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Lin L, Zou X, Nong W, Ge Y, Li F, Luo B, Zhang Q, Xie X. The potential value of cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancer: Prognostic markers and targets for immunotherapy. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1284. [PMID: 38896069 PMCID: PMC11186301 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1284] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor immunotherapy has become an important adjuvant therapy after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In recent years, the role of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) in tumor immunotherapy has become increasingly prominent. Cancer-testis antigen (CTA) is a kind of TAA that is highly restricted in a variety of tumors and can induce an immune response. AIMS This review article aimed to evaluate the role of CTA on the progression of ovarian cancer, its diagnostic efficacy, and the potential for immunotherapy. METHODS We analyzed publications and outlined a comprehensive of overview the regulatory mechanism, immunogenicity, clinical expression significance, tumorigenesis, and application prospects of CTA in ovarian cancer, with a particular focus on recent progress in CTA-based immunotherapy. RESULTS The expression of CTA affects the occurrence, development, and prognosis of ovarian cancer and is closely related to tumor immunity. CONCLUSION CTA can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of ovarian cancer and is an ideal target for antitumor immunotherapy. These findings provide novel insights on CTA in the improvement of diagnosis and treatment for ovarian cancer. The successes, current challenges and future prospects were also discussed to portray its significant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiong Zou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Weixia Nong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qingmei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxun Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment of Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
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Kawada J, Saito T, Kurokawa Y, Kawabata R, Takeno A, Takeoka T, Nose Y, Wada H, Eguchi H, Doki Y. Serum NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies as useful tumor markers in gastric cancer. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2024; 8:243-250. [PMID: 38455491 PMCID: PMC10914697 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The NY-ESO-1 antigen is highly immunogenic and often spontaneously induces an immune response in patients with cancer. We conducted a large-scale multicenter cohort study to investigate the utility of serum NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies as predictive markers for the postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer. Here, we examined the usefulness of pre-treatment NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies as tumor markers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer in combination with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Methods A total of 1031 patients with cT3-4 gastric cancer were enrolled in the study. NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies were assessed prior to treatment. The positivity of NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies, CEA, and CA19-9 was evaluated before treatment. Results Serum NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies were positive in 12.6% and 18.1% of the patients, respectively. Positive NY-ESO-1 antibody response was correlated with male gender, higher cStage, and upper tumor location. However, a positive p53 antibody response was not associated with tumor factors. The combination of NY-ESO-1 or p53 antibody response with CEA and CA19-9, or the 4-factors, was positive in 45.1%, 49.6%, and 53.8% of patients, respectively. Moreover, the 4-factor combination was able to detect >60% of cStage III-IV diseases, which was 14% higher than that with the combination of CEA and CA19-9. Conclusion The combination of NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibody responses to CEA and CA19-9 increases the diagnostic accuracy of gastric cancer. Serum NY-ESO-1 and p53 antibodies may be useful tumor markers for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Kawada
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka General Medical CenterOsakaJapan
- Department of SurgeryKaizuka City HospitalOsakaJapan
| | - Takuro Saito
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Yukinori Kurokawa
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | | | - Atsushi Takeno
- Department of SurgeryKansai Rosai HospitalAmagasakiJapan
| | - Tomohira Takeoka
- Department of SurgeryHyogo Prefectural Nishinomiya HospitalNishinomiyaJapan
| | - Yohei Nose
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor ImmunologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
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Gera K, Chauhan A, Castillo P, Rahman M, Mathavan A, Mathavan A, Oganda-Rivas E, Elliott L, Wingard JR, Sayour EJ. Vaccines: a promising therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:4. [PMID: 38191498 PMCID: PMC10773074 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01523-4] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) define clonal hematopoietic malignancies characterized by heterogeneous mutational and clinical spectra typically seen in the elderly. Curative treatment entails allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which is often not a feasible option due to older age and significant comorbidities. Immunotherapy has the cytotoxic capacity to elicit tumor-specific killing with long-term immunological memory. While a number of platforms have emerged, therapeutic vaccination presents as an appealing strategy for MDS given its promising safety profile and amenability for commercialization. Several preclinical and clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of vaccines in MDS; these include peptide vaccines targeting tumor antigens, whole cell-based vaccines and dendritic cell-based vaccines. These therapeutic vaccines have shown acceptable safety profiles, but consistent clinical responses remain elusive despite robust immunological reactions. Combining vaccines with immunotherapeutic agents holds promise and requires further investigation. Herein, we highlight therapeutic vaccine trials while reviewing challenges and future directions of successful vaccination strategies in MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Gera
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anjali Chauhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Immunotherapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul Castillo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maryam Rahman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Immunotherapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Akash Mathavan
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Akshay Mathavan
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Oganda-Rivas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Immunotherapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Leighton Elliott
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John R Wingard
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Elias J Sayour
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Immunotherapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Meng W, Schreiber RD, Lichti CF. Recent advances in immunopeptidomic-based tumor neoantigen discovery. Adv Immunol 2023; 160:1-36. [PMID: 38042584 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2023.10.001] [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: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The role of aberrantly expressed proteins in tumors in driving immune-mediated control of cancer has been well documented for more than five decades. Today, we know that both aberrantly expressed normal proteins as well as mutant proteins (neoantigens) can function as tumor antigens in both humans and mice. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) technologies have made significant advances since the early 2010s, enabling detection of rare but clinically relevant neoantigens recognized by T cells. MS profiling of tumor-specific immunopeptidomes remains the most direct method to identify mutant peptides bound to cellular MHC. However, the need for use of large numbers of cells or significant amounts of tumor tissue to achieve neoantigen detection has historically limited the application of MS. Newer, more sensitive MS technologies have recently demonstrated the capacities to detect neoantigens from fewer cells. Here, we highlight recent advancements in immunopeptidomics-based characterization of tumor-specific neoantigens. Various tumor antigen categories and neoantigen identification approaches are also discussed. Furthermore, we summarize recent reports that achieved successful tumor neoantigen detection by MS using a variety of starting materials, MS acquisition modes, and novel ion mobility devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Meng
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Robert D Schreiber
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Cheryl F Lichti
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States.
