteomics and small molecule screening, we expect widespread utility in guiding proteoform-specific biology and therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heta Desai
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Samuel Ofori
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Lisa Boatner
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Fengchao Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Miranda Villanueva
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nicholas Ung
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Keriann Backus
- Biological Chemistry Department, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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27
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Rulten SL, Grose RP, Gatz SA, Jones JL, Cameron AJM. The Future of Precision Oncology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12613. [PMID: 37628794 PMCID: PMC10454858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and evolution have evolved rapidly over recent years, and the variation from one patient to another is now widely recognized. Consequently, one-size-fits-all approaches to the treatment of cancer have been superseded by precision medicines that target specific disease characteristics, promising maximum clinical efficacy, minimal safety concerns, and reduced economic burden. While precision oncology has been very successful in the treatment of some tumors with specific characteristics, a large number of patients do not yet have access to precision medicines for their disease. The success of next-generation precision oncology depends on the discovery of new actionable disease characteristics, rapid, accurate, and comprehensive diagnosis of complex phenotypes within each patient, novel clinical trial designs with improved response rates, and worldwide access to novel targeted anticancer therapies for all patients. This review outlines some of the current technological trends, and highlights some of the complex multidisciplinary efforts that are underway to ensure that many more patients with cancer will be able to benefit from precision oncology in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard P. Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (R.P.G.); (J.L.J.)
| | - Susanne A. Gatz
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - J. Louise Jones
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (R.P.G.); (J.L.J.)
| | - Angus J. M. Cameron
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (R.P.G.); (J.L.J.)
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28
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Stutzmann C, Peng J, Wu Z, Savoie C, Sirois I, Thibault P, Wheeler AR, Caron E. Unlocking the potential of microfluidics in mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics for tumor antigen discovery. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100511. [PMID: 37426761 PMCID: PMC10326451 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The identification of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) is critical for developing effective cancer immunotherapies. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based immunopeptidomics has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying TSAs as physical molecules. However, current immunopeptidomics platforms face challenges in measuring low-abundance TSAs in a precise, sensitive, and reproducible manner from small needle-tissue biopsies (<1 mg). Inspired by recent advances in single-cell proteomics, microfluidics technology offers a promising solution to these limitations by providing improved isolation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-associated peptides with higher sensitivity. In this context, we highlight the challenges in sample preparation and the rationale for developing microfluidics technology in immunopeptidomics. Additionally, we provide an overview of promising microfluidic methods, including microchip pillar arrays, valved-based systems, droplet microfluidics, and digital microfluidics, and discuss the latest research on their application in MS-based immunopeptidomics and single-cell proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiaxi Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhaoguan Wu
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aaron R. Wheeler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Etienne Caron
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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29
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Miller-Phillips L, Collisson EA. RAS and Other Molecular Targets in Pancreatic Cancer: The Next Wave Is Coming. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023:10.1007/s11864-023-01096-x. [PMID: 37296367 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01096-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Since the discovery of oncogenes in the 1970s, cancer doctors and researchers alike have understood the promise of discovering drugs to block the dominantly acting function of mutated signaling proteins in cancer. This promise was delivered, first slowly, with early signals inhibiting HER2 and BCR-Abl in the 1990s and 2000s, and then quickly, with kinase inhibitors being approved hand over fist in non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and many other malignancies. The RAS proteins, however, remained recalcitrant to chemical inhibition for decades, despite being, by far, the most frequently mutated oncogenes in cancers of all types. Nowhere was this deficit more palpable than in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), where > 90% of cases are driven by single nucleotide substitutions at a single codon of the KRAS gene. The ice began to crack in 2012 when Ostrem and colleagues (Nature 503(7477): 548-551, 2013) synthesized the first KRAS G12C inhibitors, which covalently bind to GDP-bound G12C-mutated KRAS and lock the oncoprotein in its inactive state. In the last decade, the scientific community has established a new foundation on this and other druggable pockets in mutant KRAS. Here we provide an up-to-date overview of drugs targeting KRAS and other molecular targets in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Miller-Phillips
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, 1450 3Rd Street HD-375, San Francisco, CA, 94158-0128, USA
| | - Eric A Collisson
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, 1450 3Rd Street HD-375, San Francisco, CA, 94158-0128, USA.
