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Fan W, Li W, Li L, Qin M, Mao C, Yuan Z, Wang P, Chu B, Jiang Y. Bifunctional HDAC and DNMT inhibitor induces viral mimicry activates the innate immune response in triple-negative breast cancer. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 197:106767. [PMID: 38636781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106767] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a unique breast cancer subtype characterized by a lack of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. Since TNBC lacks ER, PR, and HER2, there are currently no drugs that specifically target TNBC. Therefore, the development of new drugs or effective treatment strategies to target TNBC has become an urgent clinical need. Research has shown that the application of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors leads to genomic and epigenomic instability. This, in turn, triggers the activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and subsequently activates downstream interferon (IFN) signalling pathways. In this study, the bifunctional HDAC and DNMT inhibitor J208 exhibited antitumour activity in TNBC cell lines. J208 effectively induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, inhibiting cell migration and invasion in TNBC. Moreover, this bifunctional inhibitor induced the expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and elicited a viral mimicry response, which increased the intracellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to activate the innate immune signalling pathway in TNBC. In summary, we demonstrated that the bifunctional inhibitor J208, which is designed to inhibit HDAC and DNMT, has potent anticancer effects, providing a new research basis for reactivating antitumour immunity by triggering innate immune signalling and offering a promising strategy for TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwen Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenkai Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lulu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Meirong Qin
- Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Chengzhou Mao
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zigao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen 518057, China.
| | - Bizhu Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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2
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Kubo T, Asano S, Sasaki K, Murata K, Kanaseki T, Tsukahara T, Hirohashi Y, Torigoe T. Assessment of cancer cell-expressed HLA class I molecules and their immunopathological implications. HLA 2024; 103:e15472. [PMID: 38699870 DOI: 10.1111/tan.15472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown superior efficacy compared with conventional chemotherapy in certain cancer types, establishing immunotherapy as the fourth standard treatment alongside surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In cancer immunotherapy employing ICIs, CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes are recognized as the primary effector cells. For effective clinical outcomes, it is essential that the targeted cancer cells express HLA class I molecules to present antigenic peptides derived from the tumor. However, cancer cells utilize various mechanisms to downregulate or lose HLA class I molecules from their surface, resulting in evasion from immune surveillance. Correlations between prognosis and the integrity of HLA class I molecules expressed by cancer cells have been consistently found across different types of cancer. This paper provides an overview of the regulatory mechanisms of HLA class I molecules and their role in cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on the significance of utilizing pathological tissues to evaluate HLA class I molecules expressed in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terufumi Kubo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shiori Asano
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kenta Sasaki
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kenji Murata
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kanaseki
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tsukahara
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hirohashi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
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3
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Shiota M, Tanegashima T, Tatarano S, Kamoto T, Matsuyama H, Sakai H, Igawa T, Kamba T, Fujimoto N, Yokomizo A, Naito S, Eto M. The effect of human leukocyte antigen genotype on survival in advanced prostate cancer treated with primary androgen deprivation therapy: the KYUCOG-1401-A study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2024:10.1038/s41391-024-00808-0. [PMID: 38368501 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-024-00808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune editing, in which human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have critical roles, has been suggested to shape the landscape of human cancer. This study prospectively investigated whether HLA gene zygosity is associated with the prognosis of primary androgen deprivation therapy in advanced prostate cancer. METHODS KYUCOG-1401-A was conducted in conjunction with a prospective clinical trial (KYUCOG-1401). Among the patients enrolled in KYUCOG-1401 and treated with primary androgen deprivation therapy, only Japanese patients were included. HLA genotypes of HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1, and DPB1 were determined. The effect of divergence of HLA genotypes on time to progression, prostate cancer-specific survival, and overall survival was evaluated. RESULTS Among 127 patients, homozygosity for HLA-DRB1 (HR, 95% CI; 4.05, 1.54-10.7, P = 0.0047) and HLA-DQB1 (HR, 95% CI; 3.75, 1.47-9.58, P = 0.0058) was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality. Patients with higher HLA evolutionary divergence scores at HLA-DQB1 (HR, 95% CI; 0.90, 0.82-0.97, P = 0.0093) had lower risks of prostate cancer-specific mortality. Androgen-responsive gene sets were upregulated in CD4low and CD8low tumors in the prostate cancer cohort, but not in the bladder and kidney cancer cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the diversity of HLA-II loci including HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 plays an important role in advanced prostate cancer survival, contributing to improved risk stratification in advanced prostate cancer. Moreover, it was shown that CD4+ T cells play an important role in androgen deprivation therapy, suggesting that immunotherapy targeting CD4+ T cells is promising for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Shiota
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Tokiyoshi Tanegashima
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shuichi Tatarano
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Kamoto
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki University, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Hideyasu Matsuyama
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan
| | - Hideki Sakai
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Igawa
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kamba
- Department of Urology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naohiro Fujimoto
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Akira Yokomizo
- Department of Urology, Harasanshin Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Seiji Naito
- Department of Urology, Harasanshin Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Eto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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4
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Zaalberg A, Pottendorfer E, Zwart W, Bergman AM. It Takes Two to Tango: The Interplay between Prostate Cancer and Its Microenvironment from an Epigenetic Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:294. [PMID: 38254784 PMCID: PMC10813511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020294] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there is an urgent unmet need for novel treatment avenues. In addition to somatic genetic alterations, deviations in the epigenetic landscape of cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical drivers of prostate cancer initiation and progression. Unlike genomic mutations, epigenetic modifications are potentially reversible. Therefore, the inhibition of aberrant epigenetic modifications represents an attractive and exciting novel treatment strategy for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Moreover, drugs targeting the epigenome also exhibit synergistic interactions with conventional therapeutics by directly enhancing their anti-tumorigenic properties by "priming" the tumor and tumor microenvironment to increase drug sensitivity. This review summarizes the major epigenetic alterations in prostate cancer and its TME, and their involvement in prostate tumorigenesis, and discusses the impact of epigenome-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniek Zaalberg
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Elisabeth Pottendorfer
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.Z.); (E.P.)
