1
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Hu YM, Zhao F, Graff JN, Chen C, Zhao X, Thomas GV, Wu H, Kardosh A, Mills GB, Alumkal JJ, Moran AE, Xia Z. Androgen receptor activity inversely correlates with immune cell infiltration and immunotherapy response across multiple cancer lineages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.08.593181. [PMID: 38798471 PMCID: PMC11118439 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
There is now increasing recognition of the important role of androgen receptor (AR) in modulating immune function. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of AR activity on cancer immunity, we employed a computational approach to profile AR activity in 33 human tumor types using RNA-Seq datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our pan-cancer analysis revealed that the genes most negatively correlated with AR activity across cancers are involved in active immune system processes. Importantly, we observed a significant negative correlation between AR activity and IFNγ pathway activity at the pan-cancer level. Indeed, using a matched biopsy dataset from subjects with prostate cancer before and after AR-targeted treatment, we verified that inhibiting AR enriches immune cell abundances and is associated with higher IFNγ pathway activity. Furthermore, by analyzing immunotherapy datasets in multiple cancers, our results demonstrate that low AR activity was significantly associated with a favorable response to immunotherapy. Together, our data provide a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between AR signaling and tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Mei Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Faming Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Julie N. Graff
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Canping Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Xiyue Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - George V. Thomas
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hui Wu
- Division of Biomaterial and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Adel Kardosh
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joshi J. Alumkal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amy E. Moran
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Zheng Xia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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2
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Song G, Dai T, Chang Y, Pei H, Liu W, Guo P, Ren Y, Shen G, Feng J. A BEST classification system of large to giant congenital melanocytic nevi based on expert consensus and distribution characteristics. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024. [PMID: 38708780 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.20075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large to giant congenital melanocytic nevi (LGCMN) significantly decrease patients' quality of life, but the inaccuracy of current classification system makes their clinical management challenging. OBJECTIVES To improve and extend the existing LGCMN 6B/7B classification systems by developing a novel LGCMN classification system based on a new phenotypic approach to clinical tool development. METHODS Three hundred and sixty-one LGCMN cases were categorized into four subtypes based on anatomic site: bonce (25.48%), extremity (17.73%), shawl (19.67%) and trunks (37.12%) LGCMN. A 'BEST' classification system of LGCMN was established and validated by a support vector machine classifier combined with the 7B system. RESULTS The most common LGCMN distributions were on bonce and trunks (bathing trunk), whereas breast/belly and body LGCMN were exceptionally rare. Sexual dimorphism characterized distribution, with females showing a wider range of lesions in the genital area. Nearly half of the patients with bathing trunk LGCMN exhibited a butterfly-like distribution. Approximately half of the LGCMN with chest involvement did not have nipple-areola complex involvement. Abdomen, back and buttock involvement was associated with the presence of satellite nevi (r = 0.558), and back and buttock involvement was associated with the presence of nodules (r = 0.364). CONCLUSIONS The effective quantification of a standardized anatomical site provides data support for the accuracy of the 6B/7B classification systems. The simplified BEST classification system can help establish a LGCMN clinical database for exploration of LGCMN aetiology, disease management and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Song
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Tao Dai
- Department of Wound Reconstructive Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajie Chang
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huile Pei
- Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Wuping Liu
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pengfei Guo
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yongqiang Ren
- Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Guiping Shen
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jianghua Feng
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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3
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Giovannelli P, Di Donato M, Licitra F, Sabbatino E, Tutino V, Castoria G, Migliaccio A. Filamin A in triple negative breast cancer. Steroids 2024; 205:109380. [PMID: 38311094 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is a rare but highly heterogeneous breast cancer subtype with a limited choice of specific treatments. Chemotherapy remains the only efficient treatment, but its side effects and the development of resistance consolidate the urgent need to discover new targets. In TNBC, filamin A expression correlates to grade and TNM stage. Accordingly, this protein could constitute a new target for this BC subtype. Even if most of the data indicates its direct involvement in cancer progression, some contrasting results underline the need to deepen the studies. To elucidate a possible function of this protein as a TNBC marker, we summarized the main characteristic of filamin A and its involvement in physiological and pathological processes such as cancer. Lastly, we scrutinized its actions in triple-negative breast cancer and highlighted the need to increase the number of studies useful to better clarify the role of this versatile protein as a marker and target in TNBC, alone or in "collaboration" with other proteins with a relevant role in this BC subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Licitra
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Sabbatino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Tutino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio, 7-80138 Naples, Italy
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4
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Taglialatela I, Indini A, Santanelli G, Di Liberti G, Di Guardo L, De Braud F, Del Vecchio M. Melanoma and sex hormones: Pathogenesis, progressive disease and response to treatments. TUMORI JOURNAL 2024:3008916241231687. [PMID: 38372040 DOI: 10.1177/03008916241231687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma represents the fifth tumor in terms of incidence in young adults, with a major involvement of males than females. Despite the significant changes in available effective treatments for cutaneous melanoma, there is still a proportion of patients that do not benefit long-term disease control with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and eventually develop progressive disease. In addition to the emerging biomarkers under investigation to understand resistance to treatments, recent studies resumed the role of sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone and androgens) in melanoma patients. In the last decades, the impact of sex hormones has been considered controversial in melanoma patients, but actual growing preclinical and clinical evidence underline the potential influence on melanoma cells' growth, tumor microenvironment, the immune system and consequently on the course of disease.This review will provide available insights on the role of sex hormones in melanoma pathogenesis, disease progression and response/resistance to systemic treatments. We will also offer an overview on the recent studies on the theme, describing the hormonal contribution to disease response and the interaction with targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors in cutaneous melanoma patients, illustrating an insight into future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Taglialatela
