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Liu Z, Yuan J, Zeng Q, Wu Z, Han J. UBAP2 contributes to radioresistance by enhancing homologous recombination through SLC27A5 ubiquitination in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167481. [PMID: 39186963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167481] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Radiotherapy stands as an effective method in the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, both primary and acquired radioresistance limit its clinical application in HCC. Therefore, investigating the mechanism of radioresistance may provide other options for treating HCC. Based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and HCC transcriptome datasets, 227 feature genes with prognostic value were selected to establish the tSNE score. The tSNE score emerged as an independent prognostic factor for HCC and correlated with cell proliferation and radioresistance-related biological functions. UBAP2 was identified as the most relevant gene with the tSNE score, consistently elevated in human HCC samples, and positively associated with patient prognosis. Functionally, UBAP2 knockdown impeded HCC development and reduced radiation resistance in vitro and in vivo. The ectopic expression of SLC27A5 reversed the effects of UBAP2. Mechanically, we uncovered that UBAP2, through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, decreased the homologous recombination-related gene RAD51, not the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)-related gene CTIP, by degrading the antioncogene SLC27A5, thereby generating radioresistance in HCC. The findings recapitulated that UBAP2 promoted HCC progression and radioresistance via SLC27A5 stability mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. It was also suggested that targeting the UBAP2/SLC27A5 axis could be a valuable radiosensitization strategy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Liu
- Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy and Single Cell Research, Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
| | - Jingsheng Yuan
- Liver Transplant Center, Transplant Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qiwen Zeng
- Liver Transplant Center, Transplant Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiaqi Han
- Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy and Single Cell Research, Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
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2
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Abstract
PURPOSE The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator widely involved in essential cellular functions such as DNA repair. By clarifying the upstream and downstream links of NRF2 to DNA damage repair, we hope that attention will be drawn to the utilization of NRF2 as a target for cancer therapy. METHODS Query and summarize relevant literature on the role of NRF2 in direct repair, BER, NER, MMR, HR, and NHEJ in pubmed. Make pictures of Roles of NRF2 in DNA Damage Repair and tables of antioxidant response elements (AREs) of DNA repair genes. Analyze the mutation frequency of NFE2L2 in different types of cancer using cBioPortal online tools. By using TCGA, GTEx and GO databases, analyze the correlation between NFE2L2 mutations and DNA repair systems as well as the degree of changes in DNA repair systems as malignant tumors progress. RESULTS NRF2 plays roles in maintaining the integrity of the genome by repairing DNA damage, regulating the cell cycle, and acting as an antioxidant. And, it possibly plays roles in double stranded break (DSB) pathway selection following ionizing radiation (IR) damage. Whether pathways such as RNA modification, ncRNA, and protein post-translational modification affect the regulation of NRF2 on DNA repair is still to be determined. The overall mutation frequency of the NFE2L2 gene in esophageal carcinoma, lung cancer, and penile cancer is the highest. Genes (50 of 58) that are negatively correlated with clinical staging are positively correlated with NFE2L2 mutations or NFE2L2 expression levels. CONCLUSION NRF2 participates in a variety of DNA repair pathways and plays important roles in maintaining genome stability. NRF2 is a potential target for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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3
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Xu Q, Zhang P, Han X, Ren H, Yu W, Hao W, Luo B, Khan MI, Ni C. Role of ionizing radiation activated NRF2 in lung cancer radioresistance. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124476. [PMID: 37076059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124476] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapies are commonly used to target remaining tumor niches after surgery of solid tumors but are restricted due to therapeutic resistance. Several pathways of radioresistance have been reported in various cancers. This study investigates the pivotal role of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in the activation of DNA damage repair in lung cancer cells after x-rays exposure. To explore the NRF2 activation after ionizing irradiations, this study uses a knockdown of NRF2, which shows potential DNA damage after x-rays irradiation in lung cancers. This work further shows that NRF2 knockdown disrupts damaged DNA repair by inhibiting DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. At the same time, NRF2 knockdown by shRNA considerably disparate homologous recombination by interfering with Rad51 expression. Further investigation of the associated pathway reveals that NRF2 activation mediates DNA damage response via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway as the knockout of NRF2 directly enhances intracellular MAPK phosphorylation. Similarly, both NAC and constitutive knockout of NRF2 disrupt DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, while NRF2 knockout failed to upregulate Rad51 expression after irradiation in-vivo. Taken together, these findings advocate NRF2 plays a critical role in the development of radioresistance by upregulating DNA damage response via the MAPK pathway, which can be of great significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Xu
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Peiyu Zhang
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Xiaoyang Han
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Huwei Ren
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Weiyue Yu
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Wei Hao
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Bowen Luo
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Hefei National Lab for Physical Sciences at Microscale and the Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, PR China; School of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, Anhui, PR China; Department of Pathology, District Headquarters Hospital, Jhang 35200, Punjab province, Pakistan..
