1
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Schaff DL, Fasse AJ, White PE, Vander Velde RJ, Shaffer SM. Clonal differences underlie variable responses to sequential and prolonged treatment. Cell Syst 2024; 15:213-226.e9. [PMID: 38401539 PMCID: PMC11003565 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.01.011] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells exhibit dramatic differences in gene expression at the single-cell level, which can predict whether they become resistant to treatment. Treatment perpetuates this heterogeneity, resulting in a diversity of cell states among resistant clones. However, it remains unclear whether these differences lead to distinct responses when another treatment is applied or the same treatment is continued. In this study, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing with barcoding to track resistant clones through prolonged and sequential treatments. We found that cells within the same clone have similar gene expression states after multiple rounds of treatment. Moreover, we demonstrated that individual clones have distinct and differing fates, including growth, survival, or death, when subjected to a second treatment or when the first treatment is continued. By identifying gene expression states that predict clone survival, this work provides a foundation for selecting optimal therapies that target the most aggressive resistant clones within a tumor. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan L Schaff
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
| | - Aria J Fasse
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Phoebe E White
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
| | - Robert J Vander Velde
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA; Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA; Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA.
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2
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Liguoro D, Frigerio R, Ortolano A, Sacconi A, Acunzo M, Romano G, Nigita G, Bellei B, Madonna G, Capone M, Ascierto PA, Mancini R, Ciliberto G, Fattore L. The MITF/mir-579-3p regulatory axis dictates BRAF-mutated melanoma cell fate in response to MAPK inhibitors. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:208. [PMID: 38472212 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06580-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Therapy of melanoma has improved dramatically over the last years thanks to the development of targeted therapies (MAPKi) and immunotherapies. However, drug resistance continues to limit the efficacy of these therapies. Our research group has provided robust evidence as to the involvement of a set of microRNAs in the development of resistance to target therapy in BRAF-mutated melanomas. Among them, a pivotal role is played by the oncosuppressor miR-579-3p. Here we show that miR-579-3p and the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) influence reciprocally their expression through positive feedback regulatory loops. In particular we show that miR-579-3p is specifically deregulated in BRAF-mutant melanomas and that its expression levels mirror those of MITF. Luciferase and ChIP studies show that MITF is a positive regulator of miR-579-3p, which is located in the intron 11 of the human gene ZFR (Zink-finger recombinase) and is co-transcribed with its host gene. Moreover, miR-579-3p, by targeting BRAF, is able to stabilize MITF protein thus inducing its own transcription. From biological points of view, early exposure to MAPKi or, alternatively miR-579-3p transfection, induce block of proliferation and trigger senescence programs in BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. Finally, the long-term development of resistance to MAPKi is able to select cells characterized by the loss of both miR-579-3p and MITF and the same down-regulation is also present in patients relapsing after treatments. Altogether these findings suggest that miR-579-3p/MITF interplay potentially governs the balance between proliferation, senescence and resistance to therapies in BRAF-mutant melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Liguoro
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Rachele Frigerio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Arianna Ortolano
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic- Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Acunzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Giulia Romano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Giovanni Nigita
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Capone
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Department Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital-Sapienza University of Rome, 00118, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luigi Fattore
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
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3
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Muraro E, Montico B, Lum B, Colizzi F, Giurato G, Salvati A, Guerrieri R, Rizzo A, Comaro E, Canzonieri V, Anichini A, Del Vecchio M, Mortarini R, Milione M, Weisz A, Pizzichetta MA, Simpson F, Dolcetti R, Fratta E, Sigalotti L. Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity-inducing anti-EGFR antibodies as effective therapeutic option for cutaneous melanoma resistant to BRAF inhibitors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336566. [PMID: 38510242 PMCID: PMC10950948 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction About 50% of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients present activating BRAF mutations that can be effectively targeted by BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). However, 20% of CM patients exhibit intrinsic drug resistance to BRAFi, while most of the others develop adaptive resistance over time. The mechanisms involved in BRAFi resistance are disparate and globally seem to rewire the cellular signaling profile by up-regulating different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RTKs inhibitors have not clearly demonstrated anti-tumor activity in BRAFi resistant models. To overcome this issue, we wondered whether the shared up-regulated RTK phenotype associated with BRAFi resistance could be exploited by using immune weapons as the antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediated effect of anti-RTKs antibodies, and kill tumor cells independently from the mechanistic roots. Methods and results By using an in vitro model of BRAFi resistance, we detected increased membrane expression of EGFR, both at mRNA and protein level in 4 out of 9 BRAFi-resistant (VR) CM cultures as compared to their parental sensitive cells. Increased EGFR phosphorylation and AKT activation were observed in the VR CM cultures. EGFR signaling appeared dispensable for maintaining resistance, since small molecule-, antibody- and CRISPR-targeting of EGFR did not restore sensitivity of VR cells to BRAFi. Importantly, immune-targeting of EGFR by the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab efficiently and specifically killed EGFR-expressing VR CM cells, both in vitro and in humanized mouse models in vivo, triggering ADCC by healthy donors' and patients' peripheral blood cells. Conclusion Our data demonstrate the efficacy of immune targeting of RTKs expressed by CM relapsing on BRAFi, providing the proof-of-concept supporting the assessment of anti-RTK antibodies in combination therapies in this setting. This strategy might be expected to concomitantly trigger the crosstalk of adaptive immune response leading to a complementing T cell immune rejection of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Benedict Lum
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Aurora Rizzo
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Elisa Comaro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Division of Pathology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mortarini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- Pathology Unit 1, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Pizzichetta
- Division of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiona Simpson
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Translational and Clinical Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
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4
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Schillo JL, Feddersen CR, Peplinski RM, Powell LS, Varzavand A, Stipp CS, Riordan JD, Dupuy AJ. Single-cell genomics analysis reveals complex genetic interactions in an in vivo model of acquired BRAF inhibitor resistance. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcad061. [PMID: 38213996 PMCID: PMC10782916 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolution of therapeutic resistance is a major obstacle to the success of targeted oncology drugs. While both inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity limit our ability to detect resistant subpopulations that pre-exist or emerge during treatment, our ability to analyze tumors with single-cell resolution is limited. Here, we utilized a cell-based transposon mutagenesis method to identify mechanisms of BRAF inhibitor resistance in a model of cutaneous melanoma. This screen identified overexpression of NEDD4L and VGLL3 as significant drivers of BRAF inhibitor resistance in vivo. In addition, we describe a novel single-cell genomics profiling method to genotype thousands of individual cells within tumors driven by transposon mutagenesis. This approach revealed a surprising genetic diversity among xenograft tumors and identified recurrent co-occurring mutations that emerge within distinct tumor subclones. Taken together, these observations reveal an unappreciated genetic complexity that drives BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Schillo
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Charlotte R Feddersen
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Rebekah M Peplinski
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Lexy S Powell
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Afshin Varzavand
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Christopher S Stipp
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jesse D Riordan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Adam J Dupuy
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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5
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Yun HY. Leucine rich repeat LGI family member 3: Integrative analyses support its prognostic association with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37183. [PMID: 38394487 PMCID: PMC11309673 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037183] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Leucine rich repeat LGI family member 3 (LGI3) is a member of the LGI protein family. Previous studies of our group have reported that LGI3 is expressed in adipose tissue, skin and brain, and serves as a multifunctional cytokine. LGI3 may also be involved in cytokine networks in various cancers. This study aimed to analyze differentially expressed genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) tissues and PAC cohort data in order to evaluate the prognostic role of LGI3. The expression microarray and the PAC cohort data were analyzed by bioinformatic methods for differential expression, protein-protein interactions, functional enrichment and pathway analyses, gene co-expression network analysis, and prognostic association analysis. Results showed that LGI3 expression was significantly reduced in PAC tissues. Nineteen upregulated genes and 31 downregulated genes in PAC tissues were identified as LGI3-regulated genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis demonstrated that 92% (46/50) of the LGI3-regulated genes that were altered in PACs belonged to a protein-protein interaction network cluster. Functional enrichment and gene co-expression network analyses demonstrated that these genes in the network cluster were associated with various processes including inflammatory and immune responses, metabolic processes, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. PAC cohort analyses revealed that low expression levels of LGI3 were significantly associated with poor PAC prognosis. Analysis of favorable or unfavorable prognostic gene products in PAC showed that 93 LGI3-regulated genes were differentially associated with PAC prognosis. LGI3 expression was correlated with the tumor-infiltration levels of various immune cells. Taken together, these results suggested that LGI3 may be a potential prognostic marker of PAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Yun
- Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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6
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Maltas J, Killarney ST, Singleton KR, Strobl MAR, Washart R, Wood KC, Wood KB. Drug dependence in cancer is exploitable by optimally constructed treatment holidays. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:147-162. [PMID: 38012363 PMCID: PMC10918730 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02255-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancers with acquired resistance to targeted therapy can become simultaneously dependent on the presence of the targeted therapy drug for survival, suggesting that intermittent therapy may slow resistance. However, relatively little is known about which tumours are likely to become dependent and how to schedule intermittent therapy optimally. Here we characterized drug dependence across a panel of over 75 MAPK-inhibitor-resistant BRAFV600E mutant melanoma models at the population and single-clone levels. Melanocytic differentiated models exhibited a much greater tendency to give rise to drug-dependent progeny than their dedifferentiated counterparts. Mechanistically, acquired loss of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in differentiated melanoma models drives ERK-JunB-p21 signalling to enforce drug dependence. We identified the optimal scheduling of 'drug holidays' using simple mathematical models that we validated across short and long timescales. Without detailed knowledge of tumour characteristics, we found that a simple adaptive therapy protocol can produce near-optimal outcomes using only measurements of total population size. Finally, a spatial agent-based model showed that optimal schedules derived from exponentially growing cells in culture remain nearly optimal in the context of tumour cell turnover and limited environmental carrying capacity. These findings may guide the implementation of improved evolution-inspired treatment strategies for drug-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Maltas
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shane T Killarney
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Maximilian A R Strobl
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rachel Washart
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Kevin B Wood