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute
| | - Andries M. Bergman
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.Z.); (E.P.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Lukácsi S, Munkácsy G, Győrffy B. Harnessing Hyperthermia: Molecular, Cellular, and Immunological Insights for Enhanced Anticancer Therapies. Integr Cancer Ther 2024; 23:15347354241242094. [PMID: 38818970 PMCID: PMC11143831 DOI: 10.1177/15347354241242094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperthermia, the raising of tumor temperature (≥39°C), holds great promise as an adjuvant treatment for cancer therapy. This review focuses on 2 key aspects of hyperthermia: its molecular and cellular effects and its impact on the immune system. Hyperthermia has profound effects on critical biological processes. Increased temperatures inhibit DNA repair enzymes, making cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation. Elevated temperatures also induce cell cycle arrest and trigger apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, hyperthermia modifies the expression of heat shock proteins, which play vital roles in cancer therapy, including enhancing immune responses. Hyperthermic treatments also have a significant impact on the body's immune response against tumors, potentially improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Mild systemic hyperthermia (39°C-41°C) mimics fever, activating immune cells and raising metabolic rates. Intense heat above 50°C can release tumor antigens, enhancing immune reactions. Using photothermal nanoparticles for targeted heating and drug delivery can also modulate the immune response. Hyperthermia emerges as a cost-effective and well-tolerated adjuvant therapy when integrated with immunotherapy. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for the selection of patient-specific treatments and the guidance of future experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szilvia Lukácsi
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Munkácsy
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Drug Research and Development, Budapest, Hungary
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6
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Rocha GIY, Gomes JEM, Leite ML, da Cunha NB, Costa FF. Epigenome-Driven Strategies for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Manag Res 2023; 15:1351-1367. [PMID: 38058537 PMCID: PMC10697012 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s272031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fighting cancer remains one of the greatest challenges for science in the 21st century. Advances in immunotherapy against different types of cancer have greatly contributed to the treatment, remission, and cure of patients. In this context, knowledge of epigenetic phenomena, their relationship with tumor cells and how the immune system can be epigenetically modulated represent some of the greatest advances in the development of anticancer therapies. Epigenetics is a rapidly growing field that studies how environmental factors can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequence. Epigenomic changes include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation, which impact cellular function. Epigenetics has shown promise in developing cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy, which aims to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells. For example, PD-1 and PD-L1 are biomarkers that regulate the immune response to cancer cells and recent studies have shown that epigenetic modifications can affect their expression, potentially influencing the efficacy of immunotherapy. New therapies targeting epigenetic modifications, such as histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases, are being developed for cancer treatment, and some have shown promise in preclinical studies and clinical trials. With growing understanding of epigenetic regulation, we can expect more personalized and effective cancer immunotherapies in the future. This review highlights key advances in the use of epigenetic and epigenomic tools and modern immuno-oncology strategies to treat several types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michel Lopes Leite
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nicolau B da Cunha
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (FAV), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Agronomy, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Fabricio F Costa
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Genomic Enterprise, San FranciscoCA, USA
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7
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Li L, Zeng X, Chao Z, Luo J, Guan W, Zhang Q, Ge Y, Wang Y, Xiong Z, Ma S, Zhou Q, Zhang J, Tian J, Horne D, Yuh B, Hu Z, Wei G, Wang B, Zhang X, Lan P, Wang Z. Targeting Alpha-Ketoglutarate Disruption Overcomes Immunoevasion and Improves PD-1 Blockade Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301975. [PMID: 37526345 PMCID: PMC10520657 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The Warburg effect-related metabolic dysfunction of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle has emerged as a hallmark of various solid tumors, particularly renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC is characterized by high immune infiltration and thus recommended for immunotherapeutic interventions at an advanced stage in clinical guidelines. Nevertheless, limited benefits of immunotherapy have prompted investigations into underlying mechanisms, leading to the proposal of metabolic dysregulation-induced immunoevasion as a crucial contributor. In this study, a significant decrease is found in the abundance of alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG), a crucial intermediate metabolite in the TCA cycle, which is correlated with higher grades and a worse prognosis in clinical RCC samples. Elevated levels of αKG promote major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I) antigen processing and presentation, as well as the expression of β2-microglobulin (B2M). While αKG modulates broad-spectrum demethylation activities of histone, the transcriptional upregulation of B2M is dependent on the demethylation of H3K4me1 in its promoter region. Furthermore, the combination of αKG supplementation and PD-1 blockade leads to improved therapeutic efficacy and prolongs survival in murine models when compared to monotherapy. Overall, the findings elucidate the mechanisms of immune evasion in anti-tumor immunotherapies and suggest a potential combinatorial treatment strategy in RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Li
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
- Institute of Organ TransplantationTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationChinese Academy of Medical SciencesWuhan430030China
| | - Xing Zeng
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Zheng Chao
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
- Institute of Organ TransplantationTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationChinese Academy of Medical SciencesWuhan430030China
| | - Jing Luo
- Institute of Reproductive HealthCenter for Reproductive MedicineTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030P.R. China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of MedicineDivision of Hematology/OncologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Yue Ge
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Zezhong Xiong
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Sheng Ma
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Junbiao Zhang
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Jihua Tian
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - David Horne
- Department of Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCA91010USA
| | - Bertram Yuh
- Department of Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCA91010USA
| | - Zhiquan Hu
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
| | - Gong‐Hong Wei
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical College of Fudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Baojun Wang
- Department of Urologythe Third Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalNo.39 Yongding RoadBeijing100039China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Urologythe Third Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalNo.39 Yongding RoadBeijing100039China
| | - Peixiang Lan
- Institute of Organ TransplantationTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationKey Laboratory of Organ TransplantationChinese Academy of Medical SciencesWuhan430030China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of UrologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430030China
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8
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dos Reis FD, Jerónimo C, Correia MP. Epigenetic modulation and prostate cancer: Paving the way for NK cell anti-tumor immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152572. [PMID: 37090711 PMCID: PMC10113550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoepigenetics is a growing field, as there is mounting evidence on the key role played by epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of tumor immune cell recognition and control of immune cell anti-tumor responses. Moreover, it is increasingly acknowledgeable a tie between epigenetic regulation and prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. PCa is intrinsically a cold tumor, with scarce immune cell infiltration and low inflammatory tumor microenvironment. However, Natural Killer (NK) cells, main anti-tumor effector immune cells, have been frequently linked to improved PCa prognosis. The role that epigenetic-related mechanisms might have in regulating both NK cell recognition of PCa tumor cells and NK cell functions in PCa is still mainly unknown. Epigenetic modulating drugs have been showing boundless therapeutic potential as anti-tumor agents, however their role in immune cell regulation and recognition is scarce. In this review, we focused on studies addressing modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated responses, including both the epigenetic modulation of tumor cell NK ligand expression and NK cell receptor expression and function in different tumor models, highlighting studies in PCa. The integrated knowledge from diverse epigenetic modulation mechanisms promoting NK cell-mediated immunity in various tumor models might open doors for the development of novel epigenetic-based therapeutic options for PCa management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa D. dos Reis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Master Program in Oncology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Margareta P. Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Margareta P. Correia,
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9
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Rodems TS, Heninger E, Stahlfeld CN, Gilsdorf CS, Carlson KN, Kircher MR, Singh A, Krueger TEG, Beebe DJ, Jarrard DF, McNeel DG, Haffner MC, Lang JM. Reversible epigenetic alterations regulate class I HLA loss in prostate cancer. Commun Biol 2022; 5:897. [PMID: 36050516 PMCID: PMC9437063 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03843-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Downregulation of HLA class I (HLA-I) impairs immune recognition and surveillance in prostate cancer and may underlie the ineffectiveness of checkpoint blockade. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating HLA-I loss in prostate cancer have not been fully explored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of HLA-I genomic, epigenomic and gene expression alterations in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. Loss of HLA-I gene expression was associated with repressive chromatin states including DNA methylation, histone H3 tri-methylation at lysine 27, and reduced chromatin accessibility. Pharmacological DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition decreased DNA methylation and increased H3 lysine 27 acetylation and resulted in re-expression of HLA-I on the surface of tumor cells. Re-expression of HLA-I on LNCaP cells by DNMT and HDAC inhibition increased activation of co-cultured prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)27-38-specific CD8+ T-cells. HLA-I expression is epigenetically regulated by functionally reversible DNA methylation and chromatin modifications in human prostate cancer. Methylated HLA-I was detected in HLA-Ilow circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which may serve as a minimally invasive biomarker for identifying patients who would benefit from epigenetic targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara S Rodems
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Erika Heninger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Charlotte N Stahlfeld
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Cole S Gilsdorf
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kristin N Carlson
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Madison R Kircher
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Anupama Singh
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Timothy E G Krueger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building, 1685 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - David F Jarrard
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Douglas G McNeel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Michael C Haffner
