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Diniz CHDP, Henrique T, Stefanini ACB, De Castro TB, Tajara EH. Cetuximab chemotherapy resistance: Insight into the homeostatic evolution of head and neck cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:80. [PMID: 38639184 PMCID: PMC11056821 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex evolution of genetic alterations in cancer that occurs in vivo is a selective process involving numerous factors and mechanisms. Chemotherapeutic agents that prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells induce selective pressure, leading to rapid artificial selection of resistant subclones. This rapid evolution is possible because antineoplastic drugs promote alterations in tumor‑cell metabolism, thus creating a bottleneck event. The few resistant cells that survive in this new environment obtain differential reproductive success that enables them to pass down the newly selected resistant gene pool. The present review aims to summarize key findings of tumor evolution, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and resistance to cetuximab therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Henrique De Paula Diniz
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP 15090-000, Brazil
| | - Tiago Henrique
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP 15090-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina B. Stefanini
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP 15090-000, Brazil
- Department of Experimental Research, Albert Einstein Education and Research Israeli Institute, IIEPAE, São Paulo, SP 05652-900, Brazil
| | - Tialfi Bergamin De Castro
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP 15090-000, Brazil
- Microbial Pathogenesis Department, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Eloiza H. Tajara
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP 15090-000, Brazil
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
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Olaoba OT, Adelusi TI, Yang M, Maidens T, Kimchi ET, Staveley-O’Carroll KF, Li G. Driver Mutations in Pancreatic Cancer and Opportunities for Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1808. [PMID: 38791887 PMCID: PMC11119842 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101808] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. As the most common form of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents up to 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases, accounting for more than 300,000 deaths annually. Due to the lack of early diagnoses and the high refractory response to the currently available treatments, PDAC has a very poor prognosis, with a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 10%. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are highly effective and have been used for the treatment of many types of cancer; however, they offer limited benefits in pancreatic cancer patients due to tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic factors that culminate in drug resistance. The identification of key factors responsible for PDAC growth and resistance to different treatments is highly valuable in developing new effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss some molecules which promote PDAC initiation and progression, and their potential as targets for PDAC treatment. We also evaluate the challenges associated with patient outcomes in clinical trials and implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olamide T. Olaoba
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Temitope I. Adelusi
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Tessa Maidens
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA;
| | - Eric T. Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Kevin F. Staveley-O’Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (O.T.O.); (T.I.A.); (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
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Citro S, Miccolo C, Medda A, Ghiani L, Tagliabue M, Ansarin M, Chiocca S. HPV-mediated regulation of SMAD4 modulates the DNA damage response in head and neck cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:59. [PMID: 35144669 PMCID: PMC8830113 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Head and Neck cancer (HNC) is a fatal malignancy with poor prognosis. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is becoming the prominent cause of HNC in the western world, and studying the molecular mechanisms underlying its action in cancers is key towards targeted therapy. To replicate, HPV regulates the host DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. SMAD4 is also involved in the regulation of the DDR machinery and likely plays important role in maintaining cell viability upon genotoxic stress. In this study, we investigated the role of HPV in the upregulation of SMAD4 to control the DDR response and facilitate its lifecycle. Methods SMAD4, Rad51 and CHK1 expression was assessed in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNC using TCGA data, a panel of 14 HNC cell lines and 8 fresh tumour tissue samples from HNC patients. HPV16 expression was modulated by E6/E7 siRNA knock-down or transduction in HPV-positive HNC cell lines and Human Primary keratinocytes respectively. SMAD4 half-life was assessed by cycloheximide treatment in HNC cell lines, together with βTRCP1-dependent SMAD4 ubiquitination. SMAD4 siRNA knock-down was used to determine its role in HPV-mediated regulation of DDR machinery and to assess cisplatin sensitivity in HPV-positive HNC cell lines. Results We found that HPV increases SMAD4 expression is both HPV-positive HNC tumours and cell lines, impairing its degradation which is mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase βTRCP1. SMAD4 expression highly correlates with the expression of two main players of the DDR pathway, CHK1 and Rad51, which expression is also upregulated by the presence of HPV. In particular, we demonstrate that HPV stabilizes SMAD4 to increase CHK1 and Rad51 expression. In addition, SMAD4-deficient HPV-positive cells have increased sensitivity to cisplatin treatment. Conclusions Our results give a clear molecular mechanism at the basis of HPV regulation of the DDR pathway. In particular, we show how HPV stabilizes SMAD4 to promote DDR protein expression, which may be used to facilitate viral replication and HNC onset. Moreover, we found that SMAD4 silencing in HPV-positive HNC cell lines increases sensitivity to cisplatin treatment, suggesting that HPV-positive HNC with low SMAD4 expression may be preferentially susceptible to similar treatments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02258-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Citro
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
| | - Claudia Miccolo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Medda
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ghiani
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
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Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition-Derived Heterogeneity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215355. [PMID: 34771518 PMCID: PMC8582421 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are common malignancies with considerable morbidity and a high death toll worldwide. Resistance towards multi-modal therapy modalities composed of surgery, irradiation, chemo- and immunotherapy represents a major obstacle in the efficient treatment of HNSCC patients. Patients frequently show nodal metastases at the time of diagnosis and endure early relapses, oftentimes in the form of local recurrences. Differentiation programs such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) allow individual tumor cells to adopt cellular functions that are central to the development of metastases and treatment resistance. In the present review article, the molecular basis and regulation of EMT and its impact on the progression of HNSCC will be addressed. Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are common tumors with a poor overall prognosis. Poor survival is resulting from limited response to multi-modal therapy, high incidence of metastasis, and local recurrence. Treatment includes surgery, radio(chemo)therapy, and targeted therapy specific for EGFR and immune checkpoint inhibition. The understanding of the molecular basis for the poor outcome of HNSCC was improved using multi-OMICs approaches, which revealed a strong degree of inter- and intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) at the level of DNA mutations, transcriptome, and (phospho)proteome. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified RNA-expression signatures related to cell cycle, cell stress, hypoxia, epithelial differentiation, and a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (pEMT). The latter signature was correlated to nodal involvement and adverse clinical features. Mechanistically, shifts towards a mesenchymal phenotype equips tumor cells with migratory and invasive capacities and with an enhanced resistance to standard therapy. Hence, gradual variations of EMT as observed in HNSCC represent a potent driver of tumor progression that could open new paths to improve the stratification of patients and to innovate approaches to break therapy resistance. These aspects of molecular heterogeneity will be discussed in the present review.