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Indini
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Santanelli
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Di Liberti
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza Di Guardo
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo De Braud
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Università degli studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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5
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Liu Q, Adhikari E, Lester DK, Fang B, Johnson JO, Tian Y, Mockabee-Macias AT, Izumi V, Guzman KM, White MG, Koomen JM, Wargo JA, Messina JL, Qi J, Lau EK. Androgen drives melanoma invasiveness and metastatic spread by inducing tumorigenic fucosylation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1148. [PMID: 38326303 PMCID: PMC10850104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45324-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma incidence and mortality rates are historically higher for men than women. Although emerging studies have highlighted tumorigenic roles for the male sex hormone androgen and its receptor (AR) in melanoma, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these sex-associated discrepancies are poorly defined. Here, we delineate a previously undisclosed mechanism by which androgen-activated AR transcriptionally upregulates fucosyltransferase 4 (FUT4) expression, which drives melanoma invasiveness by interfering with adherens junctions (AJs). Global phosphoproteomic and fucoproteomic profiling, coupled with in vitro and in vivo functional validation, further reveal that AR-induced FUT4 fucosylates L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), which is required for FUT4-increased metastatic capacity. Tumor microarray and gene expression analyses demonstrate that AR-FUT4-L1CAM-AJs signaling correlates with pathological staging in melanoma patients. By delineating key androgen-triggered signaling that enhances metastatic aggressiveness, our findings help explain sex-associated clinical outcome disparities and highlight AR/FUT4 and its effectors as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Emma Adhikari
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Daniel K Lester
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Joseph O Johnson
- Analytic Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yijun Tian
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrea T Mockabee-Macias
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Victoria Izumi
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kelly M Guzman
- Analytic Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jane L Messina
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric K Lau
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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6
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Mazzeo L, Ghosh S, Di Cicco E, Isma J, Tavernari D, Samarkina A, Ostano P, Youssef MK, Simon C, Dotto GP. ANKRD1 is a mesenchymal-specific driver of cancer-associated fibroblast activation bridging androgen receptor loss to AP-1 activation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1038. [PMID: 38310103 PMCID: PMC10838290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45308-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
There are significant commonalities among several pathologies involving fibroblasts, ranging from auto-immune diseases to fibrosis and cancer. Early steps in cancer development and progression are closely linked to fibroblast senescence and transformation into tumor-promoting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), suppressed by the androgen receptor (AR). Here, we identify ANKRD1 as a mesenchymal-specific transcriptional coregulator under direct AR negative control in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and a key driver of CAF conversion, independent of cellular senescence. ANKRD1 expression in CAFs is associated with poor survival in HNSCC, lung, and cervical SCC patients, and controls a specific gene expression program of myofibroblast CAFs (my-CAFs). ANKRD1 binds to the regulatory region of my-CAF effector genes in concert with AP-1 transcription factors, and promotes c-JUN and FOS association. Targeting ANKRD1 disrupts AP-1 complex formation, reverses CAF activation, and blocks the pro-tumorigenic properties of CAFs in an orthotopic skin cancer model. ANKRD1 thus represents a target for fibroblast-directed therapy in cancer and potentially beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mazzeo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Soumitra Ghosh
- ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emery Di Cicco
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jovan Isma
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Tavernari
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Paola Ostano
- Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Edo and Elvo Tempia Valenta Foundation, Biella, 13900, Italy
| | - Markus K Youssef
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Christian Simon
- ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - G Paolo Dotto
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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7
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Zimmer J, Mueller L, Frank-Herrmann P, Rehnitz J, Dietrich JE, Bettendorf M, Strowitzki T, Krivega M. Low androgen signaling rescues genome integrity with innate immune response by reducing fertility in humans. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:30. [PMID: 38212646 PMCID: PMC10784536 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06397-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Development of the gonads under complex androgen regulation is critical for germ cells specification. In this work we addressed the relationship between androgens and genomic integrity determining human fertility. We used different study groups: individuals with Differences of Sex Development (DSD), including Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) due to mutated androgen receptor (AR), and men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia. Both showed genome integrity status influenced by androgen signaling via innate immune response activation in blood and gonads. Whole proteome analysis connected low AR to interleukin-specific gene expression, while compromised genome stability and tumorigenesis were also supported by interferons. AR expression was associated with predominant DNA damage phenotype, that eliminated AR-positive Sertoli cells as the degeneration of gonads increased. Low AR contributed to resistance from the inhibition of DNA repair in primary leukocytes. Downregulation of androgen promoted apoptosis and specific innate immune response with higher susceptibility in cells carrying genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zimmer
- Research Group of Gonadal Differentiation and Embryonic Development, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L Mueller
- Research Group of Gonadal Differentiation and Embryonic Development, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Frank-Herrmann
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J Rehnitz
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J E Dietrich
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Bettendorf
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - T Strowitzki
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Krivega
- Research Group of Gonadal Differentiation and Embryonic Development, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Disorders, Women Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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8