| | - Chen Ni
- Teaching and Research section of Nuclear Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
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4
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CRISPR metabolic screen identifies ATM and KEAP1 as targetable genetic vulnerabilities in solid tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2212072120. [PMID: 36724254 PMCID: PMC9963842 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212072120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatments targeting DNA repair deficiencies often encounter drug resistance, possibly due to alternative metabolic pathways that counteract the most damaging effects. To identify such alternative pathways, we screened for metabolic pathways exhibiting synthetic lethality with inhibition of the DNA damage response kinase Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) using a metabolism-centered Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 library. Our data revealed Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) as a key factor involved in desensitizing cancer cells to ATM inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Cells depleted of KEAP1 exhibited an aberrant overexpression of the cystine transporter SLC7A11, robustly accumulated cystine inducing disulfide stress, and became hypersensitive to ATM inhibition. These hallmarks were reversed in a reducing cellular environment indicating that disulfide stress was a crucial factor. In The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer datasets, we found that ATM levels negatively correlated with KEAP1 levels across multiple solid malignancies. Together, our results unveil ATM and KEAP1 as new targetable vulnerabilities in solid tumors.
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Liu Z, Cai C, Ma X, Liu J, Chen L, Lui VWY, Cooper GF, Lu X. A Novel Bayesian Framework Infers Driver Activation States and Reveals Pathway-Oriented Molecular Subtypes in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194825. [PMID: 36230748 PMCID: PMC9563147 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194825] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is an aggressive cancer resulting from heterogeneous causes. To reveal the underlying drivers and signaling mechanisms of different HNSCC tumors, we developed a novel Bayesian framework to identify drivers of individual tumors and infer the states of driver proteins in cellular signaling system in HNSCC tumors. First, we systematically identify causal relationships between somatic genome alterations (SGAs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for each TCGA HNSCC tumor using the tumor-specific causal inference (TCI) model. Then, we generalize the most statistically significant driver SGAs and their regulated DEGs in TCGA HNSCC cohort. Finally, we develop machine learning models that combine genomic and transcriptomic data to infer the protein functional activation states of driver SGAs in tumors, which enable us to represent a tumor in the space of cellular signaling systems. We discovered four mechanism-oriented subtypes of HNSCC, which show distinguished patterns of activation state of HNSCC driver proteins, and importantly, this subtyping is orthogonal to previously reported transcriptomic-based molecular subtyping of HNSCC. Further, our analysis revealed driver proteins that are likely involved in oncogenic processes induced by HPV infection, even though they are not perturbed by genomic alterations in HPV+ tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengping Liu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chunhui Cai
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
| | - Jinling Liu
- Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
| | - Lujia Chen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Gregory F. Cooper
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Xinghua Lu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15206, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Tolkach Y, Kremer A, Lotz G, Schmid M, Mayr T, Förster S, Garbe S, Hosni S, Cronauer MV, Kocsmár I, Kocsmár É, Riesz P, Alajati A, Ritter M, Ellinger J, Ohlmann CH, Kristiansen G. Androgen Receptor Splice Variants Contribute to the Upregulation of DNA Repair in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4441. [PMID: 36139600 PMCID: PMC9496991 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canonical androgen receptor (AR) signaling regulates a network of DNA repair genes in prostate cancer (PCA). Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that androgen deprivation not only suppresses DNA repair activity but is often synthetically lethal in combination with PARP inhibition. The present study aimed to elucidate the impact of AR splice variants (AR-Vs), occurring in advanced or late-stage PCA, on DNA repair machinery. METHODS Two hundred and seventy-three tissue samples were analyzed, including primary hormone-naïve PCA, primary metastases, hormone-sensitive PCA on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and castration refractory PCA (CRPC group). The transcript levels of the target genes were profiled using the nCounter platform. Experimental support for the findings was gained in AR/AR-V7-expressing LNCaP cells subjected to ionizing radiation. RESULTS AR-Vs were present in half of hormone-sensitive PCAs on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and two-thirds of CRPC samples. The presence of AR-Vs is highly correlated with increased activity in the AR pathway and DNA repair gene expression. In AR-V-expressing CRPC, the DNA repair score increased by 2.5-fold as compared to AR-V-negative samples. Enhanced DNA repair and the deregulation of DNA repair genes by AR-V7 supported the clinical data in a cell line model. CONCLUSIONS The expression of AR splice variants such as AR-V7 in PCA patients following ADT might be a reason for reduced or absent therapy effects in patients on additional PARP inhibition due to the modulation of DNA repair gene expression. Consequently, AR-Vs should be further studied as predictive biomarkers for therapy response in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Tolkach
