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Rødland GE, Temelie M, Eek Mariampillai A, Hauge S, Gilbert A, Chevalier F, Savu DI, Syljuåsen RG. Potential Benefits of Combining Proton or Carbon Ion Therapy with DNA Damage Repair Inhibitors. Cells 2024; 13:1058. [PMID: 38920686 PMCID: PMC11201490 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121058] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of charged particle radiotherapy is currently increasing, but combination therapy with DNA repair inhibitors remains to be exploited in the clinic. The high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation delivered by charged particles causes clustered DNA damage, which is particularly effective in destroying cancer cells. Whether the DNA damage response to this type of damage is different from that elicited in response to low-LET radiation, and if and how it can be targeted to increase treatment efficacy, is not fully understood. Although several preclinical studies have reported radiosensitizing effects when proton or carbon ion irradiation is combined with inhibitors of, e.g., PARP, ATR, ATM, or DNA-PKcs, further exploration is required to determine the most effective treatments. Here, we examine what is known about repair pathway choice in response to high- versus low-LET irradiation, and we discuss the effects of inhibitors of these pathways when combined with protons and carbon ions. Additionally, we explore the potential effects of DNA repair inhibitors on antitumor immune signaling upon proton and carbon ion irradiation. Due to the reduced effect on healthy tissue and better immune preservation, particle therapy may be particularly well suited for combination with DNA repair inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gro Elise Rødland
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mihaela Temelie
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Adrian Eek Mariampillai
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sissel Hauge
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Antoine Gilbert
- UMR6252 CIMAP, Team Applications in Radiobiology with Accelerated Ions, CEA-CNRS-ENSICAEN-Université de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France (F.C.)
| | - François Chevalier
- UMR6252 CIMAP, Team Applications in Radiobiology with Accelerated Ions, CEA-CNRS-ENSICAEN-Université de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France (F.C.)
| | - Diana I. Savu
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Randi G. Syljuåsen
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
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Xu P, Gao Y, Jiang S, Cui Y, Xie Y, Kang Z, Chen YX, Sun D, Fang JY. CHEK2 deficiency increase the response to PD-1 inhibitors by affecting the tumor immune microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216595. [PMID: 38097135 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has improved treatment effects in multiple cancers. Gene mutations in the DNA damage repair pathway (DDR) may cause genomic instability and may relate to the efficacy of ICB. Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) and polymerase epsilon (POLE) are important genes in the DDR. In this study, we aimed to study the impact of CHEK2 deficiency mutations on the response to ICB. We found that tumors with CHEK2 mutations had a significantly higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) compared to those with CHEK2-WT in a pancancer database. We noted that CHEK2 deficiency mutations potentiated the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD-1 therapy in MC38 and B16 tumor-bearing mice with the decrease of tumor volume and tumor weight after anti-PD-1 treatment. Mechanistically, CHEK2 deficiency tumors were with the increased cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell infiltration, especially cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and modulated the tumor-immune microenvironment with an upregulated immune inflammatory pathway and antigen presentation pathway after anti-PD-1 treatment. Furthermore, murine models with POLE mutations confirmed that CHEK2 deficiency shaped similar mutational and immune landscapes as POLE mutations after anti-PD-1 treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrated that CHEK2 deficiency mutations may increase the response to ICB (eg. anti-PD-1) by influencing the tumor immune microenvironment. This indicated that CHEK2 deficiency mutations were a potentially predictive biomarker and CHEK2 deficiency may potentiate response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaqi Gao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Cui
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanhong Xie
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziran Kang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Xuan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Danfeng Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jing-Yuan Fang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Tong J, Song J, Zhang W, Zhai J, Guan Q, Wang H, Liu G, Zheng C. When DNA-damage responses meet innate and adaptive immunity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:185. [PMID: 38630271 PMCID: PMC11023972 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05214-2] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
When cells proliferate, stress on DNA replication or exposure to endogenous or external insults frequently results in DNA damage. DNA-Damage Response (DDR) networks are complex signaling pathways used by multicellular organisms to prevent DNA damage. Depending on the type of broken DNA, the various pathways, Base-Excision Repair (BER), Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER), Mismatch Repair (MMR), Homologous Recombination (HR), Non-Homologous End-Joining (NHEJ), Interstrand Crosslink (ICL) repair, and other direct repair pathways, can be activated separately or in combination to repair DNA damage. To preserve homeostasis, innate and adaptive immune responses are effective defenses against endogenous mutation or invasion by external pathogens. It is interesting to note that new research keeps showing how closely DDR components and the immune system are related. DDR and immunological response are linked by immune effectors such as the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway. These effectors act as sensors of DNA damage-caused immune response. Furthermore, DDR components themselves function in immune responses to trigger the generation of inflammatory cytokines in a cascade or even trigger programmed cell death. Defective DDR components are known to disrupt genomic stability and compromise immunological responses, aggravating immune imbalance and leading to serious diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. This study examines the most recent developments in the interaction between DDR elements and immunological responses. The DDR network's immune modulators' dual roles may offer new perspectives on treating infectious disorders linked to DNA damage, including cancer, and on the development of target immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tong
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Jiangwei Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Wuchao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071000, China
| | - Jingbo Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, China
| | - Qingli Guan
- The Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA 80th Group Army, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Huiqing Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Gentao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University & Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20000, China.
