1
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Gonzalez ME, Brophy B, Eido A, Leonetti AE, Djomehri SI, Augimeri G, Carruthers NJ, Cavalcante RG, Giordano F, Andò S, Nesvizhskii AI, Fearon ER, Kleer CG. CCN6 Suppresses Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma by Antagonizing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling to Inhibit EZH2-Driven EMT. Cancer Res 2024; 84:3235-3249. [PMID: 39024552 PMCID: PMC11444886 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-4054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Metaplastic breast carcinomas (mBrCA) are a highly aggressive subtype of triple-negative breast cancer with histologic evidence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and aberrant differentiation. Inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene cellular communication network factor 6 (CCN6; also known as Wnt1-induced secreted protein 3) is a feature of mBrCAs, and mice with conditional inactivation of Ccn6 in mammary epithelium (Ccn6-KO) develop spindle mBrCAs with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Elucidation of the precise mechanistic details of how CCN6 acts as a tumor suppressor in mBrCA could help identify improved treatment strategies. In this study, we showed that CCN6 interacts with the Wnt receptor FZD8 and coreceptor LRP6 on mBrCA cells to antagonize Wnt-induced activation of β-catenin/TCF-mediated transcription. The histone methyltransferase EZH2 was identified as a β-catenin/TCF transcriptional target in Ccn6-KO mBrCA cells. Inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin/TCF signaling in Ccn6-KO mBrCA cells led to reduced EZH2 expression, decreased histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation, and deregulation of specific target genes. Pharmacologic inhibition of EZH2 reduced growth and metastasis of Ccn6-KO mBrCA mammary tumors in vivo. Low CCN6 is significantly associated with activated β-catenin and high EZH2 in human spindle mBrCAs compared with other subtypes. Collectively, these findings establish CCN6 as a key negative regulator of a β-catenin/TCF/EZH2 axis and highlight the inhibition of β-catenin or EZH2 as a potential therapeutic approach for patients with spindle mBrCAs. Significance: CCN6 deficiency drives metaplastic breast carcinoma growth and metastasis by increasing Wnt/β-catenin activation to upregulate EZH2, identifying EZH2 inhibition as a mechanistically guided treatment strategy for this deadly form of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Bryce Brophy
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ahmad Eido
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Adele E Leonetti
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Sabra I Djomehri
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Giuseppina Augimeri
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | | | - Francesca Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Eric R Fearon
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Celina G Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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2
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Du Y, He Z, Jin S, Jin G, Wang K, Yang F, Zhang J. Targeting histone methylation and demethylation for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Bioorg Chem 2024; 151:107698. [PMID: 39126869 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading chronic liver disease worldwide, facing increasing challenges in terms of prevention and treatment. The methylation of lysine and arginine residues on histone proteins is dynamically controlled by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs), regulating chromatin structure and gene transcription. Mutations, genetic translocations, and altered gene expression involving HMTs and HDMs are frequently observed in NAFLD. HMTs and HDMs are receiving increasing attention in regulating NALFD. Targeting specific HMTs and HDMs for drug development is becoming a new strategy for treating NAFLD. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the regulatory mechanism of histone methylation/demethylation in NAFLD. Additionally, we discuss the potential applications of HMTs and HDMs inhibitors in preventing NAFLD, which may provide a scientific basis for the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbing Du
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Zhangxu He
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China.
| | - Sasa Jin
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Gang Jin
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Kaiyue Wang
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Feifei Yang
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China.
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Pharmacy College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 450046 Zhengzhou, PR China.
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3
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Zhao J, Qian H, An Y, Chu L, Tan D, Qin C, Sun Q, Wang Y, Qi W. PPARγ and C/EBPα enable adipocyte differentiation upon inhibition of histone methyltransferase PRC2 in malignant tumors. J Biol Chem 2024:107765. [PMID: 39276936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of terminal differentiation is a hallmark of cancer and offers a potential mechanism for differentiation therapy. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) serves as the methyltransferase for K27 of histone H3 that is crucial in development. While PRC2 inhibitors show promise in treating various cancers, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrated that the inhibition or depletion of PRC2 enhanced adipocyte differentiation in malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), through upregulation of PPARG and CEBPA. Mechanistically, PRC2 directly represses their transcription through H3K27 methylation, as both genes exhibit a bivalent state in MSCs. Knockout of PPARG compromised C/EBPα expression and impeded the PRC2 inhibitor-induced differentiation into adipocytes. Furthermore, the combination of the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone and the PRC2 inhibitor MAK683 exhibited a higher inhibition on Ki67 positivity in tumor xenograft compared to MAK683 alone. High CEBPA, PLIN1 and FABP4 levels positively correlated with favorable prognosis in sarcoma patients in TCGA cohort. Together, these findings unveil an epigenetic regulatory mechanism for PPARG and highlight the essential role of PPARγ and C/EBPα in the adipocyte differentiation of MRTs and sarcomas with a potential clinical implication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhao
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Hui Qian
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yang An
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Liping Chu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Dongxia Tan
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chenyang Qin
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Qianying Sun
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Wei Qi
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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4
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Malone HA, Roberts CWM. Chromatin remodellers as therapeutic targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:661-681. [PMID: 39014081 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Large-scale cancer genome sequencing studies have revealed that chromatin regulators are frequently mutated in cancer. In particular, more than 20% of cancers harbour mutations in genes that encode subunits of SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodelling complexes. Additional links of SWI/SNF complexes to disease have emerged with the findings that some oncogenes drive transformation by co-opting SWI/SNF function and that germline mutations in select SWI/SNF subunits are the basis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. Other chromatin remodellers, including members of the ISWI, CHD and INO80/SWR complexes, have also been linked to cancer and developmental disorders. Consequently, therapeutic manipulation of SWI/SNF and other remodelling complexes has become of great interest, and drugs that target SWI/SNF subunits have entered clinical trials. Genome-wide perturbation screens in cancer cell lines with SWI/SNF mutations have identified additional synthetic lethal targets and led to further compounds in clinical trials, including one that has progressed to FDA approval. Here, we review the progress in understanding the structure and function of SWI/SNF and other chromatin remodelling complexes, mechanisms by which SWI/SNF mutations cause cancer and neurological diseases, vulnerabilities that arise because of these mutations and efforts to target SWI/SNF complexes and synthetic lethal targets for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden A Malone
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Oncology, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Charles W M Roberts
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Oncology, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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5
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Izutsu K, Ando K, Nishikori M, Shibayama H, Goto H, Kuroda J, Kato K, Imaizumi Y, Nosaka K, Sakai R, Abe M, Hojo S, Nakanishi T, Rai S. Tazemetostat for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with EZH2 mutation in Japan: 3-year follow-up for a phase II study. Int J Hematol 2024:10.1007/s12185-024-03834-9. [PMID: 39179948 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-024-03834-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Previously, we reported the efficacy and safety of tazemetostat in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) harboring the EZH2 mutation in a multicenter, open-label, phase II study. Here, we present a follow-up analysis of tazemetostat at a long-term median follow-up of 35.0 months. Twenty patients were enrolled: 17 in the FL cohort and three in the DLBCL cohort. In the FL cohort, the objective response rate was 70.6%, consistent with the primary analysis, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached. The 24-month and 36-month PFS rates were 72.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 41.5%-88.6%) and 64.1% (95% CI 33.7%-83.4%), respectively. The median duration of treatment was 30.2 months. After the primary analysis at a median follow-up of 12.9 months, grade 1-2 urinary tract infection, peripheral motor neuropathy, and hypogammaglobulinemia newly emerged, but the incidence of adverse events (AEs) did not increase notably during this follow-up period. No unexpected grade ≥ 3 treatment-related AEs were reported. Long-term oral monotherapy with tazemetostat showed favorable efficacy and safety profiles, indicating that it may be a useful third-line or later treatment option for patients with relapsed/refractory FL harboring the EZH2 mutation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03456726.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Izutsu
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Ando
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Momoko Nishikori
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Shibayama
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Osaka University Hospital, Suita, Japan
| | - Hideki Goto
- Department of Hematology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Junya Kuroda
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koji Kato
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Kisato Nosaka
- Department of Hematology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Rika Sakai
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Shinya Rai
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osakasayama, Japan
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6
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Trejo-Villegas OA, Heijink IH, Ávila-Moreno F. Preclinical evidence in the assembly of mammalian SWI/SNF complexes: Epigenetic insights and clinical perspectives in human lung disease therapy. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2470-2488. [PMID: 38910326 PMCID: PMC11405180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The SWI/SNF complex, also known as the BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF) complex, represents a critical regulator of chromatin remodeling mechanisms in mammals. It is alternatively referred to as mSWI/SNF and has been suggested to be imbalanced in human disease compared with human health. Three types of BAF assemblies associated with it have been described, including (1) canonical BAF (cBAF), (2) polybromo-associated BAF (PBAF), and (3) non-canonical BAF (ncBAF) complexes. Each of these BAF assemblies plays a role, either functional or dysfunctional, in governing gene expression patterns, cellular processes, epigenetic mechanisms, and biological processes. Recent evidence increasingly links the dysregulation of mSWI/SNF complexes to various human non-malignant lung chronic disorders and lung malignant diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive general state-of-the-art and a profound examination of the current understanding of mSWI/SNF assembly processes, as well as the structural and functional organization of mSWI/SNF complexes and their subunits. In addition, it explores their intricate functional connections with potentially dysregulated transcription factors, placing particular emphasis on molecular and cellular pathogenic processes in lung diseases. These processes are reflected in human epigenome aberrations that impact clinical and therapeutic levels, suggesting novel perspectives on the diagnosis and molecular therapies for human respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio A Trejo-Villegas
- Lung Diseases and Functional Epigenomics Laboratory (LUDIFE), Biomedicine Research Unit (UBIMED), Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-Iztacala), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida de los Barrios #1, Colonia Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Irene H Heijink
- Departments of Pathology & Medical Biology and Pulmonology, GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Federico Ávila-Moreno
- Lung Diseases and Functional Epigenomics Laboratory (LUDIFE), Biomedicine Research Unit (UBIMED), Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-Iztacala), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida de los Barrios #1, Colonia Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, 54090, Estado de México, México; Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER), Ismael Cosío Villegas, 14080, Ciudad de México, México; Research Tower, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), 14080, Ciudad de México, México.
