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Graham MK, Wang R, Chikarmane R, Abel B, Vaghasia A, Gupta A, Zheng Q, Hicks J, Sysa-Shah P, Pan X, Castagna N, Liu J, Meyers J, Skaist A, Zhang Y, Rubenstein M, Schuebel K, Simons BW, Bieberich CJ, Nelson WG, Lupold SE, DeWeese TL, De Marzo AM, Yegnasubramanian S. Convergent alterations in the tumor microenvironment of MYC-driven human and murine prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7414. [PMID: 39198404 PMCID: PMC11358296 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51450-2] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
How prostate cancer cells and their precursors mediate changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to drive prostate cancer progression is unclear, in part due to the inability to longitudinally study the disease evolution in human tissues. To overcome this limitation, we perform extensive single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and molecular pathology of the comparative biology between human prostate cancer and key stages in the disease evolution of a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of prostate cancer. Our studies of human tissues reveal that cancer cell-intrinsic activation of MYC signaling is a common denominator across the well-known molecular and pathological heterogeneity of human prostate cancer. Cell communication network and pathway analyses in GEMMs show that MYC oncogene-expressing neoplastic cells, directly and indirectly, reprogram the TME during carcinogenesis, leading to a convergence of cell state alterations in neighboring epithelial, immune, and fibroblast cell types that parallel key findings in human prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy K Graham
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rulin Wang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roshan Chikarmane
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bulouere Abel
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ajay Vaghasia
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anuj Gupta
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qizhi Zheng
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Hicks
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Polina Sysa-Shah
- The Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Castagna
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jianyong Liu
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Meyers
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alyza Skaist
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Rubenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kornel Schuebel
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian W Simons
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Charles J Bieberich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - William G Nelson
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shawn E Lupold
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Theodore L DeWeese
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Angelo M De Marzo
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- inHealth Precision Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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2
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Li H, Shi Y, Li Y, Wu S, Yang R, Liu Q, Sun L. DNA damage response-related signatures characterize the immune landscape and predict the prognosis of HCC via integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112475. [PMID: 38909498 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are significantly affected by DNA damage response (DDR). Exploring DDR-related biomarkers can help predict the prognosis and immune characteristics of HCC. METHODS First, the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset GSE242889 was processed and performed manual annotation. Then we found the marker genes of DDR-active subgroups based on "AUCell" algorithm. The "Limma" R package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor and normal samples of HCC. The risk prognostic model was constructed by filtering genes using univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses. Finally, the signatures were analyzed for immune infiltration, gene mutation, and drug sensitivity. Last but not least, KPNA2, which had the largest coefficient in our model was validated by experiments including western blot, MTT, colony formation and γ-H2AX assays. RESULTS We constructed a prognostic model based on 5 DDR marker genes including KIF2C, CDC20, KPNA2, UBE2S and ADH1B for HCC. We also proved that the model had an excellent performance in both training and validation cohorts. Patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis, different immune features, gene mutation frequency, immunotherapy response and drug sensitivity compared with the low-risk group. Besides, our experimental results proved that KPNA2 was up-regulated in liver cancer cells than in hepatocytes. More importantly, the knockdown of KPNA2 significantly inhibited cell variability, proliferation and promoted DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS We innovatively integrated scRNA-seq and bulk RNA sequencing to construct the DDR-related prognostic model. Our model could effectively predict the prognosis, immune landscape and therapy response of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanqi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Shaobo Wu
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710054, PR China
| | - Ruida Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Qingguang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.
| | - Liankang Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.
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3
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Krenz B, Lee J, Kannan T, Eilers M. Immune evasion: An imperative and consequence of MYC deregulation. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38957016 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of human tumors and has been described for many years as a transcription factor that regulates genes with pleiotropic functions to promote tumorigenic growth. However, despite extensive efforts to identify specific target genes of MYC that alone could be responsible for promoting tumorigenesis, the field is yet to reach a consensus whether this is the crucial function of MYC. Recent work shifts the view on MYC's function from being a gene-specific transcription factor to an essential stress resilience factor. In highly proliferating cells, MYC preserves cell integrity by promoting DNA repair at core promoters, protecting stalled replication forks, and/or preventing transcription-replication conflicts. Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence demonstrates that MYC not only promotes tumorigenesis by driving cell-autonomous growth, but also enables tumors to evade the host's immune system. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of how MYC impairs antitumor immunity and why this function is evolutionarily hard-wired to the biology of the MYC protein family. We show why the cell-autonomous and immune evasive functions of MYC are mutually dependent and discuss ways to target MYC proteins in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Krenz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jongkuen Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Toshitha Kannan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany
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Miranda A, Pattnaik S, Hamilton PT, Fuss MA, Kalaria S, Laumont CM, Smazynski J, Mesa M, Banville A, Jiang X, Jenkins R, Cañadas I, Nelson BH. N-MYC impairs innate immune signaling in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj5428. [PMID: 38748789 PMCID: PMC11095474 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj5428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a challenging disease, especially for patients with immunologically "cold" tumors devoid of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We found that HGSC exhibits among the highest levels of MYCN expression and transcriptional signature across human cancers, which is strongly linked to diminished features of antitumor immunity. N-MYC repressed basal and induced IFN type I signaling in HGSC cell lines, leading to decreased chemokine expression and T cell chemoattraction. N-MYC inhibited the induction of IFN type I by suppressing tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling via reduced STING oligomerization, and by blunting RIG-I-like receptor signaling through inhibition of MAVS aggregation and localization in the mitochondria. Single-cell RNA sequencing of human clinical HGSC samples revealed a strong negative association between cancer cell-intrinsic MYCN transcriptional program and type I IFN signaling. Thus, N-MYC inhibits tumor cell-intrinsic innate immune signaling in HGSC, making it a compelling target for immunotherapy of cold tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Miranda
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Swetansu Pattnaik
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 370 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Phineas T. Hamilton
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Shreena Kalaria
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Céline M. Laumont
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Monica Mesa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
| | - Allyson Banville
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xinpei Jiang
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell Jenkins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Israel Cañadas
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brad H. Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
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5
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Fan T, Huang Y, Liu Z, Huang J, Ke B, Rong Y, Qiu H, Zhang B. Unveiling the Mechanism of the ChaiShao Shugan Formula Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:1115-1131. [PMID: 38618280 PMCID: PMC11016267 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s394287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The ChaiShao Shugan Formula (CSSGF) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with recently identified therapeutic value in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of CSSGF in TNBC treatment. Methods TNBC targets were analyzed using R and data were from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The major ingredients and related protein targets of CSSGF were explored via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database, and an ingredient-target network was constructed via Cytoscape to identify hub genes. The STRING database was used to construct the PPI network. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed via R to obtain the main targets. The online tool Kaplan‒Meier plotter was used to identify the prognostic genes. Molecular docking was applied to the core target genes and active ingredients. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines were used to verify the efficacy of the various drugs. Results A total of 4562 genes were screened as TNBC target genes. The PPI network consisted of 89 nodes and 845 edges. Our study indicated that quercetin, beta-sitosterol, luteolin and catechin might be the core ingredients of CSSGF, and EGFR and c-Myc might be the latent therapeutic targets of CSSGF in the treatment of TNBC. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the anticancer effect of CSSGF on TNBC was mainly associated with DNA binding, transcription factor binding, and other biological processes. The related signaling pathways mainly involved the TNF-a, IL-17, and apoptosis pathways. The molecular docking data indicated that quercetin, beta-sitosterol, luteolin, and catechin had high affinity for EGFR, JUN, Caspase-3 and ESR1, respectively. In vitro, we found that CSSGF could suppress the expression of c-Myc or promote the expression of EGFR. In addition, we found that quercetin downregulates c-Myc expression in two BC cell lines. Conclusion This study revealed the effective ingredients and latent molecular mechanism of action of CSSGF against TNBC and confirmed that quercetin could target c-Myc to induce anti-BC effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Fan
