1
|
Mancini C, Lori G, Pranzini E, Taddei ML. Metabolic challengers selecting tumor-persistent cells. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024; 35:263-276. [PMID: 38071164 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to anticancer therapy still represents one of the main obstacles to cancer treatment. Numerous components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute significantly to the acquisition of drug resistance. Microenvironmental pressures arising during cancer evolution foster tumor heterogeneity (TH) and facilitate the emergence of drug-resistant clones. In particular, metabolic pressures arising in the TME may favor epigenetic adaptations supporting the acquisition of persistence features in tumor cells. Tumor-persistent cells (TPCs) are characterized by high phenotypic and metabolic plasticity, representing a noticeable advantage in chemo- and radio-resistance. Understanding the crosslink between the evolution of metabolic pressures in the TME, epigenetics, and TPC evolution is significant for developing novel therapeutic strategies specifically targeting TPC vulnerabilities to overcome drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Mancini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Lori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Erica Pranzini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Taddei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Song X, Lan Y, Zheng X, Zhu Q, Liao X, Liu K, Zhang W, Peng Q, Zhu Y, Zhao L, Chen X, Shu Y, Yang K, Hu J. Targeting drug-tolerant cells: A promising strategy for overcoming acquired drug resistance in cancer cells. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e342. [PMID: 37638338 PMCID: PMC10449058 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance remains the greatest challenge in improving outcomes for cancer patients who receive chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Surmounting evidence suggests that a subpopulation of cancer cells could escape intense selective drug treatment by entering a drug-tolerant state without genetic variations. These drug-tolerant cells (DTCs) are characterized with a slow proliferation rate and a reversible phenotype. They reside in the tumor region and may serve as a reservoir for resistant phenotypes. The survival of DTCs is regulated by epigenetic modifications, transcriptional regulation, mRNA translation remodeling, metabolic changes, antiapoptosis, interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and activation of signaling pathways. Thus, targeting the regulators of DTCs opens a new avenue for the treatment of therapy-resistant tumors. In this review, we first provide an overview of common characteristics of DTCs and the regulating networks in DTCs development. We also discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities to target DTCs. Last, we discuss the current challenges and prospects of the DTC-targeting approach to overcome acquired drug resistance. Reviewing the latest developments in DTC research could be essential in discovering of methods to eliminate DTCs, which may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing drug resistance in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohai Song
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yang Lan
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiuli Zheng
- Department of RadiologyHuaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) and Critical Care MedicinePrecision Medicine Center, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Qianyu Zhu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuliang Liao
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Weihan Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - QiangBo Peng
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yunfeng Zhu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Linyong Zhao
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yang Shu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jiankun Hu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mani N, Daiya A, Chowdhury R, Mukherjee S, Chowdhury S. Epigenetic adaptations in drug-tolerant tumor cells. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:293-335. [PMID: 36990535 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Traditional chemotherapy against cancer is often severely hampered by acquired resistance to the drug. Epigenetic alterations and other mechanisms like drug efflux, drug metabolism, and engagement of survival pathways are crucial in evading drug pressure. Herein, growing evidence suggests that a subpopulation of tumor cells can often tolerate drug onslaught by entering a "persister" state with minimal proliferation. The molecular features of these persister cells are gradually unraveling. Notably, the "persisters" act as a cache of cells that can eventually re-populate the tumor post-withdrawal drug pressure and contribute to acquiring stable drug-resistant features. This underlines the clinical significance of the tolerant cells. Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of modulation of the epigenome as a critical adaptive strategy for evading drug pressure. Chromatin remodeling, altered DNA methylation, and de-regulation of non-coding RNA expression and function contribute significantly to this persister state. No wonder targeting adaptive epigenetic modifications is increasingly recognized as an appropriate therapeutic strategy to sensitize them and restore drug sensitivity. Furthermore, manipulating the tumor microenvironment and "drug holiday" is also explored to maneuver the epigenome. However, heterogeneity in adaptive strategies and lack of targeted therapies have significantly hindered the translation of epigenetic therapy to the clinics. In this review, we comprehensively analyze the epigenetic alterations adapted by the drug-tolerant cells, the therapeutic strategies employed to date, and their limitations and future prospects.
