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Wang M, Qin L, Thia K, Nguyen T, MacDonald S, Belobrov S, Kranz S, Goode D, Trapani JA, Wiesenfeld D, Neeson PJ. Cancer cell-specific PD-L1 expression is a predictor of poor outcome in patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009617. [PMID: 39357980 PMCID: PMC11448134 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009617] [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] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) presents a significant clinical challenge despite being partially responsive to standard treatment modalities. This study investigates the prognostic implications of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in these tumors, focusing on its association with treatment outcomes and the immune microenvironment. METHODS We assessed tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in 132 patients with OCSCC to evaluate their impact on survival. Multiplex immunohistochemistry staining for CD3, CD68, CD11c, PD-L1, and P40 was used to explore correlations with clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage (n=22) and locally advanced (n=36) OCSCC. These initial findings were validated through differential gene expression analysis, gene set enrichment, and immune cell deconvolution in a The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort of 163 locally advanced OCSCC tumors. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on a smaller cohort (n=10) further characterized the PD-L1hi or PD-L1lo cancer cells in these tumors. RESULTS Elevated PD-L1 expression was associated with poor outcomes in patients with locally advanced OCSCC undergoing standard adjuvant therapy, irrespective of "hot" or "cold" classification based on TILs assessment. PD-L1hi tumors exhibited an active immune response phenotype, enriched with M1 macrophages, CD8+ T cells and T regulatory cells in the tumor microenvironment. Notably, the negative impact of PD-L1 expression on outcomes was primarily attributed to its expression by cancer cells, rather than immune cells. Furthermore, scRNA-seq revealed that immune interactions were not essential for PD-L1 upregulation in cancer cells, instead, complex regulatory networks were involved. Additionally, PD-L1lo locally advanced tumors exhibited more complex pathway enrichment and diverse T-cell populations compared with those in the early-stage. CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in locally advanced OCSCC, and unveil the complex interplay between PD-L1 expression, immune responses, and molecular pathways in the tumor microenvironment. This study provides insights that may inform future therapeutic strategies, including the possibility of tailored immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with PD-L1hi locally advanced OCSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyu Wang
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lei Qin
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin Thia
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thu Nguyen
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean MacDonald
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simone Belobrov
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sevastjan Kranz
- Department of Pathology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Goode
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Wiesenfeld
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Joseph Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Kot M, Simiczyjew A, Wądzyńska J, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. Characterization of two melanoma cell lines resistant to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (vemurafenib and cobimetinib). Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:410. [PMID: 39175042 PMCID: PMC11342534 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)/MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) inhibitors are used for melanoma treatment. Unfortunately, patients treated with this combined therapy develop resistance to treatment quite quickly, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. Here, we report and characterize two melanoma cell lines (WM9 and Hs294T) resistant to BRAF (vemurafenib) and MEK (cobimetinib) inhibitors. METHODS Cell viability was assessed via the XTT test. The level of selected proteins as well as activation of signaling pathways were evaluated using Western blotting. The expression of the chosen genes was assessed by RT-PCR. The distribution of cell cycle phases was analyzed by flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy was used to take photos of spheroids. The composition of cytokines secreted by cells was determined using a human cytokine array. RESULTS The resistant cells had increased survival and activation of ERK kinase in the presence of BRAF/MEK inhibitors. The IC50 values for these cells were over 1000 times higher than for controls. Resistant cells also exhibited elevated activation of AKT, p38, and JNK signaling pathways with increased expression of EGFR, ErbB2, MET, and PDGFRβ receptors as well as reduced expression of ErbB3 receptor. Furthermore, these cells demonstrated increased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in drug transport and metabolism. Resistant cells also exhibited features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells as well as reduced proliferation rate and elevated cytokine secretion. CONCLUSIONS In summary, this work describes BRAF/MEK-inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells, allowing for better understanding the underlying mechanisms of resistance. The results may thus contribute to the development of new, more effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kot
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw, 50-383, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw, 50-383, Poland.
| | - Justyna Wądzyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw, 50-383, Poland
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology, Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, Wroclaw, 53-413, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, Wroclaw, 53-413, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology, Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, Wroclaw, 53-413, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, Wroclaw, 53-413, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw, 50-383, Poland
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3
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Limonta P, Chiaramonte R, Casati L. Unveiling the Dynamic Interplay between Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Melanoma: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2861. [PMID: 39199632 PMCID: PMC11352669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162861] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma still represents a significant health burden worldwide, being responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Key advances in therapeutic strategies have significantly improved patient outcomes; however, most patients experience drug resistance and tumor relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells in different tumors, including melanoma, endowed with distinctive capacities of self-renewal and differentiation into bulk tumor cells. Melanoma CSCs are characterized by the expression of specific biomarkers and intracellular pathways; moreover, they play a pivotal role in tumor onset, progression and drug resistance. In recent years, great efforts have been made to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the protumor activities of melanoma CSCs to provide the basis for novel CSC-targeted therapies. Herein, we highlight the intricate crosstalk between melanoma CSCs and bystander cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells, endothelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and its role in melanoma progression. Specifically, we discuss the peculiar capacities of melanoma CSCs to escape the host immune surveillance, to recruit immunosuppressive cells and to educate immune cells toward an immunosuppressive and protumor phenotype. We also address currently investigated CSC-targeted strategies that could pave the way for new promising therapeutic approaches for melanoma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “R. Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Chiaramonte
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lavinia Casati
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy;
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4
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Thompson JC, Tilsed C, Davis C, Gupta A, Melidosian B, Sun C, Kallen ME, Timmers C, Langer CJ, Albelda SM. Predictive Signatures for Responses to Checkpoint Blockade in Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Second-Line Therapy Do Not Predict Responses in First-Line Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2795. [PMID: 39199568 PMCID: PMC11353197 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162795] [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: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Although immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is currently approved for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) in combination with chemotherapy, relatively few patients have demonstrated durable clinical benefit (DCB) to these therapies. Biomarkers predicting responses are needed. Biopsies from 35 SCLC patients treated with ICB were subjected to transcriptomic analysis; gene signatures were assessed for associations with responses. Twenty-one patients were treated with ICB in the first-line setting in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy; fourteen patients were treated in the second-line setting with ICB alone. DCB after ICB in SCLC in the second-line setting (3 of 14 patients) was associated with statistically higher transcriptomic levels of genes associated with inflammation (p = 0.003), antigen presentation machinery (p = 0.03), interferon responses (p < 0.05), and increased CD8 T cells (p = 0.02). In contrast, these gene signatures were not significantly different in the first-line setting. Our data suggest that responses to ICB in SCLC in the second-line setting can be predicted by the baseline inflammatory state of the tumor; however, this strong association with inflammation was not seen in the first-line setting. We postulate that chemotherapy alters the immune milieu allowing a response to ICB. Other biomarkers will be needed to predict responses in first-line therapy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Thompson
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 228 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (J.C.T.); (C.T.); (A.G.)
