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Allevato MM, Trinh S, Koshizuka K, Nachmanson D, Nguyen TTC, Yokoyama Y, Wu X, Andres A, Wang Z, Watrous J, Molinolo AA, Mali P, Harismendy O, Jain M, Wild R, Gutkind JS. A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals that antagonism of glutamine metabolism sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to ferroptotic cell death. Cancer Lett 2024; 598:217089. [PMID: 38964731 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid for the growth and survival of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Many cancers are addicted to glutamine, and as a result, targeting glutamine metabolism has been explored clinically as a therapeutic approach. Glutamine-catalyzing enzymes are highly expressed in primary and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature of the glutamine-associated pathways in this aggressive cancer type has not been elucidated. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of a broad glutamine antagonist, DRP-104 (sirpiglenastat), in HNSCC tumors and aimed at shedding light on glutamine-dependent pathways in this disease. We observed a potent antitumoral effect of sirpiglenastat in HPV- and HPV + HNSCC xenografts. We conducted a whole-genome CRISPR screen and metabolomics analyses to identify mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to glutamine metabolism blockade. These approaches revealed that glutamine metabolism blockade results in the rapid buildup of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) via autophagy nutrient-sensing pathways. Finally, our analysis demonstrated that GPX4 mediates the protection of HNSCC cells from accumulating toxic lipid peroxides; hence, glutamine blockade sensitizes HNSCC cells to ferroptosis cell death upon GPX4 inhibition. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of sirpiglenastat in HNSCC and establish a novel link between glutamine metabolism and ferroptosis, which may be uniquely translated into targeted glutamine-ferroptosis combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Allevato
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sally Trinh
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Keiichi Koshizuka
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniela Nachmanson
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thien-Tu C Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yumi Yokoyama
- Dracen Pharmaceuticals Inc., 9276 Scranton Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Xingyu Wu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Allen Andres
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeramie Watrous
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo A Molinolo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mohit Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert Wild
- Dracen Pharmaceuticals Inc., 9276 Scranton Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Yonesi A, Tomihara K, Takatsuka D, Tachinami H, Yamazaki M, Jadidi ARY, Takaichi M, Imaue S, Fujiwara K, Yamada SI, Tanuma JI, Noguchi M. Rapamycin Induces Phenotypic Alterations in Oral Cancer Cells That May Facilitate Antitumor T Cell Responses. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1078. [PMID: 38791040 PMCID: PMC11117524 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the antitumor immunomodulatory effects of rapamycin in oral cancer. STUDY DESIGN We examined the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of cancer cells and investigated the cell surface expression levels of immune accessory molecules and T cell immune responses in vitro. We investigated the effect of in vivo administration of rapamycin on immune cell distribution and T cell immune responses in oral tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS Rapamycin treatment significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and migration, increased apoptotic cell death, and upregulated cell surface expression of several immune accessory and adhesion molecules, including CD40, CD83, PD-L1, PD-L2, MHC class I, P-selectin, and VCAM-1. These cancer cells augmented T cell proliferation. In vivo rapamycin administration significantly attenuated mouse tumor growth with an increased proportion of immune cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs); decreased the proportion of immune suppressive cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells; enhanced DC maturation and upregulated the surface expression of CD40, CD86, and ICAM-1. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the therapeutic effect of mTOR inhibition in oral cancer can cause direct antitumor and immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirmoezz Yonesi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Kei Tomihara
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan
| | - Danki Takatsuka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Hidetake Tachinami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Manabu Yamazaki
- Division of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan (J.-I.T.)
| | - Amir Reza Younesi Jadidi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Mayu Takaichi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Shuichi Imaue
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Kumiko Fujiwara
- Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan;
| | - Shin-Ichi Yamada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
| | - Jun-Ichi Tanuma
- Division of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8514, Japan (J.-I.T.)
| | - Makoto Noguchi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan (A.R.Y.J.); (M.N.)
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Guo T, Zamuner F, Ting S, Chen L, Rooper L, Tamayo P, Fakhry C, Gaykalova D, Mehra R. Clinical and genomic characterization of chemoradiation-resistant HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1336577. [PMID: 38505587 PMCID: PMC10949886 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1336577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Most patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have an excellent response to chemoradiation, and trials are now investigating de-escalated treatment. However, up to 25% of patients with HPV-positive OPSCC will experience recurrence, and up to 5% will even progress through primary treatment. Currently, there are no molecular markers to identify patients with poor prognosis who would be harmed by de-escalation. Herein we report the clinical and genomic characteristics of persistent HPV-positive OPSCC after definitive platinum-based chemoradiation therapy. Methods Patients with HPV-positive OPSCC treated with curative intent platinum-based chemoradiation between 2007 and 2017 at two institutions and with a persistent locoregional disease were included. We evaluated clinical characteristics, including smoking status, age, stage, treatment, and overall survival. A subset of five patients had tissue available for targeted exome DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing. Genomic analysis was compared to a previously published cohort of 47 treatment-responsive HPV+ OPSCC tumors after batch correction. Mutational landscape, pathway activation, and OncoGPS tumor states were employed to characterize these tumors. Results Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. The tumor and nodal stages ranged from T1 to T4 and N1 to N2 by AJCC 8th edition staging. All patients were p16-positive by immunohistochemistry, and eight with available in situ hybridization were confirmed to be HPV-positive. The 1-year overall survival from the time of diagnosis was 57%, and the 2-year overall survival was 17%. TP53 mutations were present in three of five (60%) persistent tumors compared to 2% (one of 47) of treatment-responsive HPV-positive tumors (p = 0.008). Other genes with recurrent mutations in persistent HPV-positive OPSCC tumors were NF1, KMT2D, PIK3C2B, and TFGBR2. Compared to treatment-responsive HPV-positive tumors, persistent tumors demonstrated activation of DNA Repair and p53, EMT, MYC, SRC, and TGF-beta signaling pathways, with post-treatment samples demonstrating significant activation of the PI3K-EMT-Stem pathways compared to pretreatment samples. Conclusion Chemoradiation-resistant HPV-positive OPSCC occurs infrequently but portends a poor prognosis. These tumors demonstrate higher rates of p53 mutation and activation of MYC, SRC, and TGF-beta pathways. A comparison of tumors before and after treatment demonstrates PI3K-EMT-Stem pathways post-treatment in HPV-positive tumors with persistent disease after platinum-based chemoradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Fernando Zamuner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stephanie Ting
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Liam Chen
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lisa Rooper
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Carole Fakhry
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daria Gaykalova
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ranee Mehra
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Li Q, Zhu G, Zhang L, Zeng B, Cai T, Wu J, Wei B, Xie Z, He L, Tang W, Lin X, Lu H, Wu F, Huang J, Hu H, Liu N, Fan S. Mutational landscape of head and neck cancer and cervical cancer in Chinese and Western population. Head Neck 2024; 46:528-540. [PMID: 38111234 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to unbiasedly map the genetic mutation profile of HNSC and CESC associated with HPV status in the Chinese population (SYSU-cohort) and compare them with Western population (TCGA-cohort). METHODS Fifty-one HNSC patients (SYSU-HNSC) and 38 CESC patients (SYSU-CESC) were enrolled in this study. Genomic alterations were examined, and the profile was produced using the YuanSuTM450 gene panel (OrigiMed, Shanghai, China). The altered genes were inferred and compared to Western patients from TCGA cohorts. RESULTS Compared to the TCGA-HNSC cohort, FGFR3 mutation was identified as a novel target in SYSU-HNSC with therapeutic potential. Compared to the TCGA-CESC cohort, some epigenetic regulation-associated genes were frequently mutated in SYSU-CESC cohort (KMT2C, KMT2D, KDM5C, KMT2A). CONCLUSION In summary, our study provides unbiased insights into the genetic landscape of HNSC and CESC in the Chinese population and highlights potential novel therapeutic targets that may benefit Chinese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunxing Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Genhai Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Lizao Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binghui Zeng
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Cai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaying Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Xie
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lile He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbing Tang
