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Yang C, Zhao L, Lin Y, Wang S, Ye Y, Shen Z. Improving the efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic pMMR/MSS colorectal cancer: Options and strategies. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 200:104204. [PMID: 37984588 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment and been extensively used for patients with metastastic colorectal cancer (mCRC), especially those harboring deficient mismatch repair/ microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI). However, the majority of mCRC are classified as proficient mismatch repair/microsatellite stability(pMMR/MSS) type characterized by a cold immune microenvironment, rendering them generally unresponsive to ICIs. How to improve the efficacy of ICIs for these patients is an important issue to be solved. On the one hand, it is urgent to discover the predictive biomarkers and clinical characteristics associated with effectiveness and expand the subset of pMMR/MSS mCRC patients who benefit from ICIs. Additionally, combined strategies are being explored to modulate the immune microenvironment of pMMR/MSS CRC and facilitate the conversion of cold tumors into hot tumors. In this review, we have focused on the recent advancements in the predictive biomarkers and combination therapeutic strategies with ICIs for pMMR/MSS mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjiang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yilin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yingjiang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Zhanlong Shen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China.
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2
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Gerton TJ, Green A, Campisi M, Chen M, Gjeci I, Mahadevan N, Lee CAA, Mishra R, Vo HV, Haratani K, Li ZH, Hasselblatt KT, Testino B, Connor T, Lian CG, Elias KM, Lizotte P, Ivanova EV, Barbie DA, Dinulescu DM. Development of a Patient-Derived 3D Immuno-Oncology Platform to Potentiate Immunotherapy Responses in Ascites-Derived Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4128. [PMID: 37627156 PMCID: PMC10452550 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164128] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is responsible for the majority of gynecology cancer-related deaths. Patients in remission often relapse with more aggressive forms of disease within 2 years post-treatment. Alternative immuno-oncology (IO) strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting the PD-(L)1 signaling axis, have proven inefficient so far. Our aim is to utilize epigenetic modulators to maximize the benefit of personalized IO combinations in ex vivo 3D patient-derived platforms and in vivo syngeneic models. Using patient-derived tumor ascites, we optimized an ex vivo 3D screening platform (PDOTS), which employs autologous immune cells and circulating ascites-derived tumor cells, to rapidly test personalized IO combinations. Most importantly, patient responses to platinum chemotherapy and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors in 3D platforms recapitulate clinical responses. Furthermore, similar to clinical trial results, responses to ICB in PDOTS tend to be low and positively correlated with the frequency of CD3+ immune cells and EPCAM+/PD-L1+ tumor cells. Thus, the greatest response observed with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy alone is seen in patient-derived HGSOC ascites, which present with high levels of systemic CD3+ and PD-L1+ expression in immune and tumor cells, respectively. In addition, priming with epigenetic adjuvants greatly potentiates ICB in ex vivo 3D testing platforms and in vivo tumor models. We further find that epigenetic priming induces increased tumor secretion of several key cytokines known to augment T and NK cell activation and cytotoxicity, including IL-6, IP-10 (CXCL10), KC (CXCL1), and RANTES (CCL5). Moreover, epigenetic priming alone and in combination with ICB immunotherapy in patient-derived PDOTS induces rapid upregulation of CD69, a reliable early activation of immune markers in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Consequently, this functional precision medicine approach could rapidly identify personalized therapeutic combinations able to potentiate ICB, which is a great advantage, especially given the current clinical difficulty of testing a high number of potential combinations in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Gerton
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Allen Green
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Minyue Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Iliana Gjeci
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Navin Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine A. A. Lee
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ranjan Mishra
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ha V. Vo
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Koji Haratani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ze-Hua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kathleen T. Hasselblatt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bryanna Testino
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trevor Connor
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine G. Lian
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin M. Elias
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Patrick Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Elena V. Ivanova
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniela M. Dinulescu
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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3
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Li X, Li D, Li J, Chen Y, Cai Z, Tan F. A Prognostic Model of Head and Neck Cancer Based on Amino Acid Metabolism-Related Signature and Its Implication for Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11753. [PMID: 37511510 PMCID: PMC10380987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411753] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acid metabolism has been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Alterations in intracellular and extracellular metabolites associated with metabolic reprogramming in cancer have profound effects on gene expression, cell differentiation, and tumor immune microenvironment. However, the prognostic significance of amino acid metabolism in head and neck cancer remains to be further investigated. In this study, we identified 98 differentially expressed genes related to amino acid metabolism in head and neck cancer in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Using batch univariate Cox regression and Lasso regression, we extracted nine amino acid metabolism-related genes. Based on that, we developed the amino acid metabolism index. The prognostic value of this index was validated in two Gene Expression Omnibus cohorts. The results show that this model can help predict tumor recurrence and prognosis. The infiltration of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment was analyzed, and it was discovered that the high index is associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In addition, this study demonstrated the impact of the amino acid metabolism index on clinical indicators, survival of patients with head and neck cancer, and the prediction of treatment response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We conducted several cell experiments and demonstrated that epigenetic drugs could affect the index and enhance tumor immunity. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the index not only has important prognostic value in head and neck cancer patients but also facilitates patient stratification for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuran Li
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Danni Li
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Yiliang Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Zhenyu Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Fei Tan
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
- The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
- The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London WC2A 3PE, UK
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4
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Wang B, Han Y, Zhang Y, Zhao Q, Wang H, Wei J, Meng L, Xin Y, Jiang X. Overcoming acquired resistance to cancer immune checkpoint therapy: potential strategies based on molecular mechanisms. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:120. [PMID: 37386520 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 to boost tumor-specific T lymphocyte immunity have opened up new avenues for the treatment of various histological types of malignancies, with the possibility of durable responses and improved survival. However, the development of acquired resistance to ICI therapy over time after an initial response remains a major obstacle in cancer therapeutics. The potential mechanisms of acquired resistance to ICI therapy are still ambiguous. In this review, we focused on the current understanding of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to ICIs, including the lack of neoantigens and effective antigen presentation, mutations of IFN-γ/JAK signaling, and activation of alternate inhibitory immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, epigenetic modification, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Further, based on these mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies to reverse the resistance to ICIs, which could provide clinical benefits to cancer patients, are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yin Han
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Pathology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yuyu Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Pathology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jinlong Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lingbin Meng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ying Xin
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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5
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Guo R, Li J, Hu J, Fu Q, Yan Y, Xu S, Wang X, Jiao F. Combination of epidrugs with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy: From theory to therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110417. [PMID: 37276826 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized treatment strategies in multiple types of cancer. However, the resistance and relapse as associated with the extreme complexity of cancer-immunity interactions remain a major challenge to be resolved. Owing to the epigenome plasticity of cancer and immune cells, a growing body of evidence has been presented indicating that epigenetic treatments have the potential to overcome current limitations of immunotherapy, thus providing a rationalefor the combination of ICIs with epigenetic agents (epidrugs). In this review, we first make an overview about the epigenetic regulations in tumor biology and immunodevelopment. Subsequently, a diverse array of inhibitory agents under investigations targeted epigenetic modulators (Azacitidine, Decitabine, Vorinostat, Romidepsin, Belinostat, Panobinostat, Tazemetostat, Enasidenib and Ivosidenib, etc.) and immune checkpoints (Atezolizmab, Avelumab, Cemiplimab, Durvalumb, Ipilimumab, Nivolumab and Pembrolizmab, etc.) to increase anticancer responses were described and the potential mechanisms were further discussed. Finally, we summarize the findings of clinical trials and provide a perspective for future clinical studies directed at investigating the combination of epidrugs with ICIs as a treatment for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Jixia Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Jinxia Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Pharmacology, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Yunfei Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Sen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Health Service Training, 970 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Yantai 264002, PR China.