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Muraro E, Fanetti G, Lupato V, Giacomarra V, Steffan A, Gobitti C, Vaccher E, Franchin G. Cetuximab in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Biological mechanisms involved in efficacy, toxicity and resistance. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 164:103424. [PMID: 34245856 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its introduction, the use of cetuximab in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has experienced an evolution. Currently, cetuximab associated with radiotherapy is limited to the treatment of patients affected by a locally advanced malignancy and unfit for cisplatin. However, reliable biomarkers of cetuximab efficacy in this cancer setting are still lacking. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of cetuximab, highlighting, in particular, the consequences of the binding to EGFR, and the pathways involved in the development of adverse events or acquired resistance. Indeed, adverse events, such as skin rash, have been associated with cetuximab efficacy in HNSCC several times. Acquired resistance is associated with microenvironment plasticity, which is, in turn, characterized by an increased immune infiltrate. The better definition of patients eligible for this kind of therapy could improve HNSCC management, possibly proposing a combined treatment with radiotherapy, cetuximab and immune checkpoint inhibitors as recently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Department of Translational Research, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Fanetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Valentina Lupato
- Unit of Otolaryngology, General Hospital "S. Maria degli Angeli", Pordenone, Italy
| | - Vittorio Giacomarra
- Unit of Otolaryngology, General Hospital "S. Maria degli Angeli", Pordenone, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Department of Translational Research, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Carlo Gobitti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Emanuela Vaccher
- Department of Medical Oncology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Giovanni Franchin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
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Prolonged cetuximab treatment promotes p27 Kip1-mediated G1 arrest and autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5259. [PMID: 33664437 PMCID: PMC7933308 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84877-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody, is an efficient anti-tumor therapeutic agent that inhibits the activation of EGFR; however, data related to the cellular effects of prolonged cetuximab treatment are limited. In this study, the long-term cellular outcome of prolonged cetuximab treatment and the related molecular mechanism were explored in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line constitutively expressing a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator. Fluorescent time-lapse imaging was used to assess clonal growth, cell motility, and cell-cycle progression. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the level of phosphorylation and protein-expression following cetuximab treatment. Over 5 days cetuximab treatment decreased cell motility and enhanced G1 phase cell arrest in the central region of the colonies. Significantly decreased phosphorylation of retinoblastoma, Skp2, and Akt-mTOR proteins, accumulation of p27Kip1, and induction of type II LC3B were observed over 8 days cetuximab treatment. Results of the present study elucidate the cetuximab-dependent inhibition of cell migration, resulting in high cell density-related stress and persistent cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase culminating in autophagy. These findings provide novel molecular insights related to the anti-tumor effects of prolonged cetuximab treatment with the potential to improve future therapeutic strategy.
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Ortiz-Cuaran S, Bouaoud J, Karabajakian A, Fayette J, Saintigny P. Precision Medicine Approaches to Overcome Resistance to Therapy in Head and Neck Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:614332. [PMID: 33718169 PMCID: PMC7947611 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.614332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most incident cancer worldwide. More than half of HNSCC patients experience locoregional or distant relapse to treatment despite aggressive multimodal therapeutic approaches that include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Before the arrival of immunotherapy, systemic chemotherapy was previously employed as the standard first-line protocol with an association of cisplatin or carboplatin plus 5-fluorouracil plus cetuximab (anti-EFGR antibody). Unfortunately, acquisition of therapy resistance is common in patients with HNSCC and often results in local and distant failure. Despite our better understanding of HNSCC biology, no other molecular-targeted agent has been approved for HNSCC. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of resistance to the therapeutic strategies currently used in HNSCC, discuss combination treatment strategies to overcome them, and summarize the therapeutic regimens that are presently being evaluated in early- and late-phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jebrane Bouaoud
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Andy Karabajakian
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Jérôme Fayette
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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8
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Stahler A, Stintzing S, von Einem JC, Westphalen CB, Heinrich K, Krämer N, Michl M, Modest DP, von Weikersthal LF, Decker T, Kiani A, Heintges T, Kahl C, Kullmann F, Scheithauer W, Moehler M, Kaiser F, Kirchner T, Jung A, Heinemann V. Single-nucleotide variants, tumour mutational burden and microsatellite instability in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Next-generation sequencing results of the FIRE-3 trial. Eur J Cancer 2020; 137:250-259. [PMID: 32810748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular biomarkers and primary tumour sidedness guide treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer. Comprehensive molecular profiling aims to identify targetable alterations and measure tumour mutational burden (TMB) to enable precision oncology. MATERIAL AND METHODS FoundationOne® next-generation sequencing identified single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy number alterations, high TMB (TMB-H) and high-grade microsatellite instability (MSI-H) in patients treated in the FIRE-3 trial. Data were correlated with objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Three hundred seventy-three (49.6%) of 752 patients provided material for this analysis. Frequent SNVs included TP53, APC, KRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, SMAD4 and FBXW7. KRAS, BRAF V600E and SMAD4 mutations were confirmed as prognostic biomarkers by logistic penalised regression for ORR. OS was significantly longer in patients with SMAD4 wild-type (WT) tumours than in those with SMAD4-mutated tumours (hazard ratio = 0.59 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.34-1.01], p = 0.05), with a higher probability of ORR [odds ratio, SMAD4 SNV versus WT = 0.32 [95% CI = 0.10-0.98], p = 0.05] when treated with cetuximab. MSI-H (30.0%, p = 0.03) and TMB-H (17.3%, p = 0.003) tumours were enriched by FBXW7 mutations. Numerically lower ORR, OS and PFS were observed in MSI-H tumours. CONCLUSIONS RAS, BRAF V600E and SMAD4 mutations were identified as poor prognostic biomarkers in patients of the FIRE-3 trial, whereas improved outcome was observed for BRAF non-V600E mutation. SMAD4 mutation might provide predictive relevance for cetuximab efficacy. MSI-H tumours showed numerically lower ORR, OS and PFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt Stahler
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Stintzing
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology (CCM), Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; DKTK, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jobst C von Einem
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology (CCM), Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph B Westphalen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Heinrich
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole Krämer
- STABURO Statistical Consulting GmbH, Aschauer Strasse 26b, 81549, Munich, Germany
| | - Marlies Michl
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik P Modest
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology (CVK), Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, MIttelallee 11, 10117, Berlin, Germany; DKTK, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Decker
- Onkologische Praxis, Elisabethenstrasse 19, 88212, Ravensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Kiani
- Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum Bayreuth GmbH, Preuschwitzer Strasse 101, 95445, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Tobias Heintges
- Department of Medicine II, Lukaskrankenhaus, Preussenstrasse 84, 41464, Neuss, Germany
| | - Christoph Kahl
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Klinikum Magdeburg gGmbH, Birkenallee 34, 39130, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank Kullmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Klinikum Weiden, Soellnerstrasse 16, 92637, Weiden, Germany
| | - Werner Scheithauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I & CCC, Medical University Vienna, Heiligenstaedter Strasse 46-48, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Moehler
- University Medical Center Mainz, I. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Florian Kaiser
