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Fleischmann M, Schnetzke U, Hochhaus A, Scholl S. Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Treatment Options and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5722. [PMID: 34830877 PMCID: PMC8616498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved in recent years and several new therapeutic options have been approved. Most of them include mutation-specific approaches (e.g., gilteritinib for AML patients with activating FLT3 mutations), or are restricted to such defined AML subgroups, such as AML-MRC (AML with myeloid-related changes) or therapy-related AML (CPX-351). With this review, we aim to present a comprehensive overview of current AML therapy according to the evolved spectrum of recently approved treatment strategies. We address several aspects of combined epigenetic therapy with the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax and provide insight into mechanisms of resistance towards venetoclax-based regimens, and how primary or secondary resistance might be circumvented. Furthermore, a detailed overview on the current status of AML immunotherapy, describing promising concepts, is provided. This review focuses on clinically important aspects of current and future concepts of AML treatment, but will also present the molecular background of distinct targeted therapies, to understand the development and challenges of clinical trials ongoing in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sebastian Scholl
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Abteilung Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany; (M.F.); (U.S.); (A.H.)
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2
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Tomlinson BK, Gallogly MM, Kane DM, Metheny L, Lazarus HM, William BM, Craig MD, Levis MJ, Cooper BW. A Phase II Study of Midostaurin and 5-Azacitidine for Untreated Elderly and Unfit Patients With FLT3 Wild-type Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2019; 20:226-233.e1. [PMID: 32085993 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2019.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Midostaurin, a multikinase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of FLT3-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A phase I study established that midostaurin 75 mg orally twice daily for 14 days with standard dose azacitidine was safe and tolerable in elderly patients with AML. Herein, we report the phase II expansion cohort of previously untreated elderly or unfit patients with AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS Primary objectives were to further describe the toxicity profile and determine the response rate in untreated patients with AML. Patients received midostaurin 75 mg orally twice daily on days 8 to 21 in combination with intravenous azacitidine at 75 mg/m2 on days 1 to 7. Plasma inhibitory activity assay for FLT3 was performed pretreatment and on day 8 and day 15 of each cycle. RESULTS Twenty-six patients (median age, 74 years; range, 59-85 years) with FLT3 wild-type AML were accrued. Patients received a median of 2 cycles of therapy (range, 1-10 cycles). Seven (29%) of 24 evaluable patients achieved a clinical response (4 complete response; 1 complete response with incomplete count recovery; and 2 partial response). The median overall survival was 244 days (95% confidence interval, 203-467 days). Hematologic, infectious, and gastrointestinal toxicities were comparable to similar studies. Peripheral blood FLT3 wild-type phosphorylation declined to 8% to 55% of pretreatment by day 15 of cycle 1 (7 patients) and declined with subsequent cycles (< 10% baseline) in 2 patients who were analyzed after cycle 3. CONCLUSION Multiple cycles of azacitidine and midostaurin were not well-tolerated, but persistent inhibition of FLT3 wild-type phosphorylation suggest intermittent dosing of midostaurin should be considered in future low-intensity regimens for FLT3-mutant AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin K Tomlinson
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Molly M Gallogly
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Donna M Kane
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Leland Metheny
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Hillard M Lazarus
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Basem M William
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Michael D Craig
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV
| | - Mark J Levis
- Department of Oncology and Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brenda W Cooper
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
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3
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Lee H, Jeong H, Lee SY, Kim SS, Jang KL. Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Stimulates Virus Replication Via DNA Methylation of the C-1619 in Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Mol Cells 2019; 42:67-78. [PMID: 30518174 PMCID: PMC6354056 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of HBV cccDNA has been detected in vivo and in vitro; however, the mechanism and its effects on HBV replication remain unclear. HBx derived from a 1.2-mer HBV replicon upregulated protein levels and enzyme activities of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), 3a, and 3b, resulting in methylation of the negative regulatory region (NRE) in cccDNA, while none of these effects were observed with an HBx-null mutant. The HBx-positive HBV cccDNA expressed higher levels of HBc and produced about 4-fold higher levels of HBV particles than those from the HBx-null counterpart. For these effects, HBx interrupted the action of NRE binding protein via methylation of the C-1619 within NRE, resulting in activation of the core promoter. Treatment with 5-Aza-2'dC or DNMT1 knock-down drastically impaired the ability of HBx to activate the core promoter and stimulate HBV replication in 1.2-mer HBV replicon and in vitro infection systems, indicating the positive role of HBx-mediated cccDNA methylation in HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyehyeon Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241,
Korea
| | - Hyerin Jeong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241,
Korea
| | - Sun Young Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241,
Korea
| | - Soo Shin Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241,
Korea
| | - Kyung Lib Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241,
Korea
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4
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Seelan RS, Mukhopadhyay P, Pisano MM, Greene RM. Effects of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) on gene expression. Drug Metab Rev 2018; 50:193-207. [PMID: 29455551 DOI: 10.1080/03602532.2018.1437446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AzaD), also known as Decitabine, is a deoxycytidine analog that is typically used to activate methylated and silenced genes by promoter demethylation. However, a survey of the scientific literature indicates that promoter demethylation may not be the only (or, indeed, the major) mechanism by which AzaD affects gene expression. Regulation of gene expression by AzaD can occur in several ways, including some that are independent of DNA demethylation. Results from several studies indicate that the effect of AzaD on gene expression is highly context-dependent and can differ for the same gene under different environmental settings. This may, in part, be due to the nature of the silencing mechanism(s) involved - DNA methylation, repressive histone modifications, or a combination of both. The varied effects of AzaD on such context-dependent regulation of gene expression may underlie some of the diverse responses exhibited by patients undergoing AzaD therapy. In this review, we describe the salient properties of AzaD with particular emphasis on its diverse effects on gene expression, aspects that have barely been discussed in most reviews of this interesting drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnam S Seelan
- a Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, Division of Craniofacial Development and Anomalies , ULSD, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Partha Mukhopadhyay
- a Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, Division of Craniofacial Development and Anomalies , ULSD, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - M Michele Pisano
- a Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, Division of Craniofacial Development and Anomalies , ULSD, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Robert M Greene
- a Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, Division of Craniofacial Development and Anomalies , ULSD, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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Liu J, Zhang X, Liu A, Zhang D, Su Y, Liu Y, You D, Yuan L, Kong X, Wang X, Sun P. Altered methylation of glucosylceramide synthase promoter regulates its expression and associates with acquired multidrug resistance in invasive ductal breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36755-36766. [PMID: 27191984 PMCID: PMC5095037 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) increases multidrug resistance (MDR) in many cancer cells. However, its mechanism is unknown. The aim of the present study is to detect the association of methylation at the GCS gene promoter with its expression and MDR in invasive ductal breast cancer. 40 cases GCS-positive and 40 cases GCS-negative primary breast carcinoma samples, three drug-sensitive breast cancer cell lines and one multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell line were used. Immunohistochemistry, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), quantitative real-time (qPCR), westernblot and cytotoxicity assay techniques were employed. Thwe results revealed that there was a statistically negative correlation between GCS CpG islands methylation and GCS phenotype in patients with breast cancer. GCS CpG islands methylation was negatively associated with high ER, meanwhile positively with high HER-2 status. Similar results were obtained from the analysis of breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dc) changed the GCS promoter methylation pattern in three sensitive cells and also caused increased drug resistance of them. These results suggested that the changes of DNA methylation status of the GCS promoter correlates with multidrug resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Aina Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Daoping Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, P. R. China
| | - Yi Su
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Dong You
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Leilei Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Taian Central Hospital, Taian, Shandong, 271000, P. R. China
| | - Xiangshuo Kong
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
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6