| | - Fei Jiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China.
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6
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Chu DT, Ngo AD, Wu CC. Epigenetics in cancer development, diagnosis and therapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 198:73-92. [PMID: 37225325 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a dangerous disease and one of the leading causes of death in the world. In 2020, there were nearly 10 million cancer deaths and approximately 20 million new cases. New cases and deaths from cancer are expected to increase further in the coming years. To have a deeper insight into the mechanism of carcinogenesis, epigenetics studies have been published and received much attention from scientists, doctors, and patients. Among alterations in epigenetics, DNA methylation and histone modification are studied by many scientists. They have been reported to be a major contributor in tumor formation and are involved in metastasis. From the understanding of DNA methylation and histone modification, effective, accurate and cost-effective methods for diagnosis and screening of cancer patients have been introduced. Furthermore, therapeutic approaches and drugs targeting altered epigenetics have also been clinically studied and have shown positive results in combating tumor progression. Several cancer drugs that rely on DNA methylation inactivation or histone modification have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer patients. In summary, epigenetics changes such as DNA methylation or histone modification are take part in tumor growth, and they also have great prospect to study diagnostic and therapeutic methods of this dangerous disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinh-Toi Chu
- Center for Biomedicine and Community Health, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Faculty of Applied Sciences, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
| | - Anh-Dao Ngo
- Center for Biomedicine and Community Health, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Chia-Ching Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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7
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Zhang Z, Wang G, Li Y, Lei D, Xiang J, Ouyang L, Wang Y, Yang J. Recent progress in DNA methyltransferase inhibitors as anticancer agents. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1072651. [PMID: 37077808 PMCID: PMC10107375 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1072651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation mediated by DNA methyltransferase is an important epigenetic process that regulates gene expression in mammals, which plays a key role in silencing certain genes, such as tumor suppressor genes, in cancer, and it has become a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Similar to other epigenetic targets, DNA methyltransferase can also be modulated by chemical agents. Four agents have already been approved to treat hematological cancers. In order to promote the development of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor as an anti-tumor agent, in the current review, we discuss the relationship between DNA methylation and tumor, the anti-tumor mechanism, the research progress and pharmacological properties of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, and the future research trend of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongsheng Lei
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Electron Microscopy Center of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Science and Technology Department, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Science and Technology Department, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yanyan Wang, ; Jinliang Yang,
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yanyan Wang, ; Jinliang Yang,
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8
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Epigenetics: Promising journey so far but ways to go in head neck cancer. Oral Oncol 2022; 135:106194. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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9
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Karami Fath M, Azargoonjahromi A, Kiani A, Jalalifar F, Osati P, Akbari Oryani M, Shakeri F, Nasirzadeh F, Khalesi B, Nabi-Afjadi M, Zalpoor H, Mard-Soltani M, Payandeh Z. The role of epigenetic modifications in drug resistance and treatment of breast cancer. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:52. [PMID: 35764927 PMCID: PMC9238060 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is defined as a biological and molecular heterogeneous disorder that originates from breast cells. Genetic predisposition is the most important factor giving rise to this malignancy. The most notable mutations in breast cancer occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Owing to disease heterogeneity, lack of therapeutic target, anti-cancer drug resistance, residual disease, and recurrence, researchers are faced with challenges in developing strategies to treat patients with breast cancer. Results It has recently been reported that epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and histone modification, as well as microRNAs (miRNAs), have potently contributed to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. These observations have persuaded researchers to move their therapeutic approaches beyond the genetic framework toward the epigenetic concept. Conclusion Herein we discuss the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression and resistance as well as various aspects of epigenetic-based therapies as monotherapy and combined with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Karami Fath
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Arash Kiani
- Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Fateme Jalalifar
- School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Parisa Osati
- Chemical Engineering Department, Fouman Faculty of Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Fouman, Iran
| | - Mahsa Akbari Oryani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fateh Shakeri
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Nasirzadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maysam Mard-Soltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.
| | - Zahra Payandeh
- Department Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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du Chatinier A, Meel MH, Das AI, Metselaar DS, Waranecki P, Bugiani M, Breur M, Simonds EF, Lu ED, Weiss WA, Garcia Vallejo JJ, Hoving EW, Phoenix TN, Hulleman E. Generation of Immunocompetent Syngeneic Allograft Mouse Models for Pediatric Diffuse Midline Glioma. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac079. [PMID: 35733514 PMCID: PMC9210310 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are highly malignant incurable pediatric brain tumors. A lack of effective treatment options highlights the need to investigate novel therapeutic strategies. This includes the use of immunotherapy, which has shown promise in other hard-to-treat tumors. To facilitate preclinical immunotherapeutic research, immunocompetent mouse models that accurately reflect the unique genetic, anatomical, and histological features of DMG patients are warranted.
Methods
We established cell cultures from primary DMG mouse models (C57BL/6) that were generated by brainstem targeted intra-uterine electroporation (IUE). We subsequently created allograft DMG mouse models by orthotopically implanting these tumor cells into syngeneic mice. Immunohistochemistry and -fluorescence, mass cytometry, and cell-viability assays were then used to verify that these murine tumors recapitulated human DMG.