- Department of Stomatology, Guangdong Agriculture and Reclamation Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xinyu Lin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaiwu Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Huijun Hu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Niu Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Fan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Pangarkar M, Wagh U, Pathak A. Autophagy indicators in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Pathology 2024; 56:59-64. [PMID: 37981514 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.08.014] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of autophagy has been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. We retrospectively evaluated immunohistochemical expression of the autophagy markers LC3B and p62 and the autophagy regulator mTOR as an indicator of autophagy in 100 surgically resected primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples and sought associations with various clinicopathological factors. The expression of all three proteins was significantly higher in malignant squamous cells than in benign squamous cells in the free mucosal margin adjacent to the OSCC. Male sex, higher tumour (T) stage, node (N) stage and tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage were significantly associated with high marker expression; age and histological grade showed no significant association. LC3B, p62 and mTOR expression were positively correlated with one another in OSCCs, and the correlation was significant for LC3B and mTOR as well as for LC3B and p62. Disease-free survival showed an inverse correlation with high mTOR expression. Our data suggest that autophagy inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of OSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uttara Wagh
- National Cancer Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anand Pathak
- National Cancer Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
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Agelaki S, Boukovinas I, Athanasiadis I, Trimis G, Dimitriadis I, Poughias L, Morais E, Sabale U, Bencina G, Athanasopoulos C. A systematic literature review of the human papillomavirus prevalence in locally and regionally advanced and recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers through the last decade: The "ALARM" study. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6916. [PMID: 38247106 PMCID: PMC10905345 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this systematic literature review was to provide updated information on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in locally and regionally advanced (LA) and recurrent/metastatic (RM) head and neck cancer (HNC) worldwide. METHODS Electronic searches were conducted on clinicaltrials.gov, MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and ASCO/ESMO journals of congresses for interventional studies (IS; Phase I-III trials) as well as MEDLINE and Embase for non-interventional studies (NIS) of LA/RM HNC published between January 01, 2010 and December 31, 2020. Criteria for study selection included: availability of HPV prevalence data for LA/RM HNC patients, patient enrollment from January 01, 2010 onward, and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) included among HNC types. HPV prevalence per study was calculated as proportion of HPV+ over total number of enrolled patients. For overall HPV prevalence across studies, mean of reported HPV prevalence rates across studies and pooled estimate (sum of all HPV+ patients over sum of all patients enrolled) were assessed. RESULTS Eighty-one studies (62 IS; 19 NIS) were included, representing 9607 LA/RM HNC cases, with an overall mean (pooled) HPV prevalence of 32.6% (25.1%). HPV prevalence was 44.7% (44.0%) in LA and 24.3% (18.6%) in RM. Among 2714 LA/RM OPC patients from 52 studies with available data, mean (pooled) value was 55.8% (50.7%). The majority of data were derived from Northern America and Europe, with overall HPV prevalence of 46.0% (42.1%) and 24.7% (25.3%) across studies conducted exclusively in these geographic regions, respectively (Northern Europe: 31.9% [63.1%]). A "p16-based" assay was the most frequently reported HPV detection methodology (58.0%). CONCLUSION Over the last decade, at least one quarter of LA/RM HNC and half of OPC cases studied in IS and NIS were HPV+. This alarming burden is consistent with a potential implication of HPV in the pathogenesis of at least a subgroup of HNC, underscoring the relevance of HPV testing and prophylaxis to HNC prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Agelaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of MedicineUniversity of CreteHerakleionGreece
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity General Hospital of HerakleionHerakleionGreece
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Edith Morais
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)LyonFrance
| | - Ugne Sabale
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)StockholmSweden
| | - Goran Bencina
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)MadridSpain
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Skelin J, Luk HY, Butorac D, Boon SS, Tomaić V. The effects of HPV oncoproteins on host communication networks: Therapeutic connotations. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29315. [PMID: 38115222 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are a leading cause of viral-induced malignancies worldwide, with a prominent association with cervical and head and neck cancers. The pivotal role of HPV oncoproteins, E5, E6, and E7, in manipulating cellular events, which contribute to viral pathogenesis in various ways, has been extensively documented. This article reviews the influence of HPV oncoproteins on cellular signaling pathways within the host cell, shedding light on the underlying molecular mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular alterations is essential for the development of targeted therapies and strategies to combat HPV-induced premalignancies and prevent their progress to cancer. Furthermore, this review underscores the intricate interplay between HPV oncoproteins and some of the most important cellular signaling pathways: Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and PI3K AKT/mTOR. The treatment efficacies of the currently available inhibitors on these pathways in an HPV-positive context are also discussed. This review also highlights the importance of continued research to advance our knowledge and enhance therapeutic interventions for HPV-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josipa Skelin
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ho Yin Luk
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Dražan Butorac
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Siaw Shi Boon
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Vjekoslav Tomaić
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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Li S, Sun Y. Phytochemicals targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for the prevention and treatment of HNSCC: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34439. [PMID: 37800790 PMCID: PMC10553117 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, and is the most common malignancy of the head and neck, the incidence of which continues to rise. The epidermal growth factor receptor is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor has been identified as an effective target for the treatment of HNSCC. Many phytochemicals have emerged as potential new drugs for the treatment of HNSCC. A systematic search was conducted for research articles published in PubMed, and Medline on relevant aspects. This review provides an overview of the available literature and reports highlighting the in vitro effects of phytochemicals on epidermal growth factor in various HNSCC cell models and in vivo in animal models and emphasizes the importance of epidermal growth factor as a current therapeutic target for HNSCC. Based on our review, we conclude that phytochemicals targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor are potentially effective candidates for the development of new drugs for the treatment of HNSCC. It provides an idea for further development and application of herbal medicines for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaling Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southwest Medical University, Longmatan District, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, China
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Xie Z, Zhou Z, Yang S, Zhang S, Shao B. Epigenetic regulation and therapeutic targets in the tumor microenvironment. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:17. [PMID: 37273004 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00126-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial to neoplastic processes, fostering proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Epigenetic regulations, primarily including DNA and RNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA, have been generally recognized as an essential feature of tumor malignancy, exceedingly contributing to the dysregulation of the core gene expression in neoplastic cells, bringing about the evasion of immunosurveillance by influencing the immune cells in TME. Recently, compelling evidence have highlighted that clinical therapeutic approaches based on epigenetic machinery modulate carcinogenesis through targeting TME components, including normalizing cells' phenotype, suppressing cells' neovascularization and repressing the immunosuppressive components in TME. Therefore, TME components have been nominated as a promising target for epigenetic drugs in clinical cancer management. This review focuses on the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications occurring to the pivotal TME components including the stroma, immune and myeloid cells in various tumors reported in the last five years, concludes the tight correlation between TME reprogramming and tumor progression and immunosuppression, summarizes the current advances in cancer clinical treatments and potential therapeutic targets with reference to epigenetic drugs. Finally, we summarize some of the restrictions in the field of cancer research at the moment, further discuss several interesting epigenetic gene targets with potential strategies to boost antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuojun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Zirui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiwen Zhang
- Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Marret G, Borcoman E, Le Tourneau C. Window-of-opportunity clinical trials for biomarker discovery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Curr Opin Oncol 2023; 35:158-165. [PMID: 36966501 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review the window-of-opportunity clinical trials that have been reported in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and discuss their challenges. RECENT FINDINGS Limited treatment options exist in HNSCC. Cetuximab, an mAb targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, and the PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab, are the only drugs that improved overall survival in the recurrent and/or metastatic setting. Both cetuximab and nivolumab improve overall survival by less than 3 months, potentially because of the lack of predictive biomarkers. The only validated predictive biomarker to date is protein ligand PD-L1 expression that predicts the efficacy of pembrolizumab in first-line, nonplatinum refractory recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. The identification of biomarkers of efficacy of new drugs is key to avoid administering toxic drugs to patients who will not benefit from them, and to expect increased drug efficacy in the biomarker-positive group of patients. One way of identifying such biomarkers are the window-of-opportunity trials in which drugs are given for a short period of time before the definitive treatment, with the aim to collect samples for translational research. These trials differ from neoadjuvant strategies where efficacy is the primary endpoint. SUMMARY We show that these trials were safe and successful in identifying biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Marret