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5
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Segura-Collar B, Hiller-Vallina S, de Dios O, Caamaño-Moreno M, Mondejar-Ruescas L, Sepulveda-Sanchez JM, Gargini R. Advanced immunotherapies for glioblastoma: tumor neoantigen vaccines in combination with immunomodulators. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:79. [PMID: 37165457 PMCID: PMC10171733 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01569-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial-origin brain tumors, including glioblastomas (GBM), have one of the worst prognoses due to their rapid and fatal progression. From an oncological point of view, advances in complete surgical resection fail to eliminate the entire tumor and the remaining cells allow a rapid recurrence, which does not respond to traditional therapeutic treatments. Here, we have reviewed new immunotherapy strategies in association with the knowledge of the immune micro-environment. To understand the best lines for the future, we address the advances in the design of neoantigen vaccines and possible new immune modulators. Recently, the efficacy and availability of vaccine development with different formulations, especially liposome plus mRNA vaccines, has been observed. We believe that the application of new strategies used with mRNA vaccines in combination with personalized medicine (guided by different omic's strategies) could give good results in glioma therapy. In addition, a large part of the possible advances in new immunotherapy strategies focused on GBM may be key improving current therapies of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), given the fact that this type of tumor has been highly refractory to ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Segura-Collar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hiller-Vallina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olaya de Dios
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, UFIEC, 28222, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Marta Caamaño-Moreno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Mondejar-Ruescas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M Sepulveda-Sanchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Gargini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
The long-term benefits demonstrated by immunotherapy in select tumors have failed to generalize to most nonhematologic solid tumors. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT)-a treatment on the basis of the isolation and engineering of living T cells and other immune cells-has shown early clinical advances. ACT, through tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, has shown activity in traditionally immunogenic tumors such as melanoma and cervical cancers, and has the potential to improve immune reactivity in these tumor types where traditional therapies have failed. Engineered T-cell receptor and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies have also shown activity in select nonhematologic solid tumors. Through receptor engineering, and improved understanding of tumor antigens, these therapies have the potential to target poorly immunogenic tumors to deliver long-lasting responses. Additionally, non-T-cell therapies such as natural killer-cell therapy may allow for allogeneic forms of ACT. Each form of ACT has trade-offs that will likely limit their application to specific clinical settings. Key challenges with ACT include the logistical challenges of manufacturing, accurate antigen identification, and the risk of on-target, off-tumor toxicity. The successes of ACT are built on decades of advances in cancer immunology, antigen identification, and cell engineering. With continued refinements in these processes, ACT may extend the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients with advanced nonhematologic solid tumors. Herein, we review the major forms of ACT, their successes, and strategies to overcome the trade-offs of current ACTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Olson
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Nin DS, Deng LW. Biology of Cancer-Testis Antigens and Their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060926. [PMID: 36980267 PMCID: PMC10047177 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-specific antigens have been an area of interest in cancer therapy since their discovery in the middle of the 20th century. In the era of immune-based cancer therapeutics, redirecting our immune cells to target these tumour-specific antigens has become even more relevant. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of antigens with an expression specific to the testis and cancer cells. CTAs have also been demonstrated to be expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Due to their frequency and specificity of expression in a multitude of cancers, CTAs have been particularly attractive as cancer-specific therapeutic targets. There is now a rapid expansion of CTAs being identified and many studies have been conducted to correlate CTA expression with cancer and therapy-resistant phenotypes. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of clinical trials involving using some of these CTAs as molecular targets in pharmacological and immune-targeted therapeutics for various cancers. This review will summarise the current knowledge of the biology of known CTAs in tumorigenesis and the regulation of CTA genes. CTAs as molecular targets and the therapeutic implications of these CTA-targeted anticancer strategies will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Sijin Nin
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Lih-Wen Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
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The Melanoma-Associated Antigen Family A (MAGE-A): A Promising Target for Cancer Immunotherapy? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061779. [PMID: 36980665 PMCID: PMC10046478 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Early efforts to identify tumor-associated antigens over the last decade have provided unique cancer epitopes for targeted cancer therapy. MAGE-A proteins are a subclass of cancer/testis (CT) antigens that are presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules as an immune-privileged site. This is due to their restricted expression to germline cells and a wide range of cancers, where they are associated with resistance to chemotherapy, metastasis, and cancer cells with an increasing potential for survival. This makes them an appealing candidate target for designing an effective and specific immunotherapy, thereby suggesting that targeting oncogenic MAGE-As with cancer vaccination, adoptive T-cell transfer, or a combination of therapies would be promising. In this review, we summarize and discuss previous and ongoing (pre-)clinical studies that target these antigens, while bearing in mind the benefits and drawbacks of various therapeutic strategies, in order to speculate on future directions for MAGE-A-specific immunotherapies.
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Mechanisms of DNA methylation and histone modifications. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 197:51-92. [PMID: 37019597 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The field of genetics has expanded a lot in the past few decades due to the accessibility of human genome sequences, but still, the regulation of transcription cannot be explicated exclusively by the sequence of DNA of an individual. The coordination and crosstalk between chromatin factors which are conserved is indispensable for all living creatures. The regulation of gene expression has been dependent on the methylation of DNA, post-translational modifications of histones, effector proteins, chromatin remodeler enzymes that affect the chromatin structure and function, and other cellular activities such as DNA replication, DNA repair, proliferation and growth. The mutation and deletion of these factors can lead to human diseases. Various studies are being performed to identify and understand the gene regulatory mechanisms in the diseased state. The information from these high throughput screening studies is able to aid the treatment developments based on the epigenetics regulatory mechanisms. This book chapter will discourse on various modifications and their mechanisms that take place on histones and DNA that regulate the transcription of genes.
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Qie Y, Zhou D, Wu Z, Liu S, Shen C, Hu H, Zhang C, Xu Y. Low-dose hexavalent chromium(VI) exposure promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation by activating MAGEB2-AR signal pathway. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113724. [PMID: 35660381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], one common environmental contaminant, has long been recognized as a carcinogen associated with several malignancies, such as lung cancer, but little information was available about the effects of its low-dose environmental exposure in prostate cancer. Our previous study has shown that low-dose Cr(VI) exposure could promote prostate cancer(PCa) cell growth in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we furthermore found that low-dose Cr(VI) exposure could induce DNA demethylation in PCa cells. Based on our transcriptome sequencing data and DNA methylation database, we further identified MAGEB2 as a potential effector target that contributed to tumor-promoting effect of low-dose Cr(VI) exposure in PCa. In addition, we demonstrated that MAGEB2 was upregulated in PCa and its knockdown restrained PCa cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Co-IP and point mutation experiments confirmed that MAGEB2 could bind to the NH2-terminal NTD domain of AR through the F-box in the MAGE homology domain, and then activated AR through up-regulating its downstream targets PSA and NX3.1. Together, low-dose Cr(VI) exposure can induce DNA demethylation in prostate cancer cells, and promote cell proliferation via activating MAGEB2-AR signaling pathway. Thus, inhibition of MAGEB2-AR signaling is a novel and promising strategy to reverse low-dose Cr(VI) exposure-induced prostate tumor progression, also as effective adjuvant therapy for AR signaling-dependent PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkai Qie
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China; CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Diansheng Zhou
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Zhouliang Wu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Shenglai Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Chong Shen
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Hailong Hu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Changwen Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China.
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Li J, Liang Y, Fan J, Xu C, Guan B, Zhang J, Guo B, Shi Y, Wang P, Tan Y, Zhang Q, Yuan C, Wu Y, Zhou L, Ci W, Li X. DNA methylation subtypes guiding prognostic assessment and linking to responses the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 in urothelial carcinoma. BMC Med 2022; 20:222. [PMID: 35843958 PMCID: PMC9290251 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02426-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, the extent and clinical relevance of epigenetic differences between upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted a study to describe the global DNA methylation landscape of UTUC and UCB and to address the prognostic value of DNA methylation subtype and responses to the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 in urothelial carcinoma (UC). METHODS Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (n = 49 samples), we analyzed epigenomic features and profiles of UTUC (n = 36) and UCB (n = 9). Next, we characterized potential links between DNA methylation, gene expression (n = 9 samples), and clinical outcomes. Then, we integrated an independent UTUC cohort (Fujii et al., n = 86) and UCB cohort (TCGA, n = 411) to validate the prognostic significance. Furthermore, we performed an integrative analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in two UC cell lines following transient DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 treatment to identify potential epigenetic driver events that contribute to drug efficacy. RESULTS We showed that UTUC and UCB have very similar DNA methylation profiles. Unsupervised DNA methylation classification identified two epi-clusters, Methy-High and Methy-Low, associated with distinct muscle-invasive statuses and patient outcomes. Methy-High samples were hypermethylated, immune-infiltrated, and enriched for exhausted T cells, with poor clinical outcome. SGI-110 inhibited the migration and invasion of Methy-High UC cell lines (UMUC-3 and T24) by upregulating multiple antitumor immune pathways. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation subtypes pave the way for predicting patient prognosis in UC. Our results provide mechanistic rationale for evaluating SGI-110 in treating UC patients in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuan Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jian Fan
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Chunru Xu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Bao Guan
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Bin Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yue Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yezhen Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changwei Yuan
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yucai Wu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Liqun Zhou
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China.
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Weimin Ci
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Institute for Stem cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xuesong Li
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China.
- National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China.
