1
|
Tang Q, Leng S, Tan Y, Cheng H, Liu Q, Wang Z, Xu Y, Zhu L, Wang C. Chitosan/dextran-based organohydrogel delivers EZH2 inhibitor to epigenetically reprogram chemo/immuno-resistance in unresectable metastatic melanoma. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 346:122645. [PMID: 39245506 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma either intrinsically possesses resistance or rapidly acquires resistance to anti-tumor therapy, which often leads to local recurrence or distant metastasis after resection. In this study, we found histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylated by an inhibitor of histone methyltransferase EZH2 could epigenetically reverse the resistance to chemo-drug paclitaxel (PTX), or enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-TIGIT via downregulating TIGIT ligand CD155. Next, to address the complexity in the combination of multiple bioactive molecules with distinct therapeutic properties, we developed a polysaccharides-based organohydrogel (OHG) configured with a heterogenous network. Therein, hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPC)-stabilized emulsions for hydrophobic drug entrapment were crosslinked with oxidized dextran (Odex) to form a hydrophilic gel matrix to facilitate antibody accommodation, which demonstrated a tunable sustained release profile by optimizing emulsion/gel volume ratios. As results, local injection of OHG loaded with EZH2 inhibitor UNC1999, PTX and anti-TIGIT did not only synergistically enhance the cytotoxicity of PTX, but also reprogrammed the immune resistance via bi-directionally blocking TIGIT/CD155 axis, leading to the recruitment of cytotoxic effector cells into tumor and conferring a systemic immune memory to prevent lung metastasis. Hence, this polysaccharides-based OHG represents a potential in-situ epigenetic-, chemo- and immunotherapy platform to treat unresectable metastatic melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shaolong Leng
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yinqiu Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, PR China
| | - Huan Cheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Qi Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital Guangdong Medical University No. 42, Jiaoping Road Dongguan, Guangdong 523710, PR China
| | - Zhongjuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, No.245, People East Road, Kunming 650051, PR China
| | - Yunsheng Xu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, PR China.
| | - Linyu Zhu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, PR China.
| | - Cuifeng Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Department of neurosurgery, JiuJiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiujiang, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sobhiafshar U, Çakici B, Yilmaz E, Yildiz Ayhan N, Hedaya L, Ayhan MC, Yerinde C, Alankuş YB, Gürkaşlar HK, Firat-Karalar EN, Emre NCT. Interferon regulatory factor 4 modulates epigenetic silencing and cancer-critical pathways in melanoma cells. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:2423-2448. [PMID: 38880659 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13672] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) was initially identified as a key controller in lymphocyte differentiation and function, and subsequently as a dependency factor and therapy target in lymphocyte-derived cancers. In melanocytes, IRF4 takes part in pigmentation. Although genetic studies have implicated IRF4 in melanoma, how IRF4 functions in melanoma cells has remained largely elusive. Here, we confirmed prevalent IRF4 expression in melanoma and showed that high expression is linked to dependency in cells and mortality in patients. Analysis of genes activated by IRF4 uncovered, as a novel target category, epigenetic silencing factors involved in DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3B, UHRF1) and histone H3K27 methylation (EZH2). Consequently, we show that IRF4 controls the expression of tumour suppressor genes known to be silenced by these epigenetic modifications, for instance cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors CDKN1A and CDKN1B, the PI3-AKT pathway regulator PTEN, and primary cilium components. Furthermore, IRF4 modulates activity of key downstream oncogenic pathways, such as WNT/β-catenin and AKT, impacting cell proliferation and survival. Accordingly, IRF4 modifies the effectiveness of pertinent epigenetic drugs on melanoma cells, a finding that encourages further studies towards therapeutic targeting of IRF4 in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulduz Sobhiafshar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Betül Çakici
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdem Yilmaz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nalan Yildiz Ayhan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Laila Hedaya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Can Ayhan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cansu Yerinde
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - H Kübra Gürkaşlar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - N C Tolga Emre
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gutierrez JJG, Lau E, Dharmapalan S, Parker M, Chen Y, Álvarez MA, Wang D. Multi-output prediction of dose-response curves enables drug repositioning and biomarker discovery. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:209. [PMID: 39304771 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug response prediction is hampered by uncertainty in the measures of response and selection of doses. In this study, we propose a probabilistic multi-output model to simultaneously predict all dose-responses and uncover their biomarkers. By describing the relationship between genomic features and chemical properties to every response at every dose, our multi-output Gaussian Process (MOGP) models enable assessment of drug efficacy using any dose-response metric. This approach was tested across two drug screening studies and ten cancer types. Kullback-leibler divergence measured the importance of each feature and identified EZH2 gene as a novel biomarker of BRAF inhibitor response. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our MOGP models in accurately predicting dose-responses in different cancer types and when there is a limited number of drug screening experiments for training. Our findings highlight the potential of MOGP models in enhancing drug development pipelines by reducing data requirements and improving precision in dose-response predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan-José Giraldo Gutierrez
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Evelyn Lau
- Institute for Human Development and Potential, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Subhashini Dharmapalan
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Institute for Human Development and Potential, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Melody Parker
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute at the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yurui Chen
- Institute for Human Development and Potential, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Mathematics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Mauricio A Álvarez
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dennis Wang
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Institute for Human Development and Potential, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang F, Jia K, Li Y. Integrative deep learning with prior assisted feature selection. Stat Med 2024; 43:3792-3814. [PMID: 38923006 DOI: 10.1002/sim.10148] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Integrative analysis has emerged as a prominent tool in biomedical research, offering a solution to the "smalln $$ n $$ and largep $$ p $$ " challenge. Leveraging the powerful capabilities of deep learning in extracting complex relationship between genes and diseases, our objective in this study is to incorporate deep learning into the framework of integrative analysis. Recognizing the redundancy within candidate features, we introduce a dedicated feature selection layer in the proposed integrative deep learning method. To further improve the performance of feature selection, the rich previous researches are utilized by an ensemble learning method to identify "prior information". This leads to the proposed prior assisted integrative deep learning (PANDA) method. We demonstrate the superiority of the PANDA method through a series of simulation studies, showing its clear advantages over competing approaches in both feature selection and outcome prediction. Finally, a skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) dataset is extensively analyzed by the PANDA method to show its practical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Wang
- Center for Applied Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Jia
- School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Center for Applied Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zimmerman SM, Suh E, Smith SR, Souroullas GP. Stat3-mediated Atg7 expression regulates anti-tumor immunity in mouse melanoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:218. [PMID: 39235510 PMCID: PMC11377374 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03804-4] [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: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications to DNA and chromatin control oncogenic and tumor-suppressive mechanisms in melanoma. Ezh2, the catalytic component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which mediates methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), can regulate both melanoma initiation and progression. We previously found that mutant Ezh2Y641F interacts with the immune regulator Stat3 and together they affect anti-tumor immunity. However, given the numerous downstream targets and pathways affected by Ezh2, many mechanisms that determine its oncogenic activity remain largely unexplored. Using genetically engineered mouse models, we further investigated the role of pathways downstream of Ezh2 in melanoma carcinogenesis and identified significant enrichment in several autophagy signatures, along with increased expression of autophagy regulators, such as Atg7. In this study, we investigated the effect of Atg7 on melanoma growth and tumor immunity within the context of a wild-type or Ezh2Y641F epigenetic state. We found that the Atg7 locus is controlled by multiple Ezh2 and Stat3 binding sites, Atg7 expression is dependent on Stat3 expression, and that deletion of Atg7 slows down melanoma cell growth in vivo, but not in vitro. Atg7 deletion also results in increased CD8 + T cells in Ezh2Y641F melanomas and reduced myelosuppressive cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, particularly in Ezh2WT melanomas, suggesting a strong immune system contribution in the role of Atg7 in melanoma progression. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic mutations, epigenetic regulators, and autophagy in shaping tumor immunity in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Erin Suh
- University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sofia R Smith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - George P Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang J, Shen S, You J, Wang Z, Li Y, Chen Y, Tuo Y, Chen D, Yu H, Zhang J, Wang F, Pang X, Xiao Z, Lan Q, Wang Y. PRMT6 facilitates EZH2 protein stability by inhibiting TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination degradation to promote glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:524. [PMID: 39043634 PMCID: PMC11266590 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06920-2] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Invasion and migration are the key hallmarks of cancer, and aggressive growth is a major factor contributing to treatment failure and poor prognosis in glioblastoma. Protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6), as an epigenetic regulator, has been confirmed to promote the malignant proliferation of glioblastoma cells in previous studies. However, the effects of PRMT6 on glioblastoma cell invasion and migration and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that PRMT6 functions as a driver element for tumor cell invasion and migration in glioblastoma. Bioinformatics analysis and glioma sample detection results demonstrated that PRMT6 is highly expressed in mesenchymal subtype or invasive gliomas, and is significantly negatively correlated with their prognosis. Inhibition of PRMT6 (using PRMT6 shRNA or inhibitor EPZ020411) reduces glioblastoma cell invasion and migration in vitro, whereas overexpression of PRMT6 produces opposite effects. Then, we identified that PRMT6 maintains the protein stability of EZH2 by inhibiting the degradation of EZH2 protein, thereby mediating the invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells. Further mechanistic investigations found that PRMT6 inhibits the transcription of TRAF6 by activating the histone methylation mark (H3R2me2a), and reducing the interaction between TRAF6 and EZH2 to enhance the protein stability of EZH2 in glioblastoma cells. Xenograft tumor assay and HE staining results showed that the expression of PRMT6 could promote the invasion of glioblastoma cells in vivo, the immunohistochemical staining results of mouse brain tissue tumor sections also confirmed the regulatory relationship between PRMT6, TRAF6, and EZH2. Our findings illustrate that PRMT6 suppresses TRAF6 transcription via H3R2me2a to enhance the protein stability of EZH2 to facilitate glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Blocking the PRMT6-TRAF6-EZH2 axis is a promising strategy for inhibiting glioblastoma cell invasion and migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shiquan Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian You
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, 646000, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhaotao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Yanming Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004, Suzhou, China
| | - Yonghua Tuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danmin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoming Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingbo Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangran Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyu Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215124, Suzhou, China.