- VK&K Studien GbR, Achdorfer Weg 5a, 84036, Landshut, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Munich, Thalkirchner Strasse 36a, 80337, Munich, Germany; DKTK, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Jung
- Institute of Pathology, University of Munich, Thalkirchner Strasse 36a, 80337, Munich, Germany; DKTK, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Heinemann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany; DKTK, German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Zahavi D, Weiner L. Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:E34. [PMID: 32698317 PMCID: PMC7551545 DOI: 10.3390/antib9030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy is now considered to be a main component of cancer therapy, alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies possess a diverse set of clinically relevant mechanisms of action. In addition, antibodies can directly target tumor cells while simultaneously promoting the induction of long-lasting anti-tumor immune responses. The multifaceted properties of antibodies as a therapeutic platform have led to the development of new cancer treatment strategies that will have major impacts on cancer care. This review focuses on the known mechanisms of action, current clinical applications for the treatment of cancer, and mechanisms of resistance of monoclonal antibody therapy. We further discuss how monoclonal antibody-based strategies have moved towards enhancing anti-tumor immune responses by targeting immune cells instead of tumor antigens as well as some of the current combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zahavi
- Tumor Biology Training Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA;
| | - Louis Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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Integrated single-cell and bulk gene expression and ATAC-seq reveals heterogeneity and early changes in pathways associated with resistance to cetuximab in HNSCC-sensitive cell lines. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:101-113. [PMID: 32362655 PMCID: PMC7341752 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0851-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying potential resistance mechanisms while tumour cells still respond to therapy is critical to delay acquired resistance. Methods We generated the first comprehensive multi-omics, bulk and single-cell data in sensitive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells to identify immediate responses to cetuximab. Two pathways potentially associated with resistance were focus of the study: regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases by TFAP2A transcription factor, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results Single-cell RNA-seq demonstrates heterogeneity, with cell-specific TFAP2A and VIM expression profiles in response to treatment and also with global changes to various signalling pathways. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq reveal global changes within 5 days of therapy, suggesting early onset of mechanisms of resistance; and corroborates cell line heterogeneity, with different TFAP2A targets or EMT markers affected by therapy. Lack of TFAP2A expression is associated with HNSCC decreased growth, with cetuximab and JQ1 increasing the inhibitory effect. Regarding the EMT process, short-term cetuximab therapy has the strongest effect on inhibiting migration. TFAP2A silencing does not affect cell migration, supporting an independent role for both mechanisms in resistance. Conclusion Overall, we show that immediate adaptive transcriptional and epigenetic changes induced by cetuximab are heterogeneous and cell type dependent; and independent mechanisms of resistance arise while tumour cells are still sensitive to therapy.
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11
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Yokokawa M, Morita KI, Oikawa Y, Kayamori K, Sakamoto K, Ikeda T, Harada H. Co-expression of EGFR and MET has a synergistic effect on the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med 2019; 49:235-242. [PMID: 31762177 DOI: 10.1111/jop.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between gene amplification, protein expression of receptor tyrosine kinase, and prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next-generation sequencing data. METHODS We evaluated data pertaining to 208 patients with OSCC using IHC for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET). RESULTS High expressions of EGFR and MET were detected in 60 and 41 patients, respectively. We evaluated the association of clinicopathological variables with high expressions of EGFR and/or MET. Distant metastasis was found in 9 of 41 patients (22.0%) and 6 of 15 patients (40.0%) with high expression of MET and high co-expressions of EGFR and MET, respectively; statistically significant differences were detected in both high expression of MET (P = .003) and high co-expressions of EGFR and MET (P = 3.41 × 10-5 ). The cumulative 5-year survival rate of patients with high and low expressions of EGFR or MET was approximately 65% and 85%, respectively. Conversely, among cases with high expressions of EGFR or MET, there was no additional decrease in the survival rate of patients harboring TP53 mutations. Moreover, the survival rate of patients with high co-expression of both EGFR and MET was very poor (22.0%) (P < 1.0 × 10-9 ). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that evaluation of protein expressions of EGFR and MET may facilitate prognostic assessment of patients with OSCC; in addition, patients with OSCC should be screened for enrollment in clinical trials of combination therapy with EGFR and MET inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misaki Yokokawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichi Morita
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Bioresource Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu Oikawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kou Kayamori
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Sakamoto
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Ikeda
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Harada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Shi J, Li Y, Jia R, Fan X. The fidelity of cancer cells in PDX models: Characteristics, mechanism and clinical significance. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:2078-2088. [PMID: 31479514 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are widely used as preclinical cancer models and are considered better than cell culture models in recapitulating the histological features, molecular characteristics and intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) of human tumors. While the PDX model is commonly accepted for use in drug discovery and other translational studies, a growing body of evidence has suggested its limitations. Recently, the fidelity of cancer cells within a PDX has been questioned, which may impede the future application of these models. In this review, we will focus the variable phenotypes of xenograft tumors and the genomic instability and molecular inconsistency of PDX tumors after serial transplantation. Next, we will discuss the underlying mechanism of ITH and its clinical relevance. Stochastic selection bias in the sampling process and/or deterministic clonal dynamics due to murine selective pressure may have detrimental effects on the results of personalized medicine and drug screening studies. In addition, we aim to identify a possible solution for the issue of fidelity in current PDX models and to discuss emerging next-generation preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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13
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Are Ski and SnoN Involved in the Tumorigenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Smad4? Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2019; 27:626-630. [DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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14
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Lin Z, Zhang L, Zhou J, Zheng J. Silencing Smad4 attenuates sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to cetuximab by promoting epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:3735-3745. [PMID: 31485652 PMCID: PMC6755154 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expression of tumor suppressor Smad4 often occurs in colorectal cancer (CRC), and this phenomenon is believed to be associated with drug resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Smad4 on the sensitivity of CRC cells to cetuximab, and the possible mechanism underlying such an effect. A total of 629 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a Smad4 mutation rate of ~21% was demonstrated among the cases. Low expression of Smad4 was present in CRC tissues analyzed by TCGA and in four CRC cell lines, as determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) and western blot analysis. Cell Counting kit‑8 (CCK‑8) was used to measure the effects of different concentrations of cetuximab on SW480 cell viability at 24 and 48 h. The results demonstrated that treatment of SW480 cells with 20 µg/ml cetuximab for 48 h markedly reduced cell viability. In addition, plasmids were transfected into SW480 cells to induce Smad4 silencing or overexpression. Silencing Smad4 attenuated the sensitivity of SW480 CRC cells to cetuximab; this effect was reflected in increased cell viability and slightly increased migration and invasion, as determined by CCK‑8, wound scratch and Transwell analyses. RT‑qPCR and western blotting was performed to assess the expression levels of apoptosis‑ and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT)‑related genes. Silencing Smad4 partly reversed the effects of cetuximab on the mRNA and protein expression levels of vimentin, Bax/Bcl‑2 and E‑cadherin. However, Smad4 overexpression enhanced SW480 cell sensitivity to cetuximab. In conclusion, Smad4 may serve a vital role in the sensitivity of CRC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs by promoting EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlv Lin