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinsheng Huang
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Ke
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuming Rong
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huijuan Qiu
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bei Zhang
- TCM&VIP Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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6
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Wisdom AJ, Barker CA, Chang JY, Demaria S, Formenti S, Grassberger C, Gregucci F, Hoppe BS, Kirsch DG, Marciscano AE, Mayadev J, Mouw KW, Palta M, Wu CC, Jabbour SK, Schoenfeld JD. The Next Chapter in Immunotherapy and Radiation Combination Therapy: Cancer-Specific Perspectives. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:1404-1421. [PMID: 38184173 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic agents have revolutionized cancer treatment over the past decade. However, most patients fail to respond to immunotherapy alone. A growing body of preclinical studies highlights the potential for synergy between radiation therapy and immunotherapy, but the outcomes of clinical studies have been mixed. This review summarizes the current state of immunotherapy and radiation combination therapy across cancers, highlighting existing challenges and promising areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Wisdom
- Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher A Barker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joe Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Silvia Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Clemens Grassberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Fabiana Gregucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Bradford S Hoppe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariel E Marciscano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jyoti Mayadev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Kent W Mouw
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Manisha Palta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cheng-Chia Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Salma K Jabbour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
| | - Jonathan D Schoenfeld
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
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7
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Cerchietti L. Genetic mechanisms underlying tumor microenvironment composition and function in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood 2024; 143:1101-1111. [PMID: 38211334 PMCID: PMC10972714 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) show enormous diversity and plasticity, with functions that can range from tumor inhibitory to tumor supportive. The patient's age, immune status, and DLBCL treatments are factors that contribute to the shaping of this TME, but evidence suggests that genetic factors, arising principally in lymphoma cells themselves, are among the most important. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of these genetic drivers of DLBCL in establishing and modulating the lymphoma microenvironment. A better comprehension of the relationship between lymphoma genetic factors and TME biology should lead to better therapeutic interventions, especially immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Cerchietti
- Hematology and Oncology Division, Medicine Department, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY
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8
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Huang W, Zhu Q, Shi Z, Tu Y, Li Q, Zheng W, Yuan Z, Li L, Zu X, Hao Y, Chu B, Jiang Y. Dual inhibitors of DNMT and HDAC induce viral mimicry to induce antitumour immunity in breast cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:143. [PMID: 38490978 PMCID: PMC10943227 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01895-7] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The existing conventional treatments for breast cancer, including immune checkpoint blockade, exhibit limited effects in some cancers, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. Epigenetic alterations, specifically DNMT and HDAC alterations, are implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis. We demonstrated that DNMTs and HDACs are overexpressed and positively correlated in breast cancer. The combination of DNMT and HDAC inhibitors has shown synergistic antitumour effects, and our previously designed dual DNMT and HDAC inhibitor (termed DNMT/HDACi) 15a potently inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, 15a induces a viral mimicry response by promoting the expression of endogenous retroviral elements in breast cancer cells, thus increasing the intracellular level of double-stranded RNA to activate the RIG-I-MAVS pathway. This in turn promotes the production of interferons and chemokines and augments the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and PD-L1. The combination of 15a and an anti-PD-L1 antibody had an additive effect in vivo. These findings indicate that this DNMT/HDACi has immunomodulatory functions and enhances the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. A novel dual DNMT and HDAC inhibitor induces viral mimicry, which induces the accumulation of dsRNA to activate tumoral IFN signalling and cytokine production to enhance the immune response in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qingyun Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhichao Shi
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Yao Tu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qinyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wenwen Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zigao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lulu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yue Hao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Bizhu Chu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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9
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Wang L, Yu Z, Zhang J, Guo J. Nanoformulations of chemotherapeutic activators of the cGAS-STING pathway in tumor chemoimmunotherapy. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103892. [PMID: 38272174 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic drugs to activate the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway have been exploited for tumor chemoimmunotherapy. The clinical translation of chemotherapeutic cGAS-STING activators is hindered by the lack of safe, efficient, and specific delivery strategies. Nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) designed for reducing toxic effects and improving transport effectiveness potentiate in vivo delivery of chemotherapeutic cGAS-STING activators. cGAS-STING monotherapy often encounters tumor resistance without providing satisfactory therapeutic benefit; therefore combination therapy is desirable. This review describes NDDS strategies for surmounting delivery obstacles of chemotherapeutic cGAS-STING activators and highlights combinatorial regimens, which utilize therapeutics that work by different mechanisms, for optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Hematology Laboratory, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China.
| | - Jianfeng Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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10
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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11
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Yin J, Gu T, Chaudhry N, Davidson NE, Huang Y. Epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity and immunotherapy response in breast cancer: biological mechanisms and clinical implications. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325615. [PMID: 38268926 PMCID: PMC10806158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325615] [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: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. The initiation and progression of BC can proceed through the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that allow transformed cells to escape the normal cell cycle checkpoint control. Unlike nucleotide mutations, epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), nucleosome remodeling and non-coding RNAs are generally reversible and therefore potentially responsive to pharmacological intervention. Epigenetic dysregulations are critical mechanisms for impaired antitumor immunity, evasion of immune surveillance, and resistance to immunotherapy. Compared to highly immunogenic tumor types, such as melanoma or lung cancer, breast cancer has been viewed as an immunologically quiescent tumor which displays a relatively low population of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), low tumor mutational burden (TMB) and modest response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Emerging evidence suggests that agents targeting aberrant epigenetic modifiers may augment host antitumor immunity in BC via several interrelated mechanisms such as enhancing tumor antigen presentation, activation of cytotoxic T cells, inhibition of immunosuppressive cells, boosting response to ICI, and induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). These discoveries have established a highly promising basis for using combinatorial approaches of epigenetic drugs with immunotherapy as an innovative paradigm to improve outcomes of BC patients. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how epigenetic processes regulate immune cell function and antitumor immunogenicity in the context of the breast tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic potential and latest clinical trials of the combination of immune checkpoint blockers with epigenetic agents in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yin
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Tiezheng Gu
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Norin Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Nancy E. Davidson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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12