Collapse
|
4
|
Moore PC, Henderson KW, Classon M. The epigenome and the many facets of cancer drug tolerance. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:1-39. [PMID: 36990531 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic agents and the development of new cancer therapies over the past few decades has consequently led to the emergence of myriad therapeutic resistance mechanisms. Once thought to be explicitly driven by genetics, the coupling of reversible sensitivity and absence of pre-existing mutations in some tumors opened the way for discovery of drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs): slow-cycling subpopulations of tumor cells that exhibit reversible sensitivity to therapy. These cells confer multi-drug tolerance, to targeted and chemotherapies alike, until the residual disease can establish a stable, drug-resistant state. The DTP state can exploit a multitude of distinct, yet interlaced, mechanisms to survive otherwise lethal drug exposures. Here, we categorize these multi-faceted defense mechanisms into unique Hallmarks of Cancer Drug Tolerance. At the highest level, these are comprised of heterogeneity, signaling plasticity, differentiation, proliferation/metabolism, stress management, genomic integrity, crosstalk with the tumor microenvironment, immune escape, and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Of these, epigenetics was both one of the first proposed means of non-genetic resistance and one of the first discovered. As we describe in this review, epigenetic regulatory factors are involved in most facets of DTP biology, positioning this hallmark as an overarching mediator of drug tolerance and a potential avenue to novel therapies.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhai LH, Chen KF, Hao BB, Tan MJ. Proteomic characterization of post-translational modifications in drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:3112-3129. [PMID: 36372853 PMCID: PMC9712763 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01017-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are usually enzymatically catalyzed, are major regulators of protein activity and involved in almost all celluar processes. Dysregulation of PTMs is associated with various types of diseases. Therefore, PTM regulatory enzymes represent as an attractive and important class of targets in drug research and development. Inhibitors against kinases, methyltransferases, deacetyltransferases, ubiquitin ligases have achieved remarkable success in clinical application. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies serve as a powerful approach for system-wide characterization of PTMs, which facilitates the identification of drug targets, elucidation of the mechanisms of action of drugs, and discovery of biomakers in personalized therapy. In this review, we summarize recent advances of proteomics-based studies on PTM targeting drugs and discuss how proteomics strategies facilicate drug target identification, mechanism elucidation, and new therapy development in precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Kai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing-Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Min-Jia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Robusti G, Vai A, Bonaldi T, Noberini R. Investigating pathological epigenetic aberrations by epi-proteomics. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:145. [PMID: 36371348 PMCID: PMC9652867 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01371-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics includes a complex set of processes that alter gene activity without modifying the DNA sequence, which ultimately determines how the genetic information common to all the cells of an organism is used to generate different cell types. Dysregulation in the deposition and maintenance of epigenetic features, which include histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and histone variants, can result in the inappropriate expression or silencing of genes, often leading to diseased states, including cancer. The investigation of histone PTMs and variants in the context of clinical samples has highlighted their importance as biomarkers for patient stratification and as key players in aberrant epigenetic mechanisms potentially targetable for therapy. Mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as the most powerful and versatile tool for the comprehensive, unbiased and quantitative analysis of histone proteoforms. In recent years, these approaches-which we refer to as "epi-proteomics"-have demonstrated their usefulness for the investigation of epigenetic mechanisms in pathological conditions, offering a number of advantages compared with the antibody-based methods traditionally used to profile clinical samples. In this review article, we will provide a critical overview of the MS-based approaches that can be employed to study histone PTMs and variants in clinical samples, with a strong focus on the latest advances in this area, such as the analysis of uncommon modifications and the integration of epi-proteomics data into multi-OMICs approaches, as well as the challenges to be addressed to fully exploit the potential of this novel field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Robusti
- grid.15667.330000 0004 1757 0843Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vai
- grid.15667.330000 0004 1757 0843Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- grid.15667.330000 0004 1757 0843Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Noberini
- grid.15667.330000 0004 1757 0843Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kermi C, Lau L, Asadi Shahmirzadi A, Classon M. Disrupting Mechanisms that Regulate Genomic Repeat Elements to Combat Cancer and Drug Resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:826461. [PMID: 35602594 PMCID: PMC9114874 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.826461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in understanding cancer pathogenesis and the development of many effective therapeutic agents, resistance to drug treatment remains a widespread challenge that substantially limits curative outcomes. The historical focus on genetic evolution under drug “pressure” as a key driver of resistance has uncovered numerous mechanisms of therapeutic value, especially with respect to acquired resistance. However, recent discoveries have also revealed a potential role for an ancient evolutionary balance between endogenous “viral” elements in the human genome and diverse factors involved in their restriction in tumor evolution and drug resistance. It has long been appreciated that the stability of genomic repeats such as telomeres and centromeres affect tumor fitness, but recent findings suggest that de-regulation of other repetitive genome elements, including retrotransposons, might also be exploited as cancer therapy. This review aims to present an overview of these recent findings.