Results
We generated three genetically distinct allograft models representing histone 3 wildtype (H3 WT) and K27M-mutant DMG (H3.3 K27M and H3.1 K27M). These allograft models recapitulated the histopathologic phenotype of their human counterparts, including their diffuse infiltrative growth and expression of DMG-associated antigens. These murine pontine tumors also exhibited an immune microenvironment similar to human DMG, characterized by considerable myeloid cell infiltration and a paucity of T-lymphocytes and NK cells. Finally, we show that these murine DMG cells display similar sensitivity to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition as patient-derived DMG cells.
Conclusions
We created and validated an accessible method to generate immunocompetent allograft models reflecting different subtypes of DMG. These models adequately recapitulated the histopathology, immune microenvironment, and therapeutic response of human DMG, providing useful tools for future preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michaël H Meel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arvid I Das
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Piotr Waranecki
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erin F Simonds
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edbert D Lu
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - William A Weiss
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Juan J Garcia Vallejo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eelco W Hoving
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy N Phoenix
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati/ Research in Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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11
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Zhao C, Liu Y, Ju S, Wang X. Pan-Cancer Analysis of the N6-Methyladenosine Eraser FTO as a Potential Prognostic and Immunological Biomarker. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:7411-7422. [PMID: 34744452 PMCID: PMC8565892 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s331752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is a critical N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase that participates in tumorigenesis and is associated with the prognosis of patients in some cancers. However, the key roles of FTO in pan-cancer are still largely obscure. Methods FTO expression levels in pan-cancer were estimated via the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Univariate survival analysis was used to estimate the effects of FTO on prognosis. In addition, we used the Tumor Immune Evaluation Resource (TIMER) to assess the immune cell infiltration of FTO gene across cancers. The association of FTO expression with immune checkpoint genes expression, DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation, DNA methyltransferases, microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor mutational burden (TMB) was investigated using Spearman’s correlation analysis. Moreover, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was utilized to identify critical pathways in cancers. The STRING website was used to reveal the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of FTO. Results FTO was aberrantly expressed across cancers and survival analysis demonstrated that its expression was associated with clinical prognosis of many cancer patients. Specifically, FTO expression was significantly associated with immune infiltrating cells in colon adenocarcinoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, and liver hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, FTO expression was significantly associated with immune checkpoint genes expression, MMR, DNA methyltransferases levels, TMB, and MSI in multiple cancers. Moreover, the GSEA unveiled that FTO was involved in the regulation of tumors and immune-related signaling pathways. In addition, several m6A related genes were implicated in the PPI network of FTO. Conclusion FTO was related to patients’ prognosis and tumor immune infiltrates in various cancers, and may serve as a novel and potential prognostic and immune biomarker in human pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengwen Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoqing Ju
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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12
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Malinee M, Pandian GN, Sugiyama H. Targeted epigenetic induction of mitochondrial biogenesis enhances antitumor immunity in mouse model. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 29:463-475.e6. [PMID: 34520746 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Considering the potential of combinatorial therapies in overcoming existing limitations of cancer immunotherapy, there is an increasing need to identify small-molecule modulators of immune cells capable of augmenting the effect of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade, leading to better cancer treatment. Although epigenetic drugs showed potential in combination therapy, the lack of sequence specificity is a major concern. Here, we identify and develop a DNA-based epigenetic activator with tri-arginine vector called EnPGC-1 that can trigger the targeted induction of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha/beta (PGC-1α/β), a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. EnPGC-1 enhances mitochondrial activation, energy metabolism, proliferation of CD8+ T cells in vitro, and, in particular, enhances oxidative phosphorylation, a feature of long-lived memory T cells. Genome-wide gene analysis suggests that EnPGC-1 and not the control compounds can regulate T cell activation as a major biological process. EnPGC-1 also synergizes with PD-1 blockade to enhance antitumor immunity and improved host survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Malinee
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh Namasivayam Pandian
- Institute of Integrated Cell Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University of Advanced Study, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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13
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Falcão-Holanda RB, Brunialti MKC, Jasiulionis MG, Salomão R. Epigenetic Regulation in Sepsis, Role in Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Perspective. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:685333. [PMID: 34322502 PMCID: PMC8312749 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.685333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is characterized by an initial hyperinflammatory response, with intense cell activation and cytokine storm. In parallel, a prolonged compensatory anti-inflammatory response, known as immunological tolerance, can lead to immunosuppression. Clinically, this condition is associated with multiple organ failure, resulting in the patient's death. The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of sepsis are not yet fully understood, but evidence is strong showing that epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones, modulate the inflammatory response of sepsis. During the onset of infection, host cells undergo epigenetic changes that favor pathogen survival. Besides, epigenetic changes in essential genes also orchestrate the patient's inflammatory response. In this review, we gathered studies on sepsis and epigenetics to show the central role of epigenetic mechanisms in various aspects of the pathogenesis of sepsis and the potential of epigenetic interventions for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Brito Falcão-Holanda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Milena Karina Colo Brunialti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Salomão
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Martinez-Useros J, Martin-Galan M, Florez-Cespedes M, Garcia-Foncillas J. Epigenetics of Most Aggressive Solid Tumors: Pathways, Targets and Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3209. [PMID: 34198989 PMCID: PMC8267921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly aggressive tumors are characterized by a highly invasive phenotype, and they display chemoresistance. Furthermore, some of the tumors lack expression of biomarkers for target therapies. This is the case of small-cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma, metastatic melanoma, and advanced ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, these patients show a low survival rate and most of the available drugs are ineffective. In this context, epigenetic modifications have emerged to provide the causes and potential treatments for such types of tumors. Methylation and hydroxymethylation of DNA, and histone modifications, are the most common targets of epigenetic therapy, to influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These modifications could impact both oncogenes and tumor suppressor factors, which influence several molecular pathways such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, WNT/β-catenin, PI3K-mTOR, MAPK, or mismatch repair machinery. However, epigenetic changes are inducible and reversible events that could be influenced by some environmental conditions, such as UV exposure, smoking habit, or diet. Changes in DNA methylation status and/or histone modification, such as acetylation, methylation or phosphorylation, among others, are the most important targets for epigenetic cancer therapy. Therefore, the present review aims to compile the basic information of epigenetic modifications, pathways and factors, and provide a rationale for the research and treatment of highly aggressive tumors with epigenetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martinez-Useros
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Avenida Reyes Catolicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Mario Martin-Galan
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Avenida Reyes Catolicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Jesus Garcia-Foncillas
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Avenida Reyes Catolicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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15
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Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Immune Cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:377-383. [PMID: 34182142 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of immune response involves reversible and heritable changes that do not alter the DNA sequence. Though there have been extensive studies accomplished relating to epigenetic changes in cancer cells, recent focus has been shifted on epigenetic-mediated changes in the immune cells including T cells, Macrophages, Natural Killer cells and anti-tumor immune responses. This review compiles the most relevant and recent literature related to the role of epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications in immune cells of wide range of cancers. We also include recent research with respect to role of the most relevant transcription factors that epigenetically control the anti-tumor immune response. Finally, a statement of future direction that promises to look forward for strategies to improve immunotherapy in cancer.