- Department of Surgical Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Surgical Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Zhou
- Department of Surgical Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Jiantao Zheng
- Department of Surgical Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
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15
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Sun B, Fan Y, Yang A, Liang L, Cao J. MicroRNA-539 functions as a tumour suppressor in prostate cancer via the TGF-β/Smad4 signalling pathway by down-regulating DLX1. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:5934-5948. [PMID: 31298493 PMCID: PMC6714137 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related death in males, primarily due to its metastatic potential. The present study aims to identify the expression of microRNA‐539 (miR‐539) in PCa and further investigate its functional relevance in PCa progression both in vitro and in vivo. Initially, microarray analysis was conducted to obtain the differentially expressed gene candidates and the regulatory miRNAs, after which the possible interaction between the two was determined. Next, ectopic expression and knock‐down of the levels of miR‐539 were performed in PCa cells to identify the functional role of miR‐539 in PCa pathogenesis, followed by the measurement of E‐cadherin, vimentin, Smad4, c‐Myc, Snail1 and SLUG expression, as well as proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells. Finally, tumour growth was evaluated in nude mice through in vivo experiments. The results found that miR‐539 was down‐regulated and DLX1 was up‐regulated in PCa tissues and cells. miR‐539 was also found to target and negatively regulate DLX1 expression, which resulted in the inhibition of the TGF‐β/Smad4 signalling pathway. Moreover, the up‐regulation of miR‐539 or DLX1 gene silencing led to the inhibition of PCa cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT and tumour growth, accompanied by increased E‐cadherin expression and decreased expression of vimentin, Smad4, c‐Myc, Snail1 and SLUG. In conclusion, the overexpression of miR‐539‐mediated DLX1 inhibition could potentially impede EMT, proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells through the blockade of the TGF‐β/Smad4 signalling pathway, highlighting a potential miR‐539/DLX1/TGF‐β/Smad4 regulatory axis in the treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baogang Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Fan
- Bidding Office, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, P.R. China
| | - Aijun Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, P.R. China
| | - Lunan Liang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, P.R. China
| | - Jinghe Cao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, P.R. China
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16
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Hernandez AL, Young CD, Wang JH, Wang XJ. Lessons learned from SMAD4 loss in squamous cell carcinomas. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1648-1655. [PMID: 31140647 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SMAD4 is a potent tumor suppressor and a central mediator of the TGFß signaling pathway. SMAD4 genetic loss is frequent in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Reports of SMAD4 expression in SCCs vary significantly possibly due to inter-tumor heterogeneity or technical reasons. SMAD4 loss is an initiation event for SCCs. In tumor epithelial cells, SMAD4 loss causes increased proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and "Brca-like" genomic instability associated with DNA repair defects. SMAD4 loss also plays a role in the expansion of cancer stem cells. Epithelial SMAD4 loss causes overexpression of TGFß that is released into the tumor microenvironment and contributes to SCC progression through proinflammatory and immune evasive mechanisms. SMAD4 loss, while not a direct therapeutic target, is associated with multiple targetable pathways that require further therapeutic studies. Altogether, SMAD4 loss is a potential biomarker in SCCs that should be further studied for its values in prognostic and therapeutic predictions. Such information will potentially guide future biomarker-driven clinical trial designs and improve SCC patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Hernandez
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Christian D Young
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jing H Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado
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17
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Yang L, Li J, Fu S, Ren P, Tang J, Wang N, Shi X, Wu J, Lin S. Up-regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 Is Associated with Brain Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cells 2019; 42:321-332. [PMID: 31085806 PMCID: PMC6530643 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2019.2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is the most common metastatic site of lung adenocarcinoma; however, the mechanism of this selective metastasis remains unclear. We aimed to verify the hypothesis that exposure of tumor cells to the brain microenvironment leads to changes in their gene expression, which promotes their oriented transfer to the brain. A549 and H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to human astrocyte-conditioned medium to simulate the brain microenvironment. Microarray analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes, which were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Knockdown experiments using microRNAs and the overexpression of genes by cell transfection were performed in addition to migration and invasion assays. In vitro findings were confirmed in clinical specimens using immunohistochemistry. We found and confirmed a significant increase in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) levels. Our results also showed that the up-regulation of IGFBP3 promoted A549 cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion, while the knockdown of IGFBP3 resulted in decreased cell motility. We also found that Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition was likely IGFBP3-dependent in A549 cells. Finally, expression of IGFBP3 was significantly elevated in pulmonary cancer tissues and intracranial metastatic tissues. Our data indicate that up-regulation of IGFBP3 might mediate brain metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma, which makes it a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishi Yang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Junyang Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Shaozhi Fu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Peirong Ren
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Juan Tang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Xiangxiang Shi
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Jingbo Wu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,
China
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18
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Hernandez AL, Wang Y, Somerset HL, Keysar SB, Aisner DL, Marshall C, Bowles DW, Karam SD, Raben D, Jimeno A, Varella-Garcia M, Wang XJ. Inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of SMAD4 loss in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:666-673. [PMID: 30575147 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Reports regarding the frequency of SMAD4 loss in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) vary significantly. We have shown that SMAD4 deletion contributes to HNSCC initiation and progression. Therefore, accurately detecting genetic SMAD4 loss is critical to determine prognosis and therapeutic interventions in personalized medicine. We developed a SMAD4 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to identify chromosomal SMAD4 loss at the single cell level of primary HNSCC specimens and patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumors derived from HNSCCs. SMAD4 heterozygous loss was detected in 35% of primary HNSCCs and 41.3% of PDX tumors. Additionally, 4.3% of PDX tumors had SMAD4 homozygous loss. These frequencies of SMAD4 loss were similar to those in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). However, we identified significant heterogeneities of SMAD4 loss (partial or complete) among cells within each tumor. We also found that aneuploidy (monosomy and polysomy) contributed greatly to how to define chromosomal SMAD4 deletion. Furthermore, in cultured PDX tumors, SMAD4 mutant cells outcompeted SMAD4 wildtype cells, resulting in establishing homogenous SMAD4 mutant HNSCC cell lines with partial or complete genomic SMAD4 loss, suggesting a survival advantage of SMAD4 mutant cells. Taken together, our study reveals inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneities of SMAD4 chromosomal loss in HNSCCs. Further, SMAD4 FISH assay provides a platform for future clinical diagnosis of SMAD4 chromosomal loss that potentially serves as a molecular marker for prognosis and therapeutic intervention in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Hernandez
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ying Wang
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Molecular Pathology/Cytogenetics Shared Resource, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hilary L Somerset
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stephen B Keysar
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dara L Aisner
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Carrie Marshall
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Daniel W Bowles
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David Raben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Antonio Jimeno
