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Sahu S, Poplawska M, Lim SH, Dutta D. CRISPR-based precision medicine for hematologic disorders: Advancements, challenges, and prospects. Life Sci 2023; 333:122165. [PMID: 37832631 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of programmable nucleases to introduce defined alterations in genomic sequences has been a powerful tool for precision medicine. While several nucleases such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN), transcriptor activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN), and meganucleases have been explored, the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized the field of genome engineering. In addition to disease modeling, the CRISPR/Cas9 technology has contributed to safer and more effective treatment strategies for hematologic diseases and personalized T-cell-based therapies. Here we discuss the applications of the CRISPR technology in the treatment of hematologic diseases, their efficacy, and ongoing clinical trials. We examine the obstacles to their successful use and the approaches investigated to overcome these challenges. Finally, we provide our perspectives to improve this genome editing tool for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sounak Sahu
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 32-04, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Maria Poplawska
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Seah H Lim
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Dibyendu Dutta
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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Mumblat H, Martinez-Conde A, Braten O, Munster M, Dor-On E, Schneiderman RS, Porat Y, Voloshin T, Davidi S, Blatt R, Shteingauz A, Tempel-Brami C, Zeevi E, Lajterer C, Shmueli Y, Danilov S, Haber A, Giladi M, Weinberg U, Kinzel A, Palti Y. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) downregulate the Fanconi Anemia-BRCA pathway and increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma preclinical models. Lung Cancer 2021; 160:99-110. [PMID: 34482104 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are low intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields with antimitotic effects on cancerous cells. TTFields concomitant with pemetrexed and a platinum agent are approved in the US and EU as first line therapy for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The goal of the current study was to characterize the mechanism of action of TTFields in MPM cell lines and animal models. METHODS Human MPM cell lines MSTO-211H and NCI-H2052 were treated with TTFields to determine the frequency that elicits maximal cytotoxicity. The effect of TTFields on DNA damage and repair, and the cytotoxic effect of TTFields in combination with cisplatin and/or pemetrexed were examined. Efficacy of TTFields concomitant with cisplatin and pemetrexed was evaluated in orthotopic IL-45 and subcutaneous RN5 murine models. RESULTS TTFields at a frequency of 150 kHz demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity to MPM cells. Application of 150 kHz TTFields resulted in increased formation of DNA double strand breaks, elevated expression of DNA damage induced cell cycle arrest proteins, and reduced expression of Fanconi Anemia (FA)-BRCA DNA repair pathway proteins. Co-treatment of TTFields with cisplatin or pemetrexed significantly increased treatment efficacy versus each modality alone, with additivity and synergy exhibited by the TTFields-pemetrexed and TTFields-cisplatin combinations, respectively. In animal models, tumor volume was significantly lower for the TTFields-cisplatin-pemetrexed combination compared to control, accompanied by increased DNA damage within the tumor. CONCLUSION This research demonstrated that the efficacy of TTFields for the treatment of MPM is associated with reduced expression of FA-BRCA pathway proteins and increased DNA damage. This mechanism of action is consistent with the observed synergism for TTFields-cisplatin vs additivity for TTFields-pemetrexed, as cisplatin-induced DNA damage is repaired via the FA-BRCA pathway.
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3
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Urbina-Jara LK, Rojas-Martinez A, Martinez-Ledesma E, Aguilar D, Villarreal-Garza C, Ortiz-Lopez R. Landscape of Germline Mutations in DNA Repair Genes for Breast Cancer in Latin America: Opportunities for PARP-Like Inhibitors and Immunotherapy. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E786. [PMID: 31658756 PMCID: PMC6827033 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) genes are present in about 50% of cases of hereditary breast cancer. Proteins encoded by these genes are key players in DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR). Advances in next generation sequencing and gene panels for breast cancer testing have generated a large amount of data on gene variants implicated in hereditary breast cancer, particularly in genes such as PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, RAD51, MSH2, and BARD1. These genes are involved in DNA repair. Most of these variants have been reported for Caucasian, Jewish, and Asian population, with few reports for other communities, like those in Latin American (LA) countries. We reviewed 81 studies from 11 LA countries published between 2000 and 2019 but most of these studies focused on BRCA1/2 genes. In addition to these genes, breast cancer-related variants have been reported for PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, BARD1, MLH1, BRIP1, MSH2, NBN, MSH6, and PMS2 genes. Some of these variants are unique to LA populations. This analysis may contribute to enhance breast cancer variant characterization, and thus to find therapies and implement precision medicine for LA communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Keren Urbina-Jara
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64710, Mexico.
| | - Augusto Rojas-Martinez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64710, Mexico.
| | | | - Dione Aguilar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64710, Mexico.
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centro de Cancer de Mama, Hospital Zambrano Hellion, San Pedro Garza Garcia 66278, Mexico.
| | - Cynthia Villarreal-Garza
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centro de Cancer de Mama, Hospital Zambrano Hellion, San Pedro Garza Garcia 66278, Mexico.
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Departamento de Investigacion, Av. San Fernando #22, Tlalpan, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico.
| | - Rocio Ortiz-Lopez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64710, Mexico.