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Zhou HR, Fu HY, Wu DS, Zhang YY, Huang SH, Chen CJ, Yan JG, Huang JL, Shen JZ. Relationship between epigenetic changes in Wnt antagonists and acute leukemia. Oncol Rep 2017; 37:2663-2671. [PMID: 28440495 PMCID: PMC5428301 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the relationship among epigenetic changes in Wnt antagonists, histone H4K20me1 and the expression of tumor-suppressor genes in acute leukemia (AL) to better understand the pathogenesis of leukemia. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of Wnt antagonists (Wnt5a, HDPR1, DKK1 and DKK3) in patients with AL and in normal controls; pyrophosphate sequencing was performed to detect the methylation status of the Wnt5a promoter; and western blotting was performed to detect the overall expression levels of Wnt5a protein and histone H4K20me1 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in normal controls. The relationship between Wnt5a protein expression and histone H4K20me1 was analyzed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR (ChIP-qPCR) was performed to investigate the recruitment of H4K20me1 and SET8 to the Wnt5a promoter and coding regions. Our results demonstrated that the expression levels of Wnt antagonists were generally low in AML, but showed differential expression in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). In most cases of AML, methylation of the Wnt5a promoter was observed and Wnt5a protein expression was low. In some cases of AML, the overall level of H4K20me1 protein was higher than that in normal controls. In addition, Wnt5a expression was positively correlated with H4K20me1 expression and was unrelated to the methylation status of its promoter. Moreover, H4K20me1 and SET8 were enriched in the Wnt5a promoter region and coding region. By contrast, Wnt5a expression was unrelated to H4K20me1 expression in normal controls. Moreover, we observed that the methylation of Wnt antagonists was often found in patients with AL, particularly those with AML, whereas the extent of methylation was variable in ALL patients. Wnt5a expression was positively correlated with the enrichment of H4K20me1 and SET8 at the Wnt5a promoter and coding regions. H4K20me1 increased Wnt5a expression by promoting transcription initiation and elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Rong Zhou
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Ying Fu
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Dan-Sen Wu
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Zhang
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Si-Han Huang
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Cong-Jie Chen
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Guo Yan
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Long Huang
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Zhen Shen
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
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An Epigenomic Approach to Improving Response to Neoadjuvant Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Bladder Cancer. Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6030037. [PMID: 27598218 PMCID: PMC5039423 DOI: 10.3390/biom6030037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is among the five most common cancers diagnosed in the Western world and causes significant mortality and morbidity rates in affected patients. Therapeutic options to treat the disease in advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) include cystectomy and chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is effective in MIBC; however, it has not been widely adopted by the community. One reason is that many patients do not respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and no biomarker currently exists to identify these patients. It is also not clear whether a strategy to sensitize chemoresistant patients may exist. We sought to identify cisplatin-resistance patterns in preclinical models of bladder cancer, and test whether treatment with the epigenetic modifier decitabine is able to sensitize cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cell lines. Using a screening approach in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cell lines, we identified dysregulated genes by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and DNA methylation assays. DNA methylation analysis of tumors from 18 patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy was used to confirm in vitro results. Cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells were treated with decitabine to investigate epigenetic sensitization of resistant cell lines. Our results show that HOXA9 promoter methylation status is associated with response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy in bladder cancer cell lines and in metastatic bladder cancer. Bladder cancer cells resistant to cisplatin chemotherapy can be sensitized to cisplatin by the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine. Our data suggest that HOXA9 promoter methylation could serve as potential predictive biomarker and decitabine might sensitize resistant tumors in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
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8
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Shraibman B, Kadosh DM, Barnea E, Admon A. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Peptides Derived from Tumor Antigens Induced by Inhibition of DNA Methylation for Development of Drug-facilitated Immunotherapy. Mol Cell Proteomics 2016; 15:3058-70. [PMID: 27412690 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m116.060350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of cancer cells with anticancer drugs often fails to achieve complete remission. Yet, such drug treatments may induce alteration in the tumor's gene expression patterns, including those of Cancer/Testis Antigens (CTA). The degradation products of such antigens can be presented as HLA peptides on the surface of the tumor cells and be developed into anticancer immunotherapeutics. For example, the DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Decitabine) has limited antitumor efficacy, yet it induces the expression of many genes, including CTAs that are normally silenced in the healthy adult tissues. In this study, the presentation of many new HLA peptides derived from CTAs and induced by Decitabine was demonstrated in three human Glioblastoma cell lines. Such presentation of CTA-derived HLA peptides can be exploited for development of new treatment modalities, combining drug treatment with anti-CTA targeted immunotherapy. The Decitabine-induced HLA peptidomes include many CTAs that are not normally detected in healthy tissues or in cancer cells, unless treated with the drug. In addition, the study included large-scale analyses of the simultaneous effects of Decitabine on the transcriptomes, proteomes and HLA peptidomes of the human Glioblastoma cells. It demonstrates the poor correlations between these three levels of gene expression, both in their total levels and in their response to the drug. The proteomics and HLA peptidomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003790 and the transcriptomics data are available via GEO with identifier GSE80137.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bracha Shraibman
- From the ‡Department of Biology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dganit Melamed Kadosh
- From the ‡Department of Biology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eilon Barnea
- From the ‡Department of Biology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Arie Admon
- From the ‡Department of Biology, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Koumbi L, Karayiannis P. The Epigenetic Control of Hepatitis B Virus Modulates the Outcome of Infection. Front Microbiol 2016; 6:1491. [PMID: 26779147 PMCID: PMC4701982 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are stable alterations in gene expression that do not involve mutations of the genetic sequence itself. It has become increasingly clear that epigenetic factors contribute to the outcome of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by affecting cellular and virion gene expression, viral replication and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV persists in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes as a stable non-integrated covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) which functions as a minichromosome. There are two major forms of HBV epigenetic regulation: posttranslational modification of histone proteins associated with the cccDNA minichromosome and DNA methylation of viral and host genomes. This review explores how HBV can interphase with host epigenetic regulation in order to evade host defences and to promote its own survival and persistence. We focus on the effect of cccDNA bound-histone modifications and the methylation status of HBV DNA in regulating viral replication. Investigation of HBV epigenetic control has important clinical correlates with regards to the development of potential therapeutic regimens that will successfully eradicate HBV infection and deal with HBV reactivation in those undergoing treatment with demethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemonica Koumbi
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Section, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Peter Karayiannis
- Microbiology/Molecular Virology, University of Nicosia Medical School Nicosia, Cyprus
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10
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Chang JTH, Lee YM, Huang RS. The impact of the Cancer Genome Atlas on lung cancer. Transl Res 2015; 166:568-85. [PMID: 26318634 PMCID: PMC4656061 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has profiled more than 10,000 samples derived from 33 types of cancer to date, with the goal of improving our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and advancing our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. This review focuses on lung cancer as it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide in both men and women. Particularly, non-small cell lung cancers (including lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma) were evaluated. Our goal was to demonstrate the impact of TCGA on lung cancer research under 4 themes: diagnostic markers, disease progression markers, novel therapeutic targets, and novel tools. Examples are given related to DNA mutation, copy number variation, messenger RNA, and microRNA expression along with methylation profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy T-H Chang
- Biological Sciences Collegiate Division, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Yee Ming Lee
- Center for Personalized Therapeutics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
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11
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Surana R, Sikka S, Cai W, Shin EM, Warrier SR, Tan HJG, Arfuso F, Fox SA, Dharmarajan AM, Kumar AP. Secreted frizzled related proteins: Implications in cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2013; 1845:53-65. [PMID: 24316024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt (wingless-type) signaling pathway plays an important role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and tumor progression becaluse of its effect on cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are extracellular inhibitors of Wnt signaling that act by binding directly to Wnt ligands or to Frizzled receptors. In recent years, aberrant expression of SFRPs has been reported to be associated with numerous cancers. As gene expression of SFRP members is often lost through promoter hypermethylation, inhibition of methylation through the use of epigenetic modifying agents could renew the expression of SFRP members and further antagonize deleterious Wnt signaling. Several reports have described epigenetic silencing of these Wnt signaling antagonists in various human cancers, suggesting their possible role as tumor suppressors. SFRP family members thus come across as potential tools in combating Wnt-driven tumorigenesis. However, little is known about SFRP family members and their role in different cancers. This review comprehensively covers all the available information on the role of SFRP molecules in various human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Surana
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sakshi Sikka
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wanpei Cai
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eun Myoung Shin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sudha R Warrier
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, Bangalore, India
| | - Hong Jie Gabriel Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Frank Arfuso
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, 6845 Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon A Fox
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
| | - Arun M Dharmarajan
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, 6845 Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, 6845 Western Australia, Australia; Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA.