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie
| | - Edith Borcoman
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie
| | - Christophe Le Tourneau
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie
- INSERM U900, Institut Curie, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
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11
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Miotto IZ, Neto CF, de Oliveira WRP. Cutaneous infections from viral sources in solid organ transplant recipients. Transpl Immunol 2023; 78:101838. [PMID: 37085124 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are susceptible to various dermatological complications caused by long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Of these complications, viral infections are noteworthy because of their high prevalence and the potential morbidity associated with viral carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the occurrence of cutaneous viral infections in SOTRs and their correlation with clinical features, transplant type, and the length and intensity of immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included SOTRs followed up at the Department of Dermatology in a tertiary hospital. The outcomes analyzed were the occurrence of cutaneous viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, molluscum contagiosum, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and cytomegalovirus, and the occurrence of HPV-related neoplasms. Clinical variables, such as length and intensity of immunosuppression, type of transplanted organ, and comorbidities, were analyzed as possible risk factors for cutaneous viral infections in SOTRs. RESULTS A total of 528 SOTRs were included in this study, among which 53.8% had one or more viral infections. Of these, 10% developed a virus-associated malignancy (HPV-associated carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, or Kaposi's sarcoma). The higher risk of viral infections among SOTRs was associated with cyclosporine intake (1.40-fold higher risk) and younger age at transplantation. The use of an immunosuppressive regimen, including additional drugs, was associated with a higher risk of genital HPV infection (1.50-fold higher risk for each incremental drug). CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of cutaneous viral infections in SOTRs is directly associated with the duration and intensity of immunosuppressive therapy. Patients at higher risk were those taking drugs with a stronger impact on cellular immunity and/or those on an immunosuppressive regimen comprising various drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Zago Miotto
- Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, Av Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, Zip Code, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Cyro Festa Neto
- Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, Av Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, Zip Code, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walmar Roncalli Pereira de Oliveira
- Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, Av Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, Zip Code, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
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12
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Navas LE, Blanco-Alcaina E, Suarez-Martinez E, Verdugo-Sivianes EM, Espinosa-Sanchez A, Sanchez-Diaz L, Dominguez-Medina E, Fernandez-Rozadilla C, Carracedo A, Wu LE, Carnero A. NAD pool as an antitumor target against cancer stem cells in head and neck cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:55. [PMID: 36864434 PMCID: PMC9983242 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02631-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of tumors that affect different anatomical locations. Despite this heterogeneity, HNSCC treatment depends on the anatomical location, TNM stage and resectability of the tumor. Classical chemotherapy is based on platinum-derived drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin), taxanes (docetaxel, paclitaxel) and 5-fluorouracil1. Despite advances in HNSCC treatment, the rate of tumor recurrence and patient mortality remain high. Therefore, the search for new prognostic identifiers and treatments targeting therapy-resistant tumor cells is vital. Our work demonstrates that there are different subgroups with high phenotypic plasticity within the CSC population in HNSCC. CD10, CD184, and CD166 may identify some of these CSC subpopulations with NAMPT as a common metabolic gene for the resilient cells of these subpopulations. We observed that NAMPT reduction causes a decrease in tumorigenic and stemness properties, migration capacity and CSC phenotype through NAD pool depletion. However, NAMPT-inhibited cells can acquire resistance by activating the NAPRT enzyme of the Preiss-Handler pathway. We observed that coadministration of the NAMPT inhibitor with the NAPRT inhibitor cooperated inhibiting tumor growth. The use of an NAPRT inhibitor as an adjuvant improved NAMPT inhibitor efficacy and reduced the dose and toxicity of these inhibitors. Therefore, it seems that the reduction in the NAD pool could have efficacy in tumor therapy. This was confirmed by in vitro assays supplying the cells with products of inhibited enzymes (NA, NMN or NAD) and restoring their tumorigenic and stemness properties. In conclusion, the coinhibition of NAMPT and NAPRT improved the efficacy of antitumor treatment, indicating that the reduction in the NAD pool is important to prevent tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola E. Navas
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Blanco-Alcaina
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Suarez-Martinez
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M. Verdugo-Sivianes
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Asuncion Espinosa-Sanchez
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanchez-Diaz
- grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Dominguez-Medina
- grid.11794.3a0000000109410645BioFarma-USEF Research Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ceres Fernandez-Rozadilla
- grid.488911.d0000 0004 0408 4897Grupo de Medicina Xenómica (USC), Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Angel Carracedo
- grid.488911.d0000 0004 0408 4897Grupo de Medicina Xenómica (USC), Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lindsay E. Wu
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Amancio Carnero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/HUVR/CSIC, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Ed. IBIS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain. .,CIBER de Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Elía A, Saldain L, Vanzulli SI, Helguero LA, Lamb CA, Fabris V, Pataccini G, Martínez-Vazquez P, Burruchaga J, Caillet-Bois I, Spengler E, Acosta Haab G, Liguori M, Castets A, Lovisi S, Abascal MF, Novaro V, Sánchez J, Muñoz J, Belizán JM, Abba MC, Gass H, Rojas P, Lanari C. Beneficial Effects of Mifepristone Treatment in Patients with Breast Cancer Selected by the Progesterone Receptor Isoform Ratio: Results from the MIPRA Trial. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:866-877. [PMID: 36269797 PMCID: PMC9975668 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical data suggest that antiprogestins inhibit the growth of luminal breast carcinomas that express higher levels of progesterone receptor isoform A (PRA) than isoform B (PRB). Thus, we designed a presurgical window of opportunity trial to determine the therapeutic effects of mifepristone in patients with breast cancer, based on their high PRA/PRB isoform ratio (MIPRA; NCT02651844). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients with luminal breast carcinomas with PRA/PRB > 1.5 (determined by Western blots), and PR ≥ 50%, naïve from previous treatment, were included for mifepristone treatment (200 mg/day orally; 14 days). Core needle biopsies and surgical samples were formalin fixed for IHC studies, while others were snap-frozen to perform RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), proteomics, and/or Western blot studies. Plasma mifepristone levels were determined using mass spectrometry. The primary endpoint was the comparison of Ki67 expression pretreatment and posttreatment. RESULTS A 49.62% decrease in Ki67 staining was observed in all surgical specimens compared with baseline (P = 0.0003). Using the prespecified response parameter (30% relative reduction), we identified 14 of 20 responders. Mifepristone induced an increase in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; a decrease in hormone receptor and pSer118ER expression; and an increase in calregulin, p21, p15, and activated caspase 3 expression. RNA-seq and proteomic studies identified downregulated pathways related to cell proliferation and upregulated pathways related to immune bioprocesses and extracellular matrix remodeling. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the use of mifepristone in patients with luminal breast cancer with high PRA/PRB ratios. The combined effects of mifepristone and estrogen receptor modulators warrant clinical evaluation to improve endocrine treatment responsiveness in these patients. See related commentary by Ronchi and Brisken, p. 833.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Elía
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Leo Saldain
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | | | - Luisa A. Helguero
- Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Caroline A. Lamb
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Victoria Fabris
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Gabriela Pataccini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Paula Martínez-Vazquez
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Javier Burruchaga
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Ines Caillet-Bois
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Eunice Spengler
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | | | - Marcos Liguori
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Alejandra Castets
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Silvia Lovisi
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - María F. Abascal
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Virginia Novaro
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Jana Sánchez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Muñoz
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Belizán
- Instituto de Efectividad Sanitaria (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Hugo Gass
- Hospital de Agudos “Magdalena V de Martínez”, General Pacheco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (HospitalPMVM)
| | - Paola Rojas
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina.,Corresponding Authors: Claudia Lanari, Laboratorio de Carcinogénesis Hormonal, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina. Phone: 0540-11478-32869; E-mail: ; and Paola Rojas,
| | - Claudia Lanari
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires Argentina.,Corresponding Authors: Claudia Lanari, Laboratorio de Carcinogénesis Hormonal, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina. Phone: 0540-11478-32869; E-mail: ; and Paola Rojas,
