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Takam Kamga P, Mayenga M, Sebane L, Costantini A, Julie C, Capron C, Parent F, Seferian A, Guettier C, Emile JF, Giroux Leprieur E. Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) signalling is predictive of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2024; 188:107447. [PMID: 38176297 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.107447] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers related to treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of macrophage-related markers assessed in plasma and tissue samples of patients with NSCLC undergoing ICI treatment. This bicentric study included a prospective cohort of 88 patients with advanced NSCLC who received first-line therapy with ICI (either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy) or chemotherapy alone (CT). Samples were collected from the patients at baseline and during follow-up. Plasma levels of CSF-1 and IL-34 were measured using ELISA, while expression levels of the macrophage receptors CD163 and CSF-1-R were evaluated using immunohistochemistry on lung biopsies. At baseline, the median plasma CSF-1 expression was higher in patients who did not respond to immunotherapy compared to those who responded (8898 pg/mL vs. 14031 pg/mL, p = 0.0005). Importantly, high CSF-1 levels at the initial assessment were associated with disease progression regardless of the treatment received. Furthermore, high CSF-1 levels were associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients receiving ICI therapy, but not in those treated with chemotherapy. There was no correlation between IL-34, CSF-1R, CD163 and therapeutic response. We observed in vitro that the activation of lymphocytes mediated by pembrolizumab was hindered by the treatment of PBMC with recombinant CSF-1, suggesting that CSF-1 creates a systemic immunosuppressive state that interferes with ICI treatment. In conclusion, baseline CSF-1 levels represent a potential predictive marker to ICI treatment in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Takam Kamga
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Marie Mayenga
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Louise Sebane
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Adrien Costantini
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; APHP - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Catherine Julie
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; APHP - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Department of Pathology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Claude Capron
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; APHP - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Department of Hematology Immunology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Florence Parent
- APHP - Hôpital Bicêtre, Department of Pulmonology, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Andrei Seferian
- APHP - Hôpital Bicêtre, Department of Pulmonology, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Catherine Guettier
- APHP - Hôpital Bicêtre, Department of Pathology, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jean-François Emile
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; APHP - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Department of Pathology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Etienne Giroux Leprieur
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, EA4340 BECCOH, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; APHP - Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Oncology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
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Feng M, Santhanam RK, Xing H, Zhou M, Jia H. Inhibition of γ-secretase/Notch pathway as a potential therapy for reversing cancer drug resistance. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:115991. [PMID: 38135129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115991] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of tumor drug resistance is complex and may involve stem cell maintenance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the activation of survival signaling pathways, transporter protein expression, and tumor microenvironment remodeling, all of which are linked to γ-secretase/Notch signaling. Increasing evidence has shown that the activation of the γ-secretase/Notch pathway is a key driver of cancer progression and drug resistance development and that γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) may be the most promising agents for reversing chemotherapy resistance of tumors by targeting the γ-secretase/Notch pathway. Here, we systematically summarize the roles in supporting γ-secretase/Notch activation-associated transformation of cancer cells into cancer stem cells, promotion of the EMT process, PI3K/Akt, MEK/ERK and NF-κB activation, enhancement of ABC transporter protein expression, and TME alteration in mediating tumor drug resistance. Subsequently, we analyze the mechanism of GSIs targeting the γ-secretase/Notch pathway to reverse tumor drug resistance and propose the outstanding advantages of GSIs in treating breast cancer drug resistance over other tumors. Finally, we emphasize that the development of GSIs for reversing tumor drug resistance is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Feng
- Science and Experimental Research Center of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China; Shenyang Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Ramesh Kumar Santhanam
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Huan Xing
- Science and Experimental Research Center of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Mingsheng Zhou
- Science and Experimental Research Center of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China; Shenyang Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Shenyang 110034, China.
| | - Hui Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China.
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Czerwonka A, Kałafut J, Nees M. Modulation of Notch Signaling by Small-Molecular Compounds and Its Potential in Anticancer Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4563. [PMID: 37760535 PMCID: PMC10526229 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184563] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is responsible for conveying messages between cells through direct contact, playing a pivotal role in tissue development and homeostasis. The modulation of Notch-related processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, viability, and cell fate, offer opportunities to better understand and prevent disease progression, including cancer. Currently, research efforts are mainly focused on attempts to inhibit Notch signaling in tumors with strong oncogenic, gain-of-function (GoF) or hyperactivation of Notch signaling. The goal is to reduce the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, interfere with neo-angiogenesis, increase chemosensitivity, potentially target cancer stem cells, tumor dormancy, and invasion, and induce apoptosis. Attempts to pharmacologically enhance or restore disturbed Notch signaling for anticancer therapies are less frequent. However, in some cancer types, such as squamous cell carcinomas, preferentially, loss-of-function (LoF) mutations have been confirmed, and restoring but not blocking Notch functions may be beneficial for therapy. The modulation of Notch signaling can be performed at several key levels related to NOTCH receptor expression, translation, posttranslational (proteolytic) processing, glycosylation, transport, and activation. This further includes blocking the interaction with Notch-related nuclear DNA transcription. Examples of small-molecular chemical compounds, that modulate individual elements of Notch signaling at the mentioned levels, have been described in the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (M.N.)
