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Occhipinti M, Brambilla M, Di Liello R, Ambrosini P, Lobianco L, Leporati R, Salvarezza M, Vitiello F, Marchesi S, Manglaviti S, Beninato T, Mazzeo L, Proto C, Prelaj A, Ferrara R, Della Corte CM, Lo Russo G, de Braud F, Ganzinelli M, Viscardi G. Unleashing precision: A review of targeted approaches in pleural mesothelioma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 203:104481. [PMID: 39159705 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104481] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This review delves into the intricate landscape of pleural mesothelioma (PM), emphasizing the need for nuanced therapeutic strategies. While platinum-based chemotherapy remains a cornerstone, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), notably through the Checkmate 743 trial, has reshaped treatment paradigms. Challenges persist due to patient heterogeneity and a lack of specific biomarkers. Targeting genotypic and phenotypic alterations emerges as a promising avenue, demanding precision oncology in this rare disease. CDKN2A loss, prevalent in PM, may respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Defects in MMR and HR suggest tailored approaches with ICI or PARP inhibitors, respectively. Ongoing trials explore novel inhibitors and promising targets like mesothelin. Implementing these strategies requires overcoming challenges in patient selection, combination therapies, biomarker identification, and cost considerations. Collaboration is crucial for transforming these insights into impactful clinical interventions, heralding the era of personalized and precision medicine for PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Occhipinti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Brambilla
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Paolo Ambrosini
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lobianco
- Medical Oncology, Precision Medicine Department, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Leporati
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Salvarezza
- Medical Oncology, Precision Medicine Department, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Vitiello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Monaldi, AORN Ospedali dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesi
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Manglaviti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Beninato
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mazzeo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Proto
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Arsela Prelaj
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lo Russo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Ganzinelli
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viscardi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Monaldi, AORN Ospedali dei Colli, Naples, Italy
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Chang H, Li M, Zhang L, Li M, Ong SH, Zhang Z, Zheng J, Xu X, Zhang Y, Wang J, Liu X, Li K, Luo Y, Wang H, Miao Z, Chen X, Zha J, Yu Y. Loss of histone deubiquitinase Bap1 triggers anti-tumor immunity. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00978-y. [PMID: 39141316 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00978-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunotherapy using PD-L1 blockade is effective in only a small group of cancer patients, and resistance is common. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanisms of cancer immune evasion and resistance. METHODS A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified Bap1 as a regulator of PD-L1 expression. To measure tumor size and survival, tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into both syngeneic WT mice and immunocompromised mice. The phenotypic and transcriptional characteristics of Bap1-deleted tumors were examined using flow cytometry, RNA-seq, and CUT&Tag-seq analysis. RESULTS We found that loss of histone deubiquitinase Bap1 in cancer cells activates a cDC1-CD8+ T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity. The absence of Bap1 leads to an increase in genes associated with anti-tumor immune response and a decrease in genes related to immune evasion. As a result, the tumor microenvironment becomes inflamed, with more cDC1 cells and effector CD8+ T cells, but fewer neutrophils and regulatory T cells. We also found that the elimination of Bap1-deleted tumors depends on the tumor MHCI molecule and Fas-mediated CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity. Our analysis of TCGA data further supports these findings, showing a reverse correlation between BAP1 expression and mRNA signatures of activated DCs and T-cell cytotoxicity in various human cancers. CONCLUSION The histone deubiquitinase Bap1 could be used as a biomarker for tumor stratification and as a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Mingxia Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Meng Li
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1HH, UK
| | - Swee Hoe Ong
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1HH, UK
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xingjie Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Kairui Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yao Luo
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Haiyun Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhichao Miao
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200081, China
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jie Zha
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yong Yu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Li F, Zeng C, Liu J, Wang L, Yuan X, Yuan L, Xia X, Huang W. The YTH domain-containing protein family: Emerging players in immunomodulation and tumour immunotherapy targets. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1784. [PMID: 39135292 PMCID: PMC11319238 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a pivotal role in tumor by altering both innate and adaptive immune systems through various pathways, including the regulation of messenger RNA. The YTH domain protein family, acting as "readers" of m6A modifications, affects RNA splicing, stability, and immunogenicity, thereby playing essential roles in immune regulation and antitumor immunity. Despite their significance, the impact of the YTH domain protein family on tumor initiation and progression, as well as their involvement in tumor immune regulation and therapy, remains underexplored and lacks comprehensive review. CONCLUSION This review introduces the molecular characteristics of the YTH domain protein family and their physiological and pathological roles in biological behavior, emphasizing their mechanisms in regulating immune responses and antitumor immunity. Additionally, the review discusses the roles of the YTH domain protein family in immune-related diseases and tumor resistance, highlighting that abnormal expression or dysfunction of YTH proteins is closely linked to tumor resistance. KEY POINTS This review provides an in-depth understanding of the YTH domain protein family in immune regulation and antitumor immunity, suggesting new strategies and directions for immunotherapy of related diseases. These insights not only deepen our comprehension of m6A modifications and YTH protein functions but also pave the way for future research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghe Li
- Department of Gynaecology and ObstetricsSecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chong Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineThe Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaChangshaHunanChina
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of PathologyThe Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaChangshaHunanChina
| | - Lei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of EducationCancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xiaorui Yuan
- Department of Gynaecology and ObstetricsSecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Nuclear MedicineThe Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xiaomeng Xia
- Department of Gynaecology and ObstetricsSecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted TherapyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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4
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Kundu M, Butti R, Panda VK, Malhotra D, Das S, Mitra T, Kapse P, Gosavi SW, Kundu GC. Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and mechanism of immunotherapy-based drug resistance in breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:92. [PMID: 38715072 PMCID: PMC11075356 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, the most frequent female malignancy, is often curable when detected at an early stage. The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is more challenging and may be unresponsive to conventional therapy. Immunotherapy is crucial for treating metastatic breast cancer, but its resistance is a major limitation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is vital in modulating the immunotherapy response. Various tumor microenvironmental components, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are involved in TME modulation to cause immunotherapy resistance. This review highlights the role of stromal cells in modulating the breast tumor microenvironment, including the involvement of CAF-TAM interaction, alteration of tumor metabolism leading to immunotherapy failure, and other latest strategies, including high throughput genomic screening, single-cell and spatial omics techniques for identifying tumor immune genes regulating immunotherapy response. This review emphasizes the therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer immune resistance through CAF reprogramming, modulation of TAM polarization, tumor metabolism, and genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Brainware University, West Bengal, 700125, India
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Venketesh K Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Diksha Malhotra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Sumit Das
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Tandrima Mitra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Prachi Kapse
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Suresh W Gosavi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
- Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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5
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Calabrò L, Bronte G, Grosso F, Cerbone L, Delmonte A, Nicolini F, Mazza M, Di Giacomo AM, Covre A, Lofiego MF, Crinò L, Maio M. Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: the evolving change of a long-standing therapeutic dream. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1333661. [PMID: 38259475 PMCID: PMC10800748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1333661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive and rare disease, characterized by a very poor prognosis. For almost two decades, the world standard treatment regimen for unresectable PM has consisted of a platinum-based drug plus pemetrexed, leading to an overall survival of approximately 12 months. The dramatic therapeutic scenario of PM has recently changed with the entry into the clinic of immune checkpoint inhibition, which has proven to be an effective approach to improve the survival of PM patients. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most promising immunotherapeutic-based strategies currently under investigation for advanced PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Calabrò
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bronte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, National Institute of Health and Sciences On Ageing (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Grosso
- Mesothelioma, Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Luigi Cerbone
- Mesothelioma, Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Angelo Delmonte
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Fabio Nicolini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazza
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Fortunata Lofiego
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
| | - Lucio Crinò
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
- Fondazione Network Italiano per la Bioterapia dei Tumori (NIBIT) Onlus, Siena, Italy
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6
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Hao L, Li S, Deng J, Li N, Yu F, Jiang Z, Zhang J, Shi X, Hu X. The current status and future of PD-L1 in liver cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1323581. [PMID: 38155974 PMCID: PMC10754529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1323581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of immunotherapy in tumor, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has played an important role in the treatment of advanced unresectable liver cancer. However, the efficacy of ICIs varies greatly among different patients, which has aroused people's attention to the regulatory mechanism of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in the immune escape of liver cancer. PD-L1 is regulated by multiple levels and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including gene variation, epigenetic inheritance, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modification. More studies have also found that the high expression of PD-L1 may be the main factor affecting the immunotherapy of liver cancer. However, what is the difference of PD-L1 expressed by different types of cells in the microenvironment of HCC, and which type of cells expressed PD-L1 determines the effect of tumor immunotherapy remains unclear. Therefore, clarifying the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in liver cancer can provide more basis for liver cancer immunotherapy and combined immune treatment strategy. In addition to its well-known role in immune regulation, PD-L1 also plays a role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and promoting drug resistance of tumor cells, which will be reviewed in this paper. In addition, we also summarized the natural products and drugs that regulated the expression of PD-L1 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiali Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Jiang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Center of Experimental Management, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Looi CK, Foong LC, Chung FFL, Khoo ASB, Loo EM, Leong CO, Mai CW. Targeting the crosstalk of epigenetic modifications and immune evasion in nasopharyngeal cancer. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2501-2526. [PMID: 37755585 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09830-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct type of head and neck cancer that is highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV acts as an epigenetic driver in NPC tumorigenesis, reprogramming the viral and host epigenomes to regulate viral latent gene expression, and creating an environment conducive to the malignant transformation of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in pre-clinical studies has been shown promise in eradicating tumours and overcoming immune resistance in some solid tumours. However, its efficacy in NPC remains inclusive due to the complex nature of this cancer. In this review, we provide an updated understanding of the roles of epigenetic factors in regulating EBV latent gene expression and promoting NPC progression. We also explore the crosstalk between epigenetic mechanisms and immune evasion in NPC. Particularly, we discuss the potential roles of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in reversing immune suppression and augmenting antitumour immunity. Furthermore, we highlight the advantages of combining epigenetic therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor to reverse immune resistance and improve clinical outcomes. Epigenetic drugs have the potential to modulate both epigenetic mediators and immune factors involved in NPC. However, further research is needed to fully comprehend the diverse range of epigenetic modifications in NPC. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between epigenetic mechanisms and immune evasion during NPC progression is crucial for the development of more effective treatments for this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-King Looi
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lian-Chee Foong
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alan Soo-Beng Khoo
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Ee-Mun Loo
- AGTC Genomics, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- AGTC Genomics, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Development, and Innovation (IRDI), Institute for Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 200127, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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8
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Kumar V, Mahato RI. Natural killer cells for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy: Role of nanoparticles. Cancer Lett 2023; 579:216462. [PMID: 37924937 PMCID: PMC10842153 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Advanced pancreatic cancer patients have a dismal prognosis despite advances in integrative therapy. The field of tumor immunology has witnessed significant advancements for cancer treatment. However, immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is not very effective due to its highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play an important role in the innate immune system. NK cells do not require antigen pre-sensitization, nor are they confined by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). NK cells have the potential to eliminate cancer cells through CAR-dependent and CAR-independent pathways, demonstrating reduced levels of systemic toxicity in the process. The availability of several potential sources of NK cells is an additional benefit that contributes to meeting the therapeutic criteria. Adding nanotechnology to enhance the functions of effector NK cells is also an appealing strategy. This article primarily discusses various approaches recently been utilized to enhance the NK functions for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In addition, new advances in boosting NK cell therapeutic efficacy by nanoparticle mediation are presented, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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9
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Xie Y, Lecoester B, Boustani J. Contribution of chemotherapy in immunoradiotherapy combinations. Cancer Radiother 2023; 27:519-523. [PMID: 37495428 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2023.06.015] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Several preclinical data have suggested the ability of radiation therapy to modulate the intrinsic immunogenicity of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, with the aim of increasing responses to checkpoint inhibitors. Early results showing a restoration of checkpoint inhibitors response in patients following irradiation have generated a lot of enthusiasm around radiation therapy beyond its usual role in local disease control. Prospective clinical trials evaluating immunoradiotherapy combinations have provided proof-of-concept that radiation therapy may induce tumor-specific T immune responses in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors. However, these results are not always reproducible, reflecting the existence of factors related to either radiation therapy, immunotherapy and/or the host, which influence the efficacy of these combinations. Anticancer chemotherapy can play a role in amplifying the immune-radiation response by promoting tumor immunogenicity and modulating the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Xie
- Inserm, EFS BFC, UMR 1098, RIGHT, greffon-hôte-tumeur interactions/ingénierie cellulaire et génique, université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - B Lecoester
- Inserm, EFS BFC, UMR 1098, RIGHT, greffon-hôte-tumeur interactions/ingénierie cellulaire et génique, université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - J Boustani
- Inserm, EFS BFC, UMR 1098, RIGHT, greffon-hôte-tumeur interactions/ingénierie cellulaire et génique, université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; Department of Radiation Therapy, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France.