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14
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Exploiting Vitamin D Receptor and Its Ligands to Target Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054675. [PMID: 36902107 PMCID: PMC10002563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D (VitD) and its receptor (VDR) have been intensively investigated in many cancers. As knowledge for head and neck cancer (HNC) is limited, we investigated the (pre)clinical and therapeutic relevance of the VDR/VitD-axis. We found that VDR was differentially expressed in HNC tumors, correlating to the patients' clinical parameters. Poorly differentiated tumors showed high VDR and Ki67 expression, whereas the VDR and Ki67 levels decreased from moderate to well-differentiated tumors. The VitD serum levels were lowest in patients with poorly differentiated cancers (4.1 ± 0.5 ng/mL), increasing from moderate (7.3 ± 4.3 ng/mL) to well-differentiated (13.2 ± 3.4 ng/mL) tumors. Notably, females showed higher VitD insufficiency compared to males, correlating with poor differentiation of the tumor. To mechanistically uncover VDR/VitD's pathophysiological relevance, we demonstrated that VitD induced VDR nuclear-translocation (VitD < 100 nM) in HNC cells. RNA sequencing and heat map analysis showed that various nuclear receptors were differentially expressed in cisplatin-resistant versus sensitive HNC cells including VDR and the VDR interaction partner retinoic acid receptor (RXR). However, RXR expression was not significantly correlated with the clinical parameters, and cotreatment with its ligand, retinoic acid, did not enhance the killing by cisplatin. Moreover, the Chou-Talalay algorithm uncovered that VitD/cisplatin combinations synergistically killed tumor cells (VitD < 100 nM) and also inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Importantly, these findings were confirmed in 3D-tumor-spheroid models mimicking the patients' tumor microarchitecture. Here, VitD already affected the 3D-tumor-spheroid formation, which was not seen in the 2D-cultures. We conclude that novel VDR/VitD-targeted drug combinations and nuclear receptors should also be intensely explored for HNC. Gender-specific VDR/VitD-effects may be correlated to socioeconomic differences and need to be considered during VitD (supplementation)-therapies.
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15
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Everolimus downregulates STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway to inhibit angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in TP53 mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Oncotarget 2023; 14:85-95. [PMID: 36745547 PMCID: PMC9901561 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
TP53 mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients exhibit poor clinical outcomes with 50-60% recurrence rates in advanced stage patients. In a recent phase II clinical trial, adjuvant therapy with everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) significantly increased 2-year progression-free survival in p53 mutated patients. TP53-driven mTOR activation in solid malignancies causes upregulation of HIF-1α and its target, downstream effector VEGF, by activating STAT3 cell signaling pathway. Here, we investigated the effects of everolimus on the STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in TP53 mutant cell lines and xenograft models. Treatment with everolimus significantly inhibited cell growth in vitro and effectively reduced the growth of TP53 mutant xenografts in a minimal residual disease (MRD) model in nude mice. Everolimus treatment was associated with significant downregulation of STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in both models. Further, treatment with everolimus was associated with attenuation in tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis as indicated by decreased microvessel density of vascular and lymphatic vessels in HN31 and FaDu xenografts. Everolimus downregulated the STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway to inhibit growth and in vitro tube formation of HMEC-1 (endothelial) and HMEC-1A (lymphatic endothelial) cell lines. Our studies demonstrated that everolimus inhibits the growth of TP53 mutant tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through the downregulation of STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling.
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16
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Hu J, Li G, Liu Z, Ma H, Yuan W, Lu Z, Zhang D, Ling H, Zhang F, Liu Y, Liu C, Qiu Y. Bicarbonate transporter SLC4A7 promotes EMT and metastasis of HNSCC by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:628-640. [PMID: 36727616 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Currently, therapeutic modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are being used to treat HNSCC. However, the treatment outcomes of most patients are dismal because they are already in middle or advanced stage by the time of diagnosis and poorly responsive to treatments. It is therefore of great interest to clarify mechanisms that contribute to the metastasis of cells to identify possible targets for therapy. In this study, we identified the Na+ -coupled bicarbonate transporter, SLC4A7, play essential roles in the metastasis of HNSCC. Our results showed that the relative expression of SLC4A7 messenger RNA was highly expressed in HNSCCs samples from TCGA, and compared with precancerous cells of human oral mucosa (DOK), SLC4A7 was highly expressed in HNSCC cell lines. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that dysregulation of SLC4A7 had minor influence on the proliferation of HNSCC but impacted HNSCC's migration and invasion. Meanwhile, SLC4A7 could promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HNSCC. RNA-seq, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and Western blot further revealed that downregulation of SLC4A7 in HNSCC cells inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway. These findings were further validated via rescue experiments using a small molecule inhibitor of PI3K/mTOR (GDC-0980). Our findings suggest that SLC4A7 promotes EMT and metastasis of HNSCC through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which may be a valuable predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guo Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhifeng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Huiling Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wenhui Yuan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaoyi Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Diekuo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hang Ling
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Fengyu Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanzheng Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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17
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Nathan CAO, Hayes DN, Karrison T, Harismendy O, Flores JM, Moore-Medlin T, Vokes EE, Gutkind JS, Neupane P, Mills G, Sargi Z, Seiwert T, Grilley-Olson J, Day T, Gillison M, Wade JL, Feldman L, Jha G, Kozloff M, O’ Leary M, Worden FP, Cohen EEW. A Randomized Multi-institutional Phase II Trial of Everolimus as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:5040-5048. [PMID: 36194164 PMCID: PMC9722644 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-4290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigate whether adjuvant everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, improves progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and provide outcomes related to correlative biological factors associated with disease control. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind phase II trial of patients with advanced-stage HNSCC from 13 institutions who were confirmed disease-free post-definitive therapy and enrolled between December 2010 and March 2015. Patients received adjuvant everolimus or placebo daily (10 mg, oral) for a maximum of 1 year. p16 IHC as a surrogate marker for human papillomavirus infection and whole-exome sequencing were performed. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard rates. Log-rank tests evaluated differences in survival. The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints and objectives included overall survival (OS) and toxicity assessment. RESULTS 52 patients [median (range) age, 58 (37-76) years; 43 men (83%), 9 women (17%)] were randomized to placebo (n = 24) or everolimus (n = 28). PFS favored everolimus, but was not significant [log-rank P = 0.093; HR = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17-1.17]. There was no difference in OS (P = 0.29; HR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.20-16.2). Everolimus resulted in significant improvement in PFS for p16-negative patients (n = 31; P = 0.031; HR = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.97), although subgroup analysis showed no difference for p16-positive patients (n = 21; P = 0.93). Further, PFS was significantly higher in TP53-mutated (TP53mut) patients treated with everolimus compared with placebo (log-rank P = 0.027; HR = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.95). No treatment difference was seen in patients with TP53 wild-type tumors (P = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS p16-negative and TP53mut patients may benefit from adjuvant treatment with everolimus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie-Ann O. Nathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health-Shreveport., Shreveport, LA
| | - D Neil Hayes
- Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Theodore Karrison
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - José M. Flores
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Tara Moore-Medlin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health-Shreveport., Shreveport, LA
| | | | - J. Silvio Gutkind
- Department of Pharmacology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Prakash Neupane
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Glenn Mills
- Department of Medicine, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
| | - Zoukaa Sargi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Tanguy Seiwert
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Terry Day
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Maura Gillison
- Viral Oncology, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
| | - James L. Wade
- Department of Medicine, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL
| | - Lawrence Feldman
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Gautam Jha
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Mark Kozloff
- Department of Medicine, Ingalls Cancer Research Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Miriam O’ Leary
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Francis P. Worden
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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18
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Ezhilarasan D, Shree Harini K. Novel mTOR inhibitors: Promising therapeutic interventions in oral cancer therapy. Oral Oncol 2022; 133:106066. [PMID: 35961263 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), No.162, PH Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 077, India.