| | - Qing Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yezhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zimmerman SM, Suh E, Smith SR, Souroullas GP. Stat3-mediated Atg7 expression enhances anti-tumor immunity in melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598284. [PMID: 38915518 PMCID: PMC11195126 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications to DNA and chromatin control oncogenic and tumor suppressive mechanisms in melanoma. EZH2, the catalytic component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which mediates methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), can regulate both melanoma initiation and progression. We previously found that mutant Ezh2 Y641F interacts with the immune regulator Stat3 and together they affect anti-tumor immunity. However, given the numerous downstream targets and pathways affected by EZH2, many mechanisms that determine its oncogenic activity remain largely unexplored. Using genetically engineered mouse models we further investigated the role of pathways downstream of EZH2 in melanoma carcinogenesis and identified significant enrichment in several autophagy signatures, along with increased expression of autophagy regulators, such as Atg7. In this study, we investigated the effect of Atg7 on melanoma growth and tumor immunity within the context of an Ezh2 Y641F epigenetic state. We found that expression of Atg7 is largely dependent on Stat3 expression and that deletion of Atg7 slows down melanoma cell growth in vivo, but not in vitro. Atg7 deletion also results in increased CD8+ T cells and reduced myelosuppressive cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a strong immune system contribution in the role of Atg7 in melanoma progression. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic mutations, epigenetic regulators, and autophagy in shaping tumor immunity in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Erin Suh
- University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Sofia R. Smith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - George P. Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen Y, Zhu H, Luo Y, Tong S, Liu Y. EZH2: The roles in targeted therapy and mechanisms of resistance in breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116624. [PMID: 38670045 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance presents a formidable challenge in the realm of breast cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), may serve as a key regulator in controlling drug resistance. EZH2 overexpression has been observed in breast cancer and many other malignancies, showing a strong correlation with poor outcomes. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms by which EZH2 regulates drug resistance, with a specific focus on breast cancer, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular processes. Additionally, we will discuss the current strategies and outcomes of targeting EZH2 using both single agents and combination therapies, with the goal of offering improved guidance for the clinical treatment of breast cancer patients who have developed drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Hongyan Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Yi Luo
- Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Biotheus Inc., Guangdong Province, Zhuhai 519080, PR China.
| | - Shuangmei Tong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dai Z, He Y, Zhang X, Tian Z, Zhu G, Ren Z, Ye L, Liu Z, Ma C, Cao W, Ji T. Head-and-neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Survival analysis and Clinically relevant immunohistochemical indicators. Oral Dis 2024; 30:1040-1051. [PMID: 36597156 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (HNDFSP) is extremely rare and not entirely understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinicopathological features of HNDFSP and identify the expression of its clinically relevant indicators, with the expectation of improving the existing treatment strategies. METHODS A long-term follow-up of patients with HNDFSP who received treatment between 2000 and 2021 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital was conducted. The clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical data of the patients were retrieved and analyzed. The endpoint of the study was the incidence of significant disease-related clinical events (recurrences or metastasis). RESULTS A total of 49 patients with HNDFSP were included in the study, with males (92.7%) predominating than females (7.3%). Eighteen patients developed recurrent disease (36.8%) after surgery, and the median time of recurrence was 48 months (interquartile, 20-74 months). Metastasis occurred in two cases (4.1%). Two patients died during follow-up, both with local recurrence, and one of them with intestinal metastasis. Post-operation radiotherapy was administered to eight patients (16.3%) and the effect in local control was remarkable. Age, tumor size, and negative margins with sufficient safety width were the main independent factors affecting the disease-free survival. Several potential targeted therapeutic indicators, including EZH2 (80.0%), EGFR (91.4%), PDGF (97.1%), PD-L1 (77.1%), and VEGF (77.1%), were positively expressed in most tumor samples. CONCLUSION HNDFSP is rare, significantly challenging to control locally, and has a worse prognosis with current treatment strategies. Wide local excision and long-term follow-up are needed. Radiotherapy could improve the prognosis of patients with HNDFSP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlin Dai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Youya He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oral Pathology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guopei Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhu Ren
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Ye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheqi Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyue Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Ji
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang M, Wu K, Zhang W, Lin X, Cao Q, Zhang L, Chen K. The therapeutic potential of targeting the CHD protein family in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108610. [PMID: 38367868 PMCID: PMC10942663 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic events undergo deregulation in various cancer types, playing crucial roles in tumor development. Among the epigenetic factors involved in the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) family frequently exhibits gain- or loss-of-function mutations in distinct cancer types. Therefore, targeting CHD remodelers holds the potential for antitumor treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic regulations of cancer development. We emphasize proteins in the CHD family, delving deeply into the intricate mechanisms governing their functions. Additionally, we provide an overview of current therapeutic strategies targeting CHD family members in preclinical trials. We further discuss the promising approaches that have demonstrated early signs of success in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wu
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Urology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lili Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Diazzi S, Ablain J. Nonepithelial cancer dissemination: specificities and challenges. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:356-368. [PMID: 38135572 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cancers have served as a paradigm to study tumor dissemination but recent data have highlighted significant differences with nonepithelial cancers. Here, we review the current knowledge on nonepithelial tumor dissemination, drawing examples from the latest developments in melanoma, glioma, and sarcoma research. We underscore the importance of the reactivation of developmental processes during cancer progression and describe the nongenetic mechanisms driving nonepithelial tumor spread. We also outline therapeutic opportunities and ongoing clinical approaches to fight disseminating cancers. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges and emerging questions in the field. Defining the core principles underlying nonepithelial cancer dissemination may uncover actionable vulnerabilities of metastatic tumors and help improve the prognosis of patients with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Diazzi
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julien Ablain
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dymerska D, Marusiak AA. Drivers of cancer metastasis - Arise early and remain present. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189060. [PMID: 38151195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer and its metastases arise from mutations of genes, drivers that promote a tumor's growth. Analyses of driver events provide insights into cancer cell history and may lead to a better understanding of oncogenesis. We reviewed 27 metastatic research studies, including pan-cancer studies, individual cancer studies, and phylogenetic analyses, and summarized our current knowledge of metastatic drivers. All of the analyzed studies had a high level of consistency of driver mutations between primary tumors and metastasis, indicating that most drivers appear early in cancer progression and are maintained in metastatic cells. Additionally, we reviewed data from around 50,000 metastatic cancer patients and compiled a list of genes altered in metastatic lesions. We performed Gene Ontology analysis and confirmed that the most significantly enriched processes in metastatic lesions were the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, cell cycle, programmed cell death, DNA damage, hypoxia and EMT. In this review, we explore the most recent discoveries regarding genetic factors in the advancement of cancer, specifically those that drive metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Dymerska
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna A Marusiak