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Sun X, Liu X, Li Y, Shi X, Li Y, Tan R, Jiang Y, Sui X, Ge X, Xu H, Wang X, Fang X. Characteristics of Molecular Genetic Mutations and Their Correlation with Prognosis in Adolescent and Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Oncology 2023; 102:85-98. [PMID: 37437551 DOI: 10.1159/000531522] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and adults is poor, and recurrence is an important cause of their death. Changes of genetic information play a vital role in the pathogenesis and recurrence of ALL; however, the impact of molecular genetic mutations on disease diagnosis and prognosis remains unexplored. This study aimed to explore the frequency spectrum of gene mutations and their prognostic significance, along with the minimal residual disease (MRD) level and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), in adolescent and adult patients aged ≥15 years with ALL. METHODS The basic characteristics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, MRD level, treatment regimen, and survival outcome of patients with untreated ALL (≥15 years) were collected, and the correlation and survival analysis were performed using the SPSS 25.0 and R software. RESULTS This study included 404 patients, of which 147 were selected for next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS results revealed that 91.2% of the patients had at least one mutation, and 67.35% had multiple (≥2) mutations. NOTCH1, PHF6, RUNX1, PTEN, JAK3, TET2, and JAK1 were the most common mutations in T-ALL, whereas FAT1, TET2, NARS, KMT2D, FLT3, and RELN were the most common mutations in B-ALL. Correlation analysis revealed the mutation patterns, which were significantly different between T-ALL and B-ALL. In the prognostic analysis of 107 patients with B-ALL, multivariate analysis showed that the number of mutations ≥5 was an independent risk factor for overall survival and the RELN mutation was an independent poor prognostic factor for event-free survival. DISCUSSION The distribution of gene mutations and the co-occurrence and repulsion of mutant genes in patients with ALL were closely related to the immunophenotype of the patients. The number of mutations ≥5 and the RELN mutation were significantly associated with poor prognosis in adolescent and adult patients with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Sun
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China,
| | - Xiaoqian Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xue Shi
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yahan Li
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ran Tan
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yujie Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohui Sui
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xueling Ge
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongzhi Xu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaosheng Fang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Drug-tolerant persister B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.28.530540. [PMID: 36909619 PMCID: PMC10002708 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Reduced responsiveness of precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) to chemotherapy can be inferred when leukemia cells persist after 28 days of initial treatment. Survival of these long-term persister (LTP) / minimal residual disease (MRD) cells is partly due to bone marrow stromal cells that protect them under conditions of chemotherapy stress. We used RNA-seq to analyse BCP-ALL cells that survived a long-term, 30-day vincristine chemotherapy treatment while in co-culture with bone marrow stromal cells. RNAs of as many as 10% of the protein-encoding genes were differentially expressed. There was substantial overlap with genes associated with MRD cell persistence reported in other studies. The top pathway regulated in the LTP cells was that involving p53, a master regulator of a spectrum of responses relevant to drug resistance and cytotoxic drug exposure including control of autophagy. We tested a select number of genes for contribution to BCP-ALL cell survival using Cas9/CRISPR in a 2-step selection, initially for overall effect on cell fitness, followed by 21 days of exposure to vincristine. Many genes involved in autophagy and lysosomal function were found to contribute to survival both at steady-state and during drug treatment. We also identified MYH9, NCSTN and KIAA2013 as specific genes contributing to fitness of BCP-ALL cells. CD44 was not essential for growth under steady state conditions but was needed for survival of vincristine treatment. Finally, although the drug transporter ABCC1/MRP1 is not overexpressed in BCP-ALL, a functional gene was needed for DTP cells to survive treatment with vincristine. This suggests that addition of possible ABCC1 inhibitors during induction therapy could provide benefit in eradication of minimal residual disease in patients treated with a chemotherapy regimen that includes vincristine.
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Zhu S, Xing C, Li R, Cheng Z, Deng M, Luo Y, Li H, Zhang G, Sheng Y, Peng H, Wang Z. Proteomic profiling of plasma exosomes from patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11975. [PMID: 35831551 PMCID: PMC9279438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16282-4] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to comprehensively investigate the proteomic profile and underlying biological function of exosomal proteins associated with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exosomes were isolated from plasma samples collected from five patients with B-ALL and five healthy individuals, and their protein content was quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 342 differentially expressed proteins were identified in patients with B-ALL. The DEPs were mainly associated with protein metabolic processes and protein activity regulation and were significantly enriched in the Notch and autophagy pathways. Furthermore, we found that ADAM17 and ATG3 were upregulated in patients with B-ALL and enriched in the Notch and autophagy pathways, respectively. Further western blot analysis of exosomes collected from additional 18 patients with B-ALL and 10 healthy controls confirmed that both ADAM17 and ATG3 were overexpressed in exosomes derived from patients with B-ALL (p < 0.001). The areas under the curves of ADAM17 and ATG3 were 0.989 and 0.956, respectively, demonstrating their diagnostic potential. In conclusion, ADAM17 and ATG3 in plasma-derived exosomes may contribute to the progression of B-ALL by regulating the Notch and autophagy pathways. Hence, these proteins may represent valuable diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicong Zhu
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Cheng Xing
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruijuan Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhao Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingyang Deng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yunya Luo
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangsen Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yue Sheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongling Peng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Zhang J, Zeng L, Wang Y, Pan J, Li X, Feng B, Yang Q. Gene Mutations Related to Glucocorticoid Resistance in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:831229. [PMID: 35733807 PMCID: PMC9207762 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.831229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation between gene mutations and glucocorticoid resistance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS A total of 71 children with ALL admitted to our center between September 2019 and September 2021 were enrolled. DNA obtained from bone marrow or peripheral blood samples at initial diagnosis was used for genetic testing via whole exome sequencing. Meanwhile, patient clinical information was collected. Subsequently, the correlations of gene mutations with clinical features and glucocorticoid resistance were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 71 children enrolled, 61 (85.9%) had B-cell ALL (B-ALL) and 10 (14.1%) had T-cell ALL (T-ALL). The five genes with the highest mutation frequency in B-ALL were TTN (24.4%), FLT3 (14.6%), TP53 (14.6%), MUC16 (9.8%), and EPPK1 (9.8%). In contrast, those with the highest frequency in T-ALL were NOTCH1 (54.5%), FBXW7 (27.3%), TTN (27.3%), MUC16 (27.3%), and PHF6 (18.2%). Upon statistical analysis, TTN and NOTCH1 mutations were found to be associated with prednisone resistance. Further, TTN and MUC16 mutations were associated with a lower age at diagnosis, and NOTCH1 mutations were associated with T-ALL in female patients. Leukocyte counts and LDH levels did not differ based on the presence of any common gene mutation, and no association between these gene mutations and overall survival was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to demonstrate the association between TTN mutation and glucocorticoid resistance in ALL. Our findings could guide strategies for overcoming drug resistance and aid in the development of drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- JinFang Zhang