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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7
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Harmange G, Hueros RAR, Schaff DL, Emert B, Saint-Antoine M, Kim LC, Niu Z, Nellore S, Fane ME, Alicea GM, Weeraratna AT, Simon MC, Singh A, Shaffer SM. Disrupting cellular memory to overcome drug resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7130. [PMID: 37932277 PMCID: PMC10628298 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41811-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression states persist for varying lengths of time at the single-cell level, a phenomenon known as gene expression memory. When cells switch states, losing memory of their prior state, this transition can occur in the absence of genetic changes. However, we lack robust methods to find regulators of memory or track state switching. Here, we develop a lineage tracing-based technique to quantify memory and identify cells that switch states. Applied to melanoma cells without therapy, we quantify long-lived fluctuations in gene expression that are predictive of later resistance to targeted therapy. We also identify the PI3K and TGF-β pathways as state switching modulators. We propose a pretreatment model, first applying a PI3K inhibitor to modulate gene expression states, then applying targeted therapy, which leads to less resistance than targeted therapy alone. Together, we present a method for finding modulators of gene expression memory and their associated cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Harmange
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raúl A Reyes Hueros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dylan L Schaff
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Michael Saint-Antoine
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Laura C Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zijian Niu
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Physics, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shivani Nellore
- Department of Biology, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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8
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Żołek T, Mazurek A, Grudzinski IP. In Silico Studies of Novel Vemurafenib Derivatives as BRAF Kinase Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5273. [PMID: 37446932 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135273] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors have improved the treatment of advanced or metastatic melanoma in patients that harbor a BRAFT1799A mutation. Because of new insights into the role of aberrant glycosylation in drug resistance, we designed and studied three novel vemurafenib derivatives possessing pentose-associated aliphatic ligands-methyl-, ethyl-, and isopropyl-ketopentose moieties-as potent BRAFV600E kinase inhibitors. The geometries of these derivatives were optimized using the density functional theory method. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to find interactions between the ligands and BRAFV600E kinase. Virtual screening was performed to assess the fate of derivatives and their systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. The computational mapping of the studied ligand-BRAFV600E complexes indicated that the central pyrrole and pyridine rings of derivatives were located within the hydrophobic ATP-binding site of the BRAFV600E protein kinase, while the pentose ring and alkyl chains were mainly included in hydrogen bonding interactions. The isopropyl-ketopentose derivative was found to bind the BRAFV600E oncoprotein with more favorable energy interaction than vemurafenib. ADME-TOX in silico studies showed that the derivatives possessed some desirable pharmacokinetic and toxicologic properties. The present results open a new avenue to study the carbohydrate derivatives of vemurafenib as potent BRAFV600E kinase inhibitors to treat melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Żołek
- Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Mazurek
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ireneusz P Grudzinski
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
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9
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Alver TN, Heintz K, Hovig E, Bøe SL. Cooperative induction of receptor tyrosine kinases contributes to adaptive MAPK drug resistance in melanoma through the PI3K pathway. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1736. [PMID: 36251678 PMCID: PMC9940011 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Vemurafenib-induced drug resistance in melanoma has been linked to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) upregulation. The MITF and SOX10 genes play roles as master regulators of melanocyte and melanoma development. Here, we aimed to explore the complex mechanisms behind the MITF/SOX10-controlled RTK-induced drug resistance in melanoma. To achieve this, we used a number of molecular techniques, including melanoma patient data from TCGA, vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cell lines, and knock-down studies. The melanoma cell lines were classified as proliferative or invasive based upon their MITF/AXL expression activity. We measured the change of expression activity for MITF/SOX10 and their receptor (AXL/ERBB3) and ligand (NRG1/GAS6) targets known to be involved in RTK-induced drug resistance after vemurafenib treatment. We find that melanoma cell lines characterized as proliferative (high MITF low AXL), transform into an invasive (low MITF, high AXL) cell state after vemurafenib resistance, indicating novel feedback loops and advanced compensatory regulation mechanisms between the master regulators, receptors, and ligands involved in vemurafenib-induced resistance. Together, our data disclose fine-tuned mechanisms involved in RTK-facilitated vemurafenib resistance that will be challenging to overcome by using single drug targeting strategies against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine Norman Alver
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Karen‐Marie Heintz
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of InformaticsUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Sigurd L. Bøe
- Department of Medical BiochemistryOslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium HospitalOsloNorway
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10
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Lee K, Cho D, Jang J, Choi K, Jeong HO, Seo J, Jeong WK, Lee S. RAMP: response-aware multi-task learning with contrastive regularization for cancer drug response prediction. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:6865135. [PMID: 36460623 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The accurate prediction of cancer drug sensitivity according to the multiomics profiles of individual patients is crucial for precision cancer medicine. However, the development of prediction models has been challenged by the complex crosstalk of input features and the resistance-dominant drug response information contained in public databases. In this study, we propose a novel multidrug response prediction framework, response-aware multitask prediction (RAMP), via a Bayesian neural network and restrict it by soft-supervised contrastive regularization. To utilize network embedding vectors as representation learning features for heterogeneous networks, we harness response-aware negative sampling, which applies cell line-drug response information to the training of network embeddings. RAMP overcomes the prediction accuracy limitation induced by the imbalance of trained response data based on the comprehensive selection and utilization of drug response features. When trained on the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer dataset, RAMP achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve > 89%, an area under the precision-recall curve > 59% and an $\textrm{F}_1$ score > 52% and outperformed previously developed methods on both balanced and imbalanced datasets. Furthermore, RAMP predicted many missing drug responses that were not included in the public databases. Our results showed that RAMP will be suitable for the high-throughput prediction of cancer drug sensitivity and will be useful for guiding cancer drug selection processes. The Python implementation for RAMP is available at https://github.com/hvcl/RAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanggeun Lee
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Korea University
| | - Dongbin Cho
- Department of Computer Science at Hanyang University
| | - Jinho Jang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST
| | - Kang Choi
- Department of Computer Science at Hanyang University
| | | | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Computer Science at Hanyang University
| | - Won-Ki Jeong
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Korea University
| | - Semin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST
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11
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Kang Y, Ji Z, Li H, Tsao H. Divergent BRAF Inhibitor Resistance Mechanisms Revealed through Epigenetic Mapping. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 143:842-853.e6. [PMID: 36529262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although tremendous progress has been made in targeted and immune-based treatments for advanced melanoma, there remains a substantial therapeutic failure rate. For patients with BRAF(V600)-mutant melanomas, resistance to BRAF inhibitors remains a significant survival hurdle. Although multiple compensatory mechanisms to bypass BRAF blockade have been discovered, the epigenetic patterns are still poorly characterized. In this report, we generated eight matched pairs of vemurafenib-sensitive/-resistant melanoma lines and subjected these to concurrent RNA-sequencing and H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis. Globally, we identified two classes of epigenetic profiles that correlate with resistance. Class 1 resistance involves fewer RNA expression alterations accompanied by fewer enhancer mark changes with H3K27ac. Class 2 resistance shows widespread alterations in transcription and enhancer profiles, which converge on epithelial‒mesenchymal transition and hypoxia-related pathways. We also observed significant and dynamic changes in superenhancers that underpin these transcriptomic patterns. We subsequently verified the two-class structure in pre-BRAF inhibitors and postrelapse human melanoma specimens. Our findings reveal a broad and underappreciated spectrum of epigenetic plasticity during acquired BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Kang
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - He Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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12
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Lei X, Zhang Y, Mao L, Jiang P, Huang Y, Gu J, Tai N. Prognostic value of receptor tyrosine kinases in malignant melanoma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of immunohistochemistry. Front Oncol 2022; 12:819051. [PMID: 36212475 PMCID: PMC9538722 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.819051] [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: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Substantial evidence suggests that receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are overexpressed in tumors; however, few studies have focused on the prognostic value of RTKs in melanoma. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between overexpression of RTKs and survival in melanoma patients based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Methods Our review is registered on PROSPERO (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO), registration number CRD42021261460. Seven databases were searched, and data were extracted. We used IHC to measure the association between overexpression of RTKs and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and clinicopathology in melanoma patients. Pooled analysis was conducted to assess the differences between Hazard Ratios along with 95% confidence intervals. Results Of 5,508 publications examined following the database search, 23 publications were included in this study, which included data from a total of 2,072 patients. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) overexpression was associated with worse OS and DFS in melanoma. Furthermore, there was an association between OS and the expression of several RTKs, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGF-R1), and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). There were no significant correlations between EGFR overexpression and worse DFS or PFS. EGFR overexpression was associated with worse OS cutaneous and nasal melanoma, but not uveal melanoma. However, MET overexpression was related to worse OS in both cutaneous and uveal melanoma. Furthermore, EGFR overexpression was associated with a worse OS in Europe compared to other geographic areas. Moreover, EGFR and MET overexpression showed significant prognostic value in patients with the cut-off “≥10% staining”. Conclusions Our findings build concrete evidence that overexpression of RTKs is associated with poor prognosis and clinicopathology in melanoma, highlighting RTK expression has the potential to inform individualized combination therapies and accurate prognostic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Lei
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Lianghao Mao
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Pan Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yumeng Huang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jia Gu
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ningzheng Tai
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Ningzheng Tai,
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13
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Targeting EGFR in melanoma - The sea of possibilities to overcome drug resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188754. [PMID: 35772580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is considered one of the most aggressive skin cancers. It spreads and metastasizes quickly and is intrinsically resistant to most conventional chemotherapeutics, thereby presenting a challenge to researchers and clinicians searching for effective therapeutic strategies to treat patients with melanoma. The use of inhibitors of mutated serine/threonine-protein kinase B-RAF (BRAF), e.g., vemurafenib and dabrafenib, has revolutionized melanoma chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the response to these drugs lasts a limited time due to the development of acquired resistance. One of the proteins responsible for this process is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this review, we summarize the role of EGFR signaling in the multidrug resistance of melanomas and discuss possible applications of EGFR inhibitors to overcome the development of drug resistance in melanoma cells during therapy.
