1
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Chandrashekar DS, Afaq F, Karthikeyan SK, Athar M, Shrestha S, Singh R, Manne U, Varambally S. Bromodomain inhibitor treatment leads to overexpression of multiple kinases in cancer cells. Neoplasia 2024; 57:101046. [PMID: 39241280 PMCID: PMC11408867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.101046] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins show altered expression across various cancers. The members of the bromodomain (BRD) family contain epigenetic reader domains that bind to acetylated lysine residues in both histone and non-histone proteins. Since BRD proteins are involved in cancer initiation and progression, therapeutic targeting of these proteins has recently been an area of interest. In experimental settings, JQ1, a commonly used BRD inhibitor, is the first known inhibitor to target BRD-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a ubiquitously expressed BRD and extraterminal family protein. BRD4 is necessary for a normal cell cycle, and its aberrant expression activates pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to tumor initiation and progression. Various BRD4 inhibitors have been developed recently and tested in preclinical settings and are now in clinical trials. However, as with many targeted therapies, BRD inhibitor treatment can lead to resistance to treatment. Here, we investigated the kinases up-regulated on JQ1 treatment that may serve as target for combination therapy along with BRD inhibitors. To identify kinase targets, we performed a comparative analysis of gene expression data using RNA from BRD inhibitor-treated cells or BRD-modulated cells and identified overexpression of several kinases, including FYN, NEK9, and ADCK5. We further validated, by immunoblotting, the overexpression of FYN tyrosine kinase; NEK9 serine/threonine kinase and ADCK5, an atypical kinase, to confirm their overexpression after BRD inhibitor treatment. Importantly, our studies show that targeting FYN or NEK9 along with BRD inhibitor effectively reduces proliferation of cancer cells. Therefore, our research emphasizes a potential approach of utilizing inhibitors targeting some of the overexpressed kinases in conjunction with BRD inhibitors to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farrukh Afaq
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Mohammad Athar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sadeep Shrestha
- Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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2
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Russo M, Chen M, Mariella E, Peng H, Rehman SK, Sancho E, Sogari A, Toh TS, Balaban NQ, Batlle E, Bernards R, Garnett MJ, Hangauer M, Leucci E, Marine JC, O'Brien CA, Oren Y, Patton EE, Robert C, Rosenberg SM, Shen S, Bardelli A. Cancer drug-tolerant persister cells: from biological questions to clinical opportunities. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:694-717. [PMID: 39223250 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00737-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of drug resistance is the most substantial challenge to the effectiveness of anticancer therapies. Orthogonal approaches have revealed that a subset of cells, known as drug-tolerant 'persister' (DTP) cells, have a prominent role in drug resistance. Although long recognized in bacterial populations which have acquired resistance to antibiotics, the presence of DTPs in various cancer types has come to light only in the past two decades, yet several aspects of their biology remain enigmatic. Here, we delve into the biological characteristics of DTPs and explore potential strategies for tracking and targeting them. Recent findings suggest that DTPs exhibit remarkable plasticity, being capable of transitioning between different cellular states, resulting in distinct DTP phenotypes within a single tumour. However, defining the biological features of DTPs has been challenging, partly due to the complex interplay between clonal dynamics and tissue-specific factors influencing their phenotype. Moreover, the interactions between DTPs and the tumour microenvironment, including their potential to evade immune surveillance, remain to be discovered. Finally, the mechanisms underlying DTP-derived drug resistance and their correlation with clinical outcomes remain poorly understood. This Roadmap aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the field of DTPs, encompassing past achievements and current endeavours in elucidating their biology. We also discuss the prospect of future advancements in technologies in helping to unveil the features of DTPs and propose novel therapeutic strategies that could lead to their eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Russo
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milano, Italy.
| | - Mengnuo Chen
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Mariella
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milano, Italy
| | - Haoning Peng
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sumaiyah K Rehman
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Sogari
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milano, Italy
| | - Tzen S Toh
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Nathalie Q Balaban
- Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rene Bernards
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Matthew Hangauer
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine A O'Brien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yaara Oren
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, and CRUK Scotland Centre and Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caroline Robert
- Oncology Department, Dermatology Unit, Villejuif, France
- Oncology Department and INSERM U981, Villejuif, France
- Paris Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | - Susan M Rosenberg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shensi Shen
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Alberto Bardelli
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milano, Italy.
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3
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Liu B, Liu Y, Yang S, Ye J, Hu J, Chen S, Wu S, Liu Q, Tang F, Liu Y, He Y, Du Y, Zhang G, Guo Q, Yang C. Enhanced desmosome assembly driven by acquired high-level desmoglein-2 promotes phenotypic plasticity and endocrine resistance in ER + breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 600:217179. [PMID: 39154704 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to endocrine treatments remains a major clinical challenge. In this study, we found that desmoglein-2 (DSG2) plays a major role in acquired endocrine resistance and cellular plasticity in ER+ breast cancer (BC). By analysing the well-established fulvestrant-resistant ER+ BC model using single-cell RNA-seq, we revealed that ER inhibition leads to a specific increase in DSG2 in cancer cell populations, which in turn enhances desmosome formation in vitro and in vivo and cell phenotypic plasticity that promotes resistance to treatment. DSG2 depletion reduced tumorigenesis and metastasis in fulvestrant-resistant xenograft models and promoted fulvestrant efficiency. Mechanistically, DSG2 forms a desmosome complex with JUP and Vimentin and triggers Wnt/PCP signalling. We showed that elevated DSG2 levels, along with reduced ER levels and an activated Wnt/PCP pathway, predicted poor survival, suggesting that a DSG2high signature could be exploited for therapeutic interventions. Our analysis highlighted the critical role of DSG2-mediated desmosomal junctions following antiestrogen treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyi Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinqing Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing He
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Du
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuixia Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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4
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Jain P, Kizhuttil R, Nair MB, Bhatia S, Thompson EW, George JT, Jolly MK. Cell-state transitions and density-dependent interactions together explain the dynamics of spontaneous epithelial-mesenchymal heterogeneity. iScience 2024; 27:110310. [PMID: 39055927 PMCID: PMC11269952 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110310] [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] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell populations comprise phenotypes distributed among the epithelial-mesenchymal (E-M) spectrum. However, it remains unclear which population-level processes give rise to the observed experimental distribution and dynamical changes in E-M heterogeneity, including (1) differential growth, (2) cell-state switching, and (3) population density-dependent growth or state-transition rates. Here, we analyze the necessity of these three processes in explaining the dynamics of E-M population distributions as observed in PMC42-LA and HCC38 breast cancer cells. We find that, while cell-state transition is necessary to reproduce experimental observations of dynamical changes in E-M fractions, including density-dependent growth interactions (cooperation or suppression) better explains the data. Further, our models predict that treatment of HCC38 cells with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/3) inhibitors enhances the rate of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) instead of lowering that of E-M transition (EMT). Overall, our study identifies the population-level processes shaping the dynamics of spontaneous E-M heterogeneity in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Madhav B. Nair
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Sugandha Bhatia
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) at Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Jason T. George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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5
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Simsone Z, Feivalds T, Harju L, Miķelsone I, Blāķe I, Bērziņš J, Buiķis I. Morphological and Immunocytochemical Characterization of Paclitaxel-Induced Microcells in Sk-Mel-28 Melanoma Cells. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1576. [PMID: 39062149 PMCID: PMC11274385 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers, including proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies, and peptides, are essential for identifying diseases such as cancer and differentiating between healthy and abnormal cells in patients. To date, studies have shown that cancer stem cells have DNA repair mechanisms that deter the effects of medicinal treatment. Experiments with cell cultures and chemotherapy treatments of these cultures have revealed the presence of small cells, with a small amount of cytoplasm that can be intensively stained with azure eosin, called microcells. Microcells develop during sporosis from a damaged tumor macrocell. After anticancer therapy in tumor cells, a defective macrocell may produce one or more microcells. This study aims to characterize microcell morphology in melanoma cell lines. In this investigation, we characterized the population of cancer cell microcells after applying paclitaxel treatment to a Sk-Mel-28 melanoma cell line using immunocytochemical cell marker detection and fluorescent microscopy. Paclitaxel-treated cancer cells show stronger expression of stem-associated ALDH2, SOX2, and Nanog markers than untreated cells. The proliferation of nuclear antigens in cells and the synthesis of RNA in microcells indicate cell self-defense, promoting resistance to applied therapy. These findings improve our understanding of microcell behavior in melanoma, potentially informing future strategies to counteract drug resistance in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Simsone
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Tālivaldis Feivalds
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Līga Harju
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Indra Miķelsone
- Department of Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema Street 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ilze Blāķe
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Science, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Juris Bērziņš
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Indulis Buiķis
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
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6
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Maia-Silva D, Cunniff PJ, Schier AC, Skopelitis D, Trousdell MC, Moresco P, Gao Y, Kechejian V, He XY, Sahin Y, Wan L, Alpsoy A, Liverpool J, Krainer AR, Egeblad M, Spector DL, Fearon DT, Dos Santos CO, Taatjes DJ, Vakoc CR. Interaction between MED12 and ΔNp63 activates basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Nat Genet 2024; 56:1377-1385. [PMID: 38886586 PMCID: PMC11438066 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01790-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The presence of basal lineage characteristics signifies hyperaggressive human adenocarcinomas of the breast, bladder and pancreas. However, the biochemical mechanisms that maintain this aberrant cell state are poorly understood. Here we performed marker-based genetic screens in search of factors needed to maintain basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This approach revealed MED12 as a powerful regulator of the basal cell state in this disease. Using biochemical reconstitution and epigenomics, we show that MED12 carries out this function by bridging the transcription factor ΔNp63, a known master regulator of the basal lineage, with the Mediator complex to activate lineage-specific enhancer elements. Consistent with this finding, the growth of basal-like PDAC is hypersensitive to MED12 loss when compared to PDAC cells lacking basal characteristics. Taken together, our genetic screens have revealed a biochemical interaction that sustains basal identity in human cancer, which could serve as a target for tumor lineage-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Allison C Schier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Philip Moresco
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Xue-Yan He
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Yunus Sahin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Ledong Wan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Aktan Alpsoy
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Mikala Egeblad
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dylan J Taatjes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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7
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Miti T, Desai B, Miroshnychenko D, Basanta D, Marusyk A. Dissecting the Spatially Restricted Effects of Microenvironment-Mediated Resistance on Targeted Therapy Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2405. [PMID: 39001467 PMCID: PMC11240540 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The response of tumors to anti-cancer therapies is defined not only by cell-intrinsic therapy sensitivities but also by local interactions with the tumor microenvironment. Fibroblasts that make tumor stroma have been shown to produce paracrine factors that can strongly reduce the sensitivity of tumor cells to many types of targeted therapies. Moreover, a high stroma/tumor ratio is generally associated with poor survival and reduced therapy responses. However, in contrast to advanced knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for stroma-mediated resistance, its effect on the ability of tumors to escape therapeutic eradication remains poorly understood. To a large extent, this gap of knowledge reflects the challenge of accounting for the spatial aspects of microenvironmental resistance, especially over longer time frames. To address this problem, we integrated spatial inferences of proliferation-death dynamics from an experimental animal model of targeted therapy responses with spatial mathematical modeling. With this approach, we dissected the impact of tumor/stroma distribution, magnitude and distance of stromal effects. While all of the tested parameters affected the ability of tumor cells to resist elimination, spatial patterns of stroma distribution within tumor tissue had a particularly strong impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Miti
- Department of Integrative Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Bina Desai
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA (D.M.)
