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Jiao Y, Lv Y, Liu M, Liu Y, Han M, Xiong X, Zhou H, Zhong J, Kang X, Su W. The modification role and tumor association with a methyltransferase: KMT2C. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1444923. [PMID: 39165358 PMCID: PMC11333232 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1444923] [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: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone methylation can affect chromosome structure and binding to other proteins, depending on the type of amino acid being modified and the number of methyl groups added, this modification may promote transcription of genes (H3K4me2, H3K4me3, and H3K79me3) or reduce transcription of genes (H3K9me2, H3K9me3, H3K27me2, H3K27me3, and H4K20me3). In addition, advances in tumor immunotherapy have shown that histone methylation as a type of protein post-translational modification is also involved in the proliferation, activation and metabolic reprogramming of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. These post-translational modifications of proteins play a crucial role in regulating immune escape from tumors and immunotherapy. Lysine methyltransferases are important components of the post-translational histone methylation modification pathway. Lysine methyltransferase 2C (KMT2C), also known as MLL3, is a member of the lysine methyltransferase family, which mediates the methylation modification of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4), participates in the methylation of many histone proteins, and regulates a number of signaling pathways such as EMT, p53, Myc, DNA damage repair and other pathways. Studies of KMT2C have found that it is aberrantly expressed in many diseases, mainly tumors and hematological disorders. It can also inhibit the onset and progression of these diseases. Therefore, KMT2C may serve as a promising target for tumor immunotherapy for certain diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the structure of KMT2C, disease mechanisms, and diseases associated with KMT2C, and discuss related challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjuan Jiao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yuanhao Lv
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Mingjie Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Miaomiao Han
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiwen Xiong
- Henan Health Commission Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongyan Zhou
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Colorectal Cancer, Xinxiang First People’s Hospital, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiateng Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Digestive Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaohong Kang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Digestive Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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Zhang Z, Huang J, Zhang Z, Shen H, Tang X, Wu D, Bao X, Xu G, Chen S. Application of omics in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Biomark Res 2024; 12:60. [PMID: 38858750 PMCID: PMC11165883 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00600-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most frequent leukemia in adults with a high mortality rate. Current diagnostic criteria and selections of therapeutic strategies are generally based on gene mutations and cytogenetic abnormalities. Chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are the major therapeutic strategies for AML. Two dilemmas in the clinical management of AML are related to its poor prognosis. One is the inaccurate risk stratification at diagnosis, leading to incorrect treatment selections. The other is the frequent resistance to chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies. Genomic features have been the focus of AML studies. However, the DNA-level aberrations do not always predict the expression levels of genes and proteins and the latter is more closely linked to disease phenotypes. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and mass spectrometry technologies, studying downstream effectors including RNA, proteins, and metabolites becomes possible. Transcriptomics can reveal gene expression and regulatory networks, proteomics can discover protein expression and signaling pathways intimately associated with the disease, and metabolomics can reflect precise changes in metabolites during disease progression. Moreover, omics profiling at the single-cell level enables studying cellular components and hierarchies of the AML microenvironment. The abundance of data from different omics layers enables the better risk stratification of AML by identifying prognosis-related biomarkers, and has the prospective application in identifying drug targets, therefore potentially discovering solutions to the two dilemmas. In this review, we summarize the existing AML studies using omics methods, both separately and combined, covering research fields of disease diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis prediction, chemotherapy, as well as targeted therapy. Finally, we discuss the directions and challenges in the application of multi-omics in precision medicine of AML. Our review may inspire both omics researchers and clinical physicians to study AML from a different angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
- Suzhou International Joint Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiayi Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongjie Shen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaowen Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Depei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiebing Bao
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
- Suzhou International Joint Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Suning Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Lambert M, Jambon S, Bouhlel MA, Depauw S, Vrevin J, Blanck S, Marot G, Figeac M, Preudhomme C, Quesnel B, Boykin DW, David‐Cordonnier M. Induction of AML cell differentiation using HOXA9/DNA binding inhibitors as a potential therapeutic option for HOXA9-dependent AML. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e77. [PMID: 38716146 PMCID: PMC11072194 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The mainstay of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment still relies on traditional chemotherapy, with a survival rate of approximately 30% for patients under 65 years of age and as low as 5% for those beyond. This unfavorable prognosis primarily stems from frequent relapses, resistance to chemotherapy, and limited approved targeted therapies for specific AML subtypes. Around 70% of all AML cases show overexpression of the transcription factor HOXA9, which is associated with a poor prognosis, increased chemoresistance, and higher relapse rates. However, direct targeting of HOXA9 in a clinical setting has not been achieved yet. The dysregulation caused by the leukemic HOXA9 transcription factor primarily results from its binding activity to DNA, leading to differentiation blockade. Our previous investigations have identified two HOXA9/DNA binding competitors, namely DB1055 and DB818. We assessed their antileukemic effects in comparison to HOXA9 knockdown or cytarabine treatment. Using human AML cell models, DB1055 and DB818 induced in vitro cell growth reduction, death, differentiation, and common transcriptomic deregulation but did not impact human CD34+ bone marrow cells. Furthermore, DB1055 and DB818 exhibited potent antileukemic activities in a human THP-1 AML in vivo model, leading to the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages. In vitro assays also demonstrated the efficacy of DB1055 and DB818 against AML blasts from patients, with DB1055 successfully reducing leukemia burden in patient-derived xenografts in NSG immunodeficient mice. Our findings indicate that inhibiting HOXA9/DNA interaction using DNA ligands may offer a novel differentiation therapy for the future treatment of AML patients dependent on HOXA9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
- Université Sorbonne Paris NordBobignyFrance
| | - Samy Jambon
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - Mohamed A. Bouhlel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - Sabine Depauw
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - Julie Vrevin
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - Samuel Blanck
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694—METRICSLilleFrance
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41—UAR 2014—PLBS, BililleLilleFrance
| | - Guillemette Marot
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694—METRICSLilleFrance
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41—UAR 2014—PLBS, BililleLilleFrance
- Inria, MODAL: Models for Data Analysis and LearningLilleFrance
| | - Martin Figeac
- Plateau de Génomique Fonctionnelle et Structurale, CHU Lille, Univ. Lille, FranceLilleFrance
| | - Claude Preudhomme
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
| | - David W. Boykin
- Department of ChemistryGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Marie‐Hélène David‐Cordonnier
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, IRCL, UMR9020‐U1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to TherapiesLilleFrance
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Mark C, Meshinchi S, Joyce B, Gibson B, Harrison C, Bergmann AK, Goemans BF, Pronk CJH, Lapillonne H, Leverger G, Antoniou E, Schneider M, Attarbaschi A, Dworzak M, Stary J, Tomizawa D, Ebert S, Lejman M, Kolb EA, Schmiegelow K, Hasle H, Abla O. Treatment outcomes of childhood PICALM::MLLT10 acute leukaemias. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:576-584. [PMID: 37743097 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19067] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The prognostic impact of PICALM::MLLT10 status in childhood leukaemia is not well described. Ten International Berlin Frankfurt Münster-affiliated study groups and the Children's Oncology Group collaborated in this multicentre retrospective study. The presence of the PICALM::MLLT10 fusion gene was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and/or RNA sequencing at participating sites. Ninety-eight children met the study criteria. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) predominated 55 (56%) and 39 (40%) patients, respectively. Most patients received a chemotherapy regimen per their disease phenotype: 58% received an ALL regimen, 40% an AML regimen and 1% a hybrid regimen. Outcomes for children with PICALM::MLLT10 ALL were reasonable: 5-year event-free survival (EFS) 67% and 5-year overall survival (OS) 76%, but children with PICALM::MLLT10 AML had poor outcomes: 5-year EFS 22% and 5-year OS 26%. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) did not result in a significant improvement in outcomes for PICALM::MLLT10 AML: 5-year EFS 20% for those who received HSCT versus 23% for those who did not (p = 0.6) and 5-year OS 37% versus 36% (p = 0.7). In summary, this study confirms that PICALM::MLLT10 AML is associated with a dismal prognosis and patients cannot be salvaged with HSCT; exploration of novel therapeutic options is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Mark
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brooklyn Joyce
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brenda Gibson
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Bianca F Goemans
- Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Guy Leverger
- Hôpital d'enfants Armand Trousseau, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Andishe Attarbaschi
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Dworzak
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Stary
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daisuke Tomizawa
- Division of Leukemia and Lymphoma, Children's Cancer Centre, National Centre for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sabine Ebert
- Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | | | - Henrik Hasle
- Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Oussama Abla
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Li D, Peng X, Hu Z, Li S, Chen J, Pan W. Small molecules targeting selected histone methyltransferases (HMTs) for cancer treatment: Current progress and novel strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:115982. [PMID: 38056296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115982] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) play a critical role in gene post-translational regulation and diverse physiological processes, and are implicated in a plethora of human diseases, especially cancer. Increasing evidences demonstrate that HMTs may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Thus, the development of HMTs inhibitor have been pursued with steadily increasing interest over the past decade. However, the disadvantages such as insufficient clinical efficacy, moderate selectivity, and propensity for acquired resistance have hindered the development of conventional HMT inhibitors. New technologies and methods are imperative to enhance the anticancer activity of HMT inhibitors. In this review, we first review the structure and biological functions of the several essential HMTs, such as EZH2, G9a, PRMT5, and DOT1L. The internal relationship between these HMTs and cancer is also expounded. Next, we mainly focus on the latest progress in the development of HMT modulators encompassing dual-target inhibitors, targeted protein degraders and covalent inhibitors from perspectives such as rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical status. Lastly, we also discuss the challenges and future directions for HMT-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Xiaopeng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Zhihao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Shuqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 516000, PR China.
| | - Wanyi Pan
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China.