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14
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Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Phenotype Switching and Crosstalk with TME to Reveal New Vulnerabilities of Melanoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071157. [PMID: 35406721 PMCID: PMC8997563 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells are notorious for their high plasticity and ability to switch back and forth between various melanoma cell states, enabling the adaptation to sub-optimal conditions and therapeutics. This phenotypic plasticity, which has gained more attention in cancer research, is proposed as a new paradigm for melanoma progression. In this review, we provide a detailed and deep comprehensive recapitulation of the complex spectrum of phenotype switching in melanoma, the key regulator factors, the various and new melanoma states, and corresponding signatures. We also present an extensive description of the role of epigenetic modifications (chromatin remodeling, methylation, and activities of long non-coding RNAs/miRNAs) and metabolic rewiring in the dynamic switch. Furthermore, we elucidate the main role of the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and oxidative stress in the regulation of the phenotype switching. Finally, we discuss in detail several rational therapeutic approaches, such as exploiting phenotype-specific and metabolic vulnerabilities and targeting components and signals of the TME, to improve the response of melanoma patients to treatments.
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15
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Montico B, Giurato G, Pecoraro G, Salvati A, Covre A, Colizzi F, Steffan A, Weisz A, Maio M, Sigalotti L, Fratta E. The pleiotropic roles of circular and long noncoding RNAs in cutaneous melanoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:565-593. [PMID: 34080276 PMCID: PMC8807361 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a very aggressive disease, often characterized by unresponsiveness to conventional therapies and high mortality rates worldwide. The identification of the activating BRAFV600 mutations in approximately 50% of CM patients has recently fueled the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors that specifically target BRAFV600 -mutant CM. In addition, a major progress in CM treatment has been made by monoclonal antibodies that regulate the immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, although target-based therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies have yielded promising results, CM treatment remains a major challenge. In the last decade, accumulating evidence points to the aberrant expression of different types of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CM. While studies on microRNAs have grown exponentially leading to significant insights on CM biology, the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this tumor is less understood, and much remains to be discovered. Here, we summarize and critically review the available evidence on the molecular functions of circRNAs and lncRNAs in BRAFV600 -mutant CM and CM immunogenicity, providing recent updates on their functional role in targeted therapy and immunotherapy resistance. In addition, we also include an evaluation of several algorithms and databases for prediction and validation of circRNA and lncRNA functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
- NIBIT Foundation OnlusSienaItaly
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics UnitCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
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16
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Najem A, Wouters J, Krayem M, Rambow F, Sabbah M, Sales F, Awada A, Aerts S, Journe F, Marine JC, Ghanem GE. Tyrosine-Dependent Phenotype Switching Occurs Early in Many Primary Melanoma Cultures Limiting Their Translational Value. Front Oncol 2021; 11:780654. [PMID: 34869032 PMCID: PMC8635994 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.780654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of patient-derived primary cell cultures in cancer preclinical assays, including drug screens and genotoxic studies, has increased in recent years. However, their translational value is constrained by several limitations, including variability that can be caused by the culture conditions. Here, we show that the medium composition commonly used to propagate primary melanoma cultures has limited their representability of their tumor of origin and their cellular plasticity, and modified their sensitivity to therapy. Indeed, we established and compared cultures from different melanoma patients propagated in parallel in low-tyrosine (Ham's F10) or in high-tyrosine (Ham's F10 supplemented with tyrosine or RPMI1640 or DMEM) media. Tyrosine is the precursor of melanin biosynthesis, a process particularly active in differentiated melanocytes and melanoma cells. Unexpectedly, we found that the high tyrosine concentrations promoted an early phenotypic drift towards either a mesenchymal-like or senescence-like phenotype, and prevented the establishment of cultures of melanoma cells harboring differentiated features, which we show are frequently present in human clinical biopsies. Moreover, the invasive phenotype emerging in these culture conditions appeared irreversible and, as expected, associated with intrinsic resistance to MAPKi. In sharp contrast, differentiated melanoma cell cultures retained their phenotypes upon propagation in low-tyrosine medium, and importantly their phenotypic plasticity, a key hallmark of melanoma cells. Altogether, our findings underline the importance of culturing melanoma cells in low-tyrosine-containing medium in order to preserve their phenotypic identity of origin and cellular plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Najem
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jasper Wouters
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Human Genetics KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Oncology KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Malak Sabbah
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - François Sales
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmad Awada
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stein Aerts
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Human Genetics KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabrice Journe
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Oncology KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ghanem E Ghanem
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Oncology (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Radaszkiewicz T, Nosková M, Gömöryová K, Vondálová Blanářová O, Radaszkiewicz KA, Picková M, Víchová R, Gybeľ T, Kaiser K, Demková L, Kučerová L, Bárta T, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Souček K, Bryja V. RNF43 inhibits WNT5A-driven signaling and suppresses melanoma invasion and resistance to the targeted therapy. eLife 2021; 10:65759. [PMID: 34702444 PMCID: PMC8550759 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNF43 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and known negative regulator of WNT/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that RNF43 is also a regulator of noncanonical WNT5A-induced signaling in human cells. Analysis of the RNF43 interactome using BioID and immunoprecipitation showed that RNF43 can interact with the core receptor complex components dedicated to the noncanonical Wnt pathway such as ROR1, ROR2, VANGL1, and VANGL2. RNF43 triggers VANGL2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation and clathrin-dependent internalization of ROR1 receptor and inhibits ROR2 activation. These activities of RNF43 are physiologically relevant and block pro-metastatic WNT5A signaling in melanoma. RNF43 inhibits responses to WNT5A, which results in the suppression of invasive properties of melanoma cells. Furthermore, RNF43 prevented WNT5A-assisted development of resistance to BRAF V600E and MEK inhibitors. Next, RNF43 acted as melanoma suppressor and improved response to targeted therapies in vivo. In line with these findings, RNF43 expression decreases during melanoma progression and RNF43-low patients have a worse prognosis. We conclude that RNF43 is a newly discovered negative regulator of WNT5A-mediated biological responses that desensitizes cells to WNT5A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Radaszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nosková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Gömöryová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Vondálová Blanářová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Markéta Picková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ráchel Víchová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Gybeľ
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karol Kaiser
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Demková
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kučerová
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Bárta
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Souček
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vítězslav Bryja
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
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18
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Transcriptional Reprogramming and Constitutive PD-L1 Expression in Melanoma Are Associated with Dedifferentiation and Activation of Interferon and Tumour Necrosis Factor Signalling Pathways. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174250. [PMID: 34503064 PMCID: PMC8428231 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174250] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, is frequently associated with drug resistance in the advanced stages. For instance, frequently resistance is observed in sequential treatment of melanoma with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In this research, the authors investigated whether potential transcriptional mechanisms and pathways associated with PD-L1 protein expression could underlie targeted therapy drug resistance in melanoma. The authors found a PD-L1 expression transcriptional pattern underlies resistance to targeted therapy in a subgroup of melanomas. These melanomas were markedly dedifferentiated, as compared to melanomas that were not drug resistant. Understanding changes in transcription and molecular pathways that lead to drug resistance could allow researchers to develop interventions to prevent drug resistance from occurring in melanoma, which could also be relevant to other cancer types. Abstract Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. Advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have improved the survival of melanoma patients experiencing recurrent disease, but unfortunately treatment resistance frequently reduces patient survival. Resistance to targeted therapy is associated with transcriptomic changes and has also been shown to be accompanied by increased expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a potent inhibitor of immune response. Intrinsic upregulation of PD-L1 is associated with genome-wide DNA hypomethylation and widespread alterations in gene expression in melanoma cell lines. However, an in-depth analysis of the transcriptomic landscape of melanoma cells with intrinsically upregulated PD-L1 expression is lacking. To determine the transcriptomic landscape of intrinsically upregulated PD-L1 expression in melanoma, we investigated transcriptomes in melanomas with constitutive versus inducible PD-L1 expression (referred to as PD-L1CON and PD-L1IND). RNA-Seq analysis was performed on seven PD-L1CON melanoma cell lines and ten melanoma cell lines with low inducible PD-L1IND expression. We observed that PD-L1CON melanoma cells had a reprogrammed transcriptome with a characteristic pattern of dedifferentiated gene expression, together with active interferon (IFN) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) signalling pathways. Furthermore, we identified key transcription factors that were also differentially expressed in PD-L1CON versus PD-L1IND melanoma cell lines. Overall, our studies describe transcriptomic reprogramming of melanomas with PD-L1CON expression.