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Daria Miroshnychenko
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA (D.M.)
| | - David Basanta
- Department of Integrative Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Andriy Marusyk
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA (D.M.)
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8
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Copperman J, Mclean IC, Gross SM, Singh J, Chang YH, Zuckerman DM, Heiser LM. Single-cell morphodynamical trajectories enable prediction of gene expression accompanying cell state change. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.18.576248. [PMID: 38293173 PMCID: PMC10827140 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular signals induce changes to molecular programs that modulate multiple cellular phenotypes, including proliferation, motility, and differentiation status. The connection between dynamically adapting phenotypic states and the molecular programs that define them is not well understood. Here we develop data-driven models of single-cell phenotypic responses to extracellular stimuli by linking gene transcription levels to "morphodynamics" - changes in cell morphology and motility observable in time-lapse image data. We adopt a dynamics-first view of cell state by grouping single-cell trajectories into states with shared morphodynamic responses. The single-cell trajectories enable development of a first-of-its-kind computational approach to map live-cell dynamics to snapshot gene transcript levels, which we term MMIST, Molecular and Morphodynamics-Integrated Single-cell Trajectories. The key conceptual advance of MMIST is that cell behavior can be quantified based on dynamically defined states and that extracellular signals alter the overall distribution of cell states by altering rates of switching between states. We find a cell state landscape that is bound by epithelial and mesenchymal endpoints, with distinct sequences of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) intermediates. The analysis yields predictions for gene expression changes consistent with curated EMT gene sets and provides a prediction of thousands of RNA transcripts through extracellular signal-induced EMT and MET with near-continuous time resolution. The MMIST framework leverages true single-cell dynamical behavior to generate molecular-level omics inferences and is broadly applicable to other biological domains, time-lapse imaging approaches and molecular snapshot data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Copperman
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
| | - Ian C. Mclean
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
| | | | - Jalim Singh
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
| | - Daniel M. Zuckerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
| | - Laura M. Heiser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239, U.S.A
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9
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Das C, Bhattacharya A, Adhikari S, Mondal A, Mondal P, Adhikary S, Roy S, Ramos K, Yadav KK, Tainer JA, Pandita TK. A prismatic view of the epigenetic-metabolic regulatory axis in breast cancer therapy resistance. Oncogene 2024; 43:1727-1741. [PMID: 38719949 PMCID: PMC11161412 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03054-9] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation established during development to maintain patterns of transcriptional expression and silencing for metabolism and other fundamental cell processes can be reprogrammed in cancer, providing a molecular mechanism for persistent alterations in phenotype. Metabolic deregulation and reprogramming are thus an emerging hallmark of cancer with opportunities for molecular classification as a critical preliminary step for precision therapeutic intervention. Yet, acquisition of therapy resistance against most conventional treatment regimens coupled with tumor relapse, continue to pose unsolved problems for precision healthcare, as exemplified in breast cancer where existing data informs both cancer genotype and phenotype. Furthermore, epigenetic reprograming of the metabolic milieu of cancer cells is among the most crucial determinants of therapeutic resistance and cancer relapse. Importantly, subtype-specific epigenetic-metabolic interplay profoundly affects malignant transformation, resistance to chemotherapy, and response to targeted therapies. In this review, we therefore prismatically dissect interconnected epigenetic and metabolic regulatory pathways and then integrate them into an observable cancer metabolism-therapy-resistance axis that may inform clinical intervention. Optimally coupling genome-wide analysis with an understanding of metabolic elements, epigenetic reprogramming, and their integration by metabolic profiling may decode missing molecular mechanisms at the level of individual tumors. The proposed approach of linking metabolic biochemistry back to genotype, epigenetics, and phenotype for specific tumors and their microenvironment may thus enable successful mechanistic targeting of epigenetic modifiers and oncometabolites despite tumor metabolic heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
| | - Swagata Adhikari
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Atanu Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Payel Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Santanu Adhikary
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Kenneth Ramos
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M University, School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kamlesh K Yadav
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M University, School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- School of Engineering Medicine, Texas A&M University, School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John A Tainer
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Tej K Pandita
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M University, School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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10
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Decollogny M, Rottenberg S. Persisting cancer cells are different from bacterial persisters. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:393-406. [PMID: 38429144 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The persistence of drug-sensitive tumors poses a significant challenge in cancer treatment. The concept of bacterial persisters, which are a subpopulation of bacteria that survive lethal antibiotic doses, is frequently used to compare to residual disease in cancer. Here, we explore drug tolerance of cancer cells and bacteria. We highlight the fact that bacteria, in contrast to cancer cells, have been selected for survival at the population level and may therefore possess contingency mechanisms that cancer cells lack. The precise mechanisms of drug-tolerant cancer cells and bacterial persisters are still being investigated. Undoubtedly, by understanding common features as well as differences, we, in the cancer field, can learn from microbiology to find strategies to eradicate persisting cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Decollogny
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Bern Center for Precision Medicine and Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sven Rottenberg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Bern Center for Precision Medicine and Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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11
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Petrella PE, Chen JW, Ravelo GO, Cosgrove BD. Chemoresistance to additive PARP/PI3K dual inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines is associated with adaptive stem cell-like prevalence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.28.591568. [PMID: 38746322 PMCID: PMC11092486 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.28.591568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are posited to exhibit specialized oncogenic capacity to drive malignancies. CSCs are distinguished by enhanced hallmarks of cancer, including apoptosis avoidance, phenotypic plasticity and aberrant growth pathway signaling. Standard-of-care chemotherapies targeted to rapidly cycling cells routinely fail to eliminate this resistant subpopulation, leading to disease recurrence and metastasis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, is enriched for tumor-propagating CD44+/CD24-/low CSCs, which are poorly ablated by chemotherapeutics and are associated with poor prognosis. CD44 governs sustained PI3K signaling in breast cancer, which is essential for CSC maintenance. PI3K inhibition can elicit DNA damage and down-regulate BRCA1 expression, which in turn enhance the synthetic lethality of PARP inhibitors. Here, we examined a dual chemotherapeutic approach targeting these pathways by combining a pan-PI3K inhibitor (Buparlisib) and a PARP1 inhibitor (Olaparib) on a panel of TNBC cell lines with distinct mutational profiles and proportions of CSCs. We observed differential sensitivity to this dual inhibition strategy and varying cellular stress and resistance responses across eight TNBC lines. The dual chemotherapeutic effect is associated with a reduction in S-phase cells, an increased in apoptotic cells and elevated expression of cleaved PARP, indicating a provoked replicative stress response. We observed that PARP/PI3K inhibition efficacy was potentiated by repeated administration in some TNBC lines and identified critical treatment schedules, which further potentiated the dual chemotherapeutic effect. Dual inhibition induced small but significant increases in CSC relative abundance as marked by CD44+/CD24-/low or ALDH1+ cells and increased stress and survival signaling in multiple TNBC cell lines, suggesting this sub-population contributes to TNBC chemoresistance. These results suggest the additive effects of PARP and PI3K inhibition against CSC phenotypes may be enhanced by temporally-staged administration in TNBC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason W. Chen
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gabrielle O. Ravelo
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Cosgrove
- Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cell Biology and
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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12
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Derouane F, Desgres M, Moroni C, Ambroise J, Berlière M, Van Bockstal MR, Galant C, van Marcke C, Vara-Messler M, Hutten SJ, Jonkers J, Mourao L, Scheele CLGJ, Duhoux FP, Corbet C. Metabolic adaptation towards glycolysis supports resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early triple negative breast cancers. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:29. [PMID: 38374113 PMCID: PMC10875828 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01788-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard of care for patients with early-stage triple negative breast cancers (TNBC). However, more than half of TNBC patients do not achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC, and residual cancer burden (RCB) is associated with dismal long-term prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms underlying differential treatment outcomes is therefore critical to limit RCB and improve NAC efficiency. METHODS Human TNBC cell lines and patient-derived organoids were used in combination with real-time metabolic assays to evaluate the effect of NAC (paclitaxel and epirubicin) on tumor cell metabolism, in particular glycolysis. Diagnostic biopsies (pre-NAC) from patients with early TNBC were analyzed by bulk RNA-sequencing to evaluate the predictive value of a glycolysis-related gene signature. RESULTS Paclitaxel induced a consistent metabolic switch to glycolysis, correlated with a reduced mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, in TNBC cells. In pre-NAC diagnostic biopsies from TNBC patients, glycolysis was found to be upregulated in non-responders. Furthermore, glycolysis inhibition greatly improved response to NAC in TNBC organoid models. CONCLUSIONS Our study pinpoints a metabolic adaptation to glycolysis as a mechanism driving resistance to NAC in TNBC. Our data pave the way for the use of glycolysis-related genes as predictive biomarkers for NAC response, as well as the development of inhibitors to overcome this glycolysis-driven resistance to NAC in human TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Derouane
- Pole of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology (MIRO), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manon Desgres
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, B1.57.04, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Camilla Moroni
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, B1.57.04, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Ambroise
- Centre des Technologies Moléculaires Appliquées (CTMA), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 54, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine Berlière
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Pole of Gynecology (GYNE), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Mounier 52, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mieke R Van Bockstal
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine Galant
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Pole of Morphology (MORF), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale Et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Mounier 52, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric van Marcke
- Pole of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology (MIRO), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marianela Vara-Messler
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, B1.57.04, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Sanofi Belgium, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Stefan J Hutten
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Larissa Mourao
- Laboratory for Intravital Imaging and Dynamics of Tumor Progression, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Colinda L G J Scheele
- Laboratory for Intravital Imaging and Dynamics of Tumor Progression, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Francois P Duhoux
- Pole of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology (MIRO), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Oncology, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Breast Clinic, King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cyril Corbet
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Avenue Hippocrate 57, B1.57.04, 1200, Brussels, Belgium.