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Chen Y, Zhen Z, Chen L, Wang H, Wang X, Sun X, Song Z, Wang H, Lin Y, Zhang W, Wu G, Jiang Y, Mao Z. Androgen signaling stabilizes genomes to counteract senescence by promoting XRCC4 transcription. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56984. [PMID: 37955230 PMCID: PMC10702805 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by a decreased DNA repair capacity, which might contribute to age-associated functional decline in multiple tissues. Disruption in hormone signaling, associated with reproductive organ dysfunction, is an early event of age-related tissue degeneration, but whether it impacts DNA repair in nonreproductive organs remains elusive. Using skin fibroblasts derived from healthy donors with a broad age range, we show here that the downregulation of expression of XRCC4, a factor involved in nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair, which is the dominant pathway to repair somatic double-strand breaks, is mediated through transcriptional mechanisms. We show that the androgen receptor (AR), whose expression is also reduced during aging, directly binds to and enhances the activity of the XRCC4 promoter, facilitating XRCC4 transcription and thus stabilizing the genome. We also demonstrate that dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a powerful AR agonist, restores XRCC4 expression and stabilizes the genome in different models of cellular aging. Moreover, DHT treatment reverses senescence-associated phenotypes, opening a potential avenue to aging interventions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhengyi Zhen
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lingjiang Chen
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hao Wang
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xuhui Wang
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaoxiang Sun
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiwei Song
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yizi Lin
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Department of Plastic SurgeryChangzheng HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Guizhu Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant HospitalShanghai Tongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Jiang
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiyong Mao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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9
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Xuan C, Hu R. Chemical Biology Perspectives on STING Agonists as Tumor Immunotherapy. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300405. [PMID: 37794702 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a crucial adaptor protein in the innate immune response. STING activation triggers cytokine secretion, including type I interferon and initiates T cell-mediated adaptive immunity. The activated immune system converts "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" that are highly responsive to T cells by recruiting them to the tumor microenvironment, ultimately leading to potent and long-lasting antitumor effects. Unlike most immune checkpoint inhibitors, STING agonists represent a groundbreaking class of innate immune agonists that hold great potential for effectively targeting various cancer populations and are poised to become a blockbuster in tumor immunotherapy. This review will focus on the correlation between the STING signaling pathway and tumor immunity, as well as explore the impact of STING activation on other biological processes. Ultimately, we will summarize the development and optimization of STING agonists from a medicinal chemistry perspective, evaluate their potential in cancer therapy, and identify possible challenges for future advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyuan Xuan
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24, TongJiaXiang, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24, TongJiaXiang, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
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10
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Chaudagar K, Rameshbabu S, Mei S, Hirz T, Hu YM, Argulian A, Labadie B, Desai K, Grimaldo S, Kahramangil D, Nair R, DSouza S, Zhou D, Li M, Doughan F, Chen R, Shafran J, Loyd M, Xia Z, Sykes DB, Moran A, Patnaik A. Androgen blockade primes NLRP3 in macrophages to induce tumor phagocytosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.15.557996. [PMID: 37904975 PMCID: PMC10614738 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.15.557996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Immune-based therapies induce durable remissions in subsets of patients across multiple malignancies. However, there is limited efficacy of immunotherapy in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), manifested by an enrichment of immunosuppressive (M2) tumor- associated macrophages (TAM) in the tumor immune microenvironment (TME). Therefore, therapeutic strategies to overcome TAM-mediated immunosuppression are critically needed in mCRPC. Here we discovered that NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), an innate immune sensing protein, is highly expressed in TAM from metastatic PC patients treated with standard-of-care androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Importantly, ex vivo studies revealed that androgen receptor (AR) blockade in TAM upregulates NLRP3 expression, but not inflammasome activity, and concurrent AR blockade/NLRP3 agonist (NLRP3a) treatment promotes cancer cell phagocytosis by immunosuppressive M2 TAM. In contrast, NLRP3a monotherapy was sufficient to enhance phagocytosis of cancer cells in anti-tumor (M1) TAM, which exhibit high de novo NLRP3 expression. Critically, combinatorial treatment with ADT/NLRP3a in a murine model of advanced PC resulted in significant tumor control, with tumor clearance in 55% of mice via TAM phagocytosis. Collectively, our results demonstrate NLRP3 as an AR-regulated "macrophage phagocytic checkpoint", inducibly expressed in TAM by ADT and activated by NLRP3a treatment, the combination resulting in TAM-mediated phagocytosis and tumor control.
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11
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Samarkina A, Youssef MK, Ostano P, Ghosh S, Ma M, Tassone B, Proust T, Chiorino G, Levesque MP, Goruppi S, Dotto GP. Androgen receptor is a determinant of melanoma targeted drug resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6498. [PMID: 37838724 PMCID: PMC10576812 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma provides a primary benchmark for targeted drug therapy. Most melanomas with BRAFV600 mutations regress in response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi). However, nearly all relapse within the first two years, and there is a connection between BRAFi/MEKi-resistance and poor response to immune checkpoint therapy. We reported that androgen receptor (AR) activity is required for melanoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. We show here that AR expression is markedly increased in BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells, and in sensitive cells soon after BRAFi exposure. Increased AR expression is sufficient to render melanoma cells BRAFi-resistant, eliciting transcriptional changes of BRAFi-resistant subpopulations, including elevated EGFR and SERPINE1 expression, of likely clinical significance. Inhibition of AR expression or activity blunts changes in gene expression and suppresses proliferation and tumorigenesis of BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells, promoting clusters of CD8+ T cells infiltration and cancer cells killing. Our findings point to targeting AR as possible co-therapeutical approach in melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paola Ostano
- Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Edo and Elvo Tempia Valenta Foundation, Biella, Italy
| | - Soumitra Ghosh
- ORL service and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Min Ma
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Tassone
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Tatiana Proust
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Chiorino
- Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Edo and Elvo Tempia Valenta Foundation, Biella, Italy
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sandro Goruppi
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Gian Paolo Dotto
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland.