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Johannessen JA, Formica M, Haukeland ALC, Bråthen NR, Al Outa A, Aarsund M, Therrien M, Enserink JM, Knævelsrud H. The human leukemic oncogene MLL-AF4 promotes hyperplastic growth of hematopoietic tissues in Drosophila larvae. iScience 2023; 26:107726. [PMID: 37720104 PMCID: PMC10504488 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107726] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias are among the leukemic subtypes with poorest survival, and treatment options have barely improved over the last decades. Despite increasing molecular understanding of the mechanisms behind these hematopoietic malignancies, this knowledge has had poor translation into the clinic. Here, we report a Drosophila melanogaster model system to explore the pathways affected in MLL-r leukemia. We show that expression of the human leukemic oncogene MLL-AF4 in the Drosophila hematopoietic system resulted in increased levels of circulating hemocytes and an enlargement of the larval hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland. Strikingly, depletion of Drosophila orthologs of known interactors of MLL-AF4, such as DOT1L, rescued the leukemic phenotype. In agreement, treatment with small-molecule inhibitors of DOT1L also prevented the MLL-AF4-induced leukemia-like phenotype. Taken together, this model provides an in vivo system to unravel the genetic interactors involved in leukemogenesis and offers a system for improved biological understanding of MLL-r leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Johannessen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Miriam Formica
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aina Louise C. Haukeland
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nora Rojahn Bråthen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amani Al Outa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Miriam Aarsund
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marc Therrien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jorrit M. Enserink
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helene Knævelsrud
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Hu H, Muntean AG. The YEATS domain epigenetic reader proteins ENL and AF9 and their therapeutic value in leukemia. Exp Hematol 2023; 124:15-21. [PMID: 37295550 PMCID: PMC10527611 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2023.06.001] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have uncovered similarities and differences between 2 highly homologous epigenetic reading proteins, namely, ENL (MLLT1) and AF9 (MLLT3) with therapeutic implications. The importance of these proteins has traditionally been exemplified by their involvement in chromosomal translocations with the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL; aka KMT2a). MLL rearrangements occur in a subset of acute leukemias and generate potent oncogenic MLL-fusion proteins that impact epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. Leukemic patients with MLL rearrangements display intermediate-to-poor prognoses, necessitating further mechanistic research. Several protein complexes involved in regulating RNA polymerase II transcription and the epigenetic landscape are hijacked in MLL-r leukemia, which include ENL and AF9. Recent biochemical studies have defined a highly homologous YEATS domain in ENL and AF9 that binds acylated histones, which aids in the localization and retention of these proteins to transcriptional targets. In addition, detailed characterization of the homologous ANC-1 homology domain (AHD) on ENL and AF9 revealed differential association with transcriptional activating and repressing complexes. Importantly, CRISPR knockout screens have demonstrated a unique role for wild-type ENL in leukemic stem cell function, whereas AF9 appears important for normal hematopoietic stem cells. In this perspective, we examine the ENL and AF9 proteins with attention to recent work characterizing the epigenetic reading YEATS domains and AHD on both wild-type proteins and when fused to MLL. We summarized the drug development efforts and their therapeutic potential and assess ongoing research that has refined our understanding of how these proteins function, which continues to reveal new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiangyu Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew G Muntean
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
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9
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MacDonald KM, Nicholson-Puthenveedu S, Tageldein MM, Khasnis S, Arrowsmith CH, Harding SM. Antecedent chromatin organization determines cGAS recruitment to ruptured micronuclei. Nat Commun 2023; 14:556. [PMID: 36732527 PMCID: PMC9894866 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36195-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Micronuclei (MN) are cytosolic bodies that sequester acentric fragments or mis-segregated chromosomes from the primary nucleus. Spontaneous rupture of the MN envelope allows recognition by the viral receptor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), initiating interferon signaling downstream of DNA damage. Here, we demonstrate that MN rupture is permissive but not sufficient for cGAS localization. Chromatin characteristics such as histone 3, lysine 79 dimethylation (H3K79me2) are present in the nucleus before DNA damage, retained in ruptured MN, and regulate cGAS recruitment. cGAS is further responsive to dynamic intra-MN processes occurring prior to rupture, including transcription. MN chromatin tethering via the nucleosome acidic patch is necessary for cGAS-dependent interferon signaling. Our data suggest that both damage-antecedent nuclear chromatin status and MN-contained chromatin organizational changes dictate cGAS recruitment and the magnitude of the cGAS-driven interferon cascade. Our work defines MN as integrative signaling hubs for the cellular response to genotoxic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M MacDonald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Maha M Tageldein
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarika Khasnis
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shane M Harding
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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10
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Liao Q, Yang J, Ge S, Chai P, Fan J, Jia R. Novel insights into histone lysine methyltransferases in cancer therapy: From epigenetic regulation to selective drugs. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:127-141. [PMID: 36908859 PMCID: PMC9999304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The reversible and precise temporal and spatial regulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) is essential for epigenome homeostasis. The dysregulation of KMTs is associated with tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, invasiveness, and the immune microenvironment. Therapeutically, their promising effects are being evaluated in diversified preclinical and clinical trials, demonstrating encouraging outcomes in multiple malignancies. In this review, we have updated recent understandings of KMTs' functions and the development of their targeted inhibitors. First, we provide an updated overview of the regulatory roles of several KMT activities in oncogenesis, tumor suppression, and immune regulation. In addition, we summarize the current targeting strategies in different cancer types and multiple ongoing clinical trials of combination therapies with KMT inhibitors. In summary, we endeavor to depict the regulation of KMT-mediated epigenetic landscape and provide potential epigenetic targets in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
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11
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Kumar A, Emdad L, Fisher PB, Das SK. Targeting epigenetic regulation for cancer therapy using small molecule inhibitors. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:73-161. [PMID: 36990539 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells display pervasive changes in DNA methylation, disrupted patterns of histone posttranslational modification, chromatin composition or organization and regulatory element activities that alter normal programs of gene expression. It is becoming increasingly clear that disturbances in the epigenome are hallmarks of cancer, which are targetable and represent attractive starting points for drug creation. Remarkable progress has been made in the past decades in discovering and developing epigenetic-based small molecule inhibitors. Recently, epigenetic-targeted agents in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors have been identified and these agents are either in current clinical trials or approved for treatment. However, epigenetic drug applications face many challenges, including low selectivity, poor bioavailability, instability and acquired drug resistance. New multidisciplinary approaches are being designed to overcome these limitations, e.g., applications of machine learning, drug repurposing, high throughput virtual screening technologies, to identify selective compounds with improved stability and better bioavailability. We provide an overview of the key proteins that mediate epigenetic regulation that encompass histone and DNA modifications and discuss effector proteins that affect the organization of chromatin structure and function as well as presently available inhibitors as potential drugs. Current anticancer small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic modified enzymes that have been approved by therapeutic regulatory authorities across the world are highlighted. Many of these are in different stages of clinical evaluation. We also assess emerging strategies for combinatorial approaches of epigenetic drugs with immunotherapy, standard chemotherapy or other classes of agents and advances in the design of novel epigenetic therapies.