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Anestopoulos I, Paraskevaidis I, Kyriakou S, Giova LE, Trafalis DT, Botaitis S, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Isothiocyanates Potentiate Tazemetostat-Induced Apoptosis by Modulating the Expression of Apoptotic Genes, Members of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, and Levels of Tri-Methylating Lysine 27 at Histone 3 in Human Malignant Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2745. [PMID: 38473991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052745] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we utilized an in vitro model consisting of human malignant melanoma as well as non-tumorigenic immortalized keratinocyte cells with the aim of characterizing the therapeutic effectiveness of the clinical epigenetic drug Tazemetostat alone or in combination with various isothiocyanates. In doing so, we assessed markers of cell viability, apoptotic induction, and expression levels of key proteins capable of mediating the therapeutic response. Our data indicated, for the first time, that Tazemetostat caused a significant decrease in viability levels of malignant melanoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner via the induction of apoptosis, while non-malignant keratinocytes were more resistant. Moreover, combinatorial treatment protocols caused a further decrease in cell viability, together with higher apoptotic rates. In addition, a significant reduction in the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) members [e.g., Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2), Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED), and suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12)] and tri-methylating lysine 27 at Histone 3 (H3K27me3) protein expression levels was observed, at least partially, under specific combinatorial exposure conditions. Reactivation of major apoptotic gene targets was determined at much higher levels in combinatorial treatment protocols than Tazemetostat alone, known to be involved in the induction of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. Overall, we developed an optimized experimental therapeutic platform aiming to ensure the therapeutic effectiveness of Tazemetostat in malignant melanoma while at the same time minimizing toxicity against neighboring non-tumorigenic keratinocyte cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Ioannis Paraskevaidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Sotiris Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Lambrini E Giova
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Dimitrios T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiris Botaitis
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Rodrigo Franco
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Aglaia Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Mihalis I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, Ayios Dometios, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Amin MN, El-Far YM, El-Mowafy M, Elgaml A. Tazemetostat decreases β-catenin and CD13 protein expression in HEPG-2 and Hepatitis B virus-transfected HEPG-2 with decreased cell viability. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:180. [PMID: 37941056 PMCID: PMC10634085 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01593-8] [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: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the global health concerns. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of HCC. Poor clinical outcome of HCC patients is attributed to a small population of cancer cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this work, we studied the effect of inhibiting the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase known to be overexpressed in CSCs, using tazemetostat (Taz). The effect of Taz was assessed in the HCC cell line (HEPG2) and Hepatitis B virus-transfected HEPG2 (HBV/HEPG2) cells. MTT assay showed a significant decrease in HEPG2 cells viability after 48 h treatment with either 0.5, 1, 4 or 6 μM Taz. HEPG2 and HBV/HEPG2 cells were incubated with either 0.5 or 1 μM Taz for 48 h, and then, the cells and supernatants were collected for protein expression analysis of EZH2, CD13, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and β-catenin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Taz showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of EZH2, CD13 and β-catenin in HEPG2 and HBV/HEPG2 cells. Also, EpCAM protein levels were significantly decreased in HBV/HEPG2 but not in HEPG2 cell line alone. Our results indicate that Taz inhibition of EZH2 leads to downregulation of β-catenin signaling and eventually decreased expression of CD13 and EpCAM, which are characteristic for CSCs. The present study suggests that Taz could be a promising treatment for HCC including HBV-induced HCC that might be used in combination with radio/chemotherapy to target CSCs and prevent tumor relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed N Amin
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Yousra M El-Far
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohammed El-Mowafy
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz Elgaml
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Damietta, 34518, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zimmerman SM, Lin PN, Souroullas GP. Non-canonical functions of EZH2 in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1233953. [PMID: 37664059 PMCID: PMC10473085 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1233953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in chromatin modifying genes frequently occur in many kinds of cancer. Most mechanistic studies focus on their canonical functions, while therapeutic approaches target their enzymatic activity. Recent studies, however, demonstrate that non-canonical functions of chromatin modifiers may be equally important and therapeutically actionable in different types of cancer. One epigenetic regulator that demonstrates such a dual role in cancer is the histone methyltransferase EZH2. EZH2 is a core component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays a crucial role in cell identity, differentiation, proliferation, stemness and plasticity. While much of the regulatory functions and oncogenic activity of EZH2 have been attributed to its canonical, enzymatic activity of methylating lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), a repressive chromatin mark, recent studies suggest that non-canonical functions that are independent of H3K27me3 also contribute towards the oncogenic activity of EZH2. Contrary to PRC2's canonical repressive activity, mediated by H3K27me3, outside of the complex EZH2 can directly interact with transcription factors and oncogenes to activate gene expression. A more focused investigation into these non-canonical interactions of EZH2 and other epigenetic/chromatin regulators may uncover new and more effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize major findings on the non-canonical functions of EZH2 and how they are related to different aspects of carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Phyo Nay Lin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - George P. Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang L, Zhang L, Li S, Cao L, Li K, Zhao W. A Novel Acetylation-Immune Subtyping for the Identification of a BET Inhibitor-Sensitive Subgroup in Melanoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1037. [PMID: 37513949 PMCID: PMC10383501 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been significant advancements in melanoma therapies. BET inhibitors (BETis) show promise in impairing melanoma growth. However, identifying BETi-sensitive melanoma subtypes is challenging. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed 48 melanoma cell lines and 104 patients and identified two acetylation-immune subtypes (ALISs) in the cell lines and three ALISs in the patients. ALIS I, with high HAT1 and low KAT2A expression, showed a higher sensitivity to the BETi JQ-1 than ALIS II. ALIS III had low HAT1 expression. The TAD2B expression was low in ALIS I and II. KAT2A and HAT1 expressions were negatively correlated with the methylation levels of their CG sites (p = 0.0004 and 0.0003). Immunological gene sets, including B cell metagenes, activated stroma-related genes, fibroblast TGF response signatures (TBRS), and T cell TBRS-related genes, were up-regulated in ALIS I. Furthermore, KAT2A played a key role in regulating BETi sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity of ALIS I to the BETi JQ-1 may be due to the inhibition of BETi resistance pathways and genes by low KAT2A expression and the dysregulation of the immune microenvironment by high HAT1 expression resulting from the absence of immune cells. ALIS I had the worst progression but showed sensitivity to BETi and B-cell-related immunotherapy, despite not responding to BRAF inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liuying Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Liuchao Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- MSD R&D (China) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100012, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fernandez MF, Choi J, Sosman J. New Approaches to Targeted Therapy in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3224. [PMID: 37370834 PMCID: PMC10296143 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It was just slightly more than a decade ago when metastatic melanoma carried a dismal prognosis with few, if any, effective therapies. Since then, the evolution of cancer immunotherapy has led to new and effective treatment approaches for melanoma. However, despite these advances, a sizable portion of patients with advanced melanoma have de novo or acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. At the same time, therapies (BRAF plus MEK inhibitors) targeting the BRAFV600 mutations found in 40-50% of cutaneous melanomas have also been critical for optimizing management and improving patient outcomes. Even though immunotherapy has been established as the initial therapy in most patients with cutaneous melanoma, subsequent effective therapy is limited to BRAFV600 melanoma. For all other melanoma patients, driver mutations have not been effectively targeted. Numerous efforts are underway to target melanomas with NRAS mutations, NF-1 LOF mutations, and other genetic alterations leading to activation of the MAP kinase pathway. In this era of personalized medicine, we will review the current genetic landscape, molecular classifications, emerging drug targets, and the potential for combination therapies for non-BRAFV600 melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey Sosman
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (M.F.F.); (J.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wozniak M, Czyz M. lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction as promising therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1170026. [PMID: 37325482 PMCID: PMC10265524 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1170026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. Despite a great improvement of diagnostics and treatment of melanoma patients, this disease is still a serious clinical problem. Therefore, novel druggable targets are in focus of research. EZH2 is a component of the PRC2 protein complex that mediates epigenetic silencing of target genes. Several mutations activating EZH2 have been identified in melanoma, which contributes to aberrant gene silencing during tumor progression. Emerging evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are molecular "address codes" for EZH2 silencing specificity, and targeting lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction may slow down the progression of many solid cancers, including melanoma. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in EZH2-mediated gene silencing in melanoma. The possibility of blocking lncRNAs-EZH2 interaction in melanoma as a novel therapeutic option and plausible controversies and drawbacks of this approach are also briefly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Wozniak