| | - Karthik Shree Harini
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India
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19
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Porosnicu M, O’Brien Cox A, Waltonen JD, Bunch PM, D’Agostino R, Lycan TW, Taylor R, Williams DW, Chen X, Shukla K, Kouri BE, Walker T, Kucera G, Patwa HS, Sullivan CA, Browne JD, Furdui CM. Early [18]FDG PET/CT scan predicts tumor response in head and neck squamous cell cancer patients treated with erlotinib adjusted per smoking status. Front Oncol 2022; 12:939118. [PMID: 36110959 PMCID: PMC9468744 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational Relevance Evaluation of targeted therapies is urgently needed for the majority of patients with metastatic/recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who progress after immunochemotherapy. Erlotinib, a targeted inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, lacks FDA approval in HNSCC due to inadequate tumor response. This study identifies two potential avenues to improve tumor response to erlotinib among patients with HNSCC. For the first time, this study shows that an increased erlotinib dose of 300 mg in smokers is well-tolerated and produces similar plasma drug concentration as the regular dose of 150 mg in non-smokers, with increased study-specific defined tumor response. The study also highlights the opportunity for improved patient selection for erlotinib treatment by demonstrating that early in-treatment [18]FDG PET/CT is a potential predictor of tumor response, with robust statistical correlations between metabolic changes on early in-treatment PET (4-7 days through treatment) and anatomic response measured by end-of-treatment CT. Purpose Patients with advanced HNSCC failing immunochemotherapy have no standard treatment options. Accelerating the investigation of targeted drug therapies is imperative. Treatment with erlotinib produced low response rates in HNSCC. This study investigates the possibility of improved treatment response through patient smoking status-based erlotinib dose optimization, and through early in-treatment [18]FDG PET evaluation to differentiate responders from non-responders. Experimental design In this window-of-opportunity study, patients with operable HNSCC received neoadjuvant erlotinib with dose determined by smoking status: 150 mg (E150) for non-smokers and 300 mg (E300) for active smokers. Plasma erlotinib levels were measured using mass spectrometry. Patients underwent PET/CT before treatment, between days 4-7 of treatment, and before surgery (post-treatment). Response was measured by diagnostic CT and was defined as decrease in maximum tumor diameter by ≥ 20% (responders), 10-19% (minimum-responders), and < 10% (non-responders). Results Nineteen patients completed treatment, ten of whom were smokers. There were eleven responders, five minimum-responders, and three non-responders. Tumor response and plasma erlotinib levels were similar between the E150 and E300 patient groups. The percentage change on early PET/CT and post-treatment PET/CT compared to pre-treatment PET/CT were significantly correlated with the radiologic response on post-treatment CTs: R=0.63, p=0.0041 and R=0.71, p=0.00094, respectively. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that early in-treatment PET/CT can predict response to erlotinib, and treatment with erlotinib dose adjusted according to smoking status is well-tolerated and may improve treatment response in HNSCC. These findings could help optimize erlotinib treatment in HNSCC and should be further investigated. Clinical Trial Registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00601913, identifier NCT00601913.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Porosnicu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Mercedes Porosnicu, ; Cristina M. Furdui,
| | - Anderson O’Brien Cox
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Joshua D. Waltonen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Paul M. Bunch
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Ralph D’Agostino
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas W. Lycan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Richard Taylor
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Dan W. Williams
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Kirtikar Shukla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Brian E. Kouri
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Tiffany Walker
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Gregory Kucera
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Hafiz S. Patwa
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christopher A. Sullivan
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - J. Dale Browne
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Cristina M. Furdui
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Mercedes Porosnicu, ; Cristina M. Furdui,
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20
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p-S6 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Canine Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070935. [PMID: 35883491 PMCID: PMC9313205 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070935] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Scarce information exists on the role of mTOR pathway proteins and their association to aggressiveness and prognosis of patients with canine oral cancers. We aimed to investigate the activated form of mTOR and its downstream S6 protein in canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate potential associations between protein expression and clinic-pathologic variables and survival. For that we analysed p-mTOR and p-S6 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 61 canine OSCCs. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine their role in patients’ cancer-specific survival (CSS). p-mTOR and p-S6 expression were present in almost all cases. High-expression of p-mTOR was observed in 44 (72.1%) cases using extent score and 52 (85.2%) cases using intensity score. For p-S6, high expression was observed in 53 (86.9%) cases using extent score and in 54 (88.5%) cases using intensity score. An independent prognostic value for p-S6 extension (p = 0.027), tumour stage (p = 0.013) and treatment (p = 0.0009) was found in patients’ CSS analysis. Our data suggest that p-mTOR and p-S6 proteins are commonly expressed in canine OSCC and p-S6 expression is correlated with poor CSS in dogs with OSCC. More studies should be performed to identify possible therapeutic targets related with mTOR pathway for these patients.
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21
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Hsu PC, Hsu CC, Hsia YJ, Kuo CY. Chrysophanol Suppresses Cell Growth via mTOR/PPAR-α Regulation and ROS Accumulation in Cultured Human Tongue Squamous Carcinoma SAS Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:1528-1538. [PMID: 35723362 PMCID: PMC9164035 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44040104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, can pose a significant risk of death unless diagnosed and treated early. Alternative treatments are urgently needed owing to the high mortality rate, limitations of conventional treatments, and many complications. The anthraquinone compound chrysophanol acts as a tumor suppressor on some types of cancer cells. To date, it has not been clarified how chrysophanol affects human tongue squamous carcinoma. This study was aimed to examine the effects of chrysophanol on oral cancer treatment. The results show that chrysophanol caused cell death, reduced the expression of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We also used two ion chelators, deferoxamine (DFO) and liproxstatin-1 (Lipro), to further determine whether chrysophanol inhibits cell growth and regulates mTOR/PPAR-α expression and ROS production, both of which are involved in iron homeostasis. The results show that DFO and Lipro reversed the increase in cell death, downregulation of mTOR/PPAR-α, and decrease in ROS accumulation. In conclusion, chrysophanol inhibits the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by modulating mTOR/PPAR-α and by causing ROS accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chih Hsu
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (C.-C.H.); (Y.-J.H.)
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chen Hsu
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (C.-C.H.); (Y.-J.H.)
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jan Hsia
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (C.-C.H.); (Y.-J.H.)
| | - Chan-Yen Kuo
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +886-2-6628-9009
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22
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Schere-Levy C, Suberbordes M, Ferri DM, Ayre M, Gattelli A, Kordon EC, Raimondi AR, Walther T. Treatment with Angiotensin-(1-7) Prevents Development of Oral Papilloma Induced in K-ras Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073642. [PMID: 35409002 PMCID: PMC8998511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant cancer affecting the oral cavity. It is characterized by high morbidity and very few therapeutic options. Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is a biologically active heptapeptide, generated predominantly from AngII (Ang-(1-8)) by the enzymatic activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2). Previous studies have shown that Ang-(1-7) counterbalances AngII pro-tumorigenic actions in different pathophysiological settings, exhibiting antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic properties in cancer cells. However, the prevailing effects of Ang-(1-7) in the oral epithelium have not been established in vivo. Here, we used an inducible oral-specific mouse model, where the expression of a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase (CreERtam), which is under the control of the cytokeratin 14 promoter (K14-CreERtam), induces the expression of the K-ras oncogenic variant KrasG12D (LSLK-rasG12D). These mice develop highly proliferative squamous papilloma in the oral cavity and hyperplasia exclusively in oral mucosa within one month after tamoxifen treatment. Ang-(1-7) treated mice showed a reduced papilloma development accompanied by a significant reduction in cell proliferation and a decrease in pS6 positivity, the most downstream target of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling route in oral papilloma. These results suggest that Ang-(1-7) may be a novel therapeutic target for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Schere-Levy
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-11-4576-3368; Fax: +54-11-4576-3321
| | - Melisa Suberbordes
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Darío M. Ferri
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Marina Ayre
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Albana Gattelli
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Edith C. Kordon
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Ana R. Raimondi
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina; (M.S.); (D.M.F.); (M.A.); (A.G.); (E.C.K.); (A.R.R.)
