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Struckmeier AK, Gosau M, Smeets R. Immunotherapeutic strategies beyond the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - A scoping review on current developments in agents targeting TIM-3, TIGIT, LAG-3, and VISTA. Oral Oncol 2024; 161:107145. [PMID: 39705929 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.107145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2024] [Revised: 11/24/2024] [Accepted: 12/11/2024] [Indexed: 12/23/2024]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a considerable challenge due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Immunotherapy targeting PD-(L)1 emerges as a promising approach for HNSCC, as it has the potential to trigger a broad and long-lasting anti-tumor response. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of immunotherapy encounters hurdles, and only a small proportion of patients benefit, with many eventually experiencing relapse. Consequently, there is a pursuit of strategies to enhance overall treatment outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms driving resistance to PD-(L)1 inhibition and devising strategies to overcome these challenges are vital for advancing more effective treatments. Furthermore, gaining insights into the mechanisms of action and safety profiles of novel combination therapies is critical for their successful adoption in clinical practice. As a result, current research is dedicated to investigating various immunotherapeutic agents beyond the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the existing immunotherapy strategies in HNSCC with a focus on TIM-3, TIGIT, LAG-3, and VISTA. The aim is to lay a strong foundation for the continual advancement of therapies for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Kristin Struckmeier
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Martin Gosau
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Smeets
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Regenerative Orofacial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Du S, Liang Q, Shi J. Progress of ATM inhibitors: Opportunities and challenges. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116781. [PMID: 39173286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116781] [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: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) was first discovered in patients with AT (ataxia telangiectasia), which is characteristic with cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency, being susceptible to malignant tumors and sensitive to radiation. ATM kinase could detect DNA double-strand breaks and play a vital role in the DNA damage response. Inhibiting the function of ATM could sensitize tumor cells to both ionizing radiation (IR) and chemotherapy, as well as improve the chemoresistance and radioresistance observed in some patients. As such, ATM is a novel and important target for the cancer therapy. We reviewed ATM inhibitors reported in the last two decades, focusing on their development process, structure-activity relationships, inhibitory efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characteristics in the preclinical and clinical studies. We summarized the clinical value of ATM inhibitors in tumors and some neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the main challenges to the development of the drugs, providing directions and references for the future development of ATM inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Du
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Qi Liang
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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Schott M, Vehlow A, Benka M, Lagies S, Kammerer B, Rieckmann T, Cordes N. Aqueous extracts from Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax show cytotoxic and radiosensitizing potential in 3D growing HPV-negative and HPV-positive human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 179:117305. [PMID: 39167841 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117305] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous natural substances have anti-cancer properties. Especially indigenous people use aqueous plant extracts for tea or ointments including Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax to treat various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and radiosensitizing potential of aqueous extracts from Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax collected from Kenya in a panel of HPV-negative and -positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells grown in three-dimensional laminin-rich extracellular matrix (3D lrECM). The results show cytotoxicity, radiosensitization and increased levels of residual double strand breaks (DBS) by Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax extracts in HPV-negative and -positive HNSCC models in a concentration- and cell model-dependent manner. Application of ROS scavengers indicated an association between ROS-induced DSB and radiosensitization through Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax pretreatment. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) based characterization of Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax identified the main components of the extract including camptothecin. Overall, Dioscorea sansibarensis Pax aqueous extracts alone and in combination with X-ray irradiation showed effective anticancer properties, which are worthy of further mechanistic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Schott
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Anne Vehlow
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Moritz Benka
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Simon Lagies
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Department of Pneumology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Kammerer
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Thorsten Rieckmann
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Nils Cordes
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden 01328, Germany; German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.
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Meidenbauer J, Wachter M, Schulz SR, Mostafa N, Zülch L, Frey B, Fietkau R, Gaipl US, Jost T. Inhibition of ATM or ATR in combination with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy leads to a different immunophenotype on transcript and protein level in HNSCC. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1460150. [PMID: 39411143 PMCID: PMC11473424 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1460150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The treatment of head and neck tumors remains a challenge due to their reduced radiosensitivity. Small molecule kinase inhibitors (smKI) that inhibit the DNA damage response, may increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells. However, little is known about how the immunophenotype of the tumor cells is modulated thereby. Therefore, we investigated whether the combination of ATM or ATR inhibitors with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has a different impact on the expression of immune checkpoint markers (extrinsic), the release of cytokines or the transcriptome (intrinsic) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Methods The toxic and immunogenic effects of the smKI AZD0156 (ATMi) and VE-822 (ATRi) in combination with a hypo-fractionated scheme of 2x5Gy RT on HPV-negative (HSC4, Cal-33) and HPV-positive (UM-SCC-47, UD-SCC-2) HNSCC cell lines were analyzed as follows: cell death (necrosis, apoptosis; detected by AnxV/PI), expression of immunostimulatory (ICOS-L, OX40-L, TNFSFR9, CD70) and immunosuppressive (PD-L1, PD-L2, HVEM) checkpoint marker using flow cytometry; the release of cytokines using multiplex ELISA and the gene expression of Cal-33 on mRNA level 48 h post-RT. Results Cell death was mainly induced by the combination of RT with both inhibitors, but stronger with ATRi. Further, the immune phenotype of cancer cells, not dying from combination therapy itself, is altered predominantly by RT+ATRi in an immune-stimulatory manner by the up-regulation of ICOS-L. However, the analysis of secreted cytokines after treatment of HNSCC cell lines revealed an ambivalent influence of both inhibitors, as we observed the intensified secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 after RT+ATRi. These findings were confirmed by RNAseq analysis and further the stronger immune-suppressive character of RT+ATMi was enlightened. We detected the down-regulation of a central protein of cytoplasmatic sensing pathways of nucleic acids, RIG-1, and found one immune-suppressive target, EDIL3, strongly up-regulated by RT+ATMi. Conclusion Independent of a restrictive toxicity, the combination of RT + either ATMi or ATRi leads to comprehensive and immune-modulating alterations in HNSCC. This includes pro-inflammatory signaling induced by RT + ATRi but also anti-inflammatory signals. These findings were confirmed by RNAseq analysis, which further highlighted the immune-suppressive nature of RT + ATMi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Meidenbauer
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wachter
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian R. Schulz
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Erlangen, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nada Mostafa
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lilli Zülch
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- FAU Profile Center Immunomedicine Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- FAU Profile Center Immunomedicine Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo S. Gaipl
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- FAU Profile Center Immunomedicine Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tina Jost