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Chen M, Yu S, van der Sluis T, Zwager MC, Schröder CP, van der Vegt B, van Vugt MATM. cGAS-STING pathway expression correlates with genomic instability and immune cell infiltration in breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2024; 10:1. [PMID: 38167507 PMCID: PMC10761738 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00609-z] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability, as caused by oncogene-induced replication stress, can lead to the activation of inflammatory signaling, involving the cGAS-STING and JAK-STAT pathways. Inflammatory signaling has been associated with pro-tumorigenic features, but also with favorable response to treatment, including to immune checkpoint inhibition. In this study, we aim to explore relations between inflammatory signaling, markers of replication stress, and immune cell infiltration in breast cancer. Expression levels of cGAS-STING signaling components (STING, phospho-TBK1, and phospho-STAT1), replication stress markers (γH2AX and pRPA), replication stress-related proto-oncogenes (Cyclin E1 and c-Myc) and immune cell markers (CD20, CD4, and CD57) are determined immunohistochemically on primary breast cancer samples (n = 380). RNA-sequencing data from TCGA (n = 1082) and METABRIC (n = 1904) are used to calculate cGAS-STING scores. pTBK1, pSTAT1 expression and cGAS-STING pathway scores are all increased in triple-negative breast cancers compared to other subtypes. Expression of γH2AX, pRPA, Cyclin E1, c-Myc, and immune cell infiltration positively correlate with p-STAT1 expression (P < 0.001). Additionally, we observe significant positive associations between expression of pTBK1 and γH2AX, pRPA, c-Myc, and number of CD4+ cells and CD20+ cells. Also, cGAS-STING scores are correlated with genomic instability metrics, such as homologous recombination deficiency (P < 0.001) and tumor mutational burden (P < 0.01). Moreover, data from the I-SPY2 clinical trial (n = 71) confirms that higher cGAS-STING scores are observed in breast cancer patients who responded to immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. In conclusion, the cGAS-STING pathway is highly expressed in TNBCs and is correlated with genomic instability and immune cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shibo Yu
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tineke van der Sluis
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mieke C Zwager
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolien P Schröder
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert van der Vegt
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel A T M van Vugt
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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13
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Wang R, Hussain A, Guo Q, Ma M. cGAS-STING at the crossroads in cancer therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104194. [PMID: 37931770 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA is highly immunogenic, both exogenous and endogenous DNA can activate the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) and danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), respectively, and hence activate the evolutionarily conserved cGAS-STING pathway for inflammatory responses. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway plays a very important role in the pathogenesis and progression of neoplastic diseases. For cancer therapy, there are some discrepancies on whether cGAS-STING should be inhibited or activated. Deregulated cGAS-STING signaling pathway might be the origin and pathogenesis of tumor, understanding and modulating cGAS-STING signaling holds great promise for cancer therapy. In this review article, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying cGAS-STING deregulation, highlighting the tumor inhibiting and promoting roles and challenges with cGAS-STING agonists in the context of cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004 Suzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Suqian Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 223800 Suqian, China.
| | - Aashiq Hussain
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 119077 CSI, Singapore
| | - Quanquan Guo
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004 Suzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Suqian Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 223800 Suqian, China
| | - Meimei Ma
- Department of Pathology, Suqian Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 223800 Suqian, China
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14
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Ren X, Wang X, Zheng G, Wang S, Wang Q, Yuan M, Xu T, Xu J, Huang P, Ge M. Targeting one-carbon metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1521. [PMID: 38279895 PMCID: PMC10819114 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a metabolic network that plays essential roles in biological reactions. In 1C metabolism, a series of nutrients are used to fuel metabolic pathways, including nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cellular redox defence and epigenetic maintenance. At present, 1C metabolism is considered the hallmark of cancer. The 1C units obtained from the metabolic pathways increase the proliferation rate of cancer cells. In addition, anticancer drugs, such as methotrexate, which target 1C metabolism, have long been used in the clinic. In terms of immunotherapy, 1C metabolism has been used to explore biomarkers connected with immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events in patients. METHODS We collected numerous literatures to explain the roles of one-carbon metabolism in cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS In this review, we focus on the important pathways in 1C metabolism and the function of 1C metabolism enzymes in cancer immunotherapy. Then, we summarise the inhibitors acting on 1C metabolism and their potential application on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide a viewpoint and conclusion regarding the opportunities and challenges of targeting 1C metabolism for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practicability in the future. CONCLUSION Targeting one-carbon metabolism is useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Department of PathologyCancer CenterZhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of PharmacyAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mengnan Yuan
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
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15
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Anayyat U, Ahad F, Muluh TA, Zaidi SAA, Usmani F, Yang H, Li M, Hassan HA, Wang X. Immunotherapy: Constructive Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2023; 15:925-951. [PMID: 38116189 PMCID: PMC10729681 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s424624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
A novel and rapid therapeutic approach is the treatment of human breast cancer by enhancing the host's immune system. In initial findings, program death one (PD-1) and program cell death ligand one (PD-L1) showed positive results towards solid tumors, but tumor relapse and drug resistance are the major concerns. Breast cancer therapy has been transformed by the advent of immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs). Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have exhibited enduring responses to clinical usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs) like atezolizumab and pembrolizumab. Nonetheless, a notable proportion of individuals with TNBC do not experience advantages from these treatments, and there is limited comprehension of the resistance mechanisms. Another approach to overcome resistance is cancer stem cells (CSCs), as these cells are crucial for the initiation and growth of tumors in the body. Various cancer vaccines are created using stem cells (dendritic, whole cell, bacterial) and focus primarily on targeting tumor-related antigens. The ultimate objective of cancer vaccines is to immunize the patients by active artificial immunity against cancer, though. In this review, we primarily focused on existing immunotherapeutic options, immune checkpoint blockers, the latest progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs), advanced strategies to overcome resistance to ICBs, cancer stem cell antigens and molecular markers, ongoing clinical trials for BCs and cancer vaccines for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Anayyat
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Faiza Ahad
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Faiza Usmani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hammad Ali Hassan
- Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Zhang X, Song W, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Hao S, Ni T. The Role of Tumor Metabolic Reprogramming in Tumor Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17422. [PMID: 38139250 PMCID: PMC10743965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence and development of tumors require the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells, namely the alteration of flux in an autonomous manner via various metabolic pathways to meet increased bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands. Tumor cells consume large quantities of nutrients and produce related metabolites via their metabolism; this leads to the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) to better support tumor growth. During TME remodeling, the immune cell metabolism and antitumor immune activity are affected. This further leads to the escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance and therefore to abnormal proliferation. This review summarizes the regulatory functions associated with the abnormal biosynthesis and activity of metabolic signaling molecules during the process of tumor metabolic reprogramming. In addition, we provide a comprehensive description of the competition between immune cells and tumor cells for nutrients in the TME, as well as the metabolites required for tumor metabolism, the metabolic signaling pathways involved, and the functionality of the immune cells. Finally, we summarize current research targeted at the development of tumor immunotherapy. We aim to provide new concepts for future investigations of the mechanisms underlying the metabolic reprogramming of tumors and explore the association of these mechanisms with tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shuailin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China; (X.Z.); (W.S.); (Y.G.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ting Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China; (X.Z.); (W.S.); (Y.G.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
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17