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12
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Lazo PA. Targeting Histone Epigenetic Modifications and DNA Damage Responses in Synthetic Lethality Strategies in Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14164050. [PMID: 36011043 PMCID: PMC9406467 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14164050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality strategies are likely to be integrated in effective and specific cancer treatments. These strategies combine different specific targets, either in similar or cooperating pathways. Chromatin remodeling underlies, directly or indirectly, all processes of tumor biology. In this context, the combined targeting of proteins associated with different aspects of chromatin remodeling can be exploited to find new alternative targets or to improve treatment for specific individual tumors or patients. There are two major types of proteins, epigenetic modifiers of histones and nuclear or chromatin kinases, all of which are druggable targets. Among epigenetic enzymes, there are four major families: histones acetylases, deacetylases, methylases and demethylases. All these enzymes are druggable. Among chromatin kinases are those associated with DNA damage responses, such as Aurora A/B, Haspin, ATM, ATR, DNA-PK and VRK1-a nucleosomal histone kinase. All these proteins converge on the dynamic regulation chromatin organization, and its functions condition the tumor cell viability. Therefore, the combined targeting of these epigenetic enzymes, in synthetic lethality strategies, can sensitize tumor cells to toxic DNA-damage-based treatments, reducing their toxicity and the selective pressure for tumor resistance and increasing their immunogenicity, which will lead to an improvement in disease-free survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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13
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Chemical biology and pharmacology of histone lysine methylation inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194840. [PMID: 35753676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is a post-translational modification that plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of a broad spectrum of biological processes. Moreover, the dysregulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases particularly cancer. Due to their pathobiological importance, KMTs have garnered immense attention over the last decade as attractive therapeutic targets. These endeavors have culminated in tens of chemical probes that have been used to interrogate many aspects of histone lysine methylation. Besides, over a dozen inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials, including the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat approved for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and advanced epithelioid sarcoma. In this Review, we highlight the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT inhibitors and targeted protein degraders focusing on the clinical development of EZH1/2, DOT1L, Menin-MLL, and WDR5-MLL inhibitors. We also briefly discuss the pharmacologic targeting of other KMTs.
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14
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Elisha L, Abaev-Schneiderman E, Cohn O, Shapira G, Shomron N, Feldman M, Levy D. Structure-function conservation between the methyltransferases SETD3 and SETD6. Biochimie 2022; 200:27-35. [PMID: 35550916 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Among the protein lysine methyltransferases family members, it appears that SETD6 is highly similar and closely related to SETD3. The two methyltransferases show high similarity in their structure, which raised the hypothesis that they share cellular functions. Using a proteomic screen, we identified 52 shared interacting-proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the shared proteins revealed significant enrichment of proteins involved in transcription. Our RNA-seq data of SETD6 KO and SETD3 KO HeLa cells identified ∼100 up-regulated and down-regulated shared genes. We have also identified a substantial number of genes that changed dramatically in the double KO cells but did not significantly change in the single KO cells. GO analysis of these genes revealed enrichment of apoptotic genes. Accordingly, we show that the double KO cells displayed high apoptotic levels, suggesting that SETD6 and SETD3 inhibit apoptosis. Collectively, our data strongly suggest a functional link between SETD6 and SETD3 in the regulation of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Elisha
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Elina Abaev-Schneiderman
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Ofir Cohn
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Feldman
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Dan Levy
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
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15
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Kurani H, Razavipour SF, Harikumar KB, Dunworth M, Ewald AJ, Nasir A, Pearson G, Van Booven D, Zhou Z, Azzam D, Wahlestedt C, Slingerland J. DOT1L Is a Novel Cancer Stem Cell Target for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:1948-1965. [PMID: 35135840 PMCID: PMC9365344 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although chemotherapies kill most cancer cells, stem cell-enriched survivors seed metastasis, particularly in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). TNBCs arise from and are enriched for tumor stem cells. Here, we tested if inhibition of DOT1L, an epigenetic regulator of normal tissue stem/progenitor populations, would target TNBC stem cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Effects of DOT1L inhibition by EPZ-5676 on stem cell properties were tested in three TNBC lines and four patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and in isolated cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched ALDH1+ and ALDH1- populations. RNA sequencing compared DOT1L regulated pathways in ALDH1+ and ALDH1- cells. To test if EPZ-5676 decreases CSC in vivo, limiting dilution assays of EPZ-5676/vehicle pretreated ALDH1+ and ALDH1- cells were performed. Tumor latency, growth, and metastasis were evaluated. Antitumor activity was also tested in TNBC PDX and PDX-derived organoids. RESULTS ALDH1+ TNBC cells exhibit higher DOT1L and H3K79me2 than ALDH1-. DOT1L maintains MYC expression and self-renewal in ALDH1+ cells. Global profiling revealed that DOT1L governs oxidative phosphorylation, cMyc targets, DNA damage response, and WNT activation in ALDH1+ but not in ALDH1- cells. EPZ-5676 reduced tumorspheres and ALDH1+ cells in vitro and decreased tumor-initiating stem cells and metastasis in xenografts generated from ALDH1+ but not ALDH1- populations in vivo. EPZ-5676 significantly reduced growth in vivo of one of two TNBC PDX tested and decreased clonogenic 3D growth of two other PDX-derived organoid cultures. CONCLUSIONS DOT1L emerges as a key CSC regulator in TNBC. Present data support further clinical investigation of DOT1L inhibitors to target stem cell-enriched TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetakshi Kurani
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Seyedeh Fatemeh Razavipour
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Kuzhuvelil B. Harikumar
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Matthew Dunworth
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew J. Ewald
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Gray Pearson
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Derek Van Booven
- John P. Hussman Institute of Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Diana Azzam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Joyce Slingerland
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.,Corresponding Author: Joyce Slingerland, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, New Research Building, Room E212, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007. Phone: 305-898-9910; E-mail:
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16
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Yi Y, Ge S. Targeting the histone H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase DOT1L in MLL-rearranged leukemias. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:35. [PMID: 35331314 PMCID: PMC8944089 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupting the methylation of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L)-mediated histone H3 lysine 79 has been implicated in MLL fusion-mediated leukemogenesis. Recently, DOT1L has become an attractive therapeutic target for MLL-rearranged leukemias. Rigorous studies have been performed, and much progress has been achieved. Moreover, one DOT1L inhibitor, EPZ-5676, has entered clinical trials, but its clinical activity is modest. Here, we review the recent advances and future trends of various therapeutic strategies against DOT1L for MLL-rearranged leukemias, including DOT1L enzymatic activity inhibitors, DOT1L degraders, protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, and combinatorial interventions. In addition, the limitations, challenges, and prospects of these therapeutic strategies are discussed. In summary, we present a general overview of DOT1L as a target in MLL-rearranged leukemias to provide valuable guidance for DOT1L-associated drug development in the future. Although a variety of DOT1L enzymatic inhibitors have been identified, most of them require further optimization. Recent advances in the development of small molecule degraders, including heterobifunctional degraders and molecular glues, provide valuable insights and references for DOT1L degraders. However, drug R&D strategies and platforms need to be developed and preclinical experiments need to be performed with the purpose of blocking DOT1L-associated PPIs. DOT1L epigenetic-based combination therapy is worth considering and exploring, but the therapy should be based on a thorough understanding of the regulatory mechanism of DOT1L epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yi
- Departments of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenglei Ge
- Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Street, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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17
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He L, Lomberk G. Collateral Victim or Rescue Worker?-The Role of Histone Methyltransferases in DNA Damage Repair and Their Targeting for Therapeutic Opportunities in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:735107. [PMID: 34869318 PMCID: PMC8636273 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.735107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted DNA damage signaling greatly threatens cell integrity and plays significant roles in cancer. With recent advances in understanding the human genome and gene regulation in the context of DNA damage, chromatin biology, specifically biology of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), has emerged as a popular field of study with great promise for cancer therapeutics. Here, we discuss how key histone methylation pathways contribute to DNA damage repair and impact tumorigenesis within this context, as well as the potential for their targeting as part of therapeutic strategies in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishu He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Gwen Lomberk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Gwen Lomberk,
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18
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Golla U, Ehudin MA, Annageldiyev C, Zeng Z, Bastihalli Tukaramrao D, Tarren A, Date AA, Elcheva I, Berg A, Amin S, Loughran TP, Kester M, Desai D, Dovat S, Claxton D, Sharma A. DJ4 Targets the Rho-Associated Protein Kinase Pathway and Attenuates Disease Progression in Preclinical Murine Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4889. [PMID: 34638385 PMCID: PMC8508452 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the highly heterogenous nature of the disease motivates targeted gene therapeutic investigations. Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) are crucial for various actin cytoskeletal changes, which have established malignant consequences in various cancers, yet are still not being successfully utilized clinically towards cancer treatment. This work establishes the therapeutic activity of ROCK inhibitor (5Z)-2-5-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-ylmethylene)-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one (DJ4) in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of AML to highlight the potential of this class of inhibitors. Herein, DJ4 induced cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects in a dose-dependent manner in human AML cell lines (IC50: 0.05-1.68 μM) and primary patient cells (IC50: 0.264-13.43 μM); however, normal hematopoietic cells were largely spared. ROCK inhibition by DJ4 disrupts the phosphorylation of downstream targets, myosin light chain (MLC2) and myosin-binding subunit of MLC phosphatase (MYPT), yielding a potent yet selective treatment response at micromolar concentrations, from 0.02 to 1 μM. Murine models injected with luciferase-expressing leukemia cell lines subcutaneously or intravenously and treated with DJ4 exhibited an increase in overall survival and reduction in disease progression relative to the vehicle-treated control mice. Overall, DJ4 is a promising candidate to utilize in future investigations to advance the current AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upendarrao Golla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Melanie A. Ehudin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Charyguly Annageldiyev