Collapse
|
8
|
Casciello F, Kelly GM, Ramarao-Milne P, Kamal N, Stewart TA, Mukhopadhyay P, Kazakoff SH, Miranda M, Kim D, Davis FM, Hayward NK, Vertino PM, Waddell N, Gannon F, Lee JS. Combined inhibition of G9a and EZH2 suppresses tumor growth via synergistic induction of IL24-mediated apoptosis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1208-1221. [PMID: 35149587 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
G9a and EZH2 are two histone methyltransferases commonly upregulated in several cancer types, yet the precise roles that these enzymes play cooperatively in cancer is unclear. We demonstrate here that frequent concurrent upregulation of both G9a and EZH2 occurs in several human tumors. These methyltransferases cooperatively repressed molecular pathways responsible for tumor cell death. In genetically distinct tumor subtypes, concomitant inhibition of G9a and EZH2 potently induced tumor cell death, highlighting the existence of tumor cell survival dependency at the epigenetic level. G9a and EZH2 synergistically repressed expression of genes involved in the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the production of reactive oxygen species. IL24 was essential for the induction of tumor cell death and was identified as a common target of G9a and EZH2. Loss-of-function of G9a and EZH2 activated the IL24-ER stress axis and increased apoptosis in cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. These results indicate that G9a and EZH2 promotes the evasion of ER stress-mediated apoptosis by repressing IL24 transcription, therefore suggesting that their inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for solid cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
| | - Nabilah Kamal
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | | | | | | | | | - Dorim Kim
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Felicity M Davis
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science
| | | | - Paula M Vertino
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Frank Gannon
- Cancer, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Jason S Lee
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Impact of epigenetics on human health and possible tool for remediation. THE NUCLEUS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-021-00379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
|
10
|
Babu N, Bhat MY, John AE, Chatterjee A. The role of proteomics in the multiplexed analysis of gene alterations in human cancer. Expert Rev Proteomics 2021; 18:737-756. [PMID: 34602018 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2021.1984884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Proteomics has played a pivotal role in identifying proteins perturbed in disease conditions when compared with healthy samples. Study of dysregulated proteins aids in identifying diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Cancer is an outcome of interplay of several such disarrayed proteins and molecular pathways which perturb cellular homeostasis, resulting in transformation. In this review, we discuss various facets of proteomic approaches, including tools and technological advancements, aiding in understanding differentially expressed molecules and signaling mechanisms. AREAS COVERED In this review, we have taken the approach of documenting the different methods of proteomic studies, ranging from labeling techniques, data analysis methods, and the nature of molecule detected. We summarize each technique and provide a glimpse of cancer research carried out using them, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks in comparison with others. Literature search using online resources, such as PubMed and Google Scholar were carried out for this approach. EXPERT OPINION Technological advancements in proteomics studies have come a long way from the study of two-dimensional mapping of proteins separated on gels in the early 1970s. Higher precision in molecular identification and quantification (high throughput), and greater number of samples analyzed have been the focus of researchers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Babu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, Bangalore, 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Mohd Younis Bhat
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | | | - Aditi Chatterjee
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, Bangalore, 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kuchaříková H, Dobrovolná P, Lochmanová G, Zdráhal Z. Trimethylacetic Anhydride-Based Derivatization Facilitates Quantification of Histone Marks at the MS1 Level. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100114. [PMID: 34129942 PMCID: PMC8283018 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100114] [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: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone post-translational modifications (hPTMs) are epigenetic marks that strongly affect numerous processes, including cell cycling and protein interactions. They have been studied by both antibody- and MS-based methods for years, but the analyses are still challenging, mainly because of the diversity of histones and their modifications arising from high contents of reactive amine groups in their amino acid sequences. Here, we introduce use of trimethylacetic anhydride (TMA) as a new reagent for efficient histone derivatization, which is a requirement for bottom-up proteomic hPTM analysis. TMA can derivatize unmodified amine groups of lysine residues and amine groups generated at peptide N-termini by trypsin digestion. The derivatization is facilitated by microwave irradiation, which also reduces incubation times to minutes. We demonstrate that histone derivatization with TMA reliably provides high yields of fully derivatized peptides and thus is an effective alternative to conventional methods. TMA afforded more than 98% and 99% labeling efficiencies for histones H4 and H3, respectively, thereby enabling accurate quantification of peptide forms. Trimethylacetylation substantially improves chromatographic separation of peptide forms, which is essential for direct quantification based on signals extracted from MS1 data. For this purpose, software widely applied by the proteomics community can be used without additional computational development. Thorough comparison with widely applied propionylation highlights the advantages of TMA-based histone derivatization for monitoring hPTMs in biological samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hana Kuchaříková