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12
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Wrangle J, Wang W, Koch A, Easwaran H, Mohammad HP, Vendetti F, VanCriekinge W, DeMeyer T, Du Z, Parsana P, Rodgers K, Yen RW, Zahnow CA, Taube JM, Brahmer JR, Tykodi SS, Easton K, Carvajal RD, Jones PA, Laird PW, Weisenberger DJ, Tsai S, Juergens RA, Topalian SL, Rudin CM, Brock MV, Pardoll D, Baylin SB. Alterations of immune response of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Azacytidine. Oncotarget 2013; 4:2067-79. [PMID: 24162015 PMCID: PMC3875770 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Innovative therapies are needed for advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). We have undertaken a genomics based, hypothesis driving, approach to query an emerging potential that epigenetic therapy may sensitize to immune checkpoint therapy targeting PD-L1/PD-1 interaction. NSCLC cell lines were treated with the DNA hypomethylating agent azacytidine (AZA - Vidaza) and genes and pathways altered were mapped by genome-wide expression and DNA methylation analyses. AZA-induced pathways were analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project by mapping the derived gene signatures in hundreds of lung adeno (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) samples. AZA up-regulates genes and pathways related to both innate and adaptive immunity and genes related to immune evasion in a several NSCLC lines. DNA hypermethylation and low expression of IRF7, an interferon transcription factor, tracks with this signature particularly in LUSC. In concert with these events, AZA up-regulates PD-L1 transcripts and protein, a key ligand-mediator of immune tolerance. Analysis of TCGA samples demonstrates that a significant proportion of primary NSCLC have low expression of AZA-induced immune genes, including PD-L1. We hypothesize that epigenetic therapy combined with blockade of immune checkpoints - in particular the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway - may augment response of NSCLC by shifting the balance between immune activation and immune inhibition, particularly in a subset of NSCLC with low expression of these pathways. Our studies define a biomarker strategy for response in a recently initiated trial to examine the potential of epigenetic therapy to sensitize patients with NSCLC to PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Wrangle
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology Center-Hematology/Medical Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wei Wang
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Human Genetics Graduate Program, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexander Koch
- Departments of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hariharan Easwaran
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Helai P. Mohammad
- GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Cancer Epigenetics and Oncology, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | - Frank Vendetti
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wim VanCriekinge
- Departments of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim DeMeyer
- Departments of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zhengzong Du
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Princy Parsana
- The Johns Hopkins University, Advanced Academic Bioinformatics, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kristen Rodgers
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ray-Whay Yen
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cynthia A. Zahnow
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Janis M. Taube
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Dermatology and Oral Pathology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Julie R. Brahmer
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scott S. Tykodi
- University of Washington and Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington
| | - Keith Easton
- University of Washington and Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Peter A. Jones
- USC Epigenome Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Peter W. Laird
- USC Epigenome Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Daniel J. Weisenberger
- USC Epigenome Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Salina Tsai
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rosalyn A. Juergens
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suzanne L. Topalian
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles M. Rudin
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Malcolm V. Brock
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Drew Pardoll
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland
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13
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Petrini M, Felicetti F, Bottero L, Errico MC, Morsilli O, Boe A, De Feo A, Carè A. HOXB1 restored expression promotes apoptosis and differentiation in the HL60 leukemic cell line. Cancer Cell Int 2013; 13:101. [PMID: 24148231 PMCID: PMC3874656 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-13-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homeobox (HOX) genes deregulation has been largely implicated in the development of human leukemia. Among the HOXB cluster, HOXB1 was silent in a number of analyzed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary cells and cell lines, whereas it was expressed in normal terminally differentiated peripheral blood cells. METHODS We evaluated the biological effects and the transcriptome changes determined by the retroviral transduction of HOXB1 in the human promyelocytic cell line HL60. RESULTS Our results suggest that the enforced expression of HOXB1 reduces cell growth proliferation, inducing apoptosis and cell differentiation along the monocytic and granulocytic lineages. Accordingly, gene expression analysis showed the HOXB1-dependent down-regulation of some tumor promoting genes, paralleled by the up-regulation of apoptosis- and differentiation-related genes, thus supporting a tumor suppressor role for HOXB1 in AML. Finally, we indicated HOXB1 promoter hypermethylation as a mechanism responsible for HOXB1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS We propose HOXB1 as an additional member of the HOX family with tumour suppressor properties suggesting a HOXB1/ATRA combination as a possible future therapeutic strategy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Petrini
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Federica Felicetti
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Lisabianca Bottero
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Errico
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Ornella Morsilli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boe
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alessandra De Feo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
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14
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Banzhaf-Strathmann J, Claus R, Mücke O, Rentzsch K, van der Zee J, Engelborghs S, De Deyn PP, Cruts M, van Broeckhoven C, Plass C, Edbauer D. Promoter DNA methylation regulates progranulin expression and is altered in FTLD. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 1:16. [PMID: 24252647 PMCID: PMC3893557 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-1-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases associated with personality changes and progressive dementia. Loss-of-function mutations in the growth factor progranulin (GRN) cause autosomal dominant FTLD, but so far the pathomechanism of sporadic FTLD is unclear. Results We analyzed whether DNA methylation in the GRN core promoter restricts GRN expression and, thus, might promote FTLD in the absence of GRN mutations. GRN expression in human lymphoblast cell lines is negatively correlated with methylation at several CpG units within the GRN promoter. Chronic treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) strongly induces GRN mRNA and protein levels. In a reporter assay, CpG methylation blocks transcriptional activity of the GRN core promoter. In brains of FTLD patients several CpG units in the GRN promoter are significantly hypermethylated compared to age-matched healthy controls, Alzheimer and Parkinson patients. These CpG motifs are critical for GRN promoter activity in reporter assays. Furthermore, DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) is upregulated in FTLD patients and overexpression of DNMT3a reduces GRN promoter activity and expression. Conclusion These data suggest that altered DNA methylation is a novel pathomechanism for FTLD that is potentially amenable to targeted pharmacotherapy.
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15
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Dakhlallah D, Batte K, Wang Y, Cantemir-Stone CZ, Yan P, Nuovo G, Mikhail A, Hitchcock CL, Wright VP, Nana-Sinkam SP, Piper MG, Marsh CB. Epigenetic regulation of miR-17~92 contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187:397-405. [PMID: 23306545 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201205-0888oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease of progressive lung fibrosis with a high mortality rate. In organ repair and remodeling, epigenetic events are important. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and can target epigenetic molecules important in DNA methylation. The miR-17~92 miRNA cluster is critical for lung development and lung epithelial cell homeostasis and is predicted to target fibrotic genes and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)-1 expression. OBJECTIVES We investigated the miR-17~92 cluster expression and its role in regulating DNA methylation events in IPF lung tissue. METHODS Expression and DNA methylation patterns of miR-17~92 were determined in human IPF lung tissue and fibroblasts and fibrotic mouse lung tissue. The relationship between the miR-17~92 cluster and DNMT-1 expression was examined in vitro. Using a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis, we examined the therapeutic potential of the demethylating agent, 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Compared with control samples, miR-17~92 expression was reduced in lung biopsies and lung fibroblasts from patients with IPF, whereas DNMT-1 expression and methylation of the miR-17~92 promoter was increased. Several miRNAs from the miR-17~92 cluster targeted DNMT-1 expression resulting in a negative feedback loop. Similarly, miR-17~92 expression was reduced in the lungs of bleomycin-treated mice. Treatment with 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in a murine bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model reduced fibrotic gene and DNMT-1 expression, enhanced miR-17~92 cluster expression, and attenuated pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the pathobiology of IPF and identifies a novel epigenetic feedback loop between miR-17~92 and DNMT-1 in lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duaa Dakhlallah
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
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16
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The DNA demethylating agent decitabine activates the TRAIL pathway and induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1832:114-20. [PMID: 23046813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Although epigenetic drugs have been approved for use in selected malignancies, there is significant need for a better understanding of their mechanism of action. Here, we study the action of a clinically approved DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor - decitabine (DAC) - in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. At low doses, DAC treatment induced apoptosis of NB4 Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) cells, which was associated with the activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Expression studies of the members of the Death Receptor family demonstrated that DAC induces the expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Upregulation of TRAIL, upon DAC treatment, was associated with specific epigenetic modifications induced by DAC in the proximity of the TRAIL promoter, as demonstrated by DNA demethylation, increased DNaseI sensitivity and histone acetylation of a non-CpG island, CpG-rich region located 2kb upstream to the transcription start site. Luciferase assay experiments showed that this region behave as a DNA methylation sensitive transcriptional regulatory element. The CpG regulatory element was also found methylated in samples derived from APL patients. These findings have been confirmed in the non-APL, AML Kasumi cell line, suggesting that this regulatory mechanism may be extended to other AMLs. Our study suggests that DNA methylation is a regulatory mechanism relevant for silencing of the TRAIL apoptotic pathway in leukemic cells, and further elucidates the mechanism by which epigenetic drugs mediate their anti-leukemic effects.