- IFIBYNE-CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Universitaria, CABA, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Thomas Walther
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Xitra Therapeutics GmbH, Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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23
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Kim HAJ, Zeng PYF, Sorgini A, Shaikh MH, Khan H, MacNeil D, Khan MI, Mendez A, Yoo J, Fung K, Lang P, Palma DA, Mymryk JS, Barrett JW, Patel KB, Boutros PC, Nichols AC. Tumor molecular differences associated with outcome disparities of Black patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2022; 44:1124-1135. [PMID: 35187756 PMCID: PMC9047510 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have demonstrated disparate outcomes by race and ethnicity. Beyond known associations with socioeconomic variables, whether these are also associated with differences in tumor molecular composition has thus far been poorly explored. METHODS We downloaded clinical and multiplatform molecular data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and other published studies. These were compared between non-Hispanic Black (n = 43) and White (n = 354) patients with non-HPV-related tumors, using multivariable models. Publicly available validation cohorts were used. RESULTS Black patients had poorer progression-free survival than White patients. Tumors of Black patients had greater copy number aberrations, and increased SFRP1 methylation and miRNA-mediated PRG4 silencing associated with poor survival. PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway proteins were differentially expressed. CONCLUSIONS There are molecular differences between tumors of Black and White patients that may partially account for differences in survival. These may inform targeted treatment decisions to achieve equitable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh A J Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Y F Zeng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alana Sorgini
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mushfiq H Shaikh
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Halema Khan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle MacNeil
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammed I Khan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adrian Mendez
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Yoo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Fung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pencilla Lang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David A Palma
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joe S Mymryk
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John W Barrett
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krupal B Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Institute for Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anthony C Nichols
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Zhang S, Zhang W, Zhang J. Comprehensive analysis of immune cell infiltration and significant genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2022; 126:105755. [PMID: 35144208 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immunotherapy directed at the tumor microenvironment is effective in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In contrast, there has been a paucity of research on the relationship between the HNSCC microenvironment and prognostic outcome. Meanwhile, tumor immune cell infiltration (ICI) has emerged as a critical step in immunotherapy. METHODS Two algorithms, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE, were performed to evaluate the ICI view of 885 HNSCC patients using three databases: the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Arrayexpress, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). RESULTS Different ICI subtypes were identified. Following that, 57 different expression genes (DEGs) were discovered. The ICI scores of all patients were calculated using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) algorithm. Additionally, an immune-related prognostic signature was developed and validated using 17 of 57 DEGs. Patients with a low-ICI or low-risk score had a higher infiltration immune-activated related cells and higher expression of most immune checkpoint-related molecules, indicating a better prognosis. Furthermore, using the pRRophetic algorithm, the sensitivities of many chemotherapeutic drugs were significantly different between two ICI subtypes or two risk groups. Moreover, a nomogram incorporating the ICI score, risk score, and clinical characteristics was developed and was capable of accurately predicting outcomes. CONCLUSION The ICI score and 17-gene signature could improve HNSCC survival prediction, promote individual treatment strategies, and provide promising novel immunotherapy biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoujing Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tianjin Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Department of Prosthodontics, Tianjin Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tianjin Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin 300070, China.
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25
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Sunavala-Dossabhoy G. Disorder at the Start: The Contribution of Dysregulated Translation Initiation to Cancer Therapy Resistance. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 2:765931. [PMID: 35048066 PMCID: PMC8757695 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.765931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of cellular RNA to protein is an energy-intensive process through which synthesized proteins dictate cellular processes and function. Translation is regulated in response to extracellular effectors and availability of amino acids intracellularly. Most eukaryotic mRNA rely on the methyl 7-guanosine (m7G) nucleotide cap to recruit the translation machinery, and the uncoupling of translational control that occurs in tumorigenesis plays a significant role in cancer treatment response. This article provides an overview of the mammalian translation initiation process and the primary mechanisms by which it is regulated. An outline of how deregulation of initiation supports tumorigenesis and how initiation at a downstream open reading frame (ORF) of Tousled-like kinase 1 (TLK1) leads to treatment resistance is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Sunavala-Dossabhoy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health and Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
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26
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Shen W, He J, Hou T, Si J, Chen S. Common Pathogenetic Mechanisms Underlying Aging and Tumor and Means of Interventions. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1063-1091. [PMID: 35855334 PMCID: PMC9286910 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of malignant tumors among the older population. Moreover, there is an association between aging and cancer. During the process of senescence, the human body suffers from a series of imbalances, which have been shown to further accelerate aging, trigger tumorigenesis, and facilitate cancer progression. Therefore, exploring the junctions of aging and cancer and searching for novel methods to restore the junctions is of great importance to intervene against aging-related cancers. In this review, we have identified the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of aging-related cancers by comparing alterations in the human body caused by aging and the factors that trigger cancers. We found that the common mechanisms of aging and cancer include cellular senescence, alterations in proteostasis, microbiota disorders (decreased probiotics and increased pernicious bacteria), persistent chronic inflammation, extensive immunosenescence, inordinate energy metabolism, altered material metabolism, endocrine disorders, altered genetic expression, and epigenetic modification. Furthermore, we have proposed that aging and cancer have common means of intervention, including novel uses of common medicine (metformin, resveratrol, and rapamycin), dietary restriction, and artificial microbiota intervention or selectively replenishing scarce metabolites. In addition, we have summarized the research progress of each intervention and revealed their bidirectional effects on cancer progression to compare their reliability and feasibility. Therefore, the study findings provide vital information for advanced research studies on age-related cancers. However, there is a need for further optimization of the described methods and more suitable methods for complicated clinical practices. In conclusion, targeting aging may have potential therapeutic effects on aging-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiamin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tongyao Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Shujie Chen (), Dr. Jianmin Si () and Dr. Tongyao Hou (), Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianmin Si
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Shujie Chen (), Dr. Jianmin Si () and Dr. Tongyao Hou (), Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shujie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Shujie Chen (), Dr. Jianmin Si () and Dr. Tongyao Hou (), Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
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27
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Wang F, Zhu Y, Cai H, Liang J, Wang W, Liao Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Hou J. N6-Methyladenosine Methyltransferase METTL14-Mediated Autophagy in Malignant Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:738406. [PMID: 34900689 PMCID: PMC8652297 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.738406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes and is related to stability, localization, or translation efficiency in tumorigenesis. Autophagy plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumours. However, the relationship between m6A and autophagy remains unclear. In this study, we used a rapamycin-induced autophagy model of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, and observed increased m6A RNA methylation. When autophagy was activated, the methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) expression was upregulated and influenced the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of OSCC cells. Through meRIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis, we found that METTL14 directly combined with eukaryotic translation initiation factor gamma 1 (eIF4G1) mRNA and decreased its RNA stability. According to the dual-luciferase reporter and mutagenesis assay, the mutated site 1 of exon 11 of eIF4G1 is the key target of METTL14. Knockdown of the main m6A binding protein YTHDF2 may rescue the shortened half-life of eIF4G1 mRNA induced by METTL14 overexpression. Furthermore, an in vivo tumour xenograft model confirmed that a high METTL14 expression can effectively reduce OSCC growth. Additionally, using clinical samples, we found that patients with advanced or moderately/poorly differentiated tumours exhibited lower METTL14 levels. Taken together, our results revealed that METTL14 mediated eIF4G1 expression via m6A modification and regulated autophagy levels and biological functions in OSCC. Our findings not only expand our understanding of the correlation between autophagy and RNA methylation in tumorigenesis but also present an opportunity to develop new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongshi Cai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Liang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjin Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Liao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yadong Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinsong Hou