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19
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Salama Y, Jaradat N, Hattori K, Heissig B. Aloysia Citrodora Essential Oil Inhibits Melanoma Cell Growth and Migration by Targeting HB-EGF-EGFR Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158151. [PMID: 34360915 PMCID: PMC8347434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with melanoma have a poor prognosis due to regional invasion and metastases. The receptor tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in a subtype of melanoma with a poor prognosis and contributes to drug resistance. Aloysia citrodora essential oil (ALOC-EO) possesses an antitumor effect. Understanding signaling pathways that contribute to the antitumor of ALOC-EO is important to identify novel tumor types that can be targeted by ALOC-EO. Here, we investigated the effects of ALOC-EO on melanoma growth and tumor cell migration. ALOC-EO blocked melanoma growth in vitro and impaired primary tumor cell growth in vivo. Mechanistically, ALOC-EO blocked heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF)-induced EGFR signaling and suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Myelosuppressive drugs upregulated HB-EGF and EGFR expression in melanoma cells. Cotreatment of myelosuppressive drugs with ALOC-EO improved the antitumor activity and inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein9. In summary, our study demonstrates that ALOC-EO blocks EGFR and ERK1/2 signaling, with preclinical efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with myelosuppressive drugs in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Salama
- An-Najah Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus 99900800, Palestine
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (B.H.)
| | - Nidal Jaradat
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus 00970, Palestine;
| | - Koichi Hattori
- Center for Genomic & Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Beate Heissig
- Department of Immunological Diagnosis, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (B.H.)
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20
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Emert BL, Cote CJ, Torre EA, Dardani IP, Jiang CL, Jain N, Shaffer SM, Raj A. Variability within rare cell states enables multiple paths toward drug resistance. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:865-876. [PMID: 33619394 PMCID: PMC8277666 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00837-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Molecular differences between individual cells can lead to dramatic differences in cell fate, such as death versus survival of cancer cells upon drug treatment. These originating differences remain largely hidden due to difficulties in determining precisely what variable molecular features lead to which cellular fates. Thus, we developed Rewind, a methodology that combines genetic barcoding with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to directly capture rare cells that give rise to cellular behaviors of interest. Applying Rewind to BRAFV600E melanoma, we trace drug-resistant cell fates back to single-cell gene expression differences in their drug-naive precursors (initial frequency of ~1:1,000-1:10,000 cells) and relative persistence of MAP kinase signaling soon after drug treatment. Within this rare subpopulation, we uncover a rich substructure in which molecular differences among several distinct subpopulations predict future differences in phenotypic behavior, such as proliferative capacity of distinct resistant clones after drug treatment. Our results reveal hidden, rare-cell variability that underlies a range of latent phenotypic outcomes upon drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Emert
- Genomics and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher J Cote
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eduardo A Torre
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ian P Dardani
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connie L Jiang
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naveen Jain
- Genetics and Epigenetics, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arjun Raj
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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21
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Pedri D, Karras P, Landeloos E, Marine JC, Rambow F. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition events in melanoma. FEBS J 2021; 289:1352-1368. [PMID: 33999497 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process through which epithelial tumor cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypic properties, contributes to both metastatic dissemination and therapy resistance in cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that nonepithelial tumors, including melanoma, can also gain mesenchymal-like properties that increase their metastatic propensity and decrease their sensitivity to therapy. In this review, we discuss recent findings, illustrating the striking similarities-but also knowledge gaps-between the biology of mesenchymal-like state(s) in melanoma and mesenchymal state(s) from epithelial cancers. Based on this comparative analysis, we suggest hypothesis-driven experimental approaches to further deepen our understanding of the EMT-like process in melanoma and how such investigations may pave the way towards the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers for prognosis and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Pedri
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewout Landeloos
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Kreß JKC, Jessen C, Marquardt A, Hufnagel A, Meierjohann S. NRF2 Enables EGFR Signaling in Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083803. [PMID: 33916908 PMCID: PMC8067606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are rarely mutated in cutaneous melanoma, but the expression and activation of several RTK family members are associated with a proinvasive phenotype and therapy resistance. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the RTK family and is only expressed in a subgroup of melanomas with poor prognosis. The insight into regulators of EGFR expression and activation is important for the understanding of the development of this malignant melanoma phenotype. Here, we describe that the transcription factor NRF2, the master regulator of the oxidative and electrophilic stress response, mediates the expression and activation of EGFR in melanoma by elevating the levels of EGFR as well as its ligands EGF and TGFα. ChIP sequencing data show that NRF2 directly binds to the promoter of EGF, which contains a canonical antioxidant response element. Accordingly, EGF is induced by oxidative stress and is also increased in lung adenocarcinoma and head and neck carcinoma with mutationally activated NRF2. In contrast, regulation of EGFR and TGFA occurs by an indirect mechanism, which is enabled by the ability of NRF2 to block the activity of the melanocytic lineage factor MITF in melanoma. MITF effectively suppresses EGFR and TGFA expression and therefore serves as link between NRF2 and EGFR. As EGFR was previously described to stimulate NRF2 activity, the mutual activation of NRF2 and EGFR pathways was investigated. The presence of NRF2 was necessary for full EGFR pathway activation, as NRF2-knockout cells showed reduced AKT activation in response to EGF stimulation compared to controls. Conversely, EGF led to the nuclear localization and activation of NRF2, thereby demonstrating that NRF2 and EGFR are connected in a positive feedback loop in melanoma. In summary, our data show that the EGFR-positive melanoma phenotype is strongly supported by NRF2, thus revealing a novel maintenance mechanism for this clinically challenging melanoma subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Jessen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
| | - André Marquardt
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anita Hufnagel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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23
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Yang C, Tian C, Hoffman TE, Jacobsen NK, Spencer SL. Melanoma subpopulations that rapidly escape MAPK pathway inhibition incur DNA damage and rely on stress signalling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1747. [PMID: 33741929 PMCID: PMC7979728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of effective anti-cancer therapies, successful treatment is limited by the development of drug resistance. While the contribution of genetic factors to drug resistance is undeniable, little is known about how drug-sensitive cells first evade drug action to proliferate in drug. Here we track the responses of thousands of single melanoma cells to BRAF inhibitors and show that a subset of cells escapes drug via non-genetic mechanisms within the first three days of treatment. Cells that escape drug rely on ATF4 stress signalling to cycle periodically in drug, experience DNA replication defects leading to DNA damage, and yet out-proliferate other cells over extended treatment. Together, our work reveals just how rapidly melanoma cells can adapt to drug treatment, generating a mutagenesis-prone subpopulation that expands over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Chengzhe Tian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Timothy E Hoffman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Nicole K Jacobsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sabrina L Spencer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. .,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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24
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Li M, Ma W. miR-26a Reverses Multidrug Resistance in Osteosarcoma by Targeting MCL1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:645381. [PMID: 33816494 PMCID: PMC8012539 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.645381] [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: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The multidrug resistance (MDR) acquired in human osteosarcoma is a huge obstacle for effective chemotherapy. Recently, microRNA-26a (miR-26a) has been associated with the pathogenesis and progression of osteosarcoma. However, whether it regulates MDR in osteosarcoma is unknown. We show here that miR-26a expression declines in chemoresistant osteosarcoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and its expression correlates with clinical outcome. In addition, compared with sensitive parental cells, miR-26a expression also declines in osteosarcoma MDR cells, together suggesting a negative correlation between miR-26a expression and MDR development in osteosarcoma. We also show that the enforced expression of miR-26a reverses MDR in osteosarcoma cells, and conversely, miR-26a knockdown confers MDR in chemosensitive osteosarcoma cells treated with doxorubicin, methotrexate, or cisplatin. Mechanistically, miR-26a directly targets the pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), and in turn, the enforced expression of MCL1 markedly antagonizes miR-26a-decreased MDR in osteosarcoma MDR cells, therefore demonstrating that miR-26a reverses MDR in osteosarcoma by targeting MCL1. Lastly, miR-26a reverses resistance to doxorubicin in osteosarcoma MDR cells xenografted in nude mice. Collectively, these results reveal a negative role and the underlying mechanism of miR-26a in the regulation of MDR in human osteosarcoma, implying a potential tactic of manipulating miR-26a for overcoming MDR in osteosarcoma chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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25
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STAT3 promotes melanoma metastasis by CEBP-induced repression of the MITF pathway. Oncogene 2020; 40:1091-1105. [PMID: 33323974 PMCID: PMC7116782 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01584-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is hallmarked by its ability of phenotype switching to more slowly proliferating, but highly invasive cells. Here, we tested the impact of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) on melanoma progression in association with melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF) expression levels. We established a mouse melanoma model for deleting Stat3 in melanocytes with specific expression of human hyperactive NRASQ61K in an Ink4a deficient background, two frequent driver mutations in human melanoma. Mice devoid of Stat3 showed early disease onset with higher proliferation in primary tumors, but displayed significantly diminished lung, brain and liver metastases. Whole genome expression profiling of tumor-derived cells also showed a reduced invasion phenotype, which was further corroborated by 3D melanoma model analysis. Notably, loss or knockdown of STAT3 in mouse or human cells resulted in up-regulation of MITF and induction of cell proliferation. Mechanistically we show that STAT3-induced CEBPa/b expression was sufficient to suppress MITF transcription. Epigenetic analysis by ATAC-seq confirmed that CEBPa/b binding to the MITF enhancer region silenced the MITF locus. Finally, by classification of patient-derived melanoma samples, we show that STAT3 and MITF act antagonistically and hence contribute differentially to melanoma progression. We conclude that STAT3 is a driver of the metastatic process in melanoma and able to antagonize MITF via direct induction of CEBP family member transcription.