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7
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Wei L, Mei D, Hu S, Du S. Dual-target EZH2 inhibitor: latest advances in medicinal chemistry. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:1561-1582. [PMID: 39082677 PMCID: PMC11370917 DOI: 10.1080/17568919.2024.2380243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, plays a crucial role in tumor progression by regulating gene expression. EZH2 inhibitors have emerged as promising anti-tumor agents due to their potential in cancer treatment strategies. However, single-target inhibitors often face limitations such as drug resistance and side effects. Dual-target inhibitors, exemplified by EZH1/2 inhibitor HH-2853(28), offer enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse effects. This review highlights recent advancements in dual inhibitors targeting EZH2 and other proteins like BRD4, PARP1, and EHMT2, emphasizing rational design, structure-activity relationships, and safety profiles, suggesting their potential in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shufang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
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8
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Xiaoxu D, Xianghong Y. Primary Undifferentiated Gallbladder Carcinoma With SMARCA4 Deletion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Int J Surg Pathol 2024; 32:1017-1023. [PMID: 37899615 DOI: 10.1177/10668969231206575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Background. Undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma is a rare type of cancer with poor prognosis, due to the absence of specific clinical manifestations, and the final diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examinations. However, only a few reports of SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated gallbladder tumor have been published to date. Therefore, we report the diagnosis and treatment of an undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma with SMARCA4 deficiency. Case Presentation. A 65-year-old woman with undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma was treated using traditional Chinese medicine and underwent palliative surgery in our hospital. The postoperative pathology showed SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated gallbladder carcinoma with metastasis to the abdominal lymph nodes. Conclusions. This case report contributes to the limited literature regarding undifferentiated carcinoma without SMARCA4 in the gallbladder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deng Xiaoxu
- Pathology Department, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Xianghong
- Pathology Department, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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9
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Keller PJ, Adams EJ, Wu R, Côté A, Arora S, Cantone N, Meyer R, Mertz JA, Gehling V, Cui J, Stuckey JI, Khanna A, Zhao F, Chen Z, Yu Z, Cummings RT, Taimi M, Lakhani NJ, Rasco D, Gutierrez M, Duska L, Devitt M, Rippley R, Levell J, Truong J, Wang J, Sun K, Trojer P. Comprehensive Target Engagement by the EZH2 Inhibitor Tulmimetostat Allows for Targeting of ARID1A Mutant Cancers. Cancer Res 2024; 84:2501-2517. [PMID: 38833522 PMCID: PMC11292196 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent somatic mutations in the BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex subunit ARID1A occur frequently in advanced urothelial, endometrial, and ovarian clear cell carcinomas, creating an alternative chromatin state that may be exploited therapeutically. The histone methyltransferase EZH2 has been previously identified as targetable vulnerability in the context of ARID1A mutations. In this study, we describe the discovery of tulmimetostat, an orally available, clinical stage EZH2 inhibitor, and it elucidates the aspects of its application potential in ARID1A mutant tumors. Tulmimetostat administration achieved efficacy in multiple ARID1A mutant bladder, ovarian, and endometrial tumor models and improved cisplatin response in chemotherapy-resistant models. Consistent with its comprehensive and durable level of target coverage, tulmimetostat demonstrated greater efficacy than other PRC2-targeted inhibitors at comparable or lower exposures in a bladder cancer xenograft mouse model. Tulmimetostat mediated extensive changes in gene expression, in addition to a profound reduction in global H3K27me3 levels in tumors. Phase I clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data indicated that tulmimetostat exhibits durable exposure and profound target engagement. Importantly, a tulmimetostat controlled gene expression signature identified in whole blood from a cohort of 32 patients with cancer correlated with tulmimetostat exposure, representing a pharmacodynamic marker for the assessment of target coverage for PRC2-targeted agents in the clinic. Collectively, these data suggest that tulmimetostat has the potential to achieve clinical benefit in solid tumors as a monotherapy but also in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, and may be beneficial in various indications with recurrent ARID1A mutations. Significance: The EZH2 inhibitor tulmimetostat achieves comprehensive target inhibition in ARID1A mutant solid tumor models and cancer patients that can be assessed with a pharmacodynamic gene signature in peripheral blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia J. Keller
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Elizabeth J. Adams
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Rentian Wu
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Alexandre Côté
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Shilpi Arora
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Nico Cantone
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Rosana Meyer
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jennifer A. Mertz
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Victor Gehling
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jike Cui
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jacob I. Stuckey
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Avinash Khanna
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Feng Zhao
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Zehua Chen
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Ziyang Yu
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Mohammed Taimi
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Drew Rasco
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics, San Antonio, Texas.
| | | | - Linda Duska
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia.
| | - Michael Devitt
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia.
| | - Ronda Rippley
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Julian Levell
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jennifer Truong
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jing Wang
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kaiming Sun
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Patrick Trojer
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, A MorphoSys Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
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10
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Sharma V, Vinchure OS, Yadav G, Sarkar C, Kulshreshtha R. A novel interplay between PRC2 and miR-3189 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via modulating COL6A2 in glioblastoma. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31326. [PMID: 38860406 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have shed light on disrupted collagen signaling in Gliomas, yet the regulatory landscape remains largely unexplored. This study enquired into the role of polycomb repressive complex-2 (PRC2)-mediated H3K27me3 modification, a key epigenetic factor in glioma. Using in-house data, we identified miRNAs downregulated in glioblastoma (GBM) with the potential to regulate Collagen VI family genes. Notably, miR-3189 emerged as a prime PRC2 target. Its expression was significantly downregulated in Indian GBM patients as well as other glioma cohorts. Mechanistic insights, involving Luciferase assays, mutagenesis, and Western blot analysis, confirmed direct targeting of Collagen VI member COL6A2 by miR-3189-3p. Functional assays demonstrated that miR-3189-3p restrained GBM malignancy by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, COL6A2 overexpressed in GBM patients, countered miR-3189, and promoted the malignant phenotype. Gene set enrichment analysis highlighted EMT enrichment in GBM patients with elevated COL6A2 expression, carrying prognostic implications. This study uncovers intricate interactions between two epigenetic regulators-H3K27me3 and miR-3189-working synergistically to modulate Collagen VI gene; thus, influencing the malignancy of GBM. Targeting this H3K27me3|miR-3189-3p|COL6A2 axis presents a potential therapeutic avenue against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Sharma
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Centralized Core Research Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Omkar Suhas Vinchure
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Garima Yadav
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Chitra Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritu Kulshreshtha
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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11
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Bhat KP, Vijay J, Vilas CK, Asundi J, Zou J, Lau T, Cai X, Ahmed M, Kabza M, Weng J, Fortin JP, Lun A, Durinck S, Hafner M, Costa MR, Ye X. CRISPR activation screens identify the SWI/SNF ATPases as suppressors of ferroptosis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114345. [PMID: 38870012 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mechanism characterized by the accumulation of toxic lipid peroxides and cell membrane rupture. GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) prevents ferroptosis by reducing these lipid peroxides into lipid alcohols. Ferroptosis induction by GPX4 inhibition has emerged as a vulnerability of cancer cells, highlighting the need to identify ferroptosis regulators that may be exploited therapeutically. Through genome-wide CRISPR activation screens, we identify the SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose non-fermentable) ATPases BRM (SMARCA2) and BRG1 (SMARCA4) as ferroptosis suppressors. Mechanistically, they bind to and increase chromatin accessibility at NRF2 target loci, thus boosting NRF2 transcriptional output to counter lipid peroxidation and confer resistance to GPX4 inhibition. We further demonstrate that the BRM/BRG1 ferroptosis connection can be leveraged to enhance the paralog dependency of BRG1 mutant cancer cells on BRM. Our data reveal ferroptosis induction as a potential avenue for broadening the efficacy of BRM degraders/inhibitors and define a specific genetic context for exploiting GPX4 dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamakoti P Bhat
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jinchu Vijay
- Roche Canada, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 5M8, Canada
| | - Caroline K Vilas
- Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jyoti Asundi
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ted Lau
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Cai
- Regenerative Medicine, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Michal Kabza
- 7N Sp. Z O. O. by order of Roche Polska, 02-670 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Julie Weng
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Fortin
- Data Science and Statistical Computing, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Aaron Lun
- Data Science and Statistical Computing, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Steffen Durinck
- Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Marc Hafner
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Michael R Costa
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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12
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Sasaki M, Kato D, Murakami K, Yoshida H, Takase S, Otsubo T, Ogiwara H. Targeting dependency on a paralog pair of CBP/p300 against de-repression of KREMEN2 in SMARCB1-deficient cancers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4770. [PMID: 38839769 PMCID: PMC11153594 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49063-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