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Wang H, Ding XH, Liu CL, Xiao Y, Shui RH, Li YP, Chen C, Yang WT, Liu S, Chen CS, Shao ZM, Jiang YZ. Genomic alterations affecting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression patterns in triple-negative breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2023; 115:1586-1596. [PMID: 37549066 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) remain imperfect in predicting clinical outcomes of triple-negative breast cancer because outcomes do not always correlate with the expression of these biomarkers. Genomic and transcriptomic alterations that may contribute to the expression of these biomarkers remain incompletely uncovered. METHODS We evaluated PD-L1 immunohistochemistry scores (SP142 and 28-8 assays) and TILs in our triple-negative breast cancer multiomics dataset and 2 immunotherapy clinical trial cohorts. Then, we analyzed genomic and transcriptomic alterations correlated with TILs, PD-L1 expression, and patient outcomes. RESULTS Despite TILs serving as a decent predictor for triple-negative breast cancer clinical outcomes, exceptions remained. Our study revealed that several genomic alterations were correlated with unexpected events. In particular, PD-L1 expression may cause a paradoxical relationship between TILs and prognosis in certain patients. Consequently, we classified triple-negative breast cancers into 4 groups based on PD-L1 and TIL levels. The TIL-negative PD-L1-positive and TIL-positive PD-L1-negative groups were not typical "hot" tumors; both were associated with worse prognoses and lower immunotherapy efficacy than TIL-positive PD-L1-positive tumors. Copy number variation of PD-L1 and oncogenic signaling activation were correlated with PD-L1 expression in the TIL-negative PD-L1-positive group, whereas GSK3B-induced degradation may cause undetectable PD-L1 expression in the TIL-positive PD-L1-negative group. These factors have the potential to affect the predictive function of both PD-L1 and TILs. CONCLUSIONS Several genomic and transcriptomic alterations may cause paradoxical effects among TILs, PD-L1 expression, and prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer. Investigating and targeting these factors will advance precision immunotherapy for patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Ding
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-Hong Shui
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ping Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Tao Yang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ce-Shi Chen
- Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Dabkowski TR, Varkhedi M, Song JJ, Gozlan EC, Blanck G. Neuroblastoma and Glioblastoma Cases With Amplified Oncogenes Have Reduced Numbers of Tumor-Resident Adaptive Immune Receptor Recombinations. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2300057. [PMID: 38085056 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In certain cancers, oncogene amplification is correlated with an immunologically cold or noninflamed, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and a worse prognosis, for example, in the case of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (NBL). However, for other cancer types, the relationship between oncogene amplification and immune response is more complicated or unresolved. One such cancer is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), in which the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) oncogene is commonly amplified. Unlike MYCN-amplified NBL, EGFR-amplified GBM has not been shown to correlate with a distinct survival probability. METHODS Given this contrasting state for NBL and GBM, we sought to apply a genomics approach to evaluating the immune response for cases with gene amplification. RESULTS Our results confirmed and added further specificity to the cold TIME of MYCN-amplified NBL. Moreover, we demonstrated a novel state of immunologically cold EGFR-amplified GBM tumors. CONCLUSION This approach to using copy number variation and immune receptor recombination read recovery levels to assess gene amplification and TIME, respectively, may be particularly efficient for the rapid evaluation of many other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toriana R Dabkowski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Mallika Varkhedi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Joanna J Song
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Etienne C Gozlan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - George Blanck
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
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19
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Kumar V, Bauer C, Stewart JH. Cancer cell-specific cGAS/STING Signaling pathway in the era of advancing cancer cell biology. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151338. [PMID: 37423035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) are critical to recognizing endogenous and exogenous threats to mount a protective proinflammatory innate immune response. PRRs may be located on the outer cell membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. The cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a cytosolic PRR system. Notably, cGAS is also present in the nucleus. The cGAS-mediated recognition of cytosolic dsDNA and its cleavage into cGAMP activates STING. Furthermore, STING activation through its downstream signaling triggers different interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs), initiating the release of type 1 interferons (IFNs) and NF-κB-mediated release of proinflammatory cytokines and molecules. Activating cGAS/STING generates type 1 IFN, which may prevent cellular transformation and cancer development, growth, and metastasis. The current article delineates the impact of the cancer cell-specific cGAS/STING signaling pathway alteration in tumors and its impact on tumor growth and metastasis. This article further discusses different approaches to specifically target cGAS/STING signaling in cancer cells to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in conjunction with existing anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA.
| | - Caitlin Bauer
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA
| | - John H Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA; Louisiana Children's Medical Center Cancer Center, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA.
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20
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An F, Zhang W, Guo Y, Shi F, Kong Y, Tang L, Han C, Wang Q. SETBP1 mutation determines sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and NSCLC. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:7476-7495. [PMID: 37535001 PMCID: PMC10457048 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1) plays crucial roles in various biological processes; however, its involvement in cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments has never been studied. In this study, we collected a total of 631 melanoma and 109 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples treated with ICI agents (i.e., anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1/PD-L1, or combination therapy). Additionally, we obtained their corresponding somatic mutational profiles. We observed that SETBP1 mutated (SETBP1-MUT) melanoma patients exhibited significantly prolonged ICI survival outcomes compared to wild-type patients (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.81, P = 0.002). Consistently, an elevated ICI response rate was also noticed in the SETBP1-MUT group (42.9% vs. 29.1%, P = 0.016). The Association of SETBP1 mutations with favorable immunotherapeutic prognosis and response was further supported by an independent NSCLC cohort (both P < 0.05). Additional immunological analyses revealed that favorable immune infiltration, tumor immunogenicity, and immune response circuits were enriched in SETBP1-MUT patients. Overall, our findings suggest that SETBP1 mutations may serve as a new biomarker for stratifying beneficiaries of ICI treatments in melanoma and NSCLC, which provides possible evidence for tailoring clinical immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxiao An
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Yuxian Guo
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Fuyan Shi
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Yujia Kong
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Liguo Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, Sunshine Union Hospital, Weifang 261061, Shandong, China
| | - Caijing Han
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Wang
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
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21
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Wang M, Huang Y, Chen M, Wang W, Wu F, Zhong T, Chen X, Wang F, Li Y, Yu J, Wu M, Chen D. Inhibition of tumor intrinsic BANF1 activates antitumor immune responses via cGAS-STING and enhances the efficacy of PD-1 blockade. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007035. [PMID: 37620043 PMCID: PMC10450060 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007035] [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] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BANF1 is well known as a natural opponent of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) activity on genomic self-DNA. However, the roles of BANF1 in tumor immunity remain unclear. Here, we investigate the possible impact of BANF1 on antitumor immunity and response to immunotherapy. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas public data were analyzed to evaluate the relevance of the expression of BANF1, patients' survival and immune cell infiltration. We monitored tumor growth and explored the antitumor efficacy of targeting tumor-intrinsic BANF1 in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) in MC38 or B16F10 tumor models in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and T cells depletion experiments were used to validate the role of BANF1 in tumor immune microenvironment reprogramming. RNA sequencing was then used to interrogate the mechanisms how BANF1 regulated antitumor immunity. RESULTS We show that upregulated expression of BANF1 in tumor tissues is significantly associated with poor survival and is negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration. Deficiency of BANF1 in tumor cells markedly antagonizes tumor growth in immunocompetent but not immunocompromised mice, and enhances the response to immunotherapy in murine models of melanoma and colon cancer. In the immunotherapy clinical cohort, patients with high BANF1 expression had a worse prognosis. Mechanistically, BANF1 knockout activates antitumor immune responses mediated by cGAS-synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, resulting in an immune-activating tumor microenvironment including increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cell enrichment. CONCLUSIONS BANF1 is a key regulator of antitumor immunity mediated by cGAS-STING pathway. Therefore, our study provides a rational that targeting BANF1 is a potent strategy for enhancing immunotherapy for cancer with BANF1 upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yiheng Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Minxin Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weiyan Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Zhong
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaozheng Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong, China
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22