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26
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Friedmann Angeli JP, Meierjohann S. NRF2-dependent stress defense in tumor antioxidant control and immune evasion. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 34:268-279. [PMID: 33205526 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 is known as the master regulator of the oxidative stress response. Tumor entities presenting oncogenic activation of NRF2, such as lung adenocarcinoma, are associated with drug resistance, and accumulating evidence demonstrates its involvement in immune evasion. In other cancer types, the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway is not commonly mutated, but NRF2 is activated by other means such as radiation, oncogenic activity, cytokines, or other pro-oxidant triggers characteristic of the tumor niche. The obvious effect of stress-activated NRF2 is the protection from oxidative or electrophilic damage and the adaptation of the tumor metabolism to changing conditions. However, data from melanoma also reveal a role of NRF2 in modulating differentiation and suppressing anti-tumor immunity. This review summarizes the function of NRF2 in this tumor entity and discusses the implications for current tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Friedmann Angeli
- Rudolf-Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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27
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Ji Z, Njauw CN, Guhan S, Kumar R, Reddy B, Rajadurai A, Flaherty K, Tsao H. Loss of ACK1 Upregulates EGFR and Mediates Resistance to BRAF Inhibition. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:1317-1324.e1. [PMID: 33159968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Targeted BRAF(V600E) suppression by selective BRAF inhibitors (BRAFis; e.g., vemurafenib and dabrafenib) has led to a sea change in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Despite frequent upfront responses, acquired resistance has compromised long-term applicability. Among the various mechanisms of resistance, activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases is a known critical factor that contributes to vemurafenib resistance. EGFR activation has been recurrently identified in a set of vemurafenib-resistant melanomas, but little is known about how EGFR, or possibly other receptor tyrosine kinases, becomes activated. Here, we report that ACK1, a protein kinase that modulates EGFR turnover, is downregulated in vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells. We also found that ACK1 depletion with short hairpin RNA decreased EGFR degradation when activated by epidermal growth factor, increased EGFR protein expression, and conferred resistance to BRAFis both in vitro and in vivo. Vemurafenib resistance mediated by ACK1 inhibition can be reversed by the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. Our data indicate that ACK1 loss may be a post-transcriptional mechanism that increases EGFR signaling and contributes to drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Ji
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ching-Ni Njauw
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samantha Guhan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raj Kumar
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bobby Reddy
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anpuchelvi Rajadurai
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keith Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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28
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Nguyen MHT, Lin CH, Liu SM, Miyashita A, Ihn H, Lin H, Ng CH, Tsai JC, Chen MH, Tsai MS, Lin IY, Liu SC, Li LY, Fukushima S, Lu J, Ma N. miR-524-5p reduces the progression of the BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma. Neoplasia 2020; 22:789-799. [PMID: 33142243 PMCID: PMC7642759 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors were approved for the treatment of BRAF-mutant melanoma. However, most patients acquire the resistance to BRAF inhibitors after several months of treatment. miR-524-5p is considered as a tumor suppressor in many cancers, including melanoma. In this study, we investigated the biological functions of miR-524-5p in melanoma with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor and evaluated the endogenous miR-524-5p expression as a biomarker for melanoma. The results showed that the expression of miR-524-5p was 0.481-fold lower in melanoma tissues (n = 117) than in nevus tissues (n = 40). Overexpression of miR-524-5p significantly reduced proliferative, anchorage-independent growth, migratory and invasive abilities of BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells. Moreover, the introduction of miR-524-5p led to a reduced development of BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma in vivo. Remarkably, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway was decreased after treatment with miR-524-5p. Furthermore, next-generation sequencing analysis implied that the complement system, leukocyte extravasation, liver X receptor/retinoid-X-receptor activation, and cAMP-mediated signaling may be related to miR-524-5p-induced pathways in the resistant cells. The miR-524-5p level was higher on average in complete response and long-term partial response patients than in progressive disease and short-term partial response patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. Our results proposed that miR-524-5p could be considered as a target for treatment BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma and a prognostic marker in the response of patients to BRAF inhibitors for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Huan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Mam Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Azusa Miyashita
- Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hironobu Ihn
- Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hsuan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi Hou Ng
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Chieh Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Saint Paul's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Shiun Tsai
- Department of Pathology, Landseed Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - In-Yu Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chen Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Long-Yuan Li
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Satoshi Fukushima
- Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| | - Jean Lu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; National Core Facility Program for Biotechnology, National RNAi Platform, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Nianhan Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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29
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Das I, Chen H, Maddalo G, Tuominen R, Rebecca VW, Herlyn M, Hansson J, Davies MA, Egyházi Brage S. Inhibiting insulin and mTOR signaling by afatinib and crizotinib combination fosters broad cytotoxic effects in cutaneous malignant melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:882. [PMID: 33082316 PMCID: PMC7576205 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03097-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment modalities for disseminated cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) improve survival, however disease progression commonly ensues. In a previous study we identified afatinib and crizotinib in combination as a novel potential therapy for CMM independent of BRAF/NRAS mutation status. Herein, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the combination treatment effect to find biomarkers and novel targets for development of therapy that may provide clinical benefit by proteomic analysis of CMM cell lines and xenografts using mass spectrometry based analysis and reverse phase protein array. Identified candidates were validated using immunoblotting or immunofluorescence. Our analysis revealed that mTOR/Insulin signaling pathways were significantly decreased by the afatinib and crizotinib combination treatment. Both in vitro and in vivo analyses showed that the combination treatment downregulated pRPS6KB1 and pRPS6, downstream of mTOR signaling, and IRS-1 in the insulin signaling pathway, specifically ablating IRS-1 nuclear signal. Silencing of RPS6 and IRS-1 alone had a similar effect on cell death, which was further induced when IRS-1 and RPS6 were concomitantly silenced in the CMM cell lines. Silencing of IRS-1 and RPS6 resulted in reduced sensitivity towards combination treatment. Additionally, we found that IRS-1 and RPS6KB1 expression levels were increased in advanced stages of CMM clinical samples. We could demonstrate that induced resistance towards combination treatment was reversible by a drug holiday. CD171/L1CAM, mTOR and PI3K-p85 were induced in the combination resistant cells whereas AXL and EPHA2, previously identified mediators of resistance to MAPK inhibitor therapy in CMM were downregulated. We also found that CD171/L1CAM and mTOR were increased at progression in tumor biopsies from two matched cases of patients receiving targeted therapy with BRAFi. Overall, these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms behind the afatinib and crizotinib combination treatment effect and leverages a platform for discovering novel biomarkers and therapy regimes for CMM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Das
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Huiqin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gianluca Maddalo
- Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rainer Tuominen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vito W Rebecca
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Johan Hansson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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30
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Proietti I, Skroza N, Bernardini N, Tolino E, Balduzzi V, Marchesiello A, Michelini S, Volpe S, Mambrin A, Mangino G, Romeo G, Maddalena P, Rees C, Potenza C. Mechanisms of Acquired BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2801. [PMID: 33003483 PMCID: PMC7600801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review investigated the literature on acquired v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma. We searched MEDLINE for articles on BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma published since January 2010 in the following areas: (1) genetic basis of resistance; (2) epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms; (3) influence of the immune system on resistance development; and (4) combination therapy to overcome resistance. Common resistance mutations in melanoma are BRAF splice variants, BRAF amplification, neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) mutations. Genetic and epigenetic changes reactivate previously blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, activate alternative signaling pathways, and cause epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Once BRAF inhibitor resistance develops, the tumor microenvironment reverts to a low immunogenic state secondary to the induction of programmed cell death ligand-1. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor delays resistance development and increases duration of response. Multiple other combinations based on known mechanisms of resistance are being investigated. BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells develop a range of 'escape routes', so multiple different treatment targets will probably be required to overcome resistance. In the future, it may be possible to personalize combination therapy towards the specific resistance pathway in individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Proietti
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nevena Skroza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Bernardini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Ersilia Tolino
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Veronica Balduzzi
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Anna Marchesiello
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Simone Michelini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Salvatore Volpe
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Alessandra Mambrin
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Giorgio Mangino
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Giovanna Romeo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Maddalena
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | | | - Concetta Potenza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
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Liu L, Yue Q, Ma J, Liu Y, Zhao T, Guo W, Zhu G, Guo S, Wang S, Gao T, Li C, Shi Q. POU4F1 promotes the resistance of melanoma to BRAF inhibitors through MEK/ERK pathway activation and MITF up-regulation. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:451. [PMID: 32532957 PMCID: PMC7293281 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2662-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) have shown remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of melanoma with BRAF mutation. Nevertheless, most patients end up with the development of BRAFi resistance, which strongly limits the clinical application of these agents. POU4F1 is a stem cell-associated transcriptional factor that is highly expressed in melanoma cells and contributes to BRAF-activated malignant transformation. However, whether POU4F1 contributes to the resistance of melanoma to BRAFi remains poorly understood. Here, we report that over-expressed POU4F1 contributed to the acquired resistance of melanoma cells to Vemurafenib. Furthermore, POU4F1 promoted the activation of ERK signaling pathway via transcriptional regulation on MEK expression. In addition, POU4F1 could increase the expression of MITF to retain the resistance of melanoma cells to BRAFi. Collectively, our findings reveal that POU4F1 re-activates the MAPK pathway by transcriptional regulation on MEK expression and promotes MITF expression, which ultimately results in the resistance to BRAFi in melanoma. Our study supports that POU4F1 is a potential combined therapeutic target with BRAFi therapy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiao Yue
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tao Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guannan Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sen Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shiyu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianwen Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Qiong Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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32
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Bristot IJ, Kehl Dias C, Chapola H, Parsons RB, Klamt F. Metabolic rewiring in melanoma drug-resistant cells. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 153:102995. [PMID: 32569852 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several evidences indicate that melanoma, one of the deadliest types of cancer, presents the ability to transiently shift its phenotype under treatment or microenvironmental pressure to an invasive and treatment-resistant phenotype, which is characterized by cells with slow division cycle (also called slow-cycling cells) and high-OXPHOS metabolism. Many cellular marks have been proposed to track this phenotype, such as the expression levels of the master regulator of melanocyte differentiation (MITF) and the epigenetic factor JARID1B. It seems that the slow-cycling phenotype does not necessarily present a single gene expression signature. However, many lines of evidence lead to a common metabolic rewiring process in resistant cells that activates mitochondrial metabolism and changes the mitochondrial network morphology. Here, we propose that mitochondria-targeted drugs could increase not only the efficiency of target therapy, bypassing the dynamics between fast-cycling and slow-cycling, but also the sensitivity to immunotherapy by modulation of the melanoma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivi Juliana Bristot
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT- TM), 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Camila Kehl Dias
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT- TM), 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Henrique Chapola
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT- TM), 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Richard B Parsons
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Fábio Klamt
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology - Translational Medicine (INCT- TM), 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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33
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The miRNAs Role in Melanoma and in Its Resistance to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030878. [PMID: 32013263 PMCID: PMC7037367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the less common but the most malignant skin cancer. Since the survival rate of melanoma metastasis is about 10–15%, many different studies have been carried out in order to find a more effective treatment. Although the development of target-based therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies has improved chances for patient survival, melanoma treatment still remains a big challenge for oncologists. Here, we collect recent data about the emerging role of melanoma-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) currently available treatments, and their involvement in drug resistance. We also reviewed miRNAs as prognostic factors, because of their chemical stability and resistance to RNase activity, in melanoma progression. Moreover, despite miRNAs being considered small conserved regulators with the limitation of target specificity, we outline the dual role of melanoma-associated miRNAs, as oncogenic and/or tumor suppressive factors, compared to other tumors.