- Department of Paediatric Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - LingJi Zeng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - YuLian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - JianWei Pan
- Department of Paediatric Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - XingDong Li
- Department of Paediatric Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bei Feng
- Department of Paediatric Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan Yang
- Department of Paediatric Hematology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Zhdanovskaya N, Firrincieli M, Lazzari S, Pace E, Scribani Rossi P, Felli MP, Talora C, Screpanti I, Palermo R. Targeting Notch to Maximize Chemotherapeutic Benefits: Rationale, Advanced Strategies, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205106. [PMID: 34680255 PMCID: PMC8533696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Notch signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation in a context-dependent fashion both during embryonic development and in adult tissue homeostasis. Consistent with its pleiotropic physiological role, unproper activation of the signaling promotes or counteracts tumor pathogenesis and therapy response in distinct tissues. In the last twenty years, a wide number of studies have highlighted the anti-cancer potential of Notch-modulating agents as single treatment and in combination with the existent therapies. However, most of these strategies have failed in the clinical exploration due to dose-limiting toxicity and low efficacy, encouraging the development of novel agents and the design of more appropriate combinations between Notch signaling inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs with improved safety and effectiveness for distinct types of cancer. Abstract Notch signaling guides cell fate decisions by affecting proliferation, apoptosis, stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation depending on cell and tissue context. Given its multifaceted function during tissue development, both overactivation and loss of Notch signaling have been linked to tumorigenesis in ways that are either oncogenic or oncosuppressive, but always context-dependent. Notch signaling is critical for several mechanisms of chemoresistance including cancer stem cell maintenance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor-stroma interaction, and malignant neovascularization that makes its targeting an appealing strategy against tumor growth and recurrence. During the last decades, numerous Notch-interfering agents have been developed, and the abundant preclinical evidence has been transformed in orphan drug approval for few rare diseases. However, the majority of Notch-dependent malignancies remain untargeted, even if the application of Notch inhibitors alone or in combination with common chemotherapeutic drugs is being evaluated in clinical trials. The modest clinical success of current Notch-targeting strategies is mostly due to their limited efficacy and severe on-target toxicity in Notch-controlled healthy tissues. Here, we review the available preclinical and clinical evidence on combinatorial treatment between different Notch signaling inhibitors and existent chemotherapeutic drugs, providing a comprehensive picture of molecular mechanisms explaining the potential or lacking success of these combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Zhdanovskaya
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Mariarosaria Firrincieli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Lazzari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Eleonora Pace
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Pietro Scribani Rossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Claudio Talora
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Rocco Palermo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (R.P.)
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Xiu M, Zeng X, Shan R, Wen W, Li J, Wan R. Targeting Notch4 in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:7033-7045. [PMID: 34526819 PMCID: PMC8436177 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s315511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of Notch signaling is found in many cancers and is closely related to cancer progression. As an important Notch receptor, abnormal Notch4 expression affects several tumor-cell behaviors, including stemness, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, radio/chemoresistance and angiogenesis. In order to inhibit the oncogenic effects of Notch4 activation, several methods for targeting Notch4 signaling have been proposed. In this review, we summarize the known molecular mechanisms through which Notch4 affects cancer progression. Finally, we discuss potential Notch4-targeting therapeutic strategies as a reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Xiu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China.,Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Zeng
- Imaging Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Renfeng Shan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Renhua Wan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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Grant AH, Ayala-Marin YM, Mohl JE, Robles-Escajeda E, Rodriguez G, Dutil J, Kirken RA. The Genomic Landscape of a Restricted ALL Cohort from Patients Residing on the U.S./Mexico Border. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147345. [PMID: 34299796 PMCID: PMC8307122 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has identified unique biomarkers yielding new strategies in precision medicine for the treatment of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Hispanics show marked health disparities in ALL, often absent in clinical trials or cancer research. Thus, it is unknown whether Hispanics would benefit equally from curated data currently guiding precision oncology. Using whole-exome sequencing, nine ALL patients were screened for mutations within genes known to possess diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value. Genes mutated in Hispanic ALL patients from the borderland were mined for potentially pathogenic variants within clinically relevant genes. KRAS G12A was detected in this unique cohort and its frequency in Hispanics from the TARGET-ALL Phase II database was three-fold greater than that of non-Hispanics. STAT5B N642H was also detected with low frequency in Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals within TARGET. Its detection within this small cohort may reflect a common event in this demographic. Such variants occurring in the MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways may be contributing to Hispanic health disparities in ALL. Notable variants in ROS1, WT1, and NOTCH2 were observed in the ALL borderland cohort, with NOTCH2 C19W occurring most frequently. Further investigations on the pathogenicity of these variants are needed to assess their relevance in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Hernandez Grant
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (A.H.G.); (Y.M.A.-M.); (E.R.-E.); (G.R.)
| | - Yoshira Marie Ayala-Marin
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (A.H.G.); (Y.M.A.-M.); (E.R.-E.); (G.R.)
| | - Jonathon Edward Mohl
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;
| | - Elisa Robles-Escajeda
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (A.H.G.); (Y.M.A.-M.); (E.R.-E.); (G.R.)
| | - Georgialina Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (A.H.G.); (Y.M.A.-M.); (E.R.-E.); (G.R.)
