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Mosna F. The Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Clinical Point of View. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2359. [PMID: 39001421 PMCID: PMC11240611 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential of the immune system to eradicate leukemic cells has been consistently demonstrated by the Graft vs. Leukemia effect occurring after allo-HSCT and in the context of donor leukocyte infusions. Various immunotherapeutic approaches, ranging from the use of antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, and therapeutic infusions of NK cells, are thus currently being tested with promising, yet conflicting, results. This review will concentrate on various types of immunotherapies in preclinical and clinical development, from the point of view of a clinical hematologist. The most promising therapies for clinical translation are the use of bispecific T-cell engagers and CAR-T cells aimed at lineage-restricted antigens, where overall responses (ORR) ranging from 20 to 40% can be achieved in a small series of heavily pretreated patients affected by refractory or relapsing leukemia. Toxicity consists mainly in the occurrence of cytokine-release syndrome, which is mostly manageable with step-up dosing, the early use of cytokine-blocking agents and corticosteroids, and myelosuppression. Various cytokine-enhanced natural killer products are also being tested, mainly as allogeneic off-the-shelf therapies, with a good tolerability profile and promising results (ORR: 20-37.5% in small trials). The in vivo activation of T lymphocytes and NK cells via the inhibition of their immune checkpoints also yielded interesting, yet limited, results (ORR: 33-59%) but with an increased risk of severe Graft vs. Host disease in transplanted patients. Therefore, there are still several hurdles to overcome before the widespread clinical use of these novel compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Mosna
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit (BMTU), Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), 39100 Bolzano, Italy
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2
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Jin W, Zhang M, Dong C, Huang L, Luo Q. The multifaceted role of MUC1 in tumor therapy resistance. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:1441-1474. [PMID: 36564679 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00978-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumor therapeutic resistances are frequently linked to the recurrence and poor prognosis of cancers and have been a key bottleneck in clinical tumor treatment. Mucin1 (MUC1), a heterodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein, exhibits abnormally overexpression in a variety of human tumors and has been confirmed to be related to the formation of therapeutic resistance. In this review, the multifaceted roles of MUC1 in tumor therapy resistance are summarized from aspects of pan-cancer principles shared among therapies and individual mechanisms dependent on different therapies. Concretely, the common mechanisms of therapy resistance across cancers include interfering with gene expression, promoting genome instability, modifying tumor microenvironment, enhancing cancer heterogeneity and stemness, and activating evasion and metastasis. Moreover, the individual mechanisms of therapy resistance in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biotherapy are introduced. Last but not least, MUC1-involved therapy resistance in different types of cancers and MUC1-related clinical trials are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiu Jin
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mengwei Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Changzi Dong
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Innovative Research Team of High-Level Local Universities in Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qingquan Luo
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Dancik GM, Varisli L, Vlahopoulos SA. The Molecular Context of Oxidant Stress Response in Cancer Establishes ALDH1A1 as a Critical Target: What This Means for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119372. [PMID: 37298333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein family of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) encompasses nineteen members. The ALDH1 subfamily consists of enzymes with similar activity, having the capacity to neutralize lipid peroxidation products and to generate retinoic acid; however, only ALDH1A1 emerges as a significant risk factor in acute myeloid leukemia. Not only is the gene ALDH1A1 on average significantly overexpressed in the poor prognosis group at the RNA level, but its protein product, ALDH1A1 protects acute myeloid leukemia cells from lipid peroxidation byproducts. This capacity to protect cells can be ascribed to the stability of the enzyme under conditions of oxidant stress. The capacity to protect cells is evident both in vitro, as well as in mouse xenografts of those cells, shielding cells effectively from a number of potent antineoplastic agents. However, the role of ALDH1A1 in acute myeloid leukemia has been unclear in the past due to evidence that normal cells often have higher aldehyde dehydrogenase activity than leukemic cells. This being true, ALDH1A1 RNA expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis. It is hence imperative that ALDH1A1 is methodically targeted, particularly for the acute myeloid leukemia patients of the poor prognosis risk group that overexpress ALDH1A1 RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M Dancik