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34
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Dissecting Mechanisms of Melanoma Resistance to BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Revealed Genetic and Non-Genetic Patient- and Drug-Specific Alterations and Remarkable Phenotypic Plasticity. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010142. [PMID: 31936151 PMCID: PMC7017165 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical benefit of MAPK pathway inhibition in BRAF-mutant melanoma patients is limited by the development of acquired resistance. Using drug-naïve cell lines derived from tumor specimens, we established a preclinical model of melanoma resistance to vemurafenib or trametinib to provide insight into resistance mechanisms. Dissecting the mechanisms accompanying the development of resistance, we have shown that (i) most of genetic and non-genetic alterations are triggered in a cell line- and/or drug-specific manner; (ii) several changes previously assigned to the development of resistance are induced as the immediate response to the extent measurable at the bulk levels; (iii) reprogramming observed in cross-resistance experiments and growth factor-dependence restricted by the drug presence indicate that phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells largely contributes to the sustained resistance. Whole-exome sequencing revealed novel genetic alterations, including a frameshift variant of RBMX found exclusively in phospho-AKThigh resistant cell lines. There was no similar pattern of phenotypic alterations among eleven resistant cell lines, including expression/activity of crucial regulators, such as MITF, AXL, SOX, and NGFR, which suggests that patient-to-patient variability is richer and more nuanced than previously described. This diversity should be considered during the development of new strategies to circumvent the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.
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35
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Andrade LNDS, Otake AH, Cardim SGB, da Silva FI, Ikoma Sakamoto MM, Furuya TK, Uno M, Pasini FS, Chammas R. Extracellular Vesicles Shedding Promotes Melanoma Growth in Response to Chemotherapy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14482. [PMID: 31597943 PMCID: PMC6785560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key players in intercellular communication. EVs can transfer biological macromolecules to recipient cells, modulating various physiological and pathological processes. It has been shown that tumor cells secrete large amounts of EVs that can be taken up by malignant and stromal cells, dictating tumor progression. In this study, we investigated whether EVs secreted by melanoma cells in response to chemotherapy modulate tumor response to alkylating drugs. Our findings showed that human and murine melanoma cells secrete more EVs after treatment with temozolomide and cisplatin. We observed that EVs shed by melanoma cells after temozolomide treatment modify macrophage phenotype by skewing macrophage activation towards the M2 phenotype through upregulation of M2-marker genes. Moreover, these EVs were able to favor melanoma re-growth in vivo, which was accompanied by an increase in Arginase 1 and IL10 gene expression levels by stromal cells and an increase in genes related to DNA repair, cell survival and stemness in tumor cells. Taken together, this study suggests that EVs shed by tumor cells in response to chemotherapy promote tumor repopulation and treatment failure through cellular reprogramming in melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Nogueira de Sousa Andrade
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Andréia Hanada Otake
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Silvia Guedes Braga Cardim
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe Ilelis da Silva
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Mariana Mari Ikoma Sakamoto
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Katsue Furuya
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Miyuki Uno
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Fátima Solange Pasini
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Roger Chammas
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 251, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-000, Brazil
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36
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Bai X, Fisher DE, Flaherty KT. Cell-state dynamics and therapeutic resistance in melanoma from the perspective of MITF and IFNγ pathways. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:549-562. [PMID: 30967646 PMCID: PMC7185899 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma, but resistance to these therapeutic modalities limits the percentage of patients with long-lasting responses. Accumulating evidence indicates that a persisting subpopulation of melanoma cells contributes to resistance to targeted therapy or immunotherapy, even in patients who initially have a therapeutic response; however, the root mechanism of resistance remains elusive. To address this problem, we propose a new model, in which dynamic fluctuations of protein expression at the single-cell level and longitudinal reshaping of the cellular state at the cell-population level explain the whole process of therapeutic resistance development. Conceptually, we focused on two different pivotal signalling pathways (mediated by microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and IFNγ) to construct the evolving trajectories of melanoma and described each of the cell states. Accordingly, the development of therapeutic resistance could be divided into three main phases: early survival of cell populations, reversal of senescence, and the establishment of new homeostatic states and development of irreversible resistance. On the basis of existing data, we propose future directions in both translational research and the design of therapeutic strategies that incorporate this emerging understanding of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - David E Fisher
- Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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37
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Osrodek M, Hartman ML, Czyz M. Physiologically Relevant Oxygen Concentration (6% O 2) as an Important Component of the Microenvironment Impacting Melanoma Phenotype and Melanoma Response to Targeted Therapeutics In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174203. [PMID: 31461993 PMCID: PMC6747123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell phenotype largely depends on oxygen availability. The atmospheric oxygen concentration (21%) used in in vitro studies is much higher than in any human tissue. Using well-characterized patient-derived melanoma cell lines, we compared: (i) activities of several signaling pathways, and (ii) the effects of vemurafenib and trametinib in hyperoxia (21% O2), normoxia (6% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2). A high plasticity of melanoma cells in response to changes in oxygen supplementation and drug treatment was observed, and the transcriptional reprograming and phenotypic changes varied between cell lines. Normoxia enhanced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose metabolism/transport-related genes, and changed percentages of NGFR- and MITF-positive cells in cell line-dependent manner. Increased protein stability might be responsible for high PGC1α level in MITFlow melanoma cells. Vemurafenib and trametinib while targeting the activity of MAPK/ERK pathway irrespective of oxygen concentration, were less effective in normoxia than hyperoxia in reducing levels of VEGF, PGC1α, SLC7A11 and Ki-67-positive cells in cell line-dependent manner. In conclusion, in vitro studies performed in atmospheric oxygen concentration provide different information on melanoma cell phenotype and response to drugs than performed in normoxia, which might partially explain the discrepancies between results obtained in vitro and in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Osrodek
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Mariusz L Hartman
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215 Lodz, Poland.
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38
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Adaptive Responses as Mechanisms of Resistance to BRAF Inhibitors in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081176. [PMID: 31416288 PMCID: PMC6721815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
: The introduction of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) inhibitors in melanoma patients with BRAF (V600E) mutations has demonstrated significant clinical benefits. However, rarely do tumours regress completely. Frequently, the reason for this is that therapies targeting specific oncogenic mutations induce a number of intrinsic compensatory mechanisms, also known as adaptive responses or feedback loops, that enhance the pro-survival and pro-proliferative capacity of a proportion of the original tumour population, thereby resulting in tumour progression. In this review we will summarize the known adaptive responses that limit BRAF mutant therapy and discuss potential novel combinatorial therapies to overcome resistance.