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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4
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Li G, Zhao X, Zheng Z, Zhang H, Wu Y, Shen Y, Chen Q. cGAS-STING pathway mediates activation of dendritic cell sensing of immunogenic tumors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:149. [PMID: 38512518 PMCID: PMC10957617 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05191-6] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) play pivotal roles in tumor therapy for three decades, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of the IFN-1 signaling pathway in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the specific mechanism by which IFN-I contributes to these therapies, particularly in terms of activating dendritic cells (DCs), remains unclear. Based on recent studies, aberrant DNA in the cytoplasm activates the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway, which in turn produces IFN-I, which is essential for antiviral and anticancer immunity. Notably, STING can also enhance anticancer immunity by promoting autophagy, inflammation, and glycolysis in an IFN-I-independent manner. These research advancements contribute to our comprehension of the distinctions between IFN-I drugs and STING agonists in the context of oncology therapy and shed light on the challenges involved in developing STING agonist drugs. Thus, we aimed to summarize the novel mechanisms underlying cGAS-STING-IFN-I signal activation in DC-mediated antigen presentation and its role in the cancer immune cycle in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohao Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiangqian Zhao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zuda Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hucheng Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yundi Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yangkun Shen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Qi Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
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5
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Mavroeidi D, Georganta A, Panagiotou E, Syrigos K, Souliotis VL. Targeting ATR Pathway in Solid Tumors: Evidence of Improving Therapeutic Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2767. [PMID: 38474014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052767] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) system is a complicated network of signaling pathways that detects and repairs DNA damage or induces apoptosis. Critical regulators of the DDR network include the DNA damage kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated Rad3-related kinase (ATR) and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM). The ATR pathway coordinates processes such as replication stress response, stabilization of replication forks, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair. ATR inhibition disrupts these functions, causing a reduction of DNA repair, accumulation of DNA damage, replication fork collapse, inappropriate mitotic entry, and mitotic catastrophe. Recent data have shown that the inhibition of ATR can lead to synthetic lethality in ATM-deficient malignancies. In addition, ATR inhibition plays a significant role in the activation of the immune system by increasing the tumor mutational burden and neoantigen load as well as by triggering the accumulation of cytosolic DNA and subsequently inducing the cGAS-STING pathway and the type I IFN response. Taken together, we review stimulating data showing that ATR kinase inhibition can alter the DDR network, the immune system, and their interplay and, therefore, potentially provide a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of antitumor therapy, using ATR inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with genotoxic drugs and/or immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Mavroeidi
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 116 35 Athens, Greece
- Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Georganta
- Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Panagiotou
- Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Syrigos
- Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis L Souliotis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 116 35 Athens, Greece
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6
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Bakshi HA, Mkhael M, Faruck HL, Khan AU, Aljabali AAA, Mishra V, El-Tanani M, Charbe NB, Tambuwala MM. Cellular signaling in the hypoxic cancer microenvironment: Implications for drug resistance and therapeutic targeting. Cell Signal 2024; 113:110911. [PMID: 37805102 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110911] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The rewiring of cellular metabolism is a defining characteristic of cancer, as tumor cells adapt to acquire essential nutrients from a nutrient-poor environment to sustain their viability and biomass. While hypoxia has been identified as a major factor depriving cancer cells of nutrients, recent studies have revealed that cancer cells distant from supporting blood vessels also face nutrient limitations. To overcome this challenge, hypoxic cancer cells, which heavily rely on glucose as an energy source, employ alternative pathways such as glycogen metabolism and reductive carboxylation of glutamine to meet their energy requirements for survival. Our preliminary studies, alongside others in the field, have shown that under glucose-deficient conditions, hypoxic cells can utilize mannose and maltose as alternative energy sources. This review aims to comprehensively examine the hypoxic cancer microenvironment, its association with drug resistance, and potential therapeutic strategies for targeting this unique niche. Furthermore, we will critically evaluate the current literature on hypoxic cancer microenvironments and explore state-of-the-art techniques used to analyze alternate carbohydrates, specifically mannose and maltose, in complex biological fluids. We will also propose the most effective analytical methods for quantifying mannose and maltose in such biological samples. By gaining a deeper understanding of the hypoxic cancer cell microenvironment and its role in drug resistance, novel therapeutic approaches can be developed to exploit this knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid A Bakshi
- Laboratory of Cancer Therapy Resistance and Drug Target Discovery, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, BT521SA, UK.