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12
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Diacofotaki A, Loriot A, De Smet C. Identification of Tissue-Specific Gene Clusters Induced by DNA Demethylation in Lung Adenocarcinoma: More Than Germline Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041007. [PMID: 35205751 PMCID: PMC8870412 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Loss of DNA methylation is often observed in human tumors, but how this epigenetic alteration impacts the transcriptome of cancer cells remains largely undefined. So far, DNA hypomethylation in tumors has been associated with aberrant activation of a germline-specific gene expression program. Here, we exploited transcriptomic and methylomic datasets of lung adenocarcinoma to investigate the possibility that other gene expression programs also become ectopically activated in hypomethylated tumors. Remarkably, we found that DNA hypomethylation in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with ectopic activation of not only germline-specific genes, but also gene clusters displaying specific expression in the gastrointestinal tract, or in stratified epithelia. Interestingly, expression of genes in this latter group was of prognostic value. Together, our study brings novel insight into the transcriptomic changes associated with DNA hypomethylation in tumors, and is an incentive to explore the value of hypomethylated DNA sequences as cancer biomarkers. Abstract Genome-wide loss of DNA methylation is commonly observed in human cancers, but its impact on the tumor transcriptome remains ill-defined. Previous studies demonstrated that this epigenetic alteration causes aberrant activation of a germline-specific gene expression program. Here, we examined if DNA hypomethylation in tumors also leads to de-repression of gene clusters with other tissue specificities. To this end, we explored transcriptomic and methylomic datasets from human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell lines, normal lung, and lung alveolar type II cells, considered as the origin of LUAD. Interestingly, DNA demethylation in LUAD cell lines was associated with activation of not only germline-specific (CG) genes, but also gene clusters displaying specific expression in the gastrointestinal tract (GI), or in stratified epithelia (SE). Consistently, genes from all three clusters showed highly specific patterns of promoter methylation among normal tissues and cell types, and were generally sensitive to induction by a DNA demethylating agent. Analysis of TCGA datasets confirmed that demethylation and activation of CG, GI and SE genes also occurs in vivo in LUAD tumor tissues, in association with global genome hypomethylation. For genes of the GI cluster, we demonstrated that HNF4A is a necessary factor for transcriptional activation following promoter demethylation. Interestingly, expression of several SE genes, in particular FAM83A, correlated with both tumor grade and reduced patient survival. Together, our study uncovers novel cell-type specific gene clusters that become aberrantly activated in LUAD tumors in association with genome-wide hypomethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Diacofotaki
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (A.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Axelle Loriot
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (A.D.); (A.L.)
- Group of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles De Smet
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (A.D.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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The Role of DNA Methylation and DNA Methyltransferases in Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:317-348. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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14
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Aleotti V, Catoni C, Poggiana C, Rosato A, Facchinetti A, Scaini MC. Methylation Markers in Cutaneous Melanoma: Unravelling the Potential Utility of Their Tracking by Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6217. [PMID: 34944843 PMCID: PMC8699653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most serious, life-threatening form of all dermatologic diseases, with a poor prognosis in the presence of metastases and advanced disease. Despite recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, there is still a critical need for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms behind melanoma progression and resistance onset. Recent advances in genome-wide methylation methods have revealed that aberrant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation play an important role in many aspects of cancer progression, including cell proliferation and migration, evasion of cell death, invasion, and metastasization. The purpose of the current review was to gather evidence regarding the usefulness of DNA methylation tracking in liquid biopsy as a potential biomarker in melanoma. We investigated the key genes and signal transduction pathways that have been found to be altered epigenetically in melanoma. We then highlighted the circulating tumor components present in blood, including circulating melanoma cells (CMC), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a valuable source for identifying relevant aberrations in DNA methylation. Finally, we focused on DNA methylation signatures as a marker for tracking response to therapy and resistance, thus facilitating personalized medicine and decision-making in the treatment of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Aleotti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Catoni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Poggiana
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Facchinetti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Scaini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
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15
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Sandhu S, Sou IF, Hunter JE, Salmon L, Wilson CL, Perkins ND, Hunter N, Davies OR, McClurg UL. Centrosome dysfunction associated with somatic expression of the synaptonemal complex protein TEX12. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1371. [PMID: 34880391 PMCID: PMC8654964 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02887-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a supramolecular protein scaffold that mediates chromosome synapsis and facilitates crossing over during meiosis. In mammals, SC proteins are generally assumed to have no other function. Here, we show that SC protein TEX12 also localises to centrosomes during meiosis independently of chromosome synapsis. In somatic cells, ectopically expressed TEX12 similarly localises to centrosomes, where it is associated with centrosome amplification, a pathology correlated with cancer development. Indeed, TEX12 is identified as a cancer-testis antigen and proliferation of some cancer cells is TEX12-dependent. Moreover, somatic expression of TEX12 is aberrantly activated via retinoic acid signalling, which is commonly disregulated in cancer. Structure-function analysis reveals that phosphorylation of TEX12 on tyrosine 48 is important for centrosome amplification but not for recruitment of TEX12 to centrosomes. We conclude that TEX12 normally localises to meiotic centrosomes, but its misexpression in somatic cells can contribute to pathological amplification and dysfunction of centrosomes in cancers. Sandhu et al. report that the synaptonemal complex (SC) protein, TEX12, localises to centrosomes independently of the SC during meiosis. They also show that it provokes centrosome amplification in somatic cells, a pathology associated with cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Sandhu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Ieng F Sou
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jill E Hunter
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Lucy Salmon
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Caroline L Wilson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Neil D Perkins
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Neil Hunter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Owen R Davies
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. .,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK.
| | - Urszula L McClurg
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
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16
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Wu SC, Münger K. Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225690. [PMID: 34830845 PMCID: PMC8616139 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Changshan Wu
- Molecular Microbiology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Karl Münger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Poojary M, Jishnu PV, Kabekkodu SP. Prognostic Value of Melanoma-Associated Antigen-A (MAGE-A) Gene Expression in Various Human Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 7428 Patients and 44 Studies. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 24:537-555. [PMID: 32548799 PMCID: PMC7497308 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-020-00476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Members of the melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) subfamily are overexpressed in many cancers and can drive cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic recurrence. Objective This study is the first comprehensive meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic utility of MAGE-A members in different cancers. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The pooled hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated to evaluate the prognostic significance of MAGE-A expression in various cancers. Results In total, 44 eligible studies consisting of 7428 patients from 11 countries were analysed. Univariate and multivariate analysis for overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival showed a significant association between high MAGE-A expression and various cancers (P < 0.00001). Additionally, subgroup analysis demonstrated that high MAGE-A expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis for lung, gastrointestinal, breast, and ovarian cancer in both univariate and multivariate analysis for overall survival. Conclusion Overexpression of MAGE-A subfamily members is linked to poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Therefore, it could serve as a potential prognostic marker of poor prognosis in cancers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40291-020-00476-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Poojary
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Padacherri Vethil Jishnu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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18
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Linder K, Lulla P. Myelodysplastic syndrome and immunotherapy novel to next in-line treatments. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:2602-2616. [PMID: 33941042 PMCID: PMC8475606 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1898307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have few therapy options for sustainable responses in the frontline setting, and even less after hypomethylating agent (HMA) failure in relapsed and refractory setting. The only potential cure is an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant which is an unrealistic option for the majority of MDS patients. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibition, CAR-T cells, and vaccine therapy few have shown promise in a variety cancer and have now been tested in patients with MDS. Most trials have focused on AML patients and included small numbers of MDS patients. Until now, a dedicated review of immunotherapy outcomes in MDS patients has been lacking. Thus, herein we review outcomes of MDS patients after immunotherapies on a variety of clinical trials reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Linder
- Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Oncology, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Premal Lulla
- Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Hematology-Oncology, Houston, TX, USA
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19
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Mitchell G, Pollack SM, Wagner MJ. Targeting cancer testis antigens in synovial sarcoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002072. [PMID: 34083416 PMCID: PMC8183285 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare cancer that disproportionately affects children and young adults. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are proteins that are expressed early in embryonic development, but generally not expressed in normal tissue. They are aberrantly expressed in many different cancer types and are an attractive therapeutic target for immunotherapies. CTAs are expressed at high levels in SS. This high level of CTA expression makes SS an ideal cancer for treatment strategies aimed at harnessing the immune system to recognize aberrant CTA expression and fight against the cancer. Pivotal clinical trials are now underway, with the potential to dramatically alter the landscape of SS management and treatment from current standards of care. In this review, we describe the rationale for targeting CTAs in SS with a focus on NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A4, the current state of vaccine and T-cell receptor-based therapies, and consider emerging opportunities for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seth M Pollack
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael J Wagner
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA .,Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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20
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Florke Gee RR, Chen H, Lee AK, Daly CA, Wilander BA, Fon Tacer K, Potts PR. Emerging roles of the MAGE protein family in stress response pathways. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16121-16155. [PMID: 32921631 PMCID: PMC7681028 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) proteins all contain a MAGE homology domain. MAGE genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and have expanded from a single gene in lower eukaryotes to ∼40 genes in humans and mice. Whereas some MAGEs are ubiquitously expressed in tissues, others are expressed in only germ cells with aberrant reactivation in multiple cancers. Much of the initial research on MAGEs focused on exploiting their antigenicity and restricted expression pattern to target them with cancer immunotherapy. Beyond their potential clinical application and role in tumorigenesis, recent studies have shown that MAGE proteins regulate diverse cellular and developmental pathways, implicating them in many diseases besides cancer, including lung, renal, and neurodevelopmental disorders. At the molecular level, many MAGEs bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases and, thus, regulate their substrate specificity, ligase activity, and subcellular localization. On a broader scale, the MAGE genes likely expanded in eutherian mammals to protect the germline from environmental stress and aid in stress adaptation, and this stress tolerance may explain why many cancers aberrantly express MAGEs Here, we present an updated, comprehensive review on the MAGE family that highlights general characteristics, emphasizes recent comparative studies in mice, and describes the diverse functions exerted by individual MAGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R Florke Gee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anna K Lee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christina A Daly
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Benjamin A Wilander
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas, USA.