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Dunker W, Zaver SA, Pineda JMB, Howard CJ, Bradley RK, Woodward JJ. The proto-oncogene SRC phosphorylates cGAS to inhibit an antitumor immune response. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167270. [PMID: 37166992 PMCID: PMC10371251 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167270] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a DNA sensor and responsible for inducing an antitumor immune response. Recent studies reveal that cGAS is frequently inhibited in cancer, and therapeutic targets to promote antitumor cGAS function remain elusive. SRC is a proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase and is expressed at elevated levels in numerous cancers. Here, we demonstrate that SRC expression in primary and metastatic bladder cancer negatively correlates with innate immune gene expression and immune cell infiltration. We determine that SRC restricts cGAS signaling in human cell lines through SRC small molecule inhibitors, depletion, and overexpression. cGAS and SRC interact in cells and in vitro, while SRC directly inhibits cGAS enzymatic activity and DNA binding in a kinase-dependent manner. SRC phosphorylates cGAS, and inhibition of cGAS Y248 phosphorylation partially reduces SRC inhibition. Collectively, our study demonstrates that cGAS antitumor signaling is hindered by the proto-oncogene SRC and describes how cancer-associated proteins can regulate the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shivam A. Zaver
- Department of Microbiology and
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jose Mario Bello Pineda
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Robert K. Bradley
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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23
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Li J, Dong T, Wu Z, Zhu D, Gu H. The effects of MYC on tumor immunity and immunotherapy. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:103. [PMID: 36966168 PMCID: PMC10039951 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01403-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The oncogene MYC is dysregulated in a host of human cancers, and as an important point of convergence in multitudinous oncogenic signaling pathways, it plays a crucial role in tumor immune regulation in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Specifically, MYC promotes the expression of immunosuppressive factors and inhibits the expression of immune activation regulators. Undoubtedly, a therapeutic strategy that targets MYC can initiate a new era of cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the essential role of the MYC signaling pathway in tumor immunity and the development status of MYC-related therapies, including therapeutic strategies targeting MYC and combined MYC-based immunotherapy. These studies have reported extraordinary insights into the translational application of MYC in cancer treatment and are conducive to the emergence of more effective immunotherapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Clinical School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tingyu Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Clinical School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, First Clinical School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dacheng Zhu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, First Clinical School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Gu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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24
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Deng L, Liao L, Zhang YL, Hu SY, Yang SY, Ma XY, Huang MY, Zhang FL, Li DQ. MYC-driven U2SURP regulates alternative splicing of SAT1 to promote triple-negative breast cancer progression. Cancer Lett 2023; 560:216124. [PMID: 36907504 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), although highly lethal, lacks validated therapeutic targets. Here, we report that U2 snRNP-associated SURP motif-containing protein (U2SURP), a poorly defined member of the serine/arginine rich protein family, was significantly upregulated in TNBC tissues, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis of TNBC patients. MYC, a frequently amplified oncogene in TNBC tissues, enhanced U2SURP translation through an eIF3D (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit D)-dependent mechanism, resulting in the accumulation of U2SURP in TNBC tissues. Functional assays revealed that U2SURP played an important role in facilitating tumorigenesis and metastasis of TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, U2SURP had no significant effects on proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of normal mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, we found that U2SURP promoted alternative splicing of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) pre-mRNA by removal of intron 3, resulting in an increase in the stability of SAT1 mRNA and subsequent protein expression levels. Importantly, spliced SAT1 promoted the oncogenic properties of TNBC cells, and re-expression of SAT1 in U2SURP-depleted cells partially rescued the impaired malignant phenotypes of TNBC cells caused by U2SURP knockdown both in vitro and in mice. Collectively, these findings reveal previously unknown functional and mechanism roles of the MYC-U2SURP-SAT1 signaling axis in TNBC progression and highlight U2SURP as a potential therapy target for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Deng
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li Liao
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yin-Ling Zhang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shu-Yuan Hu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shao-Ying Yang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Min-Ying Huang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fang-Lin Zhang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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25
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Gao FY, Li XT, Xu K, Wang RT, Guan XX. c-MYC mediates the crosstalk between breast cancer cells and tumor microenvironment. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:28. [PMID: 36721232 PMCID: PMC9887805 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The MYC oncogenic family is dysregulated in diverse tumors which is generally linked to the poor prognosis of tumors. The members in MYC family are transcription factors which are responsible for the regulation of various genes expression. Among them, c-MYC is closely related to the progression of tumors. Furthermore, c-MYC aberrations is tightly associated with the prevalence of breast cancer. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of many different types of cellular and non-cellular factors, mainly including cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and immune cells, all of which can affect the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic efficacy of breast cancer. Importantly, the biological processes occurred in TME, such as angiogenesis, immune evasion, invasion, migration, and the recruition of stromal and tumor-infiltrating cells are under the modulation of c-MYC. These findings indicated that c-MYC serves as a critical regulator of TME. Here, we aimed to summarize and review the relevant research, thus to clarify c-MYC is a key mediator between breast cancer cells and TME. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-yan Gao
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Xin-tong Li
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Kun Xu
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Run-tian Wang
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Xiao-xiang Guan
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China
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26
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Tsang JY, Tse GM. Update on triple-negative breast cancers - highlighting subtyping update and treatment implication. Histopathology 2023; 82:17-35. [PMID: 36468263 DOI: 10.1111/his.14784] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a major challenge in breast cancer management. Continuing research in the past years aimed at understanding the biology of this tumour and developing more effective therapeutic options. It is now clear that TNBC is vastly heterogeneous with diverse histological, molecular, immunological profiles and clinical differences. Current evidence suggested the existence of at least four predominant subtypes based on expression profiling across studies. These subtypes exhibited specific genomic alterations and tumour microenvironment. Subtype-specific therapeutic strategies were identified. Recognising these subtypes allows not only an improved prognostication but also a better treatment decision. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent findings on TNBC heterogeneity at different levels and corresponding subtyping. The characteristic of subtypes and the implication of these subtypings in therapeutic approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Y Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Gary M Tse
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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27
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Zhang Z, Zhou H, Ouyang X, Dong Y, Sarapultsev A, Luo S, Hu D. Multifaceted functions of STING in human health and disease: from molecular mechanism to targeted strategy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:394. [PMID: 36550103 PMCID: PMC9780328 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) as an important pivot for cytosolic DNA sensation and interferon (IFN) induction, intensive efforts have been endeavored to clarify the molecular mechanism of its activation, its physiological function as a ubiquitously expressed protein, and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target in a wide range of immune-related diseases. With its orthodox ligand 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (2'3'-cGAMP) and the upstream sensor 2'3'-cGAMP synthase (cGAS) to be found, STING acquires its central functionality in the best-studied signaling cascade, namely the cGAS-STING-IFN pathway. However, recently updated research through structural research, genetic screening, and biochemical assay greatly extends the current knowledge of STING biology. A second ligand pocket was recently discovered in the transmembrane domain for a synthetic agonist. On its downstream outputs, accumulating studies sketch primordial and multifaceted roles of STING beyond its cytokine-inducing function, such as autophagy, cell death, metabolic modulation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and RNA virus restriction. Furthermore, with the expansion of the STING interactome, the details of STING trafficking also get clearer. After retrospecting the brief history of viral interference and the milestone events since the discovery of STING, we present a vivid panorama of STING biology taking into account the details of the biochemical assay and structural information, especially its versatile outputs and functions beyond IFN induction. We also summarize the roles of STING in the pathogenesis of various diseases and highlight the development of small-molecular compounds targeting STING for disease treatment in combination with the latest research. Finally, we discuss the open questions imperative to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaohu Ouyang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Yalan Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Alexey Sarapultsev
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 620049, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Shanshan Luo
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Desheng Hu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, The Ministry of Education, 430022, Wuhan, China.