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Dobrovolná
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriela Lochmanová
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cabanos HF, Hata AN. Emerging Insights into Targeted Therapy-Tolerant Persister Cells in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112666. [PMID: 34071428 PMCID: PMC8198243 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is perhaps the greatest challenge in improving outcomes for cancer patients undergoing treatment with targeted therapies. It is becoming clear that "persisters," a subpopulation of drug-tolerant cells found in cancer populations, play a critical role in the development of drug resistance. Persisters are able to maintain viability under therapy but are typically slow cycling or dormant. These cells do not harbor classic drug resistance driver alterations, and their partial resistance phenotype is transient and reversible upon removal of the drug. In the clinic, the persister state most closely corresponds to minimal residual disease from which relapse can occur if treatment is discontinued or if acquired drug resistance develops in response to continuous therapy. Thus, eliminating persister cells will be crucial to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Using lung cancer targeted therapies as a primary paradigm, this review will give an overview of the characteristics of drug-tolerant persister cells, mechanisms associated with drug tolerance, and potential therapeutic opportunities to target this persister cell population in tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidie Frisco Cabanos
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aaron N. Hata
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-724-3442
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Settleman J, Neto JMF, Bernards R. Thinking Differently about Cancer Treatment Regimens. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1016-1023. [PMID: 33648929 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Most experimental cancer drugs ultimately fail during the course of clinical development, contributing to the high cost of the few that are granted regulatory approval. Moreover, approved drugs often deliver only modest clinical benefit to patients with advanced disease due to the development of resistance. Here, we discuss opportunities we consider promising to overcome drug resistance associated with interactions between signaling pathways and the presence of multiple coexisting cell states within tumors with distinct vulnerabilities. We highlight how understanding drug-resistance mechanisms can enable innovative treatment regimens that deliver longer-lasting benefit to patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Settleman
- Oncology R&D Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, California
| | - João M Fernandes Neto
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - René Bernards
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Noberini R, Robusti G, Bonaldi T. Mass spectrometry-based characterization of histones in clinical samples: applications, progresses, and challenges. FEBS J 2021; 289:1191-1213. [PMID: 33415821 PMCID: PMC9291046 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the last 15 years, increasing evidence linking epigenetics to various aspects of cancer biology has prompted the investigation of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) and histone variants in the context of clinical samples. The studies performed so far demonstrated the potential of this type of investigations for the discovery of both potential epigenetic biomarkers for patient stratification and novel epigenetic mechanisms potentially targetable for cancer therapy. Although traditionally the analysis of histones in clinical samples was performed through antibody-based methods, mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a more powerful tool for the unbiased, comprehensive, and quantitative investigation of histone PTMs and variants. MS has been extensively used for the analysis of epigenetic marks in cell lines and animal tissue and, thanks to recent technological advances, is now ready to be applied also to clinical samples. In this review, we will provide an overview on the quantitative MS-based analysis of histones, their PTMs and their variants in cancer clinical samples, highlighting current achievements and future perspectives for this novel field of research. Among the different MS-based approaches currently available for histone PTM profiling, we will focus on the 'bottom-up' strategy, namely the analysis of short proteolytic peptides, as it has been already successfully employed for the analysis of clinical samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Noberini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Robusti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|