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13
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Jacobo Jacobo M, Donnella HJ, Sobti S, Kaushik S, Goga A, Bandyopadhyay S. An inflamed tumor cell subpopulation promotes chemotherapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3694. [PMID: 38355954 PMCID: PMC10866903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53999-w] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Individual cancers are composed of heterogeneous tumor cells with distinct phenotypes and genotypes, with triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) demonstrating the most heterogeneity among breast cancer types. Variability in transcriptional phenotypes could meaningfully limit the efficacy of monotherapies and fuel drug resistance, although to an unknown extent. To determine if transcriptional differences between tumor cells lead to differential drug responses we performed single cell RNA-seq on cell line and PDX models of breast cancer revealing cell subpopulations in states associated with resistance to standard-of-care therapies. We found that TNBC models contained a subpopulation in an inflamed cellular state, often also present in human breast cancer samples. Inflamed cells display evidence of heightened cGAS/STING signaling which we demonstrate is sufficient to cause tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy. Accordingly, inflamed cells were enriched in human tumors taken after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and associated with early recurrence, highlighting the potential for diverse tumor cell states to promote drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Jacobo Jacobo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Hayley J Donnella
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sushil Sobti
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Swati Kaushik
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Andrei Goga
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sourav Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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14
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Rubinstein JC, Domanskyi S, Sheridan TB, Sanderson B, Park S, Kaster J, Li H, Anczukow O, Herlyn M, Chuang JH. Spatiotemporal profiling defines persistence and resistance dynamics during targeted treatment of melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.577085. [PMID: 38370717 PMCID: PMC10871267 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.577085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Resistance of BRAF-mutant melanomas to targeted therapy arises from the ability of cells to enter a persister state, evade treatment with relative dormancy, and repopulate the tumor when reactivated. Using spatial transcriptomics in patient derived xenograft models, we capture clonal lineage evolution during treatment, finding the persister state to show increased oxidative phosphorylation, decreased proliferation, and increased invasive capacity, with central-to-peripheral gradients. Phylogenetic tracing identifies intrinsic- and acquired-resistance mechanisms (e.g. dual specific phosphatases, Reticulon-4, CDK2) and suggests specific temporal windows of potential therapeutic efficacy. Using deep learning to analyze histopathological slides, we find morphological features of specific cell states, demonstrating that juxtaposition of transcriptomics and histology data enables identification of phenotypically-distinct populations using imaging data alone. In summary, we define state change and lineage selection during melanoma treatment with spatiotemporal resolution, elucidating how choice and timing of therapeutic agents will impact the ability to eradicate resistant clones. Statement of Significance Tumor evolution is accelerated by application of anti-cancer therapy, resulting in clonal expansions leading to dormancy and subsequently resistance, but the dynamics of this process are incompletely understood. Tracking clonal progression during treatment, we identify conserved, global transcriptional changes and local clone-clone and spatial patterns underlying the emergence of resistance.
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15
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Chen HL, Jin WL. Diapause-like Drug-Tolerant Persister State: The Key to Nirvana Rebirth. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:228. [PMID: 38399515 PMCID: PMC10890489 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60020228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Various drugs have been developed to eliminate it but to no avail because a tumor can go into dormancy to avoid therapy. In the past few decades, tumor dormancy has become a popular topic in cancer therapy. Recently, there has been an important breakthrough in the study of tumor dormancy. That is, cancer cells can enter a reversible drug-tolerant persister (DTP) state to avoid therapy, but no exact mechanism has been found. The study of the link between the DTP state and diapause seems to provide an opportunity for a correct understanding of the mechanism of the DTP state. Completely treating cancer and avoiding dormancy by targeting the expression of key genes in diapause are possible. This review delves into the characteristics of the DTP state and its connection with embryonic diapause, and possible treatment strategies are summarized. The authors believe that this review will promote the development of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Lin Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
- Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wei-Lin Jin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
- Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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16
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Chai K, Wang C, Zhou J, Mu W, Gao M, Fan Z, Lv G. Quenching thirst with poison? Paradoxical effect of anticancer drugs. Pharmacol Res 2023; 198:106987. [PMID: 37949332 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer drugs have been developed with expectations to provide long-term or at least short-term survival benefits for patients with cancer. Unfortunately, drug therapy tends to provoke malignant biological and clinical behaviours of cancer cells relating not only to the evolution of resistance to specific drugs but also to the enhancement of their proliferation and metastasis abilities. Thus, drug therapy is suspected to impair long-term survival in treated patients under certain circumstances. The paradoxical therapeutic effects could be described as 'quenching thirst with poison', where temporary relief is sought regardless of the consequences. Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which tumours react on drug-induced stress to maintain viability is crucial to develop rational targeting approaches which may optimize survival in patients with cancer. In this review, we describe the paradoxical adverse effects of anticancer drugs, in particular how cancer cells complete resistance evolution, enhance proliferation, escape from immune surveillance and metastasize efficiently when encountered with drug therapy. We also describe an integrative therapeutic framework that may diminish such paradoxical effects, consisting of four main strategies: (1) targeting endogenous stress response pathways, (2) targeting new identities of cancer cells, (3) adaptive therapy- exploiting subclonal competition of cancer cells, and (4) targeting tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Chai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chuanlei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianpeng Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wentao Mu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Menghan Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhongqi Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Guoyue Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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17
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Heilala M, Lehtonen A, Arasalo O, Peura A, Pokki J, Ikkala O, Nonappa, Klefström J, Munne PM. Fibrin Stiffness Regulates Phenotypic Plasticity of Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301137. [PMID: 37671812 PMCID: PMC11469292 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM)-regulated phenotypic plasticity is crucial for metastatic progression of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). While ECM faithful cell-based models are available for in situ and invasive tumors, such as cell aggregate cultures in reconstituted basement membrane and in collagenous gels, there are no ECM faithful models for metastatic circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Such models are essential to represent the stage of metastasis where clinical relevance and therapeutic opportunities are significant. Here, CTC-like DU4475 TNBC cells are cultured in mechanically tunable 3D fibrin hydrogels. This is motivated, as in circulation fibrin aids CTC survival by forming a protective coating reducing shear stress and immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity and promotes several stages of late metastatic processes at the interface between circulation and tissue. This work shows that fibrin hydrogels support DU4475 cell growth, resulting in spheroid formation. Furthermore, increasing fibrin stiffness from 57 to 175 Pa leads to highly motile, actin and tubulin containing cellular protrusions, which are associated with specific cell morphology and gene expression patterns that markedly differ from basement membrane or suspension cultures. Thus, mechanically tunable fibrin gels reveal specific matrix-based regulation of TNBC cell phenotype and offer scaffolds for CTC-like cells with better mechano-biological properties than liquid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Heilala
- Department of Applied PhysicsAalto UniversityP.O. Box 15100AaltoEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Arttu Lehtonen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and AutomationAalto UniversityP.O. Box 12200AaltoEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Ossi Arasalo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and AutomationAalto UniversityP.O. Box 12200AaltoEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Aino Peura
- Finnish Cancer Institute and FICAN SouthHelsinki University Hospital & Cancer Cell Circuitry LaboratoryTranslational Cancer MedicineMedical FacultyUniversity of HelsinkiP.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8)Helsinki00014Finland
| | - Juho Pokki
- Department of Electrical Engineering and AutomationAalto UniversityP.O. Box 12200AaltoEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Olli Ikkala
- Department of Applied PhysicsAalto UniversityP.O. Box 15100AaltoEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Nonappa
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesTampere UniversityP.O. Box 541TampereFI‐33720Finland
| | - Juha Klefström
- Finnish Cancer Institute and FICAN SouthHelsinki University Hospital & Cancer Cell Circuitry LaboratoryTranslational Cancer MedicineMedical FacultyUniversity of HelsinkiP.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8)Helsinki00014Finland
| | - Pauliina M. Munne
- Finnish Cancer Institute and FICAN SouthHelsinki University Hospital & Cancer Cell Circuitry LaboratoryTranslational Cancer MedicineMedical FacultyUniversity of HelsinkiP.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8)Helsinki00014Finland
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18
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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19
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Weston WA, Barr AR. A cell cycle centric view of tumour dormancy. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1535-1545. [PMID: 37608096 PMCID: PMC10645753 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02401-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour dormancy and recurrent metastatic cancer remain the greatest clinical challenge for cancer patients. Dormant tumour cells can evade treatment and detection, while retaining proliferative potential, often for years, before relapsing to tumour outgrowth. Cellular quiescence is one mechanism that promotes and maintains tumour dormancy due to its central role in reducing proliferation, elevating cyto-protective mechanisms, and retaining proliferative potential. Quiescence/proliferation decisions are dictated by intrinsic and extrinsic signals, which regulate the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to modulate cell cycle gene expression. By clarifying the pathways regulating CDK activity and the signals which activate them, we can better understand how cancer cells enter, maintain, and escape from quiescence throughout the progression of dormancy and metastatic disease. Here we review how CDK activity is regulated to modulate cellular quiescence in the context of tumour dormancy and highlight the therapeutic challenges and opportunities it presents.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Weston