- ORL service and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Épalinges, Switzerland.
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12
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Song C, Hu Z, Xu D, Bian H, Lv J, Zhu X, Zhang Q, Su L, Yin H, Lu T, Li Y. STING signaling in inflammaging: a new target against musculoskeletal diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227364. [PMID: 37492580 PMCID: PMC10363987 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of Interferon Gene (STING) is a critical signaling linker protein that plays a crucial role in the intrinsic immune response, particularly in the cytoplasmic DNA-mediated immune response in both pathogens and hosts. It is also involved in various signaling processes in vivo. The musculoskeletal system provides humans with morphology, support, stability, and movement. However, its aging can result in various diseases and negatively impact people's lives. While many studies have reported that cellular aging is a leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders, it also offers insight into potential treatments. Under pathological conditions, senescent osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myeloid cells, and muscle fibers exhibit persistent senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic disturbances, and cell cycle arrest, which are closely linked to abnormal STING activation. The accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA due to chromatin escape from the nucleus following DNA damage or telomere shortening activates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Moreover, STING activation is also linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic modifications, and impaired cytoplasmic DNA degradation. STING activation upregulates SASP and autophagy directly and indirectly promotes cell cycle arrest. Thus, STING may be involved in the onset and development of various age-related musculoskeletal disorders and represents a potential therapeutic target. In recent years, many STING modulators have been developed and used in the study of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, this paper summarizes the effects of STING signaling on the musculoskeletal system at the molecular level and current understanding of the mechanisms of endogenous active ligand production and accumulation. We also discuss the relationship between some age-related musculoskeletal disorders and STING, as well as the current status of STING modulator development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Song
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoyi Hu
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Dingjun Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huihui Bian
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanxuan Zhu
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Yin
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Tong Lu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Ghosh S, Isma J, Mazzeo L, Toniolo A, Simon C, Dotto GP. Nuclear lamin A/C phosphorylation by loss of Androgen Receptor is a global determinant of cancer-associated fibroblast activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546870. [PMID: 37425957 PMCID: PMC10327063 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Alterations of nuclear structure and function, and associated impact on gene transcription, are a hallmark of cancer cells. Little is known of these alterations in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs), a key component of the tumor stroma. Here we show that loss of androgen receptor (AR), which triggers early steps of CAF activation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), leads to nuclear membrane alterations and increased micronuclei formation, which are unlinked from induction of cellular senescence. Similar alterations occur in fully established CAFs, which are overcome by restored AR function. AR associates with nuclear lamin A/C and loss of AR results in a substantially increased lamin A/C nucleoplasmic redistribution. Mechanistically, AR functions as a bridge between lamin A/C with the protein phosphatase PPP1. In parallel with a decreased lamin-PPP1 association, AR loss results in a marked increase of lamin A/C phosphorylation at Ser 301, which is also a feature of CAFs. Phosphorylated lamin A/C at Ser 301 binds to the transcription promoter regulatory region of several CAF effector genes, which are upregulated due to the loss of AR. More directly, expression of a lamin A/C Ser301 phosphomimetic mutant alone is sufficient to convert normal fibroblasts into tumor-promoting CAFs of the myofibroblast subtype, without an impact on senescence. These findings highlight the pivotal role of the AR-lamin A/C-PPP1 axis and lamin A/C phosphorylation at Ser 301 in driving CAF activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumitra Ghosh
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Jovan Isma
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Mazzeo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Annagiada Toniolo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Christian Simon
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - G. Paolo Dotto
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
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14
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Leo J, Dondossola E, Basham KJ, Wilson NR, Alhalabi O, Gao J, Kurnit KC, White MG, McQuade JL, Westin SN, Wellberg EA, Frigo DE. Stranger Things: New Roles and Opportunities for Androgen Receptor in Oncology Beyond Prostate Cancer. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad071. [PMID: 37154098 PMCID: PMC10413436 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is one of the oldest therapeutic targets in oncology and continues to dominate the treatment landscape for advanced prostate cancer, where nearly all treatment regimens include some form of AR modulation. In this regard, AR remains the central driver of prostate cancer cell biology. Emerging preclinical and clinical data implicate key roles for AR in additional cancer types, thereby expanding the importance of this drug target beyond prostate cancer. In this mini-review, new roles for AR in other cancer types are discussed as well as their potential for treatment with AR-targeted agents. Our understanding of these additional functions for AR in oncology expand this receptor's potential as a therapeutic target and will help guide the development of new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Leo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eleonora Dondossola
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Omar Alhalabi
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine C Kurnit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer L McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Department of Pathology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Daniel E Frigo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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15