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN), Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Adeleye K, Li A, Xie Y, Pochampally S, Hamilton D, Garcia-Godoy F, Miller D, Li W. Novel Antimitotic Agent SP-1-39 Inhibits Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Dent Res 2024; 103:926-936. [PMID: 39101715 PMCID: PMC11465348 DOI: 10.1177/00220345241261982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective management of head and neck cancer (HNC) poses a significant challenge in the field of oncology, due to its intricate pathophysiology and limited treatment options. The most common HNC malignancy is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC treatment includes a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. While HNSCC is treatable if diagnosed early, this is often not the case and is considered incurable once in its late stages and metastatic disease has developed. Therapies are also limited once resistant disease has occurred. SP-1-39, a novel colchicine-binding site inhibitor (CBSI), has been recently reported for its potential efficacy in a variety of cancer cell lines including breast, melanoma, pancreatic, and prostate. SP-1-39 also shows abilities to overcome paclitaxel resistance in a paclitaxel-resistant prostate cancer xenograft model. To evaluate the potential of SP-1-39 as a new HNSCC treatment option, herein we systematically performed preclinical studies in HNSCC models using SP-1-39 and demonstrated that, in vitro, SP-1-39 inhibits the proliferation of 2 HNSCC cell lines with low nanomolar IC50 values (1.4 to 2.1 nM), induces HNSCC cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, interferes with migration of HNSCC cells, and leads to HNSCC cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. In vivo, SP-1-39 suppresses the primary tumor growth of a Detroit 562 subcutaneous xenograft mouse model in 6- to 8-wk-old, male NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) mice, with no detectable cytotoxic effects at a low dose of 2.5 mg/kg. This efficacy of SP-1-39 is better when compared with the treatment using a reference chemotherapy drug, paclitaxel at 10 mg/kg. Collectively, these data demonstrate that SP-1-39 is a promising candidate for further development for more efficacious HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.L. Adeleye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - A.R. Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Y. Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - S. Pochampally
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - D. Hamilton
- Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - F. Garcia-Godoy
- Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - D.D. Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - W. Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Fabbrizi MR, Doggett TJ, Hughes JR, Melia E, Dufficy ER, Hill RM, Goula A, Phoenix B, Parsons JL. Inhibition of key DNA double strand break repair protein kinases enhances radiosensitivity of head and neck cancer cells to X-ray and proton irradiation. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:282. [PMID: 38866739 PMCID: PMC11169544 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02059-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ionising radiation (IR) is widely used in cancer treatment, including for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where it induces significant DNA damage leading ultimately to tumour cell death. Among these lesions, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are the most threatening lesion to cell survival. The two main repair mechanisms that detect and repair DSBs are non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). Among these pathways, the protein kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) and the DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-Pkcs) play key roles in the sensing of the DSB and subsequent coordination of the downstream repair events. Consequently, targeting these kinases with potent and specific inhibitors is considered an approach to enhance the radiosensitivity of tumour cells. Here, we have investigated the impact of inhibition of ATM, ATR and DNA-Pkcs on the survival and growth of six radioresistant HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in combination with either X-ray irradiation or proton beam therapy, and confirmed the mechanistic pathway leading to cell radiosensitisation. Using inhibitors targeting ATM (AZD1390), ATR (AZD6738) and DNA-Pkcs (AZD7648), we observed that this led to significantly decreased clonogenic survival of HNSCC cell lines following both X-ray and proton irradiation. Radiosensitisation of HNSCC cells grown as 3D spheroids was also observed, particularly following ATM and DNA-Pkcs inhibition. We confirmed that the inhibitors in combination with X-rays and protons led to DSB persistence, and increased micronuclei formation. Cumulatively, our data suggest that targeting DSB repair, particularly via ATM and DNA-Pkcs inhibition, can exacerbate the impact of ionising radiation in sensitising HNSCC cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Fabbrizi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Thomas J Doggett
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jonathan R Hughes
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Emma Melia
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Elizabeth R Dufficy
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Rhianna M Hill
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amalia Goula
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Ben Phoenix
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
| | - Jason L Parsons
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
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Hill RM, Li C, Hughes JR, Rocha S, Grundy GJ, Parsons JL. Autophagy is the main driver of radioresistance of HNSCC cells in mild hypoxia. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18482. [PMID: 38899556 PMCID: PMC11187736 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia poses a significant challenge to the effectiveness of radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, and it is imperative to discover novel approaches to overcome this. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms contributing to x-ray radioresistance in HPV-negative HNSCC cells under mild hypoxic conditions (1% oxygen) and explored the potential for autophagy modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy. Our findings show that HNSCC cells exposed to mild hypoxic conditions exhibit increased radioresistance, which is largely mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway. We demonstrate that siRNA knockdown of HIF-1α and HIF-1β leads to increased radiosensitivity in HNSCC cells under hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced radioresistance was not attributed to differences in DNA double strand break repair kinetics, as these remain largely unchanged under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Rather, we identify autophagy as a critical protective mechanism in HNSCC cells following irradiation under mild hypoxia conditions. Targeting key autophagy genes, such as BECLIN1 and BNIP3/3L, using siRNA sensitizes these cells to irradiation. Whilst autophagy's role in hypoxic radioresistance remains controversial, this study highlights the importance of autophagy modulation as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhianna M. Hill
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Chun Li
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Jonathan R. Hughes
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Sonia Rocha
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Gabrielle J. Grundy
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Jason L. Parsons
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
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Horowitz NS, Deng W, Peterson I, Mannel RS, Thompson S, Lokich E, Myers T, Hanjani P, O’Malley DM, Chung KY, Miller DS, Ueland FR, Dizon DS, Miller A, Mayadev JS, Leath CA, Monk BJ. Phase II Trial of Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma: NRG Oncology/GOG Study 279. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:1914-1921. [PMID: 38574312 PMCID: PMC11585925 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.02235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin (C) and gemcitabine (G) with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer not amenable to surgery. METHODS Patients enrolled in a single-arm phase II study. Pretreatment inguinal-femoral nodal assessment was performed. Sixty-four Gy IMRT was prescribed to the vulva, with 50-64 Gy delivered to the groins/low pelvis. Radiation therapy (RT) plans were quality-reviewed pretreatment. C 40 mg/m2 and G 50 mg/m2 were administered once per week throughout IMRT. Complete pathologic response (CPR) was the primary end point. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and adverse events were assessed with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v 4.0. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients enrolled, of which 52 were evaluable. The median age was 58 years (range, 25-58), and 94% were White. Forty (77%) had stage II or III disease, and all had squamous histology. A median of six chemotherapy cycles (range, 1-8) were received. Eighty-five percent of RT plans were quality-reviewed with 100% compliance to protocol. Seven patients came off trial because of toxicity or patient withdrawal. Of 52 patients available for pathologic assessment, 38 (73% [90% CI, 61 to 83]) achieved CPR. No pelvic exenterations were performed. With a median follow-up of 51 months, the 12-month PFS was 74% (90% CI, 62.2 to 82.7) and the 24-month OS was 70% (90% CI, 57 to 79). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were hematologic toxicity and radiation dermatitis. There was one grade 5 event unlikely related to treatment. CONCLUSION Weekly C and G concurrent with IMRT sufficiently improved CPR in women with locally advanced vulvar squamous cell carcinoma not amenable to surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Deng
- NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Statistics & Data Center; Buffalo NY
| | | | - Robert S. Mannel
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Spencer Thompson
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Oklahoma City, OK
| | | | | | | | - David M. O’Malley
- The James CCC & The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus OH
| | | | - David S Miller
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas TX
| | | | | | - Austin Miller
- NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Statistics & Data Center; Buffalo NY
| | - Jyoti S. Mayadev
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla CA 92093
| | - Charles A Leath
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama Birmingham; Birmingham AL