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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21
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Ohtani H, Ørskov AD, Helbo AS, Gillberg L, Liu M, Zhou W, Ungerstedt J, Hellström-Lindberg E, Sun W, Liang G, Jones PA, Grønbæk K. Activation of a Subset of Evolutionarily Young Transposable Elements and Innate Immunity Are Linked to Clinical Responses to 5-Azacytidine. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2441-2450. [PMID: 32245794 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) 5-azacytidine and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine have been approved for the treatment of different types of hematologic malignancies. However, only about 50% of patients respond to treatment. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular changes in patients treated with DNMTi is needed. Here, we examined gene expression profiles in a total of 150 RNA samples from two adult cohorts and one pediatric cohort with hematologic cancers taken before, during, and after treatment with 5-azacytidine (40 patients; 15 nonresponders, 25 responders). Using each patient as their own control, malignant cells showed preferential activation of a subset of evolutionarily young transposable elements (TE), including endogenous retroviral long terminal repeats (LTR), short and long interspersed nuclear elements (SINE and LINE), and the type I IFN pathway in responders, all independent of disease classification. Transfection of eight upregulated LTRs into recipient human cells in culture showed robust and heterogenous activation of six genes in the type I IFN pathway. These results, obtained in diverse hematologic disease entities, show that common targets (TE) activated by the same drug (5-azacytidine) elicit an immune response, which may be important for patient's responses to DNMTi. SIGNIFICANCE: Activation of specific classes of evolutionarily young transposable elements can lead to activation of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas D Ørskov
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexandra S Helbo
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linn Gillberg
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Minmin Liu
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Wanding Zhou
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Johanna Ungerstedt
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Division of Hematology Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hellström-Lindberg
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Division of Hematology Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Weili Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Peter A Jones
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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22
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Wang Y, Lu Y, Li J, Wu Y, Che G. The association of melanoma-associated antigen-A gene expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in resected non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2020; 29:855-860. [PMID: 31384932 DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivz196] [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: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Our goal was to explore the association of melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) gene expression with clinicopathological parameters and survival rates in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had surgery. A systematic search of EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library databases was performed through 20 April 2019. The combined risk ratios (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association of MAGE-A gene expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with resected NSCLC, respectively. All statistical analyses were performed with Stata software, version 12.0. A total of 9 articles involving 1538 patients were included in our meta-analysis; most of the studies were from Asian countries. The results indicated that the expression of the MAGE-A gene was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.34; P = 0.001), high tumour-node-metastasis stage (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38; P < 0.001), histological type (squamous cell carcinoma) (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.15-2.87; P = 0.01), poor overall survival (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.73-2.57; P < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.12-2.78; P = 0.015). MAGE-A gene expression is related to tumour development and metastasis and is more prevalent in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung; besides, it is an independent prognostic factor for patients with resected NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jialong Li
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanming Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guowei Che
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Zhang W, Klinkebiel D, Barger CJ, Pandey S, Guda C, Miller A, Akers SN, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. Global DNA Hypomethylation in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Passive Demethylation and Association with Genomic Instability. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030764. [PMID: 32213861 PMCID: PMC7140107 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of human cancer is global DNA hypomethylation (GDHO), but the mechanisms accounting for this defect and its pathological consequences have not been investigated in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In EOC, GDHO was associated with advanced disease and reduced overall and disease-free survival. GDHO (+) EOC tumors displayed a proliferative gene expression signature, including FOXM1 and CCNE1 overexpression. Furthermore, DNA hypomethylation in these tumors was enriched within genomic blocks (hypomethylated blocks) that overlapped late-replicating regions, lamina-associated domains, PRC2 binding sites, and the H3K27me3 histone mark. Increased proliferation coupled with hypomethylated blocks at late-replicating regions suggests a passive hypomethylation mechanism. This hypothesis was further supported by our observation that cytosine DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and UHRF1 showed significantly reduced expression in GDHO (+) EOC after normalization to canonical proliferation markers, including MKI67. Finally, GDHO (+) EOC tumors had elevated chromosomal instability (CIN), and copy number alterations (CNA) were enriched at the DNA hypomethylated blocks. Together, these findings implicate a passive DNA demethylation mechanism in ovarian cancer that is associated with genomic instability and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (W.Z.); (C.J.B.)
| | - David Klinkebiel
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (D.K.); (C.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Carter J. Barger
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (W.Z.); (C.J.B.)
| | - Sanjit Pandey
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (D.K.); (C.G.)
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Austin Miller
- Department of Biostatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Stacey N. Akers
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (S.N.A.); (K.O.)
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (S.N.A.); (K.O.)
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (W.Z.); (C.J.B.)