| | - Michella Mkhael
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, BT521SA, UK
| | - Hakkim L Faruck
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Tumorigenesis, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA
| | - Asad Ullah Khan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yarmouk University Irbid, Jordan
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Mohamed El-Tanani
- RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nitin B Charbe
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics (Lake Nona), University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
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Guo S, Yao Y, Tang Y, Xin Z, Wu D, Ni C, Huang J, Wei Q, Zhang T. Radiation-induced tumor immune microenvironments and potential targets for combination therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:205. [PMID: 37208386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the four major means of cancer treatment including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, RT can be applied to various cancers as both a radical cancer treatment and an adjuvant treatment before or after surgery. Although RT is an important modality for cancer treatment, the consequential changes caused by RT in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have not yet been fully elucidated. RT-induced damage to cancer cells leads to different outcomes, such as survival, senescence, or death. During RT, alterations in signaling pathways result in changes in the local immune microenvironment. However, some immune cells are immunosuppressive or transform into immunosuppressive phenotypes under specific conditions, leading to the development of radioresistance. Patients who are radioresistant respond poorly to RT and may experience cancer progression. Given that the emergence of radioresistance is inevitable, new radiosensitization treatments are urgently needed. In this review, we discuss the changes in irradiated cancer cells and immune cells in the TME under different RT regimens and describe existing and potential molecules that could be targeted to improve the therapeutic effects of RT. Overall, this review highlights the possibilities of synergistic therapy by building on existing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zengfeng Xin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dang Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qichun Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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8
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Li Y, Wang X, Hou X, Ma X. Could Inhibiting the DNA Damage Repair Checkpoint Rescue Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Resistant Endometrial Cancer? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12083014. [PMID: 37109350 PMCID: PMC10144486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12083014] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly undermining female health worldwide, with poor survival rates for advanced or recurrent/metastatic diseases. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has opened a window of opportunity for patients with first-line therapy failure. However, there is a subset of patients with endometrial cancer who remain insensitive to immunotherapy alone. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents and further explore reliable combinational strategies to optimize the efficacy of immunotherapy. DNA damage repair (DDR) inhibitors as novel targeted drugs are able to generate genomic toxicity and induce cell death in solid tumors, including EC. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated the DDR pathway modulates innate and adaptive immunity in tumors. In this review, we concentrate on the exploration of the intrinsic correlation between DDR pathways, especially the ATM-CHK2-P53 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway, and oncologic immune response, as well as the feasibility of adding DDR inhibitors to ICIs for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent/metastatic EC. We hope that this review will offer some beneficial references to the investigation of immunotherapy and provide a reasonable basis for "double-checkpoint inhibition" in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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9
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Carlsen L, El-Deiry WS. Anti-cancer immune responses to DNA damage response inhibitors: Molecular mechanisms and progress toward clinical translation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:998388. [PMID: 36276148 PMCID: PMC9583871 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.998388] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response inhibitors are widely used anti-cancer agents that have potent activity against tumor cells with deficiencies in various DNA damage response proteins such as BRCA1/2. Inhibition of other proteins in this pathway including PARP, DNA-PK, WEE1, CHK1/2, ATR, or ATM can sensitize cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and such combinations are currently being tested in clinical trials for treatment of many malignancies including breast, ovarian, rectal, and lung cancer. Unrepaired DNA damage induced by DNA damage response inhibitors alone or in combination with radio- or chemotherapy has a direct cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and can also engage anti-cancer innate and adaptive immune responses. DNA damage-induced immune stimulation occurs by a variety of mechanisms including by the cGAS/STING pathway, STAT1 and downstream TRAIL pathway activation, and direct immune cell activation. Whether or not the relative contribution of these mechanisms varies after treatment with different DNA damage response inhibitors or across cancers with different genetic aberrations in DNA damage response enzymes is not well-characterized, limiting the design of optimal combinations with radio- and chemotherapy. Here, we review how the inhibition of key DNA damage response enzymes including PARP, DNA-PK, WEE1, CHK1/2, ATR, and ATM induces innate and adaptive immune responses alone or in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. We also discuss current progress in the clinical translation of immunostimulatory DNA-damaging treatment regimens and necessary future directions to optimize the immune-sensitizing potential of DNA damage response inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Carlsen