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Marileila Varella-Garcia
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Molecular Pathology/Cytogenetics Shared Resource, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado
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19
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D'Haene N, Le Mercier M, Salmon I, Mekinda Z, Remmelink M, Berghmans T. SMAD4 Mutation in Small Cell Transformation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma. Oncologist 2018; 24:9-13. [PMID: 30413663 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2018-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The large screening of exons 18 to 21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene may lead to the discovery of rare, atypical molecular alterations for which the sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains uncertain. We are reporting a rare exon 18 EGFR mutation (p.E709_710 > D) that confers sensitivity to second-generation EGFR TKI (afatinib), lasting for 1 year. Tumor progression biopsy showed small cell lung cancer transformation, associated with a SMAD4 mutation. KEY POINTS: A rare exon 18 epidermal growth factor receptor mutation with sensitivity to afatinib is reported.Small cell transformation was observed at tumor progression.Acquisition of a SMAD4 mutation was observed at tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky D'Haene
- Department of Pathology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Le Mercier
- Department of Pathology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Salmon
- Department of Pathology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zita Mekinda
- Department of Pneumology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myriam Remmelink
- Department of Pathology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thierry Berghmans
- Department of Intensive Care and Oncological Emergencies & Thoracic Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium
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20
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Cui GX, Gao XL, Liang XH. [Invasion and metastasis mechanism of human papillomavirus in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas]. HUA XI KOU QIANG YI XUE ZA ZHI = HUAXI KOUQIANG YIXUE ZAZHI = WEST CHINA JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY 2018; 36:544-551. [PMID: 30465350 DOI: 10.7518/hxkq.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major causative agent of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Over the past several decades, an increasing number of studies established the strong association of HPV with the invasion and metastasis of HNSCC. In the present study, we reviewed the gene mutations in HPV-associated HNSCC and the unique mechanism of E6- and E7-mediated carcinogenesis via interactions with an array of cellular elements. We further discussed the progress in the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis; these mechanisms include non-coding RNAs, deregulating cellular energetics, tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Xue Cui
- Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng 024000, China
| | - Xiao-Lei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xin-Hua Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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21
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Ghasabi M, Mansoori B, Mohammadi A, Duijf PH, Shomali N, Shirafkan N, Mokhtarzadeh A, Baradaran B. MicroRNAs in cancer drug resistance: Basic evidence and clinical applications. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:2152-2168. [PMID: 30146724 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of drug resistance has considerably limited the efficacy of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the innate or the acquired resistance to these therapies is critical to improve drug efficiency and clinical outcomes. Several studies have implicated microRNAs (miRNA) in this process. MiRNAs repress gene expression by specific binding to complementary sequences in the 3' region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), followed by target mRNA degradation or blocked translation. By targeting molecules specific to a particular pathway within tumor cells, the new generation of cancer treatment strategies has shown significant advantages over conventional chemotherapy. However, the long-term efficacy of targeted therapies often remains poor, because tumor cells develop resistance to such therapeutics. Targeted therapies often involve monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), such as those blocking the ErB/HER tyrosine kinases, epidermal growth factor receptor (cetuximab) and HER2 (trastuzumab), and those inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling (e.g., bevacizumab). Even though these are among the most used agents in tumor medicine, clinical response to these drugs is reduced due to the emergence of drug resistance as a result of toxic effects in the tumor microenvironment. Research on different types of human cancers has revealed that aberrant expression of miRNAs promotes resistance to the aforementioned drugs. In this study, we review the mechanisms of tumor cell resistance to mAb therapies and the role of miRNAs therein. Emerging treatment strategies combine therapies using innovative miRNA mimics or antagonizers with conventional approaches to maximize outcomes of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Ghasabi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pascal Hg Duijf
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Shirafkan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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22
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Stein-O’Brien G, Kagohara LT, Li S, Thakar M, Ranaweera R, Ozawa H, Cheng H, Considine M, Schmitz S, Favorov AV, Danilova LV, Califano JA, Izumchenko E, Gaykalova DA, Chung CH, Fertig EJ. Integrated time course omics analysis distinguishes immediate therapeutic response from acquired resistance. Genome Med 2018; 10:37. [PMID: 29792227 PMCID: PMC5966898 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-018-0545-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted therapies specifically act by blocking the activity of proteins that are encoded by genes critical for tumorigenesis. However, most cancers acquire resistance and long-term disease remission is rarely observed. Understanding the time course of molecular changes responsible for the development of acquired resistance could enable optimization of patients' treatment options. Clinically, acquired therapeutic resistance can only be studied at a single time point in resistant tumors. METHODS To determine the dynamics of these molecular changes, we obtained high throughput omics data (RNA-sequencing and DNA methylation) weekly during the development of cetuximab resistance in a head and neck cancer in vitro model. The CoGAPS unsupervised algorithm was used to determine the dynamics of the molecular changes associated with resistance during the time course of resistance development. RESULTS CoGAPS was used to quantify the evolving transcriptional and epigenetic changes. Applying a PatternMarker statistic to the results from CoGAPS enabled novel heatmap-based visualization of the dynamics in these time course omics data. We demonstrate that transcriptional changes result from immediate therapeutic response or resistance, whereas epigenetic alterations only occur with resistance. Integrated analysis demonstrates delayed onset of changes in DNA methylation relative to transcription, suggesting that resistance is stabilized epigenetically. CONCLUSIONS Genes with epigenetic alterations associated with resistance that have concordant expression changes are hypothesized to stabilize the resistant phenotype. These genes include FGFR1, which was associated with EGFR inhibitors resistance previously. Thus, integrated omics analysis distinguishes the timing of molecular drivers of resistance. This understanding of the time course progression of molecular changes in acquired resistance is important for the development of alternative treatment strategies that would introduce appropriate selection of new drugs to treat cancer before the resistant phenotype develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Stein-O’Brien
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Luciane T. Kagohara
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sijia Li
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Manjusha Thakar
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ruchira Ranaweera
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Hiroyuki Ozawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haixia Cheng
- Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, |Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Michael Considine
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sandra Schmitz
- Head and Neck Surgery Unit, St Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander V. Favorov
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Computational Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila V. Danilova
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Computational Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Joseph A. Califano
- Department of Surgery, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Daria A. Gaykalova
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Christine H. Chung
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Elana J. Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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23