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alexis R Barr
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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20
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Jain P, Pillai M, Duddu AS, Somarelli JA, Goyal Y, Jolly MK. Dynamical hallmarks of cancer: Phenotypic switching in melanoma and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:48-63. [PMID: 37788736 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.09.007] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity was recently incorporated as a hallmark of cancer. This plasticity can manifest along many interconnected axes, such as stemness and differentiation, drug-sensitive and drug-resistant states, and between epithelial and mesenchymal cell-states. Despite growing acceptance for phenotypic plasticity as a hallmark of cancer, the dynamics of this process remains poorly understood. In particular, the knowledge necessary for a predictive understanding of how individual cancer cells and populations of cells dynamically switch their phenotypes in response to the intensity and/or duration of their current and past environmental stimuli remains far from complete. Here, we present recent investigations of phenotypic plasticity from a systems-level perspective using two exemplars: epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in carcinomas and phenotypic switching in melanoma. We highlight how an integrated computational-experimental approach has helped unravel insights into specific dynamical hallmarks of phenotypic plasticity in different cancers to address the following questions: a) how many distinct cell-states or phenotypes exist?; b) how reversible are transitions among these cell-states, and what factors control the extent of reversibility?; and c) how might cell-cell communication be able to alter rates of cell-state switching and enable diverse patterns of phenotypic heterogeneity? Understanding these dynamic features of phenotypic plasticity may be a key component in shifting the paradigm of cancer treatment from reactionary to a more predictive, proactive approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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21
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Pu Y, Li L, Peng H, Liu L, Heymann D, Robert C, Vallette F, Shen S. Drug-tolerant persister cells in cancer: the cutting edges and future directions. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:799-813. [PMID: 37749382 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cell populations were originally discovered in antibiotic-resistant bacterial biofilms. Similar populations with comparable features have since been identified among cancer cells and have been linked with treatment resistance that lacks an underlying genomic alteration. Research over the past decade has improved our understanding of the biological roles of DTP cells in cancer, although clinical knowledge of the role of these cells in treatment resistance remains limited. Nonetheless, targeting this population is anticipated to provide new treatment opportunities. In this Perspective, we aim to provide a clear definition of the DTP phenotype, discuss the underlying characteristics of these cells, their biomarkers and vulnerabilities, and encourage further research on DTP cells that might improve our understanding and enable the development of more effective anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Li
- Lung Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoning Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lunxu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dominique Heymann
- Nantes Université, CNRS, UMR6286, US2B, Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Caroline Robert
- INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - François Vallette
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Saint-Herblain, France.
- Nantes Université, INSERM, U1307, CRCI2NA, Nantes, France.
| | - Shensi Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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22
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Szebényi K, Füredi A, Bajtai E, Sama SN, Csiszar A, Gombos B, Szabó P, Grusch M, Szakács G. Effective targeting of breast cancer by the inhibition of P-glycoprotein mediated removal of toxic lipid peroxidation byproducts from drug tolerant persister cells. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 71:101007. [PMID: 37741091 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Therapy resistance has long been considered to occur through the selection of pre-existing clones equipped to survive and quickly regrow, or through the acquisition of mutations during chemotherapy. Here we show that following in vitro treatment by chemotherapy, epithelial breast cancer cells adopt a transient drug tolerant phenotype characterized by cell cycle arrest, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reversible upregulation of the multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The drug tolerant persister (DTP) state is reversible, as cells eventually resume proliferation, giving rise to a cell population resembling the initial, drug-naïve cell lines. However, recovery after doxorubicin treatment is almost completely eliminated when DTP cells are cultured in the presence of the P-gp inhibitor Tariquidar. Mechanistically, P-gp contributes to the survival of DTP cells by removing reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation products resulting from doxorubicin exposure. In vivo, prolonged administration of Tariquidar during doxorubicin treatment holidays resulted in a significant increase of the overall survival of Brca1-/-;p53-/- mammary tumor bearing mice. These results indicate that prolonged administration of a P-gp inhibitor during drug holidays would likely benefit patients without the risk of aggravated side effects related to the concomitantly administered toxic chemotherapy. Effective targeting of DTPs through the inhibition of P-glycoprotein may result in a paradigm shift, changing the focus from countering drug resistance mechanisms to preventing or delaying therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornélia Szebényi
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - András Füredi
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Centre of Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Bajtai
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Pathological Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sai Nagender Sama
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Agnes Csiszar
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balázs Gombos
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Szabó
- Centre for Structural Study, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Grusch
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gergely Szakács
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
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23
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Maia-Silva D, Schier AC, Skopelitis D, Kechejian V, Alpsoy A, Liverpool J, Taatjes DJ, Vakoc CR. Marker-based CRISPR screening reveals a MED12-p63 interaction that activates basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563848. [PMID: 37961243 PMCID: PMC10634811 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The presence of basal lineage characteristics signifies hyper-aggressive human adenocarcinomas of the breast, bladder, and pancreas. However, the biochemical mechanisms that maintain this aberrant cell state are poorly understood. Here we performed marker-based genetic screens in search of factors needed to maintain basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This approach revealed MED12 as a powerful regulator of the basal cell state in this disease. Using biochemical reconstitution and epigenomics, we show that MED12 carries out this function by bridging the transcription factor p63, a known master regulator of the basal lineage, with the Mediator complex to activate lineage-specific enhancer elements. Consistent with this finding, the growth of basal-like PDAC is hypersensitive to MED12 loss when compared to classical PDAC. Taken together, our comprehensive genetic screens have revealed a biochemical interaction that sustains basal identity in human cancer, which could serve as a target for tumor lineage-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aktan Alpsoy
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
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24
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Song X, Lan Y, Zheng X, Zhu Q, Liao X, Liu K, Zhang W, Peng Q, Zhu Y, Zhao L, Chen X, Shu Y, Yang K, Hu J. Targeting drug-tolerant cells: A promising strategy for overcoming acquired drug resistance in cancer cells. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e342. [PMID: 37638338 PMCID: PMC10449058 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance remains the greatest challenge in improving outcomes for cancer patients who receive chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Surmounting evidence suggests that a subpopulation of cancer cells could escape intense selective drug treatment by entering a drug-tolerant state without genetic variations. These drug-tolerant cells (DTCs) are characterized with a slow proliferation rate and a reversible phenotype. They reside in the tumor region and may serve as a reservoir for resistant phenotypes. The survival of DTCs is regulated by epigenetic modifications, transcriptional regulation, mRNA translation remodeling, metabolic changes, antiapoptosis, interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and activation of signaling pathways. Thus, targeting the regulators of DTCs opens a new avenue for the treatment of therapy-resistant tumors. In this review, we first provide an overview of common characteristics of DTCs and the regulating networks in DTCs development. We also discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities to target DTCs. Last, we discuss the current challenges and prospects of the DTC-targeting approach to overcome acquired drug resistance. Reviewing the latest developments in DTC research could be essential in discovering of methods to eliminate DTCs, which may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing drug resistance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohai Song
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yang Lan
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiuli Zheng
- Department of RadiologyHuaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) and Critical Care MedicinePrecision Medicine Center, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Qianyu Zhu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuliang Liao
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Weihan Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - QiangBo Peng
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yunfeng Zhu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Linyong Zhao
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yang Shu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jiankun Hu
- Department of General SurgeryGastric Cancer CenterLaboratory of Gastric CancerState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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25
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Pendleton KE, Wang K, Echeverria GV. Rewiring of mitochondrial metabolism in therapy-resistant cancers: permanent and plastic adaptations. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1254313. [PMID: 37779896 PMCID: PMC10534013 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1254313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of tumor cell metabolism is widely recognized as a "hallmark of cancer." Many of the selective pressures encountered by tumor cells, such as exposure to anticancer therapies, navigation of the metastatic cascade, and communication with the tumor microenvironment, can elicit further rewiring of tumor cell metabolism. Furthermore, phenotypic plasticity has been recently appreciated as an emerging "hallmark of cancer." Mitochondria are dynamic organelles and central hubs of metabolism whose roles in cancers have been a major focus of numerous studies. Importantly, therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria are being developed. Interestingly, both plastic (i.e., reversible) and permanent (i.e., stable) metabolic adaptations have been observed following exposure to anticancer therapeutics. Understanding the plastic or permanent nature of these mechanisms is of crucial importance for devising the initiation, duration, and sequential nature of metabolism-targeting therapies. In this review, we compare permanent and plastic mitochondrial mechanisms driving therapy resistance. We also discuss experimental models of therapy-induced metabolic adaptation, therapeutic implications for targeting permanent and plastic metabolic states, and clinical implications of metabolic adaptations. While the plasticity of metabolic adaptations can make effective therapeutic treatment challenging, understanding the mechanisms behind these plastic phenotypes may lead to promising clinical interventions that will ultimately lead to better overall care for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Pendleton
