1
|
Ling RE, Cross JW, Roy A. Aberrant stem cell and developmental programs in pediatric leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372899. [PMID: 38601080 PMCID: PMC11004259 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a finely orchestrated process, whereby hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all mature blood cells. Crucially, they maintain the ability to self-renew and/or differentiate to replenish downstream progeny. This process starts at an embryonic stage and continues throughout the human lifespan. Blood cancers such as leukemia occur when normal hematopoiesis is disrupted, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and a block in differentiation of progenitors of a particular lineage (myeloid or lymphoid). Although normal stem cell programs are crucial for tissue homeostasis, these can be co-opted in many cancers, including leukemia. Myeloid or lymphoid leukemias often display stem cell-like properties that not only allow proliferation and survival of leukemic blasts but also enable them to escape treatments currently employed to treat patients. In addition, some leukemias, especially in children, have a fetal stem cell profile, which may reflect the developmental origins of the disease. Aberrant fetal stem cell programs necessary for leukemia maintenance are particularly attractive therapeutic targets. Understanding how hijacked stem cell programs lead to aberrant gene expression in place and time, and drive the biology of leukemia, will help us develop the best treatment strategies for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Ling
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe W. Cross
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anindita Roy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chianese U, Papulino C, Megchelenbrink W, Tambaro FP, Ciardiello F, Benedetti R, Altucci L. Epigenomic machinery regulating pediatric AML: clonal expansion mechanisms, therapies, and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:84-101. [PMID: 37003397 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.03.009] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with a genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional etiology mainly presenting somatic and germline abnormalities. AML incidence rises with age but can also occur during childhood. Pediatric AML (pAML) accounts for 15-20% of all pediatric leukemias and differs considerably from adult AML. Next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled the research community to "paint" the genomic and epigenomic landscape in order to identify pathology-associated mutations and other prognostic biomarkers in pAML. Although current treatments have improved the prognosis for pAML, chemoresistance, recurrence, and refractory disease remain major challenges. In particular, pAML relapse is commonly caused by leukemia stem cells that resist therapy. Marked patient-to-patient heterogeneity is likely the primary reason why the same treatment is successful for some patients but, at best, only partially effective for others. Accumulating evidence indicates that patient-specific clonal composition impinges significantly on cellular processes, such as gene regulation and metabolism. Although our understanding of metabolism in pAML is still in its infancy, greater insights into these processes and their (epigenetic) modulation may pave the way toward novel treatment options. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the function of genetic and epigenetic (mis)regulation in pAML, including metabolic features observed in the disease. Specifically, we describe how (epi)genetic machinery can affect chromatin status during hematopoiesis, leading to an altered metabolic profile, and focus on the potential value of targeting epigenetic abnormalities in precision and combination therapy for pAML. We also discuss the possibility of using alternative epidrug-based therapeutic approaches that are already in clinical practice, either alone as adjuvant treatments and/or in combination with other drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Chianese
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Chiara Papulino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Wout Megchelenbrink
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy; Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Francesco Paolo Tambaro
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Pediatric Oncology Department AORN Santobono Pausilipon, 80129, Naples Italy.
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy; Biogem Institute of Molecular and Genetic Biology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy; IEOS, Institute for Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), 80131 Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Polycomb Alterations in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: From Structure to Function. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061693. [PMID: 36980579 PMCID: PMC10046783 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation is a hallmark of many haematological malignancies and is very frequent in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). A cardinal example is the altered activity of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) due to somatic mutations and deletions in genes encoding PRC2 core factors that are necessary for correct complex assembly. These genetic alterations typically lead to reduced histone methyltransferase activity that, in turn, has been strongly linked to poor prognosis and chemoresistance. In this review, we provide an overview of genetic alterations of PRC components in AML, with particular reference to structural and functional features of PRC2 factors. We further review genetic interactions between these alterations and other AML-associated mutations in both adult and paediatric leukaemias. Finally, we discuss reported prognostic links between PRC2 mutations and deletions and disease outcomes and potential implications for therapy.