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave, N., Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600N Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Joshua M Lang
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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10
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Zhou Q, Yang C, Mou Z, Wu S, Dai X, Chen X, Ou Y, Zhang L, Sha J, Jiang H. Identification and validation of a poor clinical outcome subtype of primary prostate cancer with Midkine abundance. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:3698-3709. [PMID: 36018546 PMCID: PMC9633304 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies identified Midkine (MDK) as playing a key role in immune regulation. In this study, we aimed to discover the clinical significance and translational relevance in prostate cancer (PCa). We retrospectively analyzed 759 PCa patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University (training cohort, n = 369) and Chinese Prostate Cancer Consortium (validation cohort, n = 390). A total of 325 PCa patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (external cohort) were analyzed for exploration. Immune landscape and antitumor immunity were assessed through immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Patient‐derived explant culture system was applied for evaluating the targeting potential of MDK. We found that intratumoral MDK expression correlated with PCa progression, which indicated an unfavorable biochemical recurrence (BCR)‐free survival for postoperative PCa patients. Addition of MDK expression to the postoperative risk assessment tool CAPRA‐S could improve its prognostic value. Tumors with MDK abundance characterized the tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells with less cytotoxicity production and increased immune checkpoint expression, which were accompanied by enriched immunosuppressive contexture. Moreover, MDK inhibition could reactivate CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity. MDK mRNA expression negatively correlated with androgen receptor activity signature and positively associated with radiotherapy‐related signature. In conclusion, intratumoral MDK expression could serve as an independent prognosticator for BCR in postoperative PCa patients. MDK expression impaired the antitumor function of CD8+ T cells through orchestrating an immunoevasive microenvironment, which could be reversed by MDK inhibition. Moreover, tumors with MDK enrichment possessed potential sensitivity to postoperative radiotherapy while resistance to adjuvant hormonal therapy of PCa. MDK could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zezhong Mou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiyu Dai
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinan Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxi Ou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Sha
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haowen Jiang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Sadagopan A, Michelakos T, Boyiadzis G, Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigen-Processing Machinery Upregulation by Anticancer Therapies in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:462-473. [PMID: 34940799 PMCID: PMC8930447 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although typically impressive, objective responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) occur in only 12.5% of patients with advanced cancer. The majority of patients do not respond due to cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) defects. The APM defects, which have a negative effect on neoantigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are present in the majority of malignant tumors. These defects are caused by gene variations in less than 25% of cases and by dysregulated signaling and/or epigenetic changes in most of the remaining cases, making them frequently correctable. This narrative review summarizes the growing clinical evidence that chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and, to a lesser extent, radiotherapy can correct HLA class I APM defects in cancer cells and improve responses to ICIs. OBSERVATIONS Most chemotherapeutics enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells, tumor CTL infiltration, and responses to ICIs in preclinical and clinical models. Despite preclinical evidence, radiotherapy does not appear to upregulate HLA class I expression in patients and does not enhance the efficacy of ICIs in clinical settings. The latter findings underscore the need to optimize the dose and schedule of radiation and timing of ICI administration to maximize their immunogenic synergy. By increasing DNA and chromatin accessibility, epigenetic agents (histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, and EZH2 inhibitors) enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in many cancer types, a crucial contributor to their synergy with ICIs in patients. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors are effective at upregulating HLA class I expression in EGFR- and BRAF-variant tumors, respectively; these changes may contribute to the clinical responses induced by these inhibitors in combination with ICIs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This narrative review summarizes evidence indicating that chemotherapy and targeted therapies are effective at enhancing HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells. The resulting increased immunogenicity and recognition and elimination of cancer cells by cognate CTLs contributes to the antitumor activity of these therapies as well as to their synergy with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Boyiadzis
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Xu Y, Liao W, Luo Q, Yang D, Pan M. Histone Acetylation Regulator-Mediated Acetylation Patterns Define Tumor Malignant Pathways and Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:761046. [PMID: 35145517 PMCID: PMC8821108 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.761046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histone acetylation modification is one of the most common epigenetic methods used to regulate chromatin structure, DNA repair, and gene expression. Existing research has focused on the importance of histone acetylation in regulating tumorigenicity, tumor progression, and tumor microenvironment (TME) but has not explored the potential roles and interactions of histone acetylation regulators in TME cell infiltration, drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy. Methods The mRNA expression and genetic alterations of 36 histone acetylation regulators were analyzed in 1599 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples. The unsupervised clustering method was used to identify the histone acetylation patterns. Then, based on their differentially expressed genes (DEGs), an HAscore model was constructed to quantify the histone acetylation patterns and related subtypes of individual samples. Lastly, the relationship between HAscore and transcription background, tumor clinical features, characteristics of TME, drug response, and efficacy of immunotherapy were analyzed. Results We identified three histone acetylation patterns characterized by high, medium, and low HAscore. Patients with HCC in the high HAscore group experienced worse overall survival time, and the cancer-related malignant pathways were more active in the high HAscore group, comparing to the low HAscore group. The high HAscore group was characterized by an immunosuppressive subtype because of the high infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Following validation, the HAscore was highly correlated with the sensitivity of anti-tumor drugs; 116 therapeutic agents were found to be associated with it. The HAscore was also correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of the PD-L1 and PD-1 blockade, and the response ratio was significantly higher in the low HAscore group. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of 36 histone acetylation regulators in HCC. We found close correlations between histone acetylation patterns and tumor malignant pathways and TME. We also analyzed the therapeutic value of the HAscore in targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This work highlights the interactions and potential clinical utility of histone acetylation regulators in treatment of HCC and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Xu
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liao
- The Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The General Surgery Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Luo
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), Hengyang, China
| | - Dinghua Yang
- The Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The General Surgery Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dinghua Yang, ; Mingxin Pan,
| | - Mingxin Pan
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dinghua Yang, ; Mingxin Pan,
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13
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Liu Z, Ren Y, Weng S, Xu H, Li L, Han X. A New Trend in Cancer Treatment: The Combination of Epigenetics and Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:809761. [PMID: 35140720 PMCID: PMC8818678 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.809761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has become a hot spot in the treatment of tumors. As an emerging treatment, it solves many problems in traditional cancer treatment and has now become the main method for cancer treatment. Although immunotherapy is promising, most patients do not respond to treatment or develop resistance. Therefore, in order to achieve a better therapeutic effect, combination therapy has emerged. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibition and epigenetic therapy is one such strategy. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the key mechanisms of how epigenetic mechanisms affect cancer immune responses and reveal the key role of epigenetic processes in regulating immune cell function and mediating anti-tumor immunity. In addition, we highlight the outlook of combined epigenetic and immune regimens, particularly the combination of immune checkpoint blockade with epigenetic agents, to address the limitations of immunotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Internet Medical and System Applications of National Engineering Laboratory, Zhengzhou, China
- Medical School, Huanghe Science and Technology University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
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14
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Burkitt K, Saloura V. Epigenetic Modifiers as Novel Therapeutic Targets and a Systematic Review of Clinical Studies Investigating Epigenetic Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205241. [PMID: 34680389 PMCID: PMC8534083 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and it affects approximately 50,000 patients annually in the United States. Current treatments are suboptimal and induce significant long-term toxicities that permanently affect quality of life. Novel therapeutic approaches are thus urgently needed to increase the survival and quality of life of these patients. Epigenetic modifications have been recognized as potential therapeutic targets in various cancer types, including head and neck cancer. The objective of this review is to provide a brief overview of the function of important epigenetic modifiers in head and neck cancer, and to discuss the results of past and ongoing clinical trials evaluating epigenetic interventions targeting these epigenetic modifiers in head and neck cancer patients. The field of epigenetic therapy in head and neck cancer is still nascent; however, it holds significant promise. Although more specific epigenetic drugs are being developed, we envision the rational design of clinical trials that will target a select group of head and neck cancer patients with epigenetic vulnerabilities that can be targeted in combination with immunotherapy, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, rendering higher and durable responses while minimizing chronic complications for patients with head and neck cancer. Abstract The survival rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with the current standard of care therapy is suboptimal and is associated with long-term side effects. Novel therapeutics that will improve survival rates while minimizing treatment-related side effects are the focus of active investigation. Epigenetic modifications have been recognized as potential therapeutic targets in various cancer types, including head and neck cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of important epigenetic modifiers in head and neck cancer, their clinical implications and discusses results of clinical trials evaluating epigenetic interventions in past and ongoing clinical trials as monotherapy or combination therapy with either chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy. Understanding the function of epigenetic modifiers in both preclinical and clinical settings will provide insight into a more rational design of clinical trials using epigenetic interventions and the patient subgroups that may benefit from such interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyunghee Burkitt
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (V.S.)