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (D.K.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-402-559-6115; Fax: +1-402-599-4651
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Mei AHC, Tung K, Han J, Perumal D, Laganà A, Keats J, Auclair D, Chari A, Jagannath S, Parekh S, Cho HJ. MAGE-A inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation in multiple myeloma through regulation of BIM and p21 Cip1. Oncotarget 2020; 11:727-739. [PMID: 32133047 PMCID: PMC7041939 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The type I Melanoma Antigen Gene (MAGE) A3 is a functional target associated with survival and proliferation in multiple myeloma (MM). To investigate the mechanisms of these oncogenic functions, we performed gene expression profiling (GEP) of p53 wild-type human myeloma cell lines (HMCL) after MAGE-A knockdown, which identified a set of 201 differentially expressed genes (DEG) associated with apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation. MAGE knockdown increased protein levels of pro-apoptotic BIM and of the endogenous cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21Cip1. Depletion of MAGE-A in HMCL increased sensitivity to the alkylating agent melphalan but not to proteasome inhibition. High MAGEA3 was associated with the MYC and Cell Cycling clusters defined by a network model of GEP data from the CoMMpass database of newly diagnosed, untreated MM patients. Comparative analysis of CoMMpass subjects based on high or low MAGEA3 expression revealed a set of 6748 DEG that also had significant functional associations with cell cycle and DNA replication pathways, similar to that observed in HMCL. High MAGEA3 expression correlated with shorter overall survival after melphalan chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). These results demonstrate that MAGE-A3 regulates Bim and p21Cip1 transcription and protein expression, inhibits apoptosis, and promotes proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Huo-Chang Mei
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaity Tung
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessie Han
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deepak Perumal
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessandro Laganà
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Next Generation Healthcare, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Keats
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel Auclair
- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Norwalk, CT, USA
| | - Ajai Chari
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sundar Jagannath
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samir Parekh
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hearn Jay Cho
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Norwalk, CT, USA
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Luchtel RA, Bhagat T, Pradhan K, Jacobs WR, Levine M, Verma A, Shenoy N. High-dose ascorbic acid synergizes with anti-PD1 in a lymphoma mouse model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:1666-1677. [PMID: 31911474 PMCID: PMC6983418 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908158117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Major efforts are underway to identify agents that can potentiate effects of immune checkpoint inhibition. Here, we show that ascorbic acid (AA) treatment caused genomewide demethylation and enhanced expression of endogenous retroviral elements in lymphoma cells. AA also increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels of CD8+ T cells and enhanced their cytotoxic activity in a lymphoma coculture system. High-dose AA treatment synergized with anti-PD1 therapy in a syngeneic lymphoma mouse model, resulting in marked inhibition of tumor growth compared with either agent alone. Analysis of the intratumoral epigenome revealed increased 5hmC with AA treatment, consistent with in vitro findings. Analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment revealed that AA strikingly increased intratumoral infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, suggesting enhanced tumor immune recognition. The combination treatment markedly enhanced intratumoral infiltration of macrophages and CD8+ T lymphocytes, granzyme B production by cytotoxic cells (cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells), and interleukin 12 production by antigen-presenting cells compared with single-agent anti-PD1. These data indicate that AA potentiates anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibition through synergistic mechanisms. The study provides compelling rationale for testing combinations of high-dose AA and anti-PD1 agents in patients with aggressive B cell lymphoma as well as in preclinical models of other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Luchtel
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Tushar Bhagat
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - William R Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461;
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Mark Levine
- Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Amit Verma
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Niraj Shenoy
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461;
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
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Liu S, Zhao Y, Xu Y, Sang M, Zhao R, Gu L, Shan B. The clinical significance of methylation of MAGE-A1 and-A3 promoters and expression of DNA methyltransferase in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Otolaryngol 2020; 41:102318. [PMID: 31732299 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2019.102318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Abnormal DNA methylation plays an important role in clinical diagnosis and prognosis of various tumors. DNA methylation is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). However, the methylation status of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 promoter regions in LSCC is unclear. To investigate the methylation levels of MAGE-A1, -A3 in LSCC and corresponding normal tissues. The expression of DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) in LSCC and the relationship between the methylation status of MAGE-A1, -A3 were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined methylation status of MAGE-A1, -A3 in LSCC by using MSP. Meanwhile, the expression level of DNMTs in LSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry. And further analysis the correlation between DNMTs expression level and methylation status of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3. RESULTS The unmethylation rate of MAGE-A1, -A3 were 39.62% and 46.23%. The expression of DNMTs was 33.02% to 37.74%. The level of demethylation of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 were negative related to DNMTs protein. MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 unmethylation status and DNMT3a expression were independent prognostic factors for LSCC. CONCLUSIONS The DNMTs may participate in the methylation process of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3, which may play an important role in the occurrence and development of LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghui Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Department of Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuru Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruili Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Gu
- Department of Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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Ectopic Methylation of a Single Persistently Unmethylated CpG in the Promoter of the Vitellogenin Gene Abolishes Its Inducibility by Estrogen through Attenuation of Upstream Stimulating Factor Binding. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:MCB.00436-19. [PMID: 31548262 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00436-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The enhancer/promoter of the vitellogenin II gene (VTG) has been extensively studied as a model system of vertebrate transcriptional control. While deletion mutagenesis and in vivo footprinting identified the transcription factor (TF) binding sites governing its tissue specificity, DNase hypersensitivity and DNA methylation studies revealed the epigenetic changes accompanying its hormone-dependent activation. Moreover, upon induction with estrogen (E2), the region flanking the estrogen-responsive element (ERE) was reported to undergo active DNA demethylation. We now show that although the VTG ERE is methylated in embryonic chicken liver and in LMH/2A hepatocytes, its induction by E2 was not accompanied by extensive demethylation. In contrast, E2 failed to activate a VTG enhancer/promoter-controlled luciferase reporter gene methylated by SssI. Surprisingly, this inducibility difference could be traced not to the ERE but rather to a single CpG in an E-box (CACGTG) sequence upstream of the VTG TATA box, which is unmethylated in vivo but methylated by SssI. We demonstrate that this E-box binds the upstream stimulating factor USF1/2. Selective methylation of the CpG within this binding site with an E-box-specific DNA methyltransferase, Eco72IM, was sufficient to attenuate USF1/2 binding in vitro and abolish the hormone-induced transcription of the VTG gene in the reporter system.
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28
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The emerging role of epigenetic therapeutics in immuno-oncology. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:75-90. [PMID: 31548600 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0266-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen the emergence of immunotherapy as a prime approach to cancer treatment, revolutionizing the management of many types of cancer. Despite the promise of immunotherapy, most patients do not have a response or become resistant to treatment. Thus, identifying combinations that potentiate current immunotherapeutic approaches will be crucial. The combination of immune-checkpoint inhibition with epigenetic therapy is one such strategy that is being tested in clinical trials, encompassing a variety of cancer types. Studies have revealed key roles of epigenetic processes in regulating immune cell function and mediating antitumour immunity. These interactions make combined epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy an attractive approach to circumvent the limitations of immunotherapy alone. In this Review, we highlight the basic dynamic mechanisms underlying the synergy between immunotherapy and epigenetic therapies and detail current efforts to translate this knowledge into clinical benefit for patients.
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29
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Soh JE, Abu N, Sagap I, Mazlan L, Yahaya A, Mustangin M, Khoo TS, Saidin S, Ishak M, Ab Mutalib NS, Jamal R. Validation of immunogenic PASD1 peptides against HLA-A*24:02 colorectal cancer. Immunotherapy 2019; 11:1205-1219. [PMID: 31478431 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third commonest malignancy in Asia including Malaysia. The immunogenic cancer-testis antigens, which are expressed in a variety of cancers but with limited expression in normal tissues except the testis, represent an attractive approach to improve treatment options for colorectal cancer. We aimed to validate four PASD1 peptides as the immunotherapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. First, PASD1 mRNA and protein expression were determined via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The PASD1 peptides specific to HLA-A*24:02 were investigated using IFN-y-ELISpot assay, followed by the cytolytic and granzyme-B-ELISpot assays to analyze the cytolytic effects of CD8+ T cells. Gene and protein expressions of PASD1 were detected in 20% and 17.3% of colorectal cancer samples, respectively. PASD1(4) peptide was shown to be immunogenic in colorectal cancer samples. CD8+ T cells raised against PASD1(4) peptide were able to lyze HLA-A*24:02+ PASD1+ cells. Our results reveal that PASD1(4) peptide represents a potential target for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Ec Soh
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Abu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ismail Sagap
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Luqman Mazlan
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azyani Yahaya
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muaatamarulain Mustangin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tze S Khoo
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazuita Saidin
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhiddin Ishak
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurul S Ab Mutalib
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rahman Jamal
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Triterpenoids from Cassia fistula L. regulate p53 & ERK2 genes to induce apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cells. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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31
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Comprehensive Analysis of Mouse Cancer/Testis Antigen Functions in Cancer Cells and Roles of TEKT5 in Cancer Cells and Testicular Germ Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:MCB.00154-19. [PMID: 31208979 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00154-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer/testis antigen (CTA) genes were identified as human genes preferentially expressed in cancer cells and testis, but the contribution of CTAs to cancer and male germ cell development is unclear. In this study, we comprehensively examined mouse CTA functions and found that the majority of CTAs are involved in growth and/or survival of cancer cells. We focused on one mouse CTA gene, Tekt5, for its detailed functional analysis. Tekt5 knockdown (KD) in ovarian cancer cells caused G1 arrest and apoptosis, and p27kip1 was concomitantly upregulated. Tekt5 KD also resulted in decreased levels of acetylated α-tubulin and subsequent fragmentation of β-III-tubulin, upregulation of HDAC6 that deacetylates α-tubulin, and nuclear accumulation of SMAD3 that induces p27kip1 expression. Because depolymerization of tubulin is known to cause translocation of SMAD3 to the nucleus, these results together suggested that TEKT5 negatively regulates Hdac6 expression and consequently maintains cell cycle via stabilization of tubulin. We also found that the number of spermatids was significantly decreased and acetylated α-tubulin levels were decreased in vivo by KD of Tekt5 in testis. Because acetylated α-tubulin is required for sperm morphogenesis, these results suggest that TEKT5 is necessary for spermiogenesis via maintenance of acetylated α-tubulin levels.