Collapse
|
4
|
Lefeivre T, Jones L, Trinquand A, Pinton A, Macintyre E, Laurenti E, Bond J. Immature acute leukaemias: lessons from the haematopoietic roadmap. FEBS J 2021; 289:4355-4370. [PMID: 34028982 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16030] [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: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to relate the biology of acute leukaemia to normal blood cell development. In this review, we discuss how modern models of haematopoiesis might inform approaches to diagnosis and management of immature leukaemias, with a specific focus on T-lymphoid and myeloid cases. In particular, we consider whether next-generation analytical tools could provide new perspectives that could improve our understanding of immature blood cancer biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lefeivre
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luke Jones
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amélie Trinquand
- National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Antoine Pinton
- Laboratory of Onco-Haematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- Laboratory of Onco-Haematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, Paris, France
| | - Elisa Laurenti
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Bond
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cordonnier G, Mandoli A, Cagnard N, Hypolite G, Lhermitte L, Verhoeyen E, Asnafi V, Dillon N, Macintyre E, Martens JHA, Bond J. CBFβ-SMMHC Affects Genome-wide Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 Activity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cell Rep 2021; 30:299-307.e3. [PMID: 31940477 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations and deletions of polycomb repressive complex (PRC) components are increasingly recognized to affect tumor biology in a range of cancers. However, little is known about how genetic alterations of PRC-interacting molecules such as the core binding factor (CBF) complex influence polycomb activity. We report that the acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-associated CBFβ-SMMHC fusion oncoprotein physically interacts with the PRC1 complex and that these factors co-localize across the AML genome in an apparently PRC2-independent manner. Depletion of CBFβ-SMMHC caused substantial increases in genome-wide PRC1 binding and marked changes in the association between PRC1 and the CBF DNA-binding subunit RUNX1. PRC1 was more likely to be associated with actively transcribed genes in CBFβ-SMMHC-expressing cells. CBFβ-SMMHC depletion had heterogeneous effects on gene expression, including significant reductions in transcription of ribosomal loci occupied by PRC1. Our results provide evidence that CBFβ-SMMHC markedly and diversely affects polycomb recruitment and transcriptional regulation across the AML genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Cordonnier
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Amit Mandoli
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Cagnard
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Paris Descartes, Bioinformatics Platform, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Hypolite
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Lhermitte
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, EVIR Team, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Lyon, France; Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, C3M, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Vahid Asnafi
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Niall Dillon
- Gene Regulation and Chromatin Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Joost H A Martens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Bond
- Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne Cité, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut National de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Paris, France; Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France; Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; National Children's Research Centre, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
León TE, Rapoz-D'Silva T, Bertoli C, Rahman S, Magnussen M, Philip B, Farah N, Richardson SE, Ahrabi S, Guerra-Assunção JA, Gupta R, Nacheva EP, Henderson S, Herrero J, Linch DC, de Bruin RAM, Mansour MR. EZH2-Deficient T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Sensitized to CHK1 Inhibition through Enhanced Replication Stress. Cancer Discov 2020; 10:998-1017. [PMID: 32349972 PMCID: PMC7611258 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations of EZH2, the enzymatic component of PRC2, have been associated with poor outcome and chemotherapy resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Using isogenic T-ALL cells, with and without CRISPR/Cas9-induced EZH2-inactivating mutations, we performed a cell-based synthetic lethal drug screen. EZH2-deficient cells exhibited increased sensitivity to structurally diverse inhibitors of CHK1, an interaction that could be validated genetically. Furthermore, small-molecule inhibition of CHK1 had efficacy in delaying tumor progression in isogenic EZH2-deficient, but not EZH2 wild-type, T-ALL cells in vivo, as well as in a primary cell model of PRC2-mutant ALL. Mechanistically, EZH2 deficiency resulted in a gene-expression signature of immature T-ALL cells, marked transcriptional upregulation of MYCN, increased replication stress, and enhanced dependency on CHK1 for cell survival. Finally, we demonstrate this phenotype is mediated through derepression of a distal PRC2-regulated MYCN enhancer. In conclusion, we highlight a novel and clinically exploitable pathway in high-risk EZH2-mutated T-ALL. SIGNIFICANCE: Loss-of-function mutations of PRC2 genes are associated with chemotherapy resistance in T-ALL, yet no specific therapy for this aggressive subtype is currently clinically available. Our work demonstrates that loss of EZH2 activity leads to MYCN-driven replication stress, resulting in increased sensitivity to CHK1 inhibition, a finding with immediate clinical relevance.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 890.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa E León
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanya Rapoz-D'Silva
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cosetta Bertoli
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sunniyat Rahman
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Magnussen
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Philip
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadine Farah
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon E Richardson
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Ahrabi
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rajeev Gupta
- Stem Cell Laboratory, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth P Nacheva
- Health Service Laboratories LLP, UCL Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Henderson
- Bill Lyons Informatics Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Javier Herrero
- Bill Lyons Informatics Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C Linch
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robertus A M de Bruin
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc R Mansour
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Comprehensive cataloguing of the acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) genome has revealed a high frequency of mutations and deletions in epigenetic factors that are frequently linked to treatment resistance and poor patient outcome. In this review, we discuss how the epigenetic mechanisms that underpin normal haematopoiesis are subverted in AML, and in particular how these processes are altered in childhood and adolescent leukaemias. We also provide a brief summary of the burgeoning field of epigenetic-based therapies, and how AML treatment might be improved through provision of better conceptual frameworks for understanding the pleiotropic molecular effects of epigenetic disruption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Jones
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter McCarthy
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jonathan Bond
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|