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10
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Gerton TJ, Green A, Campisi M, Chen M, Gjeci I, Mahadevan N, Lee CAA, Mishra R, Vo HV, Haratani K, Li ZH, Hasselblatt KT, Testino B, Connor T, Lian CG, Elias KM, Lizotte P, Ivanova EV, Barbie DA, Dinulescu DM. Development of a Patient-Derived 3D Immuno-Oncology Platform to Potentiate Immunotherapy Responses in Ascites-Derived Circulating Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4128. [PMID: 37627156 PMCID: PMC10452550 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is responsible for the majority of gynecology cancer-related deaths. Patients in remission often relapse with more aggressive forms of disease within 2 years post-treatment. Alternative immuno-oncology (IO) strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting the PD-(L)1 signaling axis, have proven inefficient so far. Our aim is to utilize epigenetic modulators to maximize the benefit of personalized IO combinations in ex vivo 3D patient-derived platforms and in vivo syngeneic models. Using patient-derived tumor ascites, we optimized an ex vivo 3D screening platform (PDOTS), which employs autologous immune cells and circulating ascites-derived tumor cells, to rapidly test personalized IO combinations. Most importantly, patient responses to platinum chemotherapy and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors in 3D platforms recapitulate clinical responses. Furthermore, similar to clinical trial results, responses to ICB in PDOTS tend to be low and positively correlated with the frequency of CD3+ immune cells and EPCAM+/PD-L1+ tumor cells. Thus, the greatest response observed with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy alone is seen in patient-derived HGSOC ascites, which present with high levels of systemic CD3+ and PD-L1+ expression in immune and tumor cells, respectively. In addition, priming with epigenetic adjuvants greatly potentiates ICB in ex vivo 3D testing platforms and in vivo tumor models. We further find that epigenetic priming induces increased tumor secretion of several key cytokines known to augment T and NK cell activation and cytotoxicity, including IL-6, IP-10 (CXCL10), KC (CXCL1), and RANTES (CCL5). Moreover, epigenetic priming alone and in combination with ICB immunotherapy in patient-derived PDOTS induces rapid upregulation of CD69, a reliable early activation of immune markers in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Consequently, this functional precision medicine approach could rapidly identify personalized therapeutic combinations able to potentiate ICB, which is a great advantage, especially given the current clinical difficulty of testing a high number of potential combinations in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Gerton
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Allen Green
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Minyue Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Iliana Gjeci
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Navin Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine A. A. Lee
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ranjan Mishra
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ha V. Vo
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Koji Haratani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ze-Hua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kathleen T. Hasselblatt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bryanna Testino
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trevor Connor
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine G. Lian
- Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin M. Elias
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Patrick Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Elena V. Ivanova
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniela M. Dinulescu
- Division of Women’s and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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11
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Zheng Z, Wieder T, Mauerer B, Schäfer L, Kesselring R, Braumüller H. T Cells in Colorectal Cancer: Unravelling the Function of Different T Cell Subsets in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11673. [PMID: 37511431 PMCID: PMC10380781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are very limited, and the prognosis using combination therapy with a chemotherapeutic drug and a targeted agent, e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor or tyrosine kinase, remains poor. Therefore, mCRC is associated with a poor median overall survival (mOS) of only 25-30 months. Current immunotherapies with checkpoint inhibitor blockade (ICB) have led to a substantial change in the treatment of several cancers, such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. In CRC, ICB has only limited effects, except in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors, which comprise about 15% of sporadic CRC patients and about 4% of patients with metastatic CRC. The vast majority of sporadic CRCs are microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors with low levels of infiltrating immune cells, in which immunotherapy has no clinical benefit so far. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors requires the presence of infiltrating T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME). This makes T cells the most important effector cells in the TME, as evidenced by the establishment of the immunoscore-a method to estimate the prognosis of CRC patients. The microenvironment of a tumor contains several types of T cells that are anti-tumorigenic, such as CD8+ T cells or pro-tumorigenic, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) or T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, even CD8+ T cells show marked heterogeneity, e.g., they can become exhausted, enter a state of hyporesponsiveness or become dysfunctional and express high levels of checkpoint molecules, the targets for ICB. To kill cancer cells, CD8+ T cells need the recognition of the MHC class I, which is often downregulated on colorectal cancer cells. In this case, a population of unconventional T cells with a γδ T cell receptor can overcome the limitations of the conventional CD8+ T cells with an αβT cell receptor. γδ T cells recognize antigens in an MHC-independent manner, thus acting as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we discuss the effects of different T cell subsets in colorectal cancer with a special emphasis on γδ T cells and the possibility of using them in CAR-T cell therapy. We explain T cell exclusion in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer and the possibilities to overcome this exclusion to enable immunotherapy even in these "cold" tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Zheng
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wieder
- Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Mauerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Schäfer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Kesselring
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heidi Braumüller
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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12
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Guo R, Li J, Hu J, Fu Q, Yan Y, Xu S, Wang X, Jiao F. Combination of epidrugs with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy: From theory to therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110417. [PMID: 37276826 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized treatment strategies in multiple types of cancer. However, the resistance and relapse as associated with the extreme complexity of cancer-immunity interactions remain a major challenge to be resolved. Owing to the epigenome plasticity of cancer and immune cells, a growing body of evidence has been presented indicating that epigenetic treatments have the potential to overcome current limitations of immunotherapy, thus providing a rationalefor the combination of ICIs with epigenetic agents (epidrugs). In this review, we first make an overview about the epigenetic regulations in tumor biology and immunodevelopment. Subsequently, a diverse array of inhibitory agents under investigations targeted epigenetic modulators (Azacitidine, Decitabine, Vorinostat, Romidepsin, Belinostat, Panobinostat, Tazemetostat, Enasidenib and Ivosidenib, etc.) and immune checkpoints (Atezolizmab, Avelumab, Cemiplimab, Durvalumb, Ipilimumab, Nivolumab and Pembrolizmab, etc.) to increase anticancer responses were described and the potential mechanisms were further discussed. Finally, we summarize the findings of clinical trials and provide a perspective for future clinical studies directed at investigating the combination of epidrugs with ICIs as a treatment for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Jixia Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Jinxia Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Pharmacology, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Yunfei Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Sen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Health Service Training, 970 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Yantai 264002, PR China.
| | - Fei Jiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, PR China.
