1
|
Zhang F, Liang J, Feng D, Liu S, Wu J, Tang Y, Liu Z, Lu Y, Wang X, Wei X. Integrated Analysis of Energy Metabolism Signature-Identified Distinct Subtypes of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:814735. [PMID: 35281080 PMCID: PMC8905247 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.814735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) is the most common type of bladder cancer. In this study, the correlation between the metabolic status and the outcome of patients with BLCA was evaluated using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Methods: The clinical and transcriptomic data of patients with BLCA were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas and cBioPortal datasets, and energy metabolism-related gene sets were obtained from the Molecular Signature Database. A consensus clustering algorithm was then conducted to classify the patients into two clusters. Tumor prognosis, clinicopathological features, mutations, functional analysis, ferroptosis status analysis, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint-related gene expression level, chemotherapy resistance, and tumor stem cells were analyzed between clusters. An energy metabolism-related signature was further developed and verified using data from cBioPortal datasets. Results: Two clusters (C1 and C2) were identified using a consensus clustering algorithm based on an energy metabolism-related signature. The patients with subtype C1 had more metabolism-related pathways, different ferroptosis status, higher cancer stem cell scores, higher chemotherapy resistance, and better prognosis. Subtype C2 was characterized by an increased number of advanced BLCA cases and immune-related pathways. Higher immune and stromal scores were also observed for the C2 subtype. A signature containing 16 energy metabolism-related genes was then identified, which can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with BLCA. Conclusion: We found that the energy metabolism-associated subtypes of BLCA are closely related to the immune microenvironment, immune checkpoint-related gene expression, ferroptosis status, CSCs, chemotherapy resistance, prognosis, and progression of BLCA patients. The established energy metabolism-related gene signature was able to predict survival in patients with BLCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dechao Feng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengzhuo Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiapei Wu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongquan Tang
- Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Lu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianding Wang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xianding Wang, ; Xin Wei,
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xianding Wang, ; Xin Wei,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Benjamin DJ, Lyou Y. Advances in Immunotherapy and the TGF-β Resistance Pathway in Metastatic Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225724. [PMID: 34830879 PMCID: PMC8616345 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bladder cancer accounts for a significant burden to global public health. Despite advances in therapeutics with the advent of immunotherapy, only a small subset of patients benefit from immunotherapy. In this review, we examine the evidence that suggests that the TGF-β pathway may present a resistance mechanism to immunotherapy. In addition, we present possible therapies that may overcome the TGF-β resistance pathway in the treatment of bladder cancer. Abstract Bladder cancer accounts for nearly 200,000 deaths worldwide yearly. Urothelial carcinoma (UC) accounts for nearly 90% of cases of bladder cancer. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has remained the mainstay of treatment in the first-line setting for locally advanced or metastatic UC. More recently, the treatment paradigm in the second-line setting was drastically altered with the approval of several immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Given that only a small subset of patients respond to ICI, further studies have been undertaken to understand potential resistance mechanisms to ICI. One potential resistance mechanism that has been identified in the setting of metastatic UC is the TGF-β signaling pathway. Several pre-clinical and ongoing clinical trials in multiple advanced tumor types have evaluated several therapies that target the TGF-β pathway. In addition, there are ongoing and planned clinical trials combining TGF-β inhibition with ICI, which may provide a promising therapeutic approach for patients with advanced and metastatic UC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Benjamin
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UC Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA 92868, USA;
| | - Yung Lyou
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-626-256-2805; Fax: +1-625-301-8233
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bei Y, Cheng N, Chen T, Shu Y, Yang Y, Yang N, Zhou X, Liu B, Wei J, Liu Q, Zheng W, Zhang W, Su H, Zhu W, Ji J, Shen P. CDK5 Inhibition Abrogates TNBC Stem-Cell Property and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001417. [PMID: 33240752 PMCID: PMC7675186 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, in which the higher frequency of cancer stem cells (CSCs) correlates with the poor clinical outcome. An aberrant activation of CDK5 is found to associate with TNBC progression closely. CDK5 mediates PPARγ phosphorylation at its Ser 273, which induces CD44 isoform switching from CD44s to CD44v, resulting in an increase of stemness of TNBC cells. Blocking CDK5/pho-PPARγ significantly reduces CD44v+ BCSCs population in tumor tissues, thus abrogating metastatic progression in TNBC mouse model. Strikingly, diminishing stemness transformation reverses immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhances anti-PD-1 therapeutic efficacy on TNBC. Mechanistically, CDK5 switches the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of PPARγ and directly protects ESRP1 from a ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. This finding firstly indicates that CDK5 blockade can be a potent strategy to diminish stemness transformation and increase the response to PD-1 blockade in TNBC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuncheng Bei
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Nan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Ting Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer CenterNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Yuxin Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Ye Yang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and EfficacyNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Nanfei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene ResearchCollege of Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Baorui Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Jia Wei