SMARCB1, a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is the causative gene of rhabdoid tumors and epithelioid sarcomas. Here, we identify a paralog pair of CBP and p300 as a synthetic lethal target in SMARCB1-deficient cancers by using a dual siRNA screening method based on the "simultaneous inhibition of a paralog pair" concept. Treatment with CBP/p300 dual inhibitors suppresses growth of cell lines and tumor xenografts derived from SMARCB1-deficient cells but not from SMARCB1-proficient cells. SMARCB1-containing SWI/SNF complexes localize with H3K27me3 and its methyltransferase EZH2 at the promotor region of the KREMEN2 locus, resulting in transcriptional downregulation of KREMEN2. By contrast, SMARCB1 deficiency leads to localization of H3K27ac, and recruitment of its acetyltransferases CBP and p300, at the KREMEN2 locus, resulting in transcriptional upregulation of KREMEN2, which cooperates with the SMARCA1 chromatin remodeling complex. Simultaneous inhibition of CBP/p300 leads to transcriptional downregulation of KREMEN2, followed by apoptosis induction via monomerization of KREMEN1 due to a failure to interact with KREMEN2, which suppresses anti-apoptotic signaling pathways. Taken together, our findings indicate that simultaneous inhibitors of CBP/p300 could be promising therapeutic agents for SMARCB1-deficient cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Sasaki
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Daiki Kato
- Cancer Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka, 554-0022, Japan
| | - Karin Murakami
- Cancer Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka, 554-0022, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Shohei Takase
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Tsuguteru Otsubo
- Cancer Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka, 554-0022, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ogiwara
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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13
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Paolini RL, Souroullas GP. The Cell Cycle: a Key to Unlock EZH2-targeted Therapy Resistance. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:903-905. [PMID: 38826100 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
SUMMARY In this issue, a study by Kazansky and colleagues explored resistance mechanisms after EZH2 inhibition in malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT) and epithelioid sarcomas (ES). The study identified genetic alterations in EZH2 itself, along with alterations that converge on RB1-E2F-mediated cell-cycle control, and demonstrated that inhibition of cell-cycle kinases, such as Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) could bypass EZH2 inhibitor resistance to enhance treatment efficacy. See related article by Kazansky et al., p. 965 (6).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Paolini
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - George P Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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14
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Kazansky Y, Cameron D, Mueller HS, Demarest P, Zaffaroni N, Arrighetti N, Zuco V, Kuwahara Y, Somwar R, Ladanyi M, Qu R, de Stanchina E, Dela Cruz FS, Kung AL, Gounder MM, Kentsis A. Overcoming Clinical Resistance to EZH2 Inhibition Using Rational Epigenetic Combination Therapy. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:965-981. [PMID: 38315003 PMCID: PMC11147720 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic dependencies have become evident in many cancers. On the basis of antagonism between BAF/SWI-SNF and PRC2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, we recently completed the clinical trial of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat. However, the principles of tumor response to epigenetic therapy in general, and tazemetostat in particular, remain unknown. Using functional genomics and diverse experimental models, we define molecular mechanisms of tazemetostat resistance in SMARCB1-deficient tumors. We found distinct acquired mutations that converge on the RB1/E2F axis and decouple EZH2-dependent differentiation and cell-cycle control. This allows tumor cells to escape tazemetostat-induced G1 arrest, suggests a general mechanism for effective therapy, and provides prospective biomarkers for therapy stratification, including PRICKLE1. On the basis of this, we develop a combination strategy to circumvent tazemetostat resistance using bypass targeting of AURKB. This offers a paradigm for rational epigenetic combination therapy suitable for translation to clinical trials for epithelioid sarcomas, rhabdoid tumors, and other epigenetically dysregulated cancers. SIGNIFICANCE Genomic studies of patient epithelioid sarcomas and rhabdoid tumors identify mutations converging on a common pathway for response to EZH2 inhibition. Resistance mutations decouple drug-induced differentiation from cell-cycle control. We identify an epigenetic combination strategy to overcome resistance and improve durability of response, supporting its investigation in clinical trials. See related commentary by Paolini and Souroullas, p. 903. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Kazansky
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Cameron
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Helen S. Mueller
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phillip Demarest
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Zuco
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Yasumichi Kuwahara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Romel Somwar
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rui Qu
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Filemon S. Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mrinal M. Gounder
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
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15
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Mabe NW, Perry JA, Malone CF, Stegmaier K. Pharmacological targeting of the cancer epigenome. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:844-865. [PMID: 38937652 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation is increasingly appreciated as a hallmark of cancer, including disease initiation, maintenance and therapy resistance. As a result, there have been advances in the development and evaluation of epigenetic therapies for cancer, revealing substantial promise but also challenges. Three epigenetic inhibitor classes are approved in the USA, and many more are currently undergoing clinical investigation. In this Review, we discuss recent developments for each epigenetic drug class and their implications for therapy, as well as highlight new insights into the role of epigenetics in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel W Mabe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Perry
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Clare F Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Chen Y, Zhu H, Luo Y, Tong S, Liu Y. EZH2: The roles in targeted therapy and mechanisms of resistance in breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116624. [PMID: 38670045 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance presents a formidable challenge in the realm of breast cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), may serve as a key regulator in controlling drug resistance. EZH2 overexpression has been observed in breast cancer and many other malignancies, showing a strong correlation with poor outcomes. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms by which EZH2 regulates drug resistance, with a specific focus on breast cancer, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular processes. Additionally, we will discuss the current strategies and outcomes of targeting EZH2 using both single agents and combination therapies, with the goal of offering improved guidance for the clinical treatment of breast cancer patients who have developed drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Hongyan Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Yi Luo
- Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Biotheus Inc., Guangdong Province, Zhuhai 519080, PR China.
| | - Shuangmei Tong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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17
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Mironova E, Molinas S, Pozo VD, Bandyopadhyay AM, Lai Z, Kurmashev D, Schneider EL, Santi DV, Chen Y, Kurmasheva RT. Synergistic Antitumor Activity of Talazoparib and Temozolomide in Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2041. [PMID: 38893160 PMCID: PMC11171327 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) are among the most aggressive and treatment-resistant malignancies affecting infants, originating in the kidney, brain, liver, and soft tissues. The 5-year event-free survival rate for these cancers is a mere 20%. In nearly all cases of MRT, the SMARCB1 gene (occasionally SMARCA4)-a pivotal component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex-is homozygously deleted, although the precise etiology of these tumors remains unknown. While young patients with localized MRT generally show improved outcomes, especially those who are older and have early-stage disease, the overall prognosis remains poor despite optimal standard treatments. This highlights the urgent need for more effective treatment strategies. We investigated the antitumor activity of a PARP1 inhibitor (talazoparib, TLZ) combined with a DNA alkylating agent (temozolomide, TMZ) in MRT xenograft models. PARP1 is a widely targeted molecule in cancer treatment and, beyond its role in DNA repair, it participates in transcriptional regulation by recruiting chromatin remodeling complexes to modulate DNA accessibility for RNA polymerases. To widen the therapeutic window of the drug combination, we employed PEGylated TLZ (PEG~TLZ), which has been reported to reduce systemic toxicity through slow drug release. Remarkably, our findings indicate that five out of six MRT xenografts exhibited an objective response to PEG~TLZ+TMZ therapy. Significantly, the loss of SMARCB1 was found to confer a protective effect, correlating with higher expression levels of DNA damage and repair proteins in SMARCB1-deficient MRT cells. Additionally, we identified MGMT as a potential biomarker indicative of in vivo MRT response to PEG~TLZ+TMZ therapy. Moreover, our analysis revealed alterations in signaling pathways associated with the observed antitumor efficacy. This study presents a novel and efficacious therapeutic approach for MRT, along with a promising candidate biomarker for predicting tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mironova
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Sebastian Molinas
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Vanessa Del Pozo
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Abhik M. Bandyopadhyay
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Dias Kurmashev
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | | | - Yidong Chen
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Raushan T. Kurmasheva
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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18
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Kazansky Y, Mueller HS, Cameron D, Demarest P, Zaffaroni N, Arrighetti N, Zuco V, Mundi PS, Kuwahara Y, Somwar R, Qu R, Califano A, de Stanchina E, Dela Cruz FS, Kung AL, Gounder MM, Kentsis A. Epigenetic targeting of PGBD5-dependent DNA damage in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592420. [PMID: 38766189 PMCID: PMC11100591 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite the potential of targeted epigenetic therapies, most cancers do not respond to current epigenetic drugs. The Polycomb repressive complex EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat was recently approved for the treatment of SMARCB1-deficient epithelioid sarcomas, based on the functional antagonism between PRC2 and loss of SMARCB1. Through the analysis of tazemetostat-treated patient tumors, we recently defined key principles of their response and resistance to EZH2 epigenetic therapy. Here, using transcriptomic inference from SMARCB1-deficient tumor cells, we nominate the DNA damage repair kinase ATR as a target for rational combination EZH2 epigenetic therapy. We show that EZH2 inhibition promotes DNA damage in epithelioid and rhabdoid tumor cells, at least in part via its induction of the transposase-derived PGBD5. We leverage this collateral synthetic lethal dependency to target PGBD5-dependent DNA damage by inhibition of ATR but not CHK1 using elimusertib. Consequently, combined EZH2 and ATR inhibition improves therapeutic responses in diverse patient-derived epithelioid and rhabdoid tumors in vivo. This advances a combination epigenetic therapy based on EZH2-PGBD5 synthetic lethal dependency suitable for immediate translation to clinical trials for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Kazansky
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Helen S. Mueller
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Cameron
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phillip Demarest
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Zuco
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Prabhjot S. Mundi