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Macfarlane FR, Chaplain M, Lorenzi T. A stochastic individual-based model to explore the role of spatial interactions and antigen recognition in the immune response against solid tumours. J Theor Biol 2019; 480:43-55. [PMID: 31374282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spatial interactions between cancer and immune cells, as well as the recognition of tumour antigens by cells of the immune system, play a key role in the immune response against solid tumours. The existing mathematical models generally focus only on one of these key aspects. We present here a spatial stochastic individual-based model that explicitly captures antigen expression and recognition. In our model, each cancer cell is characterised by an antigen profile which can change over time due to either epimutations or mutations. The immune response against the cancer cells is initiated by the dendritic cells that recognise the tumour antigens and present them to the cytotoxic T cells. Consequently, T cells become activated against the tumour cells expressing such antigens. Moreover, the differences in movement between inactive and active immune cells are explicitly taken into account by the model. Computational simulations of our model clarify the conditions for the emergence of tumour clearance, dormancy or escape, and allow us to assess the impact of antigenic heterogeneity of cancer cells on the efficacy of immune action. Ultimately, our results highlight the complex interplay between spatial interactions and adaptive mechanisms that underpins the immune response against solid tumours, and suggest how this may be exploited to further develop cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Macfarlane
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
| | - Maj Chaplain
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom
| | - T Lorenzi
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom
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Das B, Senapati S. Functional and mechanistic studies reveal MAGEA3 as a pro-survival factor in pancreatic cancer cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:294. [PMID: 31287009 PMCID: PMC6615156 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background In the era of personalized therapy, functional annotation of less frequent genetic aberrations will be instrumental in adapting effective therapeutic in clinic. Overexpression of Melanoma associated antigen A3 (MAGEA3) is reported in certain pancreatic cancer (PCA) patients. The major objective of the current study was to investigate the functional role of MAGEA3 in pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) growth and survival. Methods Using overexpression (tet-on regulated system and constitutive expression system) and knockdown (by siRNA and shRNA) approach, we dissected the mechanistic role of MAGEA3 in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. We generated MAGEA3 expressing stable PCA cell lines and mouse primary pancreatic epithelial cells. MAGEA3 was also depleted in certain MAGEA3 positive PCCs by siRNA or shRNA. The stable cells were subjected to in vitro assays like proliferation and survival assays under growth factor deprivation or in the presence of cytotoxic drugs. The MAGEA3 overexpressing or depleted stable PCCs were evaluated in vivo using xenograft model to check the role of MAGEA3 in tumor progression. We also dissected the mechanism behind the MAGEA3 role in tumor progression using western blot analysis and CCL2 neutralization. Results MAGEA3 overexpression in PCA cells did not alter the cell proliferation but protected the cells during growth factor deprivation and also in the presence of cytotoxic drugs. However, depletion of MAGEA3 in MAGEA3 positive cells resulted in reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis upon growth factor deprivation and also in response to cytotoxic drugs. The in vivo xenograft study revealed that overexpression of MAGEA3 promoted tumor growth however depleting the same hindered the tumor progression. Mechanistically, our in vitro and in vivo study revealed that MAGEA3 has tumor-promoting role by reducing macro-autophagy and overexpressing pro-survival molecules like CCL2 and survivin. Conclusion Our data proves tumor-promoting role of MAGEA3 and provides the rationale to target MAGEA3 and/or its functional mediators like CCL2 for PCA, which may have a better impact in PCA therapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1272-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Das
- Tumor Microenvironment and Animal Models Lab, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shantibhusan Senapati
- Tumor Microenvironment and Animal Models Lab, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India.
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Ravichandran R, Kodali K, Peng J, Potts PR. Regulation of MAGE-A3/6 by the CRL4-DCAF12 ubiquitin ligase and nutrient availability. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e47352. [PMID: 31267705 PMCID: PMC6607007 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma antigen genes (MAGEs) are emerging as important oncogenic drivers that are normally restricted to expression in male germ cells but are aberrantly expressed in cancers and promote tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, MAGEs function as substrate specifying subunits of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Thus, the activation of germline-specific genes in cancer can drive metabolic and signaling pathways through altered ubiquitination to promote tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating MAGE expression and activity are unclear. Here, we describe how the MAGE-A3/6 proteins that function as repressors of autophagy are downregulated in response to nutrient deprivation. Short-term cellular starvation promotes rapid MAGE-A3/6 degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner. Proteomic analysis reveals that degradation of MAGE-A3/6 is controlled by the CRL4-DCAF12 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Importantly, the degradation of MAGE-A3/6 by CRL4-DCAF12 is required for starvation-induced autophagy. These findings suggest that oncogenic MAGEs can be dynamically controlled in response to stress to allow cellular adaptation, autophagy regulation, and tumor growth and that CRL4-DCAF12 activity is responsive to nutrient status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ravichandran
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Kiran Kodali
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental NeurobiologyCenter for Proteomics and MetabolomicsSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental NeurobiologyCenter for Proteomics and MetabolomicsSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
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Mahmoudian J, Ghods R, Nazari M, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Ghahremani MH, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Ostad SN, Zarnani AH. PLAC1: biology and potential application in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1039-1058. [PMID: 31165204 PMCID: PMC11028298 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy has revolutionized medical oncology with unprecedented advances in cancer treatment over the past two decades. However, a major obstacle in cancer immunotherapy is identifying appropriate tumor-specific antigens to make targeted therapy achievable with fewer normal cells being impaired. The similarity between placentation and tumor development and growth has inspired many investigators to discover antigens for effective immunotherapy of cancers. Placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) is one of the recently discovered placental antigens with limited normal tissue expression and fundamental roles in placental function and development. There is a growing body of evidence showing that PLAC1 is frequently activated in a wide variety of cancer types and promotes cancer progression. Based on the restricted expression of PLAC1 in testis, placenta and a wide variety of cancers, we have designated this molecule with new terminology, cancer-testis-placenta (CTP) antigen, a feature that PLAC1 shares with many other cancer testis antigens. Recent reports from our lab provide compelling evidence on the preferential expression of PLAC1 in prostate cancer and its potential utility in prostate cancer immunotherapy. PLAC1 may be regarded as a potential CTP antigen for targeted cancer immunotherapy based on the available data on its promoting function in cancer development and also its expression in cancers of different histological origin. In this review, we will summarize current data on PLAC1 with emphasis on its association with cancer development and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Mahmoudian
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Nazari
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ghahremani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Nasser Ostad
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Pharmacology Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran.
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Nafisi Building, Enghelab St., Tehran, 1417613151, Iran.