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16
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Shklovskaya E, Rizos H. MHC Class I Deficiency in Solid Tumors and Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome It. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136741. [PMID: 34201655 PMCID: PMC8268865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now well accepted that the immune system can control cancer growth. However, tumors escape immune-mediated control through multiple mechanisms and the downregulation or loss of major histocompatibility class (MHC)-I molecules is a common immune escape mechanism in many cancers. MHC-I molecules present antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T cells, and MHC-I loss can render tumor cells invisible to the immune system. In this review, we examine the dysregulation of MHC-I expression in cancer, explore the nature of MHC-I-bound antigenic peptides recognized by immune cells, and discuss therapeutic strategies that can be used to overcome MHC-I deficiency in solid tumors, with a focus on the role of natural killer (NK) cells and CD4 T cells.
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17
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent evidence from the fields of microbiology and immunology, as well as a small number of human sepsis studies, suggest that epigenetic regulation may play a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. The term "epigenetics" refers to regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression but are not related to changes in DNA sequence. These include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and regulation of transcription via non-coding RNAs. Epigenetic modifications, occurring in response to external stressors, lead to changes in gene expression, and thus lie at the intersection between genetics and the environment. In this review, we examine data from in vitro studies, animal studies, and the existing human sepsis studies in epigenetics to demonstrate that epigenetic mechanisms are likely central to the pathogenesis of sepsis and that epigenetic therapies may have potential in the treatment of sepsis and its associated organ failures. DATA SOURCES Online search of published scientific literature via Pubmed using the term "epigenetics" in combination with the terms "sepsis", "infection", "bacterial infection", "viral infection", "critical illness", "acute respiratory distress syndrome", and "acute lung injury". STUDY SELECTION Articles were chosen for inclusion based on their relevance to sepsis, acute inflammation, sepsis-related immune suppression, and sepsis-related organ failure. Reference lists were reviewed to identify additional relevant articles. DATA EXTRACTION Relevant data was extracted and synthesized for narrative review. DATA SYNTHESIS Epigenetic regulation is a key determinant of gene expression in sepsis. At the onset of infection, host-pathogen interactions often result in epigenetic alterations to host cells that favor pathogen survival. In parallel, the host inflammatory response is characterized by epigenetic modifications in key regulatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1β. In human sepsis patients, multiple epigenetic modifying enzymes show differential expression in early sepsis, suggesting a role for epigenetics in coordinating the response to infection. In the later stages of sepsis, epigenetic modifications accompany endotoxin tolerance and the immune-suppressed state. In animal models, treatment with epigenetic modifiers can mitigate the effects of sepsis and improve survival as well as reverse sepsis-associated organ injury. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic modifications are associated with key phases of sepsis, from the host-pathogen interaction, to acute inflammation, to immune suppression. Epigenetic markers show promise in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis and epigenetic modifying agents show promise as therapeutic tools in animal models of sepsis. Human studies in the area of epigenetics are sorely lacking and should be a priority for sepsis researchers.
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18
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Chen Y, Liu C, Zhu S, Liang X, Zhang Q, Luo X, Yuan L, Song L. PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade-based combinational treatment: Immunotherapeutic amplification strategies against colorectal cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107607. [PMID: 33831809 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumours of the digestive system, and most patients are already in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, current single-use immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, are only effective for some advanced CRC patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), and most patients may be unable to benefit from it due to a lack of CD8+ T cells in the tumour microenvironment. Additionally, the subtype of CRC has emerged as a factor affecting treatment responses, with immunogenic subtypes carrying a better prognosis. In this review, we discuss bottlenecks encountered with the single use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and summarize the research status and mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based immunotherapeutic amplification strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photomediated therapy and other immunotherapies used for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Chen
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Chi Liu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Shaomi Zhu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Xin Liang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Qinxiu Zhang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Luo
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Lan Yuan
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China.
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China.
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19
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Thinking Small: Small Molecules as Potential Synergistic Adjuncts to Checkpoint Inhibition in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063228. [PMID: 33810078 PMCID: PMC8005112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma remains the deadliest form of skin cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) immunotherapy has defined a new age in melanoma treatment, but responses remain inconsistent and some patients develop treatment resistance. The myriad of newly developed small molecular (SM) inhibitors of specific effector targets now affords a plethora of opportunities to increase therapeutic responses, even in resistant melanoma. In this review, we will discuss the multitude of SM classes currently under investigation, current and prospective clinical combinations of ICI and SM therapies, and their potential for synergism in melanoma eradication based on established mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.