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17
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Accolla RS, Tosi G. Optimal MHC-II-restricted tumor antigen presentation to CD4+ T helper cells: the key issue for development of anti-tumor vaccines. J Transl Med 2012; 10:154. [PMID: 22849661 PMCID: PMC3478985 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Present immunoprevention and immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer suffer from the limitation of being not “sterilizing” procedures, as very poor protection against the tumor is obtained. Thus newly conceived anti-tumor vaccination strategies are urgently needed. In this review we will focus on ways to provide optimal MHC class II-restricted tumor antigen presentation to CD4+ T helper cells as a crucial parameter to get optimal and protective adaptive immune response against tumor. Through the description of successful preventive or therapeutic experimental approaches to vaccinate the host against the tumor we will show that optimal activation of MHC class II-restricted tumor specific CD4+ T helper cells can be achieved in various ways. Interestingly, the success in tumor eradication and/or growth arrest generated by classical therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy in some instances can be re-interpreted on the basis of an adaptive immune response induced by providing suitable access of tumor-associated antigens to MHC class II molecules. Therefore, focussing on strategies to generate better and suitable MHC class II–restricted activation of tumor specific CD4+ T helper cells may have an important impact on fighting and defeating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto S Accolla
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi, n.9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
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18
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Liu XF, Jiang H, Zhang CS, Yu SP, Wang ZQ, Su HL. Targeted drug regulation on methylation of p53-BAX mitochondrial apoptosis pathway affects the growth of cholangiocarcinoma cells. J Int Med Res 2012; 40:67-75. [PMID: 22429346 DOI: 10.1177/147323001204000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (DAC; a methylation inhibitor) on growth of the human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cell line. METHODS A colourimetric assay was used to detect growth of QBC939 cells treated with DAC (0.1-100 μmol/l) over 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cell cycle and apoptosis were analysed by flow cytometry. Hypermethylation of the promoters of the p53-BAX mitochondrial apoptosis genes cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) and PYD and CARD domain containing (PYCARD) was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, with and without DAC treatment. RESULTS DAC inhibited QBC939 cell growth with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 5 μmol/l at 72 h. After DAC treatment, apoptosis was observed by TEM. Flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide-positive cells demonstrated increased apoptosis of DAC-treated QBC939 cells (43.04%) compared with untreated cells (4.31%). DAC treatment resulted in demethylation of the gene promoters of CDKN2A and DAPK1 in QBC939 cells. CONCLUSIONS DAC induces apoptosis of QBC939 cells by reactivation of hypermethylated p53-BAX mitchondrial apoptosis genes in cholangiocarcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-F Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University Medical College, Yantai, China.
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19
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SHIN DONGYEOK, KIM GIYOUNG, KIM CHANGIL, KIM WUNJAE, KANG HOSUNG, CHOI YUNGHYUN. Anti-invasive effects of decitabine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, through tightening of tight junctions and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activities in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. Oncol Rep 2012; 28:1043-50. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.1858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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20
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Hassler MR, Klisaroska A, Kollmann K, Steiner I, Bilban M, Schiefer AI, Sexl V, Egger G. Antineoplastic activity of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Biochimie 2012; 94:2297-307. [PMID: 22687603 PMCID: PMC3480637 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism establishing long-term gene silencing during development and cell commitment, which is maintained in subsequent cell generations. Aberrant DNA methylation is found at gene promoters in most cancers and can lead to silencing of tumor suppressor genes. The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) is able to reactivate genes silenced by DNA methylation and has been shown to be a very potent epigenetic drug in several hematological malignancies. In this report, we demonstrate that 5-aza-CdR exhibits high antineoplastic activity against anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare CD30 positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T-cell origin. Low dose treatment of ALCL cell lines and xenografted tumors causes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro and in vivo. This is also reflected in genome-wide expression analyses, where genes related to apoptosis and cell death are amongst the most affected targets of 5-aza-CdR. Furthermore, we observed demethylation and re-expression of p16INK4A after drug administration and senescence associated β-galactosidase activity. Thus, our data provide evidence that 5-aza-CdR is highly efficient against ALCL and warrants further clinical evaluation for future therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R Hassler
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Doi K. Mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced in the developing brain of mice and rats by DNA-damaging chemicals. J Toxicol Sci 2012; 36:695-712. [PMID: 22129734 DOI: 10.2131/jts.36.695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
It is not widely known how the developing brain responds to extrinsic damage, although the developing brain is considered to be sensitive to diverse environmental factors including DNA-damaging agents. This paper reviews the mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced in the developing brain of mice and rats by six chemicals (ethylnitrosourea, hydroxyurea, 5-azacytidine, cytosine arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine and etoposide), which cause DNA damage in different ways, especially from the viewpoints of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in neural progenitor cells. In addition, this paper also reviews the repair process following damage in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Doi
- Nippon Institute for Biological Science, Ome, Tokyo, Japan.
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22
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Atanackovic D, Luetkens T, Kloth B, Fuchs G, Cao Y, Hildebrandt Y, Meyer S, Bartels K, Reinhard H, Lajmi N, Hegewisch-Becker S, Schilling G, Platzbecker U, Kobbe G, Schroeder T, Bokemeyer C, Kröger N. Cancer-testis antigen expression and its epigenetic modulation in acute myeloid leukemia. Am J Hematol 2011; 86:918-22. [PMID: 21898529 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.22141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-testis antigens (CTA) represent attractive targets for tumor immunotherapy. However, a broad picture of CTA expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is missing. CTA expression was analyzed in normal bone marrow (BM) as well as in AML cell lines before and after treatment with demethylating agents and/or histone acetylase inhibitors. Presence of selected CTA with a strictly tumor-restricted expression was then determined in samples of patients with AML before and after demethylating therapy. Screening AML cell lines for the expression of 20 CTA, we identified six genes (MAGE-A3, PRAME, ROPN1, SCP-1, SLLP1, and SPO11) with an AML-restricted expression. Analyzing the expression of these CTA in blast-containing samples from AML patients (N = 64), we found all samples to be negative for MAGE-A3 and SPO11 while a minority of patients expressed ROPN1 (1.6%), SCP-1 (3.1%), or SLLP1 (9.4%). The only CTA expressed in substantial proportion of patients (53.1%) was PRAME. Following demethylating treatment with 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, we observed an increased or de novo expression of CTA, in particular of SSX-2, in AML cell lines. In AML patients, we detected increased expression of PRAME and induction of SSX-2 after demethylating therapy with 5-azacytidine. With the exception of PRAME, CTA are mostly absent from AML blasts. However, demethylating treatment induces strong expression of CTA, particularly of SSX-2, in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we propose that CTA-specific immunotherapy for AML should preferentially target PRAME and/or should be combined with the application of demethylating agents opening the perspective for alternative targets like CTA SSX-2.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- Biomarkers/analysis
- Bone Marrow Cells/cytology
- Bone Marrow Cells/immunology
- Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Cell Line, Tumor
- DNA Methylation
- Decitabine
- Epigenomics
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/adverse effects
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Histone Deacetylases/metabolism
- Humans
- Hydroxamic Acids/adverse effects
- Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Djordje Atanackovic
- Center of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Oncology/Hematology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Germany.