| | - Julie Dutil
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology Division, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA;
| | - Robert Arthur Kirken
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (A.H.G.); (Y.M.A.-M.); (E.R.-E.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(915)-747-5536
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11
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Kuek V, Hughes AM, Kotecha RS, Cheung LC. Therapeutic Targeting of the Leukaemia Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6888. [PMID: 34206957 PMCID: PMC8267786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the conduct of uniform prospective clinical trials has led to improved remission rates and survival for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. However, high-risk patients continue to have inferior outcomes, where chemoresistance and relapse are common due to the survival mechanisms utilised by leukaemic cells. One such mechanism is through hijacking of the bone marrow microenvironment, where healthy haematopoietic machinery is transformed or remodelled into a hiding ground or "sanctuary" where leukaemic cells can escape chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity. The bone marrow microenvironment, which consists of endosteal and vascular niches, can support leukaemogenesis through intercellular "crosstalk" with niche cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts. Here, we summarise the regulatory mechanisms associated with leukaemia-bone marrow niche interaction and provide a comprehensive review of the key therapeutics that target CXCL12/CXCR4, Notch, Wnt/b-catenin, and hypoxia-related signalling pathways within the leukaemic niches and agents involved in remodelling of niche bone and vasculature. From a therapeutic perspective, targeting these cellular interactions is an exciting novel strategy for enhancing treatment efficacy, and further clinical application has significant potential to improve the outcome of patients with leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Kuek
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anastasia M. Hughes
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Rishi S. Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Laurence C. Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
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12
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Allen F, Maillard I. Therapeutic Targeting of Notch Signaling: From Cancer to Inflammatory Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649205. [PMID: 34124039 PMCID: PMC8194077 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the Notch signaling pathway has been investigated as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cancers, and more recently in the context of immune and inflammatory disorders. Notch is an evolutionary conserved pathway found in all metazoans that is critical for proper embryonic development and for the postnatal maintenance of selected tissues. Through cell-to-cell contacts, Notch orchestrates cell fate decisions and differentiation in non-hematopoietic and hematopoietic cell types, regulates immune cell development, and is integral to shaping the amplitude as well as the quality of different types of immune responses. Depriving some cancer types of Notch signals has been shown in preclinical studies to stunt tumor growth, consistent with an oncogenic function of Notch signaling. In addition, therapeutically antagonizing Notch signals showed preclinical potential to prevent or reverse inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and immune complications of life-saving procedures such allogeneic bone marrow and solid organ transplantation (graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection). In this review, we discuss some of these unique approaches, along with the successes and challenges encountered so far to target Notch signaling in preclinical and early clinical studies. Our goal is to emphasize lessons learned to provide guidance about emerging strategies of Notch-based therapeutics that could be deployed safely and efficiently in patients with immune and inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Allen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ivan Maillard
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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13
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Olivas-Aguirre M, Torres-López L, Pottosin I, Dobrovinskaya O. Overcoming Glucocorticoid Resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Repurposed Drugs Can Improve the Protocol. Front Oncol 2021; 11:617937. [PMID: 33777761 PMCID: PMC7991804 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.617937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a central component of multi-drug treatment protocols against T and B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which are used intensively during the remission induction to rapidly eliminate the leukemic blasts. The primary response to GCs predicts the overall response to treatment and clinical outcome. In this review, we have critically analyzed the available data on the effects of GCs on sensitive and resistant leukemic cells, in order to reveal the mechanisms of GC resistance and how these mechanisms may determine a poor outcome in ALL. Apart of the GC resistance, associated with a decreased expression of receptors to GCs, there are several additional mechanisms, triggered by alterations of different signaling pathways, which cause the metabolic reprogramming, with an enhanced level of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis resistance, and multidrug resistance. Due to all this, the GC-resistant ALL show a poor sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic protocols. We propose pharmacological strategies that can trigger alternative intracellular pathways to revert or overcome GC resistance. Specifically, we focused our search on drugs, which are already approved for treatment of other diseases and demonstrated anti-ALL effects in experimental pre-clinical models. Among them are some “truly” re-purposed drugs, which have different targets in ALL as compared to other diseases: cannabidiol, which targets mitochondria and causes the mitochondrial permeability transition-driven necrosis, tamoxifen, which induces autophagy and cell death, and reverts GC resistance through the mechanisms independent of nuclear estrogen receptors (“off-target effects”), antibiotic tigecycline, which inhibits mitochondrial respiration, causing energy crisis and cell death, and some anthelmintic drugs. Additionally, we have listed compounds that show a classical mechanism of action in ALL but are not used still in treatment protocols: the BH3 mimetic venetoclax, which inhibits the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, the hypomethylating agent 5-azacytidine, which restores the expression of the pro-apoptotic BIM, and compounds targeting the PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis. Accordingly, these drugs may be considered for the inclusion into chemotherapeutic protocols for GC-resistant ALL treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Olivas-Aguirre
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, University Center for Biomedical Research, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
| | - Liliana Torres-López
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, University Center for Biomedical Research, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
| | - Igor Pottosin
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, University Center for Biomedical Research, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
| | - Oxana Dobrovinskaya
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Ionic Transport Regulation, University Center for Biomedical Research, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
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14
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Takam Kamga P, Bazzoni R, Dal Collo G, Cassaro A, Tanasi I, Russignan A, Tecchio C, Krampera M. The Role of Notch and Wnt Signaling in MSC Communication in Normal and Leukemic Bone Marrow Niche. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:599276. [PMID: 33490067 PMCID: PMC7820188 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.599276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch and Wnt signaling are highly conserved intercellular communication pathways involved in developmental processes, such as hematopoiesis. Even though data from literature support a role for these two pathways in both physiological hematopoiesis and leukemia, there are still many controversies concerning the nature of their contribution. Early studies, strengthened by findings from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), have focused their investigation on the mutations in genes encoding for components of the pathways, with limited results except for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); in because in other leukemia the two pathways could be hyper-expressed without genetic abnormalities. As normal and malignant hematopoiesis require close and complex interactions between hematopoietic cells and specialized bone marrow (BM) niche cells, recent studies have focused on the role of Notch and Wnt signaling in the context of normal crosstalk between hematopoietic/leukemia cells and stromal components. Amongst the latter, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) play a pivotal role as multipotent non-hematopoietic cells capable of giving rise to most of the BM niche stromal cells, including fibroblasts, adipocytes, and osteocytes. Indeed, MSCs express and secrete a broad pattern of bioactive molecules, including Notch and Wnt molecules, that support all the phases of the hematopoiesis, including self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. Herein, we provide an overview on recent advances on the contribution of MSC-derived Notch and Wnt signaling to hematopoiesis and leukemia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Takam Kamga