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30
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Liu C, Ye D, Yang H, Chen X, Su Z, Li X, Ding M, Liu Y. RAS-targeted cancer therapy: Advances in drugging specific mutations. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e285. [PMID: 37250144 PMCID: PMC10225044 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Rat sarcoma (RAS), as a frequently mutated oncogene, has been studied as an attractive target for treating RAS-driven cancers for over four decades. However, it is until the recent success of kirsten-RAS (KRAS)G12C inhibitor that RAS gets rid of the title "undruggable". It is worth noting that the therapeutic effect of KRASG12C inhibitors on different RAS allelic mutations or even different cancers with KRASG12C varies significantly. Thus, deep understanding of the characteristics of each allelic RAS mutation will be a prerequisite for developing new RAS inhibitors. In this review, the structural and biochemical features of different RAS mutations are summarized and compared. Besides, the pathological characteristics and treatment responses of different cancers carrying RAS mutations are listed based on clinical reports. In addition, the development of RAS inhibitors, either direct or indirect, that target the downstream components in RAS pathway is summarized as well. Hopefully, this review will broaden our knowledge on RAS-targeting strategies and trigger more intensive studies on exploiting new RAS allele-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cen Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Danyang Ye
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hongliu Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xu Chen
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Zhijun Su
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xia Li
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Mei Ding
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yonggang Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
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31
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Yin G, Huang J, Petela J, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Gong S, Wu J, Liu B, Shi J, Gao Y. Targeting small GTPases: emerging grasps on previously untamable targets, pioneered by KRAS. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:212. [PMID: 37221195 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases including Ras, Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ran are omnipresent molecular switches in regulating key cellular functions. Their dysregulation is a therapeutic target for tumors, neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathies, and infection. However, small GTPases have been historically recognized as "undruggable". Targeting KRAS, one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, has only come into reality in the last decade due to the development of breakthrough strategies such as fragment-based screening, covalent ligands, macromolecule inhibitors, and PROTACs. Two KRASG12C covalent inhibitors have obtained accelerated approval for treating KRASG12C mutant lung cancer, and allele-specific hotspot mutations on G12D/S/R have been demonstrated as viable targets. New methods of targeting KRAS are quickly evolving, including transcription, immunogenic neoepitopes, and combinatory targeting with immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the vast majority of small GTPases and hotspot mutations remain elusive, and clinical resistance to G12C inhibitors poses new challenges. In this article, we summarize diversified biological functions, shared structural properties, and complex regulatory mechanisms of small GTPases and their relationships with human diseases. Furthermore, we review the status of drug discovery for targeting small GTPases and the most recent strategic progress focused on targeting KRAS. The discovery of new regulatory mechanisms and development of targeting approaches will together promote drug discovery for small GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Yin
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Johnny Petela
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yuetong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Siqi Gong
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bei Liu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, School of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yijun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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32
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Admon A. The biogenesis of the immunopeptidome. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101766. [PMID: 37141766 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The immunopeptidome is the repertoire of peptides bound and presented by the MHC class I, class II, and non-classical molecules. The peptides are produced by the degradation of most cellular proteins, and in some cases, peptides are produced from extracellular proteins taken up by the cells. This review attempts to first describe some of its known and well-accepted concepts, and next, raise some questions about a few of the established dogmas in this field: The production of novel peptides by splicing is questioned, suggesting here that spliced peptides are extremely rare, if existent at all. The degree of the contribution to the immunopeptidome by degradation of cellular protein by the proteasome is doubted, therefore this review attempts to explain why it is likely that this contribution to the immunopeptidome is possibly overstated. The contribution of defective ribosome products (DRiPs) and non-canonical peptides to the immunopeptidome is noted and methods are suggested to quantify them. In addition, the common misconception that the MHC class II peptidome is mostly derived from extracellular proteins is noted, and corrected. It is stressed that the confirmation of sequence assignments of non-canonical and spliced peptides should rely on targeted mass spectrometry using spiking-in of heavy isotope-labeled peptides. Finally, the new methodologies and modern instrumentation currently available for high throughput kinetics and quantitative immunopeptidomics are described. These advanced methods open up new possibilities for utilizing the big data generated and taking a fresh look at the established dogmas and reevaluating them critically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie Admon
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel.