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhu Y, Zhang L, Song X, Zhang Q, Wang T, Xiao H, Yu L. Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 by ZLD1039 suppresses tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115493. [PMID: 36898415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality rate of malignant melanoma are increasing worldwide. Metastasis reduces the efficacy of current melanoma therapies and leads to poor prognosis for patients. EZH2 is a methyltransferase that promotes the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor cells by regulating transcriptional activity. EZH2 inhibitors could be effective in melanoma therapies. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether the pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 by ZLD1039, a potent and selective S-adenosyl-l-methionine-EZH2 inhibitor, suppresses tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in melanoma cells. Results showed that ZLD1039 selectively reduced H3K27 methylation in melanoma cells by inhibiting EZH2 methyltransferase activity. Additionally, ZLD1039 exerted excellent antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells in 2D and 3D culture systems. Administration of ZLD1039 (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage caused antitumor effects in the A375 subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. RNA sequencing and GSEA revealed that the ZLD1039-treated tumors exhibited changes in the gene sets enriched from the "Cell Cycle" and "Oxidative Phosphorylation", whereas the "ECM receptor interaction" gene set had a negative enrichment score. Mechanistically, ZLD1039 induced G0/G1 phase arrest by upregulating p16 and p27 and inhibiting the functions of the cyclin D1/CDK6 and cyclin E/CDK2 complexes. Moreover, ZLD1039 induced apoptosis in melanoma cells via the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species apoptotic pathway, consistent with the changes in transcriptional signatures. ZLD1039 also exhibited excellent antimetastatic effects on melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data highlight that ZLD1039 may be effective against melanoma growth and pulmonary metastasis and thus could serve as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lidan Zhang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xuejiao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiangsheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Luoting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kuser-Abali G, Zhang Y, Szeto P, Zhao P, Masoumi-Moghaddam S, Fedele CG, Leece I, Huang C, Cheung JG, Ameratunga M, Noguchi F, Andrews MC, Wong NC, Schittenhelm RB, Shackleton M. UHRF1/UBE2L6/UBR4-mediated ubiquitination regulates EZH2 abundance and thereby melanocytic differentiation phenotypes in melanoma. Oncogene 2023; 42:1360-1373. [PMID: 36906655 PMCID: PMC10121471 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity in cancer is linked to disease progression and therapy response, although mechanisms regulating distinct cellular states within tumors are not well understood. We identified melanin pigment content as a major source of cellular heterogeneity in melanoma and compared RNAseq data from high-pigmented (HPCs) and low-pigmented melanoma cells (LPCs), suggesting EZH2 as a master regulator of these states. EZH2 protein was found to be upregulated in LPCs and inversely correlated with melanin deposition in pigmented patient melanomas. Surprisingly, conventional EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitors, GSK126 and EPZ6438, had no effect on LPC survival, clonogenicity and pigmentation, despite fully inhibiting methyltransferase activity. In contrast, EZH2 silencing by siRNA or degradation by DZNep or MS1943 inhibited growth of LPCs and induced HPCs. As the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 induced EZH2 protein in HPCs, we evaluated ubiquitin pathway proteins in HPC vs LPCs. Biochemical assays and animal studies demonstrated that in LPCs, the E2-conjugating enzyme UBE2L6 depletes EZH2 protein in cooperation with UBR4, an E3 ligase, via ubiquitination at EZH2's K381 residue, and is downregulated in LPCs by UHRF1-mediated CpG methylation. Targeting UHRF1/UBE2L6/UBR4-mediated regulation of EZH2 offers potential for modulating the activity of this oncoprotein in contexts in which conventional EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitors are ineffective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Kuser-Abali
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Youfang Zhang
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pacman Szeto
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Isobel Leece
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jen G Cheung
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Malaka Ameratunga
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Fumihito Noguchi
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Miles C Andrews
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas C Wong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Shackleton
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kato S, Maeda Y, Sugiyama D, Watanabe K, Nishikawa H, Hinohara K. The cancer epigenome: Non-cell autonomous player in tumor immunity. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:730-740. [PMID: 36468774 PMCID: PMC9986067 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the tumor-intrinsic epigenetic circuit is a key driver event for the development of cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic and/or genetic drivers stimulate intrinsic oncogenic pathways as well as extrinsic factors that modulate the immune system. These modulations indeed shape the tumor microenvironment (TME), allowing pro-oncogenic factors to become oncogenic, thereby contributing to cancer development and progression. Here we review the epigenetic dysregulation arising in cancer cells that disseminates throughout the TME and beyond. Recent CRISPR screening has elucidated key epigenetic drivers that play important roles in the proliferation of cancer cells (intrinsic) and inhibition of antitumor immunity (extrinsic), which lead to the development and progression of cancer. These epigenetic players can serve as promising targets for cancer therapy as a dual (two-in-one)-targeted approach. Considering the interplay between cancer and the immune system as a key determinant of immunotherapy, we discuss a novel lineage-tracing technology that enables longitudinal monitoring of cancer and immune phenotypic heterogeneity and fate paths during cancer development, progression, and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Kato
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuka Maeda
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Institute for Advanced Study, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hinohara
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Institute for Advanced Study, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sutopo NC, Kim JH, Cho JY. Role of histone methylation in skin cancers: Histone methylation-modifying enzymes as a new class of targets for skin cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188865. [PMID: 36841366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Histone methylation, one of the most prominent epigenetic modifications, plays a vital role in gene transcription, and aberrant histone methylation levels cause tumorigenesis. Histone methylation is a reversible enzyme-dependent reaction, and histone methyltransferases and demethylases are involved in this reaction. This review addresses the biological and clinical relevance of these histone methylation-modifying enzymes for skin cancer. In particular, the roles of histone lysine methyltransferases, histone arginine methyltransferase, lysine-specific demethylases, and JmjC demethylases in skin cancer are discussed in detail. In addition, we summarize the efficacy of several epigenetic inhibitors targeting histone methylation-modifying enzymes in cutaneous cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. In conclusion, we propose histone methylation-modifying enzymes as novel targets for next-generation pharmaceuticals in the treatment of skin cancers and further provide a rationale for the development of epigenetic drugs (epidrugs) that target specific histone methylases/demethylases in cutaneous tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Youl Cho
- Department of Biocosmetics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Harnessing epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:318-340. [PMID: 36823234 PMCID: PMC10066239 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-00980-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is a powerful option for cancer treatment. Despite demonstrable progress, most patients fail to respond or achieve durable responses due to primary or acquired ICB resistance. Recently, tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) was identified as a critical determinant in regulating immune escape and immunotherapy resistance in cancer. In this review, we summarize the emerging role of tumor EMP in ICB resistance and the tumor-intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms by which tumors exploit EMP to achieve immunosuppression and immune escape. We discuss strategies to modulate tumor EMP to alleviate immune resistance and to enhance the efficiency of ICB therapy. Our discussion provides new prospects to enhance the ICB response for therapeutic gain in cancer patients.
Collapse
|
24
|
Resistance to BRAF Inhibitors: EZH2 and Its Downstream Targets as Potential Therapeutic Options in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031963. [PMID: 36768289 PMCID: PMC9916477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Activating BRAF mutations occurs in 50-60% of malignant melanomas. Although initially treatable, the development of resistance to BRAF-targeted therapies (BRAFi) is a major challenge and limits their efficacy. We have previously shown that the BRAFV600E signaling pathway mediates the expression of EZH2, an epigenetic regulator related to melanoma progression and worse overall survival. Therefore, we wondered whether inhibition of EZH2 would be a way to overcome resistance to vemurafenib. We found that the addition of an EZH2 inhibitor to vemurafenib improved the response of melanoma cells resistant to BRAFi with regard to decreased viability, cell-cycle arrest and increased apoptosis. By next-generation sequencing, we revealed that the combined inhibition of BRAF and EZH2 dramatically suppresses pathways of mitosis and cell cycle. This effect was linked to the downregulation of Polo-kinase 1 (PLK1), a key regulator of cell cycle and proliferation. Subsequently, when we inhibited PLK1, we found decreased cell viability of melanoma cells resistant to BRAFi. When we inhibited both BRAF and PLK1, we achieved an improved response of BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells, which was comparable to the combined inhibition of BRAF and EZH2. These results thus reveal that targeting EZH2 or its downstream targets, such as PLK1, in combination with BRAF inhibitors are potential novel therapeutic options in melanomas with BRAF mutations.