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Zheng Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Diwakar Bastihalli Tukaramrao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Anna Tarren
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Abhijit A. Date
- The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI 96720, USA;
| | - Irina Elcheva
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Arthur Berg
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Shantu Amin
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - David Claxton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
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19
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Yokoyama A. Leukemogenesis via aberrant self-renewal by the MLL/AEP-mediated transcriptional activation system. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3935-3944. [PMID: 34251718 PMCID: PMC8486200 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis of the hematopoietic system is achieved in a hierarchy, with hematopoietic stem cells at the pinnacle. Because only hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can self-renew, the size of the hematopoietic system is strictly controlled. In hematopoietic reconstitution experiments, 1 HSC can reconstitute the entire hematopoietic system, whereas 50 multipotent progenitors cannot. This indicates that only HSCs self-renew, whereas non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors are programmed to differentiate or senesce. Oncogenic mutations of the mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) overcome this "programmed differentiation" by conferring the self-renewing ability to non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors. In leukemia, mutated MLL proteins constitutively activate a broad range of previously transcribed CpG-rich promoters by an MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system. This system promotes self-renewal by replicating an expression profile similar to that of the mother cell in its daughter cells. In this transcriptional activation system, MLL binds to unmethylated CpG-rich promoters and recruits RNA polymerase II. MLL recruits p300/CBP through its transcriptional activation domain, which acetylates histone H3 at lysines 9, 18, and 27. The AF4 family/ENL family/P-TEFb complex (AEP) binds to acetylated H3K9/18/27 to activate transcription. Gene rearrangements of MLL with AEP- or CBP/p300-complex components generate constitutively active transcriptional machinery of this transcriptional activation system, which causes aberrant self-renewal of leukemia stem cells. Inhibitors of the components of this system effectively decrease their leukemogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan.,National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like promotes ovarian cancer tumor growth by stimulating pro-tumorigenic metabolic pathways and blocking apoptosis. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:48. [PMID: 34253709 PMCID: PMC8275629 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological malignancy-related deaths. Current therapies for ovarian cancer do not provide meaningful and sustainable clinical benefits, highlighting the need for new therapies. We show that the histone H3K79 methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and that a higher level of DOT1L expression correlates with shorter progression-free and overall survival (OS). Pharmacological inhibition of DOT1L (EPZ-5676, EPZ004777, and SGC0946) or genetic inhibition of DOT1L attenuates the growth of ovarian cancer cells in cell culture and in a mouse xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Transcriptome-wide mRNA expression profiling shows that DOT1L inhibition results in the downregulation of genes involved in cellular biosynthesis pathways and the upregulation of proapoptotic genes. Consistent with the results of transcriptome analysis, the unbiased large-scale metabolomic analysis showed reduced levels of several metabolites of the amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis pathways after DOT1L inhibition. DOT1L inhibition also resulted in the upregulation of the NKG2D ligand ULBP1 and subsequent increase in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated ovarian cancer eradication. Collectively, our results demonstrate that DOT1L promotes ovarian cancer tumor growth by regulating apoptotic and metabolic pathways as well as NK cell-mediated eradication of ovarian cancer and identifies DOT1L as a new pharmacological target for ovarian cancer therapy.
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21
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Quinlan RBA, Brennan PE. Chemogenomics for drug discovery: clinical molecules from open access chemical probes. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:759-795. [PMID: 34458810 PMCID: PMC8341094 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00016k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years chemical probes have proved valuable tools for the validation of disease-modifying targets, facilitating investigation of target function, safety, and translation. Whilst probes and drugs often differ in their properties, there is a belief that chemical probes are useful for translational studies and can accelerate the drug discovery process by providing a starting point for small molecule drugs. This review seeks to describe clinical candidates that have been inspired by, or derived from, chemical probes, and the process behind their development. By focusing primarily on examples of probes developed by the Structural Genomics Consortium, we examine a variety of epigenetic modulators along with other classes of probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B A Quinlan
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
| | - Paul E Brennan
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
- Alzheimer's Research (UK) Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
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22
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Nepali K, Liou JP. Recent developments in epigenetic cancer therapeutics: clinical advancement and emerging trends. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:27. [PMID: 33840388 PMCID: PMC8040241 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00721-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic drug discovery field has evidenced significant advancement in the recent times. A plethora of small molecule inhibitors have progressed to clinical stage investigations and are being explored exhaustively to ascertain conclusive benefits in diverse malignancies. Literature precedents indicates that substantial amount of efforts were directed towards the use of epigenetic tools in monotherapy as well as in combination regimens at the clinical level, however, the preclinical/preliminary explorations were inclined towards the identification of prudent approaches that can leverage the anticancer potential of small molecule epigenetic inhibitors as single agents only. This review article presents an update of FDA approved epigenetic drugs along with the epigenetic inhibitors undergoing clinical stage investigations in different cancer types. A detailed discussion of the pragmatic strategies that are expected to steer the progress of the epigenetic therapy through the implementation of emerging approaches such as PROTACS and CRISPR/Cas9 along with logical ways for scaffold fabrication to selectively approach the enzyme isoforms in pursuit of garnering amplified antitumor effects has been covered. In addition, the compilation also presents the rational strategies for the construction of multi-targeting scaffold assemblages employing previously identified pharmacophores as potential alternatives to the combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Nepali
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Biomedical Commercialization Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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23
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Feng S, De Carvalho DD. Clinical advances in targeting epigenetics for cancer therapy. FEBS J 2021; 289:1214-1239. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shengrui Feng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics University of Toronto ON Canada
| | - Daniel D. De Carvalho
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics University of Toronto ON Canada
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24
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Grigsby SM, Friedman A, Chase J, Waas B, Ropa J, Serio J, Shen C, Muntean AG, Maillard I, Nikolovska-Coleska Z. Elucidating the Importance of DOT1L Recruitment in MLL-AF9 Leukemia and Hematopoiesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040642. [PMID: 33562706 PMCID: PMC7914713 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MLL1 (KMT2a) gene rearrangements underlie the pathogenesis of aggressive MLL-driven acute leukemia. AF9, one of the most common MLL-fusion partners, recruits the histone H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L to MLL target genes, constitutively activating transcription of pro-leukemic targets. DOT1L has emerged as a therapeutic target in patients with MLL-driven leukemia. However, global DOT1L enzymatic inhibition may lead to off-target toxicities in non-leukemic cells that could decrease the therapeutic index of DOT1L inhibitors. To bypass this problem, we developed a novel approach targeting specific protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that mediate DOT1L recruitment to MLL target genes, and compared the effects of enzymatic and PPIs inhibition on leukemic and non-leukemic hematopoiesis. MLL-AF9 cell lines were engineered to carry mutant DOT1L constructs with a defective AF9 interaction site or lacking enzymatic activity. In cell lines expressing a DOT1L mutant with defective AF9 binding, we observed complete disruption of DOT1L recruitment to critical target genes and inhibition of leukemic cell growth. To evaluate the overall impact of DOT1L loss in non-leukemic hematopoiesis, we first assessed the impact of acute Dot1l inactivation in adult mouse bone marrow. We observed a rapid reduction in myeloid progenitor cell numbers within 7 days, followed by a loss of long-term hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, WT and PPI-deficient DOT1L mutants but not an enzymatically inactive DOT1L mutant were able to rescue sustained hematopoiesis. These data show that the AF9-DOT1L interaction is dispensable in non-leukemic hematopoiesis. Our findings support targeting of the MLL-AF9-DOT1L interaction as a promising therapeutic strategy that is selectively toxic to MLL-driven leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierrah M. Grigsby
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
| | - Ann Friedman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (A.F.); (J.C.); (B.W.); (I.M.)
| | - Jennifer Chase
- Department of Internal Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (A.F.); (J.C.); (B.W.); (I.M.)
| | - Bridget Waas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (A.F.); (J.C.); (B.W.); (I.M.)
| | - James Ropa
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
| | - Justin Serio
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
| | - Chenxi Shen
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
| | - Andrew G. Muntean
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
- Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Ivan Maillard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (A.F.); (J.C.); (B.W.); (I.M.)
| | - Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska
- Molecular and Celular Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; (S.M.G.); (J.R.); (J.S.); (C.S.); (A.G.M.)
- Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(734)-615-9202; Fax: +1-(734)-763-8764
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25
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Bhat KP, Ümit Kaniskan H, Jin J, Gozani O. Epigenetics and beyond: targeting writers of protein lysine methylation to treat disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:265-286. [PMID: 33469207 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-00108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a crucial post-translational modification that regulates the functions of both histone and non-histone proteins. Deregulation of the enzymes or 'writers' of protein lysine methylation, lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), is implicated in the cause of many diseases, including cancer, mental health disorders and developmental disorders. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in developing drugs to target KMTs that are involved in histone methylation and epigenetic regulation. The first of these inhibitors, tazemetostat, was recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma, and several more are in clinical and preclinical evaluation. Beyond chromatin, the many KMTs that regulate protein synthesis and other fundamental biological processes are emerging as promising new targets for drug development to treat diverse diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamakoti P Bhat
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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26
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Madan V, Koeffler HP. Differentiation therapy of myeloid leukemia: four decades of development. Haematologica 2021; 106:26-38. [PMID: 33054125 PMCID: PMC7776344 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.262121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by arrested differentiation, and agents that overcome this block are therapeutically useful, as shown by the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, the early promise of differentiation therapy did not translate into clinical benefit for other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia, in which cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens remained the standard of care. Recent advances, including insights from sequencing of acute myeloid leukemia genomes, have led to the development of targeted therapies, comprising agents that induce differentiation of leukemic cells in preclinical models and clinical trials, thus rejuvenating interest in differentiation therapy. These agents act on various cellular processes including dysregulated metabolic programs, signaling pathways, epigenetic machinery and the cell cycle. In particular, inhibitors of mutant IDH1/2 and FLT3 have shown clinical benefit, leading to approval by regulatory bodies of their use. Besides the focus on recently approved differentiation therapies, this review also provides an overview of differentiation- inducing agents being tested in clinical trials or investigated in preclinical research. Combinatorial strategies are currently being tested for several agents (inhibitors of KDM1A, DOT1L, BET proteins, histone deacetylases), which were not effective in clinical studies as single agents, despite encouraging anti-leukemic activity observed in preclinical models. Overall, recently approved drugs and new investigational agents being developed highlight the merits of differentiation therapy; and ongoing studies promise further advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Madan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore.
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), National University Hospital.
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27
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Automated CUT&Tag profiling of chromatin heterogeneity in mixed-lineage leukemia. Nat Genet 2021; 53:1586-1596. [PMID: 34663924 PMCID: PMC8571097 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias often harbor chromosomal translocations involving the KMT2A gene, encoding the KMT2A lysine methyltransferase (also known as mixed-lineage leukemia-1), and produce in-frame fusions of KMT2A to other chromatin-regulatory proteins. Here we map fusion-specific targets across the genome for diverse KMT2A oncofusion proteins in cell lines and patient samples. By modifying CUT&Tag chromatin profiling for full automation, we identify common and tumor-subtype-specific sites of aberrant chromatin regulation induced by KMT2A oncofusion proteins. A subset of KMT2A oncofusion-binding sites are marked by bivalent (H3K4me3 and H3K27me3) chromatin signatures, and single-cell CUT&Tag profiling reveals that these sites display cell-to-cell heterogeneity suggestive of lineage plasticity. In addition, we find that aberrant enrichment of H3K4me3 in gene bodies is sensitive to Menin inhibitors, demonstrating the utility of automated chromatin profiling for identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities. Thus, integration of automated and single-cell CUT&Tag can uncover epigenomic heterogeneity within patient samples and predict sensitivity to therapeutic agents.
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28
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Jan S, Dar MI, Wani R, Sandey J, Mushtaq I, Lateef S, Syed SH. Targeting EHMT2/ G9a for cancer therapy: Progress and perspective. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 893:173827. [PMID: 33347828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase-2, also known as G9a, is a ubiquitously expressed SET domain-containing histone lysine methyltransferase linked with both facultative and constitutive heterochromatin formation and transcriptional repression. It is an essential developmental gene and reported to play role in embryonic development, establishment of proviral silencing in ES cells, tumor cell growth, metastasis, T-cell immune response, cocaine induced neural plasticity and cognition and adaptive behavior. It is mainly responsible for carrying out mono, di and tri methylation of histone H3K9 in euchromatin. G9a levels are elevated in many cancers and its selective inhibition is known to reduce the cell growth and induce autophagy, apoptosis and senescence. We carried out a thorough search of online literature databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Journal websites, Clinical trials etc to gather the maximum possible information related to the G9a. The main messages from the cited papers are presented in a systematic manner. Chemical structures were drawn by Chemdraw software. In this review, we shed light on current understanding of structure and biological activity of G9a, the molecular events directing its targeting to genomic regions and its post-translational modification. Finally, we discuss the current strategies to target G9a in different cancers and evaluate the available compounds and agents used to inhibit G9a functions. The review provides the present status and future directions of research in targeting G9a and provides the basis to persuade the development of novel strategies to target G9a -related effects in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraya Jan
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Mohd Ishaq Dar
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Rubiada Wani
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Jagjeet Sandey
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Iqra Mushtaq
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sammar Lateef
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sajad Hussain Syed
- CSIR, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, 190005, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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29
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Metabolic Regulation of Epigenetic Modifications and Cell Differentiation in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123788. [PMID: 33339101 PMCID: PMC7765496 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells change their metabolism to support a chaotic and uncontrolled growth. In addition to meeting the metabolic needs of the cell, these changes in metabolism also affect the patterns of gene activation, changing the identity of cancer cells. As a consequence, cancer cells become more aggressive and more resistant to treatments. In this article, we present a review of the literature on the interactions between metabolism and cell identity, and we explore the mechanisms by which metabolic changes affect gene regulation. This is important because recent therapies under active investigation target both metabolism and gene regulation. The interactions of these new therapies with existing chemotherapies are not known and need to be investigated. Abstract Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, with consistent rewiring of glucose, glutamine, and mitochondrial metabolism. While these metabolic alterations are adequate to meet the metabolic needs of cell growth and proliferation, the changes in critical metabolites have also consequences for the regulation of the cell differentiation state. Cancer evolution is characterized by progression towards a poorly differentiated, stem-like phenotype, and epigenetic modulation of the chromatin structure is an important prerequisite for the maintenance of an undifferentiated state by repression of lineage-specific genes. Epigenetic modifiers depend on intermediates of cellular metabolism both as substrates and as co-factors. Therefore, the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in cancer likely plays an important role in the process of the de-differentiation characteristic of the neoplastic process. Here, we review the epigenetic consequences of metabolic reprogramming in cancer, with particular focus on the role of mitochondrial intermediates and hypoxia in the regulation of cellular de-differentiation. We also discuss therapeutic implications.