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33
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Abdel Mouti M, Pauklin S. Chemically modified neoantigen-based immunotherapy for targeting KRAS G12C-driven tumors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:255-257. [PMID: 36934024 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.02.004] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The clinical efficacy and durability of KRASG12C-targeted therapies are limited by the development of resistance mechanisms. Here, we provide a review of recent KRASG12C-targeted therapy and immunotherapy-unifying strategies that utilize covalently modified peptide/MHC class I complexes as tumor-specific neoantigens to tag drug-resistant cancer cells for destruction with hapten-based immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Mouti
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
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34
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Zhou X, Ji Y, Zhou J. Multiple Strategies to Develop Small Molecular KRAS Directly Bound Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083615. [PMID: 37110848 PMCID: PMC10146153 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083615] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS gene mutation is widespread in tumors and plays an important role in various malignancies. Targeting KRAS mutations is regarded as the "holy grail" of targeted cancer therapies. Recently, multiple strategies, including covalent binding strategy, targeted protein degradation strategy, targeting protein and protein interaction strategy, salt bridge strategy, and multivalent strategy, have been adopted to develop KRAS direct inhibitors for anti-cancer therapy. Various KRAS-directed inhibitors have been developed, including the FDA-approved drugs sotorasib and adagrasib, KRAS-G12D inhibitor MRTX1133, and KRAS-G12V inhibitor JAB-23000, etc. The different strategies greatly promote the development of KRAS inhibitors. Herein, the strategies are summarized, which would shed light on the drug discovery for both KRAS and other "undruggable" targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xile Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yang Ji
- Drug Development and Innovation Center, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Jinming Zhou
- Drug Development and Innovation Center, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
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35
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Ahn R, Cui Y, White FM. Antigen discovery for the development of cancer immunotherapy. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101733. [PMID: 36841147 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Central to successful cancer immunotherapy is effective T cell antitumor immunity. Multiple targeted immunotherapies engineered to invigorate T cell-driven antitumor immunity rely on identifying the repertoire of T cell antigens expressed on the tumor cell surface. Mass spectrometry-based survey of such antigens ("immunopeptidomics") combined with other omics platforms and computational algorithms has been instrumental in identifying and quantifying tumor-derived T cell antigens. In this review, we discuss the types of tumor antigens that have emerged for targeted cancer immunotherapy and the immunopeptidomics methods that are central in MHC peptide identification and quantification. We provide an overview of the strength and limitations of mass spectrometry-driven approaches and how they have been integrated with other technologies to discover targetable T cell antigens for cancer immunotherapy. We highlight some of the emerging cancer immunotherapies that successfully capitalized on immunopeptidomics, their challenges, and mass spectrometry-based strategies that can support their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuhjin Ahn
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yufei Cui
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Forest M White
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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36
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Wang ZX, Pan YQ, Li X, Tsubata T, Xu RH. Immunotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers: advances, challenges, and countermeasures. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:763-766. [PMID: 37003944 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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37
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Redding A, Grabocka E. A Splendid New Beginning at the End of a 40-Year Quest: The First KRASG12D Inhibitor in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:260-262. [PMID: 36744321 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY The first KRASG12D inhibitor, MRTX113, leads to regression in multiple mouse models of PDAC as a monotherapy. MRTX113 blocks cancer cell proliferation, induces cancer cell death, and promotes immune infiltration and activation. See related article by Kemp et al., p. 298 (6).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Redding
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elda Grabocka
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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38
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Ciardiello D, Maiorano BA, Martinelli E. Targeting KRAS G12C in colorectal cancer: the beginning of a new era. ESMO Open 2023; 8:100745. [PMID: 36549128 PMCID: PMC9800313 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS mutation is considered one of the most relevant oncogenic drivers in human cancers. Unfortunately, for more than three decades, RAS has been considered an undruggable target. Recently, the discovery of selective and potent KRASG12C inhibitors represented a light at the end of the tunnel. Indeed, sotorasib and adagrasib proved clinical activity in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer harboring KRASG12C mutation; however, responses are lower than expected, suggesting the presence of intrinsic resistance. Consequently, novel combinatory strategies to disrupt the RAS signaling pathways are under clinical investigation. This review aims to discuss the current knowledge and novel routes of KRASG12C inhibition in metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ciardiello
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo; Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, 'Luigi Vanvitelli' University of Campania, Naples.