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and the Lifespan Health System, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Pathobiology Graduate Program, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Wafik S. El-Deiry
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and the Lifespan Health System, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Pathobiology Graduate Program, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology Division, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- *Correspondence: Wafik S. El-Deiry,
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10
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Wang W, McMillan MT, Zhao X, Wang Z, Jiang L, Karnak D, Lima F, Parsels JD, Parsels LA, Lawrence TS, Frankel TL, Morgan MA, Green MD, Zhang Q. DNA-PK Inhibition and Radiation Promote Antitumoral Immunity through RNA Polymerase III in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:1137-1150. [PMID: 35348737 PMCID: PMC9262824 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the DNA damage response in combination with radiation enhances type I interferon (T1IFN)-driven innate immune signaling. It is not understood, however, whether DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), the kinase critical for repairing the majority of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in cancer cells, is immunomodulatory. We show that combining radiation with DNA-PK inhibition increases cytosolic double-stranded DNA and tumoral T1IFN signaling in a cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-independent, but an RNA polymerase III (POL III), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), and antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS)-dependent manner. Although DNA-PK inhibition and radiation also promote programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the use of anti-PD-L1 in combination with radiation and DNA-PK inhibitor potentiates antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer models. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for the antitumoral immune effects of DNA-PK inhibitor and radiation that leads to increased sensitivity to anti-PD-L1 in poorly immunogenic pancreatic cancers. IMPLICATIONS Our work nominates a novel therapeutic strategy as well as its cellular mechanisms pertinent for future clinical trials combining M3814, radiation, and anti-PD-L1 antibody in patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew T. McMillan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhuwen Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Long Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David Karnak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fatima Lima
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Joshua D. Parsels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Leslie A. Parsels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Theodore S. Lawrence
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Timothy L Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Meredith A. Morgan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael D. Green
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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11
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Guo X, Hintzsche H, Xu W, Ni J, Xue J, Wang X. Interplay of cGAS with micronuclei: Regulation and diseases. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 790:108440. [PMID: 35970331 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, sophisticate regulation of genome function requires all chromosomes to be packed into a single nucleus. Micronucleus (MN), the dissociative nucleus-like structure frequently observed in aging and multiple disease settings, has critical, yet under-recognized, pathophysiological functions. Micronuclei (MNi) have recently emerged as major sources of cytosolic DNA that can activate the cGAS-STING axis in a cell-intrinsic manner. However, MNi induced from different genotoxic stressors display great heterogeneity in binding or activating cGAS and the signaling responses downstream of the MN-induced cGAS-STING axis have divergent outcomes including autoimmunity, autoinflammation, metastasis, or cell death. Thus, full characterization of molecular network underpinning the interplay of cGAS and MN is important to elucidate the pathophysiological roles of immunogenic MN and design improved drugs that selectively target cancer via boosting the MN-derived cGAS-STING axis. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms for self-DNA discrimination by cGAS. We focus on discussing how MN immunogencity is dictated by multiple mechanisms including integrity of micronuclear envelope, state of nucleosome and DNA, competitive factors, damaged mitochondrial DNA and micronucleophagy. We also describe emerging links between immunogenic MN and human diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and COVID-19. Particularly, we explore the exciting concept of inducing immunogenic MN as a therapeutic approach in treating cancer. We propose a new theoretical framework to describe immunogenic MN as a biological sensor to modulate cellular processes in response to genotoxic stress and provide perspectives on developing novel experimental approaches to unravel the complexity of MN immunogenicity regulation and immunogenic MN pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihan Guo
- School of Life Sciences, The Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Henning Hintzsche
- Department of Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany.
