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Li X, Tian S, Shi H, Ta N, Ni X, Bai C, Zhu Z, Chen Y, Shi D, Huang H, Chen L, Hu Z, Qu L, Fang Y, Bai C. The golden key to open mystery boxes of SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor: focusing immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:687-697. [PMID: 38347129 PMCID: PMC11101339 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor is extremely invasive. This tumor with poor prognosis is easily confused with SMARCA4-deficent non-small cell lung cancer or sarcoma. Standard and efficient treatment has not been established. In this review, we summarized the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis, reviewed current and proposed innovative strategies for treatment and improving prognosis. Immunotherapy, targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulator have improved the prognosis of cancer patients. We summarized clinicopathological features and immunotherapy strategies and analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with SMARCA4-UT who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition, we proposed the feasibility of epigenetic regulation in the treatment of SMARCA4-UT. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aims to explore innovative strategies for targeting tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation and identify potential benefit population for immunotherapy to improve the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Sen Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, No. 906 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Ningbo, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
| | - Na Ta
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Ni
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Chenguang Bai
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanli Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Dongchen Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Longpei Chen
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhong Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Fang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Shanghai, China.
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Lanzi C, Arrighetti N, Pasquali S, Cassinelli G. Targeting EZH2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas: Advances and opportunities to potentiate the efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115727. [PMID: 37541451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare mesechymal malignancies characterized by distintive molecular, histological and clinical features. Many STSs are considered as predominatly epigenetic diseases due to underlying chromatin deregulation. Discovery of deregulated functional antagonism between the chromatin remodeling BRG1/BRM-associated (BAFs) and the histone modifying Polycomb repressor complexes (PRCs) has provided novel actionable targets. In epithelioid sarcoma (ES), extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumors (eMRTs) and synovial sarcoma (SS), the total or partial loss of the BAF core subunit SMARCB1, driven by different alterations, is associated with PRC2 deregulation and dependency on its enzymatic subunit, EZH2. In these SMARCB1-deficient STSs, aberrant EZH2 expression and/or activity emerged as a druggable vulnerability. Although preclinical investigation supported EZH2 targeting as a promising therapeutic option, clinical studies demonstrated a variable response to EZH2 inhibitors. Actually, whereas the clinical benefit recorded in ES patients prompted the FDA approval of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, the modest and sporadic responses observed in eMRT and SS patients highlighted the need to deepen mechanistic as well as pharmacological investigations to improve drug effectiveness. We summarize the current knowledge of different mechanisms driving SMARCB1 deficiency and EZH2 deregulation in ES, eMRT and SS along with preclinical and clinical studies of EZH2-targeting agents. Possible implication of the PRC2- and enzymatic-independent functions of EZH2 and of its homolog, EZH1, in the response to anti-EZH2 agents will be discussed together with combinatorial strategies under investigation to improve the efficacy of EZH2 targeting in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lanzi
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Pasquali
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cassinelli
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Zeng J, Zhang J, Sun Y, Wang J, Ren C, Banerjee S, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy: From current progress to novel strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114419. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Peritoneal Restoration by Repurposing Vitamin D Inhibits Ovarian Cancer Dissemination via Blockade of the TGF-β1/Thrombospondin-1 Axis. Matrix Biol 2022; 109:70-90. [PMID: 35339636 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian cancer (OvCa), a lethal gynecological malignancy, disseminates to the peritoneum. Mesothelial cells (MCs) act as barriers in the abdominal cavity, preventing the adhesion of cancer cells. However, in patients with OvCa, they are transformed into cancer-associated mesothelial cells (CAMs) via mesenchymal transition and form a favorable microenvironment for tumors to promote metastasis. However, attempts for restoring CAMs to their original state have been limited. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of mesenchymal transition and restoration of MCs by vitamin D suppressed the OvCa dissemination in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The effect of vitamin D on the mutual association of MCs and OvCa cells was evaluated using in vitro coculture models and in vivo using a xenograft model. RESULTS Vitamin D restored the CAMs, and thrombospondin-1 (component of the extracellular matrix that is clinically associated with poor prognosis and is highly expressed in peritoneally metastasized OvCa) was found to promote OvCa cell adhesion and proliferation. Mechanistically, TGF-β1 secreted from OvCa cells enhanced thrombospondin-1 expression in CAMs via Smad-dependent TGF-β signaling. Vitamin D inhibited mesenchymal transition in MCs and suppressed thrombospondin-1 expression via vitamin D receptor/Smad3 competition, contributing to the marked reduction in peritoneal dissemination in vivo. Importantly, vitamin D restored CAMs from a stabilized mesenchymal state to the epithelial state and normalized thrombospondin-1 expression in preclinical models that mimic cancerous peritonitis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS MCs are key players in OvCa dissemination and peritoneal restoration and normalization of thrombospondin-1 expression by vitamin D may be a novel strategy for preventing OvCa dissemination.