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13
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Mehdi A, Attias M, Arakelian A, Szyf M, Piccirillo CA, Rabbani SA. S-adenosylmethionine blocks tumorigenesis and with immune checkpoint inhibitor enhances anti-cancer efficacy against BRAF mutant and wildtype melanomas. Neoplasia 2023; 36:100874. [PMID: 36638586 PMCID: PMC9840362 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite marked success in treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), only a third of patients are responsive. Thus, melanoma still has one of the highest prevalence and mortality rates; which has led to a search for novel combination therapies that might complement CPI. Aberrant methylomes are one of the mechanisms of resistance to CPI therapy. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), methyl donor of important epigenetic processes, has significant anti-cancer effects in several malignancies; however, SAM's effect has never been extensively investigated in melanoma. We demonstrate that SAM modulates phenotype switching of melanoma cells and directs the cells towards differentiation indicated by increased melanogenesis (melanin and melanosome synthesis), melanocyte-like morphology, elevated Mitf and Mitf activators' expression, increased antigen expression, reduced proliferation, and reduced stemness genes' expression. Consistently, providing SAM orally, reduced tumor growth and progression, and metastasis of syngeneic BRAF mutant and wild-type (WT) melanoma mouse models. Of note, SAM and anti-PD-1 antibody combination treatment had enhanced anti-cancer efficacy compared to monotherapies, showed significant reduction in tumor growth and progression, and increased survival. Furthermore, SAM and anti-PD-1 antibody combination triggered significantly higher immune cell infiltration, higher CD8+ T cells infiltration and effector functions, and polyfunctionality of CD8+ T cells in YUMMER1.7 tumors. Therefore, SAM combined with CPI provides a novel therapeutic strategy against BRAF mutant and WT melanomas and provides potential to be translated into clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mehdi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - M Attias
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - A Arakelian
- Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - M Szyf
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - C A Piccirillo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - S A Rabbani
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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14
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Molina-Cerrillo J, Santoni M, Ruiz Á, Massari F, Pozas J, Ortego I, Gómez V, Grande E, Alonso-Gordoa T. Epigenetics in advanced renal cell carcinoma: Potential new targets. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 180:103857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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15
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López-Garrido MP, Carrascosa-Romero MC, Montero-Hernández M, Serrano-Martínez CM, Sánchez-Sánchez F. Case Report: Precision genetic diagnosis in a case of Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome reveals paternal isodisomy and heterodisomy of chromosome 18 with imprinting clinical implications. Front Genet 2022; 13:1005573. [PMID: 36468000 PMCID: PMC9716064 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1005573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A twelve-year-old patient with a previous clinical diagnosis of spondylocostal skeletal dysplasia and moderate intellectual disability was genetically analyzed through next generation sequencing of a targeted gene panel of 179 genes associated to skeletal dysplasia and mucopolysaccharidosis in order to stablish a precision diagnosis. A homozygous nonsense [c.62C>G; p.(Ser21Ter)] mutation in DYM gene was identified in the patient. Null mutations in DYM have been associated to Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome, which is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by skeletal dysplasia and mental retardation, compatible with the patient´s phenotype. To confirm the pathogenicity of this mutation, a segregation analysis was carried out, revealing that the mutation p(Ser21Ter) was solely inherited from the father, who is a carrier of the mutation, while the mother does not carry the mutation. With the suspicion that a paternal disomy could be causing the disease, a series of microsatellite markers in chromosome 18, where the DYM gene is harbored, was analyzed in all the members of the family. Haplotype analysis provided strong evidence of paternal isodisomy and heterodisomy in that chromosome, confirming the pathological effect of this mutation. Furthermore, the patient may have a compromised expression of the ELOA3 gene due to modifications in the genomic imprinting that may potentially increase the risk of digestive cancer. All these results highlight the importance of obtaining a precision diagnosis in rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Pilar López-Garrido
- Laboratorio de Genética Médica, Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain
| | | | - Minerva Montero-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Genética Médica, Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain
| | - Caridad-María Serrano-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Genética Médica, Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Genética Médica, Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain
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16
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Luo H, Ye M, Hu Y, Wu M, Cheng M, Zhu X, Huang K. DNA methylation regulator-mediated modification patterns and tumor microenvironment characterization in glioma. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:7824-7850. [PMID: 36152044 PMCID: PMC9596205 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204291] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidences indicate DNA methylation plays a crucial regulatory role in inflammation, innate immunity, and immunotherapy. However, the overall landscape of various DNA methylation regulatory genes and their relationship with the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME) as well as the response to immunotherapy in gliomas is still not clear. Therefore, we comprehensively analyzed the correlation between DNA methylation regulator patterns, infiltration of immune cell-types, and tumor immune response status in gather glioma cohorts. Furthermore, we calculated the DNA methylation score (DMS) for individual glioma samples, then evaluated the relationship between DMS, clinicopathological characteristics, and overall survival (OS) in patients with gliomas. Our results showed three distinct DNA methylation regulator patterns among the glioma patients which correlated with three distinct tumor immune response phenotypes, namely, immune-inflamed, immune-excluded, and immune desert. We then calculated DMS for individual glioma samples based on the expression of DNA methylation-related gene clusters. Furthermore, DMS, tumor mutation burden (TMB), programmed death 1 (PD-1) expression, immune cell infiltration status in the TME, and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores were associated with survival outcomes and clinical responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. We also validated the predictive value of DMS in two independent immunotherapy cohorts. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that three DNA methylation regulator patterns that correlated with three tumor immune response phenotypes. Moreover, we demonstrated that DMS was an independent predictive biomarker that correlated with survival outcomes of glioma patients and their responses to immunotherapy therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Minhua Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,East China Institute of Digital Medical Engineering, Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Miaojing Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Mengqi Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xingen Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
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17
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Bhat S, Rishi P, Chadha VD. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms in SARS CoV-2 infection and potential therapeutic approaches. Virus Res 2022; 318:198853. [PMID: 35777502 PMCID: PMC9236910 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) has inflicted a global health challenge. Although the overwhelming escalation of mortality seen during the initial phase of the pandemic has reduced, emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to impact communities worldwide. Several studies have highlighted the association of gene specific epigenetic modifications in host cells with the pathogenesis and severity of the disease. Therefore, alongside the investigations into the virology and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, understanding the epigenetic mechanisms related to the disease is crucial for the rational design of effective targeted therapies. Here, we discuss the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the various epigenetic regulators and their subsequent contribution to the risk of disease severity and dysfunctional immune responses. Finally, we also highlight the use of epigenetically targeted drugs for the potential therapeutic interventions capable of eliminating viral infection and/or build effective immunity against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Bhat
- Center for Nuclear Medicine (U.I.E.A.S.T), South Campus, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Praveen Rishi
- Department of Microbiology, South Campus, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Vijayta D Chadha
- Center for Nuclear Medicine (U.I.E.A.S.T), South Campus, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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18
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Pan W, Song K, Zhang Y, Yang C, Zhang Y, Ji F, Zhang J, Shi J, Wang K. The molecular subtypes of triple negative breast cancer were defined and a ligand-receptor pair score model was constructed by comprehensive analysis of ligand-receptor pairs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:982486. [PMID: 36119101 PMCID: PMC9470927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.982486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intercellular communication mediated by ligand-receptor interactions in tumor microenvironment (TME) has a profound impact on tumor progression. This study aimed to explore the molecular subtypes mediated by ligand-receptor (LR) pairs in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), identify the most important LR pairs to construct a prognostic risk model, and study their effect on TNBC immunotherapy. Methods LR pairs subclasses of TNBC were categorized by consensus clustering based on LR Pairs in METABRIC dataset. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and stepwise Akaike information criterion (stepAIC) were conducted to build a LR pairs score model. The relationship between LR pairs score and immune cell infiltration, stromal score and immune score associated with TME was analyzed, and the prediction of drug therapy and immunotherapy efficacy by LR pairs score was evaluated. Results According to the expression pattern of 145 TNBC prognostic LR pairs, the samples were divided into three subclasses with different survival outcomes, copy number variation (CNV), TME immune cell infiltration, stromal score and immune score. The LR pairs score model constructed in the METABRIC dataset was composed of four LR pairs, and its predictive significance for TNBC prognosis was verified in GSE58812 and GSE21653 cohorts. In addition, LR pairs score was negatively correlated with several immune pathways regulating immunity and immune score, and related to the sensitivity of anti-neoplastic drugs and the effect of anti-PD-L1 therapy. Conclusion Our study confirmed the impact of LR pairs on the molecular heterogeneity of TNBC, characterized three LR pairs subtypes with different survival outcomes and TME patterns, and proposed a LR pairs score system with predictive significance for TNBC prognosis and anti-PD-L1 therapeutic effect, which provides a potential evaluation scheme for TNBC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Pan
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Song
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunli Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ciqiu Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Ji
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junsheng Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Shi
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kun Wang, ; Jian Shi,
| | - Kun Wang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kun Wang, ; Jian Shi,
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19
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Song D, Zhou Z, Wu J, Wei T, Zhao G, Ren H, Zhang B. DNA methylation regulators-related molecular patterns and tumor immune landscape in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877817. [PMID: 36091162 PMCID: PMC9459088 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence showed that the dysregulation of DNA methylation regulators is a decisive feature of almost all cancer types and affects tumor progressions. However, few studies focused on the underlying influences of DNA methylation regulators-related genes (DMRegs) in immune cell-infiltration characteristics, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunotherapy in HCC patients. In our study, the alterations of DNA methylation regulators modification patterns (DMRPs) were clustered from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples based on the expression of DNA methylation regulators as well as genetic and transcriptional features. In addition, based on molecular identification of three distinct molecular subtypes, we found that different DMRPs alterations were related to different clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and immune cells infiltration features. Moreover, we constructed and validated a DNA methylation regulators-related genes score (DMRegs_score) to predict the survival of HCC patients. A high DMRegs _score, which was characterized by more TP53 wild mutation, high expression of PD-1, CTLA-4, and remarkable immunity activation, was indicative of poor prognosis. Furthermore, we validated the expression of eight genes which were used for the prognostic signature in this risk score by RT-qPCR using tissues from our center. More importantly, DMRegs_score was highly correlated with targeted drug sensitivity. Additionally, we developed a highly accurate scoring system that could be used to improve the clinical applicability of DMRegs _score. In conclusion, these findings may contribute to a better understanding of DNA methylation regulators and provide new strategies for evaluating prognosis and developing more effective combination therapy for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingli Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guang Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Ren, ; Boxiang Zhang,
| | - Boxiang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Ren, ; Boxiang Zhang,
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20
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Liu H, Lin J, Zhou W, Moses R, Dai Z, Kossenkov AV, Drapkin R, Bitler BG, Karakashev S, Zhang R. KDM5A Inhibits Antitumor Immune Responses Through Downregulation of the Antigen-Presentation Pathway in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1028-1038. [PMID: 35726891 PMCID: PMC9357105 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The extent to which effector CD8+ T cells infiltrate into tumors is one of the major predictors of clinical outcome for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Immune cell infiltration into EOC is a complex process that could be affected by the epigenetic makeup of the tumor. Here, we have demonstrated that a lysine 4 histone H3 (H3K4) demethylase, (lysine-specific demethylase 5A; KDM5A) impairs EOC infiltration by immune cells and inhibits antitumor immune responses. Mechanistically, we found that KDM5A silenced genes involved in the antigen processing and presentation pathway. KDM5A inhibition restored the expression of genes involved in the antigen-presentation pathway in vitro and promoted antitumor immune responses mediated by CD8+ T cells in vivo in a syngeneic EOC mouse model. A negative correlation between expression of KDM5A and genes involved in the antigen processing and presentation pathway such as HLA-A and HLA-B was observed in the majority of cancer types. In summary, our results establish KDM5A as a regulator of CD8+ T-cell infiltration of tumors and demonstrate that KDM5A inhibition may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to boost antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jianhuang Lin
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Renyta Moses
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhongping Dai
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew V. Kossenkov
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin G. Bitler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 13001, USA
| | - Sergey Karakashev
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Corresponding authors: Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Phone: 215-495-6840;.; Sergey Karakashev, Ph.D., 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Phone: 215-707-8901;
| | - Rugang Zhang
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Corresponding authors: Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Phone: 215-495-6840;.; Sergey Karakashev, Ph.D., 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Phone: 215-707-8901;
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21