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.D.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Caitlin Tilsed
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 228 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (J.C.T.); (C.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Christiana Davis
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.D.); (C.J.L.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aasha Gupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 228 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (J.C.T.); (C.T.); (A.G.)
| | | | - Chifei Sun
- Incyte, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (B.M.); (C.S.); (C.T.)
| | - Michael E. Kallen
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | | | - Corey J. Langer
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.D.); (C.J.L.)
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Steven M. Albelda
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 228 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (J.C.T.); (C.T.); (A.G.)
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.D.); (C.J.L.)
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5
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Yeon M, Kwon N, Jeoung J, Jeoung D. HDAC9 and miR-512 Regulate CAGE-Promoted Anti-Cancer Drug Resistance and Cellular Proliferation. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5178-5193. [PMID: 38920983 PMCID: PMC11201674 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060311] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) is known to be upregulated in various cancers. Cancer-associated antigens (CAGEs) are cancer/testis antigens that play an important role in anti-cancer drug resistance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CAGEs and HDAC9 in relation to anti-cancer drug resistance. AGSR cells with an anti-cancer drug-resistant phenotype showed higher levels of CAGEs and HDAC9 than normal AGS cells. CAGEs regulated the expression of HDAC9 in AGS and AGSR cells. CAGEs directly regulated the expression of HDAC9. Rapamycin, an inducer of autophagy, increased HDAC9 expression in AGS, whereas chloroquine decreased HDAC9 expression in AGSR cells. The downregulation of HDAC9 decreased the autophagic flux, invasion, migration, and tumor spheroid formation potential in AGSR cells. The TargetScan analysis predicted that miR-512 was a negative regulator of HDAC9. An miR-512 mimic decreased expression levels of CAGEs and HDAC9. The miR-512 mimic also decreased the autophagic flux, invasion, migration, and tumor spheroid forming potential of AGSR cells. The culture medium of AGSR increased the expression of HDAC9 and autophagic flux in AGS. A human recombinant CAGE protein increased HDAC9 expression in AGS cells. AGSR cells displayed higher tumorigenic potential than AGS cells. Altogether, our results show that CAGE-HDAC9-miR-512 can regulate anti-cancer drug resistance, cellular proliferation, and autophagic flux. Our results can contribute to the understanding of the molecular roles of HDAC9 in anti-cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dooil Jeoung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; (M.Y.); (N.K.); (J.J.)
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6
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Yang Y, Li Z, Wang Y, Gao J, Meng Y, Wang S, Zhao X, Tang C, Yang W, Li Y, Bao J, Fan X, Tang J, Yang J, Wu C, Qin M, Wang L. The regulatory relationship between NAMPT and PD-L1 in cancer and identification of a dual-targeting inhibitor. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:885-903. [PMID: 38448544 PMCID: PMC11018795 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00051-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Although both tumor metabolism and tumor immune microenvironment are recognized as driving factors in tumorigenesis, the relationship between them is still not well-known, and potential combined targeting approaches remain to be identified. Here, we demonstrated a negative correlation between the expression of NAMPT, an NAD+ metabolism enzyme, and PD-L1 expression in various cancer cell lines. A clinical study showed that a NAMPTHigh PD-L1Low expression pattern predicts poor prognosis in patients with various cancers. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of NAMPT results in the transcription upregulation of PD-L1 by SIRT-mediated acetylation change of NF-κB p65, and blocking PD-L1 would induce NAMPT expression through a HIF-1-dependent glycolysis pathway. Based on these findings, we designed and synthesized a dual NAMPT/PD-L1 targeting compound, LZFPN-90, which inhibits cell growth in a NAMPT-dependent manner and blocks the cell cycle, subsequently inducing apoptosis. Under co-culture conditions, LZFPN-90 treatment contributes to the proliferation and activation of T cells and blocks the growth of cancer cells. Using mice bearing genetically manipulated tumors, we confirmed that LZFPN-90 exerted target-dependent antitumor activities, affecting metabolic processes and the immune system. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the relevance of NAD+-related metabolic processes in antitumor immunity and suggest that co-targeting NAD+ metabolism and PD-L1 represents a promising therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Zefei Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yidong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Jiwei Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Yangyang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Simeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Xiaoyao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Chengfang Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Yingjia Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Jie Bao
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Xinyu Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jing Tang
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China
| | - Mingze Qin
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
- Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, PR China.