| | - Vassiliki Saloura
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (V.S.)
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15
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Sutherland SIM, Ju X, Horvath LG, Clark GJ. Moving on From Sipuleucel-T: New Dendritic Cell Vaccine Strategies for Prostate Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641307. [PMID: 33854509 PMCID: PMC8039370 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors evade the immune system though a myriad of mechanisms. Using checkpoint inhibitors to help reprime T cells to recognize tumor has had great success in malignancies including melanoma, lung, and renal cell carcinoma. Many tumors including prostate cancer are resistant to such treatment. However, Sipuleucel-T, a dendritic cell (DC) based immunotherapy, improved overall survival (OS) in prostate cancer. Despite this initial success, further DC vaccines have failed to progress and there has been limited uptake of Sipuleucel-T in the clinic. We know in prostate cancer (PCa) that both the adaptive and the innate arms of the immune system contribute to the immunosuppressive environment. This is at least in part due to dysfunction of DC that play a crucial role in the initiation of an immune response. We also know that there is a paucity of DC in PCa, and that those there are immature, creating a tolerogenic environment. These attributes make PCa a good candidate for a DC based immunotherapy. Ultimately, the knowledge gained by much research into antigen processing and presentation needs to translate from bench to bedside. In this review we will analyze why newer vaccine strategies using monocyte derived DC (MoDC) have failed to deliver clinical benefit, particularly in PCa, and highlight the emerging antigen loading and presentation technologies such as nanoparticles, antibody-antigen conjugates and virus co-delivery systems that can be used to improve efficacy. Lastly, we will assess combination strategies that can help overcome the immunosuppressive microenvironment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah I. M. Sutherland
- Dendritic Cell Research, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Xinsheng Ju
- Dendritic Cell Research, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - L. G. Horvath
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina J. Clark
- Dendritic Cell Research, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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16
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Dhatchinamoorthy K, Colbert JD, Rock KL. Cancer Immune Evasion Through Loss of MHC Class I Antigen Presentation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:636568. [PMID: 33767702 PMCID: PMC7986854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 129.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class I (MHC I) molecules bind peptides derived from a cell's expressed genes and then transport and display this antigenic information on the cell surface. This allows CD8 T cells to identify pathological cells that are synthesizing abnormal proteins, such as cancers that are expressing mutated proteins. In order for many cancers to arise and progress, they need to evolve mechanisms to avoid elimination by CD8 T cells. MHC I molecules are not essential for cell survival and therefore one mechanism by which cancers can evade immune control is by losing MHC I antigen presentation machinery (APM). Not only will this impair the ability of natural immune responses to control cancers, but also frustrate immunotherapies that work by re-invigorating anti-tumor CD8 T cells, such as checkpoint blockade. Here we review the evidence that loss of MHC I antigen presentation is a frequent occurrence in many cancers. We discuss new insights into some common underlying mechanisms through which some cancers inactivate the MHC I pathway and consider some possible strategies to overcome this limitation in ways that could restore immune control of tumors and improve immunotherapy.
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17
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Oleksiewicz U, Machnik M. Causes, effects, and clinical implications of perturbed patterns within the cancer epigenome. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:15-35. [PMID: 33359485 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Somatic mutations accumulating over a patient's lifetime are well-defined causative factors that fuel carcinogenesis. It is now clear, however, that epigenomic signature is also largely perturbed in many malignancies. These alterations support the transcriptional program crucial for the acquisition and maintenance of cancer hallmarks. Epigenetic instability may arise due to the genetic mutations or transcriptional deregulation of the proteins implicated in epigenetic signaling. Moreover, external stimulation and physiological aging may also participate in this phenomenon. The epigenomic signature is frequently associated with a cell of origin, as well as with tumor stage and differentiation, which all reflect its high heterogeneity across and within various tumors. Here, we will overview the current understanding of the causes and effects of the altered and heterogeneous epigenomic landscape in cancer. We will focus mainly on DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications as the key regulatory epigenetic signaling marks. In addition, we will describe how this knowledge is translated into the clinic. We will particularly concentrate on the applicability of epigenetic alterations as biomarkers for improved diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction. Finally, we will also review current developments regarding epi-drug usage in clinical and experimental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Oleksiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Marta Machnik
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
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18
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Souri Z, Jochemsen AG, Versluis M, Wierenga AP, Nemati F, van der Velden PA, Kroes WG, Verdijk RM, Luyten GP, Jager MJ. HDAC Inhibition Increases HLA Class I Expression in Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123690. [PMID: 33316946 PMCID: PMC7763827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are both used to treat malignancies. The immunotherapy of cancer often involves T cells, which recognise the antigens presented in HLA molecules. Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular malignancy, which often gives rise to metastases. We determined whether high-risk tumours expressed the target of two drugs, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Quisinostat and Tazemetostat, an inhibitor of Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2). We observed that especially high-risk UM tumours (monosomy 3, gain of 8q, loss of BAP1) expressed several HDACs, and showed a high HLA Class I expression. We further tested whether these drugs influenced HLA Class I expression on three UM cell lines. The drug Quisinostat led to an upregulation of HLA protein and mRNA levels in three UM cell lines, while Tazemetostat had little effect. We concluded that the use of drugs that influence epigenetic regulators may impact immunotherapy approaches. Abstract The treatment of uveal melanoma (UM) metastases or adjuvant treatment may imply immunological approaches or chemotherapy. It is to date unknown how epigenetic modifiers affect the expression of immunologically relevant targets, such as the HLA Class I antigens, in UM. We investigated the expression of HDACs and the histone methyl transferase EZH2 in a set of 64 UMs, using an Illumina HT12V4 array, and determined whether a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and EZH2 inhibitor modified the expression of HLA Class I on three UM cell lines. Several HDACs (HDAC1, HDAC3, HDAC4, and HDAC8) showed an increased expression in high-risk UM, and were correlated with an increased HLA expression. HDAC11 had the opposite expression pattern. While in vitro tests showed that Tazemetostat did not influence cell growth, Quisinostat decreased cell survival. In the three tested cell lines, Quisinostat increased HLA Class I expression at the protein and mRNA level, while Tazemetostat did not have an effect on the cell surface HLA Class I levels. Combination therapy mostly followed the Quisinostat results. Our findings indicate that epigenetic drugs (in this case an HDAC inhibitor) may influence the expression of immunologically relevant cell surface molecules in UM, demonstrating that these drugs potentially influence immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Souri
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Aart G. Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Mieke Versluis
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Annemijn P.A. Wierenga
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Fariba Nemati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, 75248 Paris, France;
| | - Pieter A. van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Wilma G.M. Kroes