Collapse
|
25
|
Multiomics characteristics and immunotherapeutic potential of EZH2 in pan-cancer. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232355. [PMID: 36545914 PMCID: PMC9842950 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20222230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a significant epigenetic regulator that plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancer. However, the multiomics features and immunological effects of EZH2 in pan-cancer remain unclear. Transcriptome and clinical raw data of pan-cancer samples were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, and subsequent data analyses were conducted by using R software (version 4.1.0). Furthermore, numerous bioinformatics analysis databases also reapplied to comprehensively explore and elucidate the oncogenic mechanism and therapeutic potential of EZH2 from pan-cancer insight. Finally, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical assays were performed to verify the differential expression of EZH2 gene in various cancers at the mRNA and protein levels. EZH2 was widely expressed in multiple normal and tumor tissues, predominantly located in the nucleoplasm. Compared with matched normal tissues, EZH2 was aberrantly expressed in most cancers either at the mRNA or protein level, which might be caused by genetic mutations, DNA methylation, and protein phosphorylation. Additionally, EZH2 expression was correlated with clinical prognosis, and its up-regulation usually indicated poor survival outcomes in cancer patients. Subsequent analysis revealed that EZH2 could promote tumor immune evasion through T-cell dysfunction and T-cell exclusion. Furthermore, expression of EZH2 exhibited a strong correlation with several immunotherapy-associated responses (i.e., immune checkpoint molecules, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), mismatch repair (MMR) status, and neoantigens), suggesting that EZH2 appeared to be a novel target for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
26
|
Li Y, Chen G, Zhang K, Cao J, Zhao H, Cong Y, Qiao G. Integrated transcriptome and network analysis identifies EZH2/CCNB1/PPARG as prognostic factors in breast cancer. Front Genet 2023; 13:1117081. [PMID: 36712863 PMCID: PMC9873965 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1117081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) has high morbidity, with significant relapse and mortality rates in women worldwide. Therefore, further exploration of its pathogenesis is of great significance. This study selected therapy genes and possible biomarkers to predict BC using bioinformatic methods. To this end, the study examined 21 healthy breasts along with 457 BC tissues in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and then identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Survival-associated DEGs were screened using the Kaplan-Meier curve. Based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, survival-associated DEGs were mostly associated with cell division and cellular response to hormone stimulus. The enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway was mostly correlated with cell cycle and tyrosine metabolism. Using overlapped survival-associated DEGs, a survival-associated PPI network was constructed. PPI analysis revealed three hub genes (EZH2, CCNB1, and PPARG) by their degree of connection. These hub genes were confirmed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-BRCA dataset and BC tissue samples. Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the molecular mechanism of the potential therapy and prognostic genes were evaluated. Thus, hub genes were shown to be associated with KEGG_CELL_CYCLE and VANTVEER_BREAST_CANCER_POOR_PROGNOSIS gene sets. Finally, based on integrated bioinformatics analysis, this study identified three hub genes as possible prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BC. The results obtained further understanding of the underground molecular mechanisms related to BC occurrence and prognostic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yalun Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jianqiao Cao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Huishan Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yizi Cong
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Guangdong Qiao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lee SH, Li Y, Kim H, Eum S, Park K, Lee CH. The role of EZH1 and EZH2 in development and cancer. BMB Rep 2022; 55:595-601. [PMID: 36476271 PMCID: PMC9813427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) exhibits key roles in mammalian development through its temporospatial repression of gene expression. EZH1 or EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of PRC2 that mediates the mono-, di- and tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), H3K27me2/me3 being a hallmark of facultative heterochromatin. PRC2 is a chromatinmodifying enzyme that is recruited to a limited number of "nucleation sites", spreads H3K27 methylation and fosters chromatin compaction. EZH1 and EZH2 exhibit differences in their expression patterns, levels of histone methyltransferase activity (HMT) in the context of PRC2, and DNA/nucleosome binding activity. This suggests that their roles in heterochromatin formation are disparate. Dysregulation of PRC2 activity leads to aberrant gene expression and is implicated in cancer and developmental diseases. In this review, we discuss the distinct function of PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2 in the early and late developmental stages. We then discuss the cancers associated with PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(12): 595-601].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hanbyeol Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seounghyun Eum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Kyumin Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chul-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Ischemic/hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Anestopoulos I, Kyriakou S, Tragkola V, Paraskevaidis I, Tzika E, Mitsiogianni M, Deligiorgi MV, Petrakis G, Trafalis DT, Botaitis S, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Targeting the epigenome in malignant melanoma: Facts, challenges and therapeutic promises. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108301. [PMID: 36283453 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with high rates of mortality. Although current treatment options provide a short-clinical benefit, acquired-drug resistance highlights the low 5-year survival rate among patients with advanced stage of the disease. In parallel, the involvement of an aberrant epigenetic landscape, (e.g., alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications marks and expression of non-coding RNAs), in addition to the genetic background, has been also associated with the onset and progression of melanoma. In this review article, we report on current therapeutic options in melanoma treatment with a focus on distinct epigenetic alterations and how their reversal, by specific drug compounds, can restore a normal phenotype. In particular, we concentrate on how single and/or combinatorial therapeutic approaches have utilized epigenetic drug compounds in being effective against malignant melanoma. Finally, the role of deregulated epigenetic mechanisms in promoting drug resistance to targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors is presented leading to the development of newly synthesized and/or improved drug compounds capable of targeting the epigenome of malignant melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - S Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - V Tragkola
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - I Paraskevaidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - E Tzika
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - M V Deligiorgi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - G Petrakis
- Saint George Hospital, Chania, Crete, Greece
| | - D T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Botaitis
- Department of Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - A Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Koukourakis
- Radiotherapy / Oncology, Radiobiology & Radiopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - R Franco
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - A Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lee SH, Li Y, Kim H, Eum S, Park K, Lee CH. The role of EZH1 and EZH2 in development and cancer. BMB Rep 2022; 55:595-601. [PMID: 36476271 PMCID: PMC9813427 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.12.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) exhibits key roles in mammalian development through its temporospatial repression of gene expression. EZH1 or EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of PRC2 that mediates the mono-, di- and tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), H3K27me2/me3 being a hallmark of facultative heterochromatin. PRC2 is a chromatinmodifying enzyme that is recruited to a limited number of "nucleation sites", spreads H3K27 methylation and fosters chromatin compaction. EZH1 and EZH2 exhibit differences in their expression patterns, levels of histone methyltransferase activity (HMT) in the context of PRC2, and DNA/nucleosome binding activity. This suggests that their roles in heterochromatin formation are disparate. Dysregulation of PRC2 activity leads to aberrant gene expression and is implicated in cancer and developmental diseases. In this review, we discuss the distinct function of PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2 in the early and late developmental stages. We then discuss the cancers associated with PRC2/EZH1 and PRC2/EZH2. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(12): 595-601].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hanbyeol Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seounghyun Eum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Kyumin Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chul-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Ischemic/hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kong IY, Trezise S, Light A, Todorovski I, Arnau GM, Gadipally S, Yoannidis D, Simpson KJ, Dong X, Whitehead L, Tempany JC, Farchione AJ, Sheikh AA, Groom JR, Rogers KL, Herold MJ, Bryant VL, Ritchie ME, Willis SN, Johnstone RW, Hodgkin PD, Nutt SL, Vervoort SJ, Hawkins ED. Epigenetic modulators of B cell fate identified through coupled phenotype-transcriptome analysis. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:2519-2530. [PMID: 35831623 PMCID: PMC9751284 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput methodologies are the cornerstone of screening approaches to identify novel compounds that regulate immune cell function. To identify novel targeted therapeutics to treat immune disorders and haematological malignancies, there is a need to integrate functional cellular information with the molecular mechanisms that regulate changes in immune cell phenotype. We facilitate this goal by combining quantitative methods for dissecting complex simultaneous cell phenotypic effects with genomic analysis. This combination strategy we term Multiplexed Analysis of Cells sequencing (MAC-seq), a modified version of Digital RNA with perturbation of Genes (DRUGseq). We applied MAC-seq to screen compounds that target the epigenetic machinery of B cells and assess altered humoral immunity by measuring changes in proliferation, survival, differentiation and transcription. This approach revealed that polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) inhibitors promote antibody secreting cell (ASC) differentiation in both murine and human B cells in vitro. This is further validated using T cell-dependent immunization in mice. Functional dissection of downstream effectors of PRC2 using arrayed CRISPR screening uncovered novel regulators of B cell differentiation, including Mybl1, Myof, Gas7 and Atoh8. Together, our findings demonstrate that integrated phenotype-transcriptome analyses can be effectively combined with drug screening approaches to uncover the molecular circuitry that drives lymphocyte fate decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Y. Kong
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Stephanie Trezise
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Amanda Light
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Izabela Todorovski
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Gisela Mir Arnau
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia
| | - Sreeja Gadipally
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia
| | - David Yoannidis
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia
| | - Kaylene J. Simpson
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.1055.10000000403978434Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Xueyi Dong
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Lachlan Whitehead
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Jessica C. Tempany
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Anthony J. Farchione
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Amania A. Sheikh
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia
| | - Joanna R. Groom
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Kelly L. Rogers
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Marco J. Herold
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Vanessa L. Bryant
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Matthew E. Ritchie
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Simon N. Willis
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Ricky W. Johnstone
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Philip D. Hodgkin
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| | - Stephin J. Vervoort
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia ,grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Edwin D. Hawkins