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- EA4340-BCOH, Biomarker in Cancerology and Onco-Haematology, UVSQ, Université Paris Saclay, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giada Dal Collo
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Adriana Cassaro
- Hematology Unit, Department of Oncology, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Tanasi
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Russignan
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Tecchio
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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15
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Russignan A, Dal Collo G, Bagnato A, Tamassia N, Bugatti M, Belleri M, Lorenzi L, Borsi E, Bazzoni R, Gottardi M, Terragna C, Vermi W, Giacomini A, Presta M, Cassatella MA, Krampera M, Tecchio C. Targeting the Endothelin-1 Receptors Curtails Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in Multiple Myeloma. Front Oncol 2021; 10:600025. [PMID: 33489901 PMCID: PMC7820698 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.600025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors were recently found to mediate pro-survival functions in multiple myeloma (MM) cells in response to autocrine ET-1. This study investigated the effectiveness of macitentan, a dual ET-1 receptor antagonist, in MM treatment, and the mechanisms underlying its activities. Macitentan affected significantly MM cell (RPMI-8226, U266, KMS-12-PE) survival and pro-angiogenic cytokine release by down-modulating ET-1-activated MAPK/ERK and HIF-1α pathways, respectively. HIF-1α silencing abrogated the ET-1 mediated induction of genes encoding for pro-angiogenic cytokines such as VEGF-A, IL-8, Adrenomedullin, and ET-1 itself. Upon exposure to macitentan, MM cells cultured in the presence of the hypoxia-mimetic agent CoCl2, exogenous ET-1, or CoCl2 plus ET-1, down-regulated HIF-1α and the transcription and release of downstream pro-angiogenic cytokines. Consistently, macitentan limited significantly the basal pro-angiogenic activity of RPMI-8226 cells in chorioallantoic membrane assay. In xenograft mouse models, established by injecting NOG mice either via intra-caudal vein with U266 or subcutaneously with RPMI-8226 cells, macitentan reduced effectively the number of MM cells infiltrating bone marrow, and the size and microvascular density of subcutaneous MM tumors. ET-1 receptors targeting by macitentan represents an effective anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic therapeutic approach in preclinical settings of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Russignan
- Section of Hematology and Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giada Dal Collo
- Section of Hematology and Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Bagnato
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tamassia
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mirella Belleri
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Lorenzi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enrica Borsi
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), "L. and A. Seràgnoli", Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- Section of Hematology and Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Terragna
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), "L. and A. Seràgnoli", Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Krampera
- Section of Hematology and Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Tecchio
- Section of Hematology and Bone-Marrow Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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16
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Tamiro F, Weng AP, Giambra V. Targeting Leukemia-Initiating Cells in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4165-4173. [PMID: 33414170 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The concept that different leukemias are developmentally distinct and, like in normal hematopoiesis, generated by restricted populations of cells named leukemia-initiating cells (LIC), is becoming more established. These cancer stem-like cells have been assumed to have unique properties, including the capability of self-renewing and giving rise to "differentiated" or non-LICs that make up the whole tumor. Cell populations enriched with LIC activity have been characterized in different hematopoietic malignancies, including human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Related studies have also demonstrated that LICs are functionally distinct from bulk cells and modulated by distinct molecular signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms. Here we review several biological and clinical aspects related to LICs in ALL, including (i) immunophenotypic characterization of LIC-enriched subsets in human and mouse models of ALL, (ii) emerging therapeutics against regulatory signaling pathways involved in LIC progression and maintenance in T- and B-cell leukemias, (iii) novel epigenetic and age-related mechanisms of LIC propagation, and (iv) ongoing efforts in immunotherapy to eradicate LIC-enriched cell subsets in relapsed and refractory ALL cases. Current conventional treatments do not efficiently eliminate LICs. Therefore, innovative therapeutics that exclusively target LICs hold great promise for developing an effective cure for ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tamiro
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
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17
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Role of Notch Receptors in Hematologic Malignancies. Cells 2020; 10:cells10010016. [PMID: 33374160 PMCID: PMC7823720 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch receptors are single-pass transmembrane proteins that play a critical role in cell fate decisions and have been implicated in the regulation of many developmental processes. The human Notch family comprises of four receptors (Notch 1 to 4) and five ligands. Their signaling can regulate extremely basic cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation and death. Notch is also involved in hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, and increasing evidence suggests that these genes are involved and frequently deregulated in several human malignancies, contributing to cell autonomous activities that may be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive. It was recently proposed that Notch signaling could play an active role in promoting and sustaining a broad spectrum of lymphoid malignancies as well as mutations in Notch family members that are present in several disorders of T- and B-cells, which could be responsible for altering the related signaling. Therefore, different Notch pathway molecules could be considered as potential therapeutic targets for hematological cancers. In this review, we will summarize and discuss compelling evidence pointing to Notch receptors as pleiotropic regulators of hematologic malignancies biology, first describing the physiological role of their signaling in T- and B-cell development and homeostasis, in order to fully understand the pathological alterations reported.
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18
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Yuan XW, Yan TQ, Tong H. Effect of miR-515-5p on Proliferation and Drug Sensitivity of Retinoblastoma Cells. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:12087-12098. [PMID: 33262657 PMCID: PMC7700094 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s271165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common malignancy in children eyes. Aberrant microRNA (miR) expression is observed in many cancer cases. miR-515-5p is reported to be concerned with the course of many cancers. This study explores the role of miR-515-5p in proliferation and drug sensitivity of RB cells. Methods Human RB cell lines (WERI-RB1, SO-RB50 and Y79) and human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 were utilized in this study. Drug-resistant cells SO-RB50/VCR and SO-RB50/CBP were constructed for the following experiments. The expressions of miR-515-5p and Notch1 in RB cells were detected. Notch1 was significantly upregulated in RB cells while miR-515-5p was notably downregulated. Then, the binding relationship between miR-515-5p and Notch1 was predicted and verified. Results miR-515-5p negatively regulated Notch1 expression. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that overexpressed miR-515-5p inhibited RB cell proliferation and enhanced drug sensitivity. Functional rescue experiment suggested that miR-515-5p regulated RB cell proliferation and drug sensitivity via inhibiting Notch1 expression. Conclusion It could be concluded that overexpressed miR-515-5p suppressed proliferation and drug resistance of RB cells by targeting Notch1 expression, indicating that miR-515-5p might constitute a promising therapy target for RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wen Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan People's Hospital, Jinan City, Shandong Province 271199, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Qin Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan People's Hospital, Jinan City, Shandong Province 271199, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tai'an Central Hospital, Tai'an City, Shandong Province 271000, People's Republic of China
| | - Huilin Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Laoshan Branch of the Affifiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, People's Republic of China
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19