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Karen Wang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gloria V. Echeverria
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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26
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Groves SM, Quaranta V. Quantifying cancer cell plasticity with gene regulatory networks and single-cell dynamics. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1225736. [PMID: 37731743 PMCID: PMC10507267 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1225736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells can lead to complex cell state dynamics during tumor progression and acquired resistance. Highly plastic stem-like states may be inherently drug-resistant. Moreover, cell state dynamics in response to therapy allow a tumor to evade treatment. In both scenarios, quantifying plasticity is essential for identifying high-plasticity states or elucidating transition paths between states. Currently, methods to quantify plasticity tend to focus on 1) quantification of quasi-potential based on the underlying gene regulatory network dynamics of the system; or 2) inference of cell potency based on trajectory inference or lineage tracing in single-cell dynamics. Here, we explore both of these approaches and associated computational tools. We then discuss implications of each approach to plasticity metrics, and relevance to cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Groves
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Vito Quaranta
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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27
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Pérez-González A, Bévant K, Blanpain C. Cancer cell plasticity during tumor progression, metastasis and response to therapy. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1063-1082. [PMID: 37537300 PMCID: PMC7615147 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00595-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell plasticity represents the ability of cells to be reprogrammed and to change their fate and identity, enabling homeostasis restoration and tissue regeneration following damage. Cell plasticity also contributes to pathological conditions, such as cancer, enabling cells to acquire new phenotypic and functional features by transiting across distinct cell states that contribute to tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Here, we review the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms driving cell plasticity that promote tumor growth and proliferation as well as metastasis and drug tolerance. Finally, we discuss how cell plasticity could be exploited for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pérez-González
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Bévant
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
- WELBIO, ULB, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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28
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Fan H, Wang F, Zeng A, Murison A, Tomczak K, Hao D, Jelloul FZ, Wang B, Barrodia P, Liang S, Chen K, Wang L, Zhao Z, Rai K, Jain AK, Dick J, Daver N, Futreal A, Abbas HA. Single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling of acute myeloid leukemia reveals heterogeneous lineage composition upon therapy-resistance. Commun Biol 2023; 6:765. [PMID: 37479893 PMCID: PMC10362028 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05120-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by high rate of therapy resistance. Since the cell of origin can impact response to therapy, it is crucial to understand the lineage composition of AML cells at time of therapy resistance. Here we leverage single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling of 22 AML bone marrow aspirates from eight patients at time of therapy resistance and following subsequent therapy to characterize their lineage landscape. Our findings reveal a complex lineage architecture of therapy-resistant AML cells that are primed for stem and progenitor lineages and spanning quiescent, activated and late stem cell/progenitor states. Remarkably, therapy-resistant AML cells are also composed of cells primed for differentiated myeloid, erythroid and even lymphoid lineages. The heterogeneous lineage composition persists following subsequent therapy, with early progenitor-driven features marking unfavorable prognosis in The Cancer Genome Atlas AML cohort. Pseudotime analysis further confirms the vast degree of heterogeneity driven by the dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility. Our findings suggest that therapy-resistant AML cells are characterized not only by stem and progenitor states, but also by a continuum of differentiated cellular lineages. The heterogeneity in lineages likely contributes to their therapy resistance by harboring different degrees of lineage-specific susceptibilities to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Fan
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andy Zeng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alex Murison
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Katarzyna Tomczak
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dapeng Hao
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fatima Zahra Jelloul
- Department of Hematopathology, University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bofei Wang
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Praveen Barrodia
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shaoheng Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ken Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linghua Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abhinav K Jain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John Dick
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andy Futreal
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hussein A Abbas
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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29
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Saini M, Schmidleitner L, Moreno HD, Donato E, Falcone M, Bartsch JM, Klein C, Vogel V, Würth R, Pfarr N, Espinet E, Lehmann M, Königshoff M, Reitberger M, Haas S, Graf E, Schwarzmayr T, Strom TM, Spaich S, Sütterlin M, Schneeweiss A, Weichert W, Schotta G, Reichert M, Aceto N, Sprick MR, Trumpp A, Scheel CH. Resistance to mesenchymal reprogramming sustains clonal propagation in metastatic breast cancer. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112533. [PMID: 37257449 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of mesenchymal traits is considered a hallmark of breast cancer progression. However, the functional relevance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains controversial and context dependent. Here, we isolate epithelial and mesenchymal populations from human breast cancer metastatic biopsies and assess their functional potential in vivo. Strikingly, progressively decreasing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) levels correlate with declining disease propagation. Mechanistically, we find that persistent EPCAM expression marks epithelial clones that resist EMT induction and propagate competitively. In contrast, loss of EPCAM defines clones arrested in a mesenchymal state, with concomitant suppression of tumorigenicity and metastatic potential. This dichotomy results from distinct clonal trajectories impacting global epigenetic programs that are determined by the interplay between human ZEB1 and its target GRHL2. Collectively, our results indicate that susceptibility to irreversible EMT restrains clonal propagation, whereas resistance to mesenchymal reprogramming sustains disease spread in multiple models of human metastatic breast cancer, including patient-derived cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Saini
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Laura Schmidleitner
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Center for Organoid Systems (COS), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Helena Domínguez Moreno
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Donato
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mattia Falcone
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna M Bartsch
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Corinna Klein
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Vogel
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Würth
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicole Pfarr
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mareike Lehmann
- Institute for Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany; Institute for Lung Research, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Königshoff
- Research Unit Lung Repair and Regeneration, Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Manuel Reitberger
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Haas
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Graf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schwarzmayr
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tim-Matthias Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Spaich
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Women's Clinic, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Sütterlin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Women's Clinic, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Gunnar Schotta
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Center for Organoid Systems (COS), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin R Sprick
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany.
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany.
| | - Christina H Scheel
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Ohata H, Shiokawa D, Sakai H, Kanda Y, Okimoto Y, Kaneko S, Hamamoto R, Nakagama H, Okamoto K. PROX1 induction by autolysosomal activity stabilizes persister-like state of colon cancer via feedback repression of the NOX1-mTORC1 pathway. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112519. [PMID: 37224811 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer chemoresistance is often attributed to slow-cycling persister populations with cancer stem cell (CSC)-like features. However, how persister populations emerge and prevail in cancer remains obscure. We previously demonstrated that while the NOX1-mTORC1 pathway is responsible for proliferation of a fast-cycling CSC population, PROX1 expression is required for chemoresistant persisters in colon cancer. Here, we show that enhanced autolysosomal activity mediated by mTORC1 inhibition induces PROX1 expression and that PROX1 induction in turn inhibits NOX1-mTORC1 activation. CDX2, identified as a transcriptional activator of NOX1, mediates PROX1-dependent NOX1 inhibition. PROX1-positive and CDX2-positive cells are present in distinct populations, and mTOR inhibition triggers conversion of the CDX2-positive population to the PROX1-positive population. Inhibition of autophagy synergizes with mTOR inhibition to block cancer proliferation. Thus, mTORC1 inhibition-mediated induction of PROX1 stabilizes a persister-like state with high autolysosomal activity via a feedback regulation that involves a key cascade of proliferating CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Ohata
- Teikyo University, Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
| | | | - Hiroaki Sakai
- Teikyo University, Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kanda
- Teikyo University, Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
| | - Yoshie Okimoto
- Teikyo University, Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
| | - Syuzo Kaneko
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hamamoto
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | | | - Koji Okamoto
- Teikyo University, Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan.