- Department of Clinical Genetics, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Robert M. Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, ErasmusMC, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregorius P.M. Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (M.V.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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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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Rodriguez CP, Wu Q(V, Voutsinas J, Fromm JR, Jiang X, Pillarisetty VG, Lee SM, Santana-Davila R, Goulart B, Baik CS, Chow LQ, Eaton K, Martins R. A Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab and Vorinostat in Recurrent Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Salivary Gland Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 26:837-845. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lang JM. Understanding dynamic interactions in the prostate tumor microenvironment. Urol Oncol 2019; 37:532-534. [PMID: 31300353 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Complex and dynamic are 2 words that best explain the prostate tumor microenvironment (TME). These words also exemplify the challenges inherent in developing and translating the latest therapeutic advances into clinical benefit for patients with localized and advanced prostate cancer. This issue explores the various cell types and interactions in the prostate TME and how new research findings are being leveraged into therapeutic concepts for our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Lang
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.
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Puig P, Erill N, Terricabras M, Subirana I, González-García J, Asensi-Puig A, Donovan MJ, Mengual L, Agulló-Ortuño MT, Olivan M, Alcaraz A, López-Martín JA, de Torres I, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Rodríguez-Antolín A, Morote J, González-Rumayor V. Multiple immunofluorescence assay identifies upregulation of Active β-catenin in prostate cancer. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:68. [PMID: 30700322 PMCID: PMC6354402 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To apply a systems pathology-based approach to the quantification of nuclear Active β-catenin and human leukocyte antigen class I, and assess the biomarker involvement in a cohort of prostate tumor patients. Results The systems pathology approach applied allows a precise quantification of the marker expression in the different cell compartments as well as the determination of the areas that coexpress two markers. Our data shows that the accumulation of β-catenin in the nuclear compartment is significantly decreased in the adjacent normal areas when compared to tumor of the same patients (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the application of this novel multiple immunofluorescence assay demonstrates that the upregulation of Active β-catenin is a relatively common feature of prostate tumor development, and further supports the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer progression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4100-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Puig
- R&D Department, Atrys Health, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lourdes Mengual
- Department and Laboratory of Urology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi iSunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Teresa Agulló-Ortuño
- Pathology Department, Urology Department and Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Instituto de Investigación Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i + 12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Olivan
- Group of Biomedical Research in Urology, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Alcaraz
- Department and Laboratory of Urology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi iSunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José A López-Martín
- Pathology Department, Urology Department and Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Instituto de Investigación Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i + 12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés de Torres
- Group of Biomedical Research in Urology, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto
- Pathology Department, Urology Department and Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Instituto de Investigación Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i + 12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo Rodríguez-Antolín
- Pathology Department, Urology Department and Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Instituto de Investigación Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i + 12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Morote
- Group of Biomedical Research in Urology, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
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Pérez-Cárdenas E, Taja-Chayeb L, Trejo-Becerril C, Chanona-Vilchis J, Chávez-Blanco A, Domínguez-Gómez G, Langley E, García-Carrancá A, Dueñas-González A. Antimetastatic effect of epigenetic drugs, hydralazine and valproic acid, in Ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:8823-8833. [PMID: 30584338 PMCID: PMC6290866 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s187306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Metastasis involves the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to activation of prometastatic genes and inactivation of antimetastatic genes. Among epigenetic alterations, DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are the focus of intense translational research because their pharmacological inhibition has been shown to produce antineoplastic activity in a variety of experimental models. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the antimetastatic effect of the DNA-methylation inhibitor, hydralazine, and the histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid. Methods NIH 3T3-Ras murine cells were treated with hydralazine and valproic acid to evaluate their effects upon cell proliferation, cell motility, chemotaxis, gelatinase activity, and gene expression. Lung metastases were developed by intravenous injection of NIH 3T3-Ras cells in BALB/c nu/nu mice and then treated with the drug combination. Results Treatment induced a growth-inhibitory effect on NIH 3T3-Ras cells, showed a trend toward increased gelatinase activity of MMP2 and MMP9, and inhibited chemotaxis and cell motility. The combination led to a strong antimetastatic effect in lungs of nude mice. Conclusion Hydralazine and valproic acid, two repositioned drugs as epigenetic agents, exhibit antimetastatic effects in vitro and in vivo and hold potential for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucía Taja-Chayeb
- Division of Basic Research, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - José Chanona-Vilchis
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alma Chávez-Blanco
- Division of Basic Research, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Elizabeth Langley
- Division of Basic Research, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro García-Carrancá
- Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, .,Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Mexico City, Mexico,
| | - Alfonso Dueñas-González
- Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, .,Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Mexico City, Mexico,
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Mohammadi A, Sharifi A, Pourpaknia R, Mohammadian S, Sahebkar A. Manipulating macrophage polarization and function using classical HDAC inhibitors: Implications for autoimmunity and inflammation. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 128:1-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Conte M, De Palma R, Altucci L. HDAC inhibitors as epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018. [PMID: 29535070 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, anti-tumor immunotherapy has shown promising results, and immune-oncology is now emerging as the fourth major wave in the treatment of tumors after radiotherapy, chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Understanding the impact of the immune system on neoplastic cells is crucial to improve its effectiveness against cancer. The stratification of patients who might benefit from immunotherapy as well as the personalization of medicine have contributed to the discovery of new immunotherapeutic targets and molecules. In the present review, we discuss the mechanistic role of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) as potential immunomodulating agents to treat cancer. Our current understanding of the use of HDACi in combination with various immunotherapeutic approaches, such as immunomodulating agents and cancer vaccines, is also addressed. The potential clinical applications of the growing number of novel epigenetic drugs for cancer immunotherapy are widening, and some of these therapies are already in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raffaele De Palma
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
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26