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23
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Xiao YH, Li XH, Tan T, Liang T, Yi H, Li MY, Zeng GQ, Wan XX, Qu JQ, He QY, Li JH, Chen Y, Xiao ZQ. Identification of GLIPR1 tumor suppressor as methylation-silenced gene in acute myeloid leukemia by microarray analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2011; 137:1831-40. [PMID: 21922325 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-011-1065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify methylation-silenced genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS Microarray analyses were performed in AML cell line HL-60 cells exposed to the demethylating agent 5-aza-2dC. The methylation status and expression of glioma pathogenesis-related protein 1 (GLIPR1), one of highly induced genes by demethylation, were further detected in six hematopoietic malignancy cell lines and 260 bone marrow samples from leukemia patients and nonmalignant diseases as control, as well as pre-treated and post-treated bone marrow samples from 24 complete remission AML patients received chemotherapy using MS-PCR, bisulfite DNA sequencing, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS One hundred and nine genes were significantly induced by demethylation in HL-60 cells, 12 genes of which were confirmed by RT-PCR. GLIPR1, a tumor suppressor gene, was frequently methylation-silenced in AML cell lines and AML patients, but not in the other hematopoietic malignancy cell lines and patients. The frequencies of methylation-silenced GLIPR1 in the pre-treatment were significantly higher than those in the post-treatment in complete remission AML patients. CONCLUSION We identify 109 genes induced by demethylation in HL-60 cells, and demonstrate that GLIPR1 is a methylation-silenced gene in the AML patients, and may serve as a marker for monitoring disease activity during therapy in the AML patients. The data provide the important information for studying the pathogenesis of AML and discovering the target genes of methylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hua Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
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24
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Directional DNA methylation changes and complex intermediate states accompany lineage specificity in the adult hematopoietic compartment. Mol Cell 2011; 44:17-28. [PMID: 21924933 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation has been implicated as an epigenetic component of mechanisms that stabilize cell-fate decisions. Here, we have characterized the methylomes of human female hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and mature cells from the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Hypomethylated regions (HMRs) associated with lineage-specific genes were often methylated in the opposing lineage. In HSPCs, these sites tended to show intermediate, complex patterns that resolve to uniformity upon differentiation, by increased or decreased methylation. Promoter HMRs shared across diverse cell types typically display a constitutive core that expands and contracts in a lineage-specific manner to fine-tune the expression of associated genes. Many newly identified intergenic HMRs, both constitutive and lineage specific, were enriched for factor binding sites with an implied role in genome organization and regulation of gene expression, respectively. Overall, our studies represent an important reference data set and provide insights into directional changes in DNA methylation as cells adopt terminal fates.
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Enjuanes A, Fernàndez V, Hernández L, Navarro A, Beà S, Pinyol M, López-Guillermo A, Rosenwald A, Ott G, Campo E, Jares P. Identification of methylated genes associated with aggressive clinicopathological features in mantle cell lymphoma. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19736. [PMID: 21603610 PMCID: PMC3095614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is genetically characterized by the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation and a high number of secondary chromosomal alterations. The contribution of DNA methylation to MCL lymphomagenesis is not well known. We sought to identify epigenetically silenced genes in these tumours that might have clinical relevance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To identify potential methylated genes in MCL we initially investigated seven MCL cell lines treated with epigenetic drugs and gene expression microarray profiling. The methylation status of selected candidate genes was validated by a quantitative assay and subsequently analyzed in a series of primary MCL (n = 38). After pharmacological reversion we identified 252 potentially methylated genes. The methylation analysis of a subset of these genes (n = 25) in the MCL cell lines and normal B lymphocytes confirmed that 80% of them were methylated in the cell lines but not in normal lymphocytes. The subsequent analysis in primary MCL identified five genes (SOX9, HOXA9, AHR, NR2F2, and ROBO1) frequently methylated in these tumours. The gene methylation events tended to occur in the same primary neoplasms and correlated with higher proliferation, increased number of chromosomal abnormalities, and shorter survival of the patients. CONCLUSIONS We have identified a set of genes whose methylation degree and gene expression levels correlate with aggressive clinicopathological features of MCL. Our findings also suggest that a subset of MCL might show a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) that may influence the behaviour of the tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Enjuanes
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verònica Fernàndez
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Hernández
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Navarro
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Beà
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magda Pinyol
- Genomics Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - German Ott
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, and Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Elías Campo
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Jares
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genomics Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Claus R, Plass C, Armstrong SA, Bullinger L. DNA methylation profiling in acute myeloid leukemia: from recent technological advances to biological and clinical insights. Future Oncol 2011; 6:1415-31. [PMID: 20919827 DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia represents a heterogeneous malignant hematological disease with a complex underlying biology suggesting multiple patterns of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Recent evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, especially deregulation of DNA methylation, play an important pathogenic role in leukemogenesis and the first epigenetic drugs have entered the clinic. Therefore, an improved understanding of the impact of altered epigenetic patterns on leukemogenesis represents a pre-requisite for improved patient management and outcome. Here, we provide an overview of current advances in deciphering the leukemic epigenome and its clinical relevance. Recent high-throughput analyses and genome-wide studies provide an optimal starting point for future epigenetic and integrative analyses that will further the development and use of predictive and prognostic epigenetic markers in acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Claus
- Department of Epigenomics & Cancer Risk Factors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine stress response and apoptosis in prostate cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2011; 2:339-48. [PMID: 22704346 PMCID: PMC3365594 DOI: 10.1007/s13148-010-0019-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While studying on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms (DNA methylation at C-5 of -CpG- cytosine and demethylation of methylated DNA) of certain genes (FAS, CLU, E-cadh, CD44, and Cav-1) associated with prostate cancer development and its better management, we noticed that the used in vivo dose of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5.0 to 10.0 nM, sufficient to inhibit DNA methyltransferase activity in vitro) helped in the transcription of various genes with known (steroid receptors, AR and ER; ER variants, CD44, CDH1, BRCA1, TGFβR1, MMP3, MMP9, and UPA) and unknown (DAZ and Y-chromosome specific) proteins and the respective cells remained healthy in culture. At a moderate dose (20 to 200 nM) of the inhibitor, cells remain growth arrested. Upon subsequent challenge with increased dose (0.5 to 5.0 μM) of the inhibitor, we observed that the cellular morphology was changing and led to death of the cells with progress of time. Analyses of DNA and anti-, pro-, and apoptotic factors of the affected cells revealed that the molecular events that went on are characteristics of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
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Schoofs T, Müller-Tidow C. DNA methylation as a pathogenic event and as a therapeutic target in AML. Cancer Treat Rev 2011; 37 Suppl 1:S13-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2011.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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29
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Balducci L. Perspectives in geriatric oncology: How to structure a decision in face of uncertainty. J Geriatr Oncol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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30
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Ji H, Ehrlich LIR, Seita J, Murakami P, Doi A, Lindau P, Lee H, Aryee MJ, Irizarry RA, Kim K, Rossi DJ, Inlay MA, Serwold T, Karsunky H, Ho L, Daley GQ, Weissman IL, Feinberg AP. Comprehensive methylome map of lineage commitment from haematopoietic progenitors. Nature 2010; 467:338-42. [PMID: 20720541 PMCID: PMC2956609 DOI: 10.1038/nature09367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 474] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 07/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications must underlie lineage-specific differentiation as terminally differentiated cells express tissue-specific genes, but their DNA sequence is unchanged. Hematopoiesis provides a well-defined model to study epigenetic modifications during cell-fate decisions, as multipotent progenitors (MPPs) differentiate into progressively restricted myeloid or lymphoid progenitors. While DNA methylation is critical for myeloid versus lymphoid differentiation, as demonstrated by the myeloerythroid bias in Dnmt1 hypomorphs1, a comprehensive DNA methylation map of hematopoietic progenitors, or of any multipotent/oligopotent lineage, does not exist. Here we examined 4.6 million CpG sites throughout the genome for MPPs, common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), common myeloid progenitors (CMPs), granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (GMPs), and thymocyte progenitors (DN1, DN2, DN3). Dramatic epigenetic plasticity accompanied both lymphoid and myeloid restriction. Myeloid commitment involved less global DNA methylation than lymphoid commitment, supported functionally by myeloid skewing of progenitors following treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Differential DNA methylation correlated with gene expression more strongly at CpG island shores than CpG islands. Many examples of genes and pathways not previously known to be involved in choice between lymphoid/myeloid differentiation have been identified, such as Arl4c and Jdp2. Several transcription factors, including Meis1, were methylated and silenced during differentiation, suggesting a role in maintaining an undifferentiated state. Additionally, epigenetic modification of modifiers of the epigenome appears to be important in hematopoietic differentiation. Our results directly demonstrate that modulation of DNA methylation occurs during lineage-specific differentiation and defines a comprehensive map of the methylation and transcriptional changes that accompany myeloid versus lymphoid fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Ji
- Center for Epigenetics and Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 570 Rangos, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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31
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Chemotherapeutic drug-induced ABCG2 promoter demethylation as a novel mechanism of acquired multidrug resistance. Neoplasia 2010; 11:1359-70. [PMID: 20019844 DOI: 10.1593/neo.91314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ABCG2 is an efflux transporter conferring multidrug resistance (MDR) on cancer cells. However, the initial molecular events leading to its up-regulation in MDR tumor cells are poorly understood. Herein, we explored the impact of drug treatment on the methylation status of the ABCG2 promoter and consequent reactivation of ABCG2 gene expression in parental tumor cell lines and their MDR sublines. We demonstrate that ABCG2 promoter methylation is common in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) lines, also present in primary T-ALL lymphoblast specimens. Furthermore, drug selection with sulfasalazine and topotecan induced a complete demethylation of the ABCG2 promoter in the T-ALL and ovarian carcinoma model cell lines CCRF-CEM and IGROV1, respectively. This resulted in a dramatic induction of ABCG2 messenger RNA levels (235- and 743-fold, respectively) and consequent acquisition of an ABCG2-dependent MDR phenotype. Quantitative genomic polymerase chain reaction and ABCG2 promoter-luciferase reporter assay did not reveal ABCG2 gene amplification or differential transcriptional trans-activation, which could account for ABCG2 up-regulation in these MDR cells. Remarkably, mimicking cytotoxic bolus drug treatment through 12- to 24-hour pulse exposure of ABCG2-silenced leukemia cells, to clinically relevant concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agents daunorubicin and mitoxantrone, resulted in a marked transcriptional up-regulation of ABCG2. Our findings establish that antitumor drug-induced epigenetic reactivation of ABCG2 gene expression in cancer cells is an early molecular event leading to MDR. These findings have important implications for the emergence, clonal selection, and expansion of malignant cells with the MDR phenotype during chemotherapy.