- Clinical Research Center of Cancer Immunotherapy, 430022, Hubei, Wuhan, China.
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28
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Jiang Y, Zhang J. Role of STING protein in breast cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 40:30. [PMID: 36460853 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01908-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most frequent causes of cancer related death worldwide, and despite the significant advances in therapeutic approaches, a significant proportion of patients succumb to metastasis and tumor recurrence. Breast cancer is an immunogenic cancer, and therefore, immunotherapy is considered a major therapeutic strategy. The survival rate has been increased significantly in HER2+ breast cancers after immunotherapy by monoclonal antibodies alone, or combined with chemical anti-cancer agents. Moreover, in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a number of novel agents called immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown optimal efficacy. The major hindrance in cancer immunotherapy is frequent development of resistance and cancer remission. cGAS-STING pathway has a key role in anti-cancer immunity as its downstream signals especially type I interferon (IFN) acts as a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Considering the roles of type I IFN in enhancing dendritic cells activity, promoting the functions of CD8+ T cells, and protecting the effector cells against apoptosis, the induction of cGAS-STING pathway demonstrated promising therapeutic effects against breast cancer, especially in triple negative breast cancers. In this review, we discuss the latest findings and the recent advances regarding the role of cGAS-STING pathway and its activation in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jiang
- Department of Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710000, China
| | - Juliang Zhang
- Department of Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710000, China.
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29
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ITGA2 induces STING expression in pancreatic cancer by inducing DNMT1 degradation. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:1421-1434. [PMID: 36331797 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00731-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2, also known as CD49b or VLA-2) is the alpha subunit of a transmembrane receptor for collagens and related proteins. Previously, we found that ITGA2 may regulate immune cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer by inducing PD-L1 expression. As yet, however, whether ITGA2 regulates immune cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer by other mechanisms remains unclear. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in ITGA2-silenced pancreatic cancer cells. Protein-protein interactions were detected via co-immunoprecipitation. The infiltration level of immune cells was assessed using an immunofluorescence staining assay. RESULTS We found that ITGA2 can activate the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and promote STING expression in pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, we found that ITGA2 induces DNMT1 degradation by disrupting the interaction between DNMT1 and Kindlin2 in pancreatic cancer cells. As a DNA methyltransferase, we found that DNMT1 overexpression induced by ITGA2 silencing significantly up-regulated the methylation level of the STING gene promoter. Finally, ITGA2 silencing combined with DNMT1 inhibitor treatment induced immune cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that ITGA2 induces STING expression by interacting with DNMT1 and inducing the degradation of DNMT1. ITGA2 silencing combined with DNMT1 inhibitor treatment may be a novel therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
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Zheng X, Ma H, Wang J, Huang M, Fu D, Qin L, Yin Q. Energy metabolism pathways in breast cancer progression: The reprogramming, crosstalk, and potential therapeutic targets. Transl Oncol 2022; 26:101534. [PMID: 36113343 PMCID: PMC9482139 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant tumor that seriously endangers health in women. BC, like other cancers, is accompanied by metabolic reprogramming. Among energy metabolism-related pathways, BC exhibits enhanced glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), glutamate metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism activities. These pathways facilitate the proliferation, growth and migration of BC cells. The progression of BC is closely related to the alterations in the activity or expression level of several metabolic enzymes, which are regulated by the intrinsic factors such as the key signaling and transcription factors. The metabolic reprogramming in the progression of BC is attributed to the aberrant expression of the signaling and transcription factors associated with the energy metabolism pathways. Understanding the metabolic mechanisms underlying the development of BC will provide a druggable potential for BC treatment and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewei Zheng
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Haodi Ma
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Mengjiao Huang
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Dongliao Fu
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Qinan Yin
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
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Sequera C, Grattarola M, Holczbauer A, Dono R, Pizzimenti S, Barrera G, Wangensteen KJ, Maina F. MYC and MET cooperatively drive hepatocellular carcinoma with distinct molecular traits and vulnerabilities. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:994. [PMID: 36433941 PMCID: PMC9700715 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05411-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced activation of the transcription factor MYC and of the receptor tyrosine kinase MET are among the events frequently occurring in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both genes individually act as drivers of liver cancer initiation and progression. However, their concomitant alteration in HCC has not been explored, nor functionally documented. Here, we analysed databases of five independent human HCC cohorts and found a subset of patients with high levels of MYC and MET (MYChigh/METhigh) characterised by poor prognosis. This clinical observation drove us to explore the functionality of MYC and MET co-occurrence in vivo, combining hydrodynamic tail vein injection for MYC expression in the R26stopMet genetic setting, in which wild-type MET levels are enhanced following the genetic deletion of a stop cassette. Results showed that increased MYC and MET expression in hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis even in the absence of pre-existing injuries associated with a chronic disease state. Intriguingly, ectopic MYC in MET tumours increases expression of the Mki67 proliferation marker, and switches them into loss of Afp, Spp1, Gpc3, Epcam accompanied by an increase in Hgma1, Vim, and Hep-Par1 levels. We additionally found a switch in the expression of specific immune checkpoints, with an increase in the Ctla-4 and Lag3 lymphocyte co-inhibitory responses, and in the Icosl co-stimulatory responses of tumour cells. We provide in vitro evidence on the vulnerability of some human HCC cell lines to combined MYC and MET targeting, which are otherwise resistant to single inhibition. Mechanistically, combined blockage of MYC and MET converts a partial cytostatic effect, triggered by individual blockage of MYC or MET, into a cytotoxic effect. Together, these findings highlight a subgroup of HCC characterised by MYChigh/METhigh, and document functional cooperativity between MYC and MET in liver tumorigenesis. Thus, the MYC-R26Met model is a relevant setting for HCC biology, patient classification and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Sequera
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Margherita Grattarola
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France ,grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Agnes Holczbauer
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Rosanna Dono
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Stefania Pizzimenti
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barrera
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Kirk J. Wangensteen
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Flavio Maina
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
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Gu Z, Yang J, Yang M, Deng Y, Jiao Y. Immunomodulatory effects of decitabine in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 129:191-198. [PMID: 36029945 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Decitabine (DAC), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, is typically used to reverse DNA methylation and is considered an epigenetic modifying drug. DNA methylation is crucial to the regulation of gene expression without altering genetic information. Our previous research showed that the DNA methylation levels of many immune-related genes changed after the pre-grafting condition in pearl production. In the present study, we evaluated the DNA methylation level and analyzed transcriptome, enzyme, and antimicrobial activities after DAC treatment to evaluate the effect of DAC on DNA methylation and immune system of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. Results showed that DAC significantly decreased the level of global DNA methylation in the hemocytes of the pearl oysters. Transcriptome analysis obtained 577 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and DAC treatment group. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the following pathways: "Relaxin signaling pathway," "Cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway," "Platelet activation," and "Peroxisome," and related genes were overexpressed after DAC treatment. DAC treatment resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, interleukin-17, phenol oxidase, tumor necrosis factor, and antimicrobial activity, compared with the control. These results suggested that DAC can alter DNA methylation level, activate immune-related genes, and improve the level of humoral immunity in pearl oysters, thereby increasing our understanding of the mechanism underlying DNA methylation in immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Gu