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39
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Kim DS, Kwon NS, Yun HY. Leucine rich repeat LGI family member 3: Integrative analyses reveal its prognostic association with non-small cell lung cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3388-3398. [PMID: 31452819 PMCID: PMC6704323 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucine rich repeat LGI family member 3 (LGI3) is a member of the LGI protein family. Our previous studies reported that LGI3 was expressed in adipose tissues, brain and skin, where it served roles as a multifunctional cytokine and pro-inflammatory adipokine. It was hypothesized that LGI3 may be involved in cytokine networks in cancer. The present study aimed to analyze differentially expressed genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and NSCLC cohort data, to evaluate the prognostic role of LGI3. Expression microarray and NSCLC cohort data were statistically analyzed by bioinformatic methods, and protein-protein interactions, functional enrichment and pathway, gene coexpression network (GCN) and prognostic association analyses were performed. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of LGI3 and its receptor a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 22 were significantly decreased in NSCLC tissues. A total of two upregulated genes and 11 downregulated genes in NSCLC tissues were identified as LGI3-regulated genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis demonstrated that all LGI3-regulated genes that were altered in NSCLC were involved in a protein-protein interaction network cluster. Functional enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and GCN analyses demonstrated the association of these genes with the immune and inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, the tumor necrosis factor pathway, and chemokine and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathways. Analysis of NSCLC cohorts revealed that low expression levels of LGI3 was significantly associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC. Analysis of the somatic mutations of the LGI3 gene in NSCLC revealed that the amino acid residues altered in NSCLC included two single nucleotide polymorphism sites and three phylogenetically coevolved amino acid residues. Taken together, these results suggest that LGI3 may be a potential prognostic marker of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Seok Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Nyoun Soo Kwon
- Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Young Yun
- Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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40
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Li L, Fan P, Chou H, Li J, Wang K, Li H. Herbacetin suppressed MMP9 mediated angiogenesis of malignant melanoma through blocking EGFR-ERK/AKT signaling pathway. Biochimie 2019; 162:198-207. [PMID: 31075281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma remains a challenge for clinical practice and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Herbacetin, a natural flavonoid compound that has multiple pharmacological activities, exerts anticancer effects on several human tumors. In this study, the anti-angiogenesis effect of Herbacetin in human malignant melanoma was investigated. The results indicated that Herbacetin treatment significantly suppressed tumor growth and angiogenesis of malignant melanoma both in vitro and in vivo. In melanoma A375 and Hs294T cells, Herbacetin treatment suppressed both EGF-induced and constitutive phosphorylation of EGFR, accelerated the internalization and degradation of EGFR, and subsequently suppressed the activation of the downstream kinases (AKT and ERK). Moreover, MMP9 was determined as a key angiogenic factor in Herbacetin treated melanoma cells. Knockdown of MMP9 suppressed the in vitro angiogenesis while overexpression of MMP9 in Herbacetin treated melanoma cells restored the angiogenesis ability. We concluded that Herbacetin suppressed melanoma angiogenesis through blocking EGFR-ERK/AKT-MMP9 signaling pathway and Herbacetin may be developed as a potential drug for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Pengfei Fan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Haiyan Chou
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.
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41
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Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor improves antitumor efficacy of vemurafenib in BRAF-mutant human melanoma in preclinical model. Melanoma Res 2019; 28:536-546. [PMID: 30124539 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway occurs in a variety of tumor types, albeit in human melanoma, the contribution of EGFR is still unclear. The potential role of EGFR was analyzed in four BRAF-mutant, one NRAS-mutant and one wild-type NRAS-BRAF-carrying human melanoma cell lines. We have tested clinically available reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib, irreversible EGFR-TKI pelitinib and a reversible experimental compound PD153035 on in-vitro proliferation, apoptosis, migration as well as in-vivo metastatic colonization in a spleen-liver model. The presence of the intracellular domain of EGFR protein and its constitutive activity were demonstrated in all cell lines. Efficacies of EGFR-TKIs showed significant differences, and irreversible inhibition had the strongest antitumor potential. Compared with BRAF-mutant cells, wild-type BRAF was associated with relative resistance against gefitinib. In combination with gefitinib, selective mutant BRAF-inhibitor vemurafenib showed additive effect in all BRAF-mutant cell lines. Treatment of BRAF-mutant cells with gefitinib or pelitinib attenuated in-vitro cell migration and in-vivo colonization. Our preclinical data suggest that EGFR is a potential target in the therapy of BRAF-mutant malignant melanoma; however, more benefits could be expected from irreversible EGFR-TKIs and combined treatment settings.
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42
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Ahn JH, Hwang SH, Cho HS, Lee M. Differential Gene Expression Common to Acquired and Intrinsic Resistance to BRAF Inhibitor Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2019; 27:302-310. [PMID: 30293252 PMCID: PMC6513187 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2018.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells have been shown to respond to BRAF inhibitors; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance limits their clinical application. In this study, we performed RNA-Seq analysis with BRAF inhibitor-sensitive (A375P) and -resistant (A375P/Mdr with acquired resistance and SK-MEL-2 with intrinsic resistance) melanoma cell lines, to reveal the genes and pathways potentially involved in intrinsic and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. A total of 546 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 239 up-regulated and 307 down-regulated genes, were identified in both intrinsic and acquired resistant cells. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the top 10 biological processes associated with these genes included angiogenesis, immune response, cell adhesion, antigen processing and presentation, extracellular matrix organization, osteoblast differentiation, collagen catabolic process, viral entry into host cell, cell migration, and positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling. In addition, using the PANTHER GO classification system, we showed that the highest enriched GOs targeted by the 546 DEGs were responses to cellular processes (ontology: biological process), binding (ontology: molecular function), and cell subcellular localization (ontology: cellular component). Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) network analysis showed a network that was common to two BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells. Taken together, the present study may provide a useful platform to further reveal biological processes associated with BRAF inhibitor resistance, and present areas for therapeutic tool development to overcome BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ho Ahn
- System Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Hwang
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Soo Cho
- Stem Cell Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael Lee
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
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43
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Luebker SA, Koepsell SA. Diverse Mechanisms of BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma Identified in Clinical and Preclinical Studies. Front Oncol 2019; 9:268. [PMID: 31058079 PMCID: PMC6478763 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF inhibitor therapy may provide profound initial tumor regression in metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutations, but treatment resistance often leads to disease progression. A multi-center analysis of BRAF inhibitor resistant patient tissue samples detected genomic changes after disease progression including multiple secondary mutations in the MAPK/Erk signaling pathway, mutant BRAF copy number gains, and BRAF alternative splicing as the predominant putative mechanisms of resistance, but 41.7% of samples had no known resistance drivers. In vitro models of BRAF inhibitor resistance have been developed under a wide variety of experimental conditions to investigate unknown drivers of resistance. Several in vitro models developed genetic alterations observed in patient tissue, but others modulate the response to BRAF inhibitors through increased expression of receptor tyrosine kinases. Both secondary genetic alterations and expression changes in receptor tyrosine kinases may increase activation of MAPK/Erk signaling in the presence of BRAF inhibitors as well as activate PI3K/Akt signaling to support continued growth. Melanoma cells that develop resistance in vitro may have increased dependence on serine or glutamine metabolism and have increased cell motility and metastatic capacity. Future studies of BRAF inhibitor resistance in vitro would benefit from adhering to experimental parameters that reflect development of BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients through using multiple cell lines, fully characterizing the dosing strategy, and reporting the fold change in drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Luebker
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Scott A Koepsell
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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44
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Kumar R, Njauw CN, Reddy BY, Ji Z, Rajadurai A, Klebanov N, Tsao H. Growth suppression by dual BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61) oncogene expression is mediated by SPRY4 in melanoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:3504-3520. [PMID: 30651601 PMCID: PMC6756020 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0632-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The underlying forces that shape mutational patterns within any type of cancer have been poorly characterized. One of the best preserved exclusionary relationships is that between BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61) in melanomas. To explore possible mechanisms which could explain this phenomenon, we overexpressed NRAS(Q61) in a set of BRAF(V600E) melanoma lines and vice versa. Controlled expression of a second activating oncogene led to growth arrest (“synthetic suppression”) in a subset of cells, which was accompanied by cell cycle arrest and senescence in several melanoma cell lines along with apoptosis. Through differential gene expression analysis, we identified SPRY4 as the potential mediator of this synthetic response to dual oncogene suppression. Ectopic introduction of SPRY4 recapitulated the growth arrest phenotype of dual BRAF(V600E)/NRAS(Q61) expression while SPRY4 depletion led to a partial rescue from oncogenic antagonism. This study thus defined SPRY4 as a potential mediator of synthetic suppression, which is likely to contribute to the observed exclusivity between BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61R) mutations in melanoma. Further leverage of the SPRY4 pathway may also hold therapeutic promise for NRAS(Q61) melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ching-Ni Njauw
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bobby Y Reddy
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Edwards 211 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anpuchchelvi Rajadurai
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikolai Klebanov
- Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Edwards 211 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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45
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Kudo K, Yoneda A, Sakiyama D, Kojima K, Miyaji T, Yamazaki M, Yaita S, Hyodo T, Satow R, Fukami K. Cell surface CD63 increased by up-regulated polylactosamine modification sensitizes human melanoma cells to the BRAF inhibitor PLX4032. FASEB J 2018; 33:3851-3869. [PMID: 30508500 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800664rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The BRAF inhibitor PLX4032 is effective in treating BRAF-mutated melanoma; however, because drug resistance develops in most cases, it is critical to develop a new strategy for inhibiting drug-resistant melanoma growth. The melanoma-associated membrane glycoprotein CD63 is involved in cell proliferation and metastasis. Here, we found that cell surface CD63 suppresses the proliferation of human melanoma cells and PLX4032-resistant cells. Endogenous CD63 protein levels were negatively correlated with PLX4032 resistance of human melanoma cell lines. CD63 overexpression in these cells, in which endogenous CD63 levels are low, suppressed cell proliferation under PLX4032 treatment. The cell surface levels and average molecular mass of CD63 were increased with PLX4032 treatment because of the up-regulated polylactosamine modification caused by induced β1,3- N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 2 expression, which is involved in polylactosamine synthesis. Forced cell surface localization of CD63 led to reduced melanoma cell proliferation without PLX4032 treatment. CD63 overexpression in PLX4032-resistant cells, in which CD63 levels were lower and cell surface polylactosamine levels were higher than those in parental cells, effectively suppressed proliferation. Our study shows the potential of CD63 to sensitize melanoma cells to PLX4032 and to reduce the proliferation of PLX4032-resistant cells.-Kudo, K., Yoneda, A., Sakiyama, D., Kojima, K., Miyaji, T., Yamazaki, M., Yaita, S., Hyodo, T., Satow, R., Fukami, K. Cell surface CD63 increased by up-regulated polylactosamine modification sensitizes human melanoma cells to the BRAF inhibitor PLX4032.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohya Kudo