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Takam Kamga P, Dal Collo G, Cassaro A, Bazzoni R, Delfino P, Adamo A, Bonato A, Carbone C, Tanasi I, Bonifacio M, Krampera M. Small Molecule Inhibitors of Microenvironmental Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Enhance the Chemosensitivity of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092696. [PMID: 32967262 PMCID: PMC7565567 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported in Acute Myeloid leukemia, but little is known about its significance as a prognostic biomarker and drug target. In this study, we first evaluated the correlation between expression levels of Wnt molecules and clinical outcome. Then, we studied-in vitro and in vivo-the anti-leukemic value of combinatorial treatment between Wnt inhibitors and classic anti-leukemia drugs. Higher levels of β-catenin, Ser675-phospho-β-catenin and GSK-3α (total and Ser 9) were found in AML cells from intermediate or poor risk patients; nevertheless, patients presenting high activity of Wnt/β-catenin displayed shorter progression-free survival (PFS) according to univariate analysis. In vitro, many pharmacological inhibitors of Wnt signalling, i.e., LRP6 (Niclosamide), GSK-3 (LiCl, AR-A014418), and TCF/LEF (PNU-74654) but not Porcupine (IWP-2), significantly reduced proliferation and improved the drug sensitivity of AML cells cultured alone or in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. In vivo, PNU-74654, Niclosamide and LiCl administration significantly reduced the bone marrow leukemic burden acting synergistically with Ara-C, thus improving mouse survival. Overall, our study demonstrates the antileukemic role of Wnt/β-catenin inhibition that may represent a potential new therapeutics strategy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Takam Kamga
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
- EA4340-BCOH, Biomarker in Cancerology and Onco-Haematology, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Giada Dal Collo
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Doctor Molenwaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana Cassaro
- Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, 20162 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20146 Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Pietro Delfino
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Adamo
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Alice Bonato
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Tanasi
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Massimiliano Bonifacio
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (R.B.); (A.A.); (A.B.); (I.T.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-045-812-4420; Fax: +45-045-802-7488
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20
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Long J, Yang C, Zheng Y, Loughran P, Guang F, Li Y, Liao H, Scott MJ, Tang D, Billiar TR, Deng M. Notch signaling protects CD4 T cells from STING-mediated apoptosis during acute systemic inflammation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/39/eabc5447. [PMID: 32967837 PMCID: PMC7531880 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc5447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of T cell apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of acute systemic inflammation-induced immunosuppression, as seen in sepsis and trauma. However, the regulatory mechanisms of T cell apoptosis are unclear. Activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has been shown to induce T cell apoptosis. Notch was previously identified as the top negative regulator of STING in macrophages through a kinase inhibitor library screening. However, how Notch signaling regulates STING activation in T cells is unknown. Here, using a γ-secretase inhibitor to block Notch signaling, we found that Notch protected CD4 T cells from STING-mediated apoptosis during endotoxemia. Mechanistically, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) interacted with STING at the cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) binding domain and competed with CDN to inhibit STING activation. In conclusion, our data reveal a previously unidentified role of Notch in negative regulation of STING-mediated apoptosis in CD4 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Long
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
- Department of Surgery current visiting research scholar, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chenxuan Yang
- Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Surgery former visiting research scholar; 10/24/2016 to 7/27/2018, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yawen Zheng
- Department of Surgery current visiting research scholar, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Patricia Loughran
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Biological Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Fu Guang
- Department of Surgery current visiting research scholar, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
- Department of Surgery former visiting research scholar; 9/1/2018 to 1/31/2020, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hong Liao
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melanie J Scott
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Timothy R Billiar
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Meihong Deng
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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21
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Fernández-Sevilla LM, Valencia J, Flores-Villalobos MA, Gonzalez-Murillo Á, Sacedón R, Jiménez E, Ramírez M, Varas A, Vicente Á. The choroid plexus stroma constitutes a sanctuary for paediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the central nervous system. J Pathol 2020; 252:189-200. [PMID: 32686161 PMCID: PMC7540040 DOI: 10.1002/path.5510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite current central nervous system-directed therapies for childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, relapse at this anatomical site still remains a challenging issue. Few reports have addressed the study of the specific cellular microenvironments which can promote the survival, quiescence, and therefore chemoresistance of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells in the central nervous system. Herein, we showed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy that in xenotransplanted mice, leukaemic cells infiltrate the connective tissue stroma of the choroid plexus, the brain structure responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid. The ultrastructural study also showed that leukaemia cells are able to migrate through blood vessels located in the choroid plexus stroma. In short-term co-cultures, leukaemic cells established strong interactions with human choroid plexus fibroblasts, mediated by an increased expression of ITGA4 (VLA-4)/ITGAL (LFA-1) and their ligands VCAM1/ICAM1. Upon contact with leukaemia cells, human choroid plexus fibroblasts acquired a cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype, with an increased expression of α-SMA and vimentin as well as pro-inflammatory factors. Human choroid plexus fibroblasts also have the capacity to reduce the proliferative index of leukaemic blasts and promote their survival and chemoresistance to methotrexate and cytarabine. The inhibition of VLA-4/VCAM-1 interactions using anti-VLA-4 antibodies, and the blockade of Notch signalling pathway by using a γ-secretase inhibitor partially restored chemotherapy sensitivity of leukaemia cells. We propose that the choroid plexus stroma constitutes a sanctuary for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells in the central nervous system. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaris Valencia
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - África Gonzalez-Murillo
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Advanced Therapies Unit, Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Sacedón
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Jiménez
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Advanced Therapies Unit, Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Varas
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles Vicente
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Lejman M, Włodarczyk M, Zawitkowska J, Kowalczyk JR. Comprehensive chromosomal aberrations in a case of a patient with TCF3-HLF-positive BCP-ALL. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:58. [PMID: 32245383 PMCID: PMC7118981 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-0709-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of high-throughput analytical techniques has enabled the description of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) subtypes. The TCF3-HLF translocation is a very rare rearrangement in ALL that is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. The TCF3-HLF fusion gene in the described case resulted in the fusion of the homeobox-related gene of TCF3 to the leucine zipper domain of HLF. The TCF3-HLF fusion gene product acts as a transcriptional factor leading to the dedifferentiation of mature B lymphocytes into an immature state (lymphoid stem cells). This process initiates the formation of pre-leukaemic cells. Due to the rarity of this chromosomal aberration, only a few cases have been described in the literature. The advantage of this work is the presentation of an interesting case of clonal evolution of cancer cells and the cumulative implications (diagnostic and prognostic) of the patient’s genetic alterations. Case presentation This work presents a patient with diagnosed with TCF3-HLF-positive ALL. Moreover, the additional genetic alterations, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of ALL, were detected in this patient: deletion of a fragment from the long arm of chromosome 13 (13q12.2-q21.1) containing the RB1 gene, intragenic deletions within the PAX5 gene and NOTCH1 intragenic duplication. Conclusions A patient with coexistence of chromosomal alterations and the TCF3-HLF fusion has not yet been described. Identifying all these chromosomal aberrations at the time of diagnosis could be sufficient to determine the cumulative effects of the described deletions on the activity of other oncogenes or tumour suppressors, as well as on the clinical course of the disease. On the other hand, complex changes in the patient’s karyotype and clonal evolution of cancer cells call into question the effectiveness of experimental therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lejman