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Bobbitt JR, Seachrist DD, Keri RA. Chromatin Organization and Transcriptional Programming of Breast Cancer Cell Identity. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad100. [PMID: 37394919 PMCID: PMC10370366 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of sequencing technologies for assessing chromosome conformations has provided a wealth of information on the organization of the 3-dimensional genome and its role in cancer progression. It is now known that changes in chromatin folding and accessibility can promote aberrant activation or repression of transcriptional programs that can drive tumorigenesis and progression in diverse cancers. This includes breast cancer, which comprises several distinct subtypes defined by their unique transcriptomes that dictate treatment response and patient outcomes. Of these, basal-like breast cancer is an aggressive subtype controlled by a pluripotency-enforcing transcriptome. Meanwhile, the more differentiated luminal subtype of breast cancer is driven by an estrogen receptor-dominated transcriptome that underlies its responsiveness to antihormone therapies and conveys improved patient outcomes. Despite the clear differences in molecular signatures, the genesis of each subtype from normal mammary epithelial cells remains unclear. Recent technical advances have revealed key distinctions in chromatin folding and organization between subtypes that could underlie their transcriptomic and, hence, phenotypic differences. These studies also suggest that proteins controlling particular chromatin states may be useful targets for treating aggressive disease. In this review, we explore the current state of understanding of chromatin architecture in breast cancer subtypes and its potential role in defining their phenotypic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Bobbitt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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32
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Mundi PS, Dela Cruz FS, Grunn A, Diolaiti D, Mauguen A, Rainey AR, Guillan K, Siddiquee A, You D, Realubit R, Karan C, Ortiz MV, Douglass EF, Accordino M, Mistretta S, Brogan F, Bruce JN, Caescu CI, Carvajal RD, Crew KD, Decastro G, Heaney M, Henick BS, Hershman DL, Hou JY, Iwamoto FM, Jurcic JG, Kiran RP, Kluger MD, Kreisl T, Lamanna N, Lassman AB, Lim EA, Manji GA, McKhann GM, McKiernan JM, Neugut AI, Olive KP, Rosenblat T, Schwartz GK, Shu CA, Sisti MB, Tergas A, Vattakalam RM, Welch M, Wenske S, Wright JD, Hibshoosh H, Kalinsky K, Aburi M, Sims PA, Alvarez MJ, Kung AL, Califano A. A Transcriptome-Based Precision Oncology Platform for Patient-Therapy Alignment in a Diverse Set of Treatment-Resistant Malignancies. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1386-1407. [PMID: 37061969 PMCID: PMC10239356 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Predicting in vivo response to antineoplastics remains an elusive challenge. We performed a first-of-kind evaluation of two transcriptome-based precision cancer medicine methodologies to predict tumor sensitivity to a comprehensive repertoire of clinically relevant oncology drugs, whose mechanism of action we experimentally assessed in cognate cell lines. We enrolled patients with histologically distinct, poor-prognosis malignancies who had progressed on multiple therapies, and developed low-passage, patient-derived xenograft models that were used to validate 35 patient-specific drug predictions. Both OncoTarget, which identifies high-affinity inhibitors of individual master regulator (MR) proteins, and OncoTreat, which identifies drugs that invert the transcriptional activity of hyperconnected MR modules, produced highly significant 30-day disease control rates (68% and 91%, respectively). Moreover, of 18 OncoTreat-predicted drugs, 15 induced the predicted MR-module activity inversion in vivo. Predicted drugs significantly outperformed antineoplastic drugs selected as unpredicted controls, suggesting these methods may substantively complement existing precision cancer medicine approaches, as also illustrated by a case study. SIGNIFICANCE Complementary precision cancer medicine paradigms are needed to broaden the clinical benefit realized through genetic profiling and immunotherapy. In this first-in-class application, we introduce two transcriptome-based tumor-agnostic systems biology tools to predict drug response in vivo. OncoTarget and OncoTreat are scalable for the design of basket and umbrella clinical trials. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhjot S. Mundi
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Filemon S. Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Adina Grunn
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Daniel Diolaiti
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Audrey Mauguen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Allison R. Rainey
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Kristina Guillan
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Armaan Siddiquee
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Ronald Realubit
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Charles Karan
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Eugene F. Douglass
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Melissa Accordino
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Suzanne Mistretta
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Frances Brogan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Jeffrey N. Bruce
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Cristina I. Caescu
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Richard D. Carvajal
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Katherine D Crew
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Guarionex Decastro
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 160 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Mark Heaney
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Brian S Henick
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St. NY, NY 10032
| | - June Y. Hou
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Fabio M. Iwamoto
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Joseph G. Jurcic
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Ravi P. Kiran
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Michael D Kluger
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Teri Kreisl
- Novartis Five Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| | - Nicole Lamanna
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Andrew B. Lassman
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Emerson A. Lim
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Gulam A. Manji
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Guy M McKhann
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - James M. McKiernan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 160 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Alfred I Neugut
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St. NY, NY 10032
| | - Kenneth P. Olive
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Todd Rosenblat
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Gary K. Schwartz
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Catherine A Shu
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Michael B. Sisti
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Ana Tergas
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Reena M Vattakalam
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Mary Welch
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 710 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Sven Wenske
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 160 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Jason D. Wright
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Hanina Hibshoosh
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Kevin Kalinsky
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Mahalaxmi Aburi
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Peter A. Sims
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 701 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Mariano J. Alvarez
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- DarwinHealth Inc. New York
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY USA 10065
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 701 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY USA 10032
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33
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Grody EI, Abraham A, Shukla V, Goyal Y. Toward a systems-level probing of tumor clonality. iScience 2023; 26:106574. [PMID: 37192968 PMCID: PMC10182304 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106574] [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] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been described as a genetic disease that clonally evolves in the face of selective pressures imposed by cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Although classical models based on genetic data predominantly propose Darwinian mechanisms of cancer evolution, recent single-cell profiling of cancers has described unprecedented heterogeneity in tumors providing support for alternative models of branched and neutral evolution through both genetic and non-genetic mechanisms. Emerging evidence points to a complex interplay between genetic, non-genetic, and extrinsic environmental factors in shaping the evolution of tumors. In this perspective, we briefly discuss the role of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape clonal behaviors during tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Taking examples of pre-malignant states associated with hematological malignancies and esophageal cancer, we discuss recent paradigms of tumor evolution and prospective approaches to further enhance our understanding of this spatiotemporally regulated process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle I. Grody
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ajay Abraham
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Vipul Shukla
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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34
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Copperman J, Gross SM, Chang YH, Heiser LM, Zuckerman DM. Morphodynamical cell state description via live-cell imaging trajectory embedding. Commun Biol 2023; 6:484. [PMID: 37142678 PMCID: PMC10160022 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04837-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Time-lapse imaging is a powerful approach to gain insight into the dynamic responses of cells, but the quantitative analysis of morphological changes over time remains challenging. Here, we exploit the concept of "trajectory embedding" to analyze cellular behavior using morphological feature trajectory histories-that is, multiple time points simultaneously, rather than the more common practice of examining morphological feature time courses in single timepoint (snapshot) morphological features. We apply this approach to analyze live-cell images of MCF10A mammary epithelial cells after treatment with a panel of microenvironmental perturbagens that strongly modulate cell motility, morphology, and cell cycle behavior. Our morphodynamical trajectory embedding analysis constructs a shared cell state landscape revealing ligand-specific regulation of cell state transitions and enables quantitative and descriptive models of single-cell trajectories. Additionally, we show that incorporation of trajectories into single-cell morphological analysis enables (i) systematic characterization of cell state trajectories, (ii) better separation of phenotypes, and (iii) more descriptive models of ligand-induced differences as compared to snapshot-based analysis. This morphodynamical trajectory embedding is broadly applicable to the quantitative analysis of cell responses via live-cell imaging across many biological and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Copperman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Sean M Gross
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Laura M Heiser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Daniel M Zuckerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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35
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Pillai M, Hojel E, Jolly MK, Goyal Y. Unraveling non-genetic heterogeneity in cancer with dynamical models and computational tools. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 3:301-313. [PMID: 38177938 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-023-00427-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Individual cells within an otherwise genetically homogenous population constantly undergo fluctuations in their molecular state, giving rise to non-genetic heterogeneity. Such diversity is being increasingly implicated in cancer therapy resistance and metastasis. Identifying the origins of non-genetic heterogeneity is therefore crucial for making clinical breakthroughs. We discuss with examples how dynamical models and computational tools have provided critical multiscale insights into the nature and consequences of non-genetic heterogeneity in cancer. We demonstrate how mechanistic modeling has been pivotal in establishing key concepts underlying non-genetic diversity at various biological scales, from population dynamics to gene regulatory networks. We discuss advances in single-cell longitudinal profiling techniques to reveal patterns of non-genetic heterogeneity, highlighting the ongoing efforts and challenges in statistical frameworks to robustly interpret such multimodal datasets. Moving forward, we stress the need for data-driven statistical and mechanistically motivated dynamical frameworks to come together to develop predictive cancer models and inform therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Emilia Hojel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering, Evanston, IL, USA.
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Singh B, Sarli VN, Milligan RD, Kinne HE, Shamsnia A, Washburn LJ, Addanki S, Lucci A. Sensitization of Resistant Cells with a BET Bromodomain Inhibitor in a Cell Culture Model of Deep Intrinsic Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072036. [PMID: 37046697 PMCID: PMC10093448 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072036] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We treated highly metabolically adaptable (SUM149-MA) triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer cells and their control parental SUM149-Luc cell line with JQ1 for long periods to determine its efficacy at inhibiting therapy-resistant cells. After 20 days of treatment with 1-2 µM of JQ1, which killed majority of cells in the parental cell line, a large number of SUM149-MA cells survived, consistent with their pan-resistant nature. Interestingly, though, the JQ1 treatment sensitized resistant cancer cells in both the SUM149-MA and SUM149-Luc cell lines to subsequent treatment with doxorubicin and paclitaxel. To measure JQ1-mediated sensitization of resistant cancer cells, we first eradicated approximately 99% of relatively chemotherapy-sensitive cancer cells in culture dishes by long treatments with doxorubicin or paclitaxel, and then analyzed the remaining resistant cells for survival and growth into colonies. In addition, combination, rather than sequential, treatment with JQ1 and doxorubicin was also effective in overcoming resistance. Notably, Western blotting showed that JQ1-treated cancer cells had significantly lower levels of PD-L1 protein than did untreated cells, indicating that JQ1 treatment may reduce tumor-mediated immune suppression and improve the response to immunotherapy targeting PD-L1. Finally, JQ1 treatment with a low 62.5 nM dose sensitized another resistant cell line, FC-IBC02-MA, to treatment with doxorubicin and paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balraj Singh
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vanessa N Sarli
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ryan D Milligan
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hannah E Kinne
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anna Shamsnia
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Laura J Washburn
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sridevi Addanki
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anthony Lucci
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Dormancy, stemness, and therapy resistance: interconnected players in cancer evolution. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:197-215. [PMID: 36757577 PMCID: PMC10014678 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10092-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The biological complexity of cancer represents a tremendous clinical challenge, resulting in the frequent failure of current treatment protocols. In the rapidly evolving scenario of a growing tumor, anticancer treatments impose a drastic perturbation not only to cancer cells but also to the tumor microenvironment, killing a portion of the cells and inducing a massive stress response in the survivors. Consequently, treatments can act as a double-edged sword by inducing a temporary response while laying the ground for therapy resistance and subsequent disease progression. Cancer cell dormancy (or quiescence) is a central theme in tumor evolution, being tightly linked to the tumor's ability to survive cytotoxic challenges, metastasize, and resist immune-mediated attack. Accordingly, quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) have been detected in virtually all the stages of tumor development. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the characterization of quiescent/therapy resistant cancer cells, unveiling QCCs core transcriptional programs, metabolic plasticity, and mechanisms of immune escape. At the same time, our partial understanding of tumor quiescence reflects the difficulty to identify stable QCCs biomarkers/therapeutic targets and to control cancer dormancy in clinical settings. This review focuses on recent discoveries in the interrelated fields of dormancy, stemness, and therapy resistance, discussing experimental evidences in the frame of a nonlinear dynamics approach, and exploring the possibility that tumor quiescence may represent not only a peril but also a potential therapeutic resource.