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Singh N, Khatib J, Chiu CY, Lin J, Patel TS, Liu-Smith F. Tumor Androgen Receptor Protein Level Is Positively Associated with a Better Overall Survival in Melanoma Patients. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020345. [PMID: 36833272 PMCID: PMC9957358 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in numerous tissues and serves important biologic functions in skin, prostate, immune, cardiovascular, and neural systems, alongside sexual development. Several studies have associated AR expression and patient survival in various cancers, yet there are limited studies examining the relationship between AR expression and cutaneous melanoma. This study used genomics and proteomics data from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with 470 cutaneous melanoma patient data points. Cox regression analyses evaluated the association between AR protein level with overall survival and revealed that a higher level of AR protein was positively associated with a better overall survival (OS) (p = 0.003). When stratified by sex, the AR association with OS was only significant for both sexes. The multivariate Cox models with justifications of sex, age of diagnosis, stage of disease, and Breslow depth of the tumor confirmed the AR-OS association in all patients. However, the significance of AR was lost when ulceration was included in the model. When stratified by sex, the multivariate Cox models indicated significant role of AR in OS of female patients but not in males. AR-associated genes were identified and enrichment analysis revealed shared and distinct gene network in male and female patients. Furthermore, AR was found significantly associated with OS in RAS mutant subtypes of melanoma but not in BRAF, NF1, or triple-wild type subtypes of melanoma. Our study may provide insight into the well-known female survival advantage in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur Singh
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Jude Khatib
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Chi-Yang Chiu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Jianjian Lin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Tejesh Surender Patel
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Feng Liu-Smith
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Obrador E, Salvador-Palmer R, López-Blanch R, Oriol-Caballo M, Moreno-Murciano P, Estrela JM. Survival Mechanisms of Metastatic Melanoma Cells: The Link between Glucocorticoids and the Nrf2-Dependent Antioxidant Defense System. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030418. [PMID: 36766760 PMCID: PMC9913432 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating glucocorticoids increase during stress. Chronic stress, characterized by a sustained increase in serum levels of cortisol, has been associated in different cases with an increased risk of cancer and a worse prognosis. Glucocorticoids can promote gluconeogenesis, mobilization of amino acids, fat breakdown, and impair the body's immune response. Therefore, conditions that may favor cancer growth and the acquisition of radio- and chemo-resistance. We found that glucocorticoid receptor knockdown diminishes the antioxidant protection of murine B16-F10 (highly metastatic) melanoma cells, thus leading to a drastic decrease in their survival during interaction with the vascular endothelium. The BRAFV600E mutation is the most commonly observed in melanoma patients. Recent studies revealed that VMF/PLX40-32 (vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of mutant BRAFV600E) increases mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in BRAFV600E human melanoma cell lines. Early-stage cancer cells lacking Nrf2 generate high ROS levels and exhibit a senescence-like growth arrest. Thus, it is likely that a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (RU486) could increase the efficacy of BRAF-related therapy in BRAFV600E-mutated melanoma. In fact, during early progression of skin melanoma metastases, RU486 and VMF induced metastases regression. However, treatment at an advanced stage of growth found resistance to RU486 and VMF. This resistance was mechanistically linked to overexpression of proteins of the Bcl-2 family (Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 in different human models). Moreover, melanoma resistance was decreased if AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways were blocked. These findings highlight mechanisms by which metastatic melanoma cells adapt to survive and could help in the development of most effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Obrador
- Cell Pathophysiology Unit (UFC), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.O.); (J.M.E.); Tel.: +34-963864646 (J.M.E.)
| | - Rosario Salvador-Palmer
- Cell Pathophysiology Unit (UFC), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Blanch
- Cell Pathophysiology Unit (UFC), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Oriol-Caballo
- Cell Pathophysiology Unit (UFC), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - José M. Estrela
- Cell Pathophysiology Unit (UFC), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.O.); (J.M.E.); Tel.: +34-963864646 (J.M.E.)
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Cutaneous melanoma, prostate-specific antigen testing and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer diagnosis: a prospective analysis of the 45 and Up Study. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:71-79. [PMID: 36319848 PMCID: PMC9814593 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02027-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between cutaneous melanoma and subsequent risk of prostate cancer (PC) was examined in a large population-based cohort study. METHODS Male participants in the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study (Australia) were recruited between 2006 and 2009. Questionnaire data and linked administrative health data from the Centre for Health Record Linkage and Services Australia identified melanomas diagnosed between 1/1/1994 and 12 months before Study recruitment (i.e., between 2005 and 2008), incident PCs, primary healthcare utilisation and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. Men were excluded from the current analyses if they had a recorded PC or other cancer diagnosis other than melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer prior to recruitment. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) adjusting for PSA-testing frequency before PC diagnosis. RESULTS Of 96,548 eligible men, 1899 were diagnosed with melanoma during the melanoma diagnosis period and 3677 incident PC diagnosed during follow-up (latest date 31/12/2013). Men with melanoma diagnosis had increased risk of a subsequent PC diagnoses (vs. no melanoma; fully adjusted HR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.09-1.60). There was weak evidence of higher risks of a subsequent PC diagnosis for men diagnosed with more than one melanoma compared to men diagnosed with only one melanoma (p = 0.077), and if first melanoma diagnosis was 10 to 15 years before Study recruitment (fully adjusted HR = 2.05; 95% CI [1.35, 3.12]). CONCLUSION Melanoma diagnosis was associated with increased risk of subsequent PC diagnosis, after adjusting for PSA testing and primary healthcare utilisation. While our ability to adjust for PC screening reduced risk of detection bias, we acknowledge that residual confounding from increased medical surveillance after melanoma diagnoses cannot be entirely ruled out.