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20
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Masaoutis C, Kokkali S, Theocharis S. Immunotherapy in uveal melanoma: novel strategies and opportunities for personalized treatment. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:555-569. [PMID: 33650931 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1898587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer and represents a discrete subtype of melanoma. Metastatic disease, which occurs in half of patients, has a dismal prognosis. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has produced promising results in cutaneous melanoma but has failed to show analogous efficacy in metastatic UM. This is attributable to UM's distinct genetics and its complex interaction with the immune system. Hence, more efficacious immunotherapeutic approaches are under investigation. AREAS COVERED We discuss those novel immunotherapeutic strategies in clinical and preclinical studies for advanced disease and which are thought to overcome the hurdles set by UM in terms of immune recognition. We also highlight the need to determine predictive markers in relation to these strategies to improve clinical outcomes. We used a simple narrative analysis to summarize the data. The search methodology is located in the Introduction. EXPERT OPINION Novel immunotherapeutic strategies focus on transforming immune excluded tumor microenvironment in metastatic UM to T cell inflamed. Preliminary results of approaches such as vaccines, adoptive cell transfer and other novel molecules are encouraging. Factors such as HLA compatibility and expression level of targeted antigens should be considered to optimize personalized management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Masaoutis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefania Kokkali
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,First Medical Oncology Clinic, Saint-Savvas Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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21
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Wang Y, Yang Y, Gao H, Ouyang T, Zhang L, Hu J, Hu S, Kan H. Comprehensive Analysis of CDCAs Methylation and Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 10:566183. [PMID: 33665158 PMCID: PMC7921702 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.566183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As essential components of cycle growth, the cell division cycle-associated family genes (CDCAs) have crucial roles in tumor development and progression, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, due to the tumor heterogeneity of HCC, little is known about the methylation variability of CDCAs in mediating phenotypic changes (e.g., immune infiltrates) in HCC. Presently, we aim to comprehensively explore the expression and prognosis of CDCAs methylation with regard to immune infiltrates of HCC. Methods We first identified the correlating differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) among 19 different types of cancer cohorts (a total of 7,783 patients) and then constructed the weighted gene co-expressed and co-methylated networks. Applying the clustering analysis, significant modules of DEGs including CDCAs were selected and their functional bioinformatics analyses were performed. Besides, using DiseaseMeth and TIMER, the correlation between the methylation levels of CDCAs and tumor immune infiltrates was also analyzed. In final, to assess the influence of CDCAs methylation on clinical prognosis, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were carried out. Result A total of 473 co-DEGs are successfully identified, while seven genes of CDCAs (CDCA1–3 and CDCA5–8) have significant over-expression in HCC. Co-expressed and co-methylated networks reveal the strong positive correlations in mRNA expression and methylation levels of CDCAs. Besides, the biological enrichment analysis of CDCAs demonstrates that they are significantly related to the immune function regulation of infiltrating immune cells in HCC. Also, the methylation analysis of CDCAs depicts the strong association with the tumor immunogenicity, i.e., low-methylation of CDCA1, CDCA2, and CDCA8 dramatically reduced the immune infiltrate levels of T cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Additionally, CDCA1–6 and CDCA8 with low-methylation levels significantly deteriorate the overall survival of patients in HCC. Conclusions The co-expressed and co-methylated gene networks of CDCAs show a powerful association with immune function regulation. And the methylation levels of CDCAs suggesting the prognostic value and infiltrating immune differences could be a novel and predictive biomarker for the response of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Wang
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yinfeng Yang
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Computer Application Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Honglei Gao
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ting Ouyang
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jili Hu
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hongxing Kan
- School of Medical Informatics Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Computer Application Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hefei, China
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22
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Zhou L, Xu N, Shibata H, Saloura V, Uppaluri R. Epigenetic modulation of immunotherapy and implications in head and neck cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:141-152. [PMID: 33403469 PMCID: PMC7897200 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09944-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer progression is facilitated by distinct mechanisms developed by cancer cells to avoid immune recognition and clearance. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), via monoclonal antibodies blocking PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA4, has achieved promising durable therapeutic response in various cancer types, including recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HNSCC represents a rational target of ICB treatment given its relatively high mutation burden and the presence of immune infiltrates. However, the limited response rates and recent negative clinical trials data identify an urgent need for new strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Preclinical studies have revealed an important contribution of epigenetic regulators in the anti-tumor immune response. Multiple components of the tumor and host immune system interaction are under epigenetic regulation, including the cancer cells themselves, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, regulatory T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and tumor-associated macrophages. Epigenetic targeting drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase, and methyltransferase inhibitors have demonstrated the potential to reverse immune suppression in various cancer models. The aim of this review is to summarize recent preclinical studies focused on investigating the function of epigenetic modulation in the host immune and cancer cell interface. We also provide a perspective on combining epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy in the management of HNSCC to improve outcomes—an area of great interest in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liye Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Tea and Food Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hirofumi Shibata
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Vassiliki Saloura
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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23
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Uddin MS, Mamun AA, Alghamdi BS, Tewari D, Jeandet P, Sarwar MS, Ashraf GM. Epigenetics of glioblastoma multiforme: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic approaches. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:100-120. [PMID: 33370605 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers found in humans. Most of the signs and symptoms of GBM can be mild and slowly aggravated, although other symptoms might demonstrate it as an acute ailment. However, the precise mechanisms of the development of GBM remain unknown. Due to the improvement of molecular pathology, current researches have reported that glioma progression is strongly connected with different types of epigenetic phenomena, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and aberrant microRNA. Furthermore, the genes and the proteins that control these alterations have become novel targets for treating glioma because of the reversibility of epigenetic modifications. In some cases, gene mutations including P16, TP53, and EGFR, have been observed in GBM. In contrast, monosomies, including removals of chromosome 10, particularly q23 and q25-26, are considered the standard markers for determining the development and aggressiveness of GBM. Recently, amid the epigenetic therapies, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have been used for treating tumors, either single or combined. Specifically, HDACIs are served as a good choice and deliver a novel pathway to treat GBM. In this review, we focus on the epigenetics of GBM and the consequence of its mutations. We also highlight various treatment approaches, namely gene editing, epigenetic drugs, and microRNAs to combat GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sahab Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Mamun
- Teaching and Research Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, 7 Baptist University Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Badrah S Alghamdi
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Devesh Tewari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Philippe Jeandet
- Research Unit, Induced Resistance and Plant Bioprotection, EA 4707, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, Faculty of Sciences, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, PO Box 1039, 51687, Reims Cedex 2, France
| | - Md Shahid Sarwar
- Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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24
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Wang F, Wang S, Zhou Q. The Resistance Mechanisms of Lung Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:568059. [PMID: 33194652 PMCID: PMC7606919 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.568059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized lung cancer treatment in the past decade. By reactivating the host’s immune system, immunotherapy significantly prolongs survival in some advanced lung cancer patients. However, resistance to immunotherapy is frequent, which manifests as a lack of initial response or clinical benefit to therapy (primary resistance) or tumor progression after the initial period of response (acquired resistance). Overcoming immunotherapy resistance is challenging owing to the complex and dynamic interplay among malignant cells and the defense system. This review aims to discuss the mechanisms that drive immunotherapy resistance and the innovative strategies implemented to overcome it in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research, Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shubin Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research, Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Targeting the epigenetic regulation of antitumour immunity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:776-800. [PMID: 32929243 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programmes that promote cancer onset and progression. Although defective gene regulation often affects oncogenic and tumour-suppressor networks, tumour immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumour responses may also be affected by epigenomic alterations. This could have important implications for the development and application of both epigenetic therapies and cancer immunotherapies, and combinations thereof. Here, we review the role of key aberrant epigenetic processes - DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones - in tumour immunogenicity, as well as the effects of epigenetic modulation on antitumour immune cell function. We emphasize opportunities for small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulators to enhance antitumour immune responses, and discuss the challenges of exploiting the complex interplay between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop treatment regimens combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