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Antoniego Gębali 6, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Monika Włodarczyk
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jerzy R Kowalczyk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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23
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Combined inhibition of Notch and FLT3 produces synergistic cytotoxic effects in FLT3/ITD + acute myeloid leukemia. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:21. [PMID: 32296014 PMCID: PMC7067872 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) are the most frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and predict a poor prognosis. FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) provide short-term clinical responses, but the long-term prognosis of FLT3/ITD+ AML patients remains poor. Notch signaling is important in numerous types of tumors. However, the role of Notch signaling in FLT3/ITD+ AML remains to be elucidated. In the current study, we found that Notch signaling was activated upon FLT3-TKI treatment in FLT3/ITD+ cell lines and primary cells. As Notch signaling can be blocked by γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), we examined the combinatorial antitumor efficacy of FLT3-TKIs and GSIs against FLT3/ITD+ AML and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. As a result, we observed synergistic cytotoxic effects, and the treatment preferentially reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in FLT3/ITD+ AML cell lines and in primary AML cells. Furthermore, the combination of FLT3-TKI and GSI eradicated leukemic cells and prolonged survival in an FLT3/ITD+ patient-derived xenograft AML model. Mechanistically, differential expression analysis suggested that CXCR3 may be partially responsible for the observed synergy, possibly through ERK signaling. Our findings suggest that combined therapies of FLT3-TKIs with GSI may be exploited as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat FLT3/ITD+ AML.
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24
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Dal Collo G, Adamo A, Gatti A, Tamellini E, Bazzoni R, Takam Kamga P, Tecchio C, Quaglia FM, Krampera M. Functional dosing of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease. Stem Cells 2020; 38:698-711. [PMID: 32064745 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Graft-vs-host-disease (GvHD) is currently the main complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Mortality and morbidity rates are particularly high, especially in steroid-refractory acute GvHD (aGvHD). Immune regulatory human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hMB-MSCs) represent a therapeutic approach to address this issue. Unfortunately, their effect is hardly predictable in vivo due to several variables, that is, MSC tissue origin, concentration, dose number, administration route and timing, and inflammatory status of the recipient. Interestingly, human bone marrow MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (hBM-MSC-EVs) display many of the hBM-MSC immunoregulatory properties due to their content in paracrine factors that greatly varies according to the collection method. In this study, we focused on the immunological characterization of hBM-MSC-EVs on their capability of inducing regulatory T-cells (T-regs) both in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model of aGvHD. We correlated these data with the aGvHD incidence and degree following hBM-MSC-EV intravenous administration. Thus, we first quantified the EV immunomodulation in vitro in terms of EV immunomodulatory functional unit (EV-IFU), that is, the lowest concentration of EVs leading in vitro to at least threefold increase of the T-regs compared with controls. Second, we established the EV therapeutic dose in vivo (EV-TD) corresponding to 10-fold the in vitro EV-IFU. According to this approach, we observed a significant improvement of both mouse survival and control of aGvHD onset and progression. This study confirms that EVs may represent an alternative to whole MSCs for aGvHD prevention, once the effective dose is reproducibly identified according to EV-IFU and EV-TD definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Dal Collo
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Annalisa Adamo
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gatti
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Edoardo Tamellini
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paul Takam Kamga
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,EA4340-BCOH, Biomarker in Cancerology and Onco-Haematology, UVSQ, Université Paris Saclay, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Cristina Tecchio
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Maria Quaglia
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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25
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Meyer LK, Hermiston ML. The bone marrow microenvironment as a mediator of chemoresistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:1164-1177. [PMID: 35582273 PMCID: PMC9019215 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy of immature lymphoid cells that arises due to clonal expansion of cells that undergo developmental arrest and acquisition of pathogenic mutations. With the introduction of intensive multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimens, survival rates for ALL have improved dramatically over the past several decades, though survival rates for adult ALL continue to lag behind those of pediatric ALL. Resistance to chemotherapy remains a significant obstacle in the treatment of ALL, and chemoresistance due to molecular alterations within ALL cells have been described. In addition to these cell-intrinsic factors, the bone marrow microenvironment has more recently been appreciated as a cell-extrinsic mediator of chemoresistance, and it is now known that stromal cells within the bone marrow microenvironment, through direct cell-cell interactions and through the release of lymphoid-acting soluble factors, contribute to ALL pathogenesis and chemoresistance. This review discusses mechanisms of chemoresistance mediated by factors within the bone marrow microenvironment and highlights novel therapeutic strategies that have been investigated to overcome chemoresistance in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K. Meyer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, SF 94158, USA
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26
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Takam Kamga P, Collo GD, Resci F, Bazzoni R, Mercuri A, Quaglia FM, Tanasi I, Delfino P, Visco C, Bonifacio M, Krampera M. Notch Signaling Molecules as Prognostic Biomarkers for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1958. [PMID: 31817634 PMCID: PMC6966525 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of Notch signaling in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still under investigation. We have previously shown that high levels of Notch receptors and ligands could interfere with drug response. In this study, the protein expression of 79 AML blast samples collected from newly diagnosed patients was examined through flow cytometry. Gamma-secretase inhibitors were used in AML mouse xenograft models to evaluate the contribution of Notch pharmacological inhibition to mouse survival. We used univariate analysis for testing the correlation and/or association between protein expression and well-known prognostics markers. All the four receptors (Notch1-4) and some ligands (Jagged2, DLL-3) were highly expressed in less mature subtypes (M0-M1). Notch3, Notch4, and Jagged2 were overexpressed in an adverse cytogenetic risk group compared to good cytogenetic risk patients. Chi-square analysis revealed a positive association between the complete remission rate after induction therapy and weak expression of Notch2 and Notch3. We also found an association between low levels of Notch4 and Jagged2 and three-year remission following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Accordingly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed improved OS for patients lacking significant expression of Notch4, Jagged2, and DLL3. In vivo experiments in an AML mouse model highlighted both improved survival and a significant reduction of leukemia cell burden in the bone marrow of mice treated with the combination of Notch pan-inhibitors (GSIs) plus chemotherapy (Ara-C). Our results suggest that Notch can be useful as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Takam Kamga
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
- EA4340-BCOH, Biomarker in Cancerology and Onco-Haematology, UVSQ, Université Paris Saclay, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Giada Dal Collo
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Federica Resci
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Angela Mercuri
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Francesca Maria Quaglia
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Ilaria Tanasi
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Pietro Delfino
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Carlo Visco
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Massimiliano Bonifacio
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi., P.le L. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (P.T.K.); (G.D.C.); (F.R.); (R.B.); (A.M.); (F.M.Q.); (I.T.); (C.V.); (M.B.)