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4
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Wang C, Li D, Zhang L, Jiang S, Liang J, Narita Y, Hou I, Zhong Q, Zheng Z, Xiao H, Gewurz BE, Teng M, Zhao B. RNA Sequencing Analyses of Gene Expression during Epstein-Barr Virus Infection of Primary B Lymphocytes. J Virol 2019; 93:e00226-19. [PMID: 31019051 PMCID: PMC6580941 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00226-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of human primary resting B lymphocytes (RBLs) leads to the establishment of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) that can grow indefinitely in vitro EBV transforms RBLs through the expression of viral latency genes, and these genes alter host transcription programs. To globally measure the transcriptome changes during EBV transformation, primary human resting B lymphocytes (RBLs) were infected with B95.8 EBV for 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and poly(A) plus RNAs were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) found 3,669 protein-coding genes that were differentially expressed (false-discovery rate [FDR] < 0.01). Ninety-four percent of LCL genes that are essential for LCL growth and survival were differentially expressed. Pathway analyses identified a significant enrichment of pathways involved in cell proliferation, DNA repair, metabolism, and antiviral responses. RNA-seq also identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) differentially expressed during EBV infection. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) found that CYTOR and NORAD lncRNAs were important for LCL growth. During EBV infection, type III EBV latency genes were expressed rapidly after infection. Immediately after LCL establishment, EBV lytic genes were also expressed in LCLs, and ∼4% of the LCLs express gp350. Chromatin immune precipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) and POLR2A chromatin interaction analysis followed by paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET) data linked EBV enhancers to 90% of EBV-regulated genes. Many genes were linked to enhancers occupied by multiple EBNAs or NF-κB subunits. Incorporating these assays, we generated a comprehensive EBV regulome in LCLs.IMPORTANCE Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immortalization of resting B lymphocytes (RBLs) is a useful model system to study EBV oncogenesis. By incorporating transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), chromatin immune precipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-seq), chromatin interaction analysis followed by paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET), and genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) screen, we identified key pathways that EBV usurps to enable B cell growth and transformation. Multiple layers of regulation could be achieved by cooperations between multiple EBV transcription factors binding to the same enhancers. EBV manipulated the expression of most cell genes essential for lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) growth and survival. In addition to proteins, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulated by EBV also contributed to LCL growth and survival. The data presented in this paper not only allowed us to further define the molecular pathogenesis of EBV but also serve as a useful resource to the EBV research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Difei Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sizun Jiang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jun Liang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yohei Narita
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isabella Hou
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qian Zhong
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zeguang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Benjamin E Gewurz
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mingxiang Teng
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Bo Zhao
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Heczkova M, Machackova E, Macinga P, Gallmeier E, Cahova M, Spicak J, Jirsa M, Foretova L, Hucl T. Functional evaluation of variants of unknown significance in the BRCA2 gene identified in genetic testing. Cancer Biol Ther 2019; 20:633-641. [PMID: 30638113 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1550566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous germline BRCA2 mutations predispose to breast, ovarian, pancreatic and other types of cancer. The presence of a pathogenic mutation in patients or their family members warrants close surveillance or prophylactic surgery. Besides clearly pathogenic mutations, variants leading only to a single amino acid substitution are often identified. The influence of such variants on cancer risk is often unknown, making their presence a major clinical problem. When genetic methods are insufficient to classify these variants, functional assays with various cellular models are performed. We developed and applied a new syngeneic model of human cancer cells to test all variants of unknown significance in exon 18 identified by genetic testing of high-risk cancer patients in the Czech Republic, via introduction of constructs containing each of these variants into the wild-type allele of BRCA2-heterozygous DLD1 cells (BRCA2wt/Δex11). We found unaffected DNA repair function of BRCA2 in cell lines BRCA27997G>C/Δex11, BRCA28111C>T/Δex11, BRCA28149G>T/Δex11, BRCA28182G>A/Δex11, and BRCA28182G>T/Δex11, whereas the cell line BRCA28168A>G/Δex11 and the nonsense mutation carrying line BRCA28305G>T/Δex11 did affect protein function. Targeting the BRCA2 wild-type allele with a construct carrying the variant c.7988A> G resulted in incorporation exclusively into the already defective allele in all viable clones, strongly suggesting a detrimental phenotype. Our model thus offers a valuable tool for the functional evaluation of unclassified variants in the BRCA2 gene and provides a stable and distributable cellular resource for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Heczkova
- a Center for Experimental Medicine , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Eva Machackova
- b Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics , Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Peter Macinga
- c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Eike Gallmeier
- d Department of Internal Medicine , Philipps University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Monika Cahova
- a Center for Experimental Medicine , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Julius Spicak
- c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Milan Jirsa
- a Center for Experimental Medicine , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Foretova
- b Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics , Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Hucl
- a Center for Experimental Medicine , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic.,c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
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6
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Chand SN, Zarei M, Schiewer MJ, Kamath AR, Romeo C, Lal S, Cozzitorto JA, Nevler A, Scolaro L, Londin E, Jiang W, Meisner-Kober N, Pishvaian MJ, Knudsen KE, Yeo CJ, Pascal JM, Winter JM, Brody JR. Posttranscriptional Regulation of PARG mRNA by HuR Facilitates DNA Repair and Resistance to PARP Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2017; 77:5011-5025. [PMID: 28687616 PMCID: PMC5663502 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) rely on the mRNA stability factor HuR (ELAV-L1) to drive cancer growth and progression. Here, we show that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated silencing of the HuR locus increases the relative sensitivity of PDAC cells to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). PDAC cells treated with PARPi stimulated translocation of HuR from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, specifically promoting stabilization of a new target, poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) mRNA, by binding a unique sequence embedded in its 3' untranslated region. HuR-dependent upregulation of PARG expression facilitated DNA repair via hydrolysis of polyADP-ribose on related repair proteins. Accordingly, strategies to inhibit HuR directly promoted DNA damage accumulation, inefficient PAR removal, and persistent PARP-1 residency on chromatin (PARP-1 trapping). Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the PARP-1 protein binds and posttranslationally modifies HuR in PARPi-treated PDAC cells. In a mouse xenograft model of human PDAC, PARPi monotherapy combined with targeted silencing of HuR significantly reduced tumor growth compared with PARPi therapy alone. Our results highlight the HuR-PARG axis as an opportunity to enhance PARPi-based therapies. Cancer Res; 77(18); 5011-25. ©2017 AACR.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Nucleus/drug effects