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18
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Maltsev DS, Kulikov AN, Vasiliev AS, Shapovalova ED, Chhablani J. Prevalence of choroidal nevi in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2023; 15:25158414231189080. [PMID: 37528899 PMCID: PMC10387679 DOI: 10.1177/25158414231189080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A number of articles report the association of polypoidal lesions and choroidal nevi; however, the relationship between choroidal nevi and pachychoroidal disorders has not been studied. Objectives To study the prevalence of choroidal nevi in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients and to elucidate potential differences in the clinical characteristics of CSCR in patients with and without choroidal nevi. Design Case-control study. Methods This study included a retrospective analysis of medical records and multimodal imaging data of CSCR patients and a prospective evaluation of the prevalence of the choroidal nevi in age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants received comprehensive ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging including infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in dark-field mode to detect choroidal nevi in the central 40° × 60° region. Results A total of 199 CSCR patients (160 males and 39 females, 47.9 ± 9.4 years) and 184 age-matched healthy individuals (139 males and 45 females, 44.8 ± 12.5 years) were included. Choroidal nevi were detected in 24 (12.1%) CSCR patients and 10 (5.4%) healthy controls (p = 0.01). CSCR patients with choroidal nevi had statistically significantly higher subfoveal choroidal thickness, lower best-corrected visual acuity, and lower central retinal thickness (p < 0.05) than CSCR patients without choroidal nevi. The odds ratio for the presence of chronic CSCR in patients with choroidal nevi was 27.0 (95% CI: 3.1-231.9, p = 0.003). Conclusion The prevalence of choroidal nevi among patients with CSCR is higher than in age- and sex-matched healthy population. Choroidal nevi may be associated with chronic CSCR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexey N. Kulikov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | | | - Jay Chhablani
- University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Eye Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Cosci I, Grande G, Di Nisio A, Rocca MS, Del Fiore P, Benna C, Mocellin S, Ferlin A. Cutaneous Melanoma and Hormones: Focus on Sex Differences and the Testis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010599. [PMID: 36614041 PMCID: PMC9820190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer, remains one the most represented forms of cancer in the United States and European countries, representing, in Australia, the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. Recently, many studies have shown that sex disparities previously observed in most cancers are particularly accentuated in melanoma, where male sex is consistently associated with an increased risk of disease progression and a higher mortality rate. The causes of these sex differences rely on biological mechanisms related to sex hormones, immune homeostasis and oxidative processes. The development of newer therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (i.e., anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies) has dramatically changed the treatment landscape of metastatic melanoma patients, though ICIs can interfere with the immune response and lead to inflammatory immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Recently, some studies have shown a potential adverse influence of this immunotherapy treatment also on male fertility and testicular function. However, while many anticancer drugs are known to cause defects in spermatogenesis, the effects of ICIs therapy remain largely unknown. Notwithstanding the scarce and conflicting information available on this topic, the American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend sperm cryopreservation in males undergoing ICIs. As investigations regarding the long-term outcomes of anticancer immunotherapy on the male reproductive system are still in their infancy, this review aims to support and spur future research in order to understand a potential gonadotoxic effect of ICIs on testicular function, spermatogenesis and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cosci
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Del Fiore
- Soft-Tissue, Peritoneum and Melanoma Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Clara Benna
- Soft-Tissue, Peritoneum and Melanoma Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Simone Mocellin
- Soft-Tissue, Peritoneum and Melanoma Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8212723
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20
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Human Melanoma Cells Differentially Express RNASEL/RNase-L and miR-146a-5p under Sex Hormonal Stimulation. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4790-4802. [PMID: 36286041 PMCID: PMC9601115 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44100326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the ribonuclease L (RNASEL) coding gene and hsa-miR-146a-5p (miR-146a) have been associated with melanoma in a sex-specific manner. We hypothesized that RNASEL and miR-146a expression could be influenced by sex hormones playing a role in the female advantages observed in melanoma incidence and survival. Thus, we explored the effects of testosterone and 17β-estradiol on RNASEL and miR-146a expression in LM-20 and A375 melanoma cell lines. Direct targeting of miR-146a to the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of RNASEL was examined using a luciferase reporter system. Our results indicate that RNASEL is a direct target of miR-146a in both melanoma cell lines. Trough qPCR and western blot analyses, we explored the effect of miR-146a mimic transfection in the presence of each hormone either on RNASEL mRNA level or on protein expression of RNase-L, the enzyme codified by RNASEL gene. In the presence of testosterone or 17β-estradiol, miR-146a overexpression did not influence RNASEL transcript level in LM-20 cell line, but it slightly induced RNASEL mRNA level in A375 cells. Remarkably, miR-146a overexpression was able to repress the protein level of RNase-L in both LM-20 and A375 cells in the presence of each hormone, as well as to elicit high expression levels of the activated form of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, hence confirming the pro-tumorigenic role of miR-146a overexpression in melanoma. Thereafter, we assessed if the administration of each hormone could affect the endogenous expression of RNASEL and miR-146a genes in LM-20 and A375 cell lines. Testosterone exerted no significant effect on RNASEL gene expression in both cell lines, while 17β-estradiol enhanced RNASEL transcript level at least in LM-20 melanoma cells. Conversely, miR-146a transcript augmented only in the presence of testosterone in either melanoma cell line. Importantly, each hormone acted quite the opposite regarding the RNase-L protein expression, i.e., testosterone significantly decreased RNase-L expression, whereas 17β-estradiol increased it. Overall, the data show that, in melanoma cells treated with 17β-estradiol, RNase-L expression increased likely by transcriptional induction of its gene. Testosterone, instead, decreased RNase-L expression in melanoma cell lines with a post-transcriptional mechanism in which miR-146a could play a role. In conclusion, the pro-tumor activity of androgen hormone in melanoma cells could be exacerbated by both miR-146a increase and RNase-L downregulation. These events may contribute to the worse outcome in male melanoma patients.