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Mentzel J, Hildebrand LS, Kuhlmann L, Fietkau R, Distel LV. Effective Radiosensitization of HNSCC Cell Lines by DNA-PKcs Inhibitor AZD7648 and PARP Inhibitors Talazoparib and Niraparib. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5629. [PMID: 38891817 PMCID: PMC11172136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115629] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common, while treatment is difficult, and mortality is high. Kinase inhibitors are promising to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. We compared the effects of the PARP inhibitors talazoparib and niraparib and that of the DNA-PKcs inhibitor AZD7648, combined with ionizing radiation. (2) Seven HNSCC cell lines, including Cal33, CLS-354, Detroit 562, HSC4, RPMI2650 (HPV-negative), UD-SCC-2 and UM-SCC-47 (HPV-positive), and two healthy fibroblast cell lines, SBLF8 and SBLF9, were studied. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and necrosis induction (AnnexinV/7AAD) and cell cycle distribution (Hoechst). Cell inactivation was studied by the colony-forming assay. (3) AZD7648 had the strongest effects, radiosensitizing all HNSCC cell lines, almost always in a supra-additive manner. Talazoparib and niraparib were effective in both HPV-positive cell lines but only consistently in one and two HPV-negative cell lines, respectively. Healthy fibroblasts were not affected by any combined treatment in apoptosis and necrosis induction or G2/M-phase arrest. AZD7648 alone was not toxic to healthy fibroblasts, while the combination with ionizing radiation reduced clonogenicity. (4) In conclusion, talazoparib, niraparib and, most potently, AZD7648 could improve radiation therapy in HNSCC. Healthy fibroblasts tolerated AZD7648 alone extremely well, but irradiation-induced effects might occur. Our results justify in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Mentzel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Laura S. Hildebrand
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kuhlmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luitpold V. Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Liew H, Tessonnier T, Mein S, Magro G, Glimelius L, Coniavitis E, Held T, Haberer T, Abdollahi A, Debus J, Dokic I, Mairani A. Robustness of carbon-ion radiotherapy against DNA damage repair associated radiosensitivity variation based on a biophysical model. Med Phys 2024; 51:3782-3795. [PMID: 38569067 DOI: 10.1002/mp.17045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interpatient variation of tumor radiosensitivity is rarely considered during the treatment planning process despite its known significance for the therapeutic outcome. PURPOSE To apply our mechanistic biophysical model to investigate the biological robustness of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) against DNA damage repair interference (DDRi) associated patient-to-patient variability in radiosensitivity and its potential clinical advantages against conventional radiotherapy approaches. METHODS AND MATERIALS The "UNIfied and VERSatile bio response Engine" (UNIVERSE) was extended by carbon ions and its predictions were compared to a panel of in vitro and in vivo data including various endpoints and DDRi settings within clinically relevant dose and linear energy transfer (LET) ranges. The implications of UNIVERSE predictions were then assessed in a clinical patient scenario considering DDRi variance. RESULTS UNIVERSE tests well against the applied benchmarks. While in vitro survival curves were predicted with an R2 > 0.92, deviations from in vivo RBE data were less than 5.6% The conducted paradigmatic patient plan study implies a markedly reduced significance of DDRi based radiosensitivity variability in CIRT (13% change ofD 50 ${{D}_{50}}$ in target) compared to conventional radiotherapy (62%) and that boosting the LET within the target further amplifies this robustness of CIRT (8%). In the case of heightened tumor radiosensitivity, a dose de-escalation strategy for photons allows a reduction of the maximum effective dose within the normal tissue (NT) from aD 2 ${{D}_2}$ of 2.65 to 1.64 Gy, which lies below the level found for CIRT (D 2 ${{D}_2}$ = 2.41 Gy) for the analyzed plan and parameters. However, even after de-escalation, the integral effective dose in the NT is found to be substantially higher for conventional radiotherapy in comparison to CIRT (D m e a n ${{D}_{mean}}$ of 0.75, 0.46, and 0.24 Gy for the conventional plan, its de-escalation and CIRT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The framework offers adequate predictions of in vitro and in vivo radiation effects of CIRT while allowing the consideration of DRRi based solely on parameters derived from photon data. The results of the patient planning study underline the potential of CIRT to minimize important sources of interpatient divergence in therapy outcome, especially when combined with techniques that allow to maximize the LET within the tumor. Despite the potential of de-escalation strategies for conventional radiotherapy to reduce the maximum effective dose in the NT, CIRT appears to remain a more favorable option due to its ability to reduce the integral effective dose within the NT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Liew
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Tessonnier
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stewart Mein
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Giuseppe Magro
- National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), Medical Physics, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Thomas Held
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haberer
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amir Abdollahi
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ivana Dokic
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Mairani
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), Medical Physics, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Liu S, Wang R, Fang J. Exploring the frontiers: tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:22. [PMID: 38294629 PMCID: PMC10830966 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00870-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of head and neck malignancies positions them as the sixth most common form of cancer, with the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) representing the predominant histological subtype. Despite advancements in multidisciplinary approaches and molecular targeted therapies, the therapeutic outcomes for HNSCC have only marginally improved, particularly in cases of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC (R/MHNSCC). This situation underscores the critical necessity for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Such strategies are essential not only to enhance the efficacy of HNSCC treatment but also to minimize the incidence of associated complications, thus improving overall patient prognosis. Cancer immunotherapy represents a cutting-edge cancer treatment that leverages the immune system for targeting and destroying cancer cells. It's applied to multiple cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer, offering precision, adaptability, and the potential for long-lasting remission through immune memory. It is observed that while HNSCC patients responsive to immunotherapy often experience prolonged therapeutic benefits, only a limited subset demonstrates such responsiveness. Additionally, significant clinical challenges remain, including the development of resistance to immunotherapy. The biological characteristics, dynamic inhibitory changes, and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in HNSCC play critical roles in its pathogenesis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. This review aims to elucidate the functions and mechanisms of anti-tumor immune cells and extracellular components within the HNSCC TME. It also introduces several immunosuppressive agents commonly utilized in HNSCC immunotherapy, examines factors influencing the effectiveness of these treatments, and provides a comprehensive summary of immunotherapeutic strategies relevant to HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokun Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jugao Fang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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12
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Saikia MJ, Kuanar S, Mahapatra D, Faghani S. Multi-Modal Ensemble Deep Learning in Head and Neck Cancer HPV Sub-Typing. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 11:13. [PMID: 38247890 PMCID: PMC11154466 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) is one of the common forms of heterogeneity in head and neck cancer. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a major risk factor for OPSCC. Therefore, differentiating the HPV-positive and negative cases in OPSCC patients is an essential diagnostic factor influencing future treatment decisions. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of a deep learning-based method for image interpretation and automatically detected the HPV status of OPSCC in routinely acquired Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images. We introduce a 3D CNN-based multi-modal feature fusion architecture for HPV status prediction in primary tumor lesions. The architecture is composed of an ensemble of CNN networks and merges image features in a softmax classification layer. The pipeline separately learns the intensity, contrast variation, shape, texture heterogeneity, and metabolic assessment from CT and PET tumor volume regions and fuses those multi-modal features for final HPV status classification. The precision, recall, and AUC scores of the proposed method are computed, and the results are compared with other existing models. The experimental results demonstrate that the multi-modal ensemble model with soft voting outperformed single-modality PET/CT, with an AUC of 0.76 and F1 score of 0.746 on publicly available TCGA and MAASTRO datasets. In the MAASTRO dataset, our model achieved an AUC score of 0.74 over primary tumor volumes of interest (VOIs). In the future, more extensive cohort validation may suffice for better diagnostic accuracy and provide preliminary assessment before the biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manob Jyoti Saikia
- Electrical Engineering, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Shiba Kuanar
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (S.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Dwarikanath Mahapatra
- Inception Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Shahriar Faghani
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (S.K.); (S.F.)