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Jingmiao Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Min Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Yuewen Deng
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yu Jiao
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
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A comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic dataset of triple-negative breast cancers. Sci Data 2022; 9:587. [PMID: 36153392 PMCID: PMC9509351 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular subtyping of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is essential for understanding the mechanisms and discovering actionable targets of this highly heterogeneous type of breast cancer. We previously performed a large single-center and multiomics study consisting of genomics, transcriptomics, and clinical information from 465 patients with primary TNBC. To facilitate reusing this unique dataset, we provided a detailed description of the dataset with special attention to data quality in this study. The multiomics data were generally of high quality, but a few sequencing data had quality issues and should be noted in subsequent data reuse. Furthermore, we reconduct data analyses with updated pipelines and the updated version of the human reference genome from hg19 to hg38. The updated profiles were in good concordance with those previously published in terms of gene quantification, variant calling, and copy number alteration. Additionally, we developed a user-friendly web-based database for convenient access and interactive exploration of the dataset. Our work will facilitate reusing the dataset, maximize the values of data and further accelerate cancer research. Measurement(s) | RNA expression profiling • whole-exome sequencing (WES) • somatic mutations • copy number alterations (CNAs) | Technology Type(s) | RNA sequencing • DNA sequencing • OncoScan CNV assay | Factor Type(s) | Intervention or procedure | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Homo sapiens | Sample Characteristic - Location | China |
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Liu X, Tao M. SSX2IP as a novel prognosis biomarker plays an important role in the development of breast cancer. Mol Cell Toxicol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-022-00273-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ribeiro R, Carvalho MJ, Goncalves J, Moreira JN. Immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: Insights into tumor immune landscape and therapeutic opportunities. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:903065. [PMID: 36060249 PMCID: PMC9437219 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.903065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a clinically aggressive subtype of breast cancer that represents 15-20% of breast tumors and is more prevalent in young pre-menopausal women. It is the subtype of breast cancers with the highest metastatic potential and recurrence at the first 5 years after diagnosis. In addition, mortality increases when a complete pathological response is not achieved. As TNBC cells lack estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, patients do not respond well to hormone and anti-HER2 therapies, and conventional chemotherapy remains the standard treatment. Despite efforts to develop targeted therapies, this disease continues to have a high unmet medical need, and there is an urgent demand for customized diagnosis and therapeutics. As immunotherapy is changing the paradigm of anticancer treatment, it arises as an alternative treatment for TNBC patients. TNBC is classified as an immunogenic subtype of breast cancer due to its high levels of tumor mutational burden and presence of immune cell infiltrates. This review addresses the implications of these characteristics for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. Herein, the role of immune gene signatures and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as biomarkers in TNBC is reviewed, identifying their application in patient diagnosis and stratification, as well as predictors of efficacy. The expression of PD-L1 expression is already considered to be predictive of response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy, but the challenges regarding its value as biomarker are described. Moreover, the rationales for different formats of immunotherapy against TNBC currently under clinical research are discussed, and major clinical trials are highlighted. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit, particularly in early-stage tumors and when administered in combination with chemotherapy, with several regimens approved by the regulatory authorities. The success of antibody-drug conjugates and research on other emerging approaches, such as vaccines and cell therapies, will also be addressed. These advances give hope on the development of personalized, more effective, and safe treatments, which will improve the survival and quality of life of patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ribeiro
- CNC—Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- iMed.ULisboa—Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra—University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria João Carvalho
- Univ Coimbra—University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
- CHUC—Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Department of Gynaecology, Coimbra, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra—University Clinic of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- iCBR—Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CACC—Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Goncalves
- iMed.ULisboa—Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Nuno Moreira
- CNC—Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Coimbra, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra—University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
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TRIM65 Promotes Malignant Cell Behaviors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Impairing the Stability of LATS1 Protein. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4374978. [PMID: 36035221 PMCID: PMC9402307 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4374978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
TNBC is a malignant tumor that easily relapses and metastasizes, with a poor prognosis in women. Ubiquitination plays a key role in promoting the tumor process. In various tumors, TRIM65 can affect malignant biological tumor behavior by ubiquitination of related proteins. We aimed to investigate TRIM65 expression in TNBC and whether it promotes malignant biological behavior in TNBC cells using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and transwell assays. Mechanically, we confirmed that TRIM65 promoted TNBC invasion and metastasis by ubiquitination of LATS1 protein through Co-IP, CHX, and endogenous ubiquitination experiments. The expression of TRIM65 was abnormally high and accelerated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-453 cells. In vivo animal experiments also revealed that TRIM65 accelerated TNBC cell proliferation. Mechanistically, TRIM65 degraded LATS1 protein expression through ubiquitination in the Co-IP, CHX, and endogenous ubiquitination experiments. Rescue assays confirmed that TRIM65 degraded LATS1 protein expression, accelerating the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of TNBC cells. Our results show that TRIM65 is upregulated in TNBC, and TRIM65 degrades LATS1 protein expression through ubiquitination and promotes malignant biological behavior in TNBC cells. TRIM65 may play an important role as a new oncogene in TNBC.
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Yang SC, Wang WY, Zhou JJ, Wu L, Zhang MJ, Yang QC, Deng WW, Sun ZJ. Inhibition of DNMT1 potentiates antitumor immunity in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109113. [PMID: 35944462 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, play crucial roles in the tumor. Epigenetic drugs like DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) inhibitors have been exhibited positive effects in cancer treatment. However, the role of DNMT1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is less clearly described. What is more, the effects on the immune microenvironment of DNMT1 have not become appreciated. In this research, we determine the expression levels of DNMT1 and the association of prognosis by analyzing human OSCC tissue microarrays. Two different types of immunocompetent mouse OSCC models were established to explore the effects of DNMT1 inhibitor on the tumor microenvironment(TME). We identified DNMT1 was highly expressed both in human and mouse OSCC tissues. The expression levels of DNMT1 was also correlated with the immunosuppressive molecules and tumor-promoter such as VISTA, PD-L1, B7-H4, and PAK2, indicating a worse prognosis. Of particular concern is that DNMT1 inhibition improved TME and delayed tumor growth by decreasing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and increasing tumor-infiltrating T cells. Our data suggests that DNMT1 play a key role in OSCC and has a possible immunotherapeutic marker treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Chen Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Wu-Yin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Wu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Meng-Jie Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Qi-Chao Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China
| | - Wei-Wei Deng
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China; Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China; Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 430079 Wuhan, China.