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Atsuko Yoneda
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and.,Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daiki Sakiyama
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Kai Kojima
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Takeki Miyaji
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Miku Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Saori Yaita
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Takuya Hyodo
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Reiko Satow
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and.,Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Fukami
- Laboratory of Genome and Biosignals, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; and.,Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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46
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Garandeau D, Noujarède J, Leclerc J, Imbert C, Garcia V, Bats ML, Rambow F, Gilhodes J, Filleron T, Meyer N, Brayer S, Arcucci S, Tartare-Deckert S, Ségui B, Marine JC, Levade T, Bertolotto C, Andrieu-Abadie N. Targeting the Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Axis Exerts Potent Antitumor Activity in BRAFi-Resistant Melanomas. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 18:289-300. [PMID: 30482853 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) are used to treat patients with melanoma harboring the V600E mutation. However, resistance to BRAFi is inevitable. Here, we identified sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors as regulators of BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma cell-autonomous resistance to BRAFi. Moreover, our results reveal a distinct sphingolipid profile, that is, a tendency for increased very long-chain ceramide species, in the plasma of patients with melanoma who achieve a response to BRAFi therapy as compared with patients with progressive disease. Treatment with BRAFi resulted in a strong decrease in S1PR1/3 expression in sensitive but not in resistant cells. Genetic and pharmacologic interventions, that increase ceramide/S1P ratio, downregulated S1PR expression and blocked BRAFi-resistant melanoma cell growth. This effect was associated with a decreased expression of MITF and Bcl-2. Moreover, the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 improved the antitumor activity of approaches targeting S1P-metabolizing enzymes in BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that targeting the S1P/S1PR axis could provide effective therapeutic options for patients with melanoma who relapse after BRAFi therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Garandeau
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Justine Noujarède
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Justine Leclerc
- Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Inserm, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Caroline Imbert
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Garcia
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Marie-Lise Bats
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Julia Gilhodes
- Bureau des essais cliniques, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopôle, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Filleron
- Bureau des essais cliniques, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopôle, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Service de Dermatologie-Oncologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopôle, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphanie Brayer
- Service de Dermatologie-Oncologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopôle, Toulouse, France
| | - Silvia Arcucci
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Inserm, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Ségui
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Thierry Levade
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie Métabolique, CHU Toulouse, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Inserm, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Nathalie Andrieu-Abadie
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Inserm, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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47
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Rambow F, Rogiers A, Marin-Bejar O, Aibar S, Femel J, Dewaele M, Karras P, Brown D, Chang YH, Debiec-Rychter M, Adriaens C, Radaelli E, Wolter P, Bechter O, Dummer R, Levesque M, Piris A, Frederick DT, Boland G, Flaherty KT, van den Oord J, Voet T, Aerts S, Lund AW, Marine JC. Toward Minimal Residual Disease-Directed Therapy in Melanoma. Cell 2018; 174:843-855.e19. [PMID: 30017245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 430] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Many patients with advanced cancers achieve dramatic responses to a panoply of therapeutics yet retain minimal residual disease (MRD), which ultimately results in relapse. To gain insights into the biology of MRD, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to malignant cells isolated from BRAF mutant patient-derived xenograft melanoma cohorts exposed to concurrent RAF/MEK-inhibition. We identified distinct drug-tolerant transcriptional states, varying combinations of which co-occurred within MRDs from PDXs and biopsies of patients on treatment. One of these exhibited a neural crest stem cell (NCSC) transcriptional program largely driven by the nuclear receptor RXRG. An RXR antagonist mitigated accumulation of NCSCs in MRD and delayed the development of resistance. These data identify NCSCs as key drivers of resistance and illustrate the therapeutic potential of MRD-directed therapy. They also highlight how gene regulatory network architecture reprogramming may be therapeutically exploited to limit cellular heterogeneity, a key driver of disease progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aljosja Rogiers
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oskar Marin-Bejar
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Aibar
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julia Femel
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael Dewaele
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel Brown
- Laboratory of reproductive genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Maria Debiec-Rychter
- Laboratory for Genetics of Malignant Disorders, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adriaens
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Comparative Pathology Core, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pathobiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pascal Wolter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oliver Bechter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Piris
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennie T Frederick
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Genevieve Boland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joost van den Oord
- Laboratory of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry Voet
- Laboratory of reproductive genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stein Aerts
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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48
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Fujita N, Mizuarai S, Murakami K, Nakai K. Biomarker discovery by integrated joint non-negative matrix factorization and pathway signature analyses. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9743. [PMID: 29950679 PMCID: PMC6021419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28066-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictive biomarkers are important for selecting appropriate patients for particular treatments. Comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, and pharmacological data provide clues for understanding relationships between biomarkers and drugs. However, it is still difficult to mine biologically meaningful biomarkers from multi-omics data. Here, we developed an approach for mining multi-omics cell line data by integrating joint non-negative matrix factorization (JNMF) and pathway signature analyses to identify candidate biomarkers. The JNMF detected known associations between biomarkers and drugs such as BRAF mutation with PLX4720 and HER2 amplification with lapatinib. Furthermore, we observed that tumours with both BRAF mutation and MITF activation were more sensitive to BRAF inhibitors compared to tumours with BRAF mutation without MITF activation. Therefore, activation of the BRAF/MITF axis seems to be a more appropriate biomarker for predicting the efficacy of a BRAF inhibitor than the conventional biomarker of BRAF mutation alone. Our biomarker discovery scheme represents an integration of JNMF multi-omics clustering and multi-layer interpretation based on pathway gene signature analyses. This approach is also expected to be useful for establishing drug development strategies, identifying pharmacodynamic biomarkers, in mode of action analysis, as well as for mining drug response data in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Fujita
- Human Genome Center, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate school of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Shinji Mizuarai
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Murakami
- Human Genome Center, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakai
- Human Genome Center, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate school of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.
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49
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Alver TN, Lavelle TJ, Longva AS, Øy GF, Hovig E, Bøe SL. MITF depletion elevates expression levels of ERBB3 receptor and its cognate ligand NRG1-beta in melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:55128-55140. [PMID: 27391157 PMCID: PMC5342406 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is frequently hyper-activated upon vemurafenib treatment of melanoma. We have here investigated the relationship between SRY-box 10 (SOX10), forkhead box 3 (FOXD3) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in the regulation of the receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3, and its cognate ligand neuregulin 1-beta (NRG1-beta). We found that both NRG1-beta and ERBB3 mRNA levels were elevated as a consequence of MITF depletion, induced by either vemurafenib or MITF small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment. Elevation of ERBB3 receptor expression after MITF depletion caused increased activation of the PI3K pathway in the presence of NRG1-beta ligand. Together, our results suggest that MITF may play a role in the development of acquired drug resistance through hyper-activation of the PI3K pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine N Alver
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Timothy J Lavelle
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane S Longva
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir F Øy
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigurd L Bøe
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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50
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Cell death-based treatments of melanoma:conventional treatments and new therapeutic strategies. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:112. [PMID: 29371600 PMCID: PMC5833861 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of malignant melanoma has continued to rise during the past decades. However, in the last few years, treatment protocols have significantly been improved thanks to a better understanding of the key oncogenes and signaling pathways involved in its pathogenesis and progression. Anticancer therapy would either kill tumor cells by triggering apoptosis or permanently arrest them in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Unfortunately, melanoma is often refractory to commonly used anticancer drugs. More recently, however, some new anticancer strategies have been developed that are “external” to cancer cells, for example stimulating the immune system’s response or inhibiting angiogenesis. In fact, the increasing knowledge of melanoma pathogenetic mechanisms, in particular the discovery of genetic mutations activating specific oncogenes, stimulated the development of molecularly targeted therapies, a form of treatment in which a drug (chemical or biological) is developed with the goal of exclusively destroying cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules that drive growth and spreading of the tumor. Again, after the initial exciting results associated with targeted therapy, tumor resistance and/or relapse of the melanoma lesion have been observed. Hence, very recently, new therapeutic strategies based on the modulation of the immune system function have been developed. Since cancer cells are known to be capable of evading immune-mediated surveillance, i.e., to block the immune system cell activity, a series of molecular strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, have been developed in order to “release the brakes” on the immune system igniting immune reactivation and hindering metastatic melanoma cell growth. In this review we analyze the various biological strategies underlying conventional chemotherapy as well as the most recently developed targeted therapies and immunotherapies, pointing at the molecular mechanisms of cell injury and death engaged by the different classes of therapeutic agents.
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