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Vasciaveo A, Arriaga JM, de Almeida FN, Zou M, Douglass EF, Picech F, Shibata M, Rodriguez-Calero A, de Brot S, Mitrofanova A, Chua CW, Karan C, Realubit R, Pampou S, Kim JY, Afari SN, Mukhammadov T, Zanella L, Corey E, Alvarez MJ, Rubin MA, Shen MM, Califano A, Abate-Shen C. OncoLoop: A Network-Based Precision Cancer Medicine Framework. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:386-409. [PMID: 36374194 PMCID: PMC9905319 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Prioritizing treatments for individual patients with cancer remains challenging, and performing coclinical studies using patient-derived models in real time is often unfeasible. To circumvent these challenges, we introduce OncoLoop, a precision medicine framework that predicts drug sensitivity in human tumors and their preexisting high-fidelity (cognate) model(s) by leveraging drug perturbation profiles. As a proof of concept, we applied OncoLoop to prostate cancer using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) that recapitulate a broad spectrum of disease states, including castration-resistant, metastatic, and neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Interrogation of human prostate cancer cohorts by Master Regulator (MR) conservation analysis revealed that most patients with advanced prostate cancer were represented by at least one cognate GEMM-derived tumor (GEMM-DT). Drugs predicted to invert MR activity in patients and their cognate GEMM-DTs were successfully validated in allograft, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of tumors and metastasis. Furthermore, OncoLoop-predicted drugs enhanced the efficacy of clinically relevant drugs, namely, the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and the AR inhibitor enzalutamide. SIGNIFICANCE OncoLoop is a transcriptomic-based experimental and computational framework that can support rapid-turnaround coclinical studies to identify and validate drugs for individual patients, which can then be readily adapted to clinical practice. This framework should be applicable in many cancer contexts for which appropriate models and drug perturbation data are available. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vasciaveo
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Juan Martín Arriaga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Francisca Nunes de Almeida
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Min Zou
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Eugene F. Douglass
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Florencia Picech
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Maho Shibata
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Antonio Rodriguez-Calero
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland 3008
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland 3008
| | - Simone de Brot
- COMPATH, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland 3012
| | - Antonina Mitrofanova
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Chee Wai Chua
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Charles Karan
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Ronald Realubit
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Sergey Pampou
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Jaime Y. Kim
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Stephanie N. Afari
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Timur Mukhammadov
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Luca Zanella
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA 98195
| | - Mariano J. Alvarez
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- DarwinHealth Inc, New York, NY
| | - Mark A. Rubin
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland 3008
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM) Bern, Switzerland 3008
| | - Michael M. Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Cory Abate-Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Urology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
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Ebrahimi N, Afshinpour M, Fakhr SS, Kalkhoran PG, Shadman-Manesh V, Adelian S, Beiranvand S, Rezaei-Tazangi F, Khorram R, Hamblin MR, Aref AR. Cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer: Signaling pathways involved in stemness and therapy resistance. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 182:103920. [PMID: 36702423 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third cause of cancer death worldwide. Although, in some cases, treatment can increase patient survival and reduce cancer recurrence, in many cases, tumors can develop resistance to therapy leading to recurrence. One of the main reasons for recurrence and therapy resistance is the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs possess a self-renewal ability, and their stemness properties lead to the avoidance of apoptosis, and allow a new clone of cancer cells to emerge. Numerous investigations inidicated the involvment of cellular signaling pathways in embryonic development, and growth, repair, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, also participate in the generation and maintenance of stemness in colorectal CSCs. This review discusses the role of Wnt, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Sonic hedgehog, and Notch signaling pathways in colorectal CSCs, and the possible modulating drugs that could be used in treatment for resistant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Division of Genetics, Department of cell and molecular & microbiology, Faculty of Science and technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maral Afshinpour
- Department of chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Siavash Seifollahy Fakhr
- Department of Biotechnology; Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Campus Hamar, Norway
| | - Paniz Ghasempour Kalkhoran
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology_Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vida Shadman-Manesh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Adelian
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sheida Beiranvand
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei-Tazangi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Roya Khorram
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Xsphera Biosciences, Translational Medicine Group, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA.
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Highly Metastatic Subpopulation of TNBC Cells Has Limited Iron Metabolism and Is a Target of Iron Chelators. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020468. [PMID: 36672419 PMCID: PMC9856351 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Excess iron is known to be a risk factor of carcinogenesis. Although iron chelators show anti-cancer effects, they have not been used successfully to treat cancer patients. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a disease with poor prognosis without effective treatments. Thus, we aimed to evaluate a possibility of iron chelators as a therapy for TNBC. Deferasirox (DFX), an iron chelator, suppressed the growth of 4T1 murine TNBC cell line cells in vitro and in vivo. Lung metastasis was further significantly reduced, leading to the hypothesis that iron metabolism between metastatic and non-metastatic cells may be different. An analysis of existing database demonstrated that the expression of iron-uptake genes was significantly suppressed in TNBC cells that metastasized to lymph nodes or lungs compared to those in primary tumors. A highly metastatic clone of the murine 4T1 TNBC cells (4T1-HM) did not proliferate well under iron-rich or iron-depleted conditions by iron chelators compared to a low-metastatic clone (4T1-LM). Bulk RNA-seq analysis of RNA from 4T1-HM and 4T1-LM cells suggested that the PI3K-AKT pathway might be responsible for this difference. Indeed, DFX suppressed the proliferation via the AKT-mTOR pathway in 4T1-HM and the human MDA-MB-231 cells, a human mesenchymal-like TNBC cell line. DFX also suppressed the growth of 4T1-HM tumors in comparison to 4T1-LM tumors, and reduced lung metastases after surgical resection of primary 4T1 tumors. These results indicated, for the first time, that highly metastatic TNBC cells have limited iron metabolism, and they can be more effectively targeted by iron chelators.
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Mani N, Daiya A, Chowdhury R, Mukherjee S, Chowdhury S. Epigenetic adaptations in drug-tolerant tumor cells. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:293-335. [PMID: 36990535 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Traditional chemotherapy against cancer is often severely hampered by acquired resistance to the drug. Epigenetic alterations and other mechanisms like drug efflux, drug metabolism, and engagement of survival pathways are crucial in evading drug pressure. Herein, growing evidence suggests that a subpopulation of tumor cells can often tolerate drug onslaught by entering a "persister" state with minimal proliferation. The molecular features of these persister cells are gradually unraveling. Notably, the "persisters" act as a cache of cells that can eventually re-populate the tumor post-withdrawal drug pressure and contribute to acquiring stable drug-resistant features. This underlines the clinical significance of the tolerant cells. Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of modulation of the epigenome as a critical adaptive strategy for evading drug pressure. Chromatin remodeling, altered DNA methylation, and de-regulation of non-coding RNA expression and function contribute significantly to this persister state. No wonder targeting adaptive epigenetic modifications is increasingly recognized as an appropriate therapeutic strategy to sensitize them and restore drug sensitivity. Furthermore, manipulating the tumor microenvironment and "drug holiday" is also explored to maneuver the epigenome. However, heterogeneity in adaptive strategies and lack of targeted therapies have significantly hindered the translation of epigenetic therapy to the clinics. In this review, we comprehensively analyze the epigenetic alterations adapted by the drug-tolerant cells, the therapeutic strategies employed to date, and their limitations and future prospects.
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Moore PC, Henderson KW, Classon M. The epigenome and the many facets of cancer drug tolerance. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:1-39. [PMID: 36990531 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic agents and the development of new cancer therapies over the past few decades has consequently led to the emergence of myriad therapeutic resistance mechanisms. Once thought to be explicitly driven by genetics, the coupling of reversible sensitivity and absence of pre-existing mutations in some tumors opened the way for discovery of drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs): slow-cycling subpopulations of tumor cells that exhibit reversible sensitivity to therapy. These cells confer multi-drug tolerance, to targeted and chemotherapies alike, until the residual disease can establish a stable, drug-resistant state. The DTP state can exploit a multitude of distinct, yet interlaced, mechanisms to survive otherwise lethal drug exposures. Here, we categorize these multi-faceted defense mechanisms into unique Hallmarks of Cancer Drug Tolerance. At the highest level, these are comprised of heterogeneity, signaling plasticity, differentiation, proliferation/metabolism, stress management, genomic integrity, crosstalk with the tumor microenvironment, immune escape, and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Of these, epigenetics was both one of the first proposed means of non-genetic resistance and one of the first discovered. As we describe in this review, epigenetic regulatory factors are involved in most facets of DTP biology, positioning this hallmark as an overarching mediator of drug tolerance and a potential avenue to novel therapies.
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Tumor suppressor DEAR1 regulates mammary epithelial cell fate and predicts early onset and metastasis in triple negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19504. [PMID: 36376460 PMCID: PMC9663828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a disease of poor prognosis, with the majority classified as the basal-like subtype associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Because basal breast cancers originate from proliferative luminal progenitor-like cells upon dysregulation of proper luminal differentiation, genes regulating luminal-basal transition are critical to elucidate novel therapeutic targets to improve TNBC outcomes. Herein we demonstrate that the tumor suppressor DEAR1/TRIM62 is a critical regulator of luminal cell fate. DEAR1 loss in human mammary epithelial cells results in significantly enhanced mammosphere formation that is accelerated in the presence of TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling. Mammospheres formed following DEAR1 loss are enriched for ALDH1A1 and CK5 expression, EpCAM-/CD49f+ and CD44high/24low basal-like epithelial cells, indicating that DEAR1 regulates stem/progenitor cell properties and luminal-basal progenitor transition. We show that DEAR1 maintains luminal differentiation as a novel ubiquitin ligase for SNAI2/SLUG, a master regulator driving stemness and generation of basal-like progenitor populations. We also identify a significant inverse correlation between DEAR1 and SNAI2 expression in a 103 TNBC case cohort and show that low DEAR1 expression significantly correlates with young age of onset and shorter time to metastasis, suggesting DEAR1 could serve as a biomarker to stratify early onset TNBCs for targeted stem cell therapies.