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32
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Almstedt M, Blagitko-Dorfs N, Duque-Afonso J, Karbach J, Pfeifer D, Jäger E, Lübbert M. The DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induces expression of NY-ESO-1 and other cancer/testis antigens in myeloid leukemia cells. Leuk Res 2010; 34:899-905. [PMID: 20381863 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2010.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2009] [Revised: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Azanucleoside DNA-hypomethylating agents have remarkable clinical activity in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly at low, non-cytotoxic doses favoring hypomethylation over cytotoxicity. Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) encoding immunogenic proteins are not expressed in almost all normal tissues and many tumor types, but are consistently derepressed by epigenetically active agents in various cancer cell lines. Since the expression of CTA genes is usually very low or absent in myeloid leukemias, we treated various AML cell lines with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) and quantified mRNA expression of the CTAs NY-ESO-1, MAGEA1, MAGEA3 and MAGEB2. Consistent time- and dose-dependent reactivation of all 4 CTA genes was observed, with maximum mRNA levels 72-144h after treatment start. As determined by RNA microarray analyses, numerous other CTA genes (all located on the X-chromosome) were also derepressed in a time-dependent fashion by DAC. NY-ESO-1 derepression was confirmed at the protein level. By Elispot and chromium release assays we showed that the de novo expressed NY-ESO-1 protein was naturally processed and presented in a time- and dose-dependent fashion up to 8 days after the start of DAC treatment, and converted the cell lines susceptible to antigen-specific recognition by CD8+ T-cell clones. In conclusion, NY-ESO-1 and numerous other CTAs localized on the X-chromosome are readily and transiently derepressed in AML cell lines treated with DAC. The susceptibility of DAC-treated AML cell lines to antigen-specific T-cell recognition has clear implications for future clinical trials combining DAC and specific immunotherapy in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- DNA, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Decitabine
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects
- Genes, X-Linked/drug effects
- HL-60 Cells/drug effects
- HL-60 Cells/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Melanoma-Specific Antigens
- Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Multiple Myeloma/pathology
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- U937 Cells/drug effects
- U937 Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Maika Almstedt
- Department of Medicine, Division Hematology and Oncology, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
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Differential genome-wide array-based methylation profiles in prognostic subsets of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2009; 115:296-305. [PMID: 19897574 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-07-232868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Global hypomethylation and regional hypermethylation are well-known epigenetic features of cancer; however, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), studies on genome-wide epigenetic modifications are limited. Here, we analyzed the global methylation profiles in CLL, by applying high-resolution methylation microarrays (27,578 CpG sites) to 23 CLL samples, belonging to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) mutated (favorable) and IGHV unmutated/IGHV3-21 (poor-prognostic) subsets. Overall, results demonstrated significant differences in methylation patterns between these subgroups. Specifically, in IGHV unmutated CLL, we identified methylation of 7 known or candidate tumor suppressor genes (eg, VHL, ABI3, and IGSF4) as well as 8 unmethylated genes involved in cell proliferation and tumor progression (eg, ADORA3 and PRF1 enhancing the nuclear factor-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, respectively). In contrast, these latter genes were silenced by methylation in IGHV mutated patients. The array data were validated for selected genes using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and bisulfite sequencing. Finally, the significance of DNA methylation in regulating gene promoters was shown by reinducing 4 methylated tumor suppressor genes (eg, VHL and ABI3) in IGHV unmutated samples using the methyl-inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Taken together, our data for the first time reveal differences in global methylation profiles between prognostic subsets of CLL, which may unfold epigenetic silencing mechanisms involved in CLL pathogenesis.
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Patra SK, Bettuzzi S. Epigenetic DNA-(cytosine-5-carbon) modifications: 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and DNA-demethylation. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2009; 74:613-9. [PMID: 19645665 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297909060042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA (cytosine-5-carbon) methylation is one of the hallmarks of mammalian chromatin modifications. Distinct methylation pattern can generate synergistic or antagonistic interaction affinities for CpG-islands associated with methylated or unmethylated cytosine binding proteins, which also may dictate histone modifications and dynamic transition between transcriptionally silent or transcriptionally active chromatin states. The enzymes and cofactors associated with DNA-methylation reactions are convincing in terms of chemistry and chemical thermodynamics. The mechanism of demethylation, the candidate enzyme(s) exhibiting direct demethylase activity, and associated cofactors are not firmly established. Use of azanucleosides, such as 5-azacytidine and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AzadC), in cell culture produces re-expression of certain genes, which otherwise were repressed in association with hypermethylated CpG-rich promoters. Hence the notion developed that AzadC is a demethylating agent. Here we discuss the broad global pictures with the following points: first, chemical definition and recent advances regarding the mechanism of DNA (cytosine-5-carbon) methylation ((Me)CpG-DNA or (Me)CpNpG-DNA formation) and (Me)CpG/(Me)CpNpG-DNA-demethylation, and then with the mechanistic basis of inactivation of DNA-methyltransferase 1 by AzadC. This will clarify that: (i) AzadC has nothing to do with DNA-demethylation; (ii) it cannot prevent even de novo methylation in non-replicating cells; (iii) it can only prevent replication coupled maintenance as well as de novo methylations. Finally, we would like to suggest that terming/designating AzadC as DNA-demethylating agent is a serious misuse of chemistry and chemical terminology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Patra
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Seeliger B, Wilop S, Osieka R, Galm O, Jost E. CpG island methylation patterns in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2009; 50:419-26. [PMID: 19347729 DOI: 10.1080/10428190902756594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in Western countries. In CLL, a large number of genes affecting cancer-related pathways may be dysregulated by epigenetic silencing. We analysed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction the CpG island methylation status of 15 well-characterised cancer-related genes in 32 patients with CLL. Aberrant methylation in the sample of patients with CLL was shown for secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (68.8%), secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (65.6%), death-associated protein kinase 1 (50.0%), E-cadherin (21.9%), secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (15.6%), p15 (9.4%), p16 (6.3%), retinoic acid receptor beta2 (3.1%), secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (3.1%) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 3 (3.1%). For human Mut-L homolog 1, O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, p73, suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 no hypermethylation was detected. Hypermethylation of at least one gene was observed in 87.5% of the samples. Our results show that aberrant CpG island methylation affecting cancer-related pathways such as Wnt signalling, regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle control and tissue invasion is a common phenomenon in CLL. Epigenetic disturbances may be involved in the pathogenesis of CLL and thus may provide a molecular rationale for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seeliger
- Medizinische Klinik IV, Universitaetsklinikum Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Gjerstorff M, Burns JS, Nielsen O, Kassem M, Ditzel H. Epigenetic modulation of cancer-germline antigen gene expression in tumorigenic human mesenchymal stem cells: implications for cancer therapy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 175:314-23. [PMID: 19498007 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.080893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-germline antigens are promising targets for cancer immunotherapy, but whether such therapies will also eliminate the primary tumor stem cell population remains undetermined. We previously showed that long-term cultures of telomerized adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can spontaneously evolve into tumor-initiating, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-TERT20), which have characteristics of clinical sarcoma cells. In this study, we used the hMSC-TERT20 tumor stem cell model to investigate the potential of cancer-germline antigens to serve as tumor stem cell targets. We found that tumorigenic transformation of hMSC-TERT20 cells induced the expression of members of several cancer-germline antigen gene families (ie, GAGE, MAGE-A, and XAGE-1), with promoter hypomethylation and histone acetylation of the corresponding genes. Both in vitro cultures and tumor xenografts derived from tumorigenic hMSC-TERT20 single cell subclones exhibited heterogeneous expression of both GAGE and MAGE-A proteins, and similar patterns of expression were observed in clinical sarcomas. Importantly, histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors were able to induce more ubiquitous expression levels of cancer-germline antigens in hMSC-TERT20 cells, while their expression levels in primary human mesenchymal stem cells remained unaffected. The expression pattern of cancer-germline antigens in tumorigenic mesenchymal stem cells and sarcomas, plus their susceptibility to enhancement by epigenetic modulators, makes them promising targets for immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Gjerstorff