- Cell Nucleus/genetics
- Cell Proliferation
- DNA Damage/drug effects
- DNA Damage/genetics
- DNA Repair/drug effects
- DNA Repair/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- ELAV-Like Protein 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- ELAV-Like Protein 1/genetics
- ELAV-Like Protein 1/metabolism
- Female
- Glycoside Hydrolases/genetics
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/chemistry
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Up-Regulation
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Pancreatic Neoplasms
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Affiliation(s)
- Saswati N Chand
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mahsa Zarei
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew J Schiewer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Akshay R Kamath
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carmella Romeo
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shruti Lal
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph A Cozzitorto
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avinoam Nevler
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura Scolaro
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric Londin
- Computational Medicine Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Michael J Pishvaian
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Karen E Knudsen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles J Yeo
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John M Pascal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jordan M Winter
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery, The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Inactivation of BRCA2 in human cancer cells identifies a subset of tumors with enhanced sensitivity towards death receptor-mediated apoptosis. Oncotarget 2017; 7:9477-90. [PMID: 26843614 PMCID: PMC4891053 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose DNA repair defects due to detrimental BRCA2-mutations confer increased susceptibility towards DNA interstrand-crosslinking (ICL) agents and define patient subpopulations for individualized genotype-based cancer therapy. However, due to the side effects of these drugs, there is a need to identify additional agents, which could be used alone or in combination with ICL-agents. Therefore, we investigated whether BRCA2-mutations might also increase the sensitivity towards TRAIL-receptors (TRAIL-R)-targeting compounds. Experimental design Two independent model systems were applied: a BRCA2 gene knockout and a BRCA2 gene complementation model. The effects of TRAIL-R-targeting compounds and ICL-agents on cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were compared in BRCA2-proficient versus-deficient cancer cells in vitro. In addition, the effects of the TRAIL-R2-targeting antibody LBY135 were assessed in vivo using a murine tumor xenograft model. Results BRCA2-deficient cancer cells displayed an increased sensitivity towards TRAIL-R-targeting agents. These effects exceeded and were mechanistically distinguishable from the well-established effects of ICL-agents. In vitro, ICL-agents expectedly induced an early cell cycle arrest followed by delayed apoptosis, whereas TRAIL-R-targeting compounds caused early apoptosis without prior cell cycle arrest. In vivo, treatment with LBY135 significantly reduced the tumor growth of BRCA2-deficient cancer cells in a xenograft model. Conclusions BRCA2 mutations strongly increase the in vitro- and in vivo-sensitivity of cancer cells towards TRAIL-R-mediated apoptosis. This effect is mechanistically distinguishable from the well-established ICL-hypersensitivity of BRCA2-deficient cells. Our study thus defines a new genetic subpopulation of cancers susceptible towards TRAIL-R-targeting compounds, which could facilitate novel therapeutic approaches for patients with BRCA2-deficient tumors.
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8
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Wang GZ, Liu YQ, Cheng X, Zhou GB. Celastrol induces proteasomal degradation of FANCD2 to sensitize lung cancer cells to DNA crosslinking agents. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:902-8. [PMID: 25891850 PMCID: PMC4520643 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway plays a key role in interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair and maintenance of the genomic stability, while inhibition of this pathway may sensitize cancer cells to DNA ICL agents and ionizing radiation (IR). The active FA core complex acts as an E3 ligase to monoubiquitinate FANCD2, which is a functional readout of an activated FA pathway. In the present study, we aimed to identify FANCD2-targeting agents, and found that the natural compound celastrol induced degradation of FANCD2 through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. We demonstrated that celastrol downregulated the basal and DNA damaging agent-induced monoubiquitination of FANCD2, followed by proteolytic degradation of the substrate. Furthermore, celastrol treatment abrogated the G2 checkpoint induced by IR, and enhanced the ICL agent-induced DNA damage and inhibitory effects on lung cancer cells through depletion of FANCD2. These results indicate that celastrol is a FANCD2 inhibitor that could interfere with the monoubiquitination and protein stability of FANCD2, providing a novel opportunity to develop FA pathway inhibitor and combinational therapy for malignant neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Zhen Wang
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy for Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Liu
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy for Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy for Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Biao Zhou
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy for Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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9
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Caron O. Au-delà de BRCA1 et de BRCA2, les autres gènes de prédisposition au cancer du sein. Défis 2014. ONCOLOGIE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10269-014-2448-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Genetic targeting of B-RafV600E affects survival and proliferation and identifies selective agents against BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cells. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:122. [PMID: 24885690 PMCID: PMC4035728 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancers carrying the B-Raf V600E-mutation are associated with a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to identify B-RafV600E-mediated traits of cancer cells in a genetic in vitro model and to assess the selective sensitization of B-RafV600E-mutant cancer cells towards therapeutic agents. METHODS Somatic cell gene targeting was used to generate subclones of the colorectal cancer cell line RKO containing either wild-type or V600E-mutant B-Raf kinase. Cell-biologic analyses were performed in order to link cancer cell traits to the BRAF-mutant genotype. Subsequently, the corresponding tumor cell clones were characterized pharmacogenetically to identify therapeutic agents exhibiting selective sensitivity in B-RafV600E-mutant cells. RESULTS Genetic targeting of mutant BRAF resulted in restoration of sensitivity to serum starvation-induced apoptosis and efficiently inhibited cell proliferation in the absence of growth factors. Among tested agents, the B-Raf inhibitor dabrafenib was found to induce a strong V600E-dependent shift in cell viability. In contrast, no differential sensitizing effect was observed for conventional chemotherapeutic agents (mitomycin C, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil), nor for the targeted agents cetuximab, sorafenib, vemurafenib, RAF265, or for inhibition of PI3 kinase. Treatment with dabrafenib efficiently inhibited phosphorylation of the B-Raf downstream targets Mek 1/2 and Erk 1/2. CONCLUSION Mutant BRAF alleles mediate self-sufficiency of growth signals and serum starvation-induced resistance to apoptosis. Targeting of the BRAF mutation leads to a loss of these hallmarks of cancer. Dabrafenib selectively inhibits cell viability in B-RafV600E mutant cancer cells.