- The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Qin Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Wei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Huifang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
| | - Wei‐Guo Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human DiseaseShenzhen University Carson Cancer CenterDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShenzhen University School of MedicineShenzhen518060P. R. China
| | - Jianguo Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene ResearchCollege of Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Pingping Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer CenterNanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjing210046P. R. China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human DiseaseShenzhen University Carson Cancer CenterDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShenzhen University School of MedicineShenzhen518060P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tang Q, Yin D, Wang Y, Du W, Qin Y, Ding A, Li H. Cancer Stem Cells and Combination Therapies to Eradicate Them. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:1994-2008. [PMID: 32250222 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200406083756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) show self-renewal ability and multipotential differentiation, like normal stem or progenitor cells, and which proliferate uncontrollably and can escape the effects of drugs and phagocytosis by immune cells. Traditional monotherapies, such as surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, cannot eradicate CSCs, however, combination therapy may be more effective at eliminating CSCs. The present review summarizes the characteristics of CSCs and several promising combination therapies to eradicate them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tang
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.,Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Yin
- Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao Wang
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenxuan Du
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuhan Qin
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Anni Ding
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanmei Li
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aghaalikhani N, Rashtchizadeh N, Shadpour P, Allameh A, Mahmoodi M. Cancer stem cells as a therapeutic target in bladder cancer. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:3197-3206. [PMID: 30471107 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent genitourinary cancers responsible for about 150,000 deaths per year worldwide. Currently, several treatments, such as endoscopic and open surgery, appended by local or systemic immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are used to treat this malignancy. However, the differences in treatment outcome among patients suffering from bladder cancer are considered as one of the important challenges. In recent years, cancer stem cells, representing a population of undifferentiated cells with stem-cell like properties, have been eyed as a major culprit for the high recurrence rate in superficial papillary bladder cancer. Cancer stem cells have been reported to be resistant to conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, which induce selective pressure on tumoral populations resulting in selection and growth of the resistant cells. Therefore, targeting the therapeutic aspects of cancer stem cells in bladder cancer may be promising. In this study, we briefly discuss the biology of bladder cancer and then address the possible relationship between molecular biology of bladder cancer and cancer stem cells. Subsequently, the mechanisms of resistance applied by cancer stem cells against the conventional therapeutic tools, especially chemotherapy, are discussed. Moreover, by emphasizing the biomarkers described for cancer stem cells in bladder cancer, we have provided, described, and proposed targets on cancer stem cells for therapeutic interventions and, finally, reviewed some immunotargeting strategies against bladder cancer stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nazi Aghaalikhani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nadereh Rashtchizadeh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pejman Shadpour
- Hasheminejad Kidney Centre (HKC), Hospital Management Research Centre (HMRC), University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolamir Allameh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Mahmoodi
- Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mukherjee N, Lu Y, Almeida A, Lambert K, Shiau CW, Su JC, Luo Y, Fujita M, Robinson WA, Robinson SE, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Use of a MCL-1 inhibitor alone to de-bulk melanoma and in combination to kill melanoma initiating cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:46801-46817. [PMID: 27086916 PMCID: PMC5564524 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MCL-1 (BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic protein) is responsible for melanoma's resistance to therapy. Cancer initiating cells also contribute to resistance and relapse from treatments. Here we examined the effects of the MCL-1 inhibitor SC-2001 in killing non melanoma-initiating-cells (bulk of melanoma), and melanoma-initiating-cells (MICs). By itself, SC-2001 significantly kills melanoma cells under monolayer conditions in vitro and in a conventional mouse xenograft model. However, even at high doses (10μM), SC-2001 does not effectively eliminate MICs. In contrast, the combination of SC-2001 with ABT-737 (a BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-W inhibitor) significantly decreases ALDH+ cells, disrupts primary spheres, and inhibits the self-renewability of MICs. These results were observed in multiple melanomas, including short term cultures of relapsed tumors from current treatments, independent of the mutation status of BRAF or NRAS. Using a low-cell-number mouse xenograft model, we examined the effects of these treatments on the tumor initiating ability of MIC-enriched cultures. The combination therapy reduces tumor formation significantly compared to either drug alone. Mechanistic studies using shRNA and the CRISPR-Cas9 technology demonstrated that the upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins NOXA and BIM contribute to the combination-induced cell death. These results indicate that the MCL-1 inhibitor SC-2001 combined with ABT-737 is a promising treatment strategy for targeting melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yan Lu