- Department of Computer Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA
| | - Lokman Varisli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey
| | - Spiros A Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Gestrich CK, De Lancy SJ, Kresak A, Sinno MG, Yalley A, Pateva I, Meyerson H, Shetty S, Oduro KA. Mucin 4 (MUC4) Protein is Expressed in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) and is restricted to BCR::ABL1 Positive and BCR::ABL-like Subtypes. Hum Pathol 2023; 136:75-83. [PMID: 37023866 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Mucin 4 (MUC4) is a transmembrane mucin that, like most mucins, is not expressed in normal hematopoietic cells but little is known about its expression in malignant hematopoiesis. B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) consists of genetically distinct disease subtypes with similarities and differences in gene expression most frequently studied at the mRNA level, which is less amenable to widespread routine clinical use. Here, we demonstrate using immunohistochemistry (IHC) that MUC4 protein is expressed in less than 10% of B-ALL with expression restricted to BCR::ABL1+ and BCR::ABL1-like (CRLF2 rearranged) subtypes of B-ALL (4/13, 31%). None (0/36, 0%) of the remaining B-ALL subtypes expressed MUC4. We compare clinical and pathologic features of MUC4+ and MUC4- BCR::ABL1+/like cases and most significantly report a possible shorter time to relapse for MUC4+ BCR::ABL1 B-ALL that would need to be validated in larger studies. In conclusion, MUC4 is a specific, albeit insensitive, marker for these high-risk subtypes of B-ALL. We propose that MUC4 IHC may be employed diagnostically to rapidly identify these B-ALL subtypes particularly in resource limited settings or when an aspirate sample is not available for ancillary genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine K Gestrich
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Shanelle J De Lancy
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Adam Kresak
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Mohamad G Sinno
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix AZ, USA
| | - Akua Yalley
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Irina Pateva
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Howard Meyerson
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Shashirekha Shetty
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA
| | - Kwadwo A Oduro
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Rainbow Children's Hospital & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA.
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Adinew GM, Messeha S, Taka E, Soliman KFA. The Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of the Chemoresistance Gene BIRC5 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215180. [PMID: 36358602 PMCID: PMC9659000 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance affects TNBC patient treatment responses. Therefore, identifying the chemoresistant gene provides a new approach to understanding chemoresistance in TNBC. BIRC5 was examined in the current study as a tool for predicting the prognosis of TNBC patients and assisting in developing alternative therapies using online database tools. According to the examined studies, BIRC5 was highly expressed in 45 to 90% of TNBC patients. BIRC5 is not only abundantly expressed but also contributes to resistance to chemotherapy, anti-HER2 therapy, and radiotherapy. Patients with increased expression of BIRC5 had a median survival of 31.2 months compared to 85.8 months in low-expression counterparts (HR, 1.73; CI, 1.4−2.13; p = 2.5 × 10−7). The overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and the complete pathological response of TNBC patients with high expression of BIRC5 who received any chemotherapy (Taxane, Ixabepilone, FAC, CMF, FEC, Anthracycline) and anti-HER2 therapy (Trastuzumab, Lapatinib) did not differ significantly from those patients receiving any other treatment. Data obtained indicate that the BIRC5 promoter region was substantially methylated, and hypermethylation was associated with higher BIRC5 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). The findings of this study outline the role of BIRC5 in chemotherapy-induced resistance of TNBC, further indicating that BIRC5 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker that contributes to chemoresistance and could be a possible therapeutic target. Meanwhile, several in vitro studies show that flavonoids were highly effective in inhibiting BIRC5 in genetically diverse TNBC cells. Therefore, flavonoids would be a promising strategy for preventing and treating TNBC patients with the BIRC5 molecule.