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Yang XH, Guo F. miR‑3147 serves as an oncomiR in vulvar squamous cell cancer via Smad4 suppression. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:6397-6404. [PMID: 29512734 PMCID: PMC5928616 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) has increased annually over the last decade. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) serve an important role in tumor progression and development. Our previous microarray studies have revealed that miR-3147 was overexpressed in VSCC. However, its function and underlying mechanism in VSCC remain unknown. In the present study, it was confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction that the expression of miR-3147 was markedly upregulated in VSCC tissues. The increased expression of miR-3147 was positively associated with the depth of invasion. The overexpression of miR-3147 resulted in the promotion of vulvar cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, G1/S progression and invasion-associated gene expression. miR-3147 may participate in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reduce the expressions of downstream target genes in the transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling pathway in A431 cells. The knockdown of Smad4 by small interfering RNA promoted malignant behaviours in A431 cells. In addition, miR-3147 regulated Smad4 by directly binding to its 3′ untranslated region. In conclusion, the results indicated that miR-3147 may serve an oncogenic role in VSCC by targeting Smad4. miR-3147 may represent a novel potential therapeutic target marker for VSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Hua Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
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24
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Fertig EJ, Ozawa H, Thakar M, Howard JD, Kagohara LT, Krigsfeld G, Ranaweera RS, Hughes RM, Perez J, Jones S, Favorov AV, Carey J, Stein-O'Brien G, Gaykalova DA, Ochs MF, Chung CH. CoGAPS matrix factorization algorithm identifies transcriptional changes in AP-2alpha target genes in feedback from therapeutic inhibition of the EGFR network. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73845-73864. [PMID: 27650546 PMCID: PMC5342018 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with oncogene driven tumors are treated with targeted therapeutics including EGFR inhibitors. Genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) demonstrates molecular alterations to EGFR, MAPK, and PI3K pathways in previously untreated tumors. Therefore, this study uses bioinformatics algorithms to delineate interactions resulting from EGFR inhibitor use in cancer cells with these genetic alterations. We modify the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line model to simulate cancer cells with constitutive activation of EGFR, HRAS, and PI3K in a controlled genetic background. We then measure gene expression after treating modified HaCaT cells with gefitinib, afatinib, and cetuximab. The CoGAPS algorithm distinguishes a gene expression signature associated with the anticipated silencing of the EGFR network. It also infers a feedback signature with EGFR gene expression itself increasing in cells that are responsive to EGFR inhibitors. This feedback signature has increased expression of several growth factor receptors regulated by the AP-2 family of transcription factors. The gene expression signatures for AP-2alpha are further correlated with sensitivity to cetuximab treatment in HNSCC cell lines and changes in EGFR expression in HNSCC tumors with low CDKN2A gene expression. In addition, the AP-2alpha gene expression signatures are also associated with inhibition of MEK, PI3K, and mTOR pathways in the Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) data. These results suggest that AP-2 transcription factors are activated as feedback from EGFR network inhibition and may mediate EGFR inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Ozawa
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manjusha Thakar
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jason D Howard
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luciane T Kagohara
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel Krigsfeld
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruchira S Ranaweera
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jimena Perez
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Siân Jones
- Personal Genome Diagnostics, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexander V Favorov
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia.,Research Institute for Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jacob Carey
- Department of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Genevieve Stein-O'Brien
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daria A Gaykalova
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael F Ochs
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ, USA
| | - Christine H Chung
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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25
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Wu F, Weigel KJ, Zhou H, Wang XJ. Paradoxical roles of TGF-β signaling in suppressing and promoting squamous cell carcinoma. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:98-105. [PMID: 29206939 PMCID: PMC5846704 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmx127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling either promotes or inhibits tumor formation and/or progression of many cancer types including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Canonical TGF-β signaling is mediated by a number of downstream proteins including Smad family proteins. Alterations in either TGF-β or Smad signaling can impact cancer. For instance, defects in TGF-β type I and type II receptors (TGF-βRI and TGF-βRII) and in Smad2/3/4 could promote tumor development. Conversely, increased TGF-β1 and activated TGF-βRI and Smad3 have all been shown to have tumor-promoting effects in experimental systems of human and mouse SCCs. Among TGF-β/Smad signaling, only TGF-βRII or Smad4 deletion in mouse epithelium causes spontaneous SCC in the mouse model, highlighting the critical roles of TGF-βRII and Smad4 in tumor suppression. Herein, we review the dual roles of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and related mechanisms in SCC, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of TGF-β/Smad-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanglong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kelsey J Weigel
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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26
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Liang HW, Yang X, Wen DY, Gao L, Zhang XY, Ye ZH, Luo J, Li ZY, He Y, Pang YY, Chen G. Utility of miR‑133a‑3p as a diagnostic indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma: An investigation combined with GEO, TCGA, meta‑analysis and bioinformatics. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:1469-1484. [PMID: 29138825 PMCID: PMC5780086 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated that microRNA (miR)‑133a‑3p is an important regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, the diagnostic role of miR‑133a‑3p in HCC, and the potential functional pathways, were both explored based on publicly available data. Eligible microarray datasets were collected from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and ArrayExpress database. The data related to HCC and matched adjacent normal tissues were also downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Published studies reporting the association between miR‑133a‑3p expression and HCC were reviewed from multiple databases. By combining the data derived from three sources (GEO, TCGA and published studies), the authors analyzed the comprehensive relationship between miR‑133a‑3p expression and clinicopathological features of HCC. Eventually, putative targets of miR‑133a‑3p in HCC were selected for further bioinformatics prediction. A total of eight published microarray datasets were gathered, and the pooled results demonstrated that the expression of miR‑133a‑3p in the tumor group was lower than that in normal groups [standardized mean difference (SMD)=‑0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), ‑0.74 to ‑0.35; P<0.001]. Consistently, the level of miR‑133a‑1 in HCC was reduced markedly compared to normal tissues (P<0.001) based on TCGA data, and the AUC value of low miR‑133a‑1 expression for HCC diagnosis was 0.670 (P<0.001). Furthermore, the combined SMD of all datasets (GEO, TCGA and literature) suggested that significant difference was observed between the HCC group and the normal control group, and lower miR‑133a‑3p expression in HCC group was noted (SMD=‑0.69; 95% CI, ‑1.10 to ‑0.29; P=0.001). In addition, the authors discovered five key genes of the calcium signaling pathway (NOS1, ADRA1A, ADRA1B, ADRA1D and TBXA2R) that may probably be targeted by miR‑133a‑3p in HCC. The study reveals that miR‑133a‑3p may function as a tumor suppressor in HCC. The prospective novel pathways and key genes of miR‑133a‑3p could offer potential biomarkers for HCC; however, the predictions require further confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Yue Wen
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiang-Yu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Hua Ye
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zu-Yun Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yun He
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Yan Pang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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27