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13
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Xu M, Gu X, Yang L, Ge S, Zhao P. Publication Trends of Research on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma During 2002 to 2022: A 20-Year Bibliometric Study. J Craniofac Surg 2023; 34:2379-2383. [PMID: 37639658 PMCID: PMC10597449 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Our study attempted to analyze the research trends in HNSCC and compare contributions from different countries, institutions, journals, and authors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors extracted publications in this field from 2002 to 2022 from the Web of Science database. Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer were performed to collect data on publication numbers, analyze publication trends, and visualize relevant results. RESULTS A total of 1903 publications were screened. In the past 20 years, the United States contributed the most publications and citations in the HNSCC research. China ranked second in the number of publications. The Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was the most productive journal concerning HNSCC. ESMAELIB of the University of Texas System and ROSENTHAL EL of Stanford University had published the most publications in this field. Keywords were categorized into 3 clusters: basic study, clinical feature study, and treatment-related study. The keywords "reflectance confocal microscopy", "raman-spectroscopy", and "confocal laser endomicroscopy" were most frequently emerged in the recent years. Management-related research has been recognized as a potential focus in the HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingpeng Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ludi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiquan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
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14
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Wei C, Lan X, Qiu M, Cui R, Fu Q, Shinge SAU, Muluh TA, Jiang O. Expanding the role of combined immunochemotherapy and immunoradiotherapy in the management of head and neck cancer (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 26:372. [PMID: 37965160 PMCID: PMC10641411 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13958] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become one of the most promising approaches in tumor therapy, and there are numerous associated clinical trials in China. As an immunosuppressive tumor, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carries a high mutation burden, making immune checkpoint inhibitors promising candidates in this field due to their unique mechanism of action. The present review outlines a comprehensive multidisciplinary cancer treatment approach and elaborates on how combining immunochemotherapy and immunoradiotherapy guidelines could enhance clinical efficacy in patients with HNSCC. Furthermore, the present review explores the immunology of HNSCC, current immunotherapeutic strategies to enhance antitumor activity, ongoing clinical trials and the future direction of the current immune landscape in HNSCC. Advanced-stage HNSCC presents with a poor prognosis, low survival rates and minimal improvement in patient survival trends over time. Understanding the potential of immunotherapy and ways to combine it with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy confers good prospects for the management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNSCC, as well as other HPV-positive malignancies. Understanding the immune system and its effect on HNSCC progression and metastasis will help to uncover novel biomarkers for the selection of patients and to enhance the efficacy of treatments. Further research on why current immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted drugs are only effective for some patients in the clinic is needed; therefore, further research is required to improve the overall survival of affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wei
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Neijiang, Sichuan 641000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Lan
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Neijiang, Sichuan 641000, P.R. China
| | - Maona Qiu
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Neijiang, Sichuan 641000, P.R. China
| | - Ran Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Neijiang, Sichuan 641000, P.R. China
| | - Qiuxia Fu
- Department of General Medicine, The People's Hospital of Luzhou City, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Shafiu A. Umar Shinge
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Ou Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Neijiang, Sichuan 641000, P.R. China
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15
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Templeton CW, Laimins LA. p53-dependent R-loop formation and HPV pathogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305907120. [PMID: 37611058 PMCID: PMC10467572 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305907120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are trimeric RNA: DNA hybrids that are important physiological regulators of transcription; however, their aberrant formation or turnover leads to genomic instability and DNA breaks. High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the causative agents of genital as well as oropharyngeal cancers and exhibit enhanced amounts of DNA breaks. The levels of R-loops were found to be increased up to 50-fold in cells that maintain high-risk HPV genomes and were readily detected in squamous cell cervical carcinomas in vivo but not in normal cells. The high levels of R-loops in HPV-positive cells were present on both viral and cellular sites together with RNase H1, an enzyme that controls their resolution. Depletion of RNase H1 in HPV-positive cells further increased R-loop levels, resulting in impaired viral transcription and replication along with reduced expression of the DNA repair genes such as FANCD2 and ATR, both of which are necessary for viral functions. Overexpression of RNase H1 decreased total R-loop levels, resulting in a reduction of DNA breaks by over 50%. Furthermore, increased RNase H1 expression blocked viral transcription and replication while enhancing the expression of factors in the innate immune regulatory pathway. This suggests that maintaining elevated R-loop levels is important for the HPV life cycle. The E6 viral oncoprotein was found to be responsible for inducing high levels of R-loops by inhibiting p53's transcriptional activity. Our studies indicate that high R-loop levels are critical for HPV pathogenesis and that this depends on suppressing the p53 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Winslow Templeton
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Laimonis A. Laimins
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
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16
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Li D, Ma D, Hou Y. Pyroptosis patterns influence the clinical outcome and immune microenvironment characterization in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:30. [PMID: 37221570 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00507-w] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous tumor with diverse molecular pathological profiles. Recent studies have suggested the vital role of pyroptosis in tumor microenvironment. However, the expression patterns of pyroptosis in HPV-positive HNSCC are still unclear. METHODS Unsupervised clustering analysis was used to identify the pyroptosis patterns based on the RNA-sequencing data of 27 pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in HPV-positive HNSCC samples. Random forest classifier and artificial neural network were performed to screen the signature genes associated with pyroptosis, which were verified in two independent external cohorts and qRT-PCR experiment. Principal component analysis was used to develop a scoring system, namely Pyroscore. RESULTS The expression variations of 27 PRGs in HPV-positive HNSCC patients were analyzed from genomic and transcriptional domains. Two pyroptosis-related subtypes with distinct clinical outcomes, enrichment pathways and immune characteristics were identified. Next, six signature genes (GZMB, LAG3, NKG7, PRF1, GZMA and GZMH) associated with pyroptosis were selected for prognostic prediction. Further, a Pyroscore system was constructed to determine the level of pyroptosis in each patient. A low Pyroscore was featured by better survival time, increased immune cell infiltration, higher expression of immune checkpoint molecules and T cell-inflamed genes, as well as elevated mutational burden. The Pyroscore was also related to the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic agents. CONCLUSIONS The pyroptosis-related signature genes and Pyroscore system may be reliable predictors of prognosis and serve as mediators of immune microenvironment in patients with HPV-positive HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doudou Li
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98# XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98# XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98# XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yuxia Hou
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98# XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
- Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98# XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
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17