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yasumichi Kuwahara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Romel Somwar
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rui Qu
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Filemon S. Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew L. Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mrinal M. Gounder
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Orleni M, Beumer JH. Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of tazemetostat. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2024; 93:509-517. [PMID: 38520556 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-024-04658-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Tazemetostat, a novel oral selective inhibitor of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 for use in patients with advanced epithelioid sarcoma or relapsed/refractory (R/R) EZH2-mutated follicular lymphoma. These indications were approved by the FDA trough accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response that resulted from phase 2 clinical trials. Tazemetostat competes with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cofactor to inhibit EZH2, reducing the levels of trimethylated lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3), considered as pharmacodynamic marker. Tazemetostat is orally bioavailable, characterized by rapid absorption and dose-proportional exposure, which is not influenced by coadministration with food or gastric acid reducing agents. It highly distributes in tissues, but with limited access to central nervous system. Tazemetostat is metabolized by CYP3A in the liver to 3 major inactive metabolites (M1, M3, and M5), has a short half-life and is mainly excreted in feces. Drug-drug interactions were shown with moderate CYP3A inhibitors as fluconazole, leading the FDA to recommend a 50% dose reduction, while studies investigating coadministration of tazemetostat with strong inhibitors/inducers are ongoing. No dosage modifications are recommended based on renal or hepatic dysfunctions. Overall, tazemetostat is the first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. Current clinical studies are evaluating combination therapies in patients with several malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Orleni
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Room G27E, Hillman Research Pavilion, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-1863, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
- Doctoral School in Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jan H Beumer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Room G27E, Hillman Research Pavilion, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-1863, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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20
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Li X, Tian S, Shi H, Ta N, Ni X, Bai C, Zhu Z, Chen Y, Shi D, Huang H, Chen L, Hu Z, Qu L, Fang Y, Bai C. The golden key to open mystery boxes of SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor: focusing immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:687-697. [PMID: 38347129 PMCID: PMC11101339 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor is extremely invasive. This tumor with poor prognosis is easily confused with SMARCA4-deficent non-small cell lung cancer or sarcoma. Standard and efficient treatment has not been established. In this review, we summarized the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis, reviewed current and proposed innovative strategies for treatment and improving prognosis. Immunotherapy, targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulator have improved the prognosis of cancer patients. We summarized clinicopathological features and immunotherapy strategies and analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with SMARCA4-UT who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition, we proposed the feasibility of epigenetic regulation in the treatment of SMARCA4-UT. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aims to explore innovative strategies for targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation and identify potential benefit population for immunotherapy to improve the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Sen Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, No. 906 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Ningbo, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
| | - Na Ta
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Ni
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Chenguang Bai
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanli Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Dongchen Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Longpei Chen
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhong Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Fang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
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21
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Chaudhri A, Lizee G, Hwu P, Rai K. Chromatin Remodelers Are Regulators of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Cancer Res 2024; 84:965-976. [PMID: 38266066 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors show remarkable responses in a wide range of cancers, yet patients develop adaptive resistance. This necessitates the identification of alternate therapies that synergize with immunotherapies. Epigenetic modifiers are potent mediators of tumor-intrinsic mechanisms and have been shown to regulate immune response genes, making them prime targets for therapeutic combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Some success has been observed in early clinical studies that combined immunotherapy with agents targeting DNA methylation and histone modification; however, less is known about chromatin remodeler-targeted therapies. Here, we provide a discussion on the regulation of tumor immunogenicity by the chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF complex through multiple mechanisms associated with immunotherapy response that broadly include IFN signaling, DNA damage, mismatch repair, regulation of oncogenic programs, and polycomb-repressive complex antagonism. Context-dependent targeting of SWI/SNF subunits can elicit opportunities for synthetic lethality and reduce T-cell exhaustion. In summary, alongside the significance of SWI/SNF subunits in predicting immunotherapy outcomes, their ability to modulate the tumor immune landscape offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorvi Chaudhri
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gregory Lizee
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MDACC Epigenomics Therapy Initiative, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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22
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Zhang M, Wu K, Zhang W, Lin X, Cao Q, Zhang L, Chen K. The therapeutic potential of targeting the CHD protein family in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108610. [PMID: 38367868 PMCID: PMC10942663 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic events undergo deregulation in various cancer types, playing crucial roles in tumor development. Among the epigenetic factors involved in the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) family frequently exhibits gain- or loss-of-function mutations in distinct cancer types. Therefore, targeting CHD remodelers holds the potential for antitumor treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic regulations of cancer development. We emphasize proteins in the CHD family, delving deeply into the intricate mechanisms governing their functions. Additionally, we provide an overview of current therapeutic strategies targeting CHD family members in preclinical trials. We further discuss the promising approaches that have demonstrated early signs of success in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wu
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Urology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lili Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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23
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Gao Y, Vakoc CR. Therapeutic index of targeting select chromatin complexes in human cancer patients. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102162. [PMID: 38401489 PMCID: PMC11072572 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant chromatin regulation can promote the initiation and progression of human cancer. An improved understanding of such mechanisms has resulted in the identification of cancers with an enhanced dependency on specific chromatin regulatory proteins relative to nonmalignant cell types. Hence, targeting of such complexes with small molecules has significant therapeutic potential in oncology. In recent years, several drugs have been developed and evaluated in human cancer patients, which can influence tumor biology by reprogramming of chromatin structure. In this review, we summarize several of the known mechanisms that endow cancer cells with a powerful dependency on chromatin regulation that exceeds the requirements for normal tissue homeostasis. We also summarize the remarkable small-molecule inhibitors that exploit chromatin regulator dependencies with a clear therapeutic benefit in human cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA. https://twitter.com/@yuangao_yg
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24
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Wu QP, Vang S, Zhou JQ, Krick S, Barnes JW, Sanders YY. O-GlcNAc regulates anti-fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts through EZH2. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18191. [PMID: 38494860 PMCID: PMC10945079 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are involved in fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and contribute to the silencing of anti-fibrotic genes. H3K27me3, a key repressive histone mark, is catalysed by the methyltransferase enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), which is regulated by the post-translational modification, O-linked N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). In this study, we explored the effects of O-GlcNAc and EZH2 on the expression of antifibrotic genes, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) and Heme Oxygenase (Homx1). The expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 was examined in primary IPF or non-IPF lung fibroblasts with or without EZH2 inhibitor EZP6438, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor (OSMI-1) or O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor (thiamet G). Non-IPF cells were also subjected to TGF-β1 with or without OGT inhibition. The reduced expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 in IPF lung fibroblasts is restored by OGT inhibition. In non-IPF fibroblasts, TGF-β1 treatment reduces Cox2 and Hmox1 expression, which was restored by OGT inhibition. ChIP assays demonstrated that the association of H3K27me3 is reduced at the Cox2 and Hmox1 promoter regions following OGT or EZH2 inhibition. EZH2 levels and stability were decreased by reducing O-GlcNAc. Our study provided a novel mechanism of O-GlcNAc modification in regulating anti-fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts and in the pathogenesis of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuming P. Wu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Shia Vang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jennifer Q. Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell BiologyEastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolkVirginiaUSA
| | - Stefanie Krick
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jarrod W. Barnes
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Yan Y. Sanders
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell BiologyEastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolkVirginiaUSA
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25