| | - B A Maiorano
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo; Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - E Martinelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, 'Luigi Vanvitelli' University of Campania, Naples
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39
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Hattori T, Maso L, Araki KY, Koide A, Hayman J, Akkapeddi P, Bang I, Neel BG, Koide S. Creating MHC-Restricted Neoantigens with Covalent Inhibitors That Can Be Targeted by Immune Therapy. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:132-145. [PMID: 36250888 PMCID: PMC9827112 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular oncoproteins can be inhibited with targeted therapy, but responses are not durable. Immune therapies can be curative, but most oncogene-driven tumors are unresponsive to these agents. Fragments of intracellular oncoproteins can act as neoantigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), but recognizing minimal differences between oncoproteins and their normal counterparts is challenging. We have established a platform technology that exploits hapten-peptide conjugates generated by covalent inhibitors to create distinct neoantigens that selectively mark cancer cells. Using the FDA-approved covalent inhibitors sotorasib and osimertinib, we developed "HapImmune" antibodies that bind to drug-peptide conjugate/MHC complexes but not to the free drugs. A HapImmune-based bispecific T-cell engager selectively and potently kills sotorasib-resistant lung cancer cells upon sotorasib treatment. Notably, it is effective against KRASG12C-mutant cells with different HLA supertypes, HLA-A*02 and A*03/11, suggesting loosening of MHC restriction. Our strategy creates targetable neoantigens by design, unifying targeted and immune therapies. SIGNIFICANCE Targeted therapies against oncoproteins often have dramatic initial efficacy but lack durability. Immunotherapies can be curative, yet most tumors fail to respond. We developed a generalizable technology platform that exploits hapten-peptides generated by covalent inhibitors as neoantigens presented on MHC to enable engineered antibodies to selectively kill drug-resistant cancer cells. See related commentary by Cox et al., p. 19. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamitsu Hattori
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Lorenzo Maso
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Kiyomi Y. Araki
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Akiko Koide
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - James Hayman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Padma Akkapeddi
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Injin Bang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Benjamin G. Neel
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: Shohei Koide, Smilow Research Center, Room 1105, 522 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Phone: 646-501-4601; E-mail: ; and Benjamin G. Neel, Smilow Research Center, Suite 1201, 522 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Phone: 212-263-3019; E-mail:
| | - Shohei Koide
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: Shohei Koide, Smilow Research Center, Room 1105, 522 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Phone: 646-501-4601; E-mail: ; and Benjamin G. Neel, Smilow Research Center, Suite 1201, 522 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Phone: 212-263-3019; E-mail:
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40
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Cox AD, Ting JPY, Der CJ. Convergence of Targeted and Immune Therapies for the Treatment of Oncogene-Driven Cancers. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:19-22. [PMID: 36620884 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY In this issue, Hattori and colleagues capitalized on targeted small-molecule covalent inhibitors of one KRAS mutant with a G12C substitution and of other oncoproteins to create drug-peptide conjugates that serve as cancer neoantigens that prompt an immune response to oncogene-mutant cancer cells. This immunotherapy strategy can serve as an effective approach to overcome the treatment-induced resistance that limits the effectiveness of essentially all small molecule-based targeted anticancer drugs. See related article by Hattori et al., p. 132 (9).
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne D Cox
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jenny P-Y Ting
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Channing J Der
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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41
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Neoantigens: promising targets for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:9. [PMID: 36604431 PMCID: PMC9816309 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 152.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development and regulatory approval of tumor immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and antibody-based therapies, especially for solid tumors. Neoantigens are newly formed antigens generated by tumor cells as a result of various tumor-specific alterations, such as genomic mutation, dysregulated RNA splicing, disordered post-translational modification, and integrated viral open reading frames. Neoantigens are recognized as non-self and trigger an immune response that is not subject to central and peripheral tolerance. The quick identification and prediction of tumor-specific neoantigens have been made possible by the advanced development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic technologies. Compared to tumor-associated antigens, the highly immunogenic and tumor-specific neoantigens provide emerging targets for personalized cancer immunotherapies, and serve as prospective predictors for tumor survival prognosis and immune checkpoint blockade responses. The development of cancer therapies will be aided by understanding the mechanism underlying neoantigen-induced anti-tumor immune response and by streamlining the process of neoantigen-based immunotherapies. This review provides an overview on the identification and characterization of neoantigens and outlines the clinical applications of prospective immunotherapeutic strategies based on neoantigens. We also explore their current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translation potential.