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Iliadi C, Verset L, Bouchart C, Martinive P, Van Gestel D, Krayem M. The current understanding of the immune landscape relative to radiotherapy across tumor types. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148692. [PMID: 37006319 PMCID: PMC10060828 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is part of the standard of care treatment for a great majority of cancer patients. As a result of radiation, both tumor cells and the environment around them are affected directly by radiation, which mainly primes but also might limit the immune response. Multiple immune factors play a role in cancer progression and response to radiotherapy, including the immune tumor microenvironment and systemic immunity referred to as the immune landscape. A heterogeneous tumor microenvironment and the varying patient characteristics complicate the dynamic relationship between radiotherapy and this immune landscape. In this review, we will present the current overview of the immunological landscape in relation to radiotherapy in order to provide insight and encourage research to further improve cancer treatment. An investigation into the impact of radiation therapy on the immune landscape showed in several cancers a common pattern of immunological responses after radiation. Radiation leads to an upsurge in infiltrating T lymphocytes and the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) which can hint at a benefit for the patient when combined with immunotherapy. In spite of this, lymphopenia in the tumor microenvironment of 'cold' tumors or caused by radiation is considered to be an important obstacle to the patient's survival. In several cancers, a rise in the immunosuppressive populations is seen after radiation, mainly pro-tumoral M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). As a final point, we will highlight how the radiation parameters themselves can influence the immune system and, therefore, be exploited to the advantage of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Iliadi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurine Verset
- Department of Pathology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Martinive
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Van Gestel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Wilkinson B, Hill MA, Parsons JL. The Cellular Response to Complex DNA Damage Induced by Ionising Radiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4920. [PMID: 36902352 PMCID: PMC10003081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (ionising radiation; IR) is utilised in the treatment of ~50% of all human cancers, and where the therapeutic effect is largely achieved through DNA damage induction. In particular, complex DNA damage (CDD) containing two or more lesions within one to two helical turns of the DNA is a signature of IR and contributes significantly to the cell killing effects due to the difficult nature of its repair by the cellular DNA repair machinery. The levels and complexity of CDD increase with increasing ionisation density (linear energy transfer, LET) of the IR, such that photon (X-ray) radiotherapy is deemed low-LET whereas some particle ions (such as carbon ions) are high-LET radiotherapy. Despite this knowledge, there are challenges in the detection and quantitative measurement of IR-induced CDD in cells and tissues. Furthermore, there are biological uncertainties with the specific DNA repair proteins and pathways, including components of DNA single and double strand break mechanisms, that are engaged in CDD repair, which very much depends on the radiation type and associated LET. However, there are promising signs that advancements are being made in these areas and which will enhance our understanding of the cellular response to CDD induced by IR. There is also evidence that targeting CDD repair, particularly through inhibitors against selected DNA repair enzymes, can exacerbate the impact of higher LET, which could be explored further in a translational context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Wilkinson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Mark A. Hill
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jason L. Parsons
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Mattioli EJ, Ulfo L, Marconi A, Pellicioni V, Costantini PE, Marforio TD, Di Giosia M, Danielli A, Fimognari C, Turrini E, Calvaresi M. Carrying Temoporfin with Human Serum Albumin: A New Perspective for Photodynamic Application in Head and Neck Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010068. [PMID: 36671454 PMCID: PMC9855801 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Temoporfin (mTHPC) is approved in Europe for the photodynamic treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Although it has a promising profile, its lipophilic character hampers the full exploitation of its potential due to high tendency of aggregation and a reduced ROS generation that compromise photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Moreover, for its clinical administration, mTHPC requires the presence of ethanol and propylene glycol as solvents, often causing adverse effects in the site of injection. In this paper we explored the efficiency of a new mTHPC formulation that uses human serum albumin (HSA) to disperse the photosensitizer in solution (mTHPC@HSA), investigating its anticancer potential in two HNSCC cell lines. Through a comprehensive characterization, we demonstrated that mTHPC@HSA is stable in physiological environment, does not aggregate, and is extremely efficient in PDT performance, due to its high singlet oxygen generation and the high dispersion as monomolecular form in HSA. This is supported by the computational identification of the specific binding pocket of mTHPC in HSA. Moreover, mTHPC@HSA-PDT induces cytotoxicity in both HNSCC cell lines, increasing intracellular ROS generation and the number of γ-H2AX foci, a cellular event involved in the global response to cellular stress. Taken together these results highlight the promising phototoxic profile of the complex, prompting further studies to assess its clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Jun Mattioli
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Ulfo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Marconi
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Pellicioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Paolo Emidio Costantini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tainah Dorina Marforio
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Giosia
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Danielli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmela Fimognari
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Eleonora Turrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Matteo Calvaresi
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Francesco Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.T.); (M.C.)
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20
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Farshbaf A, Lotfi M, Zare R, Mohtasham N. The organoid as reliable cancer modeling in personalized medicine, does applicable in precision medicine of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma? THE PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL 2022; 23:37-44. [PMID: 36347937 DOI: 10.1038/s41397-022-00296-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are introduced as the sixth most common cancer in the world. Detection of predictive biomarkers improve early diagnosis and prognosis. Recent cancer researches provide a new avenue for organoids, known as "mini-organs" in a dish, such as patient-derived organoids (PDOs), for cancer modeling. HNSCC burden, heterogeneity, mutations, and organoid give opportunities for the evaluation of drug sensitivity/resistance response according to the unique genetic profile signature. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) nucleases, as an efficient genome engineering technology, can be used for genetic manipulation in three-dimensional (3D) organoids for cancer modeling by targeting oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes. Moreover, single-cell analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) improved understanding of molecular angiogenesis, distance metastasis, and drug screening without the need for tissue biopsy. Organoids allow us to investigate the biopathogenesis of cancer, tumor cell behavior, and drug screening in a living biobank according to the specific genetic profile of patients.
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Paszkowska A, Kolenda T, Guglas K, Kozłowska-Masłoń J, Podralska M, Teresiak A, Bliźniak R, Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk A, Lamperska K. C10orf55, CASC2, and SFTA1P lncRNAs Are Potential Biomarkers to Assess Radiation Therapy Response in Head and Neck Cancers. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101696. [PMID: 36294833 PMCID: PMC9605465 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs have proven to be important molecules in carcinogenesis. Due to little knowledge about them, the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis are still being explored. The aim of this work was to study the effect of ionizing radiation on the expression of lncRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in patients responding and non-responding to radiotherapy. The experimental model was created using a group of patients with response (RG, n = 75) and no response (NRG, n = 75) to radiotherapy based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data. Using the in silico model, statistically significant lncRNAs were defined and further validated on six HNSCC cell lines irradiated at three different doses. Based on the TCGA model, C10orf55, C3orf35, C5orf38, CASC2, MEG3, MYCNOS, SFTA1P, SNHG3, and TMEM105, with the altered expression between the RG and NRG were observed. Analysis of pathways and immune profile indicated that these lncRNAs were associated with changes in processes, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, regulation of spindle division, and the p53 pathway, and differences in immune cells score and lymphocyte infiltration signature score. However, only C10orf55, CASC2, and SFTA1P presented statistically altered expression after irradiation in the in vitro model. In conclusion, the expression of lncRNAs is affected by ionization radiation in HNSCC, and these lncRNAs are associated with pathways, which are important for radiation response and immune response. Potentially presented lncRNAs could be used as biomarkers for personalized radiotherapy in the future. However, these results need to be verified based on an in vitro experimental model to show a direct net of interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Paszkowska
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kolenda
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (T.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Kacper Guglas
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki and Wigury Street 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Kozłowska-Masłoń
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Podralska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Teresiak
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Renata Bliźniak
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Lamperska
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (T.K.); (K.L.)