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Wachtel M, Surdez D, Grünewald TGP, Schäfer BW. Functional Classification of Fusion Proteins in Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1355. [PMID: 38611033 PMCID: PMC11010897 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin. More than 80 entities are associated with different mesenchymal lineages. Sarcomas with fibroblastic, muscle, bone, vascular, adipocytic, and other characteristics are distinguished. Nearly half of all entities contain specific chromosomal translocations that give rise to fusion proteins. These are mostly pathognomonic, and their detection by various molecular techniques supports histopathologic classification. Moreover, the fusion proteins act as oncogenic drivers, and their blockade represents a promising therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the current knowledge on fusion proteins in sarcoma. We categorize the different fusion proteins into functional classes, including kinases, epigenetic regulators, and transcription factors, and describe their mechanisms of action. Interestingly, while fusion proteins acting as transcription factors are found in all mesenchymal lineages, the others have a more restricted pattern. Most kinase-driven sarcomas belong to the fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lineage. Fusion proteins with an epigenetic function are mainly associated with sarcomas of unclear differentiation, suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation leads to a major change in cell identity. Comparison of mechanisms of action reveals recurrent functional modes, including antagonism of Polycomb activity by fusion proteins with epigenetic activity and recruitment of histone acetyltransferases by fusion transcription factors of the myogenic lineage. Finally, based on their biology, we describe potential approaches to block the activity of fusion proteins for therapeutic intervention. Overall, our work highlights differences as well as similarities in the biology of fusion proteins from different sarcomas and provides the basis for a functional classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, a Partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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26
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Chomiak AA, Tiedemann RL, Liu Y, Kong X, Cui Y, Wiseman AK, Thurlow KE, Cornett EM, Topper MJ, Baylin SB, Rothbart SB. Select EZH2 inhibitors enhance viral mimicry effects of DNMT inhibition through a mechanism involving NFAT:AP-1 signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4423. [PMID: 38536911 PMCID: PMC10971413 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) efficacy in solid tumors is limited. Colon cancer cells exposed to DNMTi accumulate lysine-27 trimethylation on histone H3 (H3K27me3). We propose this Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2)-dependent repressive modification limits DNMTi efficacy. Here, we show that low-dose DNMTi treatment sensitizes colon cancer cells to select EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2is). Integrative epigenomic analysis reveals that DNMTi-induced H3K27me3 accumulates at genomic regions poised with EZH2. Notably, combined EZH2i and DNMTi alters the epigenomic landscape to transcriptionally up-regulate the calcium-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT):activating protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathway. Blocking this pathway limits transcriptional activating effects of these drugs, including transposable element and innate immune response gene expression involved in viral defense. Analysis of primary human colon cancer specimens reveals positive correlations between DNMTi-, innate immune response-, and calcium signaling-associated transcription profiles. Collectively, we show that compensatory EZH2 activity limits DNMTi efficacy in colon cancer and link NFAT:AP-1 signaling to epigenetic therapy-induced viral mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Chomiak
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | - Yanqing Liu
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Xiangqian Kong
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ying Cui
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ashley K. Wiseman
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kate E. Thurlow
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Evan M. Cornett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael J. Topper
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- Department of Oncology, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Scott B. Rothbart
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Spisak S, Chen D, Likasitwatanakul P, Doan P, Li Z, Bala P, Vizkeleti L, Tisza V, De Silva P, Giannakis M, Wolpin B, Qi J, Sethi NS. Identifying regulators of aberrant stem cell and differentiation activity in colorectal cancer using a dual endogenous reporter system. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2230. [PMID: 38472198 PMCID: PMC10933491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46285-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant stem cell-like activity and impaired differentiation are central to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). To identify functional mediators of these key cellular programs, we engineer a dual endogenous reporter system by genome-editing the SOX9 and KRT20 loci of human CRC cell lines to express fluorescent reporters, broadcasting aberrant stem cell-like and differentiation activity, respectively. By applying a CRISPR screen targeting 78 epigenetic regulators with 542 sgRNAs to this platform, we identify factors that contribute to stem cell-like activity and differentiation in CRC. Perturbation single cell RNA sequencing (Perturb-seq) of validated hits nominate SMARCB1 of the BAF complex (also known as SWI/SNF) as a negative regulator of differentiation across an array of neoplastic colon models. SMARCB1 is a dependency and required for in vivo growth of human CRC models. These studies highlight the utility of biologically designed endogenous reporter platforms to uncover regulators with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandor Spisak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pornlada Likasitwatanakul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul Doan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhixin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pratyusha Bala
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura Vizkeleti
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktoria Tisza
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pushpamali De Silva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marios Giannakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nilay S Sethi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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28
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Shi MY, Wang Y, Shi Y, Tian R, Chen X, Zhang H, Wang K, Chen Z, Chen R. SETDB1-mediated CD147-K71 di-methylation promotes cell apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Genes Dis 2024; 11:978-992. [PMID: 37692516 PMCID: PMC10491884 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) are at the heart status of cellular signaling events and broadly involved in tumor progression. CD147 is a tumor biomarker with various PTMs, promoting tumor metastasis and metabolism reprogramming. Nevertheless, the relationship between the PTMs of CD147 and apoptosis has not been reported. In our study, we produced a specific anti-CD147-K71 di-methylation (CD147-K71me2) antibody by immunizing with a di-methylated peptide and observed that the level of CD147-K71me2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues were lower than that in NSCLC adjacent tissues. SETDB1 was identified as the methyltransferase catalyzing CD147 to generate CD147-K71me2. RNA-seq showed that FOSB was the most significant differentially expressed gene (DEG) between wild-type CD147 (CD147-WT) and K71-mutant CD147 (CD147-K71R) groups. Subsequently, we found that CD147-K71me2 promoted the expression of FOSB by enhancing the phosphorylation of p38, leading to tumor cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments showed that CD147-K71me2 significantly inhibited tumor progression by promoting cell apoptosis. Taken together, our findings indicate the inhibitory role of CD147-K71me2 in tumor progression from the perspective of post-translational modification, which is distinct from the pro-cancer function of CD147 itself, broadening our perspective on tumor-associated antigen CD147.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ruofei Tian
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Xiaohong Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Hai Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Ke Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Zhinan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Ruo Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
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29
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Seneviratne JA, Ho WWH, Glancy E, Eckersley-Maslin MA. A low-input high resolution sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation method captures genome-wide dynamics of bivalent chromatin. Epigenetics Chromatin 2024; 17:3. [PMID: 38336688 PMCID: PMC10858499 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-024-00527-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bivalent chromatin is an exemplar of epigenetic plasticity. This co-occurrence of active-associated H3K4me3 and inactive-associated H3K27me3 histone modifications on opposite tails of the same nucleosome occurs predominantly at promoters that are poised for future transcriptional upregulation or terminal silencing. We know little of the dynamics, resolution, and regulation of this chromatin state outside of embryonic stem cells where it was first described. This is partly due to the technical challenges distinguishing bone-fide bivalent chromatin, where both marks are on the same nucleosome, from allelic or sample heterogeneity where there is a mix of H3K4me3-only and H3K27me3-only mononucleosomes. RESULTS Here, we present a robust and sensitive method to accurately map bivalent chromatin genome-wide, along with controls, from as little as 2 million cells. We optimized and refined the sequential ChIP protocol which uses two sequential overnight immunoprecipitation reactions to robustly purify nucleosomes that are truly bivalent and contain both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 modifications. Our method generates high quality genome-wide maps with strong peak enrichment and low background, which can be analyzed using standard bioinformatic packages. Using this method, we detect 8,789 bivalent regions in mouse embryonic stem cells corresponding to 3,918 predominantly CpG rich and developmentally regulated gene promoters. Furthermore, profiling Dppa2/4 knockout mouse embryonic stem cells, which lose both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 at approximately 10% of bivalent promoters, demonstrated the ability of our method to capture bivalent chromatin dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Our optimized sequential reChIP method enables high-resolution genome-wide assessment of bivalent chromatin together with all required controls in as little as 2 million cells. We share a detailed protocol and guidelines that will enable bivalent chromatin landscapes to be generated in a range of cellular contexts, greatly enhancing our understanding of bivalent chromatin and epigenetic plasticity beyond embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janith A Seneviratne
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - William W H Ho
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Eleanor Glancy
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Melanie A Eckersley-Maslin
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Xiao B, Shi Z, Liu J, Huang Q, Shu K, Liu F, Zhi C, Zhang D, Wu L, Yang S, Zeng X, Fan T, Liu Z, Jiang Y. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of VHL-based EZH2 degraders for breast cancer. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107078. [PMID: 38181661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) is one of the most important histone methyltransferases (HMTs), and overexpression of EZH2 can lead to proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of tumor cells. But most of EZH2 inhibitors are only effective against some hematologic malignancies and have poor efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of highly potent proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTACs) small molecules targeting EZH2. We developed a potent and effective EZH2 degrader P4, which effectively induced EZH2 protein degradation and inhibited breast cancer cell growth. Further studies showed that P4 can significantly decrease the degree of H3K27me3 in MDA-MB-231 cell line, induce apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest in Pfeiffer and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Therefore, P4 is a potential anticancer molecule for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boren Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhichao Shi
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Qiuhua Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kaifei Shu
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Funian Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Cailian Zhi
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Lihong Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shiqi Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Xiliang Zeng
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
| | - Zijian Liu
- Shenzhen Kivita Innovative Drug Discovery Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China; Shenzhen Winkey Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China.