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7
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Zhu L, Man CW, Harrison RE, Wu Z, Limsakul P, Peng Q, Hashimoto M, Mamaril AP, Xu H, Liu L, Wang Y. Engineering a Programmed Death-Ligand 1-Targeting Monobody Via Directed Evolution for SynNotch-Gated Cell Therapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8531-8545. [PMID: 38456901 PMCID: PMC10958600 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy due to its ability to inhibit T cell activation; however, its expression on various noncancer cells may cause on-target off-tumor toxicity when designing PD-L1-targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Combining rational design and directed evolution of the human fibronectin-derived monobody scaffold, "PDbody" was engineered to bind to PD-L1 with a preference for a slightly lower pH, which is typical in the tumor microenvironment. PDbody was further utilized as a CAR to target the PD-L1-expressing triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. To mitigate on-target off-tumor toxicity associated with targeting PD-L1, a Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19)-recognizing SynNotch IF THEN gate was integrated into the system. This CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR system was then expressed in primary human T cells to target CD19-expressing MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. These CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR T cells demonstrated both specificity and efficacy in vitro, accurately eradicating cancer targets in cytotoxicity assays. Moreover, in an in vivo bilateral murine tumor model, they exhibited the capability to effectively restrain tumor growth. Overall, CD19-SynNotch PDbody-CAR T cells represent a distinct development over previously published designs due to their increased efficacy, proliferative capability, and mitigation of off-tumor toxicity for solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Zhu
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Chi-Wei Man
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093 United States
| | - Reed E.S. Harrison
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zhuohang Wu
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Praopim Limsakul
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Division
of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Songkhla, Thailand
- Center of
Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Qin Peng
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Institute
of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen
Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, P.R. China
| | - Matthew Hashimoto
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Anthony P. Mamaril
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hongquan Xu
- Department
of Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Longwei Liu
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department
of Bioengineering & Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Alfred
E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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8
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Shirley CA, Chhabra G, Amiri D, Chang H, Ahmad N. Immune escape and metastasis mechanisms in melanoma: breaking down the dichotomy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336023. [PMID: 38426087 PMCID: PMC10902921 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most lethal neoplasms of the skin. Despite the revolutionary introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, metastatic spread, and recurrence remain critical problems in resistant cases. Melanoma employs a multitude of mechanisms to subvert the immune system and successfully metastasize to distant organs. Concerningly, recent research also shows that tumor cells can disseminate early during melanoma progression and enter dormant states, eventually leading to metastases at a future time. Immune escape and metastasis have previously been viewed as separate phenomena; however, accumulating evidence is breaking down this dichotomy. Recent research into the progressive mechanisms of melanoma provides evidence that dedifferentiation similar to classical epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), genes involved in neural crest stem cell maintenance, and hypoxia/acidosis, are important factors simultaneously involved in immune escape and metastasis. The likeness between EMT and early dissemination, and differences, also become apparent in these contexts. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms behind "dual drivers" simultaneously promoting metastatically inclined and immunosuppressive environments can yield novel strategies effective in disabling multiple facets of melanoma progression. Furthermore, understanding progression through these drivers may provide insight towards novel treatments capable of preventing recurrence arising from dormant dissemination or improving immunotherapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Shirley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Gagan Chhabra
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Deeba Amiri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
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9
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Ghasemi A, Martinez-Usatorre A, Li L, Hicham M, Guichard A, Marcone R, Fournier N, Torchia B, Martinez Bedoya D, Davanture S, Fernández-Vaquero M, Fan C, Janzen J, Mohammadzadeh Y, Genolet R, Mansouri N, Wenes M, Migliorini D, Heikenwalder M, De Palma M. Cytokine-armed dendritic cell progenitors for antigen-agnostic cancer immunotherapy. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:240-261. [PMID: 37996514 PMCID: PMC10899110 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00668-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting myeloid cells that regulate T cell activation, trafficking and function. Monocyte-derived DCs pulsed with tumor antigens have been tested extensively for therapeutic vaccination in cancer, with mixed clinical results. Here, we present a cell-therapy platform based on mouse or human DC progenitors (DCPs) engineered to produce two immunostimulatory cytokines, IL-12 and FLT3L. Cytokine-armed DCPs differentiated into conventional type-I DCs (cDC1) and suppressed tumor growth, including melanoma and autochthonous liver models, without the need for antigen loading or myeloablative host conditioning. Tumor response involved synergy between IL-12 and FLT3L and was associated with natural killer and T cell infiltration and activation, M1-like macrophage programming and ischemic tumor necrosis. Antitumor immunity was dependent on endogenous cDC1 expansion and interferon-γ signaling but did not require CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity. Cytokine-armed DCPs synergized effectively with anti-GD2 chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in eradicating intracranial gliomas in mice, illustrating their potential in combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghasemi
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amaia Martinez-Usatorre
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luqing Li
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mehdi Hicham
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alan Guichard
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Marcone
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Translational Data Science (TDS) Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Fournier
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Translational Data Science (TDS) Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Torchia
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Darel Martinez Bedoya
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Suzel Davanture
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mirian Fernández-Vaquero
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chaofan Fan
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Janzen
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yahya Mohammadzadeh
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Genolet
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne (UNIL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nahal Mansouri
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Wenes
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Denis Migliorini
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospital (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- The M3 Research Center, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180), Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michele De Palma
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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10
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Liu L, Chen J, Ye F, Yan Y, Wang Y, Wu J. A Novel RNA Methylation-Related Prognostic Signature and its Tumor Microenvironment Characterization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241276895. [PMID: 39155614 PMCID: PMC11331574 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241276895] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system. RNA methylation plays an important role in tumorigenesis and metastasis, which could alter gene expression and even function at multiple levels, such as RNA splicing, stability, translocation, and translation. In this study, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of RNA methylation-related genes (RMGs) in HCC and their relationship with survival and clinical features. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed using publicly available HCC-related datasets. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and controls were identified from TCGA-LlHC and intersected with RMGs to obtain differentially expressed RNA methylation-related genes (DERMGs). Regression analysis was used to screen for prognostic genes and construct risk models. Simultaneously, clinical, immune infiltration and therapeutic efficacy analyses were performed. Finally, multivariate cox regression was used to identify independent risk factors, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression levels of the core genes of the model. RESULTS A 21-gene risk model for HCC was established with excellent performance based on ROC curves and survival analysis. Risk scores correlated with tumor grade, pathologic T, and TNM stage. Immune infiltration analysis showed correlations with immune scores, 11 immune cells, and 30 immune checkpoints. Low-risk patients showed a higher susceptibility to immunotherapy. The risk score and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors. qRT-PCR confirmed higher expression of PRDM9, ALPP, and GAD1 in HCC. CONCLUSIONS This study identified RNA methylation-related signature genes in HCC and constructed a risk model that predicts patient outcomes and reflects the immune microenvironment. Prognostic genes are involved in complex regulatory mechanisms, which may be useful for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzheng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiacheng Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Blood Cell Therapy, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanggang Yan