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Maldonado M, Huang T, Yang L, Xu L, Ma L. Human umbilical cord Wharton jelly cells promote extra-pancreatic insulin formation and repair of renal damage in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Cell Commun Signal 2017; 15:43. [PMID: 29041943 PMCID: PMC5645864 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-017-0199-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated the therapeutic effect and fate of high doses of human umbilical cord Wharton jelly cells (hUCWJCs) after IP administration to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. METHODS Type 1 diabetes (T1D) was induced in Kunming mice via IP injection of STZ. hUCWJCs were labeled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI). Diabetic animals with sustained hyperglycemia for at least 2 weeks were administered 1 × 107 Dil-hUCWJCs via intraperitoneal injection. Insulin, glucagon and PDX-1 were detected by immunofluorescence with confocal microscopy. Serum mouse and human C-peptide was assayed in blood collected via intracardiac puncture. Specific β-cell differentiation markers and human DNA were assessed using qPCR performed with 200 ng of target DNA. RESULTS hUCWJCs migrated to the STZ-damaged organs and contributed to lower blood glucose levels in 30% of the treated mice. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of resident insulin-positive cells in the liver and kidneys. hUCWJC-treated mice with restored hyperglycemia also showed increased serum mouse C-peptide levels. The qPCR results, particularly in the liver, revealed that after transplantation hUCWJCs upregulated genes of endocrine precursors but failed to express endocrine stage markers. Mice with restored hyperglycemia had reduced urinary volume and lacked glomerular hypertrophy, exhibiting a morphology resembling that of normal glomeruli. Moreover, we also verified that one of the possible mechanisms by which hUCWJCs exert immunosuppressive effects is through down-regulation of the cell surface receptor HLA-1. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the potential of IP administration of hUCWJCs and the capability of these cells to migrate to damaged tissues and promote insulin secretion from non-pancreatic local cells and to improve renal damage. These findings confer unique therapeutic properties to hUCWJCs, suggesting a promising future in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Maldonado
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medical Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Reproductive Medicine & Genetics, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu, 610066 China
| | - Tianhua Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Reproductive Medicine & Genetics, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu, 610066 China
| | - Lujun Yang
- Translational Medical Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lian Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medical Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pediatrics, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shenzhen University, 518052 Shenzhen, Guangdong People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pediatrics, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Pingshan District, 518122 Shenzhen, Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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Seliger B. Immune modulatory microRNAs as a novel mechanism to revert immune escape of tumors. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 36:49-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Ylitalo EB, Thysell E, Jernberg E, Lundholm M, Crnalic S, Egevad L, Stattin P, Widmark A, Bergh A, Wikström P. Subgroups of Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Bone Metastases Defined Through an Inverse Relationship Between Androgen Receptor Activity and Immune Response. Eur Urol 2017; 71:776-787. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Abstract
Compelling evidence have demonstrated that bulk tumors can arise from a unique subset of cells commonly termed "cancer stem cells" that has been proposed to be a strong driving force of tumorigenesis and a key mechanism of therapeutic resistance. Recent advances in epigenomics have illuminated key mechanisms by which epigenetic regulation contribute to cancer progression. In this review, we present a discussion of how deregulation of various epigenetic pathways can contribute to cancer initiation and tumorigenesis, particularly with respect to maintenance and survival of cancer stem cells. This information, together with several promising clinical and preclinical trials of epigenetic modulating drugs, offer new possibilities for targeting cancer stem cells as well as improving cancer therapy overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Boon Toh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jhin Jieh Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive #12-01, Singapore, 117599 Singapore
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30
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Seliger B. Molecular mechanisms of HLA class I-mediated immune evasion of human tumors and their role in resistance to immunotherapies. HLA 2016; 88:213-220. [PMID: 27659281 DOI: 10.1111/tan.12898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although the human immune system can recognize and eradicate tumor cells, tumors have also been shown to develop different strategies to escape immune surveillance, which has been described for the first time in different mouse models. The evasion of immune recognition was often associated with a poor prognosis and reduced survival of patients. During the last years the molecular mechanisms, which protect tumor cells from this immune attack, have been identified and appear to be more complex than initially expected. However, next to the composition of cellular, soluble and physical components of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor cells changes to limit immune responses. Of particular importance are classical and non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens, which often showed a deregulated expression in cancers of distinct origin. Furthermore, HLA class I abnormalities were linked to defects in the interferon signaling, which have both been shown to be essential for mounting immune responses and are involved in resistances to T cell-based immunotherapies. Therefore this review summarizes the expression, regulation, function and clinical relevance of HLA class I antigens in association with the interferon signal transduction pathway and its role in adaptive resistances to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
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31
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Carretero FJ, Del Campo AB, Flores-Martín JF, Mendez R, García-Lopez C, Cozar JM, Adams V, Ward S, Cabrera T, Ruiz-Cabello F, Garrido F, Aptsiauri N. Frequent HLA class I alterations in human prostate cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:47-59. [PMID: 26611618 PMCID: PMC11029306 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1774-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Reduced expression of HLA class I is an important immune escape mechanism from cytotoxic T cells described in various types of malignancy. It often correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. However, current knowledge about the frequency, underlying molecular mechanisms, and prognostic value of HLA class I and II alterations in prostate cancer (PC) is limited. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that 88 % of the 42 studied cryopreserved prostate tumors have at least one type of HLA alteration as compared to adjacent normal prostate epithelium or benign hyperplasia. Total loss of HLA-I expression found in 50 % of tumors showed an association with increased incidence of tumor relapse, perineural invasion, and high D'Amico risk. The remaining HLA-I-positive tumors demonstrated locus and allelic losses detected in 26 and 12 % of samples, respectively. Loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 6 was detected in 32 % of the studied tumors. Molecular analysis revealed a reduced expression of B2M, TAP2, tapasin and NLRC5 mRNA in microdissected HLA-I-negative tumors. Analysis of twelve previously unreported cell lines derived from neoplastic and normal epithelium of cancerous prostate revealed different types of HLA-I aberration, ranging from locus and/or allelic downregulation to a total absence of HLA-I expression. The high incidence of HLA-I loss observed in PC, caused by both regulatory and structural defects, is associated with more aggressive disease development and may pose a real threat to patient health by increasing cancer progression and resistance to T-cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Carretero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Belen Del Campo
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Avda Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Francisco Flores-Martín
- UGC Urología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Rosa Mendez
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Avda Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Cesar García-Lopez
- UGC Anatomía Patológica del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Cozar
- UGC Urología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Victoria Adams
- Onyvax, Ltd, St. George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
- Cell Therapy Catapult Limited, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stephen Ward
- Onyvax, Ltd, St. George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
- Cell Therapy Catapult Limited, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Teresa Cabrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Cabello
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Avda Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Federico Garrido
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Avda Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Natalia Aptsiauri
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos e Inmunología, UGC Laboratorio Clínico del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Avda Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014, Granada, Spain.