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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28
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Kheshtchin N, Hadjati J. Targeting hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in the tumor microenvironment for optimal cancer immunotherapy. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:1285-1298. [PMID: 34796969 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of new strategies of anticancer immunotherapies has provided promising approaches in the treatment of solid tumors. However, despite the improved survival in responders, most of the patients show incomplete responses with a lack of remarkable clinical improvement. Hypoxia has been identified as a common characteristic of solid tumors contributing to different aspects of tumor progression, including invasion, metastasis, and the creation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Hypoxia, through its main mediator, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is also associated with the limited efficacy of immunotherapies. Therefore, designing new strategies for immunotherapy implicating therapeutic targeting of HIF-1 molecules may enhance the clinical effectiveness of immunotherapy. Here, we discuss the contribution of hypoxia to the development of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We will also outline different strategies for targeting hypoxia to provide insight into the therapeutic potential of the application of such strategies to improve the clinical benefit of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Kheshtchin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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29
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Ma H, Liu C, Zhang S, Yuan W, Hu J, Huang D, Zhang X, Liu Y, Qiu Y. miR-328-3p promotes migration and invasion by targeting H2AFX in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:6519-6530. [PMID: 34659543 PMCID: PMC8489127 DOI: 10.7150/jca.60743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Migration and invasion are the initial step in the metastatic process, while metastasis is responsible for the poor prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Since miRNA has been found as an important regulator of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in various diseases including carcinoma, exploring the role of miRNA in cancer metastasis will facilitate the target therapy of advanced HNSCC. MiR-328-3p has been reported to be an onco-miRNA or a tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, the role of miR-328-3p in HNSCC migration and invasion remains undefined. In this study, we first demonstrated that miR-328-3p enhanced migration and invasion of HNSCC in vitro, accompanying with a promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mTOR activity. Meanwhile, we confirmed that miR-328-3p directly targeted the 3'UTR of H2A histone family, member X (H2AFX), which served as a tumor suppressor in migration and invasion of HNSCC. Moreover, H2AFX could partially reverse the migration and invasion of HNSCC caused by miR-328-3p. Overall, our results indicated that miR-328-3p enhanced migration and invasion of HNSCC through targeting H2AFX and activated the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Shuiting Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wenhui Yuan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Junli Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Donghai Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanzheng Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Pharyngolaryngeal Diseases and Voice Disorders in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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30
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Alam MM, Marin Fermin J, Spiller PT, Burnett C, Rong X, Moore-Medlin T, Maxwell CO, Khandelwal AR, Nathan CAO. Rapalogs induce non-apoptotic, autophagy-dependent cell death in HPV-negative TP53 mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2021; 61:33-44. [PMID: 34598317 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patients with HPV-negative TP53 mutant HNSCC have the worst prognosis, necessitating additional agents for treatment. Since mutant p53 causes sustained activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, we investigated the effect of rapalogs RAD001 and CCI-779 on HPV-negative mutTP53 HNSCC cell lines and xenografts. Rapalogs significantly reduced cell viability and colony formation. Interestingly, rapalogs-induced autophagy with no effect on apoptosis. Pretreatment with autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and ULK-101 rescued the cell viability by inhibiting rapalog-induced autophagy, suggesting that both RAD001 and CCI-779 induce non-apoptotic autophagy-dependent cell death (ADCD). Moreover, rapalogs upregulated the levels of ULK1 and pULK1 S555 with concomitant downregulation of the mTORC1 pathway. However, pretreatment of cells with rapalogs prevented the ULK-101-mediated inhibition of ULK1 to sustained autophagy, suggesting that rapalogs induce ADCD through the activation of ULK1. To further translate our in vitro studies, we investigated the effect of RAD001 in HPV-negative mutTP53 (HN31 and FaDu) tumor cell xenograft model in nude mice. Mice treated with RAD001 exhibited a significant tumor volume reduction without induction of apoptosis, and with a concomitant increase in autophagy. Further, treatment with RAD001 was associated with a considerable increase in pULK1 S555 and ULK1 levels through the inhibition of mTORC1. 3-MA reversed the effect of RAD001 on FaDu tumor growth suggesting that RAD001 promotes ACDC in HPV-negative mutTP53 xenograft. This is the first report demonstrating that rapalogs promote non-apoptotic ADCD in HPV-negative mutTP53 HNSCC via the ULK1 pathway. Further studies are required to establish the promising role of rapalogs in preventing the regrowth of HPV-negative mutTP53 HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Maksudul Alam
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Janmaris Marin Fermin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Patrick T Spiller
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Chaning Burnett
- School of Medicine, LSU-Health Science Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Xiaohua Rong
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Tara Moore-Medlin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Caden O Maxwell
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Alok R Khandelwal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Cherie-Ann O Nathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, LSU-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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31
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Gutkind JS, Molinolo A, Wu X, Wang Z, Nachmanson D, Harismendy O, Alexandrov LB, Wuertz BR, Ondrey FG, Laronde DM, Rock LD, Rosin MP, Coffey CS, Butler VD, Bengtson L, Hsu CH, Bauman JE, Hewitt SM, Cohen EE, Chow HHS, Lippman SM, Szabo E. Inhibition of mTOR signaling and clinical activity of metformin in oral premalignant lesions. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e147096. [PMID: 34255745 PMCID: PMC8492350 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.147096] [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: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aberrant activation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling circuitry is one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling events in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we conducted a single-arm, open-label phase IIa clinical trial in individuals with oral premalignant lesions (OPLs) to explore the potential of metformin to target PI3K/mTOR signaling for HNSCC prevention. METHODS Individuals with OPLs, but who were otherwise healthy and without diabetes, underwent pretreatment and posttreatment clinical exam and biopsy. Participants received metformin for 12 weeks (week 1, 500 mg; week 2, 1000 mg; weeks 3–12, 2000 mg daily). Pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies, saliva, and blood were obtained for biomarker analysis, including IHC assessment of mTOR signaling and exome sequencing. RESULTS Twenty-three participants were evaluable for response. The clinical response rate (defined as a ≥50% reduction in lesion size) was 17%. Although lower than the proposed threshold for favorable clinical response, the histological response rate (improvement in histological grade) was 60%, including 17% complete responses and 43% partial responses. Logistic regression analysis revealed that when compared with never smokers, current and former smokers had statistically significantly increased histological responses (P = 0.016). Remarkably, a significant correlation existed between decreased mTOR activity (pS6 IHC staining) in the basal epithelial layers of OPLs and the histological (P = 0.04) and clinical (P = 0.01) responses. CONCLUSION To our knowledge this is the first phase II trial of metformin in individuals with OPLs, providing evidence that metformin administration results in encouraging histological responses and mTOR pathway modulation, thus supporting its further investigation as a chemopreventive agent. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02581137 FUNDING NIH contract HHSN261201200031I, grants R01DE026644 and R01DE026870
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Affiliation(s)
- J Silvio Gutkind
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Alfredo Molinolo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Xingyu Wu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Daniela Nachmanson
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Ludmil B Alexandrov
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | | | - Frank G Ondrey
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States of America
| | - Denise M Laronde
- Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, United States of America
| | - Leigha D Rock
- British Columbia Agency Research Center, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Miriam P Rosin
- British Columbia Agency Research Center, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Charles S Coffey
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Valerie D Butler