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jincai Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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11
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Zhao X, Xu Z, Meng B, Ren T, Wang X, Hou R, Li S, Ma W, Liu D, Zheng J, Shi M. Long noncoding RNA NONHSAT160169.1 promotes resistance via hsa-let-7c-3p/SOX2 axis in gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20858. [PMID: 38012281 PMCID: PMC10682003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47961-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In clinical trials involving patients with HER2 (ERBB2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) positive gastric cancer, the efficacy of the HER2-targeted drug lapatinib has proven to be disappointingly poor. Under the persistent pressure exerted by targeted drug therapy, a subset of tumor cells exhibit acquired drug resistance through the activation of novel survival signaling cascades, alongside the proliferation of tumor cells that previously harbored mutations conferring resistance to the drug. This study was undertaken with the aim of elucidating in comprehensive detail the intricate mechanisms behind adaptive resistance and identifying novel therapeutic targets that hold promise in the development of effective lapatinib-based therapies for the specific subset of patients afflicted with gastric cancer. We have successfully established a gastric cancer cell line with acquired lapatinib resistance, designated as HGC-27-LR cells. Utilizing comprehensive coding and noncoding transcriptome sequencing analysis, we have identified key factors that regulate lapatinib resistance in HGC-27 cells. We have compellingly validated that among all the lncRNAs identified in HGC-27-LR cells, a novel lncRNA (long noncoding RNA) named NONHSAT160169.1 was found to be most notably upregulated following exposure to lapatinib treatment. The upregulation of NONHSAT160169.1 significantly augmented the migratory, invasive, and stemness capabilities of HGC-27-LR cells. Furthermore, we have delved into the mechanism by which NONHSAT160169.1 regulates lapatinib resistance. The findings have revealed that NONHSAT160169.1, which is induced by the p-STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) nuclear transport pathway, functions as a decoy that competitively interacts with hsa-let-7c-3p and thereby abrogates the inhibitory effect of hsa-let-7c-3p on SOX2 (SRY-box transcription factor 2) expression. Hence, our study has unveiled the NONHSAT160169.1/hsa-let-7c-3p/SOX2 signaling pathway as a novel and pivotal axis for comprehending and surmounting lapatinib resistance in the treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijian Xu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bi Meng
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tong Ren
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sijin Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Ma
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ming Shi
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
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12
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Augustin RC, Newman S, Li A, Joy M, Lyons M, Pham MP, Lucas P, Smith K, Sander C, Isett B, Davar D, Najjar YG, Zarour HM, Kirkwood JM, Luke JJ, Bao R. Identification of tumor-intrinsic drivers of immune exclusion in acral melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007567. [PMID: 37857525 PMCID: PMC10603348 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007567] [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] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acral melanoma (AM) has distinct characteristics as compared with cutaneous melanoma and exhibits poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of immune exclusion have been identified in many cancers but less studied in AM. We characterized clinically annotated tumors from patients diagnosed with AM at our institution in correlation with ICI response using whole transcriptome RNAseq, whole exome sequencing, CD8 immunohistochemistry, and multispectral immunofluorescence imaging. A defined interferon-γ-associated T cell-inflamed gene signature was used to categorize tumors into non-T cell-inflamed and T cell-inflamed phenotypes. In combination with AM tumors from two published studies, we systematically assessed the immune landscape of AM and detected differential gene expression and pathway activation in a non-T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME). Two single-cell(sc) RNAseq AM cohorts and 11 bulk RNAseq cohorts of various tumor types were used for independent validation on pathways associated with lack of ICI response. In total, 892 specimens were included in this study. 72.5% of AM tumors showed low expression of the T cell-inflamed gene signature, with 23.9% of total tumors categorized as the non-T cell-inflamed phenotype. Patients of low CD3+CD8+PD1+ intratumoral T cell density showed poor prognosis. We identified 11 oncogenic pathways significantly upregulated in non-T cell-inflamed relative to T cell-inflamed TME shared across all three acral cohorts (MYC, HGF, MITF, VEGF, EGFR, SP1, ERBB2, TFEB, SREBF1, SOX2, and CCND1). scRNAseq analysis revealed that tumor cell-expressing pathway scores were significantly higher in low versus high T cell-infiltrated AM tumors. We further demonstrated that the 11 pathways were enriched in ICI non-responders compared with responders across cancers, including AM, cutaneous melanoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Pathway activation was associated with low expression of interferon stimulated genes, suggesting suppression of antigen presentation. Across the 11 pathways, fatty acid synthase and CXCL8 were unifying downstream target molecules suggesting potential nodes for therapeutic intervention. A unique set of pathways is associated with immune exclusion and ICI resistance in AM. These data may inform immunotherapy combinations for immediate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Augustin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sarah Newman
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aofei Li
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marion Joy
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maureen Lyons
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary P Pham
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter Lucas
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katelyn Smith
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cindy Sander
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brian Isett
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Diwakar Davar
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yana G Najjar
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hassane M Zarour
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John M Kirkwood
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jason John Luke
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Riyue Bao
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Augustin RC, Newman S, Li A, Joy M, Lyons M, Pham M, Lucas PC, Smith K, Sander C, Isett B, Davar D, Najjar YG, Zarour HM, Kirkwood JM, Luke JJ, Bao R. Identification of tumor-intrinsic drivers of immune exclusion in acral melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554717. [PMID: 37662409 PMCID: PMC10473736 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Acral melanoma (AM) has distinct characteristics as compared to cutaneous melanoma and exhibits poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of immune exclusion have been identified in many cancers but less studied in AM. Methods We characterized clinically annotated tumors from patients diagnosed with AM at our institution in correlation with ICI response using whole transcriptome RNAseq, whole exome sequencing, CD8 immunohistochemistry, and multispectral immunofluorescence imaging. A defined interferon-γ-associated T cell-inflamed gene signature was used to categorize tumors into non-T cell-inflamed and T cell-inflamed phenotypes. In combination with AM tumors from two published studies, we systematically assessed the immune landscape of AM and detected differential gene expression and pathway activation in a non-T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME). Two single-cell(sc) RNAseq AM cohorts and 11 bulk RNAseq cohorts of various tumor types were used for independent validation on pathways associated with lack of ICI response. In total, 892 specimens were included in this study. Results 72.5% of AM tumors showed low expression of the T cell-inflamed gene signature, with 23.9% of total tumors categorized as the non-T cell-inflamed phenotype. Patients of low CD3 + CD8 + PD1 + intratumoral T cell density showed poor prognosis. We identified 11 oncogenic pathways significantly upregulated in non-T cell-inflamed relative to T cell-inflamed TME shared across all three acral cohorts (MYC, HGF, MITF, VEGF, EGFR, SP1, ERBB2, TFEB, SREBF1, SOX2, and CCND1). scRNAseq analysis revealed that tumor cell-expressing pathway scores were significantly higher in low vs high T cell-infiltrated AM tumors. We further demonstrated that the 11 pathways were enriched in ICI non-responders compared to responders across cancers, including acral melanoma, cutaneous melanoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Pathway activation was associated with low expression of interferon stimulated genes, suggesting suppression of antigen presentation. Across the 11 pathways, fatty acid synthase and CXCL8 were unifying downstream target molecules suggesting potential nodes for therapeutic intervention. Conclusions A unique set of pathways is associated with immune exclusion and ICI resistance in AM. These data may inform immunotherapy combinations for immediate clinical translation.