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11
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Shukla P, Solanki A, Ghosh K, Vundinti BR. DNA interstrand cross-link repair: understanding role of Fanconi anemia pathway and therapeutic implications. Eur J Haematol 2013; 91:381-93. [DOI: 10.1111/ejh.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Shukla
- Department of Cytogenetics; National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH); Mumbai India
| | - Avani Solanki
- Department of Cytogenetics; National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH); Mumbai India
| | - Kanjaksha Ghosh
- Department of Cytogenetics; National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH); Mumbai India
| | - Babu Rao Vundinti
- Department of Cytogenetics; National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH); Mumbai India
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12
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. There has been minimal progress with regard to cancer-specific outcomes in recent decades. Although effective therapies will undoubtedly change the natural history of the disease, effective biomarkers are a promising tool that will likely have a positive impact and will undoubtedly have an important role in the management of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) in the future. At present, serum CA-19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9) is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved biomarker for PDA, and it has utility as a prognostic marker and as a marker of disease recurrence. There has been a recent explosion in the pancreatic cancer biomarker field with more than 2000 biomarker studies implicating thousands of informative genes as candidate biomarkers. In this review, we summarize the literature on CA-19-9 in PDA and highlight the most promising investigational biomarkers. Distinctions are made between diagnostic biomarkers (detection of disease), prognostic biomarkers (provide information on prognosis and recurrence pattern), and predictive biomarkers (predict treatment response).
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13
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Winter JM, Yeo CJ, Brody JR. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in pancreatic cancer. J Surg Oncol 2012; 107:15-22. [PMID: 22729569 DOI: 10.1002/jso.23192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Serum CA 19-9 is the only FDA approved biomarker recommended for use in the routine management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Over 2,000 biomarker studies related to pancreatic cancer appear in the literature, highlighting the need to discover and develop improved tests. Diagnostic biomarkers have implications for early detection of PDA, prognostic markers predict patient survival and recurrence patterns, and predictive markers can help personalize treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Winter
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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14
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Hong SM, Park JY, Hruban RH, Goggins M. Molecular signatures of pancreatic cancer. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2011. [PMID: 21631264 DOI: 10.1043/2010-0566-ra.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The introduction of genome- and epigenome-wide screening techniques has dramatically improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of pancreatic cancer. There are now 3 recognized histologic precursors of pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. Each of these precursor lesions is associated with specific molecular alterations. OBJECTIVE To understand the molecular characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions. DATA SOURCES PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). CONCLUSIONS In this review, we briefly summarize recent research findings on the genetics and epigenetics of pancreatic cancer. In addition, we characterize these molecular alterations in the context of the histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Mo Hong
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Gallmeier E, Hermann PC, Mueller MT, Machado JG, Ziesch A, De Toni EN, Palagyi A, Eisen C, Ellwart JW, Rivera J, Rubio-Viqueira B, Hidalgo M, Bunz F, Göke B, Heeschen C. Inhibition of ataxia telangiectasia- and Rad3-related function abrogates the in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity of human colon cancer cells through depletion of the CD133(+) tumor-initiating cell fraction. Stem Cells 2011; 29:418-29. [PMID: 21308861 DOI: 10.1002/stem.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The identification of novel approaches to specifically target the DNA-damage checkpoint response in chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSC) of solid tumors has recently attracted great interest. We show here in colon cancer cell lines and primary colon cancer cells that inhibition of checkpoint-modulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related (PIK) kinases preferentially depletes the chemoresistant and exclusively tumorigenic CD133(+) cell fraction. We observed a time- and dose-dependent disproportionally pronounced loss of CD133(+) cells and the consecutive lack of in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity of the remaining cells. Depletion of CD133(+) cells was initiated through apoptosis of cycling CD133(+) cells and further substantiated through subsequent recruitment of quiescent CD133(+) cells into the cell cycle followed by their elimination. Models using specific PIK kinase inhibitors, somatic cell gene targeting, and RNA interference demonstrated that the observed detrimental effects of caffeine on CSC were attributable specifically to the inhibition of the PIK kinase ataxia telangiectasia- and Rad3-related (ATR). Mechanistically, phosphorylation of CHK1 checkpoint homolog (S. pombe; CHK1) was significantly enhanced in CD133(+) as compared with CD133(-) cells on treatment with DNA interstrand-crosslinking (ICL) agents, indicating a preferential activation of the ATR/CHK1-dependent DNA-damage response in tumorigenic CD133(+) cells. Consistently, the chemoresistance of CD133(+) cells toward DNA ICL agents was overcome through inhibition of ATR/CHK1-signaling. In conclusion, our study illustrates a novel target to eliminate the tumorigenic CD133(+) cell population in colon cancer and provides another rationale for the development of specific ATR-inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Gallmeier
- Department of Medicine II, Campus Grosshadern, Ludwigs-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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16
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Abstract
CONTEXT The introduction of genome- and epigenome-wide screening techniques has dramatically improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of pancreatic cancer. There are now 3 recognized histologic precursors of pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. Each of these precursor lesions is associated with specific molecular alterations. OBJECTIVE To understand the molecular characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions. DATA SOURCES PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). CONCLUSIONS In this review, we briefly summarize recent research findings on the genetics and epigenetics of pancreatic cancer. In addition, we characterize these molecular alterations in the context of the histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Mo Hong