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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36
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Ruan H, Hu Q, Wen D, Chen Q, Chen G, Lu Y, Wang J, Cheng H, Lu W, Gu Z. A Dual-Bioresponsive Drug-Delivery Depot for Combination of Epigenetic Modulation and Immune Checkpoint Blockade. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1806957. [PMID: 30856290 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Patients with advanced melanoma that is of low tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expression often respond poorly to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy. Epigenetic modulators, such as hypomethylation agents (HMAs), can enhance the antitumor immune response by inducing TAA expression. Here, a dual bioresponsive gel depot that can respond to the acidic pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for codelivery of anti-PD1 antibody (aPD1) and Zebularine (Zeb), an HMA, is engineered. aPD1 is first loaded into pH-sensitive calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3 NPs), which are then encapsulated in the ROS-responsive hydrogel together with Zeb (Zeb-aPD1-NPs-Gel). It is demonstrated that this combination therapy increases the immunogenicity of cancer cells, and also plays roles in reversing immunosuppressive TME, which contributes to inhibiting the tumor growth and prolonging the survival time of B16F10-melanoma-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huitong Ruan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Quanyin Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Di Wen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Guojun Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Yifei Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Jinqiang Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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37
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Sharma A, Albahrani M, Zhang W, Kufel CN, James SR, Odunsi K, Klinkebiel D, Karpf AR. Epigenetic activation of POTE genes in ovarian cancer. Epigenetics 2019; 14:185-197. [PMID: 30764732 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1581590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The POTE gene family consists of 14 homologous genes localized to autosomal pericentromeres, and a sub-set of POTEs are cancer-testis antigen (CTA) genes. POTEs are over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), including the high-grade serous subtype (HGSC), and expression of individual POTEs correlates with chemoresistance and reduced survival in HGSC. The mechanisms driving POTE overexpression in EOC and other cancers is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of epigenetics in regulating POTE expression, with a focus on DNA hypomethylation. Consistent with their pericentromeric localization, Pan-POTE expression in EOC correlated with expression of the pericentromeric repeat NBL2, which was not the case for non-pericentromeric CTAs. POTE genomic regions contain LINE-1 (L1) sequences, and Pan-POTE expression correlated with both global and POTE-specific L1 hypomethylation in EOC. Analysis of individual POTEs using RNA-seq and DNA methylome data from fallopian tube epithelia (FTE) and HGSC revealed that POTEs C, E, and F have increased expression in HGSC in conjunction with DNA hypomethylation at 5' promoter or enhancer regions. Moreover, POTEs C/E/F showed additional increased expression in recurrent HGSC in conjunction with 5' hypomethylation, using patient-matched samples. Experiments using decitabine treatment and DNMT knockout cell lines verified a functional contribution of DNA methylation to POTE repression, and epigenetic drug combinations targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone methyltransferases (HMTs) in combination with decitabine further increased POTE expression. In summary, several alterations of the cancer epigenome, including pericentromeric activation, global and locus-specific L1 hypomethylation, and locus-specific 5' CpG hypomethylation, converge to promote POTE expression in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Sharma
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Mustafa Albahrani
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Wa Zhang
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Christina N Kufel
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Smitha R James
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- d Department of Immunology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,e Department of Gynecologic Oncology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,f Center for Immunotherapy , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,g Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
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38
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Abstract
Mammalian sex chromosomes evolved from an ordinary pair of autosomes. The X chromosome is highly conserved, whereas the Y chromosome varies among species in size, structure, and gene content. Unlike autosomes that contain randomly mixed collections of genes, the sex chromosomes are enriched in testis-biased genes related to sexual development and reproduction, particularly in spermatogenesis and male fertility. This review focuses on how sex chromosome dosage compensation takes place and why meiotic sex chromosome inactivation occurs during spermatogenesis. Furthermore, the review also emphasizes how testis-biased genes are enriched on the sex chromosomes and their functions in male fertility. It is concluded that sex chromosomes are critical to sexual development and male fertility; however, our understanding of how sex chromosome genes direct sexual development and fertility has been hampered by the structural complexities of the sex chromosomes and by the multicopy nature of the testis gene families that also play a role in immunity, cancer development, and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Sheng Liu
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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39
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Xie K, Fu C, Wang S, Xu H, Liu S, Shao Y, Gong Z, Wu X, Xu B, Han J, Xu J, Xu P, Jia X, Wu J. Cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancer: implication for biomarkers and therapeutic targets. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:1. [PMID: 30609934 PMCID: PMC6318940 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide due to delayed diagnosis as well as recurrence and drug resistance. Thus, the development of new tumor-related molecules with high sensitivity and specificity to replace or supplement existing tools is urgently needed. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are exclusively expressed in normal testis tissues but abundantly found in several types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Numerous novel CTAs have been identified by high-throughput sequencing techniques, and some aberrantly expressed CTAs are associated with ovarian cancer initiation, clinical outcomes and chemotherapy resistance. More importantly, CTAs are immunogenic and may be novel targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. In this review, we attempt to characterize the expression of candidate CTAs in ovarian cancer and their clinical significance as biomarkers, activation mechanisms, function in malignant phenotypes and applications in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaipeng Xie
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Chenyang Fu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Suli Wang
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Hanzi Xu
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Yang Shao
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Zhen Gong
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jing Han
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Juan Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xuemei Jia
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Jiangping Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
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40
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Hutchison S, Pritchard AL. Identifying neoantigens for use in immunotherapy. Mamm Genome 2018; 29:714-730. [PMID: 30167844 PMCID: PMC6267674 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-018-9771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the types of cancer antigens that can be recognised by the immune system and form due to alterations in the cancer genome, including cancer testis, overexpressed and neoantigens. Specifically, neoantigens can form when cancer cell-specific mutations occur that result in alterations of the protein from ‘self’. This type of antigen can result in an immune response sufficient to clear tumour cells when activated. Furthermore, studies have reported that the likelihood of successful immunotherapeutic targeting of cancer by many different methods was reliant on immune response to neoantigens. The recent resurgence of interest in the immune response to tumour cells, in conjunction with technological advances, has resulted in a large increase in the predicted, identified and functionally confirmed neoantigens. This growth in identified neoantigen sequences has increased the contents of training sets for algorithms, which in turn improves the prediction of which genetic mutations may form neoantigens. Additionally, algorithms predicting how proteins will be processed into peptide epitopes by the proteasome and which peptides bind to the transporter complex are also improving with this research. Now that large screens of all the tumour-specific protein altering mutations are possible, the emerging data from assessment of the immunogenicity of neoantigens suggest that only a minority of variants will form targetable epitopes. The potential for immunotherapeutic targeting of neoantigens will therefore be greater in cancers with a higher frequency of protein altering somatic variants. There is considerable potential in the use of neoantigens to treat patients, either alone or in combination with other immunotherapies and with continued advancements, these potentials will be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Hutchison
- Genetics and Immunology Research Group, University of the Highlands and Islands, An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, Scotland, UK
| | - Antonia L Pritchard
- Genetics and Immunology Research Group, University of the Highlands and Islands, An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, Scotland, UK.
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41
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Kirkin AF, Dzhandzhugazyan KN, Guldberg P, Fang JJ, Andersen RS, Dahl C, Mortensen J, Lundby T, Wagner A, Law I, Broholm H, Madsen L, Lundell-Ek C, Gjerstorff MF, Ditzel HJ, Jensen MR, Fischer W. Adoptive cancer immunotherapy using DNA-demethylated T helper cells as antigen-presenting cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:785. [PMID: 29511178 PMCID: PMC5840134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03217-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In cancer cells, cancer/testis (CT) antigens become epigenetically derepressed through DNA demethylation and constitute attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. Here we report that activated CD4+ T helper cells treated with a DNA-demethylating agent express a broad repertoire of endogenous CT antigens and can be used as antigen-presenting cells to generate autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer cells. In vitro, activated CTLs induce HLA-restricted lysis of tumor cells of different histological types, as well as cells expressing single CT antigens. In a phase 1 trial of 25 patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, cytotoxic lymphocytes homed to the tumor, with tumor regression ongoing in three patients for 14, 22, and 27 months, respectively. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed. This proof-of-principle study shows that tumor-reactive effector cells can be generated ex vivo by exposure to antigens induced by DNA demethylation, providing a novel, minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei F Kirkin
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark.