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Spisak S, Chen D, Likasitwatanakul P, Doan P, Li Z, Bala P, Vizkeleti L, Tisza V, De Silva P, Giannakis M, Wolpin B, Qi J, Sethi NS. Utilizing a dual endogenous reporter system to identify functional regulators of aberrant stem cell and differentiation activity in colorectal cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.21.545895. [PMID: 38293113 PMCID: PMC10827082 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.21.545895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant stem cell-like activity and impaired differentiation are central to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). To identify functional mediators that regulate these key cellular programs in CRC, we developed an endogenous reporter system by genome-editing human CRC cell lines with knock-in fluorescent reporters at the SOX9 and KRT20 locus to report aberrant stem cell-like activity and differentiation, respectively, and then performed pooled genetic perturbation screens. Constructing a dual reporter system that simultaneously monitored aberrant stem cell-like and differentiation activity in the same CRC cell line improved our signal to noise discrimination. Using a focused-library CRISPR screen targeting 78 epigenetic regulators with 542 sgRNAs, we identified factors that contribute to stem cell-like activity and differentiation in CRC. Perturbation single cell RNA sequencing (Perturb-seq) of validated hits nominated SMARCB1 of the BAF complex (also known as SWI/SNF) as a negative regulator of differentiation across an array of neoplastic colon models. SMARCB1 is a dependency in CRC and required for in vivo growth of human CRC models. These studies highlight the utility of a biologically designed endogenous reporter system to uncover novel therapeutic targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandor Spisak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Enzymology, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pornlada Likasitwatanakul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul Doan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhixin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pratyusha Bala
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura Vizkeleti
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktoria Tisza
- Institute of Enzymology, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pushpamail De Silva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marios Giannakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nilay S. Sethi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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Liu J, Fan H, Liang X, Chen Y. Polycomb repressor complex: Its function in human cancer and therapeutic target strategy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115897. [PMID: 37981459 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb Repressor Complex (PRC) plays a pivotal role in gene regulation during development and disease, with dysregulation contributing significantly to various human cancers. The intricate interplay between PRC and cellular signaling pathways sheds light on cancer complexity. PRC presents promising therapeutic opportunities, with inhibitors undergoing rigorous evaluation in preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we emphasize the critical role of PRC complex in gene regulation, particularly PcG proteins mediated chromatin compaction through phase separation. We also highlight the pathological implications of PRC complex dysregulation in various tumors, elucidating underlying mechanisms driving cancer progression. The burgeoning field of therapeutic strategies targeting PRC complexes, notably EZH2 inhibitors, has advanced significantly. However, we explore the need for combination therapies to enhance PRC targeted treatments efficacy, providing a glimpse into the future of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Liu
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Hongjie Fan
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Xinmiao Liang
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Yang Chen
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
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Li JJ, Lee CS. The Role of the AT-Rich Interaction Domain 1A Gene ( ARID1A) in Human Carcinogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 15:5. [PMID: 38275587 PMCID: PMC10815128 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) (SWI/SNF) complex uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to mobilise nucleosomes on chromatin. Components of SWI/SNF are mutated in 20% of all human cancers, of which mutations in AT-rich binding domain protein 1A (ARID1A) are the most common. ARID1A is mutated in nearly half of ovarian clear cell carcinoma and around one-third of endometrial and ovarian carcinomas of the endometrioid type. This review will examine in detail the molecular functions of ARID1A, including its role in cell cycle control, enhancer regulation, and the prevention of telomerase activity. ARID1A has key roles in the maintenance of genomic integrity, including DNA double-stranded break repair, DNA decatenation, integrity of the cohesin complex, and reduction in replication stress, and is also involved in mismatch repair. The role of ARID1A loss in the pathogenesis of some of the most common human cancers is discussed, with a particular emphasis on gynaecological cancers. Finally, several promising synthetic lethal strategies, which exploit the specific vulnerabilities of ARID1A-deficient cancer cells, are briefly mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jing Li
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Cheok Soon Lee
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2010, Australia
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Zhou B, Wang B, Zou F, Mei H, Liu Q, Qi S, Wang W, Jin R, Wang A, Chen Y, Liu F, Wang W, Liu J, Liu Q. Discovery of dihydropyridinone derivative as a covalent EZH2 degrader. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115825. [PMID: 37826933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
EZH2 is overexpressed in multiple types of cancer and high expression level of EZH2 correlates with poor prognosis. Besides the regulation of H3K27 trimethylation, EZH2 itself regulates its downstream proteins in a PRC2- and methylation-independent way. Starting from an approved EZH2 inhibitor EPZ-6438, we used covalent drug design and medicinal chemistry approaches to discover a novel covalent EZH2 degrader 38, which forms a covalent bond with EZH2 Cys663 and showed strong biochemical activities against EZH2 WT and mutants. Compound 38 exhibited potent antiproliferation effects against both B-cell lymphoma and TNBC cell lines by reducing the levels of H3K27me3 and EZH2. The mass spectrometry, washout and competition experiments confirmed the covalent binding of 38 to EZH2. This study demonstrates that covalent EZH2 degraders could provide an opportunity for the development of promising new drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Beilei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Fengming Zou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Qingwang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Shuang Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Wenliang Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Rui Jin
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China
| | - Aoli Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Yongfei Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Feiyang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Jing Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China.
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China.
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Pouvreau P, Coelho J, Rumeau C, Malard O, Garrel R, Michel J, Righini C, Vergez S, Baudouin R, Bastit V, Marie JP, Villepelet A, Moya-Plana A, Philouze P, Saroul N, Digue L, Daste A, Renard S, Moriniere S, Carsuzaa F, Verillaud B, Poissonnet G, Schultz P, Brenet E, Mouawad F, Thariat J, Vulquin N, Castain C, de Gabory L, Dupin C. Management of 80 sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas. Retrospective multicentre study of the French Network of Rare Head and Neck Cancers (REFCOR). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2023; 49:107108. [PMID: 37866154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.107108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and aggressive disease requiring multimodal treatment, and multiple new entities once included in the spectrum of SNUC, such as SWI/SNF-deficient carcinomas, are emerging. We aimed to provide new data regarding the role of chemotherapy and surgery and the prognostic factors of disease-free survival. METHODS This study was based on data from the REFCOR database and included patients with SNUC treated with curative intent from 2007 to 2021 across 22 centres in France. RESULTS A total of 80 patients were included in the analysis. Among the entire cohort, the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 58% and 63%, respectively. Of 100% of the patients treated with irradiation, 29% underwent surgery, 56% neoadjuvant chemotherapy (82% had either a partial or a complete response) and 76% chemoradiotherapy. No treatment modality was associated with a better OS or DFS, including surgery (p = 0.34). There was a trend for a better DFS for the patients treated with chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or concomitant, p = 0.062). Overall survival at 3 years was 58% for SWI/SNF deficient group and 86% for non deficient group (p = 0.14). The locoregional relapse rate without distant metastases was 21% in the exclusive radiotherapy group and 26% in the surgery group. Grade 3 or higher toxicities concerned 9%, 32% and 29% of patients for surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy respectively. CONCLUSION In the management of localised SNUC among all patients treated with irradiation, surgery yielded no benefit, whereas the addition of chemotherapy tended to improve disease-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Pouvreau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Bordeaux University Hospital, F33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Julien Coelho
- Bordeaux University, na unit, UMR 6033, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cécile Rumeau
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Nancy University Hospital, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
| | - Olivier Malard
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Renaud Garrel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Justin Michel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Christian Righini
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Sebastien Vergez
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Robin Baudouin
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
| | - Vianney Bastit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Jean-Paul Marie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Aude Villepelet
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Créteil Intercommunal Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Antoine Moya-Plana
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Pierre Philouze
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Group of lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Saroul
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laurence Digue
- Department of Oncology, Bordeaux University Hospital, F33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Amaury Daste
- Department of Oncology, Bordeaux University Hospital, F33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sophie Renard
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Nancy University Hospital, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
| | - Sylvain Moriniere
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tours University Hospital, Tours, France
| | - Florent Carsuzaa
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Benjamin Verillaud
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Poissonnet
- Department of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, Antoine Lacassagne Center, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Schultz
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Esteban Brenet
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
| | - François Mouawad
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Juliette Thariat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, François Baclesse Center, Caen, France
| | - Noémie Vulquin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
| | - Claire Castain
- Department of Pathology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ludovic de Gabory
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Bordeaux University Hospital, F33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Charles Dupin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Bordeaux University Hospital, F33000, Bordeaux, France; Bordeaux University, na unit, UMR 6033, F-33000, Bordeaux, France; BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of OnCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
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Aziz N, Hong YH, Kim HG, Kim JH, Cho JY. Tumor-suppressive functions of protein lysine methyltransferases. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2475-2497. [PMID: 38036730 PMCID: PMC10766653 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01117-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) play crucial roles in histone and nonhistone modifications, and their dysregulation has been linked to the development and progression of cancer. While the majority of studies have focused on the oncogenic functions of PKMTs, extensive evidence has indicated that these enzymes also play roles in tumor suppression by regulating the stability of p53 and β-catenin, promoting α-tubulin-mediated genomic stability, and regulating the transcription of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Despite their contradictory roles in tumorigenesis, many PKMTs have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. However, PKMT inhibitors may have unintended negative effects depending on the specific cancer type and target enzyme. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize the tumor-suppressive effects of PKMTs and to provide new insights into the development of anticancer drugs targeting PKMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Aziz
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yo Han Hong
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Gyung Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Youl Cho
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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Huang Y, Durall RT, Luong NM, Hertzler HJ, Huang J, Gokhale PC, Leeper BA, Persky NS, Root DE, Anekal PV, Montero Llopis PD, David CN, Kutok JL, Raimondi A, Saluja K, Luo J, Zahnow CA, Adane B, Stegmaier K, Hawkins CE, Ponne C, Le Q, Shapiro GI, Lemieux ME, Eagen KP, French CA. EZH2 Cooperates with BRD4-NUT to Drive NUT Carcinoma Growth by Silencing Key Tumor Suppressor Genes. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3956-3973. [PMID: 37747726 PMCID: PMC10843040 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