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Juo YY, Gong XJ, Mishra A, Cui X, Baylin SB, Azad NS, Ahuja N. Epigenetic therapy for solid tumors: from bench science to clinical trials. Epigenomics 2015; 7:215-35. [PMID: 25942532 DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cancer epigenome is characterized by global DNA methylation and chromatin changes, such as the hypermethylation of specific CpG island promoters. Epigenetic agents like DNA methyltransferase or histone deacetylase inhibitors induce phenotype changes by reactivation of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes. Despite initial promise in hematologic malignancies, epigenetic agents have not shown significant efficacy as monotherapy against solid tumors. Recent trials showed that epigenetic agents exert favorable modifier effects when combined with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or other epigenetic agents. Due to the novel nature of their mechanism, it is important to reconsider the optimal patient selection, drug regimen, study design, and outcome measures when pursuing future trials in order to discover the full potential of this new therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Yi Juo
- Department of Surgery, George Washington University Medical Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 6B, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Kosoff D, Krueger T, Lang JM. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms for clinical translation: enhancing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapies. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:1243-54. [PMID: 24188678 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to evade host immune surveillance is critical for the survival of tumor cells and is correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Many tumor types have been found to downregulate expression of genes involved in antigen production, processing and presentation to evade immune detection. Recent findings suggest that the mechanisms underlying these immune evasion phenomena extend beyond alterations in DNA sequence to include epigenetic modifications of DNA and associated proteins, including hypermethylation of DNA and altered histone acetylation patterns. This review will summarize alterations in antigen presentation machinery identified in malignant cells, epigenetic mechanisms that can be employed in the downregulation of genes relevant for antigen presentation and translational strategies to target these processes to enhance the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kosoff
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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Carretero R, Gil-Julio H, Vázquez-Alonso F, Garrido F, Castiñeiras J, Cózar J. Involvement of HLA class I molecules in the immune escape of urologic tumors. Actas Urol Esp 2014; 38:192-9. [PMID: 24315763 DOI: 10.1016/j.acuro.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of different alterations in human leukocyte antigen class I molecules (HLA I) in renal cell carcinoma, as well as in bladder and prostate cancer. We also study the correlation between HLA I expression and the progression of the disease and the response after immunotherapy protocols. EVIDENCES ACQUISITION It has been shown, experimentally, that the immune system can recognize and kill neoplastic cells. By analyzing the expression of HLA I molecules on the surface of cancer cells, we were able to study the tumor escape mechanisms against the immune system. EVIDENCES SYNTHESIS Alteration or irreversible damage in HLA I molecules is used by the neoplastic cells to escape the immune system. The function of these molecules is to recognize endogenous peptides and present them to T cells of the immune system. There is a clear relationship between HLA I reversible alterations and success of therapy. Irreversible lesions also imply a lack of response to treatment. The immune system activation can reverse HLA I molecules expression in tumors with reversible lesions, whereas tumors with irreversible ones do not respond to such activation. Determine the type of altered HLA I molecules in tumors is of paramount importance when choosing the type of treatment to keep looking for therapeutic success. Those tumors with reversible lesions can be treated with traditional immunotherapy; however, tumour with irreversible alterations should follow alternative protocols, such as the use of viral vectors carrying the HLA genes to achieve damaged re-expression of the protein. CONCLUSION From studies in urologic tumors, we can conclude that the HLA I molecules play a key role in these tumors escape to the immune system.
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35
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Sigalotti L, Fratta E, Coral S, Maio M. Epigenetic drugs as immunomodulators for combination therapies in solid tumors. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 142:339-50. [PMID: 24384533 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Continuously improving knowledge of the fine mechanisms regulating cross-talk between immune cells, and of their multi-faceted interactions with cancer cells, has prompted the development of several novel immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Among these, modulation of the host's immune system by targeting immunological synapses has shown notable clinical efficacy in different tumor types. Despite this, objective clinical responses and, more importantly, long-term survival are achieved only by a fraction of patients; therefore, identification of the mechanism(s) responsible for the differential effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade in specific patient populations is an area of intense investigation. Neoplastic cells can activate multiple mechanisms to escape from immune control; among these, epigenetic reprogramming is emerging as a key player. Selected tumor-associated antigens, Human Leukocyte Antigens, and accessory/co-stimulatory molecules required for efficient recognition of neoplastic cells by the immune system have been shown to be epigenetically silenced or down-regulated in cancer. Consistent with the inherent reversibility of epigenetic silencing, "epigenetic" drugs, such as inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases and of histone deacetylases, can restore the functional expression of these down-regulated molecules, thus improving the recognition of cancer cells by both the innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on the immunomodulatory activity of epigenetic drugs and on their proposed clinical use in novel combined chemo-immunotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sigalotti
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sandra Coral
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
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Bhatia A, Kumar Y. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in cancer immune escape: a comprehensive review. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2013; 10:41-62. [PMID: 24325346 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2014.865519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune escape is the final phase of cancer immunoediting process wherein cancer modulates our immune system to escape from being destroyed by it. Many cellular and molecular events govern the cancer's evasion of host immune response. The tumor undergoes continuous remodeling at the genetic, epigenetic and metabolic level to acquire resistance to apoptosis. At the same time, it effectively modifies all the components of the host's immunome so as to escape from its antitumor effects. Moreover, it induces accumulation of suppressive cells like Treg and myeloid derived suppressor cells and factors which also enable it to elude the immune system. Recent research in this area helps in defining the role of newer players like miRNAs and exosomes in immune escape. The immunotherapeutic approaches developed to target the escape phase appear quite promising; however, the quest for a perfect therapeutic agent that can achieve maximum cure with minimal toxicity continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine & Biotechnology, PGIMER, Chandigarh-160012, India
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Qiu T, Wang L, Liu XH, Weng XD, Kuang YL, Chen ZY, Chen H, Zhu HC. Over-expressing transporters associated with antigen processing increases antitumor immunity response in prostate cancer. Cell Immunol 2012; 279:167-73. [PMID: 23246678 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Revised: 10/14/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
As we know, prostate cancer down-regulates expression of HLA-1 Antigen Processing Machinery (APM) and has defects in the antigen presentation pathway. In vitro, the prostate cancer cell (PC-3 cells) infected with Lentivirus TAP1 can efficiently over-express TAP1 and Tapasin, and HLA-1 was also up-regulated on the surface of the infected cells. The lentivirus TAP1 infection increased the apoptosis rate of PC-3 cells. In addition, with the co-cluture PC-3 cells and lymphocytes, TAP1 augmented the expression of CD3⁺CD8⁺CD38⁺ T cell. Importantly, administration of Lentivirus TAP1 to prostate cancer cells in a xenograft mouse model can prolong survival and increase the CD4⁺ T cells, and CD8⁺ T cells as well as decrease Foxp3⁺ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. In summary, a recombinant lentivirus expressing TAP1 can effectively increase prostate cancer tumor-specific immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Qiu