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Litwin TR, Clarke MA, Dean M, Wentzensen N. Somatic Host Cell Alterations in HPV Carcinogenesis. Viruses 2017; 9:v9080206. [PMID: 28771191 PMCID: PMC5580463 DOI: 10.3390/v9080206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infections cause cancers in different organ sites, most commonly cervical and head and neck cancers. While carcinogenesis is initiated by two viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, increasing evidence shows the importance of specific somatic events in host cells for malignant transformation. HPV-driven cancers share characteristic somatic changes, including apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC)-driven mutations and genomic instability leading to copy number variations and large chromosomal rearrangements. HPV-associated cancers have recurrent somatic mutations in phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), human leukocyte antigen A and B (HLA-A and HLA-B)-A/B, and the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway, and rarely have mutations in the tumor protein p53 (TP53) and RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1) tumor suppressor genes. There are some variations by tumor site, such as NOTCH1 mutations which are primarily found in head and neck cancers. Understanding the somatic events following HPV infection and persistence can aid the development of early detection biomarkers, particularly when mutations in precancers are characterized. Somatic mutations may also influence prognosis and treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara R Litwin
- Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Megan A Clarke
- Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Michael Dean
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Gaithersburg, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Nicolas Wentzensen
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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28
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Ozawa H, Ranaweera RS, Izumchenko E, Makarev E, Zhavoronkov A, Fertig EJ, Howard JD, Markovic A, Bedi A, Ravi R, Perez J, Le QT, Kong CS, Jordan RC, Wang H, Kang H, Quon H, Sidransky D, Chung CH. SMAD4 Loss Is Associated with Cetuximab Resistance and Induction of MAPK/JNK Activation in Head and Neck Cancer Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:5162-5175. [PMID: 28522603 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: We previously demonstrated an association between decreased SMAD4 expression and cetuximab resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the clinical relevance of SMAD4 loss in HNSCC.Experimental Design: SMAD4 expression was assessed by IHC in 130 newly diagnosed and 43 patients with recurrent HNSCC. Correlative statistical analysis with clinicopathologic data was also performed. OncoFinder, a bioinformatics tool, was used to analyze molecular signaling in TCGA tumors with low or high SMAD4 mRNA levels. The role of SMAD4 was investigated by shRNA knockdown and gene reconstitution of HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro and in vivoResults: Our analysis revealed that SMAD4 loss was associated with an aggressive, HPV-negative, cetuximab-resistant phenotype. We found a signature of prosurvival and antiapoptotic pathways that were commonly dysregulated in SMAD4-low cases derived from TCGA-HNSCC dataset and an independent oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cohort obtained from GEO. We show that SMAD4 depletion in an HNSCC cell line induces cetuximab resistance and results in worse survival in an orthotopic mouse model in vivo We implicate JNK and MAPK activation as mediators of cetuximab resistance and provide the foundation for the concomitant EGFR and JNK/MAPK inhibition as a potential strategy for overcoming cetuximab resistance in HNSCCs with SMAD4 loss.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that loss of SMAD4 expression is a signature characterizing the cetuximab-resistant phenotype and suggests that SMAD4 expression may be a determinant of sensitivity/resistance to EGFR/MAPK or EGFR/JNK inhibition in HPV-negative HNSCC tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 23(17); 5162-75. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Ozawa
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ruchira S Ranaweera
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eugene Makarev
- Insilico Medicine, Inc, ETC, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alex Zhavoronkov
- Insilico Medicine, Inc, ETC, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Health Science Informatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jason D Howard
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ana Markovic
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Atul Bedi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rajani Ravi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jimena Perez
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Quynh-Thu Le
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, California
| | - Christina S Kong
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, California
| | - Richard C Jordan
- Departments of Orofacial Sciences and Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hyunseok Kang
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Harry Quon
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Sidransky
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christine H Chung
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
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29
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Phuah NH, Azmi MN, Awang K, Nagoor NH. Down-Regulation of MicroRNA-210 Confers Sensitivity towards 1'S-1'-Acetoxychavicol Acetate (ACA) in Cervical Cancer Cells by Targeting SMAD4. Mol Cells 2017; 40:291-298. [PMID: 28401751 PMCID: PMC5424275 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2017.2285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate genes posttranscriptionally. Past studies have reported that miR-210 is up-regulated in many cancers including cervical cancer, and plays a pleiotropic role in carcinogenesis. However, its role in regulating response towards anti-cancer agents has not been fully elucidated. We have previously reported that the natural compound 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) is able to induce cytotoxicity in various cancer cells including cervical cancer cells. Hence, this study aims to investigate the mechanistic role of miR-210 in regulating response towards ACA in cervical cancer cells. In the present study, we found that ACA down-regulated miR-210 expression in cervical cancer cells, and suppression of miR-210 expression enhanced sensitivity towards ACA by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed increased expression of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), which was predicted as a target of miR-210 by target prediction programs, following treatment with ACA. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-210 binds to sequences in 3'UTR of SMAD4. Furthermore, decreased in SMAD4 protein expression was observed when miR-210 was overexpressed. Conversely, SMAD4 protein expression increased when miR-210 expression was suppressed. Lastly, we demonstrated that overexpression of SMAD4 augmented the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of ACA. Taken together, our results demonstrated that down-regulation of miR-210 conferred sensitivity towards ACA in cervical cancer cells by targeting SMAD4. These findings suggest that combination of miRNAs and natural compounds could provide new strategies in treating cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neoh Hun Phuah
- Institute of Biological Sciences (Genetics and Molecular Biology), Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Nurul Azmi
- Centre for Natural Product Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
| | - Khalijah Awang
- Centre for Natural Product Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
| | - Noor Hasima Nagoor
- Institute of Biological Sciences (Genetics and Molecular Biology), Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
- Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
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30
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Yang H, Zhang X, Cai XY, Wen DY, Ye ZH, Liang L, Zhang L, Wang HL, Chen G, Feng ZB. From big data to diagnosis and prognosis: gene expression signatures in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3089. [PMID: 28316892 PMCID: PMC5354077 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Liver hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for the overwhelming majority of primary liver cancers and its belated diagnosis and poor prognosis call for novel biomarkers to be discovered, which, in the era of big data, innovative bioinformatics and computational techniques can prove to be highly helpful in. Methods Big data aggregated from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Natural Language Processing were integrated to generate differentially expressed genes. Relevant signaling pathways of differentially expressed genes went through Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Panther pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network. The pathway ranked high in the enrichment analysis was further investigated, and selected genes with top priority were evaluated and assessed in terms of their diagnostic and prognostic values. Results A list of 389 genes was generated by overlapping genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Natural Language Processing. Three pathways demonstrated top priorities, and the one with specific associations with cancers, ‘pathways in cancer,’ was analyzed with its four highlighted genes, namely, BIRC5, E2F1, CCNE1, and CDKN2A, which were validated using Oncomine. The detection pool composed of the four genes presented satisfactory diagnostic power with an outstanding integrated AUC of 0.990 (95% CI [0.982–0.998], P < 0.001, sensitivity: 96.0%, specificity: 96.5%). BIRC5 (P = 0.021) and CCNE1 (P = 0.027) were associated with poor prognosis, while CDKN2A (P = 0.066) and E2F1 (P = 0.088) demonstrated no statistically significant differences. Discussion The study illustrates liver hepatocellular carcinoma gene signatures, related pathways and networks from the perspective of big data, featuring the cancer-specific pathway with priority, ‘pathways in cancer.’ The detection pool of the four highlighted genes, namely BIRC5, E2F1, CCNE1 and CDKN2A, should be further investigated given its high evidence level of diagnosis, whereas the prognostic powers of BIRC5 and CCNE1 are equally attractive and worthy of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yang