- Medical Biotechnology Center, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
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Epigenetic dysregulation of secreted Frizzled-related proteins in multiple myeloma. Cancer Lett 2009; 281:24-31. [PMID: 19299079 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2008] [Revised: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We analysed the clinical impact of epigenetic dysregulation of the Wnt pathway in malignant plasma cell disorders. In multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, aberrant promoter hypermethylation of the secreted Frizzled-related protein (SFRP) genes was a common event, and hypermethylation of SFRP1,-2 and -5 was associated with transcriptional silencing. Among 76 primary patient samples, the frequency of aberrant methylation was 35.5% for SFRP1, 52.6% for SFRP2, 1.3% for SFRP4 and 6.9% for SFRP5. Hypermethylation of SFRP1 and -2 genes was detected in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and all MM stages including plasma cell leukaemia (PCL), while SFRP5 methylation was restricted to advanced MM stages and PCL. Our data indicate that epigenetic silencing of Wnt antagonists is an early event in MM pathogenesis and that SFRP5 hypermethylation may play a role in disease progression.
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Abstract
Epigenetic gene regulation of specific genes strongly affects clinical outcome of malignant glioma. MGMT is the best studied gene for the connection of promoter methylation and clinical course in glioblastoma. While MGMT promoter methylation analysis currently does not alter treatment of glioblastoma patients, mainly because of a lack of convincing therapy to radiotherapy and concomitant administration of alkylating drugs, there is increasing interest on the part of patients and physicians in having this molecular parameter assessed. This chapter gives a short overview of the physiological characteristics of the epigenome in normal cells and tissues and the changes in epigenetic gene regulation following malignant transformation. It discusses the technical aspects, advantages, and shortcomings of currently used approaches for single-gene and genome-wide methylation analyses. Finally, an outlook is given on potential therapeutic avenues and targets to overcome tumor-suppressor gene silencing by aberrant promoter methylation in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf C Mueller
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 220/221, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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39
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Patra SK, Szyf M. DNA methylation-mediated nucleosome dynamics and oncogenic Ras signaling: insights from FAS, FAS ligand and RASSF1A. FEBS J 2008; 275:5217-35. [PMID: 18803665 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06658.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cytosine methylation at the 5-carbon position is the only known stable base modification found in the mammalian genome. The organization and modification of chromatin is a key factor in programming gene expression patterns. Recent findings suggest that DNA methylation at the junction of transcription initiation and elongation plays a critical role in suppression of transcription. This effect is mechanistically mediated by the state of chromatin modification. DNA methylation attracts binding of methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins that trigger repression of transcription, whereas DNA demethylation facilitates transcription activation. Understanding the rules that guide differential gene expression, as well as transcription dynamics and transcript abundance, has proven to be a taxing problem for molecular biologists and oncologists alike. The use of novel molecular modeling methods is providing exciting insights into the challenging problem of how methylation mediates chromatin dynamics. New data implicate lipid rafts as the coordinators of signals emanating from the cell membrane and are converging on the mechanisms linking DNA methylation and chromatin dynamics. This review focuses on some of these recent advances and uses lipid-raft-facilitated Ras signaling as a paradigm for understanding DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics and apoptosis.
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40
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Jost E, Schmid J, Wilop S, Schubert C, Suzuki H, Herman JG, Osieka R, Galm O. Epigenetic inactivation of secreted Frizzled-related proteins in acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2008; 142:745-53. [PMID: 18537968 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07242.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt signalling pathway has a key function in stem cell maintenance and differentiation of haematopoietic progenitors. Secreted Frizzled-related protein genes (SFRPs), functioning as Wnt signalling antagonists, have been found to be downregulated by promoter hypermethylation in many tumours. To analyse epigenetic dysregulation of SFRPs in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), we examined the promoter methylation status of SFRP1, -2, -4 and -5 in AML cell lines by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Aberrant CpG island methylation was found for all four SFRP genes. By real-time reverse transcription-PCR, corresponding transcriptional silencing for SFRP1 and -2 was demonstrated and treatment of cell lines with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in re-expression. The methylation status of the SFRP genes was analysed in 100 specimens obtained from AML patients at diagnosis. The frequencies of aberrant methylation among the patient samples were 29% for SFRP1, 19% for SFRP2, 0% for SFRP4 and 9% for SFRP5. For SFRP2, a correlation between promoter hypermethylation and transcriptional downregulation was found in primary AML samples. Among AML cases with a favourable karyotype, hypermethylation of SFRP genes was restricted to patients with core binding factor (CBF) leukaemia, and aberrant methylation of the SFRP2 promoter was an adverse risk factor for survival in CBF leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Jost
- Medizinische Klinik IV, Universitaetsklinikum Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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Patra SK, Patra A, Rizzi F, Ghosh TC, Bettuzzi S. Demethylation of (Cytosine-5-C-methyl) DNA and regulation of transcription in the epigenetic pathways of cancer development. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2008; 27:315-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s10555-008-9118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
The mechanisms that regulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication within the liver are poorly understood. Given that methylation of CpG islands regulates gene expression in human tissues, we sought to identify CpG islands in HBV-DNA and to determine if they are methylated in human tissues. In silico analysis demonstrated three CpG islands in HBV genotype A sequences, two of which were of particular interest because of their proximity to the HBV surface gene start codon (island 1) and to the enhancer 1/X gene promoter region (island 2). Human sera with intact virions that were largely unmethylated were used to transfect HepG2 cells and HBV-DNA became partially methylated at both islands 1 and 2 by day 6 following exposure of HepG2 to virus. Examination of three additional human sera and 10 liver tissues showed no methylation in sera but tissues showed methylation of island 1 in six of 10 cases and of island 2 in five of 10 cases. The cell line Hep3B, with integrated HBV, showed complete methylation of island 1 but no methylation of island 2. In conclusion, HBV-DNA can be methylated in human tissues and methylation may play an important role in regulation of HBV gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vivekanandan
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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43
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Zain J, Rotter A, Weiss L, Forman S, Kirschbaum MH. Valproic acid monotherapy leads to CR in a patient with refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 2007; 48:1216-8. [PMID: 17577787 DOI: 10.1080/10428190701344907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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44
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Schaefer HE, Lübbert M. The hematopathological basis for studying effects of the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) in myelodysplasia. Ann Hematol 2007; 84 Suppl 1:67-79. [PMID: 16308721 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-005-0034-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The myelodysplastic syndromes have, since their first recognition decades ago, been considered notoriously difficult with regard to their proper classification, determination of prognosis, and optimal treatment. With the advent of the French-American-British (FAB) classification, now aided but not superseded by the World Health Organization classification, distinct biological entities have been delineated, which in turn are very useful for stratification to different, established and experimental treatment modalities. However, precise subclassification of different types of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is only possible with hematopathological studies based on the analysis of peripheral blood, bone marrow smear, and bone marrow biopsy, backed by appropriate clinical information. Bone marrow cytogenetics are also essential for any risk stratification since they still provide the second most powerful prognostic parameter after bone marrow blast enumeration. This paper will review the most important aspects of hematopathological diagnostics in MDS, risk scoring, and their application to the inclusion and stratification of patients into the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/German MDS Study Group Phase III multicenter trial of low-dose decitabine in patients more than 60 years old with high-risk MDS. Emphasis is placed on itemizing the broad spectrum of cytologic and histologic stigmata defining the myelodysplastic categories that are to be considered in this study.