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Bukur J, Jasinski S, Seliger B. The role of classical and non-classical HLA class I antigens in human tumors. Semin Cancer Biol 2012; 22:350-8. [PMID: 22465194 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In human tumors alterations in the surface expression and/or function of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens are frequently found and equip neoplastic cells with mechanisms to escape immune control. The aberrant expression of HLA class I molecules can be caused by structural alterations or dysregulations of genes encoding the classical HLA class I antigens and/or components of the HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM). The dysregulation of APM components could occur at the epigenetic, transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. In some malignancies these abnormalities are significantly associated with a higher tumor staging, grading, disease progression and a reduced survival of patients as well as a failure to CD8(+) T cell-based immunotherapies. In addition to HLA class I abnormalities, expression of the non-classical HLA-G antigen is often induced in tumors, which could be mediated by various microenvironmental factors. Interestingly, soluble HLA-G serum and plasma levels have been useful markers for the prediction of some malignancies. The biological consequence of HLA-G expression or sHLA-G is an escape from T and NK cell-mediated recognition. Thus, alterations of non-classical and classical HLA class I antigens and components of the antigen processing pathway provide tumor cells with different mechanisms to inactivate immune responses resulting in tumor growth and evasion from host immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Bukur
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Yoshihara K, Tsunoda T, Shigemizu D, Fujiwara H, Hatae M, Fujiwara H, Masuzaki H, Katabuchi H, Kawakami Y, Okamoto A, Nogawa T, Matsumura N, Udagawa Y, Saito T, Itamochi H, Takano M, Miyagi E, Sudo T, Ushijima K, Iwase H, Seki H, Terao Y, Enomoto T, Mikami M, Akazawa K, Tsuda H, Moriya T, Tajima A, Inoue I, Tanaka K. High-risk ovarian cancer based on 126-gene expression signature is uniquely characterized by downregulation of antigen presentation pathway. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:1374-85. [PMID: 22241791 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade serous ovarian cancers are heterogeneous not only in terms of clinical outcome but also at the molecular level. Our aim was to establish a novel risk classification system based on a gene expression signature for predicting overall survival, leading to suggesting novel therapeutic strategies for high-risk patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In this large-scale cross-platform study of six microarray data sets consisting of 1,054 ovarian cancer patients, we developed a gene expression signature for predicting overall survival by applying elastic net and 10-fold cross-validation to a Japanese data set A (n = 260) and evaluated the signature in five other data sets. Subsequently, we investigated differences in the biological characteristics between high- and low-risk ovarian cancer groups. RESULTS An elastic net analysis identified a 126-gene expression signature for predicting overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer using the Japanese data set A (multivariate analysis, P = 4 × 10(-20)). We validated its predictive ability with five other data sets using multivariate analysis (Tothill's data set, P = 1 × 10(-5); Bonome's data set, P = 0.0033; Dressman's data set, P = 0.0016; TCGA data set, P = 0.0027; Japanese data set B, P = 0.021). Through gene ontology and pathway analyses, we identified a significant reduction in expression of immune-response-related genes, especially on the antigen presentation pathway, in high-risk ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS This risk classification based on the 126-gene expression signature is an accurate predictor of clinical outcome in patients with advanced stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer and has the potential to develop new therapeutic strategies for high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Kitamura H, Tsukamoto T. Immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma: current status and perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:3055-72. [PMID: 24212945 PMCID: PMC3759186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3033055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is based on the BCG-induced immune response, which eradicates and prevents bladder cancer. The results of recent studies have suggested that not only major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-nonrestricted immune cells such as natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, etc., but also MHC-restricted CD8+ T cells play an important role and are one of the main effectors in this therapy. Better understanding of the mechanism of BCG immunotherapy supports the idea that active immunotherapy through its augmented T cell response can have great potential for the treatment of advanced UC. In this review, progress in immunotherapy for UC is discussed based on data from basic, translational and clinical studies. We also review the escape mechanism of cancer cells from the immune system, and down-regulation of MHC class I molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kitamura
- Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan.
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Honma I, Torigoe T, Hirohashi Y, Kitamura H, Sato E, Masumori N, Tamura Y, Tsukamoto T, Sato N. Aberrant expression and potency as a cancer immunotherapy target of alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase in prostate cancer. J Transl Med 2009; 7:103. [PMID: 20003233 PMCID: PMC2797764 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-7-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is an enzyme playing an important role in the beta-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives. High expression levels of AMACR have been described in various cancers, including prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and kidney cancer. Because of its cancer-specific and frequent expression, AMACR could be an attractive target for cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-based immunotherapy for cancer. In the present study, we examined the induction of AMACR-specific CTLs from prostate cancer patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and determined HLA-A24-restricted CTL epitopes. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that AMACR was strongly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues as compared with benign or normal prostate tissues. Four AMACR-derived peptides carrying the HLA-A24-binding motif were synthesized from the amino acid sequence of this protein and analyzed to determine their binding affinities to HLA-A24. By stimulating patient's PBMCs with the peptides, specific CTLs were successfully induced in 6 of 11 patients. The peptide-specific CTLs exerted significant cytotoxic activity against AMACR-expressing prostate cancer cells in the context of HLA-A24. Our study demonstrates that AMACR could become a target antigen for prostate cancer immunotherapy, and that the AMACR-derived peptides might be good peptide vaccine candidates for HLA-A24-positive AMACR-expressing cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiya Honma
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
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Seliger B, Stoehr R, Handke D, Mueller A, Ferrone S, Wullich B, Tannapfel A, Hofstaedter F, Hartmann A. Association of HLA class I antigen abnormalities with disease progression and early recurrence in prostate cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2009; 59:529-40. [PMID: 19820934 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-009-0769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 09/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Defects in HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM) component expression often have a negative impact on the clinical course of tumors and on the response to T cell-based immunotherapy. Since only scant information is available about the frequency and clinical significance of HLA class I APM component abnormalities in prostate cancer, the APM component expression pattern was analyzed in 59 primary prostate carcinoma, adjacent normal tissues, as well as in prostate carcinoma cell lines. The IFN-gamma inducible proteasome subunits LMP2 and LMP7, TAP1, TAP2, calnexin, calreticulin, ERp57, and tapasin are strongly expressed in the cytoplasm of normal prostate cells, whereas HLA class I heavy chain (HC) and beta(2)-microglobulin are expressed on the cell surface. Most of the APM components were downregulated in a substantial number of prostate cancers. With the exception of HLA class I HC, TAP2 and ERp57 not detectable in about 0.5% of tumor lesions, all other APM components were not detected in at least 21% of lesions analyzed. These APM component defects were associated with a higher Gleason grade of tumors and an early disease recurrence. Prostate carcinoma cell lines also exhibit a heterogeneous, but reduced constitutive APM component expression pattern associated with lack or reduced HLA class I surface antigens, which could be upregulated by IFN-gamma. Our results suggest that HLA class I APM component abnormalities are mainly due to regulatory mechanisms, play a role in the clinical course of prostate cancer and on the outcome of T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany.
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Terunuma H, Deng X, Dewan Z, Fujimoto S, Yamamoto N. Potential Role of NK Cells in the Induction of Immune Responses: Implications for NK Cell–Based Immunotherapy for Cancers and Viral Infections. Int Rev Immunol 2009; 27:93-110. [DOI: 10.1080/08830180801911743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a key role in the patho-physiology of prostate cancer. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play major roles in prostate cancer progression. HDACs are part of a transcriptional co-repressor complex that influences various tumor suppressor genes. Because of the significant roles played by HDACs in various human cancers, HDAC inhibitors are emerging as a new class of chemotherapeutic agents. HDAC inhibitors have been shown to induce cell growth arrest, differentiation and/or apoptosis in prostate cancer. The combined use of HDAC inhibitors with other chemotherapeutic agents or radiotherapy in cancer treatment has shown promising results. Various HDAC inhibitors are in different stages of clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism(s) through which HDACs influence prostate cancer progression and the potential roles of HDAC inhibitors in prostate cancer prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ata Abbas
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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