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14
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Chuang KT, Chiou SS, Hsu SH. Recent Advances in Transcription Factors Biomarkers and Targeted Therapies Focusing on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3338. [PMID: 37444447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors involve many proteins in the process of transactivating or transcribing (none-) encoded DNA to initiate and regulate downstream signals, such as RNA polymerase. Their unique characteristic is that they possess specific domains that bind to specific DNA element sequences called enhancer or promoter sequences. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in cancer progression. Many dysregulated transcription factors-such as Myc, SNAIs, Twists, and ZEBs-are key drivers of tumor metastasis through EMT regulation. This review summarizes currently available evidence related to the oncogenic role of classified transcription factors in EMT editing and epigenetic regulation, clarifying the roles of the classified conserved transcription factor family involved in the EMT and how these factors could be used as therapeutic targets in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Ting Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Shin Chiou
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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15
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Zeng L, Zhu Y, Moreno CS, Wan Y. New insights into KLFs and SOXs in cancer pathogenesis, stemness, and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 90:29-44. [PMID: 36806560 PMCID: PMC10023514 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.003] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the development of cancer therapies, the success of most treatments has been impeded by drug resistance. The crucial role of tumor cell plasticity has emerged recently in cancer progression, cancer stemness and eventually drug resistance. Cell plasticity drives tumor cells to reversibly convert their cell identity, analogous to differentiation and dedifferentiation, to adapt to drug treatment. This phenotypical switch is driven by alteration of the transcriptome. Several pluripotent factors from the KLF and SOX families are closely associated with cancer pathogenesis and have been revealed to regulate tumor cell plasticity. In this review, we particularly summarize recent studies about KLF4, KLF5 and SOX factors in cancer development and evolution, focusing on their roles in cancer initiation, invasion, tumor hierarchy and heterogeneity, and lineage plasticity. In addition, we discuss the various regulation of these transcription factors and related cutting-edge drug development approaches that could be used to drug "undruggable" transcription factors, such as PROTAC and PPI targeting, for targeted cancer therapy. Advanced knowledge could pave the way for the development of novel drugs that target transcriptional regulation and could improve the outcome of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidan Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Department of Hematology and oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Yueming Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Department of Hematology and oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Carlos S Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Yong Wan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Department of Hematology and oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, USA.
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Patra T, Cunningham DM, Meyer K, Toth K, Ray RB, Heczey A, Ray R. Targeting Lin28 axis enhances glypican-3-CAR T cell efficacy against hepatic tumor initiating cell population. Mol Ther 2023; 31:715-728. [PMID: 36609146 PMCID: PMC10014222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of Lin28 is detected in various cancers with involvement in the self-renewal process and cancer stem cell generation. In the present study, we evaluated how the Lin28 axis plays an immune-protective role for tumor-initiating cancer cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our result using HCC patient samples showed a positive correlation between indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), a kynurenine-producing enzyme with effects on tumor immune escape, and Lin28B. Using in silico prediction, we identified a Sox2/Oct4 transcriptional motif acting as an enhancer for IDO1. Knockdown of Lin28B reduced Sox2/Oct4 and downregulated IDO1 in tumor-initiating hepatic cancer cells. We further observed that inhibition of Lin28 by a small-molecule inhibitor (C1632) suppressed IDO1 expression. Suppression of IDO1 resulted in a decline in kynurenine production from tumor-initiating cells. Inhibition of the Lin28 axis also impaired PD-L1 expression in HCC cells. Consequently, modulating Lin28B enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity of glypican-3 (GPC3)-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and NK cells. Next, we observed that GPC3-CAR T cell treatment together with C1632 in a HCC xenograft mouse model led to enhanced anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of Lin28B reduces IDO1 and PD-L1 expression and enhances immunotherapeutic potential of GPC3-CART cells against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapas Patra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - David M Cunningham
- Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Keith Meyer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Karoly Toth
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ratna B Ray
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Andras Heczey
- Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ranjit Ray
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
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Harnessing epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:318-340. [PMID: 36823234 PMCID: PMC10066239 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-00980-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is a powerful option for cancer treatment. Despite demonstrable progress, most patients fail to respond or achieve durable responses due to primary or acquired ICB resistance. Recently, tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) was identified as a critical determinant in regulating immune escape and immunotherapy resistance in cancer. In this review, we summarize the emerging role of tumor EMP in ICB resistance and the tumor-intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms by which tumors exploit EMP to achieve immunosuppression and immune escape. We discuss strategies to modulate tumor EMP to alleviate immune resistance and to enhance the efficiency of ICB therapy. Our discussion provides new prospects to enhance the ICB response for therapeutic gain in cancer patients.