- grid.1042.70000 0004 0432 4889Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 VIC Australia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zimmerman SM, Nixon SJ, Chen PY, Raj L, Smith SR, Paolini RL, Lin PN, Souroullas GP. Ezh2 Y641F mutations co-operate with Stat3 to regulate MHC class I antigen processing and alter the tumor immune response in melanoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:4983-4993. [PMID: 36220978 PMCID: PMC9669177 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, a chromatin modifying complex, which mediates methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), a repressive chromatin mark. Genetic alterations in EZH2 in melanoma include amplifications and activating point mutations at tyrosine 641 (Y641) whose underlying oncogenic mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that expression of Ezh2Y641F causes upregulation of a subset of interferon-regulated genes in melanoma cells. Upregulation of these genes was not a direct effect of changes in H3K27me3, but via a non-canonical interaction between Ezh2 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (Stat3). Ezh2 and Stat3 together function as transcriptional activators to mediate gene activation of numerous genes, including MHC Class 1b antigen processing genes. Furthermore, expression of Stat3 is required to maintain an anti-tumor immune response in Ezh2Y641F melanomas and to prevent melanoma progression and recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Samantha J Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pei Yu Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Leela Raj
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sofia R Smith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rachel L Paolini
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Phyo Nay Lin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - George P Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Krossa I, Strub T, Aplin AE, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C. Lysine Methyltransferase NSD1 and Cancers: Any Role in Melanoma? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194865. [PMID: 36230787 PMCID: PMC9563040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194865] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic events, which comprise post-translational modifications of histone tails or DNA methylation, control gene expression by altering chromatin structure without change in the DNA sequence. Histone tails modifications are driven by specific cellular enzymes such as histone methyltransferases or histone acetylases, which play a key role in regulating diverse biological processes. Their alteration may have consequences on growth and tumorigenesis. Abstract Epigenetic regulations, that comprise histone modifications and DNA methylation, are essential to processes as diverse as development and cancer. Among the histone post-translational modifications, lysine methylation represents one of the most important dynamic marks. Here, we focused on methyltransferases of the nuclear binding SET domain 1 (NSD) family, that catalyze the mono- and di-methylation of histone H3 lysine 36. We review the loss of function mutations of NSD1 in humans that are the main cause of SOTOS syndrome, a disease associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. We then report the role of NSD1 in triggering tumor suppressive or promoter functions according to the tissue context and we discuss the role of NSD1 in melanoma. Finally, we examine the ongoing efforts to target NSD1 signaling in cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imène Krossa
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06100 Nice, France
- Team 1, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, Inserm, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06200 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Thomas Strub
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06100 Nice, France
- Team 1, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, Inserm, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Andrew E. Aplin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06100 Nice, France
- Team 1, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, Inserm, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06100 Nice, France
- Team 1, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, Inserm, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06200 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (C.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
German B, Ellis L. Polycomb Directed Cell Fate Decisions in Development and Cancer. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:28. [PMID: 36135315 PMCID: PMC9497807 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6030028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a subset of transcription regulators highly conserved throughout evolution. Their principal role is to epigenetically modify chromatin landscapes and control the expression of master transcriptional programs to determine cellular identity. The two mayor PcG protein complexes that have been identified in mammals to date are Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 (PRC2). These protein complexes selectively repress gene expression via the induction of covalent post-translational histone modifications, promoting chromatin structure stabilization. PRC2 catalyzes the histone H3 methylation at lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), inducing heterochromatin structures. This activity is controlled by the formation of a multi-subunit complex, which includes enhancer of zeste (EZH2), embryonic ectoderm development protein (EED), and suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12). This review will summarize the latest insights into how PRC2 in mammalian cells regulates transcription to orchestrate the temporal and tissue-specific expression of genes to determine cell identity and cell-fate decisions. We will specifically describe how PRC2 dysregulation in different cell types can promote phenotypic plasticity and/or non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, inducing the development of highly aggressive epithelial neuroendocrine carcinomas, including prostate, small cell lung, and Merkel cell cancer. With this, EZH2 has emerged as an important actionable therapeutic target in such cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz German
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chava S, Bugide S, Malvi P, Gupta R. Co-targeting of specific epigenetic regulators in combination with CDC7 potently inhibit melanoma growth. iScience 2022; 25:104752. [PMID: 35942091 PMCID: PMC9356103 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer that frequently metastasizes, but current therapies only benefit some patients. Here, we demonstrate that the serine/threonine kinase cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is overexpressed in melanoma, and patients with higher expression have shorter survival. Transcription factor ELK1 regulates CDC7 expression, and CDC7 inhibition promotes cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis, leading to inhibition of melanoma tumor growth and metastasis. Our chemical genetics screen with epigenetic inhibitors revealed stronger melanoma tumor growth inhibition when XL413 is combined with the EZH2 inhibitor GSK343 or BRPF1/2/3 inhibitor OF1. Mechanistically, XL413 with GSK343 or OF1 synergistically altered the expression of tumor-suppressive genes, leading to higher apoptosis than the single agent alone. Collectively, these results identify CDC7 as a driver of melanoma tumor growth and metastasis that can be targeted alone or in combination with EZH2 or BRPF1/2/3 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Suresh Bugide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Parmanand Malvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chemical biology and pharmacology of histone lysine methylation inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194840. [PMID: 35753676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is a post-translational modification that plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of a broad spectrum of biological processes. Moreover, the dysregulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases particularly cancer. Due to their pathobiological importance, KMTs have garnered immense attention over the last decade as attractive therapeutic targets. These endeavors have culminated in tens of chemical probes that have been used to interrogate many aspects of histone lysine methylation. Besides, over a dozen inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials, including the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat approved for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and advanced epithelioid sarcoma. In this Review, we highlight the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT inhibitors and targeted protein degraders focusing on the clinical development of EZH1/2, DOT1L, Menin-MLL, and WDR5-MLL inhibitors. We also briefly discuss the pharmacologic targeting of other KMTs.
Collapse
|
36
|
Regulation and Therapeutic Targeting of MTHFD2 and EZH2 in KRAS-Mutated Human Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12070652. [PMID: 35888776 PMCID: PMC9324032 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12070652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Activating KRAS mutations occur in about 30% of pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC) cases and the discovery of specific inhibitors of G12C-mutated KRAS has considerably improved the prognosis for a subgroup of about 14% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, even in patients with a KRAS G12C mutation, the overall response rate only reaches about 40% and mutations other than G12C still cannot be targeted. Despite the fact that one-carbon metabolism (1CM) and epigenetic regulation are known to be dysregulated by aberrant KRAS activity, we still lack evidence that co-treatment with drugs that regulate these factors might ameliorate response rates and patient prognosis. In this study, we show a direct dependency of Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) expression on mutationally activated KRAS and their prognostic relevance in KRAS-mutated AC. We show that aberrant KRAS activity generates a vulnerability of AC cancer cell lines to both MTHFD2 and EZH2 inhibitors. Importantly, co-inhibition of both factors was synergistically effective and comparable to KRASG12C inhibition alone, paving the way for their use in a therapeutic approach for NSCLC cancer patients.
Collapse
|
37
|
Shin DS, Park K, Garon E, Dubinett S. Targeting EZH2 to overcome the resistance to immunotherapy in lung cancer. Semin Oncol 2022; 49:S0093-7754(22)00045-8. [PMID: 35851153 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Unleashing the immune system to fight cancer has been a major breakthrough in cancer therapeutics since 2014 when anti-PD-1 antibodies (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) were approved for patients with metastatic melanoma. Therapeutic indications have rapidly expanded for many types of advanced cancer, including lung cancer. A variety of antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint are contributing to this paradigm shift. The field now confronts two salient challenges: first, to improve the therapeutic outcome given the low response rate across the histologies; second, to identify biomarkers for improved patient selection. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are underway to evaluate combinatorial treatments to improve the therapeutic outcome paired with correlative studies to identify the factors associated with response and resistance. One of the emerging strategies is to combine epigenetic modifiers with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) based on the evidence that targeting epigenetic elements can enhance anti-tumor immunity by reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). We will briefly review pleotropic biological functions of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the enzymatic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), clinical developments of oral EZH2 inhibitors, and potentially promising approaches to combine EZH2 inhibitors and PD-1 blockade for patients with advanced solid tumors, focusing on lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sanghoon Shin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Division of Hematology/Oncology, CA, USA; Member of Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin Park
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edward Garon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA
| | - Steven Dubinett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Departments of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Division of Hematology/Oncology, CA, USA; Member of Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tumor Suppressive Effects of GAS5 in Cancer Cells. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8030039. [PMID: 35736636 PMCID: PMC9228804 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8030039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important regulatory roles in cellular processes. Growth arrests specific transcript 5 (GAS5) is a lncRNA that is highly expressed during the cell cycle arrest phase but is downregulated in actively growing cells. Growth arrests specific transcript 5 was discovered to be downregulated in several cancers, primarily solid tumors, and it is known as a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis via multiple molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, GAS5 polymorphism was found to affect GAS5 expression and functionality in a cell-specific manner. This review article focuses on GAS5’s tumor-suppressive effects in regulating oncogenic signaling pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis, tumor-associated genes, and treatment-resistant cells. We also discussed genetic polymorphisms of GAS5 and their association with cancer susceptibility.