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Targeting β-catenin in acute myeloid leukaemia: past, present, and future perspectives. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:231097. [PMID: 35352805 PMCID: PMC9069440 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive disease of the bone marrow with a poor prognosis. Evidence suggests long established chemotherapeutic regimens used to treat AML are reaching the limits of their efficacy, necessitating the urgent development of novel targeted therapies. Canonical Wnt signalling is an evolutionary conserved cascade heavily implicated in normal developmental and disease processes in humans. For over 15 years its been known that the central mediator of this pathway, β-catenin, is dysregulated in AML promoting the emergence, maintenance, and drug resistance of leukaemia stem cells. Yet, despite this knowledge, and subsequent studies demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeting Wnt activity in haematological cancers, β-catenin inhibitors have not yet reached the clinic. The aim of this review is to summarise the current understanding regarding the role and mechanistic dysregulation of β-catenin in AML, and assess the therapeutic merit of pharmacologically targeting this molecule, drawing on lessons from other disease contexts.
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Daver N, Alotaibi AS, Bücklein V, Subklewe M. T-cell-based immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia: current concepts and future developments. Leukemia 2021; 35:1843-1863. [PMID: 33953290 PMCID: PMC8257483 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01253-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease linked to a broad spectrum of molecular alterations, and as such, long-term disease control requires multiple therapeutic approaches. Driven largely by an improved understanding and targeting of these molecular aberrations, AML treatment has rapidly evolved over the last 3-5 years. The stellar successes of immunotherapies that harness the power of T cells to treat solid tumors and an improved understanding of the immune systems of patients with hematologic malignancies have led to major efforts to develop immunotherapies for the treatment of patients with AML. Several immunotherapies that harness T cells against AML are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. These include bispecific and dual antigen receptor-targeting antibodies (targeted to CD33, CD123, CLL-1, and others), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, and T-cell immune checkpoint inhibitors (including those targeting PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and newer targets such as TIM3 and STING). The current and future directions of these T-cell-based immunotherapies in the treatment landscape of AML are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ahmad S Alotaibi
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Oncology Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Veit Bücklein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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8
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Knockdown of eIF3a attenuated cell growth in K1 human thyroid cancer cells. Genes Genomics 2021; 43:379-388. [PMID: 33595813 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01048-5] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In ribosome establishment and the initiation of translation, eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 3a is a pivotal functional subunit of the eIF3 complex. In various cancer types, abnormal eIF3a expression plays an important role in tumorigenesis. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the role of eIF3a in human thyroid cancer (TC). MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of eIF3a was determined in TC tissues by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, respectively. In addition, the expression of eIF3a in K1 and BCPAP cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were assessed after eIF3a knockdown in K1 in cell line. RESULTS The expression of eIF3a mRNA was high in TC tissues and cancer cell lines. Moreover, eIF3a expression in TC tissues indicated that high eIF3a level was associated with tumor grade. In addition, eIF3a knockdown resulted in a significantly decrease in cell proliferation and increased the apoptosis of K1 cells. Cell cycle was arrested in both the S and G2/M phase. The levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and surviving were decreased after eIF3a knockdown. CONCLUSION Our study suggested that eIF3a contributed to TC cell proliferation. It may be a promising target for gene therapy in human thyroid cancer.