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21
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Activation of Stimulation of Interferon Genes (STING) Signal and Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144638. [PMID: 35889509 PMCID: PMC9325158 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon gene (STING), an intracellular receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum, could induce the production of cytokines such as type I interferon (IFN) by activating the cGAS-STING signal pathway. In recent years, activation of STING has shown great potential to enhance anti-tumor immunity and reshape the tumor microenvironment, which is expected to be used in tumor immunotherapy. A number of STING agonists have demonstrated promising biological activity and showed excellent synergistic anti-tumor effects in combination with other cancer therapies in preclinical studies and some clinical trials. The combination of STING agonists and ICI also showed a potent effect in improving anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we introduce the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and its effect in tumor immunity and discuss the recent strategies of activation of the STING signaling pathway and its research progress in tumor immunotherapy.
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22
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Min A, Fu A, Huang M, Wang H, Chen H. Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Cervix: An Integrated Analysis of Case Reports and Series. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913964. [PMID: 35814437 PMCID: PMC9258497 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of malignant tumour that originates from melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Primary malignant melanomas of the female genital tract are rare. Similarly, primary malignant melanoma of cervix, which originates from cervical melanocytes, is an extremely rare disease and the second most common type of female melanoma in women aged between 15 to 44 years worldwide. To date, primary malignant melanoma of the cervix is characterized by poor patient prognosis and little consensus exists regarding the best treatment therapy. The situation is worsened by lack of clinical studies with large samples. Notably, surgery remains the preferred treatment option for patients with primary malignant melanomas of the cervix. Current treatments are based on Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics(2018) staging with reference to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. This study is in order to find a more suitable treatment modality for primary malignant melanoma of cervix. Therefore, we first conducted an integrated analysis of case reports and series to assess the impact of various factors on the prognosis of such patients. In summary, this is the first pooled analysis including 149 cases of primary cervical melanoma. We found that patients who underwent radical hysterectomy-based surgery, those with non-metastatic lymph nodes and those who underwent lymphadenectomy had significantly higher survival rates. In patients who had RH-based surgery, survival rates at the 24m time point of those who did not add other treatments was higher than those who did, but for those who had total hysterectomy-based surgery, the addition of other treatments to prolong median survival may be considered. In the overall analysis, age and lymphadenectomy were associated with increased and reduced risk of death in these patients, respectively. Although there is no statistical difference, stage III&IV, TAH, lymphatic metastases increase the risk of death; whereas radical hysterectomy was associated with reduced risk of death. In the subgroup analysis, for patients who have undergone radical hysterectomy-based surgery, lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of death, while lymphatic metastases and complementary other treatments increase the risk of death. For patients who have undergone total hysterectomy-based surgery, complementary treatment reduces the risk of death. In conclusion, via summarizing previous reports, the recommended treatment procedure for PMMC are radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The addition of other treatment options for patients who undergoing RH-based surgery need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Min
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan, China
| | - Aizhen Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Meiyuan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Hongjing Wang
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics 1, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huan Chen,
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23
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Vellano CP, White MG, Andrews MC, Chelvanambi M, Witt RG, Daniele JR, Titus M, McQuade JL, Conforti F, Burton EM, Lastrapes MJ, Ologun G, Cogdill AP, Morad G, Prieto P, Lazar AJ, Chu Y, Han G, Khan MAW, Helmink B, Davies MA, Amaria RN, Kovacs JJ, Woodman SE, Patel S, Hwu P, Peoples M, Lee JE, Cooper ZA, Zhu H, Gao G, Banerjee H, Lau M, Gershenwald JE, Lucci A, Keung EZ, Ross MI, Pala L, Pagan E, Segura RL, Liu Q, Borthwick MS, Lau E, Yates MS, Westin SN, Wani K, Tetzlaff MT, Haydu LE, Mahendra M, Ma X, Logothetis C, Kulstad Z, Johnson S, Hudgens CW, Feng N, Federico L, Long GV, Futreal PA, Arur S, Tawbi HA, Moran AE, Wang L, Heffernan TP, Marszalek JR, Wargo JA. Androgen receptor blockade promotes response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy. Nature 2022; 606:797-803. [PMID: 35705814 PMCID: PMC10071594 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with therapy targeting BRAF and MEK (BRAF/MEK) has revolutionized care in melanoma and other cancers; however, therapeutic resistance is common and innovative treatment strategies are needed1,2. Here we studied a group of patients with melanoma who were treated with neoadjuvant BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy ( NCT02231775 , n = 51) and observed significantly higher rates of major pathological response (MPR; ≤10% viable tumour at resection) and improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) in female versus male patients (MPR, 66% versus 14%, P = 0.001; RFS, 64% versus 32% at 2 years, P = 0.021). The findings were validated in several additional cohorts2-4 of patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma who were treated with BRAF- and/or MEK-targeted therapy (n = 664 patients in total), demonstrating improved progression-free survival and overall survival in female versus male patients in several of these studies. Studies in preclinical models demonstrated significantly impaired anti-tumour activity in male versus female mice after BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy (P = 0.006), with significantly higher expression of the androgen receptor in tumours of male and female BRAF/MEK-treated mice versus the control (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.0025). Pharmacological inhibition of androgen receptor signalling improved responses to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy in male and female mice (P = 0.018 and P = 0.003), whereas induction of androgen receptor signalling (through testosterone administration) was associated with a significantly impaired response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy in male and female patients (P = 0.021 and P < 0.0001). Together, these results have important implications for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Vellano
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Miles C Andrews
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Manoj Chelvanambi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Russell G Witt
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph R Daniele
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark Titus
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer L McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fabio Conforti
- Division of Melanoma, Sarcomas, and Rare Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elizabeth M Burton
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew J Lastrapes
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel Ologun
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Surgery, Guthrie Courtland Medical Center, Courtland, NY, USA
| | - Alexandria P Cogdill
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Immunai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Golnaz Morad
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Prieto
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanshuo Chu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guangchun Han
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M A Wadud Khan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Beth Helmink
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Surgery, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rodabe N Amaria