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26
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Lu X, Li Y, Yang W, Tao M, Dai Y, Xu J, Xu Q. Inhibition of NF-κB is required for oleanolic acid to downregulate PD-L1 by promoting DNA demethylation in gastric cancer cells. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2020; 35:e22621. [PMID: 32894642 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Immunotherapy via programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade has shown benefits for gastric cancer. Epigenetic DNA methylation critically regulates cancer immune checkpoints. We investigated how the natural compound oleanolic acid (OA) affected PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at 20 ng/mL was used to stimulate human gastric cancer MKN-45 cells. IL-1β significantly increased PD-L1 expression, which was abolished by OA. Next, OA-treated MKN-45 cells were co-cultured with activated and PD-1-overexpressing Jurkat T cells. OA restored IL-2 levels in the co-culture system and increased T cell killing toward MKN-45 cells. Overexpression of PD-L1 eliminated OA-enhanced T cell killing capacity; however, PD-1 blocking antibody abrogated the cytotoxicity of T cells. Moreover, OA abolished IL-1β-increased DNA demethylase activity in MKN-45 cells. DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine rescued OA-reduced PD-L1 expression; whereas DNA demethylation inhibitor gemcitabine inhibited PD-L1 expression, and, in combination with OA, provided more potent inhibitory effects. Furthermore, OA selectively reduced the expression of DNA demethylase TET3 in IL-1β-treated MKN-45 cells, and overexpression of TET3 restored OA-reduced PD-L1 expression. Finally, OA disrupted nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling IL-1β-treated MKN-45 cells, and overexpression of NF-κB restored OA downregulation of TET3 and PD-L1. The cytotoxicity of T cells toward MKN-45 cells was also weakened by NF-κB overexpression. Altogether, OA blocked the IL-1β/NF-κB/TET3 axis in gastric cancer cells, leading to DNA hypomethylation and downregulation of PD-L1. Our discoveries suggested OA as an epigenetic modulator for immunotherapy or an adjuvant therapy against gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirong Lu
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, The Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuyi Li
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, The Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minghao Tao
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanmiao Dai
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinkang Xu
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, The Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianfei Xu
- Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, The Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Spleen and Stomach and Hepatology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
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27
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Epigenetic Mechanisms of Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071061. [PMID: 32708698 PMCID: PMC7407667 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated to be highly efficient in treating solid tumors; however, many patients have limited benefits in terms of response and survival. This rapidly led to the investigation of combination therapies to enhance response rates. Moreover, predictive biomarkers were assessed to better select patients. Although PD-L1 expression remains the only validated marker in clinics, molecular profiling has brought valuable information, showing that the tumor mutation load and microsatellite instability (MSI) status were associated to higher response rates in nearly all cancer types. Moreover, in lung cancer, EGFR and MET mutations, oncogene fusions or STK11 inactivating mutations were associated with low response rates. Cancer progression towards invasive phenotypes that impede immune surveillance relies on complex regulatory networks and cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic modifications, such as the alteration of histone patterns, chromatin structure, DNA methylation status at specific promoters and changes in microRNA levels, may alter the cell phenotype and reshape the tumor microenvironment, allowing cells to grow and escape from immune surveillance. The objective of this review is to make an update on the identified epigenetic changes that target immune surveillance and, ultimately, ICI responses, such as histone marks, DNA methylation and miR signatures. Translational studies or clinical trials, when available, and potential epigenetic biomarkers will be discussed as perspectives in the context of combination treatment strategies to enhance ICI responses in patients with solid tumors.
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28
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Saleh R, Toor SM, Sasidharan Nair V, Elkord E. Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Inhibitory Immune Checkpoints in Cancer Development and Progression. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1469. [PMID: 32760400 PMCID: PMC7371937 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A balance between co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory signals in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical to suppress tumor development and progression, primarily via maintaining effective immunosurveillance. Aberrant expression of immune checkpoints (ICs), including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), can create an immune-subversive environment, which helps tumor cells to evade immune destruction. Recent studies showed that epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating the expression of ICs and their ligands in the TME. Reports showed that the promoter regions of genes encoding ICs/IC ligands can undergo inherent epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications (acetylation and methylation). These epigenetic aberrations can significantly contribute to the transcriptomic upregulation of ICs and their ligands. Epigenetic therapeutics, including DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, can be used to revert these epigenetic anomalies acquired during the progression of disease. These discoveries have established a promising therapeutic modality utilizing the combination of epigenetic and immunotherapeutic agents to restore the physiological epigenetic profile and to re-establish potent host immunosurveillance mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the roles of epigenetic modifications on the upregulation of ICs, focusing on tumor development, and progression. We discuss therapeutic approaches of epigenetic modifiers, including clinical trials in various cancer settings and their impact on current and future anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Saleh
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Salman M Toor
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
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29
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Wang H, Sové RJ, Jafarnejad M, Rahmeh S, Jaffee EM, Stearns V, Torres ETR, Connolly RM, Popel AS. Conducting a Virtual Clinical Trial in HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Using a Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model With an Epigenetic Modulator and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:141. [PMID: 32158754 PMCID: PMC7051945 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival rate of patients with breast cancer has been improved by immune checkpoint blockade therapies, and the efficacy of their combinations with epigenetic modulators has shown promising results in preclinical studies. In this prospective study, we propose an ordinary differential equation (ODE)-based quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model to conduct an in silico virtual clinical trial and analyze potential predictive biomarkers to improve the anti-tumor response in HER2-negative breast cancer. The model is comprised of four compartments: central, peripheral, tumor, and tumor-draining lymph node, and describes immune activation, suppression, T cell trafficking, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of the therapeutic agents. We implement theoretical mechanisms of action for checkpoint inhibitors and the epigenetic modulator based on preclinical studies to investigate their effects on anti-tumor response. According to model-based simulations, we confirm the synergistic effect of the epigenetic modulator and that pre-treatment tumor mutational burden, tumor-infiltrating effector T cell (Teff) density, and Teff to regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio are significantly higher in responders, which can be potential biomarkers to be considered in clinical trials. Overall, we present a readily reproducible modular model to conduct in silico virtual clinical trials on patient cohorts of interest, which is a step toward personalized medicine in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Richard J. Sové
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mohammad Jafarnejad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sondra Rahmeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vered Stearns
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Evanthia T. Roussos Torres
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Roisin M. Connolly
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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30
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Lobo J, Jerónimo C, Henrique R. Targeting the Immune system and Epigenetic Landscape of Urological Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030829. [PMID: 32012885 PMCID: PMC7037817 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last years, we have witnessed remarkable advances in targeted therapies for cancer patients. There is a growing effort to either replace or reduce the dose of unspecific, systemic (chemo)therapies, given the associated short- and long-term side effects, by introducing more specific targeted therapies as single or combination agents. Due to the well-known implications of the immune system and epigenetic landscape in modulating cancer development, both have been explored as potential targets in several malignancies, including those affecting the genitourinary tract. As the immune system function is also epigenetically regulated, there is rationale for combining both strategies. However, this is still rather underexplored, namely in urological tumors. We aim to briefly review the use of immune therapies in prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancer, and further describe studies providing supporting evidence on their combination with epigenetic-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP) and Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (R.H.)