| | - Weijiang Xu
- School of Life Sciences, The Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Juan Ni
- School of Life Sciences, The Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Jinglun Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, The Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
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12
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Sriram N, Mukherjee S, Sah MK. Gene expression profiling and protein-protein interaction analysis reveals the dynamic role of MCM7 in Alzheimer's disorder and breast cancer. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:146. [PMID: 35698583 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03207-1] [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: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The interrelation of cancer and Alzheimer's disorder (AD)-associated molecular mechanisms, reported last decade, paved the path for drug discoveries. In this direction, while chemotherapy is well established for breast cancer (BC), the detection and targeted therapy for AD is not advanced due to a lack of recognized peripheral biomarkers. The present study aimed to find diagnostic and prognostic molecular signature markers common to both BC and AD for possible drug targeting and repurposing. For these disorders, two corresponding microarray datasets (GSE42568, GSE33000) were used for identifying the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), resulting in recognition of CD209 and MCM7 as the two common players. While the CD209 gene was upregulated in both disorders and has been studied vastly, the MCM7 gene showed a strikingly reverse pattern of expression level, downregulated in the case of BC while upregulated in the case of AD. Thus, the MCM7 gene was further analyzed for expression, predictions, and validations of its structure and protein-protein interaction (PPI) for the possible development of new treatment methods for AD. The study concluded with indicative drug repurposing studies to check the effect of existing clinically approved drugs for BC for rectifying the expression levels of the mutated MCM7 gene in AD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03207-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneeth Sriram
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab 144011 India
| | - Sunny Mukherjee
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab 144011 India
| | - Mahesh Kumar Sah
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab 144011 India
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13
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Xia J, Chen S, Li Y, Li H, Gan M, Wu J, Prohaska CC, Bai Y, Gao L, Gu L, Zhang D. Immune Response Is Key to Genetic Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Psychiatric Disorders Based on Differential Gene Expression Pattern Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:798538. [PMID: 35185890 PMCID: PMC8854505 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.798538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing evidence demonstrates that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) leads to psychiatric illness, despite its main clinical manifestations affecting the respiratory system. People with mental disorders are more susceptible to COVID-19 than individuals without coexisting mental health disorders, with significantly higher rates of severe illness and mortality in this population. The incidence of new psychiatric diagnoses after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is also remarkably high. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to use angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a receptor for infecting susceptible cells and is expressed in various tissues, including brain tissue. Thus, there is an urgent need to investigate the mechanism linking psychiatric disorders to COVID-19. Using a data set of peripheral blood cells from patients with COVID-19, we compared this to data sets of whole blood collected from patients with psychiatric disorders and used bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify genetic links. We found a large number of overlapping immune-related genes between patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and differentially expressed genes of bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SZ), and late-onset major depressive disorder (LOD). Many pathways closely related to inflammatory responses, such as MAPK, PPAR, and TGF-β signaling pathways, were observed by enrichment analysis of common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We also performed a comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interaction network and gene regulation networks. Chemical-protein interaction networks and drug prediction were used to screen potential pharmacologic therapies. We hope that by elucidating the relationship between the pathogenetic processes and genetic mechanisms of infection with SARS-CoV-2 with psychiatric disorders, it will lead to innovative strategies for future research and treatment of psychiatric disorders linked to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuhan Chen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaping Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Minghong Gan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiashuo Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Clare Colette Prohaska
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Gu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongfang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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14
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Radiotherapy as a tool to elicit clinically actionable signalling pathways in cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:114-131. [PMID: 34819622 PMCID: PMC9004227 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00579-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A variety of targeted anticancer agents have been successfully introduced into clinical practice, largely reflecting their ability to inhibit specific molecular alterations that are required for disease progression. However, not all malignant cells rely on such alterations to survive, proliferate, disseminate and/or evade anticancer immunity, implying that many tumours are intrinsically resistant to targeted therapies. Radiotherapy is well known for its ability to activate cytotoxic signalling pathways that ultimately promote the death of cancer cells, as well as numerous cytoprotective mechanisms that are elicited by cellular damage. Importantly, many cytoprotective mechanisms elicited by radiotherapy can be abrogated by targeted anticancer agents, suggesting that radiotherapy could be harnessed to enhance the clinical efficacy of these drugs. In this Review, we discuss preclinical and clinical data that introduce radiotherapy as a tool to elicit or amplify clinically actionable signalling pathways in patients with cancer.