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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17
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Hucl T, Gallmeier E. DNA repair: exploiting the Fanconi anemia pathway as a potential therapeutic target. Physiol Res 2011; 60:453-65. [PMID: 21401292 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA repair is an active cellular process to respond to constant DNA damage caused by metabolic processes and environmental factors. Since the outcome of DNA damage is generally adverse and long term effects may contribute to oncogenesis, cells have developed a variety of DNA repair mechanisms, which operate depending on the type of DNA damage inflicted. At least 15 Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins interact in a common pathway involved in homologous recombination. Inherited homozygous mutations in any of these FA genes cause a rare disease, Fanconi anemia, characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressive bone-marrow failure and cancer susceptibility. Heterozygous germline FA mutations predispose to various types of cancer. In addition, somatic FA mutations have been identified in diverse cancer types. Evidence exists that cells deficient in the FA pathway become dependent on alternative pathways for survival. Additional inhibition of such alternative pathways is thus expected to result in cell death, creating a relationship of synthetic lethality. Identifying these relationships can reveal yet unknown mechanisms of DNA repair and new targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hucl
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
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18
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Guainazzi A, Schärer OD. Using synthetic DNA interstrand crosslinks to elucidate repair pathways and identify new therapeutic targets for cancer chemotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:3683-97. [PMID: 20730555 PMCID: PMC3732395 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0492-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Many cancer chemotherapeutic agents form DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), extremely cytotoxic lesions that form covalent bonds between two opposing DNA strands, blocking DNA replication and transcription. However, cellular responses triggered by ICLs can cause resistance in tumor cells, limiting the efficacy of such treatment. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of ICL repair that cause this resistance. The recent development of strategies for the synthesis of site-specific ICLs greatly contributed to these insights. Key features of repair are similar for all ICLs, but there is increasing evidence that the specifics of lesion recognition and synthesis past ICLs by DNA polymerases are dependent upon the structure of ICLs. These new insights provide a basis for the improvement of antitumor therapy by targeting DNA repair pathways that lead to resistance to treatment with crosslinking agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Guainazzi
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Chemistry 619, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400 USA
| | - Orlando D. Schärer
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Chemistry, Chemistry 619, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400 USA
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19
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Palagyi A, Neveling K, Plinninger U, Ziesch A, Targosz BS, Denk GU, Ochs S, Rizzani A, Meier D, Thasler WE, Hanenberg H, De Toni EN, Bassermann F, Schäfer C, Göke B, Schindler D, Gallmeier E. Genetic inactivation of the Fanconi anemia gene FANCC identified in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HuH-7 confers sensitivity towards DNA-interstrand crosslinking agents. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:127. [PMID: 20509860 PMCID: PMC2890608 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Inactivation of the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway through defects in one of 13 FA genes occurs at low frequency in various solid cancer entities among the general population. As FA pathway inactivation confers a distinct hypersensitivity towards DNA interstrand-crosslinking (ICL)-agents, FA defects represent rational targets for individualized therapeutic strategies. Except for pancreatic cancer, however, the prevalence of FA defects in gastrointestinal (GI) tumors has not yet been systematically explored. Results A panel of GI cancer cell lines was screened for FA pathway inactivation applying FANCD2 monoubiquitination and FANCD2/RAD51 nuclear focus formation and a newly identified FA pathway-deficient cell line was functionally characterized. The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) line HuH-7 was defective in FANCD2 monoubiquitination and FANCD2 nuclear focus formation but proficient in RAD51 focus formation. Gene complementation studies revealed that this proximal FA pathway inactivation was attributable to defective FANCC function in HuH-7 cells. Accordingly, a homozygous inactivating FANCC nonsense mutation (c.553C > T, p.R185X) was identified in HuH-7, resulting in partial transcriptional skipping of exon 6 and leading to the classic cellular FA hypersensitivity phenotype; HuH-7 cells exhibited a strongly reduced proliferation rate and a pronounced G2 cell cycle arrest at distinctly lower concentrations of ICL-agents than a panel of non-isogenic, FA pathway-proficient HCC cell lines. Upon retroviral transduction of HuH-7 cells with FANCC cDNA, FA pathway functions were restored and ICL-hypersensitivity abrogated. Analyses of 18 surgical HCC specimens yielded no further examples for genetic or epigenetic inactivation of FANCC, FANCF, or FANCG in HCC, suggesting a low prevalence of proximal FA pathway inactivation in this tumor type. Conclusions As the majority of HCC are chemoresistant, assessment of FA pathway function in HCC could identify small subpopulations of patients expected to predictably benefit from individualized treatment protocols using ICL-agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Palagyi
- Department of Medicine II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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20
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Showalter SL, Charles S, Belin J, Cozzitorto J, Einstein P, Richards NG, Sauter PK, Kennedy EP, Witkiewicz A, Brody JR, Yeo CJ. Identifying pancreatic cancer patients for targeted treatment: the challenges and limitations of the current selection process and vision for the future. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2010; 7:273-84. [DOI: 10.1517/17425240903544462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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21
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Skladanowski A, Bozko P, Sabisz M. DNA structure and integrity checkpoints during the cell cycle and their role in drug targeting and sensitivity of tumor cells to anticancer treatment. Chem Rev 2009; 109:2951-73. [PMID: 19522503 DOI: 10.1021/cr900026u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Skladanowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland.