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Zhang Q, Yang H, Feng Q, Cao J, Zhang Y, Li L, Yu L. Focus on the classical and non-classical functions of EZH2: Guide the development of inhibitors and degraders. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Liu Z, Jia Y, Guo Y, Wang H, Fu R. Role of EZH2 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and immune-cancer interactions. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 169:103547. [PMID: 34843930 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, methylation modification has been determined to be vital for the biological regulation of normal cells, tumor cells, and tumor microenvironment immune cells. Enhancer of zeste homology 2 (EZH2), a component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), catalyzes the trimethylation of the downstream gene in the tri-methylates histone three lysine 27 (H3K27me3) position, which causes chromatin pyknosis, and thus, silences the expression of related genes. In this paper, we reviewed the role of EZH2 in regulating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and the immune cell function in tumor microenvironment, summarized all types of existing EZH2 inhibitors and the main clinical trials, and proposed relevant ideas for potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
| | - Yue Jia
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
| | - Yixuan Guo
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
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Hanaki S, Shimada M. Targeting EZH2 as cancer therapy. J Biochem 2021; 170:1-4. [PMID: 33479735 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that mediate repression of target genes by trimethylation of Lys27 in histone 3 (H3K27me3). Given the reported roles of EZH2 in cancer, it is perhaps not surprising that targeting EZH2 in cancer therapy has become a hot research topic. Indeed, different types of EZH2 inhibitors are currently under development and are being evaluated by clinical trials. Recently, Murashima et al identified NPD13668, a novel EZH2 inhibitor, by using a cell-based high-throughput screening assay. NPD13668 inhibited EZH2 methyltransferase activity, and repressed cell growth in multiple cancer cell lines, indicating a potential role for this compound in cancer treatment. In this review, we will focus on the current knowledge regarding the biological significance of PRC2 and H3K27me, and the recent advances in developing and testing drugs that target PRC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Hanaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Midori Shimada
- Department of Biochemistry, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Autocrine HGF/c-Met signaling pathway confers aggressiveness in lymph node adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Oncogene 2020; 39:5782-5794. [PMID: 32747750 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive T-cell neoplasm. While ATL cells in peripheral blood (PB-ATL) are sensitive to anti-CC chemokine receptor 4 treatment, non-PB-ATLs, including lymph node ATLs (LN-ATLs), are more aggressive and resistant. We examined characteristic cytokines and growth factors that allow non-PB-ATLs to proliferate and invade compared with PB-ATLs. Protein array analysis revealed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and C-C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) were significantly upregulated in non-PB-ATLs compared with PB-ATLs. The HGF membrane receptor, c-Met, was expressed in PB-ATL and non-PB-ATL cell lines, but CCR2, a CCL2 receptor, was not. Immunohistochemical analysis in clinical ATLs revealed high HGF expression in LNs, pharynx, bone marrow, and tonsils. The HGF/c-Met signaling pathway was active downstream in non-PB-ATLs. Downregulation of HGF/c-Met by siRNA or chemical inhibitors decreased in vitro and in vivo proliferation and invasion by non-PB-ATLs. Treatment with bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitor suppressed HGF expression and decreased levels of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27Ac) and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) binding promoter and enhancer regions, suppressing non-PB-ATL cellular growth. Our data indicate H3K27Ac/BRD4 epigenetics regulates the HGF/c-MET pathway in ATLs; targeting this pathway may improve treatment of aggressive non-PB-ATLs.