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Sundar R, Huang KK, Kumar V, Ramnarayanan K, Demircioglu D, Her Z, Ong X, Bin Adam Isa ZF, Xing M, Tan ALK, Tai DWM, Choo SP, Zhai W, Lim JQ, Das Thakur M, Molinero L, Cha E, Fasso M, Niger M, Pietrantonio F, Lee J, Jeyasekharan AD, Qamra A, Patnala R, Fabritius A, De Simone M, Yeong J, Ng CCY, Rha SY, Narita Y, Muro K, Guo YA, Skanderup AJ, So JBY, Yong WP, Chen Q, Göke J, Tan P. Epigenetic promoter alterations in GI tumour immune-editing and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition. Gut 2022; 71:1277-1288. [PMID: 34433583 PMCID: PMC9185816 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-324420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Epigenomic alterations in cancer interact with the immune microenvironment to dictate tumour evolution and therapeutic response. We aimed to study the regulation of the tumour immune microenvironment through epigenetic alternate promoter use in gastric cancer and to expand our findings to other gastrointestinal tumours. DESIGN Alternate promoter burden (APB) was quantified using a novel bioinformatic algorithm (proActiv) to infer promoter activity from short-read RNA sequencing and samples categorised into APBhigh, APBint and APBlow. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to analyse the intratumour immune microenvironment. A humanised mouse cancer in vivo model was used to explore dynamic temporal interactions between tumour kinetics, alternate promoter usage and the human immune system. Multiple cohorts of gastrointestinal tumours treated with immunotherapy were assessed for correlation between APB and treatment outcomes. RESULTS APBhigh gastric cancer tumours expressed decreased levels of T-cell cytolytic activity and exhibited signatures of immune depletion. Single-cell RNAsequencing analysis confirmed distinct immunological populations and lower T-cell proportions in APBhigh tumours. Functional in vivo studies using 'humanised mice' harbouring an active human immune system revealed distinct temporal relationships between APB and tumour growth, with APBhigh tumours having almost no human T-cell infiltration. Analysis of immunotherapy-treated patients with GI cancer confirmed resistance of APBhigh tumours to immune checkpoint inhibition. APBhigh gastric cancer exhibited significantly poorer progression-free survival compared with APBlow (median 55 days vs 121 days, HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.93, p=0.032). CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate an association between alternate promoter use and the tumour microenvironment, leading to immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Sundar
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore .,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore
| | - Kie-Kyon Huang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Vikrant Kumar
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Deniz Demircioglu
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Zhisheng Her
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Xuewen Ong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Zul Fazreen Bin Adam Isa
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore,Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore,Diagnostic Development Hub (DxD), Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Manjie Xing
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore,Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore,Diagnostic Development Hub (DxD), Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Angie Lay-Keng Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Su Pin Choo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore,Curie Oncology, Singapore
| | - Weiwei Zhai
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Jia Qi Lim
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Meghna Das Thakur
- Department of Development Sciences, Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Luciana Molinero
- Department of Development Sciences, Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edward Cha
- Department of Development Sciences, Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marcella Fasso
- Department of Development Sciences, Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Monica Niger
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Jeeyun Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Anand D Jeyasekharan
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aditi Qamra
- Statistical Programming and Analytics, Roche Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada,University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Joe Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cedric Chuan Young Ng
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Department of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Sun Young Rha
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea,Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yukiya Narita
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kei Muro
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yu Amanda Guo
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | | | - Jimmy Bok Yan So
- Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore,Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore,Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Peng Yong
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore,Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Göke
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore .,Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore.,Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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22
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Gougousis S, Petanidis S, Poutoglidis A, Tsetsos N, Vrochidis P, Skoumpas I, Argyriou N, Katopodi T, Domvri K. Epigenetic editing and tumor-dependent immunosuppressive signaling in head and neck malignancies. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:196. [PMID: 35572491 PMCID: PMC9100602 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13317] [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: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) comprises a heterogeneous variety of malignant tumors, characterized by a relatively high tumor mutation burden. Previous data have revealed that immune system dysfunction appears to serve a key role in the development and progression of HNC and established immunosuppression is vital for evading the host immune response. Despite progress in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the survival rate of patients with HNC is still low. Therefore, the present review discusses the development of novel immunotherapy approaches based on the various immune cell signaling routes that trigger drug resistance and immunosuppression. Additionally, the present review discusses the epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNAs that drive and support HNC progression. Furthermore, the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor macrophages and myeloid cells in tumor-related immunosuppression are considered. Specifically, the molecular immune-related mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, which lead to decreased drug sensitivity and tumor relapse, and strategies for reversing drug resistance and targeting immunosuppressive tumor networks are discussed. Deciphering these molecular mechanisms is essential for preclinical and clinical investigations in order to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, an improved understanding of these immune cell signaling pathways that drive immune surveillance, immune-driven inflammation and tumor-related immunosuppression is necessary for future personalized HNC-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Gougousis
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ‘G. Papanikolaou’, Thessaloniki GR-57010, Greece
| | - Savvas Petanidis
- Department of Pulmonology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russian Federation
| | - Alexandros Poutoglidis
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ‘G. Papanikolaou’, Thessaloniki GR-57010, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tsetsos
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ‘G. Papanikolaou’, Thessaloniki GR-57010, Greece
| | - Paraskevas Vrochidis
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Goumenissa, Kilkis GR-61100, Greece
| | - Ioannis Skoumpas
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Katerini, Katerini GR-60100, Greece
| | - Nektarios Argyriou
- Ear Nose Throat Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ‘G. Gennimatas’, Thessaloniki GR-54635, Greece
| | - Theodora Katopodi
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Biology and Genetics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Domvri
- Pulmonary Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ‘G. Papanikolaou’, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-57010, Greece
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Greece
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23
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du Chatinier A, Meel MH, Das AI, Metselaar DS, Waranecki P, Bugiani M, Breur M, Simonds EF, Lu ED, Weiss WA, Garcia Vallejo JJ, Hoving EW, Phoenix TN, Hulleman E. Generation of Immunocompetent Syngeneic Allograft Mouse Models for Pediatric Diffuse Midline Glioma. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac079. [PMID: 35733514 PMCID: PMC9210310 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are highly malignant incurable pediatric brain tumors. A lack of effective treatment options highlights the need to investigate novel therapeutic strategies. This includes the use of immunotherapy, which has shown promise in other hard-to-treat tumors. To facilitate preclinical immunotherapeutic research, immunocompetent mouse models that accurately reflect the unique genetic, anatomical, and histological features of DMG patients are warranted.
Methods
We established cell cultures from primary DMG mouse models (C57BL/6) that were generated by brainstem targeted intra-uterine electroporation (IUE). We subsequently created allograft DMG mouse models by orthotopically implanting these tumor cells into syngeneic mice. Immunohistochemistry and -fluorescence, mass cytometry, and cell-viability assays were then used to verify that these murine tumors recapitulated human DMG.
Results
We generated three genetically distinct allograft models representing histone 3 wildtype (H3 WT) and K27M-mutant DMG (H3.3 K27M and H3.1 K27M). These allograft models recapitulated the histopathologic phenotype of their human counterparts, including their diffuse infiltrative growth and expression of DMG-associated antigens. These murine pontine tumors also exhibited an immune microenvironment similar to human DMG, characterized by considerable myeloid cell infiltration and a paucity of T-lymphocytes and NK cells. Finally, we show that these murine DMG cells display similar sensitivity to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition as patient-derived DMG cells.
Conclusions
We created and validated an accessible method to generate immunocompetent allograft models reflecting different subtypes of DMG. These models adequately recapitulated the histopathology, immune microenvironment, and therapeutic response of human DMG, providing useful tools for future preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michaël H Meel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arvid I Das
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Piotr Waranecki
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erin F Simonds
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edbert D Lu
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - William A Weiss
- Departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Juan J Garcia Vallejo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eelco W Hoving
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy N Phoenix
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati/ Research in Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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24
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Zhu W, Feng D, Shi X, Wei Q, Yang L. The Potential Role of Mitochondrial Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 in Urological Cancers From the Perspective of Ferroptosis and Cellular Senescence. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:850145. [PMID: 35517510 PMCID: PMC9065557 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.850145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superlative lipid peroxidation promote tumorigenesis, and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is associated with the detoxification of ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation-generated reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), malondialdehyde, and acrolein due to tobacco smoking. ALDH2 has been demonstrated to be highly associated with the prognosis and chemoradiotherapy sensitivity of many types of cancer, including leukemia, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, hepatocellular cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer. In this study, we explored the possible relationship between ALDH2 and urological cancers from the aspects of ferroptosis, epigenetic alterations, proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qiang Wei
- *Correspondence: Qiang Wei, ; Lu Yang,
| | - Lu Yang
- *Correspondence: Qiang Wei, ; Lu Yang,
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25
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Selective Targeting of Protein Kinase C (PKC)-θ Nuclear Translocation Reduces Mesenchymal Gene Signatures and Reinvigorates Dysfunctional CD8 + T Cells in Immunotherapy-Resistant and Metastatic Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061596. [PMID: 35326747 PMCID: PMC8946217 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Some important signaling proteins that control how cells grow and behave not only act in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus, where they tether to chromatin. This is especially true for protein kinase C (PKC)-θ, which acts in the nucleus to mediate cancer hallmarks that drive metastasis and in normal T cells. However, current PKC-θ inhibitors are either non-specific or target only its cytoplasmic function. In a bid to develop a novel class of PKC-θ inhibitor that maintains cytoplasmic signaling but inhibits its nuclear function, here we present a novel PKC-θ inhibitor (nPKC-θi2) that specifically inhibits nuclear translocation of PKC-θ without interrupting normal signaling in healthy T cells. We show for the first time that nPKC-θ mediates immunotherapy resistance via its activity in circulating tumor cells and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells. Our novel inhibitor provides a means to target this process by simultaneously overcoming T-cell exhaustion and cancer stem cell burden. As part of a sequential approach with other therapies, this work paves the way for improving outcomes in cancer patients with immunotherapy-resistant relapse and metastasis. Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC)-θ is a serine/threonine kinase with both cytoplasmic and nuclear functions. Nuclear chromatin-associated PKC-θ (nPKC-θ) is increasingly recognized to be pathogenic in cancer, whereas its cytoplasmic signaling is restricted to normal T-cell function. Here we show that nPKC-θ is enriched in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) brain metastases and immunotherapy-resistant metastatic melanoma and is associated with poor survival in immunotherapy-resistant disease. To target nPKC-θ, we designed a novel PKC-θ peptide inhibitor (nPKC-θi2) that selectively inhibits nPKC-θ nuclear translocation but not PKC-θ signaling in healthy T cells. Targeting nPKC-θ reduced mesenchymal cancer stem cell signatures in immunotherapy-resistant CTCs and TNBC xenografts. PKC-θ was also enriched in the nuclei of CD8+ T cells isolated from stage IV immunotherapy-resistant metastatic cancer patients. We show for the first time that nPKC-θ complexes with ZEB1, a key repressive transcription factor in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in immunotherapy-resistant dysfunctional PD1+/CD8+ T cells. nPKC-θi2 inhibited the ZEB1/PKC-θ repressive complex to induce cytokine production in CD8+ T cells isolated from patients with immunotherapy-resistant disease. These data establish for the first time that nPKC-θ mediates immunotherapy resistance via its activity in CTCs and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells. Disrupting nPKC-θ but retaining its cytoplasmic function may offer a means to target metastases in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
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26
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Cha JH, Chan LC, Wang YN, Chu YY, Wang CH, Lee HH, Xia W, Shyu WC, Liu SP, Yao J, Chang CW, Cheng FR, Liu J, Lim SO, Hsu JL, Yang WH, Hortobagyi GN, Lin C, Yang L, Yu D, Jeng LB, Hung MC. Ephrin receptor A10 monoclonal antibodies and the derived chimeric antigen receptor T cells exert an antitumor response in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101817. [PMID: 35278434 PMCID: PMC8988001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase ephrin receptor A10 (EphA10), which is undetectable in most normal tissues except for the male testis, has been shown to correlate with tumor progression and poor prognosis in several malignancies, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, EphA10 could be a potential therapeutic target, likely with minimal adverse effects. However, no effective clinical drugs against EphA10 are currently available. Here, we report high expression levels of EphA10 in tumor regions of breast, lung, and ovarian cancers as well as in immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we developed anti-EphA10 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically recognize cell surface EphA10, but not other EphA family isoforms, and target tumor regions precisely in vivo with no apparent accumulation in other organs. In syngeneic TNBC mouse models, we found that anti-EphA10 mAb clone #4 enhanced tumor regression, therapeutic response rate, and T cell–mediated antitumor immunity. Notably, the chimeric antigen receptor T cells derived from clone #4 significantly inhibited TNBC cell viability in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Together, our findings suggest that targeting EphA10 via EphA10 mAbs and EphA10-specific chimeric antigen receptor–T cell therapy may represent a promising strategy for patients with EphA10-positive tumors.