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22
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Neveling K, Endt D, Hoehn H, Schindler D. Genotype-phenotype correlations in Fanconi anemia. Mutat Res 2009; 668:73-91. [PMID: 19464302 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2009.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Revised: 03/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although still incomplete, we now have a remarkably detailed and nuanced picture of both phenotypic and genotypic components of the FA spectrum. Initially described as a combination of pancytopenia with a limited number of physical anomalies, it was later recognized that additional features were compatible with the FA phenotype, including a form without detectable malformations (Estren-Dameshek variant). The discovery of somatic mosaicism extended the boundaries of the FA phenotype to cases even without any overt hematological manifestations. This clinical heterogeneity was augmented by new conceptualizations. There was the realization of a constant risk for the development of myelodysplasia and certain malignancies, including acute myelogenous leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma, and there was the emergence of a distinctive cellular phenotype. A striking degree of genetic heterogeneity became apparent with the delineation of at least 12 complementation groups and the identification of their underlying genes. Although functional genetic insights have fostered the interpretation of many phenotypic features, surprisingly few stringent genotype-phenotype connections have emerged. In addition to myriad genetic alterations, less predictable influences are likely to modulate the FA phenotype, including modifier genes, environmental factors and chance effects. In reviewing the current status of genotype-phenotype correlations, we arrive at a unifying hypothesis to explain the remarkably wide range of FA phenotypes. Given the large body of evidence that genomic instability is a major underlying mechanism of accelerated ageing phenotypes, we propose that the numerous FA variants can be viewed as differential modulations and compression in time of intrinsic biological ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Neveling
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, University of Wurzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, Wurzburg D-97074, Germany
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23
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Abstract
CONTEXT Approximately 5% to 10% of individuals with pancreatic cancer report a history of pancreatic cancer in a close family member. In addition, several known genetic syndromes, such as familial breast cancer (BRCA2), the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The known genes associated with these conditions can explain only a portion of the clustering of pancreatic cancer in families, and research to identify additional susceptibility genes is ongoing. OBJECTIVE To provide an understanding of familial pancreatic cancer and the pathology of familial exocrine pancreatic cancers. DATA SOURCES Published literature on familial aggregation of pancreatic cancer and familial exocrine pancreatic tumors. CONCLUSIONS Even in the absence of predictive genetic testing, the collection of a careful, detailed family history is an important step in the management of all patients with pancreatic cancer. While most pancreatic cancers that arise in patients with a family history are ductal adenocarcinomas, certain subtypes of pancreatic cancer have been associated with familial syndromes. Therefore, the histologic appearance of the pancreatic cancer itself, and/or the presence and appearance of precancerous changes in the pancreas, may increase the clinical index of suspicion for a genetic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Oncology,The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21212, USA
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24
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Shi C, Hruban RH, Klein AP. Familial pancreatic cancer. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2009; 133:365-74. [PMID: 19260742 DOI: 10.5858/133.3.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Approximately 5% to 10% of individuals with pancreatic cancer report a history of pancreatic cancer in a close family member. In addition, several known genetic syndromes, such as familial breast cancer (BRCA2), the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The known genes associated with these conditions can explain only a portion of the clustering of pancreatic cancer in families, and research to identify additional susceptibility genes is ongoing. OBJECTIVE To provide an understanding of familial pancreatic cancer and the pathology of familial exocrine pancreatic cancers. DATA SOURCES Published literature on familial aggregation of pancreatic cancer and familial exocrine pancreatic tumors. CONCLUSIONS Even in the absence of predictive genetic testing, the collection of a careful, detailed family history is an important step in the management of all patients with pancreatic cancer. While most pancreatic cancers that arise in patients with a family history are ductal adenocarcinomas, certain subtypes of pancreatic cancer have been associated with familial syndromes. Therefore, the histologic appearance of the pancreatic cancer itself, and/or the presence and appearance of precancerous changes in the pancreas, may increase the clinical index of suspicion for a genetic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Oncology,The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21212, USA
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25