| | - Karine N Dzhandzhugazyan
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Per Guldberg
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johnny Jon Fang
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Rikke S Andersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Dahl
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jann Mortensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tim Lundby
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aase Wagner
- Department of Neuroradiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ian Law
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle Broholm
- Department of Neuropathology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Madsen
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Walter Fischer
- CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark.,Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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42
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Grah JJ, Katalinic D, Juretic A, Santek F, Samarzija M. Clinical Significance of Immunohistochemical Expression of Cancer/Testis Tumor-associated Antigens (MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3/4, NY-ESO-1) in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1430.15817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Josip Joachim Grah
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center (KBC Zagreb), University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Darko Katalinic
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center (KBC Zagreb), University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonio Juretic
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center (KBC Zagreb), University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Fedor Santek
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center (KBC Zagreb), University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Samarzija
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Center (KBC Zagreb), University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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43
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Zhang W, Barger CJ, Eng KH, Klinkebiel D, Link PA, Omilian A, Bshara W, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation in epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:45352-45369. [PMID: 27322684 PMCID: PMC5216727 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PRAME is a cancer-testis antigen (CTA) and potential immuno-therapeutic target, but has not been well-studied in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or its high grade serous (HGSC) subtype. Compared to normal ovary, PRAME expression was significantly increased most EOC, regardless of stage and grade. Interestingly, PRAME mRNA expression was associated with improved survival in the HGSC subtype. The PRAME locus was a frequent target for copy number alterations (CNA) in HGSC but most changes were heterozygous losses, indicating that elevated PRAME expression is not typically due to CNA. In contrast, PRAME promoter DNA hypomethylation was very common in EOC and HGSC and correlated with increased PRAME expression. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation both correlated with LINE-1 hypomethylation, a biomarker of global DNA hypomethylation. Pharmacologic or genetic disruption of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes activated PRAME expression in EOC cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of PRAME in EOC revealed frequent, but low level, protein expression, and expression was confined to epithelial cells and localized to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic PRAME expression was positively associated with PRAME mRNA expression and negatively associated with promoter methylation, but the latter correlation was not statistically significant. PRAME protein expression did not correlate with EOC clinicopathology or survival. In summary, PRAME is frequently expressed in EOC at the mRNA and protein levels, and DNA methylation is a key mechanism regulating its expression. These data support PRAME as an immunotherapy target in EOC, and suggest treatment with DNMT inhibitors as a means to augment PRAME immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Current address: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kevin H Eng
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Petra A Link
- Department of Pharmacology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Angela Omilian
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wiam Bshara
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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44
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Van Tongelen A, Loriot A, De Smet C. Oncogenic roles of DNA hypomethylation through the activation of cancer-germline genes. Cancer Lett 2017; 396:130-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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45
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Tanaka S, Hosokawa M, Matsumura J, Matsubara E, Kobori A, Ueda K, Iwakawa S. Effects of Zebularine on Invasion Activity and Intracellular Expression Level of let-7b in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2017; 40:1320-1325. [PMID: 28539527 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of zebularine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, on the invasion activity as well as intracellular expression level of let-7b, tumor suppressor microRNA, were examined in three human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines: SW480, SW620, and oxaliplatin-resistant SW620 (SW620/OxR). Zebularine suppressed the invasion activity of SW620 and SW620/OxR cells. The intracellular expression level of let-7b was up-regulated by zebularine in SW620 and SW620/OxR cells. The overexpression of let-7b by the transfection of let-7b mimic suppressed invasion activity in SW620 and SW620/OxR cells. These results suggest that zebularine may inhibit invasion activity by up-regulating the intracellular expression level of let-7b in high-invasive CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
| | - Mika Hosokawa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
| | | | - Emi Matsubara
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
| | - Aika Kobori
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
| | - Kumiko Ueda
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
| | - Seigo Iwakawa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
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46
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Micevic G, Theodosakis N, Bosenberg M. Aberrant DNA methylation in melanoma: biomarker and therapeutic opportunities. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:34. [PMID: 28396701 PMCID: PMC5381063 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0332-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is an epigenetic hallmark of melanoma, known to play important roles in melanoma formation and progression. Recent advances in genome-wide methylation methods have provided the means to identify differentially methylated genes, methylation signatures, and potential biomarkers. However, despite considerable effort and advances in cataloging methylation changes in melanoma, many questions remain unanswered. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments, emerging trends, and important unresolved questions in the field of aberrant DNA methylation in melanoma. In addition to reviewing recent developments, we carefully synthesize the findings in an effort to provide a framework for understanding the current state and direction of the field. To facilitate clarity, we divided the review into DNA methylation changes in melanoma, biomarker opportunities, and therapeutic developments. We hope this review contributes to accelerating the utilization of the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of DNA methylation for the benefit of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Micevic
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Nicholas Theodosakis
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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47
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Lee AK, Potts PR. A Comprehensive Guide to the MAGE Family of Ubiquitin Ligases. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:1114-1142. [PMID: 28300603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma antigen (MAGE) genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and encode for proteins sharing a common MAGE homology domain. Although only a single MAGE gene exists in lower eukaryotes, the MAGE family rapidly expanded in eutherians and consists of more than 50 highly conserved genes in humans. A subset of MAGEs initially garnered interest as cancer biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets due to their antigenic properties and unique expression pattern that is primary restricted to germ cells and aberrantly reactivated in various cancers. However, further investigation revealed that MAGEs not only drive tumorigenesis but also regulate pathways essential for diverse cellular and developmental processes. Therefore, MAGEs are implicated in a broad range of diseases including neurodevelopmental, renal, and lung disorders, and cancer. Recent biochemical and biophysical studies indicate that MAGEs assemble with E3 RING ubiquitin ligases to form MAGE-RING ligases (MRLs) and act as regulators of ubiquitination by modulating ligase activity, substrate specification, and subcellular localization. Here, we present a comprehensive guide to MAGEs highlighting the molecular mechanisms of MRLs and their physiological roles in germ cell and neural development, oncogenic functions in cancer, and potential as therapeutic targets in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Lee
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.
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48
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Zajac P, Schultz-Thater E, Tornillo L, Sadowski C, Trella E, Mengus C, Iezzi G, Spagnoli GC. MAGE-A Antigens and Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2017; 4:18. [PMID: 28337438 PMCID: PMC5340762 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MAGE-A antigens are expressed in a variety of cancers of diverse histological origin and germinal cells. Due to their relatively high tumor specificity, they represent attractive targets for active specific and adoptive cancer immunotherapies. Here, we (i) review past and ongoing clinical studies targeting these antigens, (ii) analyze advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic approaches, and (iii) discuss possible improvements in MAGE-A-specific immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zajac
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Elke Schultz-Thater
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Luigi Tornillo
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Sadowski
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Emanuele Trella
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Chantal Mengus
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Giandomenica Iezzi
- Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Giulio C Spagnoli
- Oncology Surgery, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
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49
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Clinical and biological effects of demethylating agents on solid tumours – A systematic review. Cancer Treat Rev 2017; 54:10-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Revised: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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50
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DNA methylation of the Fthl17 5'-upstream region regulates differential Fthl17 expression in lung cancer cells and germline stem cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172219. [PMID: 28207785 PMCID: PMC5312872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ferritin heavy polypeptide-like 17 (Fthl17) gene is a member of the cancer/testis antigen gene family, and is preferentially expressed in cancer cells and in testis. Although DNA methylation has been linked to the regulation of human FTHL17 gene expression, detailed epigenetic regulation of its expression has not been investigated. To address this, we assessed the epigenetic regulation of murine Fthl17 gene expression in cancer cells and germ cells. Fthl17 was more highly expressed in testis, a murine lung cancer cell line, KLN205, and in germline stem cells (GSCs) than in normal lung tissues. Furthermore, the Fthl17 expression level in GSCs was significantly higher than in KLN205 cells. We performed bisulfite-sequencing and luciferase (luc) reporter assays to examine the role of DNA methylation of the Fthl17 promoter in the regulation of Fthl17 expression. In KLN205 cells, testis, and GSCs, the Fthl17 5’-upstream region was hypo-methylated compared with normal lung tissues. Luc reporter assays indicated that hypo-methylation of the -0.6 kb to 0 kb region upstream from the transcription start site (TSS) was involved in the up-regulation of Fthl17 expression in KLN205 cells and GSCs. Because the -0.6 kb to -0.3 kb or the -0.3 kb to 0 kb region were relatively more hypo-methylated in KLN205 cells and in GSCs, respectively, compared with other regions between -0.6 kb to 0 kb, those regions may contribute to Fthl17 up-regulation in each cell type. Following treatment with 5-Azacytidine, the -0.3 kb to 0 kb region became hypo-methylated, and Fthl17 expression was up-regulated in KLN205 cells to a level comparable to that in GSCs. Together, the results suggest that hypo-methylation of different but adjacent regions immediately upstream of the Fthl17 gene contribute to differential expression levels in lung cancer cells and GSCs, and hypo-methylation of the TSS-proximal region may be critical for high level expression.
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