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Sell S, Ilic Z. Comparison of survivor scores for differentiation therapy of cancer to those for checkpoint inhibition: Half full or half empty. Tumour Biol 2019; 41:1010428319873749. [PMID: 31496424 DOI: 10.1177/1010428319873749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation therapy is directed to the self-renewing cancer stem cells, as well as their progeny transit amplifying cells, to force them to mature to terminal differentiation. Differentiation therapy is effective in treatment of neuroblastomas and myeloid leukemias. Checkpoint inhibition therapy removes blocks to cancer reactive T-killer cells and allows them to react to malignant cells and limit the growth of cancer. The percentage of patients with a given cancer that responds to either therapy is less than hoped for, and the duration of response is variable. Multiplying the response rate (percentage of patients responding to therapy) by the duration of response may be used to derive a survival score for patients treated with differentiation therapy or checkpoint inhibition. By this criterion, differentiation therapy gives better survival scores than checkpoint inhibition. Yet, checkpoint inhibition is considered a great success, mostly because it may be applied to many different types of cancer, and differentiation therapy is considered relatively ineffective because it is limited to a few specific cancers. On the other hand, the cost of checkpoint inhibition treatment is 10-20 times more per patient than that of differentiation therapy. Hopefully, future combined treatments and advances in both approaches will increase the effectiveness of these cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Sell
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
- Albany College of Pharmacy and University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Zoran Ilic
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
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Ballester B, Milara J, Cortijo J. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Cancer: Mechanisms and Molecular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030593. [PMID: 30704051 PMCID: PMC6387034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common idiopathic interstitial pulmonary disease with a median survival of 2–4 years after diagnosis. A significant number of IPF patients have risk factors, such as a history of smoking or concomitant emphysema, both of which can predispose the patient to lung cancer (LC) (mostly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)). In fact, IPF itself increases the risk of LC development by 7% to 20%. In this regard, there are multiple common genetic, molecular, and cellular processes that connect lung fibrosis with LC, such as myofibroblast/mesenchymal transition, myofibroblast activation and uncontrolled proliferation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, alterations of growth factors expression, oxidative stress, and large genetic and epigenetic variations that can predispose the patient to develop IPF and LC. The current approved IPF therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib, are also active in LC. In fact, nintedanib is approved as a second line treatment in NSCLC, and pirfenidone has shown anti-neoplastic effects in preclinical studies. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge on the mechanisms implicated in the development of LC in patients with IPF as well as in current IPF and LC-IPF candidate therapies based on novel molecular advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Ballester
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Javier Milara
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Valencia, Spain.
- Pharmacy Unit, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
- Institute of Health Research-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Julio Cortijo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Valencia, Spain.
- Research and teaching Unit, University General Hospital Consortium, 46014 Valencia, Spain.
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Stroopinsky D, Rajabi H, Nahas M, Rosenblatt J, Rahimian M, Pyzer A, Tagde A, Kharbanda A, Jain S, Kufe T, Leaf RK, Anastasiadou E, Bar-Natan M, Orr S, Coll MD, Palmer K, Ephraim A, Cole L, Washington A, Kufe D, Avigan D. MUC1-C drives myeloid leukaemogenesis and resistance to treatment by a survivin-mediated mechanism. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:3887-3898. [PMID: 29761849 PMCID: PMC6050463 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive haematological malignancy with an unmet need for improved therapies. Responses to standard cytotoxic therapy in AML are often transient because of the emergence of chemotherapy‐resistant disease. The MUC1‐C oncoprotein governs critical pathways of tumorigenesis, including self‐renewal and survival, and is aberrantly expressed in AML blasts and leukaemia stem cells (LSCs). However, a role for MUC1‐C in linking leukaemogenesis and resistance to treatment has not been described. In this study, we demonstrate that MUC1‐C overexpression is associated with increased leukaemia initiating capacity in an NSG mouse model. In concert with those results, MUC1‐C silencing in multiple AML cell lines significantly reduced the establishment of AML in vivo. In addition, targeting MUC1‐C with silencing or pharmacologic inhibition with GO‐203 led to a decrease in active β‐catenin levels and, in‐turn, down‐regulation of survivin, a critical mediator of leukaemia cell survival. Targeting MUC1‐C was also associated with increased sensitivity of AML cells to Cytarabine (Ara‐C) treatment by a survivin‐dependent mechanism. Notably, low MUC1 and survivin gene expression were associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with AML. These findings emphasize the importance of MUC1‐C to myeloid leukaemogenesis and resistance to treatment by driving survivin expression. Our findings also highlight the potential translational relevance of combining GO‐203 with Ara‐C for the treatment of patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Stroopinsky
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hasan Rajabi
- Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Myrna Nahas
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacalyn Rosenblatt
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maryam Rahimian
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Athalia Pyzer
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashujit Tagde
- Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Akriti Kharbanda
- Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Salvia Jain
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Turner Kufe
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca K Leaf
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eleni Anastasiadou
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michal Bar-Natan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shira Orr
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxwell D Coll
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen Palmer
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam Ephraim
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leandra Cole
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail Washington
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Avigan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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