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30
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Gurnari C, Pagliuca S, Visconte V. Deciphering the Therapeutic Resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228505. [PMID: 33198085 PMCID: PMC7697160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematopoietic disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation, lack of cellular differentiation, and infiltration of bone marrow, peripheral blood, or other organs. Induction failure and in general resistance to chemotherapeutic agents represent a hindrance for improving survival outcomes in AML. Here, we review the latest insights in AML biology concerning refractoriness to therapies with a specific focus on cytarabine and daunorubicin which still represent milestones agents for inducing therapeutic response and disease eradication. However, failure to achieve complete remission in AML is still high especially in elderly patients (40-60% in patients >65 years old). Several lines of basic and clinical research have been employed to improve the achievement of complete remission. These lines of research include molecular targeted therapy and more recently immunotherapy. In terms of molecular targeted therapies, specific attention is given to DNMT3A and TP53 mutant AML by reviewing the mechanisms underlying epigenetic therapies' (e.g., hypomethylating agents) resistance and providing critical points and hints for possible future therapies overcoming AML refractoriness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pagliuca
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-216-445-6895
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31
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Reynolds VL, Butler P, Abernathy MM, Aschenbrenner L, Best DD, Blank J, Crosby M, Custer L, Escobar PA, Kolaja K, Moggs J, Shuey D, Snyder C, Van Vleet T, Zhou J, Hart TK. Nonclinical safety assessment of epigenetic modulatory drugs: Current status and industry perspective. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 117:104746. [PMID: 32911461 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Pharmaceutic products designed to perturb the function of epigenetic modulators have been approved by regulatory authorities for treatment of advanced cancer. While the predominant effort in epigenetic drug development continues to be in oncology, non-oncology indications are also garnering interest. A survey of pharmaceutical companies was conducted to assess the interest and concerns for developing small molecule direct epigenetic effectors (EEs) as medicines. Survey themes addressed (1) general levels of interest and activity with EEs as therapeutic agents, (2) potential safety concerns, and (3) possible future efforts to develop targeted strategies for nonclinical safety assessment of EEs. Thirteen companies contributed data to the survey. Overall, the survey data indicate the consensus opinion that existing ICH guidelines are effective and appropriate for nonclinical safety assessment activities with EEs. Attention in the framework of study design should, on a case by case basis, be considered for delayed or latent toxicities, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and the theoretical potential for transgenerational effects. While current guidelines have been appropriate for the nonclinical safety assessments of epigenetic targets, broader experience with a wide range of epigenetic targets will provide information to assess the potential need for new or revised risk assessment strategies for EE drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Derek D Best
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jim Blank
- Takeda Pharmaceutical, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meredith Crosby
- AbbVie Inc. Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Preclinical Safety, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laura Custer
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Drug Safety Evaluation, 1 Squibb Dr, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Kyle Kolaja
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Drug Safety Evaluation, 1 Squibb Dr, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jonathan Moggs
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Translational Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dana Shuey
- Incyte Corporation, 1801 Augustine Cutoff, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | - Terry Van Vleet
- AbbVie Inc. Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Preclinical Safety, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Junguo Zhou
- Nonclinical Safety, Janssen Research and Development LLC., Raritan, NJ, USA
| | - Timothy K Hart
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA, USA
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32
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Wong NHM, So CWE. Novel therapeutic strategies for MLL-rearranged leukemias. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194584. [PMID: 32534041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MLL rearrangement is one of the key drivers and generally regarded as an independent poor prognostic marker in acute leukemias. The standard of care for MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years despite unsatisfying clinical outcomes, so there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that a vast number of epigenetic regulators are directly or indirectly involved in MLL-r leukemia, and they are responsible for supporting the aberrant gene expression program mediated by MLL-fusions. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications can be reversed by pharmacologic targeting of the responsible epigenetic regulators. This leads to significant interest in developing epigenetic therapies for MLL-r leukemia. Intriguingly, many of the epigenetic enzymes also involve in DNA damage response (DDR), which can be potential targets for synthetic lethality-induced therapies. In this review, we will summarize some of the recent advances in the development of epigenetic and DDR therapeutics by targeting epigenetic regulators or protein complexes that mediate MLL-r leukemia gene expression program and key players in DDR that safeguard essential genome integrity. The rationale and molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects will also be discussed with a focus on how these treatments can disrupt MLL-fusion mediated transcriptional programs and impair DDR, which may help overcome treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nok-Hei Mickey Wong
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK.
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Dzobo K, Senthebane DA, Ganz C, Thomford NE, Wonkam A, Dandara C. Advances in Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells within the Tumor Microenvironment: An Updated Review. Cells 2020; 9:E1896. [PMID: 32823711 PMCID: PMC7464860 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great strides being achieved in improving cancer patients' outcomes through better therapies and combinatorial treatment, several hurdles still remain due to therapy resistance, cancer recurrence and metastasis. Drug resistance culminating in relapse continues to be associated with fatal disease. The cancer stem cell theory posits that tumors are driven by specialized cancer cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells known to be resistant to therapy and cause metastasis. Whilst the debate on whether CSCs are the origins of the primary tumor rages on, CSCs have been further characterized in many cancers with data illustrating that CSCs display great abilities to self-renew, resist therapies due to enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) properties, enhanced expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters, activation of several survival signaling pathways and increased immune evasion as well as DNA repair mechanisms. CSCs also display great heterogeneity with the consequential lack of specific CSC markers presenting a great challenge to their targeting. In this updated review we revisit CSCs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and present novel treatment strategies targeting CSCs. These promising strategies include targeting CSCs-specific properties using small molecule inhibitors, immunotherapy, microRNA mediated inhibitors, epigenetic methods as well as targeting CSC niche-microenvironmental factors and differentiation. Lastly, we present recent clinical trials undertaken to try to turn the tide against cancer by targeting CSC-associated drug resistance and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dimakatso Alice Senthebane
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Chelene Ganz
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
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Aleksandrov R, Hristova R, Stoynov S, Gospodinov A. The Chromatin Response to Double-Strand DNA Breaks and Their Repair. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081853. [PMID: 32784607 PMCID: PMC7464352 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular DNA is constantly being damaged by numerous internal and external mutagenic factors. Probably the most severe type of insults DNA could suffer are the double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). They sever both DNA strands and compromise genomic stability, causing deleterious chromosomal aberrations that are implicated in numerous maladies, including cancer. Not surprisingly, cells have evolved several DSB repair pathways encompassing hundreds of different DNA repair proteins to cope with this challenge. In eukaryotic cells, DSB repair is fulfilled in the immensely complex environment of the chromatin. The chromatin is not just a passive background that accommodates the multitude of DNA repair proteins, but it is a highly dynamic and active participant in the repair process. Chromatin alterations, such as changing patterns of histone modifications shaped by numerous histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling, are pivotal for proficient DSB repair. Dynamic chromatin changes ensure accessibility to the damaged region, recruit DNA repair proteins, and regulate their association and activity, contributing to DSB repair pathway choice and coordination. Given the paramount importance of DSB repair in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, DSB repair has turned into an attractive target for the development of novel anticancer therapies, some of which have already entered the clinic.
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Inhibition of Methyltransferase DOT1L Sensitizes to Sorafenib Treatment AML Cells Irrespective of MLL-Rearrangements: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Pediatric AML. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071972. [PMID: 32698374 PMCID: PMC7409321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis for which there are few effective targeted approaches, despite the numerous genetic alterations, including MLL gene rearrangements (MLL-r). The histone methyltransferase DOT1L is involved in supporting the proliferation of MLL-r cells, for which a target inhibitor, Pinometostat, has been evaluated in a clinical trial recruiting pediatric MLL-r leukemic patients. However, modest clinical effects have been observed. Recent studies have reported that additional leukemia subtypes lacking MLL-r are sensitive to DOT1L inhibition. Here, we report that targeting DOT1L with Pinometostat sensitizes pediatric AML cells to further treatment with the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib, irrespectively of MLL-r. DOT1L pharmacologic inhibition induces AML cell differentiation and modulates the expression of genes with relevant roles in cancer development. Such modifications in the transcriptional program increase the apoptosis and growth suppression of both AML cell lines and primary pediatric AML cells with diverse genotypes. Through ChIP-seq analysis, we identified the genes regulated by DOT1L irrespective of MLL-r, including the Sorafenib target BRAF, providing mechanistic insights into the drug combination activity. Our results highlight a novel therapeutic strategy for pediatric AML patients.
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36
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Sundaram R, Vasudevan D. Structural Basis of Nucleosome Recognition and Modulation. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900234. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajivgandhi Sundaram
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Crystallography Institute of Life Sciences Bhubaneswar 751023 India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal 576104 India
| | - Dileep Vasudevan
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Crystallography Institute of Life Sciences Bhubaneswar 751023 India
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37
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Green SD, Konig H. Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Era of Genomics-Achievements and Persisting Challenges. Front Genet 2020; 11:480. [PMID: 32536937 PMCID: PMC7267060 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents a malignant disorder of the hematopoietic system that is mainly characterized by rapid proliferation, dysregulated apoptosis, and impaired differentiation of leukemic blasts. For several decades, the diagnostic approach in AML was largely based on histologic characteristics with little impact on the treatment decision-making process. This perspective has drastically changed within the past years due to the advent of novel molecular technologies, such as whole genome next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the resulting knowledge gain in AML biology and pathogenesis. After more than four decades of intensive chemotherapy as a "one-size-fits-all" concept, several targeted agents have recently been approved for the treatment of AML, either as single agents or as part of combined treatment regimens. Several other compounds, directed against regulators of apoptotic, epigenetic, or microenvironmental pathways, as well as modulators of the immune system, are currently in development and being investigated in clinical trials. The constant progress in AML research has started to produce improved survival rates and fueled hopes that a once rapidly fatal disease can be transformed into a chronic condition. In this review, the authors provide a summary of recent advances in the development of targeted AML therapies and discuss persistent challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heiko Konig
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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38
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Banday S, Farooq Z, Ganai SA, Altaf M. Therapeutic strategies against hDOT1L as a potential drug target in MLL-rearranged leukemias. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:73. [PMID: 32450905 PMCID: PMC7249331 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00860-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic intervention of proteins participating in chromatin-mediated signaling with small-molecules is a novel option to reprogram expression networks for restraining disease states. Protein methyltransferases form the prominent family of such proteins regulating gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms thereby representing novel targets for pharmacological intervention. Disruptor of telomeric silencing, hDot1L is the only non-SET domain containing histone methyltransferase that methylates histone H3 at lysine 79. H3K79 methylation mediated by hDot1L plays a crucial role in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) pathosis. MLL fusion protein mediated mistargeting of DOT1L to aberrant gene locations results in ectopic H3K79 methylation culminating in aberrant expression of leukemogenic genes like HOXA9 and MEIS1. hDOT1L has thus been proposed as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in MLL. This review presents the general overview of hDOT1L and its functional role in distinct biological processes. Furthermore, we discuss various therapeutic strategies against hDOT1L as a promising drug target to vanquish therapeutically challenging MLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Banday
- Chromatin and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Zeenat Farooq
- Chromatin and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Shabir Ahmad Ganai
- Chromatin and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India.,Present Address: Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Kashmir, Wadura, Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, 193201, India
| | - Mohammad Altaf
- Chromatin and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India. .,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India.