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45
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Rivenbark AG, Coleman WB. Practical applications for epigenetic biomarkers in cancer diagnostics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 1:17-30. [PMID: 23489266 DOI: 10.1517/17530059.1.1.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cancer represents a major global health problem and improvement of cancer treatment requires the development of new and useful molecular diagnostic tests that enable the detection of occult tumors, direction of personalized treatments, monitoring of patients during therapeutic intervention and prediction of long-term clinical outcomes. The ideal molecular diagnostic for cancer testing will be based upon non-invasive sources of DNA and will employ biomarkers that have excellent sensitivity, specificity and overall predictive value. Numerous genes are known to be hypermethylated during cancer development and progression. These methylation-sensitive genes represent potentially valuable epigenetic biomarkers for development of practical cancer molecular diagnostics. In fact, many epigenetic biomarkers have proven to possess excellent predictive value in assays designed to detect occult (or developing) neoplasms and/or forecast clinical course/outcome. The progress to date in this emerging area of cancer diagnostics suggests that we are not far away from a time when testing for epigenetic biomarkers will represent an integral part of cancer screening protocols that can be effectively applied to the general population and/or to groups of people with defined risk factors for specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley G Rivenbark
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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46
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McLornan DP, McMullin MF, Johnston P, Longley DB. Molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2007; 3:363-77. [PMID: 17539744 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.3.3.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia is a major obstacle to a successful outcome for many patients. Often, there is resistance against a broad range of drugs due to multiple, simultaneously active processes. These mechanisms include effects on drug influx and efflux, drug activation/inactivation, DNA repair mechanisms, altered response of end targets, an altered haematopoietic microenvironment and dysfunctional apoptotic pathways. This article reviews the factors that determine leukaemic cell chemosensitivity and discusses the potential for rationally guided therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donal P McLornan
- Medical Research Council Clinical Research Fellow, Queen's University Belfast, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, UK
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47
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Witkiewicz A, Raghunath P, Wasik A, Junkins-Hopkins JM, Jones D, Zhang Q, Odum N, Wasik MA. Loss of SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase expression correlates with the advanced stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Hum Pathol 2007; 38:462-7. [PMID: 17239936 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2006.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2006] [Revised: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 09/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprises distinct and often progressive stages of skin involvement by patches, plaques, and tumors. We have previously demonstrated that CTCL-derived malignant T-cell lines display loss of a tumor suppressor SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase because of epigenetic silencing of its gene. The silencing is induced by an activated phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 transcription factor in cooperation with DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the key member of the epigenetic gene silencing machinery. To determine at which stage of CTCL the loss of SHP-1 occurs and how it correlates with the expression of (p)-STAT3 and DNMT1, we examined by immunohistochemistry 47 formalin-fixed skin biopsies from various stages of CTCL. Six pairs of the biopsies were obtained before and after CTCL progression at the patch or plaque and tumor stage, respectively. In 5 of these pairs, we identified loss of SHP-1 expression in atypical lymphocytes at the tumor stage; less prominent SHP-1 loss was noted in 3 biopsies from the earlier stage. The SHP-1 loss was also observed in 5 of 6 tumor, 12 of 18 plaque, and only 2 of 11 patch stages in patients with single biopsies. The expression of (p)-STAT3 and DNMT1 could be identified in almost all cases in at least a subset of the lesional cells. Based on these findings, we postulate that expression of (p)-STAT3 and DNMT1 occurs at the early stages of CTCL, and that this expression alone seems insufficient to induce loss of SHP-1 expression. In turn, SHP-1 loss correlates with, and may contribute to, progression of CTCL.
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48
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Krug U, Serve H, Müller-Tidow C, Mesters RM, Steffen B, Büchner T, Berdel WE. New molecular therapy targets in acute myeloid leukemia. Recent Results Cancer Res 2007; 176:243-62. [PMID: 17607931 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-46091-6_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite improvements to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) therapy during the last 25 years, the majority of patients still succumb to the disease. Thus, there remains an urgent need for further improvements in this field. The present chapter focuses on exciting areas of research in the field of AML therapy, including promising results with regards to recent improvements in our understanding of angiogenesis, tyrosine kinase signaling, farnesylation, cell cycling, modulation of gene expression, protein degradation, modulation of intracellular proteins, apoptosis, metabolism, and the possible retargeting of oncogenic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utz Krug
- Medizinische Klinik A, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Germany
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49
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Arce C, Pérez-Plasencia C, González-Fierro A, de la Cruz-Hernández E, Revilla-Vázquez A, Chávez-Blanco A, Trejo-Becerril C, Pérez-Cárdenas E, Taja-Chayeb L, Bargallo E, Villarreal P, Ramírez T, Vela T, Candelaria M, Camargo MF, Robles E, Dueñas-González A. A proof-of-principle study of epigenetic therapy added to neoadjuvant doxorubicin cyclophosphamide for locally advanced breast cancer. PLoS One 2006; 1:e98. [PMID: 17183730 PMCID: PMC1762324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrant DNA methylation and histone deacetylation participate in cancer development and progression; hence, their reversal by inhibitors of DNA methylation and histone deacetylases (HDACs) is at present undergoing clinical testing in cancer therapy. As epigenetic alterations are common to breast cancer, in this proof-of-concept study demethylating hydralazine, plus the HDAC inhibitor magnesium valproate, were added to neoadjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in locally advanced breast cancer to assess their safety and biological efficacy. Methodology This was a single-arm interventional trial on breast cancer patients (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00395655). After signing informed consent, patients were typed for acetylator phenotype and then treated with hydralazine at 182 mg for rapid-, or 83 mg for slow-acetylators, and magnesium valproate at 30 mg/kg, starting from day –7 until chemotherapy ended, the latter consisting of four cycles of doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 every 21 days. Core-needle biopsies were taken from primary breast tumors at diagnosis and at day 8 of treatment with hydralazine and valproate. Main Findings 16 patients were included and received treatment as planned. All were evaluated for clinical response and toxicity and 15 for pathological response. Treatment was well-tolerated. The most common toxicity was drowsiness grades 1–2. Five (31%) patients had clinical CR and eight (50%) PR for an ORR of 81%. No patient progressed. One of 15 operated patients (6.6%) had pathological CR and 70% had residual disease <3 cm. There was a statistically significant decrease in global 5mC content and HDAC activity. Hydralazine and magnesium valproate up- and down-regulated at least 3-fold, 1,091 and 89 genes, respectively. Conclusions Hydralazine and magnesium valproate produce DNA demethylation, HDAC inhibition, and gene reactivation in primary tumors. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide treatment is safe, well-tolerated, and appears to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. A randomized phase III study is ongoing to support the efficacy of so-called epigenetic or transcriptional cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arce
- Division de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aurora González-Fierro
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Cruz-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alma Revilla-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Desarrollo de Metodos Analiticos, FES-Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, CuautitlnIzcalli, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Alma Chávez-Blanco
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Catalina Trejo-Becerril
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Pérez-Cárdenas
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucia Taja-Chayeb
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Bargallo
- Departamento de Tumores Mamarios, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Villarreal
- Departamento de Tumores Mamarios, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Teresa Ramírez
- Departamento de Tumores Mamarios, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Teresa Vela
- Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Myrna Candelaria
- Division de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria F. Camargo
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Robles
- Division de Investigación Clinica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Dueñas-González
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Mexico UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologa INCAN, Mexico City, Mexico
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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50
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Abstract
The correlation between epigenetic aberrations and disease underscores the importance of epigenetic mechanisms. Here, we review recent findings regarding chromatin modifications and their relevance to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miryam Ducasse
- Institute for Biomedical Research Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mark A Brown
- Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A5000, Austin TX 78712, USA
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