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Immune Infiltration-Related ceRNA Network Revealing Potential Biomarkers for Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:1014347. [PMID: 36097539 PMCID: PMC9463596 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1014347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently lethal malignancy, and the mortality is considerably high. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a critical participation in cancer development, treatment, and prognosis. However, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks grouping with immune/stromal scores of HNSCC patients need to be further illustrated. Therefore, our study aimed to provide clues for searching promising prognostic markers of TME in HNSCC. Materials and Methods ESTIMATE algorithm was used to calculate immune scores and stromal scores of the enrolled HNSCC patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), lncRNAs (DELs), and miRNAs (DEMs) were identified by comparing the expression difference between high and low immune/stromal scores. Then, a ceRNA network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed for selecting hub regulators. In addition, survival analysis was performed to access the association between immune scores, stromal scores, and differentially expressed RNAs in the ceRNA network and the overall survival (OS) of HNSCC patients. Then, the GSE65858 datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used for verification. At last, the difference between the clinical characteristics and immune cell infiltration in different expression groups of IL10RA, PRF1, and IL2RA was analyzed. Results Survival analysis showed a better OS in the high immune score group, and then we constructed a ceRNA network composed of 97 DEGs, 79 DELs and 22 DEMs. Within the ceRNA network, FOXP3, IL10RA, STAT5A, PRF1, IL2RA, miR-148a-3p, miR-3065-3p, and lncRNAs, including CXCR2P1, HNRNPA1P21, CTA-384D8.36, and IGHV1OR15-2, were closely correlated with the OS of HNSCC patients. Especially, using the data from GSE65858, we successfully verified that IL10RA, PRF1, and IL2RA were not only significantly upregulated in patients high immune scores, but also their high expressions were associated with longer survival time. In addition, stratified analysis showed that PRF1 and IL2RA might be involved in the mechanism of tumor progress. Conclusion In conclusion, we constructed a ceRNA network related to the TME of HNSCC, which provides candidates for therapeutic intervention and prognosis evaluation.
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Hill RM, Rocha S, Parsons JL. Overcoming the Impact of Hypoxia in Driving Radiotherapy Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4130. [PMID: 36077667 PMCID: PMC9454974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is very common in most solid tumours and is a driving force for malignant progression as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance. Incidences of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have increased in the last decade and radiotherapy is a major therapeutic technique utilised in the treatment of the tumours. However, effectiveness of radiotherapy is hindered by resistance mechanisms and most notably by hypoxia, leading to poor patient prognosis of HNSCC patients. The phenomenon of hypoxia-induced radioresistance was identified nearly half a century ago, yet despite this, little progress has been made in overcoming the physical lack of oxygen. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia and the underpinning radiobiological response of tumours to this phenotype is much needed. In this review, we will provide an up-to-date overview of how hypoxia alters molecular and cellular processes contributing to radioresistance, particularly in the context of HNSCC, and what strategies have and could be explored to overcome hypoxia-induced radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhianna M. Hill
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Sonia Rocha
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jason L. Parsons
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Road, Bebington CH63 4JY, UK
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24
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Yu C, Li Q, Zhang Y, Wen ZF, Dong H, Mou Y. Current status and perspective of tumor immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:941750. [PMID: 36092724 PMCID: PMC9458968 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.941750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a high incidence and mortality rate, and investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies of HNSCC is required for further progress. Immunotherapy is a considerable therapeutic strategy for HNSCC due to its potential to produce a broad and long-lasting antitumor response. However, immune escape, which involves mechanisms including dyregulation of cytokines, perturbation of immune checkpoints, and recruitment of inhibitory cell populations, limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Currently, multiple immunotherapy strategies for HNSCC have been exploited, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, costimulatory agonists, antigenic vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy, adoptive T cell transfer (ACT), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy. Each of these strategies has unique advantages, and the appropriate application of these immunotherapies in HNSCC treatment has significant value for patients. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms of immune escape and the characteristics of different immunotherapy strategies in HNSCC to provide a foundation and consideration for the clinical treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhang Yu
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Fa Wen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Heng Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongbin Mou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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25
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Kostopoulou ON, Zupancic M, Pont M, Papin E, Lukoseviciute M, Mikelarena BA, Holzhauser S, Dalianis T. Targeted Therapy of HPV Positive and Negative Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Reveals Synergy between CDK4/6, PI3K and Sometimes FGFR Inhibitors, but Rarely between PARP and WEE1 Inhibitors. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071372. [PMID: 35891353 PMCID: PMC9320646 DOI: 10.3390/v14071372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) have a favorable outcome, but upon relapse, survival is poor and new therapeutical options are needed. Recently, we found synergistic effects by combining the food and drug administration approved (FDA) phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and fibroblast-growth-factor-receptor (FGFR) inhibitors BYL719 and JNJ-42756493 on TSCC cell lines. Here this approach was extended and Cyclin-Dependent-Kinase-4/6 (CDK4/6) and Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) and WEE1 inhibitors PD-0332991, and MK-1775 respectively were also examined. HPV+ CU-OP-2, -3, -20, and HPV- CU-OP-17 TSCC cell lines were treated with either BYL719 and JNJ-42756493, PD-0332991 BMN-673 and MK-1775 alone or in different combinations. Viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were followed by WST-1 assays and the IncuCyte S3 Live® Cell Analysis System. All inhibitors presented dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tested TSCC lines. Synergy was frequently obtained when combining CDK4/6 with PI3K inhibitors, but only sometimes or rarely when combining CDK4/6 with FGFR inhibitors or PARP with WEE1 inhibitors. To conclude, using CDK4/6 with PI3K or FGFR inhibitors, especially PD-0332991 with BYL719 presented synergy and enhanced the decrease of viability considerably, while although dose dependent responses were obtained with PARP and WEE1 inhibitors (BMN-673 and MK-1775 resp.), synergy was rarely disclosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania N. Kostopoulou
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
| | - Mark Zupancic
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
- Department of Head-, Neck-, Lung- and Skin Cancer, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariona Pont
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
| | - Emma Papin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
| | - Monika Lukoseviciute
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
| | - Borja Agirre Mikelarena
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
| | - Stefan Holzhauser
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.D.)
| | - Tina Dalianis
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (O.N.K.); (M.Z.); (M.P.); (E.P.); (M.L.); (B.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.D.)
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Importance of radiobiological studies for the advancement of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e14. [PMID: 35357286 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a tumour selective particle radiotherapy, based on the administration of boron carriers incorporated preferentially by tumour cells, followed by irradiation with a thermal or epithermal neutron beam. BNCT clinical results to date show therapeutic efficacy, associated with an improvement in patient quality of life and prolonged survival. Translational research in adequate experimental models is necessary to optimise BNCT for different pathologies. This review recapitulates some examples of BNCT radiobiological studies for different pathologies and clinical scenarios, strategies to optimise boron targeting, enhance BNCT therapeutic effect and minimise radiotoxicity. It also describes the radiobiological mechanisms induced by BNCT, and the importance of the detection of biomarkers to monitor and predict the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of BNCT alone or combined with other strategies. Besides, there is a brief comment on the introduction of accelerator-based neutron sources in BNCT. These sources would expand the clinical BNCT services to more patients, and would help to make BNCT a standard treatment modality for various types of cancer. Radiobiological BNCT studies have been of utmost importance to make progress in BNCT, being essential to design novel, safe and effective clinical BNCT protocols.