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Wang Y, Wang J, Yan K, Lin J, Zheng Z, Bi J. Identification of core genes associated with prostate cancer progression and outcome via bioinformatics analysis in multiple databases. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8786. [PMID: 32266115 PMCID: PMC7120053 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The morbidity and mortality of prostate carcinoma has increased in recent years and has become the second most common ale malignant carcinoma worldwide. The interaction mechanisms between different genes and signaling pathways, however, are still unclear. Methods Variation analysis of GSE38241, GSE69223, GSE46602 and GSE104749 were realized by GEO2R in Gene Expression Omnibus database. Function enrichment was analyzed by DAVID.6.8. Furthermore, the PPI network and the significant module were analyzed by Cytoscape, STRING and MCODE.GO. Pathway analysis showed that the 20 candidate genes were closely related to mitosis, cell division, cell cycle phases and the p53 signaling pathway. A total of six independent prognostic factors were identified in GSE21032 and TCGA PRAD. Oncomine database and The Human Protein Atlas were applied to explicit that six core genes were over expression in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate tissue in the process of transcriptional and translational. Finally, gene set enrichment were performed to identified the related pathway of core genes involved in prostate cancer. Result Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that these 20 core genes were mostly related to carcinogenesis and development. CKS2, TK1, MKI67, TOP2A, CCNB1 and RRM2 directly related to the recurrence and prognosis of prostate cancer. This result was verified by TCGA database and GSE21032. Conclusion These core genes play a crucial role in tumor carcinogenesis, development, recurrence, metastasis and progression. Identifying these genes could help us to understand the molecular mechanisms and provide potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kexin Yan
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiaxing Lin
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhenhua Zheng
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianbin Bi
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Lu C, Brown LC, Antonarakis ES, Armstrong AJ, Luo J. Androgen receptor variant-driven prostate cancer II: advances in laboratory investigations. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2020; 23:381-397. [PMID: 32139878 PMCID: PMC7725416 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-020-0217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: The androgen receptor (AR) is a key prostate cancer drug target.
Suppression of AR signaling mediated by the full-length AR (AR-FL) is the
therapeutic goal of all existing AR-directed therapies. AR-targeting agents
impart therapeutic benefit, but lead to AR aberrations that underlie disease
progression and therapeutic resistance. Among the AR aberrations specific to
castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), AR variants (AR-Vs) have
emerged as important indicators of disease progression and therapeutic
resistance. Methods: We conducted a systemic review of the literature focusing on recent
laboratory studies on AR-Vs following our last review article published in
2016. Topics ranged from measurement and detection, molecular origin,
regulation, genomic function, and preclinical therapeutic targeting of
AR-Vs. We provide expert opinions and perspectives on these topics. Results: Transcript sequences for 22 AR-Vs have been reported in the
literature. Different AR-Vs may arise through different mechanisms, and can
be regulated by splicing factors and dictated by genomic rearrangements, but
a low-androgen environment is a prerequisite for generation of AR-Vs. The
unique transcript structures allowed development of in-situ and in-solution
measurement and detection methods, including mRNA and protein detection, in
both tissue and blood specimens. AR variant-7 (AR-V7) remains the main
measurement target and the most extensively characterized AR-V. Although
AR-V7 co-exists with AR-FL, genomic functions mediated by AR-V7 do not
require the presence of AR-FL. The distinct cistromes and transcriptional
programs directed by AR-V7 and their co-regulators are consistent with
genomic features of progressive disease in a low-androgen environment.
Preclinical development of AR-V-directed agents currently focuses on
suppression of mRNA expression and protein degradation as well as targeting
of the amino-terminal domain. Conclusions: Current literature continues to support AR-Vs as biomarkers and
therapeutic targets in prostate cancer. Laboratory investigations reveal
both challenges and opportunities in targeting AR-Vs to overcome resistance
to current AR-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxue Lu
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Landon C Brown
- Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Divisions of Medical Oncology and Urology, Duke Cancer Institute Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Antonarakis
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Departments of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Divisions of Medical Oncology and Urology, Duke Cancer Institute Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Departments of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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