Collapse
|
39
|
Guendisch U, Loos B, Cheng PF, Dummer R, Levesque MP, Varum S, Sommer L. Loss of YY1, a Regulator of Metabolism in Melanoma, Drives Melanoma Cell Invasiveness and Metastasis Formation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:916033. [PMID: 35693944 PMCID: PMC9178194 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.916033] [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: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of cellular metabolism through metabolic rewiring and translational reprogramming are considered hallmark traits of tumor development and malignant progression. The transcription factor YY1 is a master regulator of metabolism that we have previously shown to orchestrate a metabolic program required for melanoma formation. In this study, we demonstrate that YY1, while being essential for primary melanoma formation, suppresses metastatic spreading. Its downregulation or loss resulted in the induction of an invasiveness gene program and sensitized melanoma cells for pro-invasive signaling molecules, such as TGF-β. In addition, NGFR, a key effector in melanoma invasion and phenotype switching, was among the most upregulated genes after YY1 knockdown. High levels of NGFR were also associated with other metabolic stress inducers, further indicating that YY1 knockdown mimics a metabolic stress program associated with an increased invasion potential in melanoma. Accordingly, while counteracting tumor growth, loss of YY1 strongly promoted melanoma cell invasiveness in vitro and metastasis formation in melanoma mouse models in vivo. Thus, our findings show that the metabolic regulator YY1 controls phenotype switching in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Guendisch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Loos
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Phil F. Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Sandra Varum
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Lukas Sommer,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
IGF2BP1 Promotes Proliferation of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms by Post-Transcriptional Enhancement of EZH2. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092121. [PMID: 35565249 PMCID: PMC9131133 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are very heterogeneous malignancies arising at different sites of the body that show an increasing incidence in recent decades. Here, we show that IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) is highly expressed in NEN cell lines, leading to enhanced cell proliferation. This oncogenic function relies on post-transcriptional stimulation of EZH2 expression by IGF2BP1, resulting in epigenetic silencing of cell cycle inhibitors via tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Combinatorial pharmacological targeting of IGF2BP1, EZH2, and the EZH2-activator Myc leads to synergistic antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in NEN cells, representing a novel therapeutic strategy in neuroendocrine malignancies. Abstract Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent a heterogenous class of highly vascularized neoplasms that are increasing in prevalence and are predominantly diagnosed at a metastatic state. The molecular mechanisms leading to tumor initiation, metastasis, and chemoresistance are still under investigation. Hence, identification of novel therapeutic targets is of great interest. Here, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding Protein IGF2BP1 is a post-transcriptional regulator of components of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), an epigenic modifier affecting transcriptional regulation and proliferation: Comprehensive in silico analyses along with in vitro experiments showed that IGF2BP1 promotes neuroendocrine tumor cell proliferation by stabilizing the mRNA of Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of PRC2, which represses gene expression by tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). The IGF2BP1-driven stabilization and protection of EZH2 mRNA is m6A-dependent and enhances EZH2 protein levels which stimulates cell cycle progression by silencing cell cycle arrest genes through enhanced H3K27 tri-methylation. Therapeutic inhibition of IGF2BP1 destabilizes EZH2 mRNA and results in a reduced cell proliferation, paralleled by an increase in G1 and sub-G1 phases. Combined targeting of IGF2BP1, EZH2, and Myc, a transcriptional activator of EZH2 and well-known target of IGF2BP1 cooperatively induces tumor cell apoptosis. Our data identify IGF2BP1 as an important driver of tumor progression in NEN, and indicate that disruption of the IGF2BP1-Myc-EZH2 axis represents a promising approach for targeted therapy of neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Collapse
|
41
|
Moubarak RS, Koetz-Ploch L, Mullokandov G, Gaziel A, de Pablos-Aragoneses A, Argibay D, Kleffman K, Sokolova E, Berwick M, Thomas NE, Osman I, Brown BD, Hernando E. In Vivo miRNA Decoy Screen Reveals miR-124a as a Suppressor of Melanoma Metastasis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:852952. [PMID: 35480113 PMCID: PMC9036958 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.852952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly prevalent cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide and high metastatic potential. Brain metastasis is a major complication of the disease, as more than 50% of metastatic melanoma patients eventually develop intracranial disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play an important role in the tumorigenicity of different cancers and have potential as markers of disease outcome. Identification of relevant miRNAs has generally stemmed from miRNA profiling studies of cells or tissues, but these approaches may have missed miRNAs with relevant functions that are expressed in subfractions of cancer cells. We performed an unbiased in vivo screen to identify miRNAs with potential functions as metastasis suppressors using a lentiviral library of miRNA decoys. Notably, we found that a significant fraction of melanomas that metastasized to the brain carried a decoy for miR-124a, a miRNA that is highly expressed in the brain/neurons. Additional loss- and gain-of-function in vivo validation studies confirmed miR-124a as a suppressor of melanoma metastasis and particularly of brain metastasis. miR-124a overexpression did not inhibit tumor growth in vivo, underscoring that miR-124a specifically controls processes required for melanoma metastatic growth, such as seeding and growth post-extravasation. Finally, we provide proof of principle of this miRNA as a promising therapeutic agent by showing its ability to impair metastatic growth of melanoma cells seeded in distal organs. Our efforts shed light on miR-124a as an antimetastatic agent, which could be leveraged therapeutically to impair metastatic growth and improve patient survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rana S. Moubarak
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lisa Koetz-Ploch
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gavriel Mullokandov
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Avital Gaziel
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ana de Pablos-Aragoneses
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Diana Argibay
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kevin Kleffman
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elena Sokolova
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marianne Berwick
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Nancy E. Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Iman Osman
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brian D. Brown
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group (IMCG), New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Benboubker V, Boivin F, Dalle S, Caramel J. Cancer Cell Phenotype Plasticity as a Driver of Immune Escape in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873116. [PMID: 35432344 PMCID: PMC9012258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking negative immune checkpoints are now approved for the treatment of a growing number of cancers. However, even in metastatic melanoma, where sustained responses are observed, a significant number of patients still do not respond or display resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that non-genetic cancer cell-intrinsic alterations play a key role in resistance to therapies and immune evasion. Cancer cell plasticity, mainly associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in carcinoma, relies on transcriptional, epigenetic or translational reprogramming. In melanoma, an EMT-like dedifferentiation process is characterized by the acquisition of invasive or neural crest stem cell-like features. Herein, we discuss recent findings on the specific roles of phenotypic reprogramming of melanoma cells in driving immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies. The mechanisms by which dedifferentiated melanoma cells escape T cell lysis, mediate T cell exclusion or remodel the immune microenvironment will be detailed. The expanded knowledge on tumor cell plasticity in melanoma should contribute to the development of novel therapeutic combination strategies to further improve outcomes in this deadly metastatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Benboubker
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Félix Boivin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Liang R, Tomita D, Sasaki Y, Ginn J, Michino M, Huggins DJ, Baxt L, Kargman S, Shahid M, Aso K, Duggan M, Stamford AW, DeStanchina E, Liverton N, Meinke PT, Foley MA, Phillips RE. A Chemical Strategy toward Novel Brain-Penetrant EZH2 Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:377-387. [PMID: 35300079 PMCID: PMC8919293 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant gene-silencing through dysregulation of polycomb protein activity has emerged as an important oncogenic mechanism in cancer, implicating polycomb proteins as important therapeutic targets. Recently, an inhibitor targeting EZH2, the methyltransferase component of PRC2, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval following promising clinical responses in cancer patients. However, the current array of EZH2 inhibitors have poor brain penetrance, limiting their use in patients with central nervous system malignancies, a number of which have been shown to be sensitive to EZH2 inhibition. To address this need, we have identified a chemical strategy, based on computational modeling of pyridone-containing EZH2 inhibitor scaffolds, to minimize P-glycoprotein activity, and here we report the first brain-penetrant EZH2 inhibitor, TDI-6118 (compound 5). Additionally, in the course of our attempts to optimize this compound, we discovered TDI-11904 (compound 21), a novel, highly potent, and peripherally active EZH2 inhibitor based on a 7 member ring structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Daisuke Tomita
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Yusuke Sasaki
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - John Ginn
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Mayako Michino
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - David J Huggins
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Leigh Baxt
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Stacia Kargman
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Maaz Shahid
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Epigenetics Program, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kazuyoshi Aso
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Mark Duggan
- LifeSci Consulting, LLC., 18243 SE Ridgeview Drive, Tequesta, Florida 33469, United States
| | - Andrew W Stamford
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Elisa DeStanchina
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Nigel Liverton
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Peter T Meinke
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Michael A Foley
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 East 69th Street, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Richard E Phillips
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Epigenetics Program, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hanly A, Gibson F, Nocco S, Rogers S, Wu M, Alani RM. Drugging the Epigenome: Overcoming Resistance to Targeted and Immunotherapies in Melanoma. JID INNOVATIONS 2022; 2:100090. [PMID: 35199090 PMCID: PMC8844701 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2021.100090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This past decade has seen tremendous advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma and the development of novel effective therapies for melanoma. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies that extend survival of patients with advanced disease have been developed; however, the vast majority of patients experience relapse and therapeutic resistance over time. Moreover, cellular plasticity has been demonstrated to be a driver of therapeutic resistance mechanisms in melanoma and other cancers, largely functioning through epigenetic mechanisms, suggesting that targeting of the cancer epigenetic landscape may prove a worthwhile endeavor to ensure durable treatment responses and cures. Here, we review the epigenetic alterations that characterize melanoma development, progression, and resistance to targeted therapies as well as epigenetic therapies currently in use and under development for melanoma and other cancers. We further assess the landscape of epigenetic therapies in clinical trials for melanoma and provide a framework for future advances in epigenetic therapies to circumvent the development of therapeutic resistance in melanoma.