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27
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Colombo M, Garavelli S, Mazzola M, Platonova N, Giannandrea D, Colella R, Apicella L, Lancellotti M, Lesma E, Ancona S, Palano MT, Barbieri M, Taiana E, Lazzari E, Basile A, Turrini M, Pistocchi A, Neri A, Chiaramonte R. Multiple myeloma exploits Jagged1 and Jagged2 to promote intrinsic and bone marrow-dependent drug resistance. Haematologica 2019; 105:1925-1936. [PMID: 31582544 PMCID: PMC7327642 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.221077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is still incurable due to an intrinsic aggressiveness or, more frequently, to the interactions of malignant plasma cells with the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Myeloma cells educate BM cells to support neoplastic cell growth, survival, acquisition of drug resistance resulting in disease relapse. Myeloma microenvironment is characterized by Notch signaling hyperactivation due to the increased expression of Notch1 and 2 and the ligands Jagged1 and 2 in tumor cells. Notch activation influences myeloma cell biology and promotes the reprogramming of BM stromal cells. In this work we demonstrate, in vitro, ex vivo and by using a zebrafish multiple myeloma model, that Jagged inhibition causes a decrease in both myeloma-intrinsic and stromal cell-induced resistance to currently used drugs, i.e. bortezomib, lenalidomide and melphalan. The molecular mechanism of drug resistance involves the chemokine system CXCR4/SDF1α. Myeloma cell-derived Jagged ligands trigger Notch activity in BM stromal cells. These, in turn, secrete higher levels of SDF1α in the BM microenvironment increasing CXCR4 activation in myeloma cells, which is further potentiated by the concomitant increased expression of this receptor induced by Notch activation. Consistently with the augmented pharmacological resistance, SDF1α boosts the expression of BCL2, Survivin and ABCC1. These results indicate that a Jagged-tailored approach may contribute to disrupting the pharmacological resistance due to intrinsic myeloma cell features or to the pathological interplay with BM stromal cells and, conceivably, improve patients' response to standard-of-care therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Colombo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Silvia Garavelli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Mara Mazzola
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Natalia Platonova
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | | | - Raffaella Colella
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Luana Apicella
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | | | - Elena Lesma
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Silvia Ancona
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | | | - Marzia Barbieri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano.,Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano
| | - Elisa Taiana
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano.,Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano
| | - Elisa Lazzari
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Andrea Basile
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Mauro Turrini
- Department of Hematology, Division of Medicine, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
| | - Anna Pistocchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano
| | - Antonino Neri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano.,Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano
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28
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Notch/CXCR4 Partnership in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Progression. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:5601396. [PMID: 31346528 PMCID: PMC6620846 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5601396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer among children. Recent advances in chemotherapy have made ALL a curable hematological malignancy. In children, there is 25% chance of disease relapse, typically in the central nervous system. While in adults, there is a higher chance of relapse. ALL may affect B-cell or T-cell lineages. Different genetic alterations characterize the two ALL forms. Deregulated Notch, either Notch1 or Notch3, and CXCR4 receptor signaling are involved in ALL disease development and progression. By analyzing their relevant roles in the pathogenesis of the two ALL forms, new molecular mechanisms able to modulate cancer cell invasion may be visualized. Notably, the partnership between Notch and CXCR4 may have considerable implications in understanding the complexity of T- and B-ALL. These two receptor pathways intersect other critical signals in the proliferative, differentiation, and metabolic programs of lymphocyte transformation. Also, the identification of the crosstalks in leukemia-stroma interaction within the tumor microenvironment may unveil new targetable mechanisms in disease relapse. Further studies are required to identify new challenges and opportunities to develop more selective and safer therapeutic strategies in ALL progression, possibly contributing to improve conventional hematological cancer therapy.
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Colombo M, Platonova N, Giannandrea D, Palano MT, Basile A, Chiaramonte R. Re-establishing Apoptosis Competence in Bone Associated Cancers via Communicative Reprogramming Induced Through Notch Signaling Inhibition. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:145. [PMID: 30873026 PMCID: PMC6400837 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch and its ligands on adjacent cells are key mediators of cellular communication during developmental choice in embryonic and adult tissues. This communication is frequently altered in the pathological interaction between cancer cells and healthy cells of the microenvironment due to the aberrant expression of tumor derived Notch receptors or ligands, that results in homotypic or heterotypic Notch signaling activation in tumor cells or surrounding stromal cells. A deadly consequence of this pathological communication is pharmacological resistance that results in patient's relapse. We will provide a survey of the role of Notch signaling in the bone marrow (BM), a microenvironment with a very high capacity to support several types of cancer, including primary cancers such as osteosarcoma or multiple myeloma and bone metastases from carcinomas. Moreover, in the BM niche several hematological malignancies maintain a reservoir of cancer stem cells, characterized by higher intrinsic drug resistance. Cell-cell communication in BM-tumor interaction triggers signaling pathways by direct contact and paracrine communication through soluble growth factors or extracellular vesicles, which can deliver specific molecules such as mRNAs, miRNAs, proteins, metabolites, etc. enabling tumor cells to reprogram the healthy cells of the microenvironment inducing them to support tumor growth. In this review we will explore how the dysregulated Notch activity contributes to tumor-mediated reprogramming of the BM niche and drug resistance, strengthening the rationale of a Notch-directed therapy to re-establish apoptosis competence in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Colombo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Basile
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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