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Brody JR, Hucl T, Costantino CL, Eshleman JR, Gallmeier E, Zhu H, van der Heijden MS, Winter JM, Wikiewicz AK, Yeo CJ, Kern SE. Limits to thymidylate synthase and TP53 genes as predictive determinants for fluoropyrimidine sensitivity and further evidence for RNA-based toxicity as a major influence. Cancer Res 2009; 69:984-91. [PMID: 19155291 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The major determinants of 5-flurouracil (5-FU) response would seem, based on accumulated literature, to be thymidylate synthase (TYMS, TS) expression levels, TS gene modifications, and TP53 status. We tested 5-FU sensitivity in yeast and human cancer cell models in which TS or TP53 alleles and expression were varied. Polymorphic TS tandem repeat status, TS expression levels reported, TS intragenic mutations, and TP53 status in outbred and experimental cancer cell lines did not predict 5-FU sensitivity or resistance. Novel observations included a dose-resistant persistence of unbound TS protein in many cancers and, upon 5-FU treatment of the colon cancer cell line, HCT116, evidence of allelic switching favoring transcripts of the mutant TS allele. The reported alleles having an intragenic mutation could not be causally associated with major degrees of 5-FU sensitivity. In yeast, TS protein was altered upon treatment with FdUMP, but 5-FU toxicity seemed to be largely RNA-based, being rescued by uridine rather than by thymidine. Cancer cell lines were also rescued from 5-FU toxicity with uridine rather than thymidine. Additionally, a TS (CDC21) knockout yeast strain, obviating any potential role for TS protein as a target, was hypersensitive to 5-FU. When denatured proteins from cancer cells treated with radiolabeled 5-FU were labeled, species with alternative molecular weights other than TS were visualized, providing further evidence for alternative 5-FU protein targets. These data emphasize that TS and TP53 status do not consistently explain the variance in responses of fluoropyrimidine-treated cancer cells, in part due to RNA-based toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary, and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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26
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Hucl T, Rago C, Gallmeier E, Brody JR, Gorospe M, Kern SE. A syngeneic variance library for functional annotation of human variation: application to BRCA2. Cancer Res 2008; 68:5023-30. [PMID: 18593900 PMCID: PMC2536704 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-6189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The enormous scope of natural human genetic variation is now becoming defined. To accurately annotate these variants, and to identify those with clinical importance, is often difficult to assess through functional assays. We explored systematic annotation by using homologous recombination to modify a native gene in hemizygous (wt/Deltaexon) human cancer cells, generating a novel syngeneic variance library (SyVaL). We created a SyVaL of BRCA2 variants: nondeleterious, proposed deleterious, deleterious, and of uncertain significance. We found that the null states BRCA2(Deltaex11/Deltaex11) and BRCA2(Deltaex11/Y3308X) were deleterious as assessed by a loss of RAD51 focus formation on genotoxic damage and by acquisition of toxic hypersensitivity to mitomycin C and etoposide, whereas BRCA2(Deltaex11/Y3308Y), BRCA2(Deltaex11/P3292L), and BRCA2(Deltaex11/P3280H) had wild-type function. A proposed phosphorylation site at codon 3291 affecting function was confirmed by substitution of an acidic residue (glutamate, BRCA2(Deltaex11/S3291E)) for the native serine, but in contrast to a prior report, phosphorylation was dispensable (alanine, BRCA2(Deltaex11/S3291A)) for BRCA2-governed cellular phenotypes. These results show that SyVaLs offer a means to comprehensively annotate gene function, facilitating numerical and unambiguous readouts. SyVaLs may be especially useful for genes in which functional assays using exogenous expression are toxic or otherwise unreliable. They also offer a stable, distributable cellular resource for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Hucl
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carlo Rago
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eike Gallmeier
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jonathan R. Brody
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute on Aging-Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scott E. Kern
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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27
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García MJ, Benítez J. The Fanconi anaemia/BRCA pathway and cancer susceptibility. Searching for new therapeutic targets. Clin Transl Oncol 2008; 10:78-84. [PMID: 18258506 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-008-0160-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. The majority of cases are sporadic but around 15% show some type of familial aggregation and about 5% exhibit a clear hereditary pattern. Common and rare low- moderate-penetrance genes, and high-penetrance genes are thought to explain the genetic susceptibility to the disease. Only around 20% of the inherited risk to breast cancer is explained by germline mutations in the known high-penetrance susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Mutations in genes such as TP53 and PTEN have also been linked with high risk for breast cancer within specific cancer syndromes and rare germline variants in genes such as CHEK2 and ATM have been found to confer modest risk to breast cancer. However, we can say that less than 30% of familial risk of breast cancer is due to known genes. Identification in 2002 of the Fanconi anaemia (FA) gene FANCD1 as BRCA2 and recent studies indicating that heterozygous mutations in FANCN/PALB2 and FANCJ/ BRIP1 predispose to breast cancer have emphasised an important connection between the FA and BRCA pathway. Here we review the emerging DNA-damage response network consisting of FA and BRCA proteins, summarise what is currently known about the direct involvement of these molecules in breast cancer susceptibility and discuss the prospect offered by this pathway in order to identify more breast cancer related genes. We finally present the current stage of therapeutic options specifically targeting the FA/BRCA pathway and summarise the challenges this field encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José García
- Group of Human Genetics, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO) and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Abstract
The past two decades have witnessed an explosion in our understanding of pancreatic cancer, and it is now clear that pancreatic cancer is a disease of inherited (germ-line) and somatic gene mutations. The genes mutated in pancreatic cancer include KRAS2, p16/CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4/DPC4, and these are accompanied by a substantial compendium of genomic and transcriptomic alterations that facilitate cell cycle deregulation, cell survival, invasion, and metastases. Pancreatic cancers do not arise de novo, and three distinct precursor lesions have been identified. Experimental models of pancreatic cancer have been developed in genetically engineered mice, which recapitulate the multistep progression of the cognate human disease. Although the putative cell of origin for pancreatic cancer remains elusive, minor populations of cells with stem-like properties have been identified that appear responsible for tumor initiation, metastases, and resistance of pancreatic cancer to conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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29