NUT carcinoma is an aggressive carcinoma driven by the BRD4-NUT fusion oncoprotein, which activates chromatin to promote expression of progrowth genes. BET bromodomain inhibitors (BETi) are a promising treatment for NUT carcinoma that can impede BRD4-NUT's ability to activate genes, but the efficacy of BETi as monotherapy is limited. Here, we demonstrated that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which silences genes through establishment of repressive chromatin, is a dependency in NUT carcinoma. Inhibition of EZH2 with the clinical compound tazemetostat potently blocked growth of NUT carcinoma cells. Epigenetic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that tazemetostat reversed the EZH2-specific H3K27me3 silencing mark and restored expression of multiple tumor suppressor genes while having no effect on key oncogenic BRD4-NUT-regulated genes. Indeed, H3K27me3 and H3K27ac domains were found to be mutually exclusive in NUT carcinoma cells. CDKN2A was identified as the only gene among all tazemetostat-derepressed genes to confer resistance to tazemetostat in a CRISPR-Cas9 screen. Combined inhibition of EZH2 and BET synergized to downregulate cell proliferation genes, resulting in more pronounced growth arrest and differentiation than either inhibitor alone. In preclinical models, combined tazemetostat and BETi synergistically blocked tumor growth and prolonged survival of NUT carcinoma-xenografted mice, with complete remission without relapse in one cohort. Identification of EZH2 as a dependency in NUT carcinoma substantiates the reliance of NUT carcinoma tumor cells on epigenetic dysregulation of functionally opposite, yet highly complementary, chromatin regulatory pathways to maintain NUT carcinoma growth. SIGNIFICANCE Repression of tumor suppressor genes, including CDKN2A, by EZH2 provides a mechanistic rationale for combining EZH2 and BET inhibitors for the clinical treatment of NUT carcinoma. See related commentary by Kazansky and Kentsis, p. 3827.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeying Huang
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R. Taylor Durall
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nhi M. Luong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans J. Hertzler
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julianna Huang
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Prafulla C. Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittaney A. Leeper
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - David E. Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Praju V. Anekal
- MicRoN, Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Karan Saluja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Zahnow
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Biniam Adane
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine E. Hawkins
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Ponne
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Quan Le
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Geoffrey I. Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Kyle P. Eagen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher A. French
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Land G, Van Haeringen B, Cooper C, Andelkovic V, O'Rourke T. A Rare Case of Rhabdoid Pancreatic Carcinoma: Prolonged Disease-Free Survival Following Upfront Resection and Adjuvant Chemotherapy. Cureus 2023; 15:e50145. [PMID: 38186431 PMCID: PMC10771581 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The rhabdoid subtype of undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma is rarely reported. The clinical course of this disease is therefore poorly understood, although it is apparently an aggressive malignancy. We herein discuss the case of a 69-year-old man presenting with a rapidly enlarging mass of the pancreatic body and tail who was diagnosed with locally advanced SMARCB1-deficient undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with rhabdoid features, treated with radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy, and has achieved 18-month disease-free survival ongoing at the time of article publication. We identify and contrast our case with 15 similar tumors reported in the English literature, briefly discuss the biology of this tumor, its relationship to malignant rhabdoid tumors of childhood, the role of SMARCB1 and its parent complex switch/sucrose-non-fermentable chromatin remodeling complex (SWI/SNF) in modulating the behavior of pancreatic malignancy, and the potential therapeutic avenues available for SWI/SNF-mutated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Land
- General Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, AUS
| | | | - Caroline Cooper
- Anatomical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, AUS
| | | | - Thomas O'Rourke
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, AUS
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Kazansky Y, Cameron D, Mueller HS, Demarest P, Zaffaroni N, Arrighetti N, Zuco V, Kuwahara Y, Somwar R, Ladanyi M, Qu R, De Stanchina E, Dela Cruz FS, Kung AL, Gounder M, Kentsis A. Overcoming clinical resistance to EZH2 inhibition using rational epigenetic combination therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527192. [PMID: 36798379 PMCID: PMC9934575 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Essential epigenetic dependencies have become evident in many cancers. Based on the functional antagonism between BAF/SWI/SNF and PRC2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, we and colleagues recently completed the clinical trial of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat. However, the principles of tumor response to epigenetic therapy in general, and tazemetostat in particular, remain unknown. Using functional genomics of patient tumors and diverse experimental models, we sought to define molecular mechanisms of tazemetostat resistance in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas and rhabdoid tumors. We found distinct classes of acquired mutations that converge on the RB1/E2F axis and decouple EZH2-dependent differentiation and cell cycle control. This allows tumor cells to escape tazemetostat-induced G1 arrest despite EZH2 inhibition, and suggests a general mechanism for effective EZH2 therapy. This also enables us to develop combination strategies to circumvent tazemetostat resistance using cell cycle bypass targeting via AURKB, and synthetic lethal targeting of PGBD5-dependent DNA damage repair via ATR. This reveals prospective biomarkers for therapy stratification, including PRICKLE1 associated with tazemetostat resistance. In all, this work offers a paradigm for rational epigenetic combination therapy suitable for immediate translation to clinical trials for epithelioid sarcomas, rhabdoid tumors, and other epigenetically dysregulated cancers.
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Chi SN, Yi JS, Williams PM, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Patton DR, Coffey BD, Reid JM, Piao J, Saguilig L, Alonzo TA, Berg SL, Ramirez NC, Jaju A, Mhlanga JC, Fox E, Hawkins DS, Mooney MM, Takebe N, Tricoli JV, Janeway KA, Seibel NL, Parsons DW. Tazemetostat for tumors harboring SMARCB1/SMARCA4 or EZH2 alterations: results from NCI-COG pediatric MATCH APEC1621C. J Natl Cancer Inst 2023; 115:1355-1363. [PMID: 37228094 PMCID: PMC11009504 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND National Cancer Institute-Children's Oncology Group Pediatric Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice assigns patients aged 1-21 years with refractory solid tumors, brain tumors, lymphomas, and histiocytic disorders to phase II trials of molecularly targeted therapies based on detection of predefined genetic alterations. Patients whose tumors harbored EZH2 mutations or loss of SMARCB1 or SMARCA4 by immunohistochemistry were treated with EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat. METHODS Patients received tazemetostat for 28-day cycles until disease progression or intolerable toxicity (max 26 cycles). The primary endpoint was objective response rate; secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and tolerability of tazemetostat. RESULTS Twenty patients (median age = 5 years) enrolled, all evaluable for response and toxicities. The most frequent diagnoses were atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (n = 8) and malignant rhabdoid tumor (n = 4). Actionable alterations consisted of SMARCB1 loss (n = 16), EZH2 mutation (n = 3), and SMARCA4 loss (n = 1). One objective response was observed in a patient with non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with SMARCA4 loss (26 cycles, 1200 mg/m2/dose twice daily). Four patients with SMARCB1 loss had a best response of stable disease: epithelioid sarcoma (n = 2), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (n = 1), and renal medullary carcinoma (n = 1). Six-month progression-free survival was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.7% to 55.2%) and 6-month overall survival was 45% (95% CI = 23.1% to 64.7%). Treatment-related adverse events were consistent with prior tazemetostat reports. CONCLUSIONS Although tazemetostat did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint in this population of refractory pediatric tumors (objective response rate = 5%, 90% CI = 1% to 20%), 25% of patients with multiple histologic diagnoses experienced prolonged stable disease of 6 months and over (range = 9-26 cycles), suggesting a potential effect of tazemetostat on disease stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan N Chi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanna S Yi
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - P Mickey Williams
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David R Patton
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brent D Coffey
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joel M Reid
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jin Piao
- Department of Biostatistics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Saguilig
- Children’s Oncology Group Statistical Center, Monrovia, CA, USA
| | - Todd A Alonzo
- Department of Biostatistics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stacey L Berg
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nilsa C Ramirez
- Biopathology Center, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alok Jaju
- Department of Radiology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joyce C Mhlanga
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Margaret M Mooney
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Naoko Takebe
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James V Tricoli
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine A Janeway
- Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nita L Seibel
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - D Williams Parsons
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Amin MN, El-Far YM, El-Mowafy M, Elgaml A. Tazemetostat decreases β-catenin and CD13 protein expression in HEPG-2 and Hepatitis B virus-transfected HEPG-2 with decreased cell viability. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:180. [PMID: 37941056 PMCID: PMC10634085 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01593-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the global health concerns. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of HCC. Poor clinical outcome of HCC patients is attributed to a small population of cancer cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this work, we studied the effect of inhibiting the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase known to be overexpressed in CSCs, using tazemetostat (Taz). The effect of Taz was assessed in the HCC cell line (HEPG2) and Hepatitis B virus-transfected HEPG2 (HBV/HEPG2) cells. MTT assay showed a significant decrease in HEPG2 cells viability after 48 h treatment with either 0.5, 1, 4 or 6 μM Taz. HEPG2 and HBV/HEPG2 cells were incubated with either 0.5 or 1 μM Taz for 48 h, and then, the cells and supernatants were collected for protein expression analysis of EZH2, CD13, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and β-catenin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Taz showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of EZH2, CD13 and β-catenin in HEPG2 and HBV/HEPG2 cells. Also, EpCAM protein levels were significantly decreased in HBV/HEPG2 but not in HEPG2 cell line alone. Our results indicate that Taz inhibition of EZH2 leads to downregulation of β-catenin signaling and eventually decreased expression of CD13 and EpCAM, which are characteristic for CSCs. The present study suggests that Taz could be a promising treatment for HCC including HBV-induced HCC that might be used in combination with radio/chemotherapy to target CSCs and prevent tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed N Amin
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Yousra M El-Far
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohammed El-Mowafy
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz Elgaml
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Damietta, 34518, Egypt.
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Xie H, Xu W, Liang J, Liu Y, Zhuo C, Zou X, Luo W, Xiao J, Lin Y, Chen L, Li H. Design, synthesis and evaluation of EZH2-based PROTACs targeting PRC2 complex in lymphoma. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106762. [PMID: 37572533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
EZH2 is a member of PcG and can induce the occurrence of cancer when it is highly expressed. As an EZH2 inhibitor, Tazemetostat (EPZ6438) can inhibit the methylation catalytic activity of EZH2. However, many studies have shown that inhibition of EZH2 alone does not efficiently block tumor development. Therefore, in this study, proteolytic targeting chimera technology was employed to enhance the antiproliferative potency of EPZ6438 by degrading the oncogenic activity of EZH2. Several PROTACs have been synthesized by combining EPZ6438 with four E3 ligase ligands based on VHL, CRBN, MDM2, and cIAP E3 ligase systems. In our study, compound E-3P-MDM2 is the most active PROTAC molecule. It degraded EZH2 of the SU-DHL-6 cells in a concentration and dose-dependent manner and also degraded both EED and SUZ12 protein without affecting their mRNA levels, then significantly inhibited the expression of H3K27me3. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of E-3P-MDM2 was much stronger than that of EPZ6438.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Xie
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Chenxi Zhuo
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zou
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Weihong Luo
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jianping Xiao
- The Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350003, China.