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Karukonda P, Odhiambo D, Mowery YM. Pharmacologic inhibition of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:225-238. [PMID: 34964992 PMCID: PMC8799519 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses significant treatment challenges, with high recurrence rates for locally advanced disease despite aggressive therapy typically involving a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. HNSCCs commonly exhibit reduced or absent TP53 function due to genomic alterations or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, leading to dependence on the S- and G2/M checkpoints for cell cycle regulation. Both of these checkpoints are activated by Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR), which tends to be overexpressed in HNSCC relative to adjacent normal tissues and represents a potentially promising therapeutic target, particularly in combination with other treatments. ATR is a DNA damage signaling kinase that is activated in response to replication stress and single-stranded DNA breaks, such as those induced by radiation therapy and certain chemotherapies. ATR kinase inhibitors are currently being investigated in several clinical trials as part of the management of locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic HNSCC, along with other malignancies. In this review article, we summarize the rationale and preclinical data supporting incorporation of ATR inhibition into therapeutic regimens for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Karukonda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Diana Odhiambo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yvonne M. Mowery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Cell death mechanisms in head and neck cancer cells in response to low and high-LET radiation. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/erm.2021.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignancy that develops in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth, and is mostly treated with a combination of chemo- and radiotherapy (RT). The main goal of RT is to kill enough of the cancer cell population, whilst preserving the surrounding normal and healthy tissue. The mechanisms by which conventional photon RT achieves this have been extensively studied over several decades, but little is known about the cell death pathways that are activated in response to RT of increasing linear energy transfer (LET), including proton beam therapy and heavy ions. Here, we provide an up-to-date review on the observed radiobiological effects of low- versus high-LET RT in HNSCC cell models, particularly in the context of specific cell death mechanisms, including apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, senescence and mitotic death. We also detail some of the current therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways that have been investigated to enhance the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells in response to RT, including those that may present with clinical opportunities for eventual patient benefit.
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Patient derived ex vivo tissue slice cultures demonstrate a profound DNA double-strand break repair defect in HPV-positive oropharyngeal head and neck cancer. Radiother Oncol 2022; 168:138-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Kühn JP, Schmid W, Körner S, Bochen F, Wemmert S, Rimbach H, Smola S, Radosa JC, Wagner M, Morris LG, Bozzato V, Bozzato A, Schick B, Linxweiler M. HPV Status as Prognostic Biomarker in Head and Neck Cancer-Which Method Fits the Best for Outcome Prediction? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184730. [PMID: 34572957 PMCID: PMC8469433 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is rising globally, presenting challenges for optimized clinical management. To date, it remains unclear which biomarker best reflects HPV-driven carcinogenesis, a process that is associated with better therapeutic response and outcome compared to tobacco/alcohol-induced cancers. Six potential HPV surrogate biomarkers were analyzed using FFPE tissue samples from 153 HNSCC patients (n = 78 oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC), n = 35 laryngeal cancer, n = 23 hypopharyngeal cancer, n = 17 oral cavity cancer): p16, CyclinD1, pRb, dual immunohistochemical staining of p16 and Ki67, HPV-DNA-PCR, and HPV-DNA-in situ hybridization (ISH). Biomarkers were analyzed for correlation with one another, tumor subsite, and patient survival. P16-IHC alone showed the best performance for discriminating between good (high expression) vs poor outcome (low expression; p = 0.0030) in OPSCC patients. Additionally, HPV-DNA-ISH (p = 0.0039), HPV-DNA-PCR (p = 0.0113), and p16-Ki67 dual stain (p = 0.0047) were significantly associated with prognosis in uni- and multivariable analysis for oropharyngeal cancer. In the non-OPSCC group, however, none of the aforementioned surrogate markers was prognostic. Taken together, P16-IHC as a single biomarker displays the best diagnostic accuracy for prognosis stratification in OPSCC patients with a direct detection of HPV-DNA by PCR or ISH as well as p16-Ki67 dual stain as potential alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Kühn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Wendelin Schmid
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Sandrina Körner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Florian Bochen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Silke Wemmert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Hugo Rimbach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Sigrun Smola
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Julia Caroline Radosa
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Mathias Wagner
- Department of General and Surgical Pathology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Luc G.T. Morris
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Victoria Bozzato
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Alessandro Bozzato
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Bernhard Schick
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
| | - Maximilian Linxweiler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany; (J.P.K.); (W.S.); (S.K.); (F.B.); (S.W.); (H.R.); (V.B.); (A.B.); (B.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6841-1622928
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Kantapan J, Dechsupa N, Tippanya D, Nobnop W, Chitapanarux I. Gallotannin from Bouea macrophylla Seed Extract Suppresses Cancer Stem-like Cells and Radiosensitizes Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179253. [PMID: 34502158 PMCID: PMC8431567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in radiation resistance and recurrence. Thus, drugs targeting CSCs can be combined with radiotherapy to improve its antitumor efficacy. Here, we investigated whether a gallotannin extract from Bouea macrophylla seed (MPSE) and its main bioactive compound, pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), could suppress the stemness trait and further confer the radiosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. In this study, we evaluate the effect of MPSE or PGG to suppress CSC-like phenotypes and radiosensitization of HNSCC cell lines using a series of in vitro experiments, tumorsphere formation assay, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, and Western blotting analysis. We demonstrate that MPSE or PGG is able to suppress tumorsphere formation and decrease protein expression of cancer stem cell markers. MPSE or PGG also enhanced the radiosensitivity in HNSCC cells. Pretreatment of cells with MPSE or PGG increased IR-induced DNA damage (γ-H2Ax) and enhanced radiation-induced cell death. Notably, we observed that pretreatment with MPSE or PGG attenuated the IR-induced stemness-like properties characterized by tumorsphere formation and the CD44 CSC marker. Our findings describe a novel strategy for increasing therapeutic efficacy for head and neck cancer patients using the natural products MPSE and PGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraporn Kantapan
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (J.K.); (N.D.)
| | - Nathupakorn Dechsupa
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (J.K.); (N.D.)
| | - Damrongsak Tippanya
- Department of Radiology, Division of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (D.T.); (W.N.)
| | - Wannapha Nobnop
- Department of Radiology, Division of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (D.T.); (W.N.)
- Northern Thai Research Group of Radiation Oncology (NTRG-RO), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Imjai Chitapanarux
- Department of Radiology, Division of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (D.T.); (W.N.)