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42
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Lourenço AL, Chuo SW, Bohn MF, Hann B, Khan S, Yevalekar N, Patel N, Yang T, Xu L, Lv D, Drakas R, Lively S, Craik CS. High-throughput optofluidic screening of single B cells identifies novel cross-reactive antibodies as inhibitors of uPAR with antibody-dependent effector functions. MAbs 2023; 15:2184197. [PMID: 36859773 PMCID: PMC9988344 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2184197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is an essential regulator for cell signaling in tumor cell proliferation, adhesion, and metastasis. The ubiquitous nature of uPAR in many aggressive cancer types makes uPAR an attractive target for immunotherapy. Here, we present a rapid and successful workflow for developing cross-reactive anti-uPAR recombinant antibodies (rAbs) using high-throughput optofluidic screening of single B-cells from human uPAR-immunized mice. A total of 80 human and cynomolgus uPAR cross-reactive plasma cells were identified, and selected mouse VH/VL domains were linked to the trastuzumab (Herceptin®) constant domains for the expression of mouse-human chimeric antibodies. The resulting rAbs were characterized by their tumor-cell recognition, binding activity, and cell adhesion inhibition on triple-negative breast cancer cells. In addition, the rAbs were shown to enact antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the presence of either human natural killer cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and were evaluated for the potential use of uPAR-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Three lead antibodies (11857, 8163, and 3159) were evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in vivo and were shown to suppress tumor growth. Finally, the binding epitopes of the lead antibodies were characterized, providing information on their unique binding modes to uPAR. Altogether, the strategy identified unique cross-reactive antibodies with ADCC, ADC, and functional inhibitory effects by targeting cell-surface uPAR, that can be tested in safety studies and serve as potential immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luiz Lourenço
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Shih-Wei Chuo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Markus F Bohn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Byron Hann
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Shireen Khan
- ChemPartner, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Nitin Patel
- ChemPartner, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Teddy Yang
- Shanghai ChemPartner Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Xu
- Shanghai ChemPartner Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Lv
- Shanghai ChemPartner Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert Drakas
- ShangPharma Innovation Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah Lively
- ChemPartner, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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43
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Khan S, Budamagunta V, Zhou D. Targeting KRAS in pancreatic cancer: Emerging therapeutic strategies. Adv Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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44
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Sattler M, Mohanty A, Kulkarni P, Salgia R. Precision oncology provides opportunities for targeting KRAS-inhibitor resistance. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:42-54. [PMID: 36751115 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Novel inhibitors targeting Kirsten rat sarcoma virus homolog (KRAS) KRASG12C in various cancers have shown good initial efficacy, but therapy-related drug resistance eventually occurs in most patients. It has become apparent that cancer cells not only rely on novel mutations that provide escape mechanisms, but about half of them become resistant in the absence of apparent genetic mutations. Redundancies within the KRAS signaling pathways and cross-talk between these pathways - as well as other canonical cancer-driving mechanisms - not only provide challenges but also present opportunities for drug development and targeted approaches. We discuss the challenges for the duality of KRAS inhibitor drug resistance with an additional focus on nongenetic mechanisms and the potential for patient-centered combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Sattler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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45
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Exosomal miR-625-3p Secreted by Cancer-associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Cancer Promotes EMT and Chemotherapeutic Resistance by Blocking the CELF2/WWOX Pathway. Pharmacol Res 2022; 186:106534. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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46
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Song X, Zhou Z, Kang R, Tang D. Bispecific T cell engagers kill resistant cells during KRAS-G12C blockade therapy. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2141978. [PMID: 36338145 PMCID: PMC9629117 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2141978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The covalent KRAS-G12C inhibitors (G12Ci) are rapidly changing the treatment landscape for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, but drug resistance remains a clinical challenge. Two recent studies have developed bispecific T cell engagers that form a link between T cells and tumor cells to selectively eliminate G12Ci-resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Song
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Zhuan Zhou
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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47
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Cancer drugs are closing in on some of the deadliest mutations. Nature 2022; 610:620-622. [DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-03392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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48
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Freed-Pastor WA, Aguirre AJ. Getting a handle on KRAS inhibitor resistance with hapten-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:908-910. [PMID: 36099887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors of oncogenic KRASG12C have demonstrated impressive clinical responses; however, therapeutic resistance has been commonly observed. In this issue, Zhang and colleagues demonstrate that small molecule KRASG12C inhibitors can generate haptenated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I:peptide complexes, which represent attractive targets for immune-based therapies to combat pharmacologic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Freed-Pastor
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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