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Anika Kremer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gábor Lotz
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Matthias Schmid
- Department of Medical Biometry, Informatics, and Epidemiology (IMBIE), University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayr
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Förster
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan Garbe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sana Hosni
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Ildikó Kocsmár
- Department of Urology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kocsmár
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Riesz
- Department of Urology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Abdullah Alajati
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörg Ellinger
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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7
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Saikia M, Bhattacharyya DK, Kalita JK. CBDCEM: An effective centrality based differential co-expression method for critical gene finding. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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8
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Sutera P, Deek MP, Van der Eecken K, Wyatt AW, Kishan AU, Molitoris JK, Ferris MJ, Minhaj Siddiqui M, Rana Z, Mishra MV, Kwok Y, Davicioni E, Spratt DE, Ost P, Feng FY, Tran PT. Genomic biomarkers to guide precision radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Prostate 2022; 82 Suppl 1:S73-S85. [PMID: 35657158 PMCID: PMC9202472 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Our ability to prognosticate the clinical course of patients with cancer has historically been limited to clinical, histopathological, and radiographic features. It has long been clear however, that these data alone do not adequately capture the heterogeneity and breadth of disease trajectories experienced by patients. The advent of efficient genomic sequencing has led to a revolution in cancer care as we try to understand and personalize treatment specific to patient clinico-genomic phenotypes. Within prostate cancer, emerging evidence suggests that tumor genomics (e.g., DNA, RNA, and epigenetics) can be utilized to inform clinical decision making. In addition to providing discriminatory information about prognosis, it is likely tumor genomics also hold a key in predicting response to oncologic therapies which could be used to further tailor treatment recommendations. Herein we review select literature surrounding the use of tumor genomics within the management of prostate cancer, specifically leaning toward analytically validated and clinically tested genomic biomarkers utilized in radiotherapy and/or adjunctive therapies given with radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Sutera
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew P. Deek
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Kim Van der Eecken
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander W. Wyatt
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amar U. Kishan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason K. Molitoris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew J. Ferris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M. Minhaj Siddiqui
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zaker Rana
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark V. Mishra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Young Kwok
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Daniel E. Spratt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Piet Ost
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Iridium Network, Antwerp, Belgium and Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felix Y. Feng
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Medicine and Urology, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Phuoc T. Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Concise Review: Gene of The Month KEAP1-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: the catastrophic failure of a cell-protecting hub. J Thorac Oncol 2022; 17:751-757. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Cell death mechanisms in head and neck cancer cells in response to low and high-LET radiation. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/erm.2021.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignancy that develops in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth, and is mostly treated with a combination of chemo- and radiotherapy (RT). The main goal of RT is to kill enough of the cancer cell population, whilst preserving the surrounding normal and healthy tissue. The mechanisms by which conventional photon RT achieves this have been extensively studied over several decades, but little is known about the cell death pathways that are activated in response to RT of increasing linear energy transfer (LET), including proton beam therapy and heavy ions. Here, we provide an up-to-date review on the observed radiobiological effects of low- versus high-LET RT in HNSCC cell models, particularly in the context of specific cell death mechanisms, including apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, senescence and mitotic death. We also detail some of the current therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways that have been investigated to enhance the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells in response to RT, including those that may present with clinical opportunities for eventual patient benefit.