- Northern Thai Research Group of Radiation Oncology (NTRG-RO), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-5393-5450
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Wimmer S, Deloch L, Hader M, Derer A, Grottker F, Weissmann T, Hecht M, Gostian AO, Fietkau R, Frey B, Gaipl US. Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Upregulates Several Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Independently of the HPV Status While ICOS-L Is Upregulated Only on HPV-Positive Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179114. [PMID: 34502022 PMCID: PMC8430967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
While the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) with radiotherapy (RT) is complemented more and more by immunotherapy in clinical trials, little is known about the impact of the human papillomavirus (HPV) status or the applied RT scheme on the immune phenotype of the tumor cells. Therefore, we aimed to examine the impact of the HPV status of four human HNSCC cell lines on cell death and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) after RT with either hypofractionation irradiation (5x3.0Gy) or a high single dose (1x19.3Gy) via multicolor flow cytometry and quantitative PCR at an early time point after therapy. In our study, 5x3.0Gy RT induced high numbers of early and late apoptotic cells independent of the HPV status, but necrosis was only increased in the HPV-positive UM-Scc-47 cells. Generally, the immune stimulatory ICMs (CD70, CD137-L, ICOS-L) were less affected by RT compared to the immune suppressive ones (PD-L1, PD-L2, and the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM)). A significant higher surface expression of the analyzed ICMs was found after hypofractionated RT compared to a single high dose; however, regardless of the HPV status, with the exception of ICOS-L. Here, HPV-positive HNSCC tumor cells showed a stronger response to 5x3.0Gy than HPV-negative ones. On the RNA level, only minor alterations of ICMs were observed following RT, with the exception of the HPV negative cell line CAL33 treated with 5x3.0Gy, where PD-L2, HVEM and CD70 were significantly increased. We conclude that the HPV status may not distinctly predict immunological responses following RT, and thus cannot be used as a single predictive marker for therapy responses in HNSCC. In contrast, the patient-specific individual expression of ICMs following RT is preferable for the targeted patient selection for immune therapy directed against distinct ICM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wimmer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Deloch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Hader
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Derer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fridolin Grottker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Weissmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Hecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antoniu-Oreste Gostian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo S. Gaipl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (S.W.); (L.D.); (M.H.); (A.D.); (F.G.); (T.W.); (M.H.); (R.F.); (B.F.)
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8544-258; Fax: +49-9131-8539-335
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Poon DJJ, Tay LM, Ho D, Chua MLK, Chow EKH, Yeo ELL. Improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers: Leveraging on novel artificial intelligence-based approaches for drug combination discovery. Cancer Lett 2021; 511:56-67. [PMID: 33933554 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous advances in cancer radiotherapy, tumor radioresistance remain one of the major challenges limiting treatment efficacy of radiotherapy. Conventional strategies to overcome radioresistance involve understanding the underpinning molecular mechanisms, and subsequently using combinatorial treatment strategies involving radiation and targeted drug combinations against these radioresistant tumors. These strategies exploit and target the molecular fingerprint and vulnerability of the radioresistant clones to achieve improved efficacy in tumor eradication. However, conventional drug-screening approaches for the discovery of new drug combinations have been proven to be inefficient, limited and laborious. With the increasing availability of computational resources in recent years, novel approaches such as Quadratic Phenotypic Optimization Platform (QPOP), CURATE.AI and Drug Combination and Prediction and Testing (DCPT) platform have emerged to aid in drug combination discovery and the longitudinally optimized modulation of combination therapy dosing. These platforms could overcome the limitations of conventional screening approaches, thereby facilitating the discovery of more optimal drug combinations to improve the therapeutic ratio of combinatorial treatment. The use of better and more accurate models and methods with rapid turnover can thus facilitate a rapid translation in the clinic, hence, resulting in a better patient outcome. Here, we reviewed the clinical observations, molecular mechanisms and proposed treatment strategies for tumor radioresistance and discussed how novel approaches may be applied to enhance drug combination discovery, with the aim to further improve the therapeutic ratio and treatment efficacy of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Jun Jie Poon
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore.
| | - Li Min Tay
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
| | - Dean Ho
- The N.1 Institute of Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore; Department of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Melvin Lee Kiang Chua
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore; Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore; Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; The N.1 Institute of Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore; Department of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Eugenia Li Ling Yeo
- Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore.
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Han Z, Yang B, Wang Y, Zeng X, Tian Z. Identification of Expression Patterns and Potential Prognostic Significance of m 5C-Related Regulators in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:592107. [PMID: 33912441 PMCID: PMC8072008 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.592107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (m5C) methylation is a major epigenetic technique of RNA modification and is dynamically mediated by m5C “writers,” “erasers,” and “readers.” m5C RNA modification and its regulators are implicated in the onset and development of many tumors, but their roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have not yet been completely elucidated. In this study, we examined expression patterns of core m5C regulators in the publicly available HNSCC cohort via bioinformatic methods. The differentially expressed m5C regulators could divide the HNSCC cohort into four subgroups with distinct prognostic characteristics. Furthermore, a three-gene expression signature model, comprised of NSUN5, DNMT1, and DNMT3A, was established to identify individuals with a high or low risk of HNSCC. To explore the underlying mechanism in the prognosis of HNSCC, screening of differentially expressed genes, followed by the analysis of functional and pathway enrichment, from individuals with high- or low-risk HNSCC was performed. The results revealed a critical role for m5C RNA modification in two aspects of HNSCC: (1) dynamic m5C modification contributes to the regulation of HNSCC progression and (2) expression patterns of NSUN5, DNMT1, and DNMT3A help to predict the prognosis of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyuan Han
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuxia Zeng
- Department of Stomatology, Putian Hanjiang Hospital, Putian, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Effect of ATR Inhibition in RT Response of HPV-Negative and HPV-Positive Head and Neck Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041504. [PMID: 33546122 PMCID: PMC7913134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) has a central role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. Targeted therapies modulating DNA damage response (DDR) and more specific cell cycle checkpoints can improve the radiotherapeutic response. Here, we assessed the influence of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibition with the ATR inhibitor AZD6738 on RT response in both human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC. We found that ATR inhibition enhanced RT response in HPV-negative and HPV-positive cell lines independent of HPV status. The radiosensitizing effect of AZD6738 was correlated with checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1)-mediated abrogation of G2/M-arrest. This resulted in the inhibition of RT-induced DNA repair and in an increase in the percentage of micronucleated cells. We validated the enhanced RT response in HPV-negative and HPV-positive xenograft models. These data demonstrate the potential use of ATR inhibition in combination with RT as a treatment option for both HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC patients.
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Nickoloff JA, Taylor L, Sharma N, Kato TA. Exploiting DNA repair pathways for tumor sensitization, mitigation of resistance, and normal tissue protection in radiotherapy. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2021; 4:244-263. [PMID: 34337349 PMCID: PMC8323830 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
More than half of cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy, which kills tumor cells by directly and indirectly inducing DNA damage, including cytotoxic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Tumor cells respond to these threats by activating a complex signaling network termed the DNA damage response (DDR). The DDR arrests the cell cycle, upregulates DNA repair, and triggers apoptosis when damage is excessive. The DDR signaling and DNA repair pathways are fertile terrain for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights strategies to improve therapeutic gain by targeting DDR and DNA repair pathways to radiosensitize tumor cells, overcome intrinsic and acquired tumor radioresistance, and protect normal tissue. Many biological and environmental factors determine tumor and normal cell responses to ionizing radiation and genotoxic chemotherapeutics. These include cell type and cell cycle phase distribution; tissue/tumor microenvironment and oxygen levels; DNA damage load and quality; DNA repair capacity; and susceptibility to apoptosis or other active or passive cell death pathways. We provide an overview of radiobiological parameters associated with X-ray, proton, and carbon ion radiotherapy; DNA repair and DNA damage signaling pathways; and other factors that regulate tumor and normal cell responses to radiation. We then focus on recent studies exploiting DSB repair pathways to enhance radiotherapy therapeutic gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jac A. Nickoloff
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Correspondence Address: Dr. Jac A. Nickoloff, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1681, USA. E-mail:
| | - Lynn Taylor
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Takamitsu A. Kato
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, USA
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