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adam Almeida
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karoline Lambert
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Chung-Wai Shiau
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chen Su
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuchun Luo
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Steven E Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David A Norris
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy and cancer relapse are major clinical challenges attributed to a sub population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The concept of CSCs has been the subject of intense research by the oncology community since evidence for their existence was first published over twenty years ago. Emerging data indicates that they are also able to evade novel therapies such as targeted agents, immunotherapies and anti-angiogenics. The inability to appropriately identify and isolate CSCs is a major hindrance to the field and novel technologies are now being utilized. Agents that target CSC-associated cell surface receptors and signaling pathways have generated promising pre-clinical results and are now entering clinical trial. Here we discuss and evaluate current therapeutic strategies to target CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Annett
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Ireland
| | - Tracy Robson
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Talukdar S, Emdad L, Das S, Sarkar D, Fisher P. Evolving Strategies for Therapeutically Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 131:159-91. [PMID: 27451127 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactor and multistep process that is affected intrinsically by the genetic and epigenetic makeup of tumor cells and extrinsically by the host microenvironment and immune system. A key component of cancer involves a unique subpopulation of highly malignant cancerous cells referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are positioned at the apex of the tumor hierarchy with an ability to both self-renew and also generate non-CSC/differentiated progeny, which contribute to the majority of the tumor mass. CSCs undergo functional changes and show plasticity that is stimulated by specific microenvironmental cues and interactions in the tumor niche, which contribute to the complexity and heterogeneity of the CSC population. The prognostic value of CSCs in the clinic is evident since there are many examples in which CSCs serve as markers for poor patient prognosis. CSCs are innately resistant to many standard therapies and they display anoikis resistance, immune evasion, tumor dormancy, and field cancerization, which may result in metastasis and relapse. Many academic laboratories and biotechnology companies are currently focusing on strategies that target CSCs. Combination therapies, epigenetic modifiers, stemness inhibitors, CSC surface marker-based therapies, and immunotherapy-based CSC-targeting drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials. Potential new targets/strategies in CSC-targeted therapy include MDA-9/Syntenin (SDCBP), Patched (PTCH), epigenetic targets, noncoding RNAs, and differentiation induction. Defining ways of targeting and destroying CSCs holds potential to impact significantly on cancer therapy, including prevention of metastasis and cancer recurrence.
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Chen L, Heymach JV, Qin FXF, Gibbons DL. The mutually regulatory loop of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immunosuppression in cancer progression. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1002731. [PMID: 26155392 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2014.1002731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immunosuppression are crucial for cancer metastasis and treatment resistance. The mechanism by which these distinct processes are co-opted remains incompletely understood. Our recent work has exposed the "dirty affairs" of the 2 at the tumor site, thus calling for a combined therapy to break such a dangerous liaison.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Limo Chen
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA
| | - John V Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA
| | - F Xiao-Feng Qin
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA ; Center of Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Suzhou, China ; Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing, China
| | - Don L Gibbons
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ; Houston, TX USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Woods K, Pasam A, Jayachandran A, Andrews MC, Cebon J. Effects of epithelial to mesenchymal transition on T cell targeting of melanoma cells. Front Oncol 2014; 4:367. [PMID: 25566505 PMCID: PMC4269118 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells can switch phenotype in a manner similar to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this perspective article, we address the effects of such phenotype switching on T cell targeting of tumor cells. During the EMT-like switch in phenotype, a concomitant change in expression of multiple tumor antigens occurs. Melanoma cells undergoing EMT escape from killing by T cells specific for antigens whose expression is downregulated by this process. We discuss melanoma antigens whose expression is influenced by EMT. We assess the effect of changes in the expressed tumor antigen repertoire on T-cell mediated tumor recognition and killing. In addition to escape from T cell immunity via changes in antigen expression, mesenchymal-like melanoma cells are generally more resistant to classical chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, we demonstrate that when targeting antigens whose expression is unaltered during EMT, the capacity of T cells to kill melanoma cell lines in vitro is not influenced by their phenotype. When considering immune therapies such as cancer vaccination, these data suggest escape from T cell killing due to phenotype switching in melanoma could potentially be avoided by careful selection of target antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Woods
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Anupama Pasam
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Aparna Jayachandran
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Miles C Andrews
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Jonathan Cebon
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre , Melbourne, VIC , Australia ; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| |
Collapse
|