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31
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Dan H, Zhang S, Zhou Y, Guan Q. DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Catalysts For Antitumour Immune Responses. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10903-10916. [PMID: 31849494 PMCID: PMC6913319 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s217767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a kind of heritable change that involves the unaltered DNA sequence and can have effects on gene expression. The regulatory mechanism mainly includes DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA regulation. DNA methylation is currently the most studied aspect of epigenetics. It is widely present in eukaryotic cells and is the most important epigenetic mark in the regulation of gene expression in the cell. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) have been increasingly recognized in the field of cancer immunotherapy, have been approved for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and are widely being used in clinical trials of cancer immunotherapies. DNMTi promote the reactivation of tumour suppressor genes, enhance tumour immunogenicity, and stimulate a variety of immune cells to secrete cytokines that exert cytotoxic effects, promote tumour cell death, including macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells, and upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression levels. Here, we mainly summarize the epigenetics related to DNMTi and their regulation of the antitumour immune response and DNMTi combined with immuno-therapeutics or histone deacetylase inhibitors to demonstrate the great development potential and clinical application value of DNMTi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Dan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongning Zhou
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanlin Guan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
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Miranda Furtado CL, Dos Santos Luciano MC, Silva Santos RD, Furtado GP, Moraes MO, Pessoa C. Epidrugs: targeting epigenetic marks in cancer treatment. Epigenetics 2019; 14:1164-1176. [PMID: 31282279 PMCID: PMC6791710 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1640546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene function is strongly related to the genesis of cancer. Unlike genetic mutations, the ability to reprogram the epigenetic landscape in the cancer epigenome is one of the most promising target therapies in both treatment and reversibility of drug resistance. Epigenetic alterations in cancer development and progression may be the basis for the individual variation in drug response. Thus, this review focuses on the emerging area of pharmaco(epi)genomics, specifically highlighting epigenetic reprogramming during tumorigenesis and how epigenetic markers are targeted as a therapy (epidrugs) and the clinical implications of this for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renan Da Silva Santos
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Manoel Odorico Moraes
- Department of Surgery, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Claudia Pessoa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
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33
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Schirrmacher V, van Gool S, Stuecker W. Breaking Therapy Resistance: An Update on Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus for Improvements of Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7030066. [PMID: 31480379 PMCID: PMC6783952 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7030066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to therapy is a major obstacle to cancer treatment. It may exist from the beginning, or it may develop during therapy. The review focusses on oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a biological agent with potential to break therapy resistance. This avian virus combines, upon inoculation into non-permissive hosts such as human, 12 described anti-neoplastic effects with 11 described immune stimulatory properties. Fifty years of clinical application of NDV give witness to the high safety profile of this biological agent. In 2015, an important milestone was achieved, namely the successful production of NDV according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Based on this, IOZK in Cologne, Germany, obtained a GMP certificate for the production of a dendritic cell vaccine loaded with tumor antigens from a lysate of patient-derived tumor cells together with immunological danger signals from NDV for intracutaneous application. This update includes single case reports and retrospective analyses from patients treated at IOZK. The review also presents future perspectives, including the concept of in situ vaccination and the combination of NDV or other oncolytic viruses with checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefaan van Gool
- Immune-Oncological Center Cologne (IOZK), D-50674 Cologne, Germany
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34
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Toor SM, Sasidharan Nair V, Decock J, Elkord E. Immune checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 65:1-12. [PMID: 31265893 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between immune checkpoints (ICs) and their ligands negatively regulate T cell activation pathways involved in physiological immune responses against specific antigens. ICs and their ligands are frequently upregulated in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of various malignancies, and they represent significant barriers for induction of effective anti-tumor immune responses. Several IC inhibitors (ICIs) have been developed, with some currently in clinical trials and others have been approved for the treatment of different cancers. However, tumor cells are able to counteract the activity of ICIs and can commission additional inhibitory pathways via expression of other ICs/ligands within the TME. This review discusses the expression of various ICs/ligands in the TME and their impact on tumor immune evasion. Additionally, we discuss various regulatory mechanisms, including genetic and epigenetic, and other modulatory factors including hypoxia and the presence of immunosuppressive populations in the TME, which result in upregulation of ICs in various cancers. Moreover, we discuss the prognostic significance of ICs and their ligands, and the potential strategies to enhance treatment responses to ICIs. This review aims to advance our current knowledge on the role of ICs in the TME and the clinical benefits of targeting them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman M Toor
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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35
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Targeting DNA Methylation and EZH2 Activity to Overcome Melanoma Resistance to Immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:328-344. [PMID: 30853334 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of DNA at CpG sites is the most common and stable of epigenetic changes in cancer. Hypermethylation acts to limit immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy by inhibiting endogenous interferon responses needed for recognition of cancer cells. By contrast, global hypomethylation results in the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and inhibitory cytokines, accompanied by epithelial-mesenchymal changes that can contribute to immunosuppression. The drivers of these contrasting methylation states are not well understood. DNA methylation also plays a key role in cytotoxic T cell 'exhaustion' associated with tumor progression. We present an updated exploratory analysis of how DNA methylation may define patient subgroups and can be targeted to develop tailored treatment combinations to help improve patient outcomes.