- Department of Ultrasonography, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Cai
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (West Branch), Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dong-Yue Wen
- Department of Ultrasonography, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Ye
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (West Branch), Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Han-Lin Wang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhen-Bo Feng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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31
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Zhang X, Ye ZH, Liang HW, Ren FH, Li P, Dang YW, Chen G. Down-regulation of miR-146a-5p and its potential targets in hepatocellular carcinoma validated by a TCGA- and GEO-based study. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 7:504-521. [PMID: 28396836 PMCID: PMC5377416 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous research has demonstrated that miR‐146a‐5p is down‐regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and might play a tumor‐suppressive role. In this study, we sought to validate the decreased expression with a larger cohort and to explore potential molecular mechanisms. GEO and TCGA databases were used to gather miR‐146a‐5p expression data in HCC, which included 762 HCC and 454 noncancerous liver tissues. A meta‐analysis of the GEO‐based microarrays, TCGA‐based RNA‐seq data, and additional qRT‐PCR data validated the down‐regulation of miR‐146a‐5p in HCC and no publication bias was observed. Integrated genes were generated by overlapping miR‐146a‐5p‐related genes from predicted and formerly reported HCC‐related genes using natural language processing. The overlaps were comprehensively analyzed to discover the potential gene signatures, regulatory pathways, and networks of miR‐146a‐5p in HCC. A total of 251 miR‐146a‐5p potential target genes were predicted by bioinformatics platforms and 104 genes were considered as both HCC‐ and miR‐146a‐5p‐related overlaps. RAC1 was the most connected hub gene for miR‐146a‐5p and four pathways with high enrichment (VEGF signaling pathway, adherens junction, toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, and neurotrophin signaling pathway) were denoted for the overlapped genes. The down‐regulation of miR‐146a‐5p in HCC has been validated with the most complete data possible. The potential gene signatures, regulatory pathways, and networks identified for miR‐146a‐5p in HCC could prove useful for molecular‐targeted diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Zhi-Hua Ye
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Fang-Hui Ren
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Yi-Wu Dang
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
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32
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Liao S, Davoli T, Leng Y, Li MZ, Xu Q, Elledge SJ. A genetic interaction analysis identifies cancer drivers that modify EGFR dependency. Genes Dev 2017; 31:184-196. [PMID: 28167502 PMCID: PMC5322732 DOI: 10.1101/gad.291948.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Liao et al. comprehensively investigated how cancer drivers genetically interact. They searched for modifiers of EGFR dependency by performing CRISPR, shRNA, and expression screens in a NSCLC model, and their data provide strong support for the hypothesis that many cancer drivers can substitute for each other in certain contexts. A large number of cancer drivers have been identified through tumor sequencing efforts, but how they interact and the degree to which they can substitute for each other have not been systematically explored. To comprehensively investigate how cancer drivers genetically interact, we searched for modifiers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dependency by performing CRISPR, shRNA, and expression screens in a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) model. We elucidated a broad spectrum of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and oncogenes (OGs) that can genetically modify proliferation and survival of cancer cells when EGFR signaling is altered. These include genes already known to mediate EGFR inhibitor resistance as well as many TSGs not previously connected to EGFR and whose biological functions in tumorigenesis are not well understood. We show that mutation of PBRM1, a subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, attenuates the effects of EGFR inhibition in part by sustaining AKT signaling. We also show that mutation of Capicua (CIC), a transcriptional repressor, suppresses the effects of EGFR inhibition by partially restoring the EGFR-promoted gene expression program, including the sustained expression of Ets transcription factors such as ETV1. Together, our data provide strong support for the hypothesis that many cancer drivers can substitute for each other in certain contexts and broaden our understanding of EGFR regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sida Liao
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Teresa Davoli
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yumei Leng
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Mamie Z Li
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Qikai Xu
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Stephen J Elledge
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Program in Virology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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33
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Mallen-St Clair J, Alani M, Wang MB, Srivatsan ES. Human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal cancer: The changing face of a disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2016; 1866:141-150. [PMID: 27487173 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has brought about an unexpected rise in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) primarily in white males from the ages of 40-55years, with limited exposure to alcohol and tobacco. This subset of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been found to be associated with human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Other Head and Neck Squamous Cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subtypes include oral cavity, hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and laryngeal SCC which tend to be HPV negative. HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer has proven to differ from alcohol and tobacco associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in regards to the molecular pathophysiology, presentation, epidemiology, prognosis, and improved response to chemoradiation therapy. Given the improved survival of patients with HPV associated SCC, efforts to de-intensify treatment to decrease treatment related morbidity are at the forefront of clinical research. This review will focus on the important differences between HPV and tobacco related oropharyngeal cancer. We will review the molecular pathogenesis of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer with an emphasis on new paradigms for screening and treating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Mallen-St Clair
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mustafa Alani
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marilene B Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eri S Srivatsan
- Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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34
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Zeng Y, Zhu J, Shen D, Qin H, Lei Z, Li W, Huang JA, Liu Z. Repression of Smad4 by miR‑205 moderates TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cell lines. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:700-8. [PMID: 27279345 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays important roles in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the key event in the early stages of cancer metastasis and enhances the capability of cell migration and invasion. Smad4 acts as the only Co-Smad of TGF/Smad signaling pathway and plays the key role in TGF-β-mediated EMT. Nevertheless, the mRNA regulation mechanisms of Smad4 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unclear. Computational algorithms predicted that the 3'-UTR of Smad4 is a target of miR‑205. Here, we validated that miR‑205 could directly bind to 3'-UTR of Smad4 by luciferase assays. Moreover, we investigated the functional roles of miR‑205 and its molecular link to Smad4 in lung cancer cells. In this study, we confirmed that overexpression of miR‑205 suppressed the expression of Smad4, in turn, weakened the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and inhibited TGF-β/Smad4-induced EMT, invasion and migration ultimately. Furthermore, this study shows that miR‑205 can serve as a promising therapeutic target of highly aggressive NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jianjie Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dan Shen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hualong Qin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Lei
- Suzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Genetics, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jian-An Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zeyi Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
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