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Lan B, Zeng S, Zhang S, Ren X, Xing Y, Kutschick I, Pfeffer S, Frey B, Britzen-Laurent N, Grützmann R, Cordes N, Pilarsky C. CRISPR-Cas9 Screen Identifies DYRK1A as a Target for Radiotherapy Sensitization in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020326. [PMID: 35053488 PMCID: PMC8773906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries. Although several therapeutic strategies have been developed for pancreatic cancer, radiation therapy has not yet yielded satisfactory results. Unraveling the mechanism of radioresistance in pancreatic cancer and developing new therapeutic targets has become a major challenge. Therefore, we applied kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screening combined with the 3D cell culture method and identified DYRK1A as a sensitive target for radiotherapy. Additionally, we confirmed that DYRK1A-targeted inhibitors could enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy. Our results further support the use of CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new strategies to enhance radiotherapy efficacy in pancreatic cancer. Abstract Although radiation therapy has recently made great advances in cancer treatment, the majority of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC) cannot achieve satisfactory outcomes due to intrinsic and acquired radioresistance. Identifying the molecular mechanisms that impair the efficacy of radiotherapy and targeting these pathways are essential to improve the radiation response of PC patients. Our goal is to identify sensitive targets for pancreatic cancer radiotherapy (RT) using the kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screen and enhance the therapeutic effect through the development and application of targeted inhibitors combined with radiotherapy. We transduced pancreatic cancer cells with a protein kinase library; 2D and 3D library cells were irradiated daily with a single dose of up to 2 Gy for 4 weeks for a total of 40 Gy using an X-ray generator. Sufficient DNA was collected for next-generation deep sequencing to identify candidate genes. In this study, we identified several cell cycle checkpoint kinases and DNA damage related kinases in 2D- and 3D-cultivated cells, including DYRK1A, whose loss of function sensitizes cells to radiotherapy. Additionally, we demonstrated that the harmine-targeted suppression of DYRK1A used in conjunction with radiotherapy increases DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and impairs homologous repair (HR), resulting in more cancer cell death. Our results support the use of CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify new therapeutic targets, develop radiosensitizers, and provide novel strategies for overcoming the tolerance of pancreatic cancer to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lan
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Siyuan Zeng
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Shuman Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Xiaofan Ren
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Yuming Xing
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Isabella Kutschick
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Susanne Pfeffer
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Nathalie Britzen-Laurent
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Robert Grützmann
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
| | - Nils Cordes
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Pilarsky
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (S.Z.); (S.Z.); (X.R.); (Y.X.); (I.K.); (S.P.); (N.B.-L.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Combination of rapamycin and SAHA enhanced radiosensitization by inducing autophagy and acetylation in NSCLC. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:18223-18237. [PMID: 34321364 PMCID: PMC8351722 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, cancer cells' resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) is the primary reason for radiotherapy failure leading to tumor relapse and metastasis. DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) repair after IR is the primary mechanism of radiotherapy resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of autophagy-inducing agent, Rapamycin (RAPA), combined with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA), on the radiosensitivity of A549 and SK-MES-1 cells, and examined the combination effects on DNA damage repair, and determined the level of autophagy and acetylation in A549 cells. We also investigated the combination treatment effect on the growth of A549 xenografts after radiotherapy, and the level of DNA damage, autophagy, and acetylation. Our results showed that RAPA combined with SAHA significantly increased the inhibitory effect of radiotherapy compared with the single treatment group. The combined treatment increased the expression of DNA damage protein γ-H2AX and decreased DNA damage repair protein expression. RAPA combined with SAHA was induced mainly by regulating acetylation levels and autophagy. The effect of combined treatment to increase radiotherapy sensitivity will be weakened by inhibiting the level of autophagy. Besides, the combined treatment also showed a significantly inhibited tumor growth in the A549 xenograft model. In conclusion, these results identify a potential therapeutic strategy of RAPA combined with SAHA as a radiosensitizer to decreased DSB repair and enhanced DNA damage by inducing acetylation levels and autophagy for NSCLC.
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Dempke WCM, Reck M. KEAP1/NRF2 (NFE2L2) mutations in NSCLC - Fuel for a superresistant phenotype? Lung Cancer 2021; 159:10-17. [PMID: 34303275 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) (also known as nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 [NFE2L2]) is the master regulator of cellular antioxidant responses. NRF2 is repressed by interaction with a redox-sensitive protein KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). Dysregulation of KEAP1/NRF2 transcriptional activity has been associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, and the KEAP1/NRF2 axis has emerged to be the most important modulator of cellular homeostasis. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the initiation and progression of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Although its role in immunotherapy is still somewhat controversial, it is well documented from clinical studies that KEAP1/NRF2 mutations in NSCLCs are associated with resistance to various cancer treatments including chemotherapy, X-irradiation, TKI treatment, and a shorter OS and currently available results from clinical trials suggest that KEAP1/NRF2 mutations can be used as a prognostic biomarker (poorer prognosis) for determining prognosis following immunotherapy and a predictive marker for chemo-, radio-, immunotherapy- and TKI-resistance. Despite overwhelming enthusiasm about the various KEAP1/NRF2 inhibitors that have been described during the last decades, none of these inhibitors are currently explored in clinical trials or in clinical applications which clearly add weight to the proposal that the development of these inhibitors remains challenging, but will be beneficial for novel treatment approaches in NSCLC in the near future. In this review we highlight the molecular features, the key components, and possible inhibitors of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway, its role as prognostic and predictive biomarker, and the resulting clinical implications in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram C M Dempke
- University Clinic LMU Munich, Medical Clinic III, Marchioninistr. 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Martin Reck
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Airway Research Center North, German Center for Lung Research, LungenClinic, Wöhrendamm 80, D-22927 Grosshansdorf, Germany
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