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Asim A, Kiani YS, Saeed MT, Jabeen I. Decoding the Role of Epigenetics in Breast Cancer Using Formal Modeling and Machine-Learning Methods. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:882738. [PMID: 35898303 PMCID: PMC9309526 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.882738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast carcinogenesis is known to be instigated by genetic and epigenetic modifications impacting multiple cellular signaling cascades, thus making its prevention and treatments a challenging endeavor. However, epigenetic modification, particularly DNA methylation-mediated silencing of key TSGs, is a hallmark of cancer progression. One such tumor suppressor gene (TSG) RUNX3 (Runt-related transcription factor 3) has been a new insight in breast cancer known to be suppressed due to local promoter hypermethylation mediated by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). However, the precise mechanism of epigenetic-influenced silencing of the RUNX3 signaling resulting in cancer invasion and metastasis remains inadequately characterized. In this study, a biological regulatory network (BRN) has been designed to model the dynamics of the DNMT1–RUNX3 network augmented by other regulators such as p21, c-myc, and p53. For this purpose, the René Thomas qualitative modeling was applied to compute the unknown parameters and the subsequent trajectories signified important behaviors of the DNMT1–RUNX3 network (i.e., recovery cycle, homeostasis, and bifurcation state). As a result, the biological system was observed to invade cancer metastasis due to persistent activation of oncogene c-myc accompanied by consistent downregulation of TSG RUNX3. Conversely, homeostasis was achieved in the absence of c-myc and activated TSG RUNX3. Furthermore, DNMT1 was endorsed as a potential epigenetic drug target to be subjected to the implementation of machine-learning techniques for the classification of the active and inactive DNMT1 modulators. The best-performing ML model successfully classified the active and least-active DNMT1 inhibitors exhibiting 97% classification accuracy. Collectively, this study reveals the underlined epigenetic events responsible for RUNX3-implicated breast cancer metastasis along with the classification of DNMT1 modulators that can potentially drive the perception of epigenetic-based tumor therapy.
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Combinatorial immunotherapies overcome MYC-driven immune evasion in triple negative breast cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3671. [PMID: 35760778 PMCID: PMC9237085 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Few patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors with complete and durable remissions being quite rare. Oncogenes can regulate tumor immune infiltration, however whether oncogenes dictate diminished response to immunotherapy and whether these effects are reversible remains poorly understood. Here, we report that TNBCs with elevated MYC expression are resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Using mouse models and patient data, we show that MYC signaling is associated with low tumor cell PD-L1, low overall immune cell infiltration, and low tumor cell MHC-I expression. Restoring interferon signaling in the tumor increases MHC-I expression. By combining a TLR9 agonist and an agonistic antibody against OX40 with anti-PD-L1, mice experience tumor regression and are protected from new TNBC tumor outgrowth. Our findings demonstrate that MYC-dependent immune evasion is reversible and druggable, and when strategically targeted, may improve outcomes for patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Seliger B, Massa C. Modulation of Lymphocyte Functions in the Microenvironment by Tumor Oncogenic Pathways. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883639. [PMID: 35663987 PMCID: PMC9160824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the broad application of different immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of solid as well as hematopoietic cancers, the efficacy of these therapies is still limited, with only a minority of patients having a long-term benefit resulting in an improved survival rate. In order to increase the response rates of patients to the currently available immunotherapies, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the intrinsic and/or extrinsic resistance to treatment is required. There exist increasing evidences that activation of different oncogenic pathways as well as inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) in tumor cells inhibit the immune cell recognition and influegnce the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thus leading to an impaired anti-tumoral immune response. A deeper understanding of the link between the tumor milieu and genomic alterations of TSGs and oncogenes is indispensable for the optimization of immunotherapies and to predict the patients’ response to these treatments. This review summarizes the role of different cancer-related, oncogene- and TSG-controlled pathways in the context of anti-tumoral immunity and response to different immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Immune Checkpoint Blockades in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Current State and Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051130. [PMID: 35625867 PMCID: PMC9138553 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) have revolutionized cancer treatment. Recent studies have revealed a subset of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to be considered as an immunogenic breast cancer subtype. Characteristics of TNBC, such as higher mutation rates and number of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, render the immunogenic phenotypes. Consequently, TNBCs have shown durable responses to ICBs such as atezolizumab and pembrolizumab in clinic. However, a significant number of TNBC patients do not benefit from these therapies, and mechanisms of resistance are poorly understood. Here, we review biomarkers that predict the responsiveness of TNBCs to ICB and recent advances in delineating molecular mechanisms of resistance to ICBs.
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Wu M, Huang Q, Xie Y, Wu X, Ma H, Zhang Y, Xia Y. Improvement of the anticancer efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade via combination therapy and PD-L1 regulation. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:24. [PMID: 35279217 PMCID: PMC8917703 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules are promising anticancer targets, among which therapeutic antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have been widely applied to cancer treatment in clinical practice and have great potential. However, this treatment is greatly limited by its low response rates in certain cancers, lack of known biomarkers, immune-related toxicity, innate and acquired drug resistance, etc. Overcoming these limitations would significantly expand the anticancer applications of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and improve the response rate and survival time of cancer patients. In the present review, we first illustrate the biological mechanisms of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints and their role in the healthy immune system as well as in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway inhibits the anticancer effect of T cells in the TME, which in turn regulates the expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 through multiple mechanisms. Several strategies have been proposed to solve the limitations of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, including combination therapy with other standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, other immunotherapies and even diet control. Downregulation of PD-L1 expression in the TME via pharmacological or gene regulation methods improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Surprisingly, recent preclinical studies have shown that upregulation of PD-L1 in the TME also improves the response and efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. Immunotherapy is a promising anticancer strategy that provides novel insight into clinical applications. This review aims to guide the development of more effective and less toxic anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qianrui Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Xuyi Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hongbo Ma
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yong Xia
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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43
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Gan Y, Li X, Han S, Liang Q, Ma X, Rong P, Wang W, Li W. The cGAS/STING Pathway: A Novel Target for Cancer Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 12:795401. [PMID: 35046953 PMCID: PMC8761794 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.795401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a DNA receptor, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) plays a crucial role in the immune system by recognizing abnormal DNA in the cytoplasm and activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. This signaling cascade reaction leads to an immune response produced by type I interferon and other immune mediators. Recent advances in research have enhanced our current understanding of the potential role of the cGAS/STING pathway in anticancer therapy; however, in some cases, chronic STING activation may promote tumorigenesis. The present review article discusses the biological mechanisms of the cGAS/STING pathway, its dichotomous role in tumors, and the latest advances with respect to STING agonists and antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gan
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuangze Han
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Liang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoqian Ma
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pengfei Rong
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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44
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Li J, Gao X, Zhang Z, Lai Y, Lin X, Lin B, Ma M, Liang X, Li X, Lv W, Lin Y, Zhang N. CircCD44 plays oncogenic roles in triple-negative breast cancer by modulating the miR-502-5p/KRAS and IGF2BP2/Myc axes. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:138. [PMID: 34696797 PMCID: PMC8543802 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01444-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging studies have revealed the potent functions of circRNAs in breast cancer tumorigenesis. However, the biogenesis, biofunction and mechanism of circRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are largely unknown. METHODS High-throughput RNA sequencing was applied to identify dysregulated circRNAs in TNBCs and paired normal tissues. RNA pulldown and luciferase assays were performed to investigate the interaction between circular CD44 (circCD44, also annotated as hsa_circ_0021735) and miR-502-5p. RNA pulldown and RIP assays were used to investigate the interaction between circCD44 and IGF2BP2. Cell viability, colony formation, migration/invasion assays and in vivo tumorigenesis were used to investigate circCD44 biological functions. RESULTS CircCD44 is an uncharacterized circRNA, which is highly expressed in TNBC, and its expression is negatively correlated with the prognosis of TNBC patients. CircCD44 promotes TNBC proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis at least partially by sponging miR-502-5p and interacting with IGF2BP2. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that overexpressed circCD44 promotes TNBC progression. CircCD44 is potentially a novel diagnostic and therapeutic marker for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinya Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhanqiang Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuanhui Lai
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xunxun Lin
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Maoguang Ma
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Liang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weiming Lv
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliate Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
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