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Schnekenburger M, Dicato M, Diederich MF. Anticancer potential of naturally occurring immunoepigenetic modulators: A promising avenue? Cancer 2019; 125:1612-1628. [PMID: 30840315 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The immune system represents the major primary defense line against carcinogenesis and acts by identifying and eradicating nascent transformed cells. A growing body of evidence is indicating that aberrant epigenetic reprogramming plays a key role in tumor immune escape through: 1) impaired efficient recognition of neoplastic cells by the immune system, resulting from a downregulation or loss of the expression of tumor-associated antigens, human leukocyte antigens, antigen processing and presenting machinery, and costimulatory molecule genes; 2) aberrant expression of immune checkpoint proteins and their ligands; and 3) modification of cytokine profiles and tumor-associated immune cell populations toward an immunosuppressive state in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with the inherent reversibility of epigenetic alterations, epigenetic drugs, including DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, have the unique potential to favorably modify the tumor microenvironment, restore tumor recognition and stimulate an antitumor immune response. The objective of this review is to highlight selected, naturally occurring epigenetic modulators, namely, butyrate, curcumin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, romidepsin, and trichostatin A, with a special focus on their antitumor immune properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schnekenburger
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer, Kirchberg Hospital, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer, Kirchberg Hospital, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marc F Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Sun W, Lv S, Li H, Cui W, Wang L. Enhancing the Anticancer Efficacy of Immunotherapy through Combination with Histone Modification Inhibitors. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9120633. [PMID: 30558227 PMCID: PMC6315613 DOI: 10.3390/genes9120633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA is wrapped around histone octamers, forming the so-called “nucleosomal core particles”. The histones undergo various modifications that influence chromatin structure and function, including methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and SUMOylation. These modifications, known as epigenetic modifications (defined as heritable molecular determinants of phenotype that are independent of the DNA sequence), result in alterations of gene expression and changes in cell behavior. Recent work has shown that epigenetic drugs targeting histone deacetylation or methylation modulate the immune response and overcome acquired resistance to immunotherapy. A number of combination therapies involving immunotherapy and epigenetic drugs, which target histone deacetylation or methylation, are currently under various clinical/pre-clinical investigations and have shown promising anticancer efficacy. These combination therapies may provide a new strategy for achieving sustained anticancer efficacy and overcoming resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Shuting Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Zang L, Kondengaden SM, Che F, Wang L, Heng X. Potential Epigenetic-Based Therapeutic Targets for Glioma. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:408. [PMID: 30498431 PMCID: PMC6249994 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is characterized by a high recurrence rate, short survival times, high rates of mortality and treatment difficulties. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (RT) are the standard treatments, but outcomes rarely improve even after treatment. With the advancement of molecular pathology, recent studies have found that the development of glioma is closely related to various epigenetic phenomena, including DNA methylation, abnormal microRNA (miRNA), chromatin remodeling and histone modifications. Owing to the reversibility of epigenetic modifications, the proteins and genes that regulate these changes have become new targets in the treatment of glioma. In this review, we present a summary of the potential therapeutic targets of glioma and related effective treating drugs from the four aspects mentioned above. We further illustrate how epigenetic mechanisms dynamically regulate the pathogenesis and discuss the challenges of glioma treatment. Currently, among the epigenetic treatments, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can be used for the treatment of tumors, either individually or in combination. In the treatment of glioma, only HDACIs remain a good option and they provide new directions for the treatment. Due to the complicated pathogenesis of glioma, epigenetic applications to glioma clinical treatment are still limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Zang
- Central Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shukkoor Muhammed Kondengaden
- Chemistry Department and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fengyuan Che
- Central Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Central Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xueyuan Heng
- Department of Neurology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China
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39
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Draghi A, Chamberlain CA, Furness A, Donia M. Acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Semin Immunopathol 2018; 41:31-40. [PMID: 29968044 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0692-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent times, advances in cancer immunotherapy have yielded impressive, durable clinical responses in patients with varied subtypes of cancer. However, a significant proportion of patients who initially demonstrate encouraging tumor regression develop resistance and progress over time. The identification of novel therapeutic approaches to overcome resistance may result in significantly improved clinical outcomes and remains an area of high scientific priority. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of both tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic factors in the development of resistance to cancer immunotherapy and to discuss current and possible future therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Draghi
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Christopher Aled Chamberlain
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Andrew Furness
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marco Donia
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark. .,Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
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Sasidharan Nair V, El Salhat H, Taha RZ, John A, Ali BR, Elkord E. DNA methylation and repressive H3K9 and H3K27 trimethylation in the promoter regions of PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and PD-L1 genes in human primary breast cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:78. [PMID: 29983831 PMCID: PMC6003083 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background High expression of immune checkpoints in tumor microenvironment plays significant roles in inhibiting anti-tumor immunity, which is associated with poor prognosis and cancer progression. Major epigenetic modifications in both DNA and histone could be involved in upregulation of immune checkpoints in cancer. Methods Expressions of different immune checkpoint genes and PD-L1 were assessed using qRT-PCR, and the underlying epigenetic modifications including CpG methylation and repressive histone abundance were determined using bisulfite sequencing, and histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP), respectively. Results We first assessed the expression level of six immune checkpoints/ligands and found that PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3 were significantly upregulated in breast tumor tissues (TT), compared with breast normal tissues (NT). We investigated the epigenetic modifications beyond this upregulation in immune checkpoint genes. Interestingly, we found that CpG islands in the promoter regions of PD-1, CTLA-4, and TIM-3 were significantly hypomethylated in tumor compared with normal tissues. Additionally, CpG islands of PD-L1 promoter were completely demethylated (100%), LAG-3 were highly hypomethylated (80–90%), and TIGIT were poorly hypomethylated (20–30%), in both NT and TT. These demethylation findings are in accordance with the relative expression data that, out of all these genes, PD-L1 was highly expressed and completely demethylated and TIGIT was poorly expressed and hypermethylated in both NT and TT. Moreover, bindings of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 were found to be reduced in the promoter loci of PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3 in tumor tissues. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that both DNA and histone modifications are involved in upregulation of PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG-3 in breast tumor tissue and these epigenetic modifications could be useful as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0512-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Sasidharan Nair
- 1Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Haytham El Salhat
- 2Oncology Department, Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,3Oncology Department, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rowaida Z Taha
- 1Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anne John
- 4Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassam R Ali
- 4Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,5Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eyad Elkord
- 1Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.,6Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Wyatt RA, Trieu NPV, Crawford BD. Zebrafish Xenograft: An Evolutionary Experiment in Tumour Biology. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E220. [PMID: 28872594 PMCID: PMC5615353 DOI: 10.3390/genes8090220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the cancer research community has used mouse xenografts for decades more than zebrafish xenografts, zebrafish have much to offer: they are cheap, easy to work with, and the embryonic model is relatively easy to use in high-throughput assays. Zebrafish can be imaged live, allowing us to observe cellular and molecular processes in vivo in real time. Opponents dismiss the zebrafish model due to the evolutionary distance between zebrafish and humans, as compared to mice, but proponents argue for the zebrafish xenograft's superiority to cell culture systems and its advantages in imaging. This review places the zebrafish xenograft in the context of current views on cancer and gives an overview of how several aspects of this evolutionary disease can be addressed in the zebrafish model. Zebrafish are missing homologs of some human proteins and (of particular interest) several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteases, which are known for their importance in tumour biology. This review draws attention to the implicit evolutionary experiment taking place when the molecular ecology of the xenograft host is significantly different than that of the donor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Wyatt
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Nhu P V Trieu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Bryan D Crawford
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
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