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Rizwi FA, Abubakar M, Puppala ER, Goyal A, Bhadrawamy CV, Naidu VGM, Roshan S, Tazneem B, Almalki WH, Subramaniyan V, Rawat S, Gupta G. Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Inhibitors for the Treatment and Management of Cancer. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2023; 42:15-29. [PMID: 37522565 DOI: 10.1615/jenvironpatholtoxicoloncol.2023045403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second-highest cause of mortality worldwide, killing nearly 9.6 million people annually. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment during the last couple of decades, it remains a serious concern due to the limitations of currently available cancer management strategies. Therefore, alternative strategies are highly required to overcome these glitches. In addition, many etiological factors such as environmental and genetic factors initiate the activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT) pathway. This aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway has been reported in various disease states, including inflammatory conditions, hematologic malignancies, and cancer. For instance, many patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms carry the acquired gain-of-function JAK2 V617F somatic mutation. This knowledge has dramatically improved our understanding of pathogenesis and has facilitated the development of therapeutics capable of suppressing the constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our aim is not to be expansive but to highlight emerging ideas towards preventive therapy in a modern view of JAK-STAT inhibitors. A series of agents with different specificities against different members of the JAK family of proteins is currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. Here we give a summary of how JAK-STAT inhibitors function and a detailed review of current clinical drugs for managing cancer as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahim Anwar Rizwi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Md Abubakar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Eswara Rao Puppala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Ahsas Goyal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, U.P., India
| | - Ch Veera Bhadrawamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - V G M Naidu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - S Roshan
- Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
| | - B Tazneem
- Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, MONASH University, Malaysia
| | - Sushama Rawat
- Nirma University, Institute of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road, Jagatpura 302017, Jaipur, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road, Jagatpura 302017, Jaipur, India; Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
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19
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Zhang Z, Han Y, Sun Q, Wang Y, Sun L. The DPY30-H3K4me3 Axis-Mediated PD-L1 Expression in Melanoma. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:5595-5609. [PMID: 36185638 PMCID: PMC9525212 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s377678] [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: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DPY30 is a common subunit of the human SET1/MLL complex and is an essential protein required for the activity of SET1/MLL methyltransferase. DPY30 regulates the histone H3K4 modification, and dysfunction of DPY30 might contribute to the regulation of cancer immune evasion. However, the functions and regulation of DPY30 in the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is still not completely explored. Methods Various online databases were used for data processing and visualization, including UALCAN, Oncomine, cBioPortal, SangerBox, TISIDB, TIMER, and GEPIA databases. The expression of DPY30 and PD-L1 in melanoma tissues were evaluated by IHC. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RT-PCR and flow cytometry were used to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of PD-L1 expression regulation and its function. Results The mRNA level of DPY30 in melanoma was higher than in normal tissues. The expression of DPY30 was positively associated with TMB, neoantigens and PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, DPY30 expression showed significant positive correlations with immune suppressor cells and ICP genes involved in T-cell exhaustion. IHC showed that the positive rates of DPY30 and PD-L1 in melanoma tissues were 62% and 58%, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that DPY30 over-expression was positively associated with PD-L1 expression. Silencing of DPY30 by specific siRNA significantly inhibited PD-L1 expression. ChIP analysis revealed that H3K4me3 levels were enriched in the proximal PD-L1 promoter region in tumor cells. Inhibition of DPY30 still suppressed the PD-L1 level in IFN-γ treated MMAC-SF cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis of PD1+ T-cells in co-culture with MMAC-SF cells by knockdown of DPY30 were markedly reduced. Conclusion This study shows the roles of DPY30 in regulating the cancer immune evasion in melanoma. Targeting the DPY30-H3K4me3 axis might be an alternative approach to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichun Zhang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Han
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Kailuan General Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiuyue Sun
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lichao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Lichao Sun; Yipeng Wang, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 10-67781331, Email ;
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20
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Celesia A, Notaro A, Franzò M, Lauricella M, D’Anneo A, Carlisi D, Giuliano M, Emanuele S. The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) Targets Oncogenic BRAF in Melanoma Cells and Promotes a Switch from Pro-Survival Autophagy to Apoptosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081994. [PMID: 36009541 PMCID: PMC9405675 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) are epigenetic compounds that have been widely considered very promising antitumor agents. Here, we focus on the effects of the pan-HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) in comparison with SAHA (Vorinostat) in melanoma cells bearing BRAF V600E oncogenic mutation. Our results indicate both ITF2357 and SAHA dose-dependently reduce the viability of BRAF-mutated SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. The comparison of IC50 values revealed that ITF2357 was much more effective than SAHA. Interestingly, both inhibitors markedly decreased oncogenic BRAF protein expression levels, ITF2357 being the most effective compound. Moreover, the BRAF decrease induced by ITF2357 was accompanied by a decrease in the level of phospho-ERK1/2. The inhibitor of upstream MEK activity, U0126, reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and dramatically potentiated the antitumor effect of ITF2357, exacerbating the reduction in the BRAF level. ITF2357 stimulated an early pro-survival autophagic response, which was followed by apoptosis, as indicated by apoptotic markers evaluation and the protective effects exerted by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VADfmk. Overall, our data indicate for the first time that ITF2357 targets oncogenic BRAF in melanoma cells and induces a switch from autophagy to classic apoptosis, thus representing a possible candidate in melanoma targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Celesia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Biochemistry Building, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonietta Notaro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marzia Franzò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Biochemistry Building, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marianna Lauricella
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Biochemistry Building, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella D’Anneo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Carlisi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Biochemistry Building, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Michela Giuliano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (S.E.)
| | - Sonia Emanuele
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Biochemistry Building, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (S.E.)