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15
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Goff PH, Bhakuni R, Pulliam T, Lee JH, Hall ET, Nghiem P. Intersection of Two Checkpoints: Could Inhibiting the DNA Damage Response Checkpoint Rescue Immune Checkpoint-Refractory Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3415. [PMID: 34298632 PMCID: PMC8307089 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cancers resistant to immunotherapy require novel management strategies. DNA damage response (DDR) proteins, including ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related), ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase), have been promising therapeutic targets for decades. Specific, potent DDR inhibitors (DDRi) recently entered clinical trials. Surprisingly, preclinical studies have now indicated that DDRi may stimulate anti-tumor immunity to augment immunotherapy. The mechanisms governing how DDRi could promote anti-tumor immunity are not well understood; however, early evidence suggests that they can potentiate immunogenic cell death to recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells to prime an adaptive immune response. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is well suited to test these concepts. It is inherently immunogenic as ~50% of patients with advanced MCC persistently benefit from immunotherapy, making MCC one of the most responsive solid tumors. As is typical of neuroendocrine cancers, dysfunction of p53 and Rb with upregulation of Myc leads to the very rapid growth of MCC. This suggests high replication stress and susceptibility to DDRi and DNA-damaging agents. Indeed, MCC tumors are particularly radiosensitive. Given its inherent immunogenicity, cell cycle checkpoint deficiencies and sensitivity to DNA damage, MCC may be ideal for testing whether targeting the intersection of the DDR checkpoint and the immune checkpoint could help patients with immunotherapy-refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. Goff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Rashmi Bhakuni
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.H.L.)
| | - Thomas Pulliam
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.H.L.)
| | - Jung Hyun Lee
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.H.L.)
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Evan T. Hall
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Paul Nghiem
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.H.L.)
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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16
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Staniszewska M, Iking J, Lückerath K, Hadaschik B, Herrmann K, Ferdinandus J, Fendler WP. Drug and molecular radiotherapy combinations for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Nucl Med Biol 2021; 96-97:101-111. [PMID: 33866131 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a highly lethal disease. Several novel therapies have been assessed in the past years. Targeting DNA damage response (DDR) pathways in prostate cancer became a promising treatment strategy and olaparib and rucaparib, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, have been approved for patients carrying mutations in homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways. Other DDR inhibitor targets, such as ATM, ATR, CHK1, CHK2, and WEE1 are under extensive investigation. Additionally, molecular radiotherapy (MRT) including [177Lu]Lu-PSMA, [225Ac]Ac-PSMA, [223Ra]Ra-dichloride, [153Sm]-EDTMP, [188Re]Re-HDMP and GRPR-targeted MRT treat cancer through internal ionizing radiation causing DNA damage and demonstrate promising efficacy in clinical trials. In the field of immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibition as well as sipuleucel-T and PROSTVAC demonstrated only limited efficacy in mCRPC when used as monotherapy. This review discusses recent therapeutic strategies for mCRPC highlighting the need for rational combination of treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Staniszewska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Janette Iking
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Lückerath
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Boris Hadaschik
- Department of Urology, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Justin Ferdinandus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang P Fendler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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17
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Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) fulfils essential roles to preserve genome integrity. Targeting the DDR in tumors has had remarkable success over the last decade, exemplified by the licensing of PARP inhibitors for cancer therapy. Recent studies suggest that the application of DDR inhibitors impacts on cellular innate and adaptive immune responses, wherein key DNA repair factors have roles in limiting chronic inflammatory signaling. Antitumor immunity plays an emerging part in cancer therapy, and extensive efforts have led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors overcoming immune suppressive signals in tumors. Here, we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage-triggered immune responses, including cytosolic DNA sensing via the cGAS/STING pathway. We highlight the implications of DDR components for therapeutic outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors or their use as biomarkers. Finally, we discuss the rationale for novel combinations of DDR inhibitors with antagonists of immune checkpoints and current hindrances limiting their broader therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenic Pilger
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Leonard W Seymour
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen P Jackson
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
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18