| | - Yu Lin
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
| | - Lixia Chen
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Hua Li
- Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Budagaga Y, Sabet Z, Zhang Y, Novotná E, Hanke I, Rozkoš T, Hofman J. Tazemetostat synergistically combats multidrug resistance by the unique triple inhibition of ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 efflux transporters in vitro and ex vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115769. [PMID: 37634597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug efflux transporters and drug metabolizing enzymes play crucial roles in pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions and multidrug tumor resistance (MDR). Tazemetostat (EPZ-6438, Tazverik) is a novel epigenetic drug that has been recently approved for the therapy of advanced epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma. Additionally, this medication is currently being clinically tested to treat several other cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of tazemetostat on selected ABC transporters/cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme to comprehensively explore its role in MDR. First, our accumulation and molecular docking studies showed that tazemetostat is a unique triple inhibitor of ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 transporters. In contrast, tazemetostat exhibited only low level of interaction with the CYP3A4 isozyme. Drug combination assays confirmed that tazemetostat is a multipotent MDR modulator able to synergize with various conventional chemotherapeutics in vitro. Subsequent caspase activity assays and microscopic staining of apoptotic nuclei proved that the effective induction of apoptosis is behind the observed synergies. Notably, a potent MDR-modulatory capacity of tazemetostat was recorded in primary ex vivo NSCLC explants generated from patients' biopsies. On the contrary, its possible position of pharmacokinetic MDR's victim was excluded in comparative proliferation assays. Finally, tested drug has not been identified as an inducer of resistant phenotype in NSCLC cell lines. In conclusion, we demonstrated that tazemetostat is a unique multispecific chemosensitizer, which has strong potential to overcome limitations seen in the era of traditional MDR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssif Budagaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ziba Sabet
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Novotná
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Hanke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Rozkoš
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hofman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Lanzi C, Arrighetti N, Pasquali S, Cassinelli G. Targeting EZH2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas: Advances and opportunities to potentiate the efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115727. [PMID: 37541451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare mesechymal malignancies characterized by distintive molecular, histological and clinical features. Many STSs are considered as predominatly epigenetic diseases due to underlying chromatin deregulation. Discovery of deregulated functional antagonism between the chromatin remodeling BRG1/BRM-associated (BAFs) and the histone modifying Polycomb repressor complexes (PRCs) has provided novel actionable targets. In epithelioid sarcoma (ES), extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumors (eMRTs) and synovial sarcoma (SS), the total or partial loss of the BAF core subunit SMARCB1, driven by different alterations, is associated with PRC2 deregulation and dependency on its enzymatic subunit, EZH2. In these SMARCB1-deficient STSs, aberrant EZH2 expression and/or activity emerged as a druggable vulnerability. Although preclinical investigation supported EZH2 targeting as a promising therapeutic option, clinical studies demonstrated a variable response to EZH2 inhibitors. Actually, whereas the clinical benefit recorded in ES patients prompted the FDA approval of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, the modest and sporadic responses observed in eMRT and SS patients highlighted the need to deepen mechanistic as well as pharmacological investigations to improve drug effectiveness. We summarize the current knowledge of different mechanisms driving SMARCB1 deficiency and EZH2 deregulation in ES, eMRT and SS along with preclinical and clinical studies of EZH2-targeting agents. Possible implication of the PRC2- and enzymatic-independent functions of EZH2 and of its homolog, EZH1, in the response to anti-EZH2 agents will be discussed together with combinatorial strategies under investigation to improve the efficacy of EZH2 targeting in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lanzi
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Pasquali
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cassinelli
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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45
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Geller JI, Hong AL, Vallance KL, Evageliou N, Aldrink JH, Cost NG, Treece AL, Renfro LA, Mullen EA. Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Renal tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70 Suppl 6:e30586. [PMID: 37477907 PMCID: PMC10529605 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Every year, approximately 600 infants, children, and adolescents are diagnosed with renal cancer in the United States. In addition to Wilms tumor (WT), which accounts for about 80% of all pediatric renal cancers, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, renal cell carcinoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor, as well as more rare cancers (other sarcomas, rare carcinomas, lymphoma) and benign tumors can originate within the kidney. WT itself can be divided into favorable histology (FHWT), with a 5-year overall survival (OS) exceeding 90%, and anaplastic histology, with 4-year OS of 73.7%. Outcomes of the other pediatric renal cancers include clear cell sarcoma (5-year OS: 90%), malignant rhabdoid tumor (5-year OS: 10% for stages 3 and 4), and renal cell carcinoma (4-year OS: 84.8%). Recent clinical trials have identified novel biological prognostic markers for FHWT, and a series of Children's Oncology Group (COG) trials have demonstrated improving outcomes with therapy modification, and opportunities for further care refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I Geller
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew L Hong
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kelly L Vallance
- Hematology and Oncology, Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Nick Evageliou
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer H Aldrink
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicholas G Cost
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology and the Surgical Oncology Program at Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amy L Treece
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth A Mullen
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Blood Disorders and Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Kong SH, Ma L, Yuan Q, Liu X, Han Y, Xiang W, Liu DX, Zhang Y, Lu J. Inhibition of EZH2 alleviates SAHA-induced senescence-associated secretion phenotype in small cell lung cancer cells. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:289. [PMID: 37543653 PMCID: PMC10404275 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01591-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy has been widely used in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treatment in the past decades. However, SCLC is easy to recur after chemotherapy. The senescence of cancer cells during chemotherapy is one of the effective therapeutic strategies to inhibit the progression of cancer. Nevertheless, the senescence-associated secretion phenotype (SASP) promotes chronic inflammation of the cancer microenvironment and further accelerates the progression of tumors. Therefore, inducing the senescence of cancer cells and inhibiting the production of SASP factors during anticancer treatment have become effective therapeutic strategies to improve the anticancer effect of drugs. Here we reported that SCLC cells treated with an FDA-approved HDAC inhibitor SAHA underwent senescence and displayed remarkable SASP. In particular, SAHA promoted the formation of cytoplasmic chromatin fragments (CCFs) in SCLC cells. The increased CCFs in SAHA-treated SCLC cells were related to nuclear porin Tpr, which activated the cGAS-STING pathway, and promoted the secretion of SASP in cancer cells. Inhibition of EZH2 suppressed the increase of CCFs in SAHA-treated SCLC cells, weakened the production of SASP, and increased the antiproliferative effect of SAHA. Overall, our work affords new insight into the secretion of SASP in SCLC and establishes a foundation for constructing a new therapeutic strategy for SCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hyok Kong
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- School of Life Science, University of Science, Pyongyang, 999091, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
| | - Lie Ma
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Qingxia Yuan
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Xiangxiang Liu
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Yu Han
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Weifang Xiang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Dong-Xu Liu
- The Centre for Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, School of Science, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
| | - Jun Lu
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
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Kuwahara Y, Iehara T, Matsumoto A, Okuda T. Recent insights into the SWI/SNF complex and the molecular mechanism of hSNF5 deficiency in rhabdoid tumors. Cancer Med 2023; 12:16323-16336. [PMID: 37317642 PMCID: PMC10469780 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic information encoded by DNA is packaged in the nucleus using the chromatin structure. The accessibility of transcriptional elements in DNA is controlled by the dynamic structural changes of chromatin for the appropriate regulation of gene transcription. Chromatin structure is regulated by two general mechanisms, one is histone modification and the other is chromatin remodeling in an ATP-dependent manner. Switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to mobilize nucleosomes and remodel the chromatin structure, contributing to conformational changes in chromatin. Recently, the inactivation of encoding genes for subunits of the SWI/SNF complexes has been documented in a series of human cancers, accounting for up to almost 20% of all human cancers. For example, human SNF5 (hSNF5), the gene that encodes a subunit of the SWI/SNF complexes, is the sole mutation target that drives malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT). Despite remarkably simple genomes, the MRT has highly malignant characteristics. As a key to understanding MRT tumorigenesis, it is necessary to fully examine the mechanism of chromatin remodeling by the SWI/SNF complexes. Herein, we review the current understanding of chromatin remodeling by focusing on SWI/SNF complexes. In addition, we describe the molecular mechanisms and influences of hSNF5 deficiency in rhabdoid tumors and the prospects for developing new therapeutic targets to overcome the epigenetic drive of cancer that is caused by abnormal chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasumichi Kuwahara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Akifumi Matsumoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Tsukasa Okuda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical ScienceKyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKyotoJapan
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49
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Qiu H, Hao CY. Neoadjuvant therapy for sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Rep 2023; 17:293. [PMID: 37438850 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-04006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas (SCP) is a rare type of malignant pancreatic neoplasm, and its prognosis is even worse than that of conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Currently, there is no standard regimen for treating SCP, and the impact of systemic therapy on the survival of patients with SCP has not been well defined. CASE PRESENTATION Herein, we report a 38-year-old Asian man diagnosed of local unresectable SCP with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, radical excision after camrelizumab and anlotinib therapy, which resulted in a remarkable reduction in the size of primary tumor and complete remission of the metastatic lymph node. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of the use of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a patient with SCP, which provides optimistic data to support the synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chun-Yi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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50
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Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional small molecules that induce the ternary complex formation between a protein-of-interest (POI) and an E3 ligase, leading to targeted polyubiquitination and degradation of the POI. Particularly, PROTACs have the distinct advantage of targeting both canonical and noncanonical functions of epigenetic targets over traditional inhibitors, which typically target canonical functions only, resulting in greater therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we methodically analyze published PROTAC degraders of epigenetic writer, reader, and eraser proteins and their in vitro and in vivo effects. We highlight the mechanism of action of these degraders and their advantages in targeting both canonical and noncanonical functions of epigenetic targets in the context of cancer treatment. Furthermore, we present a future outlook for this exciting field. Overall, pharmacological degradation of epigenetic targets has emerged as an effective and attractive strategy to thwart cancer progression and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kabir
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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