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Saglam O, Cao B, Wang X, Toruner GA, Conejo-Garcia JR. Expression of epigenetic pathway related genes in association with PD-L1, ER/PgR and MLH1 in endometrial carcinoma. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264014. [PMID: 35226658 PMCID: PMC8884513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution of Endometrial Cancer (EC)-related deaths is uneven among the morphologic subtypes of EC. Serous Cancer (SC) makes 10% of all EC and accounts for 40% of EC-related deaths. We investigated expression of selected genes involved in epigenetic pathways by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 106 EC patients and analyzed mRNA-based expression levels for the same set of genes in EC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. A tissue microarray was constructed using low-grade (n = 30) and high-grade (n = 28) endometrioid, serous (n = 31) and clear cell carcinoma (n = 17) samples. Epigenetic marker levels were associated with PD-L1, ER/PgR, and MLH1 expression. Epigenetic markers were evaluated by H-score and PD-L1 expression was recorded by using Combined Positive Score. Results were correlated with disease stage and survival outcome. BRD4, KAT6a and HDAC9 levels were higher in SC compared to other histologic subtypes (p<0.001–0.038). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, DNMT3b expression was higher in SC compared to endometrioid-type but not between SC and CCC. The expression levels of BRD4 (p = 0.021) and KAT6a (p = 0.0027) were positively associated with PD-L abundance, while PgR (p = 0.029) and PD-L1 expression were negatively associated. In addition, BRD4 expression was low in specimens with loss of MLH1 expression (p = 0.02). More importantly, BRD4 abundance had a negative impact on disease outcome (p = 0.02). Transcriptionally, BRD4, KAT6a and DNMT3b expression levels were higher in SC in TCGA dataset. The median PD-L1 expression was marginally associated with BRD4, a transcriptional activator of CD274/PD-L1 (p = 0.069) and positively with KAT6a (p = 0.0095). In conclusion, the protein expression levels of epigenetic markers involved in cancer pathogenesis are increased by immunohistochemistry in SC. PD-L1 levels are associated with BRD4 and KAT6a in EC samples. A combination therapy with BRD4/PD-L1 or KAT6a/PD-L1 inhibitors might have a potential use in EC, in particular serous-type carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlen Saglam
- Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Biwei Cao
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Gokce A. Toruner
- Department of Hematopathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Jose R. Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States of America
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28
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El Sayed R, El Darsa H. Therapeutic Modalities in Small Cell Lung Cancer: a paradigm shift after decades of quiescence. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:583-597. [PMID: 35176957 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2042515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known to be the most aggressive of all thoracic malignancies, notoriously known for its very poor prognosis. Platinum based chemotherapy has been the standard of care for decades. Despite years of research, no treatment novelties with significant impact on survival have been achieved until recently. The last few years have witnessed light at the end of the tunnel with immunotherapy proving to improve survival. Nevertheless, responses were not homogeneous in all subgroups, and finding who would best benefit from treatment remains unanswered. Multiple limitations exist, and the quest for optimal biomarkers seemed unfruitful until the discovery of different SCLC phenotypes. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors briefly discuss SCLC phenotypes and biomarker assays. Then, the authors continue with the main trials of SCLC treatment using chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted treatment in the front-line or subsequent line settings. EXPERT OPINION Research has been extensively implemented to better understand the biology of SCLC, and test for the optimal use of immunotherapy in patients with SCLC, as well as to enhance responses via possible combinations. Targeted mechanisms of action have also been attempted; yet no solid proof of efficacy has been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola El Sayed
- Centre Hospitalier de l' Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Ca
| | - Haidar El Darsa
- Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Ca
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29
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Liang Y, Turcan S. Epigenetic Drugs and Their Immune Modulating Potential in Cancers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020211. [PMID: 35203421 PMCID: PMC8868629 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic drugs are used for the clinical treatment of hematologic malignancies; however, their therapeutic potential in solid tumors is still under investigation. Current evidence suggests that epigenetic drugs may lead to antitumor immunity by increasing antigen presentation and may enhance the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we highlight their impact on the tumor epigenome and discuss the recent evidence that epigenetic agents may optimize the immune microenvironment and promote antiviral response.
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30
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Guo E, Xiao R, Wu Y, Lu F, Liu C, Yang B, Li X, Fu Y, Wang Z, Li Y, Huang Y, Li F, Wu X, You L, Qin T, Lu Y, Huang X, Ma D, Mills GB, Sun C, Chen G. WEE1 inhibition induces anti-tumor immunity by activating ERV and the dsRNA pathway. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20210789. [PMID: 34825915 PMCID: PMC8628262 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies represent attractive combination partners with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) to increase the population of patients who benefit or to interdict the emergence of resistance. We demonstrate that targeting WEE1 up-regulates immune signaling through the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral defense pathway with subsequent responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade even in cGAS/STING-deficient tumors, which is a typical phenotype across multiple cancer types. WEE1 inhibition increases endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs) expression by relieving SETDB1/H3K9me3 repression through down-regulating FOXM1. ERVs trigger dsRNA stress and interferon response, increasing recruitment of anti-tumor T cells with concurrent PD-L1 elevation in multiple tumor models. Furthermore, combining WEE1 inhibition and PD-L1 blockade induced striking tumor regression in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. A WEE1 inhibition-induced viral defense signature provides a potentially informative biomarker for patient selection for combination therapy with WEE1 and ICB. WEE1 inhibition stimulates anti-tumor immunity and enhances sensitivity to ICB, providing a rationale for the combination of WEE1 inhibitors and ICB in clinical trials.