Collapse
Key Words
- BRAFi, BRAF inhibitor
- DNMT, DNA methyltransferase
- DNMTi, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor
- EZH2, enhancer of zeste homolog 2
- EZH2i, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitor
- HAT, histone acetyltransferase
- HDAC, histone deacetylase
- HDACi, histone deacetylase inhibitor
- MEKi, MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase inhibitor
- PTM, post-translational modification
- SIRT, sirtuin
- TMZ, temozolomide
- dsRNA, double-stranded RNA
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailish Hanly
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick Gibson
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Nocco
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samantha Rogers
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Muzhou Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhoda M. Alani
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine|Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Liang Y, Turcan S. Epigenetic Drugs and Their Immune Modulating Potential in Cancers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020211. [PMID: 35203421 PMCID: PMC8868629 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic drugs are used for the clinical treatment of hematologic malignancies; however, their therapeutic potential in solid tumors is still under investigation. Current evidence suggests that epigenetic drugs may lead to antitumor immunity by increasing antigen presentation and may enhance the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we highlight their impact on the tumor epigenome and discuss the recent evidence that epigenetic agents may optimize the immune microenvironment and promote antiviral response.
Collapse
|
47
|
Fane ME, Chhabra Y, Spoerri L, Simmons JL, Ludwig R, Bonvin E, Goding CR, Sturm RA, Boyle GM, Haass NK, Piper M, Smith AG. Reciprocal regulation of BRN2 and NOTCH1/2 signaling synergistically drives melanoma cell migration and invasion. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1845-1857. [PMID: 34958806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity drives cancer progression, impacts on treatment response and is a major driver of therapeutic resistance. In melanoma, a regulatory axis between the MITF and BRN2 transcription factors has been reported to promote tumor heterogeneity by mediating switching between proliferative and invasive phenotypes respectively. Despite strong evidence that subpopulations of cells that exhibit a BRN2high/MITFlow expression profile switch to a predominantly invasive phenotype, the mechanisms by which this switch is propagated and promotes invasion remain poorly defined. We have found that a reciprocal relationship between BRN2 and NOTCH1/2 signaling exists in melanoma cells in vitro, within patient datasets and in vivo primary and metastatic human tumors that bolsters acquisition of invasiveness. Working through the epigenetic modulator EZH2, the BRN2-NOTCH1/2 axis is potentially a key mechanism by which the invasive phenotype is maintained. Given the emergence of agents targeting both EZH2 and NOTCH, understanding the mechanism through which BRN2 promotes heterogeneity may provide crucial biomarkers to predict treatment response to prevent metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell E Fane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD 21231; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21231
| | - Yash Chhabra
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD 21231; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21231
| | - Loredana Spoerri
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Jacinta L Simmons
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Raquelle Ludwig
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Elise Bonvin
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Colin R Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Richard A Sturm
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Glen M Boyle
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Nikolas K Haass
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Michael Piper
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Aaron G Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer that originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Although melanoma has long been regarded as a cancerous malignancy with few therapeutic options, increased biological understanding and unprecedented innovations in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints have substantially improved the prognosis of patients. However, the low response rate and inevitable occurrence of resistance to currently available targeted therapies have posed the obstacle in the path of melanoma management to obtain further amelioration. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying melanoma pathogenesis more comprehensively, which might lead to more substantial progress in therapeutic approaches and expand clinical options for melanoma therapy. In this review, we firstly make a brief introduction to melanoma epidemiology, clinical subtypes, risk factors, and current therapies. Then, the signal pathways orchestrating melanoma pathogenesis, including genetic mutations, key transcriptional regulators, epigenetic dysregulations, metabolic reprogramming, crucial metastasis-related signals, tumor-promoting inflammatory pathways, and pro-angiogenic factors, have been systemically reviewed and discussed. Subsequently, we outline current progresses in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints, as well as the mechanisms underlying the treatment resistance. Finally, the prospects and challenges in the development of melanoma therapy, especially immunotherapy and related ongoing clinical trials, are summarized and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huina Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Guo TT, Zhao Y, Huang WX, Zhang T, Zhao LL, Gu XS, Zhou SL. Silencing the enhancer of zeste homologue 2, Ezh2, represses axon regeneration of dorsal root ganglion neurons. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1518-1525. [PMID: 34916437 PMCID: PMC8771100 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.330623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Recovery from injury to the peripheral nervous system is different from that of the central nervous system in that it can lead to gene reprogramming that can induce the expression of a series of regeneration-associated genes. This eventually leads to axonal regeneration of injured neurons. Although some regeneration-related genes have been identified, the regulatory network underlying axon regeneration remains largely unknown. To explore the regulator of axon regeneration, we performed RNA sequencing of lumbar L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons at different time points (0, 3, 6, 12 hours, 1, 3 and 7 days) after rat sciatic nerve crush. The isolation of neurons was carried out by laser capture microscopy combined with NeuN immunofluorescence staining. We found 1228 differentially expressed genes in the injured sciatic nerve tissue. The hub genes within these differentially expressed genes include Atf3, Jun, Myc, Ngf, Fgf2, Ezh2, Gfap and Il6. We verified that the expression of the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 gene (Ezh2) was up-regulated in DRG neurons after injury, and this up-regulation differed between large- and small-sized dorsal root ganglion neurons. To investigate whether the up-regulation of Ezh2 impacts axonal regeneration, we silenced Ezh2 with siRNA in cultured DRG neurons and found that the growth of the newborn axons was repressed. In our investigation into the regulatory network of Ezh2 by interpretive phenomenal analysis, we found some regulators of Ezh2 (including Erk, Il6 and Hif1a) and targets (including Atf3, Cdkn1a and Smad1). Our findings suggest that Ezh2, as a nerve regeneration-related gene, participates in the repair of the injured DRG neurons, and knocking down the Ezh2 in vitro inhibits the axonal growth of DRG neurons. All the experimental procedures approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animals of Jiangsu Province of China (approval No. S20191201-201) on March 21, 2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei-Xiao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong; Model Animal Research Center and MOE Key Laboratory of Animal Models of Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Song Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Song-Lin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Khaddour K, Maahs L, Avila-Rodriguez AM, Maamar Y, Samaan S, Ansstas G. Melanoma Targeted Therapies beyond BRAF-Mutant Melanoma: Potential Druggable Mutations and Novel Treatment Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5847. [PMID: 34831002 PMCID: PMC8616477 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanomas exhibit the highest rate of somatic mutations among all different types of cancers (with the exception of BCC and SCC). The accumulation of a multimode of mutations in the driver oncogenes are responsible for the proliferative, invasive, and aggressive nature of melanomas. High-resolution and high-throughput technology has led to the identification of distinct mutational signatures and their downstream alterations in several key pathways that contribute to melanomagenesis. This has enabled the development of individualized treatments by targeting specific molecular alterations that are vital for cancer cell survival, which has resulted in improved outcomes in several cancers, including melanomas. To date, BRAF and MEK inhibitors remain the only approved targeted therapy with a high level of evidence in BRAFV600E/K mutant melanomas. The lack of approved precision drugs in melanomas, relative to other cancers, despite harboring one of the highest rates of somatic mutations, advocates for further research to unveil effective therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss potential druggable mutations and the ongoing research of novel individualized treatment approaches targeting non-BRAF mutations in melanomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karam Khaddour
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Lucas Maahs
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Ana Maria Avila-Rodriguez
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Yazan Maamar
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Tishreen Lattakia, Lattakia 2217, Syria;
| | - Sami Samaan
- Department of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon;
| | - George Ansstas
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| |
Collapse
|