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Coutinho DF, Mundi PS, Marks LJ, Burke C, Ortiz MV, Diolaiti D, Bird L, Vallance KL, Ibáñez G, You D, Long M, Rosales N, Grunn A, Ndengu A, Siddiquee A, Gaviria ES, Rainey AR, Fazlollahi L, Hosoi H, Califano A, Kung AL, Dela Cruz FS. Validation of a non-oncogene encoded vulnerability to exportin 1 inhibition in pediatric renal tumors. MED 2022; 3:774-791.e7. [PMID: 36195086 PMCID: PMC9669237 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) and Wilms' tumors (WTs) are rare and aggressive renal tumors of infants and young children comprising ∼5% of all pediatric cancers. MRTs are among the most genomically stable cancers, and although WTs are genomically heterogeneous, both generally lack therapeutically targetable genetic mutations. METHODS Comparative protein activity analysis of MRTs (n = 68) and WTs (n = 132) across TCGA and TARGET cohorts, using metaVIPER, revealed elevated exportin 1 (XPO1) inferred activity. In vitro studies were performed on a panel of MRT and WT cell lines to evaluate effects on proliferation and cell-cycle progression following treatment with the selective XPO1 inhibitor selinexor. In vivo anti-tumor activity was assessed in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of MRTs and WTs. FINDINGS metaVIPER analysis identified markedly aberrant activation of XPO1 in MRTs and WTs compared with other tumor types. All MRT and most WT cell lines demonstrated baseline, aberrant XPO1 activity with in vitro sensitivity to selinexor via cell-cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. In vivo, XPO1 inhibitors significantly abrogated tumor growth in PDX models, inducing effective disease control with sustained treatment. Corroborating human relevance, we present a case report of a child with multiply relapsed WTs with prolonged disease control on selinexor. CONCLUSIONS We report on a novel systems-biology-based comparative framework to identify non-genetically encoded vulnerabilities in genomically quiescent pediatric cancers. These results have provided preclinical rationale for investigation of XPO1 inhibitors in an upcoming investigator-initiated clinical trial of selinexor in children with MRTs and WTs and offer opportunities for exploration of inferred XPO1 activity as a potential predictive biomarker for response. FUNDING This work was funded by CureSearch for Children's Cancer, Alan B. Slifka Foundation, NIH (U01 CA217858, S10 OD012351, and S10 OD021764), Michael's Miracle Cure, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, Cannonball Kids Cancer, Conquer Cancer the ASCO Foundation, Cycle for Survival, Paulie Strong Foundation, and the Grayson Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F Coutinho
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Prabhjot S Mundi
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lianna J Marks
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chelsey Burke
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael V Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel Diolaiti
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lauren Bird
- Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
| | - Kelly L Vallance
- Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
| | - Glorymar Ibáñez
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Matthew Long
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nestor Rosales
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adina Grunn
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andoyo Ndengu
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Armaan Siddiquee
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ervin S Gaviria
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Allison R Rainey
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ladan Fazlollahi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hajime Hosoi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Andrew L Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Filemon S Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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45
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Yan G, Luna A, Wang H, Bozorgui B, Li X, Sanchez M, Dereli Z, Kahraman N, Kara G, Chen X, Zheng C, McGrail D, Sahni N, Lu Y, Babur O, Cokol M, Lim B, Ozpolat B, Sander C, Mills GB, Korkut A. BET inhibition induces vulnerability to MCL1 targeting through upregulation of fatty acid synthesis pathway in breast cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111304. [PMID: 36103824 PMCID: PMC9523722 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for treatment of basal-like breast cancers remain limited. Here, we demonstrate that bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibition induces an adaptive response leading to MCL1 protein-driven evasion of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Consequently, co-targeting MCL1 and BET is highly synergistic in breast cancer models. The mechanism of adaptive response to BET inhibition involves the upregulation of lipid synthesis enzymes including the rate-limiting stearoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase. Changes in lipid synthesis pathway are associated with increases in cell motility and membrane fluidity as well as re-localization and activation of HER2/EGFR. In turn, the HER2/EGFR signaling results in the accumulation of and vulnerability to the inhibition of MCL1. Drug response and genomics analyses reveal that MCL1 copy-number alterations are associated with effective BET and MCL1 co-targeting. The high frequency of MCL1 chromosomal amplifications (>30%) in basal-like breast cancers suggests that BET and MCL1 co-targeting may have therapeutic utility in this aggressive subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghong Yan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Augustin Luna
- cBio Center, Department of Data Sciences, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Heping Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Behnaz Bozorgui
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xubin Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maga Sanchez
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep Dereli
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nermin Kahraman
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Goknur Kara
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caishang Zheng
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel McGrail
- Department of Systems Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Systems Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ozgun Babur
- Computer Science, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Murat Cokol
- Axcella Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bora Lim
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bulent Ozpolat
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chris Sander
- cBio Center, Department of Data Sciences, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Cell, Development and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Anil Korkut
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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46
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Stochastic population dynamics of cancer stemness and adaptive response to therapies. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:387-398. [PMID: 36073715 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity can exist along multiple axes: Cancer stem cells (CSCs)/non-CSCs, drug-sensitive/drug-tolerant states, and a spectrum of epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal phenotypes. Further, these diverse cell-states can switch reversibly among one another, thereby posing a major challenge to therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, understanding the origins of phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity remains an active area of investigation. While genomic components (mutations, chromosomal instability) driving heterogeneity have been well-studied, recent reports highlight the role of non-genetic mechanisms in enabling both phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity. Here, we discuss various processes underlying phenotypic plasticity such as stochastic gene expression, chromatin reprogramming, asymmetric cell division and the presence of multiple stable gene expression patterns ('attractors'). These processes can facilitate a dynamically evolving cell population such that a subpopulation of (drug-tolerant) cells can survive lethal drug exposure and recapitulate population heterogeneity on drug withdrawal, leading to relapse. These drug-tolerant cells can be both pre-existing and also induced by the drug itself through cell-state reprogramming. The dynamics of cell-state transitions both in absence and presence of the drug can be quantified through mathematical models. Such a dynamical systems approach to elucidating patterns of intratumoral heterogeneity by integrating longitudinal experimental data with mathematical models can help design effective combinatorial and/or sequential therapies for better clinical outcomes.
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47
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van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [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] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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48
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Vulin M, Jehanno C, Sethi A, Correia AL, Obradović MMS, Couto JP, Coissieux MM, Diepenbruck M, Preca BT, Volkmann K, der Maur PA, Schmidt A, Münst S, Sauteur L, Kloc M, Palafox M, Britschgi A, Unterreiner V, Galuba O, Claerr I, Lopez-Romero S, Galli GG, Baeschlin D, Okamoto R, Soysal SD, Mechera R, Weber WP, Radimerski T, Bentires-Alj M. A high-throughput drug screen reveals means to differentiate triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:4459-4473. [PMID: 36008466 PMCID: PMC9507968 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02429-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plasticity delineates cancer subtypes with more or less favourable outcomes. In breast cancer, the subtype triple-negative lacks expression of major differentiation markers, e.g., estrogen receptor α (ERα), and its high cellular plasticity results in greater aggressiveness and poorer prognosis than other subtypes. Whether plasticity itself represents a potential vulnerability of cancer cells is not clear. However, we show here that cancer cell plasticity can be exploited to differentiate triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Using a high-throughput imaging-based reporter drug screen with 9 501 compounds, we have identified three polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors as major inducers of ERα protein expression and downstream activity in TNBC cells. PLK1 inhibition upregulates a cell differentiation program characterized by increased DNA damage, mitotic arrest, and ultimately cell death. Furthermore, cells surviving PLK1 inhibition have decreased tumorigenic potential, and targeting PLK1 in already established tumours reduces tumour growth both in cell line- and patient-derived xenograft models. In addition, the upregulation of genes upon PLK1 inhibition correlates with their expression in normal breast tissue and with better overall survival in breast cancer patients. Our results indicate that differentiation therapy based on PLK1 inhibition is a potential alternative strategy to treat TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Vulin
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charly Jehanno
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Atul Sethi
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Luísa Correia
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Milan M S Obradović
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joana Pinto Couto
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-May Coissieux
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maren Diepenbruck
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bogdan-Tiberius Preca
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Volkmann
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Priska Auf der Maur
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Münst
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Sauteur
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michal Kloc
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marta Palafox
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Britschgi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Olaf Galuba
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Claerr
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Giorgio G Galli
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Ryoko Okamoto
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Savas D Soysal
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Breast Cancer Center, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Robert Mechera
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Breast Cancer Center, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Walter P Weber
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Breast Cancer Center, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Mohamed Bentires-Alj
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. .,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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49
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Bar-Hai N, Ishay-Ronen D. Engaging plasticity: Differentiation therapy in solid tumors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944773. [PMID: 36034865 PMCID: PMC9410762 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a systemic heterogeneous disease that can undergo several rounds of latency and activation. Tumor progression evolves by increasing diversity, adaptation to signals from the microenvironment and escape mechanisms from therapy. These dynamic processes indicate necessity for cell plasticity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a major role in facilitating cell plasticity in solid tumors by inducing dedifferentiation and cell type transitions. These two practices, plasticity and dedifferentiation enhance tumor heterogeneity creating a key challenge in cancer treatment. In this review we will explore cancer cell plasticity and elaborate treatment modalities that aspire to overcome such dynamic processes in solid tumors. We will further discuss the therapeutic potential of utilizing enhanced cell plasticity for differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Bar-Hai
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dana Ishay-Ronen
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Dana Ishay-Ronen,
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50
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Tumor cell dormancy: Molecular mechanisms, and pharmacological approaches to target dormant cells for countering tumor. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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