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39
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Sarno F, Nebbioso A, Altucci L. DOT1L: a key target in normal chromatin remodelling and in mixed-lineage leukaemia treatment. Epigenetics 2019; 15:439-453. [PMID: 31790636 PMCID: PMC7188393 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1699991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of histone 3 at lysine 79 (H3K79) is one of the principal mechanisms involved in gene expression. The histone methyltransferase DOT1L, which mono-, di- and trimethylates H3K79 using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as a co-factor, is involved in cell development, cell cycle progression, and DNA damage repair. However, changes in normal expression levels of this enzyme are found in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer. High levels of H3K79me are also detected in acute myeloid leukaemia patients bearing MLL rearrangements (MLL-r). MLL translocations are found in approximately 80% of paediatric patients, leading to poor prognosis. DOT1L is recruited on DNA and induces hyperexpression of HOXA9 and MEIS1. Based on these findings, selective drugs have been developed to induce apoptosis in MLL-r leukaemia cells by specifically inhibiting DOT1L. The most potent DOT1L inhibitor pinometostat has been investigated in Phase I clinical trials for treatment of paediatric and adult patients with MLL-driven leukaemia, showing promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sarno
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
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40
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Advani AS, Copelan EA. Navigating the nexus of MRD and novel agents in ALL. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2019; 2019:9-16. [PMID: 31808877 PMCID: PMC6913439 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2019000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The landscape of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has evolved significantly over the last few years. Identification of specific recurrent genetic alterations and of minimal residual disease (MRD) guides prognostic classification and management. Novel agents (eg, blinatumomab) have demonstrated encouraging results in relapsed/refractory (R/R) and MRD+ patients and are currently incorporated into upfront treatment in specific settings. Other new strategies include the incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-based therapy for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-like ALL and the use of DOT inhibitors and bcl-2/bcl-xl inhibitors in R/R disease. These innovations promise to improve management and outcome in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali S Advani
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; and
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41
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Aberrant DNA Methylation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Its Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184576. [PMID: 31527484 PMCID: PMC6770227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by distinct cytogenetic or genetic abnormalities. Recent discoveries in cancer epigenetics demonstrated a critical role of epigenetic dysregulation in AML pathogenesis. Unlike genetic alterations, the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications is therapeutically attractive in cancer therapy. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and plays a pivotal role in mammalian development including hematopoiesis. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and Ten-eleven-translocation (TET) dioxygenases are responsible for the dynamics of DNA methylation. Genetic alterations of DNMTs or TETs disrupt normal hematopoiesis and subsequently result in hematological malignancies. Emerging evidence reveals that the dysregulation of DNA methylation is a key event for AML initiation and progression. Importantly, aberrant DNA methylation is regarded as a hallmark of AML, which is heralded as a powerful epigenetic marker in early diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and therapeutic decision-making. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of DNA methylation in normal hematopoiesis and AML pathogenesis. We also discuss the clinical implications of DNA methylation and the current therapeutic strategies of targeting DNA methylation in AML therapy.
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42
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Lambert M, Alioui M, Jambon S, Depauw S, Van Seuningen I, David-Cordonnier MH. Direct and Indirect Targeting of HOXA9 Transcription Factor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060837. [PMID: 31213012 PMCID: PMC6627208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 (Homeobox A9) is a homeotic transcription factor known for more than two decades to be associated with leukemia. The expression of HOXA9 homeoprotein is associated with anterior-posterior patterning during embryonic development, and its expression is then abolished in most adult cells, with the exception of hematopoietic progenitor cells. The oncogenic function of HOXA9 was first assessed in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in the mixed-phenotype associated lineage leukemia (MPAL) subtype. HOXA9 expression in AML is associated with aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. Since then, HOXA9 has been involved in other hematopoietic malignancies and an increasing number of solid tumors. Despite this, HOXA9 was for a long time not targeted to treat cancer, mainly since, as a transcription factor, it belongs to a class of protein long considered to be an "undruggable" target; however, things have now evolved. The aim of the present review is to focus on the different aspects of HOXA9 targeting that could be achieved through multiple ways: (1) indirectly, through the inhibition of its expression, a strategy acting principally at the epigenetic level; or (2) directly, through the inhibition of its transcription factor function by acting at either the protein/protein interaction or the protein/DNA interaction interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Meryem Alioui
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Samy Jambon
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Sabine Depauw
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
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Turdo A, Veschi V, Gaggianesi M, Chinnici A, Bianca P, Todaro M, Stassi G. Meeting the Challenge of Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:16. [PMID: 30834247 PMCID: PMC6387961 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Notwithstanding cancer patients benefit from a plethora of therapeutic alternatives, drug resistance remains a critical hurdle. Indeed, the high mortality rate is associated with metastatic disease, which is mostly incurable due to the refractoriness of metastatic cells to current treatments. Increasing data demonstrate that tumors contain a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) able to establish primary tumor and metastasis. CSCs are endowed with multiple treatment resistance capabilities comprising a highly efficient DNA damage repair machinery, the activation of survival pathways, enhanced cellular plasticity, immune evasion and the adaptation to a hostile microenvironment. Due to the presence of distinct cell populations within a tumor, cancer research has to face the major challenge of targeting the intra-tumoral as well as inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Thus, targeting molecular drivers operating in CSCs, in combination with standard treatments, may improve cancer patients’ outcomes, yielding long-lasting responses. Here, we report a comprehensive overview on the most significant therapeutic advances that have changed the known paradigms of cancer treatment with a particular emphasis on newly developed compounds that selectively affect the CSC population. Specifically, we are focusing on innovative therapeutic approaches including differentiation therapy, anti-angiogenic compounds, immunotherapy and inhibition of epigenetic enzymes and microenvironmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Turdo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aurora Chinnici
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Bianca
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Somers K, Wen VW, Middlemiss SMC, Osborne B, Forgham H, Jung M, Karsa M, Clifton M, Bongers A, Gao J, Mayoh C, Raoufi-Rad N, Kusnadi EP, Hannan KM, Scott DA, Kwek A, Liu B, Flemming C, Chudakova DA, Pandher R, Failes TW, Lim J, Angeli A, Osterman AL, Imamura T, Kees UR, Supuran CT, Pearson RB, Hannan RD, Davis TP, McCarroll J, Kavallaris M, Turner N, Gudkov AV, Haber M, Norris MD, Henderson MJ. A novel small molecule that kills a subset of MLL-rearranged leukemia cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Oncogene 2019; 38:3824-3842. [PMID: 30670779 PMCID: PMC6756102 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0666-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Survival rates for pediatric patients suffering from mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia remain below 50% and more targeted, less toxic therapies are urgently needed. A screening method optimized to discover cytotoxic compounds selective for MLL-rearranged leukemia identified CCI-006 as a novel inhibitor of MLL-rearranged and CALM-AF10 translocated leukemias that share common leukemogenic pathways. CCI-006 inhibited mitochondrial respiration and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and apoptosis in a subset (7/11, 64%) of MLL-rearranged leukemia cell lines within a few hours of treatment. The unresponsive MLL-rearranged leukemia cells did not undergo mitochondrial membrane depolarization or apoptosis despite a similar attenuation of mitochondrial respiration by the compound. In comparison to the sensitive cells, the unresponsive MLL-rearranged leukemia cells were characterized by a more glycolytic metabolic phenotype, exemplified by a more pronounced sensitivity to glycolysis inhibitors and elevated HIF1α expression. Silencing of HIF1α expression sensitized an intrinsically unresponsive MLL-rearranged leukemia cell to CCI-006, indicating that this pathway plays a role in determining sensitivity to the compound. In addition, unresponsive MLL-rearranged leukemia cells expressed increased levels of MEIS1, an important leukemogenic MLL target gene that plays a role in regulating metabolic phenotype through HIF1α. MEIS1 expression was also variable in a pediatric MLL-rearranged ALL patient dataset, highlighting the existence of a previously undescribed metabolic variability in MLL-rearranged leukemia that may contribute to the heterogeneity of the disease. This study thus identified a novel small molecule that rapidly kills MLL-rearranged leukemia cells by targeting a metabolic vulnerability in a subset of low HIF1α/low MEIS1-expressing MLL-rearranged leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria W Wen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Shiloh M C Middlemiss
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Brenna Osborne
- Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen Forgham
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - MoonSun Jung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Molly Clifton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelika Bongers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jixuan Gao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Newsha Raoufi-Rad
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Eric P Kusnadi
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate M Hannan
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra City, ACT, Australia
| | - David A Scott
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alan Kwek
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Bing Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Claudia Flemming
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Daria A Chudakova
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim W Failes
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,ACRF Drug Discovery Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Lim