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Hu Y, Lu Y, Xing F, Hsu W. FGFR1/MAPK-directed brachyury activation drives PD-L1-mediated immune evasion to promote lung cancer progression. Cancer Lett 2022; 547:215867. [PMID: 35985510 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors provide promising benefits for patients with cancer. However, efficacy has been encumbered by high resistance rates. It is critical to understand the basic mechanisms of tumor-mediated resistance to this treatment modality. Previous studies have found that the transcription factor brachyury is highly expressed in lung cancer. Here, we show that brachyury activation induces the upregulation of PD-L1 leading to inactivation of T cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited infiltration of CD8+ and CD3+ T cells into tumor in an immunocompetent mouse model. We further demonstrate that FGFR1/MAPK activation regulates brachyury and PD-L1 expressions and promotes immunosuppression. Blocking FGFR1/MAPK suppresses brachyury and PD-L1 expressions, revives immune activity, and reverses the resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment to produce a durable therapeutic response. We also find that lung cancer patients with high activation of the FGFR1-MAPK-brachyury-PD-L1 signature and low expression of CD8A, CD3D, or PDCD1 have worse survival outcomes. These findings elucidate a novel mechanism of immune escape from immune checkpoint therapy and provide an opportunity to enhance its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of a subset of FGFR1/MAPK/brachyury/PD-L1-driven lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Hu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
| | - Yong Lu
- The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Wesley Hsu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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22
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Gao Y, Zhang N, Zeng Z, Wu Q, Jiang X, Li S, Sun W, Zhang J, Li Y, Li J, He F, Huang Z, Zhang J, Gong Y, Xie C. LncRNA PCAT1 activates SOX2 and suppresses radioimmune responses via regulating cGAS/STING signalling in non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e792. [PMID: 35415876 PMCID: PMC9005924 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The expression of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) prostate cancer‐associated ncRNA transcripts 1 (PCAT1) is increased in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It stimulates tumour growth and metastasis, but its role in the radioimmune responses remain unknown. We aimed to explore the impacts of PCAT1 on tumorigenesis and radioimmune responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms in NSCLC. Methods Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify immunosuppressive lncRNAs involved with tumour invasion in NSCLC. The expression levels of PCAT1 were analysed by in situ hybridisation in 55 paired NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Both loss‐ and gain‐of‐function assays were performed to examine the effects of PCAT1 and SOX2 on NSCLC cell behaviours in vivo and in vitro. Bioinformatic analyses, chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were applied to validate the regulatory effects of PCAT1 on SOX2 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase and rescue assays were utilised to identify the relationship between SOX2 and the cGAS/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling. Results PCAT1 was immunosuppressive and related with NSCLC invasion. Increased PCAT1 was negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration in NSCLC. PCAT1 knockdown restrained proliferation, increased apoptosis, and repressed cell metastasis in vivo and in vitro. PCAT1 activated SOX2 that accelerated tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. SOX2 promoted tumour growth through inhibiting cytotoxic T‐cell immunity. Moreover, SOX2 restrained cGAS transcription and hampered downstream type I interferon (IFN)‐induced immune responses. Inhibition of PCAT1/SOX2 in collaboration with radiation further inhibited tumour growth, and initiated the cGAS/STING signalling pathway, which enhanced the immune responses of radiotherapy in NSCLC. Conclusions PCAT1/SOX2 axis promoted tumorigenesis and immunosuppression through inhibition of cGAS/STING signalling‐mediated T‐cell activation. Inhibition of PCAT1 and SOX2 synergised with radiotherapy to activate the immune response and could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Gao
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nannan Zhang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihang Zeng
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuji Wu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueping Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuying Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangyi Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fajian He
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengrong Huang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinfang Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Conghua Xie
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Benboubker V, Boivin F, Dalle S, Caramel J. Cancer Cell Phenotype Plasticity as a Driver of Immune Escape in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873116. [PMID: 35432344 PMCID: PMC9012258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking negative immune checkpoints are now approved for the treatment of a growing number of cancers. However, even in metastatic melanoma, where sustained responses are observed, a significant number of patients still do not respond or display resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that non-genetic cancer cell-intrinsic alterations play a key role in resistance to therapies and immune evasion. Cancer cell plasticity, mainly associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in carcinoma, relies on transcriptional, epigenetic or translational reprogramming. In melanoma, an EMT-like dedifferentiation process is characterized by the acquisition of invasive or neural crest stem cell-like features. Herein, we discuss recent findings on the specific roles of phenotypic reprogramming of melanoma cells in driving immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies. The mechanisms by which dedifferentiated melanoma cells escape T cell lysis, mediate T cell exclusion or remodel the immune microenvironment will be detailed. The expanded knowledge on tumor cell plasticity in melanoma should contribute to the development of novel therapeutic combination strategies to further improve outcomes in this deadly metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Benboubker
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Félix Boivin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
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Advance of SOX Transcription Factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Role, Tumor Immune Relevance to Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051165. [PMID: 35267473 PMCID: PMC8909699 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest human health burdens worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism of HCC development is still not fully understood. Sex determining region Y-related high-mobility group box (SOX) transcription factors not only play pivotal roles in cell fate decisions during development but also participate in the initiation and progression of cancer. Given the significance of SOX factors in cancer and their ‘undruggable’ properties, we summarize the role and molecular mechanism of SOX family members in HCC and the regulatory effect of SOX factors in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of various cancers. For the first time, we analyze the association between the levels of SOX factors and that of immune components in HCC, providing clues to the pivotal role of SOX factors in the TIME of HCC. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges of targeting SOX factors for cancer. Abstract Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) factors belong to an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors that play essential roles in cell fate decisions involving numerous developmental processes. In recent years, the significance of SOX factors in the initiation and progression of cancers has been gradually revealed, and they act as potential therapeutic targets for cancer. However, the research involving SOX factors is still preliminary, given that their effects in some leading-edge fields such as tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remain obscure. More importantly, as a class of ‘undruggable’ molecules, targeting SOX factors still face considerable challenges in achieving clinical translation. Here, we mainly focus on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of SOX family members in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the fatal human health burdens worldwide. We then detail the role of SOX members in remodeling TIME and analyze the association between SOX members and immune components in HCC for the first time. In addition, we emphasize several alternative strategies involved in the translational advances of SOX members in cancer. Finally, we discuss the alternative strategies of targeting SOX family for cancer and propose the opportunities and challenges they face based on the current accumulated studies and our understanding.