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Kovacs
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Scott E Woodman
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sapna Patel
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Hwu
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael Peoples
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zachary A Cooper
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Haifeng Zhu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guang Gao
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hiya Banerjee
- Clinical Development and Analytics, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Mike Lau
- Novartis Pharma, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey E Gershenwald
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anthony Lucci
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emily Z Keung
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Merrick I Ross
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Pala
- Division of Melanoma, Sarcomas, and Rare Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pagan
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossana Lazcano Segura
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mikayla S Borthwick
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric Lau
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Melinda S Yates
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Khalida Wani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael T Tetzlaff
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren E Haydu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mikhila Mahendra
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - XiaoYan Ma
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Logothetis
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zachary Kulstad
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney W Hudgens
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ningping Feng
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lorenzo Federico
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - P Andrew Futreal
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Swathi Arur
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hussein A Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy E Moran
- Cell, Development & Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Linghua Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Timothy P Heffernan
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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24
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Giovannelli P, Ramaraj P, Williams C. Editorial: Role of Sex Steroids and Their Receptor in Cancers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:883229. [PMID: 35464052 PMCID: PMC9018976 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.883229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L.Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Pia Giovannelli,
| | - Pandurangan Ramaraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Cecilia Williams
- Department of Protein Science, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Özdemir B, Oertelt-Prigione S, Adjei A, Borchmann S, Haanen J, Letsch A, Mir O, Quaas A, Verhoeven R, Wagner A. Investigation of sex and gender differences in oncology gains momentum: ESMO announces the launch of a Gender Medicine Task Force. Ann Oncol 2022; 33:126-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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26
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Aguirre-Portolés C, Payne R, Trautz A, Foskett JK, Natale CA, Seykora JT, Ridky TW. ZIP9 Is a Druggable Determinant of Sex Differences in Melanoma. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5991-6003. [PMID: 34706862 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma and most other cancers occur more frequently and have worse prognosis in males compared with females. Although sex steroids are thought to be involved, classical androgen and estrogen receptors are not detectable in most melanomas. Here we show that testosterone promotes melanoma proliferation by activating ZIP9 (SLC39A9), a zinc transporter that is widely expressed in human melanoma but not intentionally targeted by available therapeutics. This testosterone activity required an influx of zinc, activation of MAPK, and nuclear translocation of YAP. FDA-approved inhibitors of the classical androgen receptor also inhibited ZIP9, thereby antagonizing the protumorigenic effects of testosterone in melanoma. In male mice, androgen receptor inhibitors suppressed growth of ZIP9-expressing melanomas but had no effect on isogenic melanomas lacking ZIP9 or on melanomas in females. These data suggest that ZIP9 might be effectively targeted in melanoma and other cancers by repurposing androgen receptor inhibitors that are currently approved only for prostate cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: Testosterone signaling through ZIP9 mediates some of the sex differences in melanoma, and drugs that target AR can be repurposed to block ZIP9 and inhibit melanoma in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Aguirre-Portolés
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Riley Payne
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Aspen Trautz
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - J Kevin Foskett
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher A Natale
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John T Seykora
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Todd W Ridky
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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27
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Caroppo F, Tadiotto Cicogna G, Messina F, Alaibac M. Association between melanoma and exposure to sex hormones in puberty: A possible window of susceptibility (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2021; 14:66. [PMID: 33680457 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2021.2228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk factors for melanoma in adolescents are similar to those in adults; however, it remains unclear whether these risk factors are also associated with melanoma in children. Epidemiological studies in the literature have reported a logarithmic increase in melanoma incidence after the age of 10 years. This may, in part, reflect the acute and chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation during childhood. However, it appears unlikely that the cumulative exposure to UV radiation alone could explain such a sharp increase in melanoma incidence at the beginning of adolescence. It has been suggested that circulating sex hormones, the levels of which increase during puberty, may play a role in melanoma initiation and progression in predisposed individuals through binding to specific sex steroid receptors. The association between a longer cumulative exposure to sex hormones and the risk of melanoma may be supported by the reported epidemiological association between melanoma and several other sex hormone-related types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, in which the enhanced exposure to androgens and estrogens was found to be directly associated with pubertal onset. Therefore, determining the association between pubertal onset and melanoma development may improve the current understanding of melanoma pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Caroppo
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, I-35128 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Messina
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, I-35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Mauro Alaibac
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, I-35128 Padova, Italy
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28
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Doultsinos D, Mills IG. Derivation and Application of Molecular Signatures to Prostate Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:495. [PMID: 33525365 PMCID: PMC7865812 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a high-incidence cancer that requires improved patient stratification to ensure accurate predictions of risk and treatment response. Due to the significant contributions of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators to prostate cancer progression, there has been considerable progress made in developing gene signatures that may achieve this. Some of these are aligned to activities of key drivers such as the androgen receptor, whilst others are more agnostic. In this review, we present an overview of these signatures, the strategies for their derivation, and future perspectives on their continued development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Doultsinos
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Ian G. Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
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