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Hauge S, Eek Mariampillai A, Rødland GE, Bay LTE, Landsverk HB, Syljuåsen RG. Expanding roles of cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in radiation oncology. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 99:941-950. [PMID: 33877959 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1913529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation-induced activation of cell cycle checkpoints have been of long-standing interest. The WEE1, CHK1 and ATR kinases are key factors in cell cycle checkpoint regulation and are essential for the S and G2 checkpoints. Here, we review the rationale for why inhibitors of WEE1, CHK1 and ATR could be beneficial in combination with radiation. CONCLUSIONS Combined treatment with radiation and inhibitors of these kinases results in checkpoint abrogation and subsequent mitotic catastrophe. This might selectively radiosensitize tumor cells, as they often lack the p53-dependent G1 checkpoint and therefore rely more on the G2 checkpoint to repair DNA damage. Further affecting the repair of radiation damage, inhibition of WEE1, CHK1 or ATR also specifically suppresses the homologous recombination repair pathway. Moreover, inhibition of these kinases can induce massive replication stress during S phase of the cell cycle, likely contributing to eliminate radioresistant S phase cells. Intriguingly, recent findings suggest that cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in combination with radiation can also enhance anti-tumor immune effects. Altogether, the expanding knowledge about the functional roles of WEE1, CHK1 and ATR inhibitors support that they are promising candidates for use in combination with radiation treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissel Hauge
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Eek Mariampillai
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro Elise Rødland
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lilli T E Bay
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helga B Landsverk
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Randi G Syljuåsen
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Li Y, Zhu L, Hao R, Li Y, Zhao Q, Li S. Systematic expression analysis of the CELSR family reveals the importance of CELSR3 in human lung adenocarcinoma. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:4349-4362. [PMID: 33811453 PMCID: PMC8093986 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadherin EGF LAG seven‐pass G‐type receptors (CELSRs) are involved in the progression of various types of cancer. CELSR3, a crucial signalling molecule in the WNT/PCP pathway, is believed to be associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. In this paper, we analysed the expression of CELSR family members using the Oncomine, GEPIA and UALCAN databases. We used a Kaplan‐Meier plotter to assess the effect of CELSRs on tumour prognosis. Next, gene ontology (GO), KEGG pathway, miRNA target, kinase target and transcription factor‐target enrichment were analysed by GSEA. Simultaneously, we conducted functional assays including cell viability, colony formation and transwell assays, to determine the oncogenic role of CELSR3 in LUAD. Finally, we used the TIMER and TISIDB databases to analyse the correlation between CELSR3 and immune infiltration and the potential chemokine receptor axis causing immune cell expression. High expression of CELSR3 is in LUAD predicts poor prognosis and early progression of the tumour. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis revealed the functional relationship between CELSR3 and cell adhesion, the cell cycle, and DNA replication. Down‐regulation of CELSR3 suppressed cell proliferation to a significant extent, in addition to inhibiting invasion and migration in LUAD cells. Finally, CELSR3 expression was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of CD8+T cells through the CCL17/CCR4 axis in LUAD. These results indicate that CELSR3 can serve as a prognostic biomarker for determining prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuai Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Chest Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Longyu Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ran Hao
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuejun Li
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Qinfei Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Shujun Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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20
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Storozynsky Q, Hitt MM. The Impact of Radiation-Induced DNA Damage on cGAS-STING-Mediated Immune Responses to Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8877. [PMID: 33238631 PMCID: PMC7700321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a major modality used to combat a wide range of cancers. Classical radiobiology principles categorize ionizing radiation (IR) as a direct cytocidal therapeutic agent against cancer; however, there is an emerging appreciation for additional antitumor immune responses generated by this modality. A more nuanced understanding of the immunological pathways induced by radiation could inform optimal therapeutic combinations to harness radiation-induced antitumor immunity and improve treatment outcomes of cancers refractory to current radiotherapy regimens. Here, we summarize how radiation-induced DNA damage leads to the activation of a cytosolic DNA sensing pathway mediated by cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING). The activation of cGAS-STING initiates innate immune signaling that facilitates adaptive immune responses to destroy cancer. In this way, cGAS-STING signaling bridges the DNA damaging capacity of IR with the activation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cell-mediated destruction of cancer-highlighting a molecular pathway radiotherapy can exploit to induce antitumor immune responses. In the context of radiotherapy, we further report on factors that enhance or inhibit cGAS-STING signaling, deleterious effects associated with cGAS-STING activation, and promising therapeutic candidates being investigated in combination with IR to bolster immune activation through engaging STING-signaling. A clearer understanding of how IR activates cGAS-STING signaling will inform immune-based treatment strategies to maximize the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy, improving therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary M. Hitt
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada;
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