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25
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Cherepakhin OS, Argenyi ZB, Moshiri AS. Genomic and Transcriptomic Underpinnings of Melanoma Genesis, Progression, and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:123. [PMID: 35008286 PMCID: PMC8750021 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer with rapidly increasing incidence worldwide. The discovery of the genetic drivers of melanomagenesis in the last decade has led the World Health Organization to reclassify melanoma subtypes by their molecular pathways rather than traditional clinical and histopathologic features. Despite this significant advance, the genomic and transcriptomic drivers of metastatic progression are less well characterized. This review describes the known molecular pathways of cutaneous and uveal melanoma progression, highlights recently identified pathways and mediators of metastasis, and touches on the influence of the tumor microenvironment on metastatic progression and treatment resistance. While targeted therapies and immune checkpoint blockade have significantly aided in the treatment of advanced disease, acquired drug resistance remains an unfortunately common problem, and there is still a great need to identify potential prognostic markers and novel therapeutic targets to aid in such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zsolt B. Argenyi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Ata S. Moshiri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Huang C, Radi RH, Arbiser JL. Mitochondrial Metabolism in Melanoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113197. [PMID: 34831420 PMCID: PMC8618235 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma and its associated alterations in cellular pathways have been growing areas of interest in research, especially as specific biological pathways are being elucidated. Some of these alterations include changes in the mitochondrial metabolism in melanoma. Many mitochondrial metabolic changes lead to differences in the survivability of cancer cells and confer resistance to targeted therapies. While extensive work has gone into characterizing mechanisms of resistance, the role of mitochondrial adaptation as a mode of resistance is not completely understood. In this review, we wish to explore mitochondrial metabolism in melanoma and how it impacts modes of resistance. There are several genes that play a major role in melanoma mitochondrial metabolism which require a full understanding to optimally target melanoma. These include BRAF, CRAF, SOX2, MCL1, TRAP1, RHOA, SRF, SIRT3, PTEN, and AKT1. We will be discussing the role of these genes in melanoma in greater detail. An enhanced understanding of mitochondrial metabolism and these modes of resistance may result in novel combinatorial and sequential therapies that may lead to greater therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Huang
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
| | - Rakan H. Radi
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
| | - Jack L. Arbiser
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
- Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(404)-727-5063; Fax: +1-(404)-727-0923
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Abstract
The proliferation, metastasis and therapy response of tumour cells are tightly regulated by interaction among various signalling networks. The microRNAs (miRNAs) can bind to 3'-UTR of mRNA and down-regulate expression of target gene. The miRNAs target various molecular pathways in regulating biological events such as apoptosis, differentiation, angiogenesis and migration. The aberrant expression of miRNAs occurs in cancers and they have both tumour-suppressor and tumour-promoting functions. On the contrary, SOX proteins are capable of binding to DNA and regulating gene expression. SOX2 is a well-known member of SOX family that its overexpression in different cancers to ensure progression and stemness. The present review focuses on modulatory impact of miRNAs on SOX2 in affecting growth, migration and therapy response of cancers. The lncRNAs and circRNAs can function as upstream mediators of miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancers. In addition, NF-κB, TNF-α and SOX17 are among other molecular pathways regulating miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancer. Noteworthy, anti-cancer compounds including bufalin and ovatodiolide are suggested to regulate miRNA/SOX2 axis in cancers. The translation of current findings to clinical course can pave the way to effective treatment of cancer patients and improve their prognosis.
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Zhou B, Gao Y, Zhang P, Chu Q. Acquired Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockades: The Underlying Mechanisms and Potential Strategies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693609. [PMID: 34194441 PMCID: PMC8236848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint blockade therapy has completely transformed cancer treatment modalities because of its unprecedented and durable clinical responses in various cancers. With the increasing use of immune checkpoint blockades in clinical practice, a large number of patients develop acquired resistance. However, the knowledge about acquired resistance to immune checkpoint blockades is limited and poorly summarized. In this review, we clarify the principal elements of acquired resistance to immune checkpoint blockades. The definition of acquired resistance is heterogeneous among groups or societies, but the expert consensus of The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer can be referred. Oligo-progression is the main pattern of acquired resistance. Acquired resistance can be derived from the selection of resistant cancer cell clones that exist in the tumor mass before therapeutic intervention or gradual acquisition in the sensitive cancer cells. Specifically, tumor intrinsic mechanisms include neoantigen depletion, defects in antigen presentation machinery, aberrations of interferon signaling, tumor-induced exclusion/immunosuppression, and tumor cell plasticity. Tumor extrinsic mechanisms include upregulation of other immune checkpoints. Presently, a set of treatment modalities is applied to patients with similar clinical characteristics or resistance mechanisms for overcoming acquired resistance, and hence, further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghan Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Huang Y, Zhang HL, Li ZL, Du T, Chen YH, Wang Y, Ni HH, Zhang KM, Mai J, Hu BX, Huang JH, Zhou LH, Yang D, Peng XD, Feng GK, Tang J, Zhu XF, Deng R. FUT8-mediated aberrant N-glycosylation of B7H3 suppresses the immune response in triple-negative breast cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2672. [PMID: 33976130 PMCID: PMC8113546 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) do not respond to anti-PD1/PDL1 immunotherapy, indicating the necessity to explore immune checkpoint targets. B7H3 is a highly glycosylated protein. However, the mechanisms of B7H3 glycosylation regulation and whether the sugar moiety contributes to immunosuppression are unclear. Here, we identify aberrant B7H3 glycosylation and show that N-glycosylation of B7H3 at NXT motif sites is responsible for its protein stability and immunosuppression in TNBC tumors. The fucosyltransferase FUT8 catalyzes B7H3 core fucosylation at N-glycans to maintain its high expression. Knockdown of FUT8 rescues glycosylated B7H3-mediated immunosuppressive function in TNBC cells. Abnormal B7H3 glycosylation mediated by FUT8 overexpression can be physiologically important and clinically relevant in patients with TNBC. Notably, the combination of core fucosylation inhibitor 2F-Fuc and anti-PDL1 results in enhanced therapeutic efficacy in B7H3-positive TNBC tumors. These findings suggest that targeting the FUT8-B7H3 axis might be a promising strategy for improving anti-tumor immune responses in patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan-He Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai-Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Xin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Huan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gong-Kan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Rong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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