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Showalter SL, Showalter TN, Witkiewicz A, Havens R, Kennedy EP, Hucl T, Kern SE, Yeo CJ, Brody JR. Evaluating the drug-target relationship between thymidylate synthase expression and tumor response to 5-fluorouracil. Is it time to move forward? Cancer Biol Ther 2008; 7:986-94. [PMID: 18443433 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.7.7.6181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymidylate synthase is a target of 5-fluoruracil, a pyrimidine analog used to treat gastrointestinal and other cancers. The 5-fluorouracil metabolite, fluoro-deoxyuridine monophosphate, forms a ternary complex with thymidylate synthase and 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time-honored connection between thymidylate synthase and 5-fluorouracil. From our literature search spanning reports from 1995 to 2007 published in journals having an impact factor greater than 2, we stratified the tumors within each article, according to low versus high thymidylate synthase expression. These groups were subdivided into responders, stable disease or disease progression. The relationship between thymidylate synthase expression and 5-fluorouracil response was analyzed for the overall group, as well as for subsets. Overall, the literature supported an approximately 2-fold inverse relationship between thymidylate synthase expression and response to 5-fluoruracil. We found no change in the trend for a relationship between thymidylate synthase and 5-fluorouracil when the literature was stratified by date of publication, impact factor of the journal in which the report was published, or substrate (mRNA versus protein) for measuring thymidylate synthase expression. Of note, there is no significant change in the trend when comparing 5-fluorouracil treatment alone or in combination with leucovorin. We found a decline of this trend when certain chemotherapeutics were used in combination with 5-fluorouracil. In sum, the connection between thymidylate synthase expression and patient response to 5-fluorouracil does not satisfy expectations for an effective drug-target relationship; and thus, studies of the thymidylate synthase tandem repeat status might only be clinically valuable in regards to patient toxicity. Thus, we question the reliability of thymidylate synthase expression as a clinical predictor of 5-fluorouracil response. Future research could perhaps be directed towards alternate targets and metabolites of 5-fluorouracil, in an effort to find a clinically relevant biomarker panel for response and to optimize fluoropyrimidine-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayna L Showalter
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA
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30
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Lyakhovich A, Surralles J. FANCD2 depletion sensitizes cancer cells repopulation ability in vitro. Cancer Lett 2007; 256:186-95. [PMID: 17643815 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2007.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2007] [Revised: 06/03/2007] [Accepted: 06/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Inactivation of Fanconi anemia/BRCA pathway in some cancers causes increased sensitivity to various drugs used for chemo-therapy. Several approaches have been suggested to artificially disrupt this pathway for better treatment. In our study, we have utilized RNA interference technique to knock-down the expression of FANCD2 and sensitize cancer cells undergoing treatment with DNA damaging agents. For this purpose, we transiently depleted FANCD2 by siRNA in a number of breast, bladder, or liver cancer cell lines and screened for mitomycin C or gamma-irradiation sensitivity changes. We could show that knocking-down FANCD2 gene expression increases sensitivity of cancer cells to mitomycin C and to less extent to gamma-rays. Importantly, this effect strongly correlates to repopulation ability of cancer cells and those cell lines with significant FANCD2 depletion revealed decreased recurrence capacity. In summary, the results we presented show proof of principle that opens new possibilities for further preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Lyakhovich
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Gallmeier E, Hucl T, Brody JR, Dezentje DA, Tahir K, Kasparkova J, Brabec V, Bachman KE, Kern SE. High-throughput screening identifies novel agents eliciting hypersensitivity in Fanconi pathway-deficient cancer cells. Cancer Res 2007; 67:2169-77. [PMID: 17332347 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-2711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inactivation of the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway occurs in diverse human tumors among the general population and renders those tumors hypersensitive to DNA interstrand-cross-linking (ICL) agents. The identification of novel agents to which FA pathway-deficient cells were hypersensitive could provide new therapeutic opportunities and improve our molecular understanding of the FA genes. Using high-throughput screening, we assessed the growth of isogenic human cancer cells that differed only in the presence or absence of single FA genes upon treatment with 880 active drugs and 40,000 diverse compounds. We identified several compounds to which FA pathway-deficient cells were more sensitive than FA pathway-proficient cells, including two groups of structurally related compounds. We further investigated the compound eliciting the strongest effect, termed 80136342. Its mechanism of action was distinct from that of ICL agents; 80136342 did not cause increased chromosomal aberrations, enhanced FANCD2 monoubiquitination, H2AX phosphorylation, p53 activation, or ICL induction. Similar to ICL agents, however, 80136342 caused a pronounced G(2) arrest in FA pathway-deficient cells. When applied in combination with ICL agents, 80136342 had at least additive toxic effects, excluding interferences on ICL-induced toxicity and facilitating a combinational application. Finally, we identified one particular methyl group necessary for the effects of 80136342 on FA-deficient cells. In conclusion, using high-throughput screening in an isogenic human FA cancer model, we explored a novel approach to identify agents eliciting hypersensitivity in FA pathway-deficient cells. We discovered several attractive candidates to serve as lead compounds for evaluating structure-activity relationships and developing therapeutics selectively targeting FA pathway-deficient tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Gallmeier
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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