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrea Angeli
- Neurofarba Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrei L Osterman
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Toshihiko Imamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ursula R Kees
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Ross D Hannan
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra City, ACT, Australia
| | - Thomas P Davis
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Chemistry, University of Warrick, Coventry, UK
| | - Joshua McCarroll
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nigel Turner
- Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrei V Gudkov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Oncotartis, Inc., Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle J Henderson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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Bewersdorf JP, Shallis R, Stahl M, Zeidan AM. Epigenetic therapy combinations in acute myeloid leukemia: what are the options? Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620718816698. [PMID: 30719265 PMCID: PMC6348528 DOI: 10.1177/2040620718816698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the regulation of gene expression mainly by changes in DNA methylation and modifications of histone proteins without altering the actual DNA sequence. While epigenetic modifications are essential for normal cell differentiation, several driver mutations in leukemic pathogenesis have been identified in genes that affect epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Several therapeutic options to target epigenetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been successfully tested in preclinical studies and various drugs have already been approved for use in clinical practice. Among these already approved therapeutics are hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine) and isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors (ivosidenib, enasidenib). Other agents such as bromodomain-containing epigenetic reader proteins and histone methylation (e.g. DOT1L) inhibitors are currently in advanced clinical testing. As several epigenetic therapies have only limited efficacy when used as single agents, combination therapies that target AML pathogenesis at different levels and exploit synergistic mechanisms are also in clinical trials. Combinations of either epigenetic therapies with conventional chemotherapy, different forms of epigenetic therapies, or epigenetic therapies with immunotherapy are showing promising early results. In this review we summarize the underlying pathophysiology and rationale for epigenetically-based combination therapies, review current preclinical and clinical data and discuss the future directions of epigenetic therapy combinations in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rory Shallis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028, New Haven, CT 06520-8055, USA
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46
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Natesan R, Aras S, Effron SS, Asangani IA. Epigenetic Regulation of Chromatin in Prostate Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1210:379-407. [PMID: 31900918 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-32656-2_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to mitotically/meiotically heritable mechanisms that regulate gene transcription without a need for changes in the DNA code. Covalent modifications of DNA, in the form of methylation, and histone post-translational modifications, in the form of acetylation and methylation, constitute the epigenetic code of a cell. Both DNA and histone modifications are highly dynamic and often work in unison to define the epigenetic state of a cell. Most epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene transcription by affecting localized/genome-wide transitions between heterochromatin and euchromatin states, thereby altering the accessibility of the transcriptional machinery and in turn, reduce/increase transcriptional output. Altered chromatin structure is associated with cancer progression, and epigenetic plasticity primarily governs the resistance of cancer cells to therapeutic agents. In this chapter, we specifically focus on regulators of histone methylation and acetylation, the two well-studied chromatin post-translational modifications, in the context of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramakrishnan Natesan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shweta Aras
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samuel Sander Effron
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Irfan A Asangani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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47
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Xu X, Schneider B. Therapeutic targeting potential of chromatin-associated proteins in MLL-rearranged acute leukemia. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 42:117-130. [DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0414-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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48
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Bassan R, Bourquin JP, DeAngelo DJ, Chiaretti S. New Approaches to the Management of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Clin Oncol 2018; 36:JCO2017773648. [PMID: 30240326 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.77.3648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional treatment regimens for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, result in an overall survival of approximately 40%, a figure hardly comparable with the extraordinary 80% to 90% cure rate currently reported in children. When translated to the adult setting, modern pediatric-type regimens improve the survival to approximately 60% in young adults. The addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive disease and the measurement of minimal residual disease to guide risk stratification and postremission approaches has led to additional improvements in outcomes. Relapsed disease and treatment toxicity-sparing no patient but representing a major concern especially in the elderly-are the most critical current issues awaiting further therapeutic advancement. Recently, there has been considerable progress in understanding the disease biology, specifically the Philadelphia-like signature, as well as other high-risk subgroups. In addition, there are several new agents that will undoubtedly contribute to additional improvement in the current outcomes. The most promising agents are monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and, to a lesser extent, several new drugs targeting key molecular pathways involved in leukemic cell growth and proliferation. This review examines the evidence supporting the increasing role of the new therapeutic tools and treatment options in different disease subgroups, including frontline and relapsed or refractory disease. It is now possible to define the best individual approach on the basis of the emerging concepts of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Bassan
- Renato Bassan, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venezia; Sabina Chiaretti, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy; Jean-Pierre Bourquin, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; and Daniel J. DeAngelo, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Jean-Pierre Bourquin
- Renato Bassan, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venezia; Sabina Chiaretti, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy; Jean-Pierre Bourquin, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; and Daniel J. DeAngelo, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel J DeAngelo
- Renato Bassan, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venezia; Sabina Chiaretti, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy; Jean-Pierre Bourquin, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; and Daniel J. DeAngelo, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Sabina Chiaretti
- Renato Bassan, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venezia; Sabina Chiaretti, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy; Jean-Pierre Bourquin, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; and Daniel J. DeAngelo, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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49
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Mesuraca M, Amodio N, Chiarella E, Scicchitano S, Aloisio A, Codispoti B, Lucchino V, Montalcini Y, Bond HM, Morrone G. Turning Stem Cells Bad: Generation of Clinically Relevant Models of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia through Gene Delivery- or Genome Editing-Based Approaches. Molecules 2018; 23:E2060. [PMID: 30126100 PMCID: PMC6222541 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23082060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common acute leukemia in the adult, is believed to arise as a consequence of multiple molecular events that confer on primitive hematopoietic progenitors unlimited self-renewal potential and cause defective differentiation. A number of genetic aberrations, among which a variety of gene fusions, have been implicated in the development of a transformed phenotype through the generation of dysfunctional molecules that disrupt key regulatory mechanisms controlling survival, proliferation, and differentiation in normal stem and progenitor cells. Such genetic aberrations can be recreated experimentally to a large extent, to render normal hematopoietic stem cells "bad", analogous to the leukemic stem cells. Here, we wish to provide a brief outline of the complementary experimental approaches, largely based on gene delivery and more recently on gene editing, employed over the last two decades to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AML development and progression and on the prospects that their applications offer for the discovery and validation of innovative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mesuraca
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Aloisio
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Bruna Codispoti
- Tecnologica Research Institute-Marrelli Hospital, 88900 Crotone, Italy.
| | - Valeria Lucchino
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Ylenia Montalcini
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Heather M Bond
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Morrone
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
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50
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Moggs J, Terranova R. Chromatin dynamics underlying latent responses to xenobiotics. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2018; 7:606-617. [PMID: 30090610 PMCID: PMC6062062 DOI: 10.1039/c7tx00317j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleiotropic xenobiotics can trigger dynamic alterations in mammalian chromatin structure and function but many of these are likely non-adverse and simply reflect short-term changes in DNA transactions underlying normal homeostatic, adaptive and protective cellular responses. However, it is plausible that a subset of xenobiotic-induced perturbations of somatic tissue or germline epigenomes result in delayed-onset and long-lasting adverse effects, in particular if they occur during critical stages of growth and development. These could include reprogramming, dedifferentiation, uncontrolled growth, and cumulative toxicity effects through molecular memory of prior xenobiotic exposures or altered susceptibility to subsequent xenobiotic exposures. Here we discuss the current evidence for epigenetic mechanisms underlying latent responses to xenobiotics, and the potential for identifying molecular epigenetic changes that are prodromal to overt morphologic or functional toxicity phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Moggs
- Preclinical Safety , Translational Medicine , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Rémi Terranova
- Preclinical Safety , Translational Medicine , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research , Basel , Switzerland
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