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MESH Headings
- A549 Cells
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Cycle Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Endogenous Retroviruses/metabolism
- Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- HCT116 Cells
- Humans
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Pyrazoles/administration & dosage
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyrimidinones/administration & dosage
- Pyrimidinones/pharmacology
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Tumor Burden/genetics
- Tumor Burden/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensong Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rourou Xiao
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Funian Lu
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Fu
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zizhuo Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuhan Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuxia Li
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixin You
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianyu Qin
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Xiaoyuan Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Department of Cell, Development and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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31
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Kishi M, Asgarova A, Desterke C, Chaker D, Artus J, Turhan AG, Bennaceur-Griscelli A, Griscelli F. Evidence of Antitumor and Antimetastatic Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Vaccines in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:729018. [PMID: 34957134 PMCID: PMC8702815 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.729018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is maintained by the activity of a rare population of self-renewing "cancer stem cells" (CSCs), which are resistant to conventional therapies. CSCs over-express several proteins shared with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We show here that allogenic or autologous murine iPSCs, combined with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), are able to elicit major anti-tumor responses in a highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, as a relevant cancer stemness model. This immunotherapy strategy was effective in preventing tumor establishment and efficiently targeted CSCs by inducing extensive modifications of the tumor microenvironment. The anti-tumoral effect was correlated with the generation of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and CD44+ CD62L- CCR7low CD127low T-effector memory cells, and the reduction of CD4+ CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, Arg1+ CD11b+ Gr1+, and Arg1+ and CD11b+ Ly6+ myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations within the tumor. The anti-tumoral effect was associated with a reduction in metastatic dissemination and an improvement in the survival rate. These results demonstrate for the first time the clinical relevance of using an off-the-shelf allogeneic iPSC-based vaccine combined with an HDACi as a novel pan-cancer anti-cancer immunotherapy strategy against aggressive tumors harboring stemness features with high metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masae Kishi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France
| | - Afag Asgarova
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France
| | - Christophe Desterke
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Diana Chaker
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France
| | - Jérôme Artus
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Ali G Turhan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin Bicêtre, France.,APHP Paris-Saclay Service d'Hématologie, Hôpital Universitaire Paris Sud (AP-HP), Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Annelise Bennaceur-Griscelli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin Bicêtre, France.,APHP Paris-Saclay Service d'Hématologie, Hôpital Universitaire Paris Sud (AP-HP), Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Frank Griscelli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UA9-Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, CITHERA Infrastructure-INGESTEM, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France.,Département de Biologie Médicale et Pathologie Médicales, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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32
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Lofiego MF, Cannito S, Fazio C, Piazzini F, Cutaia O, Solmonese L, Marzani F, Chiarucci C, Di Giacomo AM, Calabrò L, Coral S, Maio M, Covre A. Epigenetic Immune Remodeling of Mesothelioma Cells: A New Strategy to Improve the Efficacy of Immunotherapy. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5040027. [PMID: 34968251 PMCID: PMC8715476 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy with a severe prognosis, and with a long-standing need for more effective therapeutic approaches. However, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is becoming an increasingly effective strategy for MPM patients. In this scenario, epigenetic modifications may negatively regulate the interplay between immune and malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment, thus contributing to the highly immunosuppressive contexture of MPM that may limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Aiming to further improve prospectively the clinical efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches in MPM, we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of different classes of epigenetic drugs (i.e., DNA hypomethylating agent (DHA) guadecitabine, histone deacetylase inhibitors VPA and SAHA, or EZH2 inhibitors EPZ-6438) in epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid MPM cell lines, by cytofluorimetric and real-time PCR analyses. We also characterized the effects of the DHA, guadecitabine, on the gene expression profiles (GEP) of the investigated MPM cell lines by the nCounter platform. Among investigated drugs, exposure of MPM cells to guadecitabine, either alone or in combination with VPA, SAHA and EPZ-6438 demonstrated to be the main driver of the induction/upregulation of immune molecules functionally crucial in host-tumor interaction (i.e., HLA class I, ICAM-1 and cancer testis antigens) in all three MPM subtypes investigated. Additionally, GEP demonstrated that treatment with guadecitabine led to the activation of genes involved in several immune-related functional classes mainly in the sarcomatoid subtype. Furthermore, among investigated MPM subtypes, DHA-induced CDH1 expression that contributes to restoring the epithelial phenotype was highest in sarcomatoid cells. Altogether, our results contribute to providing the rationale to develop new epigenetically-based immunotherapeutic approaches for MPM patients, potentially tailored to the specific histologic subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fortunata Lofiego
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Sara Cannito
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Fazio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Francesca Piazzini
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Ornella Cutaia
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Laura Solmonese
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Marzani
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Carla Chiarucci
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luana Calabrò
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Sandra Coral
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Wong SK, Nebhan CA, Johnson DB. Impact of Patient Age on Clinical Efficacy and Toxicity of Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:786046. [PMID: 34868071 PMCID: PMC8635107 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.786046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to the therapeutic armamentarium for solid malignancies has resulted in unprecedented improvements in patient outcomes in many cancers. The landscape of ICIs continues to evolve with novel approaches such as dual immune checkpoint blockade and combination therapies with other anticancer agents including cytotoxic chemotherapies and/or antiangiogenics. However, there is significant heterogeneity seen in antitumor responses, with certain patients deriving durable benefit, others experiencing initial benefit followed by acquired resistance necessitating change in therapy, and still others who are primarily refractory to ICIs. While generally better tolerated than traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy, ICIs are associated with unique toxicities, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can be severe or even lethal. As a disease of aging, older individuals make up a large proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer, yet this population is often underrepresented in clinical trials. Because ICIs indirectly target malignant cells through T cell activation, it has been hypothesized that age-related changes to the immune system may impact the efficacy and toxicity of these drugs. In this review, we discuss differences in the clinical efficacy and toxicity of ICIs in patients at the extremes of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina K Wong
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Caroline A Nebhan
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Alterations of Chromatin Regulators in the Pathogenesis of Urinary Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236040. [PMID: 34885146 PMCID: PMC8656749 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Urinary bladder cancer is one of the ten major cancers worldwide, with higher incidences in males, in smokers, and in highly industrialized countries. New therapies beyond cytotoxic chemotherapy are urgently needed to improve treatment of these tumors. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying their development may help in this regard. Recently, it was discovered that a group of proteins regulating the state of chromatin and thus gene expression is exceptionally and frequently affected by gene mutations in bladder cancers. Altered function of these mutated chromatin regulators must therefore be fundamental in their development, but how and why is poorly understood. Here we review the current knowledge on changes in chromatin regulators and discuss their possible consequences for bladder cancer development and options for new therapies. Abstract Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most frequent histological type of cancer in the urinary bladder. Genomic changes in UC activate MAPK and PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathways, which increase cell proliferation and survival, interfere with cell cycle and checkpoint control, and prevent senescence. A more recently discovered additional category of genetic changes in UC affects chromatin regulators, including histone-modifying enzymes (KMT2C, KMT2D, KDM6A, EZH2), transcription cofactors (CREBBP, EP300), and components of the chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF (ARID1A, SMARCA4). It is not yet well understood how these changes contribute to the development and progression of UC. Therefore, we review here the emerging knowledge on genomic and gene expression alterations of chromatin regulators and their consequences for cell differentiation, cellular plasticity, and clonal expansion during UC pathogenesis. Our analysis identifies additional relevant chromatin regulators and suggests a model for urothelial carcinogenesis as a basis for further mechanistic studies and targeted therapy development.
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Martinez-Balibrea E, Ciribilli Y. Editorial: Transcriptional Regulation as a Key Player in Cancer Cells Drug Resistance. Front Oncol 2021; 11:764506. [PMID: 34765559 PMCID: PMC8576526 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.764506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Martinez-Balibrea
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), ProCURE program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Badalona, Spain
| | - Yari Ciribilli
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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36
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Zhu QY, Zhao GX, Li Y, Talakatta G, Mai HQ, Le QT, Young LS, Zeng MS. Advances in pathogenesis and precision medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:175-206. [PMID: 34766141 PMCID: PMC8491203 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous carcinoma with apparent geographical and racial distribution, mostly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, particularly concentrated in southern China. The epidemiological trend over the past decades has suggested a substantial reduction in the incidence rate and mortality rate due to NPC. These results may reflect changes in lifestyle and environment, and more importantly, a deeper comprehension of the pathogenic mechanism of NPC, leading to much progress in the preventing, screening, and treating for this cancer. Herein, we present the recent advances on the key signal pathways involved in pathogenesis of NPC, the mechanism of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) entry into the cell, and the progress of EBV vaccine and screening biomarkers. We will also discuss in depth the development of various therapeutic approaches including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These research advancements have led to a new era of precision medicine in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Ge-Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Girish Talakatta
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Hai-Qiang Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Quynh-Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology Stanford California
| | - Lawrence S Young
- Warwick Medical School University of Warwick Coventry United Kingdom
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
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García-Sancha N, Corchado-Cobos R, Bellido-Hernández L, Román-Curto C, Cardeñoso-Álvarez E, Pérez-Losada J, Orfao A, Cañueto J. Overcoming Resistance to Immunotherapy in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5134. [PMID: 34680282 PMCID: PMC8533861 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most frequent cancer in humans, and is now responsible for as many deaths as melanoma. Immunotherapy has changed the therapeutic landscape of advanced CSCC after the FDA approval of anti-PD1 molecules for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic CSCC. However, roughly 50% of patients will not respond to this systemic treatment and even those who do respond can develop resistance over time. The etiologies of primary and secondary resistance to immunotherapy involve changes in the neoplastic cells and the tumor microenvironment. Indirect modulation of immune system activation with new therapies, such as vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and new immunotherapeutic agents, and direct modulation of tumor immunogenicity using other systemic treatments or radiotherapy are now under evaluation in combined regimens. The identification of predictors of response is an important area of research. In this review, we focus on the features associated with the response to immunotherapy, and the evaluation of combination treatments and new molecules, a more thorough knowledge of which is likely to improve the survival of patients with advanced CSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia García-Sancha
- IBMCC-CSIC, Laboratory 7, Campus Miguel de Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (N.G.-S.); (R.C.-C.); (J.P.-L.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
| | - Roberto Corchado-Cobos
- IBMCC-CSIC, Laboratory 7, Campus Miguel de Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (N.G.-S.); (R.C.-C.); (J.P.-L.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
| | - Lorena Bellido-Hernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
- Departament of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Concepción Román-Curto
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
- Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Esther Cardeñoso-Álvarez
- Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Jesús Pérez-Losada
- IBMCC-CSIC, Laboratory 7, Campus Miguel de Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (N.G.-S.); (R.C.-C.); (J.P.-L.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
- IBMCC-CSIC, Laboratory 11, Campus Miguel de Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS) and Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) (CB16/12/00400, CB16/12/00233, CB16/12/00369, CB16/12/00489 and CB16/12/00480), Instituto Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Cañueto
- IBMCC-CSIC, Laboratory 7, Campus Miguel de Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (N.G.-S.); (R.C.-C.); (J.P.-L.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.B.-H.); (C.R.-C.); (A.O.)
- Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
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El Sayed R, Blais N. Immunotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol 2021; 28:4093-4108. [PMID: 34677265 PMCID: PMC8534845 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28050347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains a poorly understood disease with aggressive features, high relapse rates, and significant morbidity as well as mortality, yet persistently limited treatment options. For three decades, the treatment algorithm of SCLC has been stagnant despite multiple attempts to find alternative therapeutic options that could improve responses and increase survival rates. On the other hand, immunotherapy has been a thriving concept that revolutionized treatment options in multiple malignancies, rendering previously untreatable diseases potentially curable. In extensive stage SCLC, immunotherapy significantly altered the course of disease and is now part of the treatment algorithm in the first-line setting. Nevertheless, the important questions that arise are how best to implement immunotherapy, who would benefit the most, and finally, how to enhance responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Normand Blais
- Centre Hospitalier de Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC H2X 0C1, Canada;
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Sanceau J, Gougelet A. Epigenetic mechanisms of liver tumor resistance to immunotherapy. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:979-1002. [PMID: 34630870 PMCID: PMC8473495 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i9.979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor, which stands fourth in rank of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The incidence of HCC is constantly increasing in correlation with the epidemic in diabetes and obesity, arguing for an urgent need for new treatments for this lethal cancer refractory to conventional treatments. HCC is the paradigm of inflammation-associated cancer, since more than 80% of HCC emerge consecutively to cirrhosis associated with a vast remodeling of liver microenvironment. In the recent decade, immunomodulatory drugs have been developed and have given impressive results in melanoma and later in several other cancers. In the present review, we will discuss the recent advancements concerning the use of immunotherapies in HCC, in particular those targeting immune checkpoints, used alone or in combination with other anti-cancers agents. We will address why these drugs demonstrate unsatisfactory results in a high proportion of liver cancers and the mechanisms of resistance developed by HCC to evade immune response with a focus on the epigenetic-related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sanceau
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, Paris 75006, France
| | - Angélique Gougelet
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, Paris 75006, France
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40
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Zhu S, Zhang T, Zheng L, Liu H, Song W, Liu D, Li Z, Pan CX. Combination strategies to maximize the benefits of cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:156. [PMID: 34579759 PMCID: PMC8475356 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) have revolutionized cancer treatment, especially in patients whose disease was otherwise considered incurable. However, primary and secondary resistance to single agent immunotherapy often results in treatment failure, and only a minority of patients experience long-term benefits. This review article will discuss the relationship between cancer immune response and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. It will also provide a comprehensive review on the latest clinical status of combination therapies (e.g., immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy), and discuss combination therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It will provide an overview of therapies targeting cytokines and other soluble immunoregulatory factors, ACT, virotherapy, innate immune modifiers and cancer vaccines, as well as combination therapies that exploit alternative immune targets and other therapeutic modalities. Finally, this review will include the stimulating insights from the 2020 China Immuno-Oncology Workshop co-organized by the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON), the China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) and Tsinghua University School of Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoming Zhu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, DUMC 103861, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,The Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenru Song
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Kira Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Delong Liu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA. .,Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Chong-Xian Pan
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA.
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41
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Saini A, Gallo JM. Epigenetic instability may alter cell state transitions and anticancer drug resistance. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009307. [PMID: 34424912 PMCID: PMC8412323 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is a significant obstacle to successful and durable anti-cancer therapy. Targeted therapy is often effective during early phases of treatment; however, eventually cancer cells adapt and transition to drug-resistant cells states rendering the treatment ineffective. It is proposed that cell state can be a determinant of drug efficacy and manipulated to affect the development of anticancer drug resistance. In this work, we developed two stochastic cell state models and an integrated stochastic-deterministic model referenced to brain tumors. The stochastic cell state models included transcriptionally-permissive and -restrictive states based on the underlying hypothesis that epigenetic instability mitigates lock-in of drug-resistant states. When moderate epigenetic instability was implemented the drug-resistant cell populations were reduced, on average, by 60%, whereas a high level of epigenetic disruption reduced them by about 90%. The stochastic-deterministic model utilized the stochastic cell state model to drive the dynamics of the DNA repair enzyme, methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT), that repairs temozolomide (TMZ)-induced O6-methylguanine (O6mG) adducts. In the presence of epigenetic instability, the production of MGMT decreased that coincided with an increase of O6mG adducts following a multiple-dose regimen of TMZ. Generation of epigenetic instability via epigenetic modifier therapy could be a viable strategy to mitigate anticancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshul Saini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - James M. Gallo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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42
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Epigenetic Changes Affecting the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164237. [PMID: 34439391 PMCID: PMC8392268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma is a life-threatening disease. Despite many efforts to understand the exact pathogenesis and the signaling pathways involved in its formation, treatment remains unsatisfactory. Currently, an important function in the development of neoplastic diseases and treatment effects is attributed to changes taking place at the epigenetic level. Epigenetic studies revealed modified methylation patterns in HCC, dysfunction of enzymes engaged in the DNA methylation process, the aberrant function of non-coding RNAs, and a set of histone modifications that influence gene expression. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of epigenetics in the formation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a serious oncologic issue with still a dismal prognosis. So far, no key molecular mechanism that underlies its pathogenesis has been identified. Recently, by specific molecular approaches, many genetic and epigenetic changes arising during HCC pathogenesis were detected. Epigenetic studies revealed modified methylation patterns in HCC tumors, dysfunction of enzymes engaged in the DNA methylation process, and a set of histone modifications that influence gene expression. HCC cells are also influenced by the disrupted function of non-coding RNAs, such as micro RNAs and long non-coding RNAs. Moreover, a role of liver cancer stem cells in HCC development is becoming evident. The reversibility of epigenetic changes offers the possibility of influencing them and regulating their undesirable effects. All these data can be used not only to identify new therapeutic targets but also to predict treatment response. This review focuses on epigenetic changes in hepatocellular carcinoma and their possible implications in HCC therapy.
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Mahadevan NR, Knelson EH, Wolff JO, Vajdi A, Saigí M, Campisi M, Hong D, Thai TC, Piel B, Han S, Reinhold BB, Duke-Cohan JS, Poitras MJ, Taus LJ, Lizotte PH, Portell A, Quadros V, Santucci AD, Murayama T, Cañadas I, Kitajima S, Akitsu A, Fridrikh M, Watanabe H, Reardon B, Gokhale PC, Paweletz CP, Awad MM, Van Allen EM, Lako A, Wang XT, Chen B, Hong F, Sholl LM, Tolstorukov MY, Pfaff K, Jänne PA, Gjini E, Edwards R, Rodig S, Reinherz EL, Oser MG, Barbie DA. Intrinsic Immunogenicity of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Revealed by Its Cellular Plasticity. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1952-1969. [PMID: 33707236 PMCID: PMC8338750 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is highly mutated, yet durable response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is rare. SCLC also exhibits cellular plasticity, which could influence its immunobiology. Here we discover that a distinct subset of SCLC uniquely upregulates MHC I, enriching for durable ICB benefit. In vitro modeling confirms epigenetic recovery of MHC I in SCLC following loss of neuroendocrine differentiation, which tracks with derepression of STING. Transient EZH2 inhibition expands these nonneuroendocrine cells, which display intrinsic innate immune signaling and basally restored antigen presentation. Consistent with these findings, murine nonneuroendocrine SCLC tumors are rejected in a syngeneic model, with clonal expansion of immunodominant effector CD8 T cells. Therapeutically, EZH2 inhibition followed by STING agonism enhances T-cell recognition and rejection of SCLC in mice. Together, these data identify MHC I as a novel biomarker of SCLC immune responsiveness and suggest novel immunotherapeutic approaches to co-opt SCLC's intrinsic immunogenicity. SIGNIFICANCE: SCLC is poorly immunogenic, displaying modest ICB responsiveness with rare durable activity. In profiling its plasticity, we uncover intrinsically immunogenic MHC Ihi subpopulations of nonneuroendocrine SCLC associated with durable ICB benefit. We also find that combined EZH2 inhibition and STING agonism uncovers this cell state, priming cells for immune rejection.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin R Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erik H Knelson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jacquelyn O Wolff
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amir Vajdi
- Department of Informatics and Analytics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Saigí
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Deli Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tran C Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brandon Piel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Saemi Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bruce B Reinhold
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan S Duke-Cohan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Poitras
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luke J Taus
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrick H Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew Portell
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Victor Quadros
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alison D Santucci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Takahiko Murayama
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Israel Cañadas
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aoi Akitsu
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maya Fridrikh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Hideo Watanabe
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Brendan Reardon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cloud P Paweletz
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark M Awad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eliezer M Van Allen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ana Lako
- Translational Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Xi-Tao Wang
- Translational Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Benjamin Chen
- Translational Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Fangxin Hong
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lynette M Sholl
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Y Tolstorukov
- Department of Informatics and Analytics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kathleen Pfaff
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pasi A Jänne
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Evisa Gjini
- Translational Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Robin Edwards
- Translational Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Scott Rodig
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ellis L Reinherz
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew G Oser
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Tazzari M, Bergamaschi L, De Vita A, Collini P, Barisella M, Bertolotti A, Ibrahim T, Pasquali S, Castelli C, Vallacchi V. Molecular Determinants of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Immunity: Targets for Immune Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147518. [PMID: 34299136 PMCID: PMC8303572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a family of rare malignant tumors encompassing more than 80 histologies. Current therapies for metastatic STS, a condition that affects roughly half of patients, have limited efficacy, making innovative therapeutic strategies urgently needed. From a molecular point of view, STSs can be classified as translocation-related and those with a heavily rearranged genotype. Although only the latter display an increased mutational burden, molecular profiles suggestive of an “immune hot” tumor microenvironment are observed across STS histologies, and response to immunotherapy has been reported in both translocation-related and genetic complex STSs. These data reinforce the notion that immunity in STSs is multifaceted and influenced by both genetic and epigenetic determinants. Cumulative evidence indicates that a fine characterization of STSs at different levels is required to identify biomarkers predictive of immunotherapy response and to discover targetable pathways to switch on the immune sensitivity of “immune cold” tumors. In this review, we will summarize recent findings on the interplay between genetic landscape, molecular profiling and immunity in STSs. Immunological and molecular features will be discussed for their prognostic value in selected STS histologies. Finally, the local and systemic immunomodulatory effects of the targeted drugs imatinib and sunitinib will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Tazzari
- Immunotherapy-Cell Therapy and Biobank Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy;
| | - Laura Bergamaschi
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.B.); (V.V.)
| | - Alessandro De Vita
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.D.V.); (T.I.)
| | - Paola Collini
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (P.C.); (M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Marta Barisella
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (P.C.); (M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Alessia Bertolotti
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (P.C.); (M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.D.V.); (T.I.)
| | - Sandro Pasquali
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Castelli
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.B.); (V.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Viviana Vallacchi
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.B.); (V.V.)
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45
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Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Immune Cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:377-383. [PMID: 34182142 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of immune response involves reversible and heritable changes that do not alter the DNA sequence. Though there have been extensive studies accomplished relating to epigenetic changes in cancer cells, recent focus has been shifted on epigenetic-mediated changes in the immune cells including T cells, Macrophages, Natural Killer cells and anti-tumor immune responses. This review compiles the most relevant and recent literature related to the role of epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications in immune cells of wide range of cancers. We also include recent research with respect to role of the most relevant transcription factors that epigenetically control the anti-tumor immune response. Finally, a statement of future direction that promises to look forward for strategies to improve immunotherapy in cancer.
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46
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Park C, Jeong K, Park JH, Jung S, Bae JM, Kim K, Ock CY, Kim M, Keam B, Kim TM, Jeon YK, Lee SH, Lee JS, Kim DW, Kang GH, Chung DH, Heo DS. Pan-cancer methylation analysis reveals an inverse correlation of tumor immunogenicity with methylation aberrancy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:1605-1617. [PMID: 33230567 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunogenicity is driven by various genomic and transcriptomic factors but the association with the overall status of methylation aberrancy is not well established. We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer database to investigate whether the overall methylation aberrancy links to the immune evasion of tumor. We created the definitions of hypermethylation burden, hypomethylation burden and methylation burden to establish the values that represent the degree of methylation aberrancy from human methylation 450 K array data. Both hypermethylation burden and hypomethylation burden significantly correlated with global methylation level as well as methylation subtypes defined in previous literatures. Then we evaluated whether methylation burden correlates with tumor immunogenicity and found that methylation burden showed a significant negative correlation with cytolytic activity score, which represent cytotoxic T cell activity, in pan-cancer (Spearman rho = - 0.37, p < 0.001) and 30 of 33 individual cancer types. Furthermore, this correlation was independent of mutation burden and chromosomal instability in multivariate regression analysis. We validated the findings in the external cohorts and outcomes of patients who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which showed that high methylation burden group had significantly poor progression-free survival (Hazard ratio 1.74, p = 0.038). Overall, the degree of methylation aberrancy negatively correlated with tumor immunogenicity. These findings emphasize the importance of methylation aberrancy for tumors to evade immune surveillance and warrant further development of methylation biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhee Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeonghun Jeong
- Division of Clinical Bioinformatics, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Hyeong Park
- Division of Clinical Bioinformatics, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohee Jung
- Division of Clinical Bioinformatics, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsoo Kim
- Transdisciplinary Department of Medicine & Advanced Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chan-Young Ock
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Seog Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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47
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de Guillebon E, Jimenez M, Mazzarella L, Betsou F, Stadler P, Peták I, Jeannot E, Chanas L, Servant N, Marret G, Duso BA, Legrand F, Kornerup KN, Bernhart SH, Balogh G, Dóczi R, Filotás P, Curigliano G, Bièche I, Guérin J, Dirner A, Neuzillet C, Girard N, Borcoman E, Larbi Chérif L, Tresca P, Roufai DB, Dupain C, Scholl S, André F, Fernandez X, Filleron T, Kamal M, Le Tourneau C. Combining immunotherapy with an epidrug in squamous cell carcinomas of different locations: rationale and design of the PEVO basket trial. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100106. [PMID: 33865192 PMCID: PMC8066350 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are among the most frequent solid tumors in humans. SCCs, related or not to the human papillomavirus, share common molecular features. Immunotherapies, and specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been shown to improve overall survival in multiple cancer types, including SCCs. However, only a minority of patients experience a durable response with immunotherapy. Epigenetic modulation plays a major role in escaping tumor immunosurveillance and confers resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Preclinical evidence suggests that modulating the epigenome might improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. We herein review the preclinical and the clinical rationale for combining immunotherapy with an epidrug, and detail the design of PEVOsq, a basket clinical trial combining pembrolizumab with vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with SCCs of different locations. Sequential blood and tumor sampling will be collected in order to identify predictive and pharmacodynamics biomarkers of efficacy of the combination. We also present how clinical and biological data will be managed with the aim to enable the development of a prospective integrative platform to allow secure and controlled access to the project data as well as further exploitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E de Guillebon
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France; Inserm U932 Research Unit - Immunite et cancer, Paris, France
| | | | - L Mazzarella
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology - IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Division of Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - F Betsou
- Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - P Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - I Peták
- Oncompass Medicine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - E Jeannot
- Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, Paris, France; Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - L Chanas
- Data Direction, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - N Servant
- Inserm U900 Research Unit, Saint Cloud, France
| | - G Marret
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - B A Duso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - K N Kornerup
- Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - S H Bernhart
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - G Balogh
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R Dóczi
- Oncompass Medicine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary
| | - P Filotás
- Oncompass Medicine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G Curigliano
- Division of Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology - IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - I Bièche
- Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - J Guérin
- Data Direction, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - A Dirner
- Oncompass Medicine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary
| | - C Neuzillet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France; Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - N Girard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France; Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - E Borcoman
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - L Larbi Chérif
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - P Tresca
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - D B Roufai
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - C Dupain
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - S Scholl
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - F André
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif; INSERM, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, UMR981, Villejuif; University of Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
| | - X Fernandez
- Data Direction, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - T Filleron
- Biostatistics Unit, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - M Kamal
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - C Le Tourneau
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France; Inserm U900 Research Unit, Saint Cloud, France; Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France.
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48
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Xiao L, Somers K, Murray J, Pandher R, Karsa M, Ronca E, Bongers A, Terry R, Ehteda A, Gamble LD, Issaeva N, Leonova KI, O'Connor A, Mayoh C, Venkat P, Quek H, Brand J, Kusuma FK, Pettitt JA, Mosmann E, Kearns A, Eden G, Alfred S, Allan S, Zhai L, Kamili A, Gifford AJ, Carter DR, Henderson MJ, Fletcher JI, Marshall G, Johnstone RW, Cesare AJ, Ziegler DS, Gudkov AV, Gurova KV, Norris MD, Haber M. Dual Targeting of Chromatin Stability By The Curaxin CBL0137 and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Panobinostat Shows Significant Preclinical Efficacy in Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:4338-4352. [PMID: 33994371 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether targeting chromatin stability through a combination of the curaxin CBL0137 with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, panobinostat, constitutes an effective multimodal treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of the drug combination on cancer growth were examined in vitro and in animal models of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. The molecular mechanisms of action were analyzed by multiple techniques including whole transcriptome profiling, immune deconvolution analysis, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, assays to assess cell growth and apoptosis, and a range of cell-based reporter systems to examine histone eviction, heterochromatin transcription, and chromatin compaction. RESULTS The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat enhanced nucleosome destabilization, induced an IFN response, inhibited DNA damage repair, and synergistically suppressed cancer cell growth. Similar synergistic effects were observed when combining CBL0137 with other HDAC inhibitors. The CBL0137/panobinostat combination significantly delayed cancer progression in xenograft models of poor outcome high-risk neuroblastoma. Complete tumor regression was achieved in the transgenic Th-MYCN neuroblastoma model which was accompanied by induction of a type I IFN and immune response. Tumor transplantation experiments further confirmed that the presence of a competent adaptive immune system component allowed the exploitation of the full potential of the drug combination. CONCLUSIONS The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat is effective and well-tolerated in preclinical models of aggressive high-risk neuroblastoma, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigation in other pediatric cancers. On the basis of its potential to boost IFN and immune responses in cancer models, the drug combination holds promising potential for addition to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Ronca
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelika Bongers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachael Terry
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anahid Ehteda
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura D Gamble
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natalia Issaeva
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Katerina I Leonova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Aisling O'Connor
- Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hazel Quek
- Mental Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer Brand
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Frances K Kusuma
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica A Pettitt
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erin Mosmann
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Kearns
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Georgina Eden
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Alfred
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophie Allan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lei Zhai
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Gifford
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle J Henderson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Immune Defence Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Cesare
- Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Katerina V Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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Morotti M, Albukhari A, Alsaadi A, Artibani M, Brenton JD, Curbishley SM, Dong T, Dustin ML, Hu Z, McGranahan N, Miller ML, Santana-Gonzalez L, Seymour LW, Shi T, Van Loo P, Yau C, White H, Wietek N, Church DN, Wedge DC, Ahmed AA. Promises and challenges of adoptive T-cell therapies for solid tumours. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1759-1776. [PMID: 33782566 PMCID: PMC8144577 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01353-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and, despite new targeted therapies and immunotherapies, many patients with advanced-stage- or high-risk cancers still die, owing to metastatic disease. Adoptive T-cell therapy, involving the autologous or allogeneic transplant of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes or genetically modified T cells expressing novel T-cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors, has shown promise in the treatment of cancer patients, leading to durable responses and, in some cases, cure. Technological advances in genomics, computational biology, immunology and cell manufacturing have brought the aspiration of individualised therapies for cancer patients closer to reality. This new era of cell-based individualised therapeutics challenges the traditional standards of therapeutic interventions and provides opportunities for a paradigm shift in our approach to cancer therapy. Invited speakers at a 2020 symposium discussed three areas-cancer genomics, cancer immunology and cell-therapy manufacturing-that are essential to the effective translation of T-cell therapies in the treatment of solid malignancies. Key advances have been made in understanding genetic intratumour heterogeneity, and strategies to accurately identify neoantigens, overcome T-cell exhaustion and circumvent tumour immunosuppression after cell-therapy infusion are being developed. Advances are being made in cell-manufacturing approaches that have the potential to establish cell-therapies as credible therapeutic options. T-cell therapies face many challenges but hold great promise for improving clinical outcomes for patients with solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Morotti
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ashwag Albukhari
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulkhaliq Alsaadi
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mara Artibani
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James D Brenton
- Functional Genomics of Ovarian Cancer Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stuart M Curbishley
- Advanced Therapies Facility and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tao Dong
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas McGranahan
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Martin L Miller
- Cancer System Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura Santana-Gonzalez
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Leonard W Seymour
- Gene Therapy Group, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tingyan Shi
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter Van Loo
- Cancer Genomics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Christopher Yau
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
| | - Helen White
- Patient Representative, Endometrial Cancer Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP) Domain, London, UK
| | - Nina Wietek
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David N Church
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
| | - David C Wedge
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Ahmed A Ahmed
- Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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50
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The Role of Epigenetics in the Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and the Basis for Future Epigenetic Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092071. [PMID: 33922974 PMCID: PMC8123355 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The accumulated evidence on the role of epigenetic markers of prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is reviewed, as well as state of the art on epigenetic treatments for this malignancy. Several epigenetic markers are likely candidates for clinical use, but still have not passed the test of prospective validation. Development of epigenetic therapies, either alone or in combination with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, are still in their infancy. Abstract Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable when diagnosed at an early stage, but when disease is non-confined it is the urologic cancer with worst prognosis. Antiangiogenic treatment and immune checkpoint inhibition therapy constitute a very promising combined therapy for advanced and metastatic disease. Many exploratory studies have identified epigenetic markers based on DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNA expression that epigenetically regulate gene expression in ccRCC. Additionally, epigenetic modifiers genes have been proposed as promising biomarkers for ccRCC. We review and discuss the current understanding of how epigenetic changes determine the main molecular pathways of ccRCC initiation and progression, and also its clinical implications. Despite the extensive research performed, candidate epigenetic biomarkers are not used in clinical practice for several reasons. However, the accumulated body of evidence of developing epigenetically-based biomarkers will likely allow the identification of ccRCC at a higher risk of progression. That will facilitate the establishment of firmer therapeutic decisions in a changing landscape and also monitor active surveillance in the aging population. What is more, a better knowledge of the activities of chromatin modifiers may serve to develop new therapeutic opportunities. Interesting clinical trials on epigenetic treatments for ccRCC associated with well established antiangiogenic treatments and immune checkpoint inhibitors are revisited.
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