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States of America
| | - Lisa Bengtson
- National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - Chiu-Hsieh Hsu
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States of America
| | - Julie E Bauman
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States of America
| | - Stephen M Hewitt
- National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - Ezra Ew Cohen
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - H H Sherry Chow
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States of America
| | - Scott M Lippman
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States of America
| | - Eva Szabo
- National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, United States of America
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32
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Chen Z, Zhang C, Chen J, Wang D, Tu J, Van Waes C, Saba NF, Chen ZG, Chen Z. The Proteomic Landscape of Growth Factor Signaling Networks Associated with FAT1 Mutations in Head and Neck Cancers. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4402-4416. [PMID: 34167951 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
FAT1 is frequently mutated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the biological and clinical effects of FAT1 mutations in HNSCC remain to be fully elucidated. We investigated the landscape of altered protein and gene expression associated with FAT1 mutations and clinical outcomes of patients with HNSCC. FAT1 mutation was stratified with clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSCC databases with more than 200 proteins or phosphorylated sites. FAT1 mutation was significantly more prevalent among HPV(-), female, and older patients and was enriched in oral, larynx, and hypopharynx primary tumors. FAT1 mutation was also significantly associated with lower FAT1 gene expression and increased protein expression of HER3_pY1289, IRS1, and CAVEOLIN1. From an independent International Cancer Genome Consortium dataset, FAT1 mutation in oral cancer co-occurred with top mutated genes TP53 and CASP8. Poorer overall survival or progression-free survival was observed in patients with FAT1 mutation or altered HER3_pY1289, IRS1, or CAVEOLIN1. Pathway analysis revealed dominant ERBB/neuregulin pathways linked to FAT1 mutations in HNSCC, and protein signature panels uncovered the heterogeneity of patient subgroups. Decreased pEGFR, pHER2, and pERK and upregulated pHER3 and HER3 proteins were observed in two FAT1 knockout HNSCC cell lines, supporting that FAT1 alterations lead to altered EGFR/ERBB signaling. In squamous cancers of the lung and cervix, a strong association of FAT1 and EGFR gene expressions was identified. Collectively, these results suggest that alteration of FAT1 appears to involve mostly HPV(-) HNSCC and may contribute to resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Integrative bioinformatics and statistical analyses reveal a panel of genes and proteins associated with FAT1 mutation in HNSCC, providing important insights into prospective clinical investigations with targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjia Chen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Biostatistics Shared Resource Core, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Chao Zhang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jianhong Chen
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jieqi Tu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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33
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Dos Santos ES, Wagner VP, Cabral Ramos J, Lambert DW, Castilho RM, Paes Leme AF. Epigenetic modulation of the tumor microenvironment in head and neck cancer: Challenges and opportunities. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 164:103397. [PMID: 34146679 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is globally challenging due to the resistance to therapy and aggressive behavior leading to high rates of mortality. Recent findings show that the tumor microenvironment plays a role in the maintenance and progression of many solid tumors, including head and neck cancer. The mechanisms involved in the modulation and regulation of the tumor microenvironment remain poorly understood. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic events can modulate the crosstalk between neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells during tumor progression. In this review, we explore the current understanding of the involvement of epigenetic events in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment and its impact on head and neck cancer behavior. We also explore the latest therapeutic strategies that use epigenetic-modulating drugs to manage tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vivian Petersen Wagner
- The University of Sheffield Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health, 152607, Sheffield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Joab Cabral Ramos
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Daniel W Lambert
- The University of Sheffield Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health, 152607, Sheffield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Rogerio Moraes Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA
| | - Adriana Franco Paes Leme
- The Brazilian Bioscience National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
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34
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N6-methyladenosine demethyltransferase FTO-mediated autophagy in malignant development of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:3885-3898. [PMID: 33972683 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Here, we established a cell model of rapamycin-induced autophagy to screen m6A-modifying enzymes. We found that m6A demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) plays a key role in regulating autophagy and tumorigenesis by targeting the gene encoding eukaryotic translation initiation factor gamma 1 (eIF4G1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Knocked down of FTO expression in OSCC cell lines, resulting in downregulation of eIF4G1 along with enhanced autophagic flux and inhibition of tumorigenesis. Rapamycin inhibited FTO activity, and directly targeted eIF4G1 transcripts and mediated their expression in an m6A-dependent manner. Dual-luciferase reporter and mutagenesis assays confirmed that YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein 2 (YTHDF2) targets eIF4G1. Conclusively, after FTO silencing, YTHDF2 captured eIF4G1 transcripts containing m6A, resulting in mRNA degradation and decreased expression of eIF4G1 protein, thereby promoting autophagy and reducing tumor occurrence. Therefore, rapamycin may regulate m6A levels, determining the autophagic flux of OSCC, thereby affecting the biological characteristics of cancer cells. This insight expands our understanding of the crosstalk between autophagy and RNA methylation in tumorigenesis, which is essential for therapeutic strategy development for OSCC.
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35
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Lina S. Identification of hub lncRNAs in head and neck cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis and experiments. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:2060-2073. [PMID: 33660438 PMCID: PMC8406479 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the sixth most common cancer among systemic malignant tumors, with 600 000 new cases occurring every year worldwide. Since HNSCC has high heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis, no effective prognostic indicator has yet been identified. Here, we aimed to identify a lncRNA signature associated with the prognosis of HNSCC as a potential new biomarker. LncRNA expression data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A polygenic risk score model was constructed by using Lasso-Cox regression analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to analyze the co-expression modules of lncRNAs associated with the prognosis of HNSCC. The robustness of the signature was validated in testing and external cohorts. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression levels of identified lncRNAs in cancer and adjacent tissues. We constructed an 8-lncRNA signature (LINC00567, LINC00996, MTOR-AS1, PRKG1-AS1, RAB11B-AS1, RPS6KA2-AS1, SH3BP5-AS1, ZNF451-AS1) that could be used as an independent prognostic factor of HNSCC. The signature showed strong robustness and had stable prediction performance in different cohorts. WGCNA results showed that modules related to risk score mainly participated in biological processes such as blood vessel development, positive regulation of catabolic processes, and regulation of growth. The prognostic risk score model based on lncRNA for HNSCC may help clinicians conduct individualized treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao Lina
- Department of Endodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
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36
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Farah CS. Molecular landscape of head and neck cancer and implications for therapy. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:915. [PMID: 34164549 PMCID: PMC8184465 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-6264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) arising from the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx constitute the 6th most common human cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumours are distinct from HPV-negative counterparts, with HPV status affording clear clinical utility, prognostic benefit and better treatment outcomes. In contrast to their HPV-positive counterparts, HPV-negative tumours are characterized by high mutational load and chromosomal aberrations, with varying copy number alteration (CNA) profiles. HNSCC are distinct tumours at the chromosomal, gene and expression levels, with additional insight gained from immune profiling. Based on mutational analyses, HNSCC are categorized as HPV-positive, HPV-negative CNA-silent, and HPV-negative CNA-high tumours. Furthermore, gene expression profiling segregates these tumours into atypical, classical, basal, and mesenchymal, with clear differences observed between tumours of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Additional immune profiling further classifies tumours as either immune-active or immune-exhausted. The clinical utility and impact of these tumour molecular subtypes however remains to be determined. HNSCC harbor high levels of somatic mutations. They display loss at 3p and 18q and gain at 3q and 8q, with mutations in CDKN2A, TP53, CCND1, EGFR, PIK3CA, PTEN, NOTCH1, NSD1, FAT1, AJUBA and KMT2D. Important pathways include the p53 and RB pathways which are involved in cell cycle control and are frequently lost in HPV-negative tumours, the WNT-β-catenin pathway related to the mesenchymal subtype and smoking etiology, and the PI3K pathway which includes the most common genetic alteration in HPV-positive HNSCC. Understanding the mutational, genomic and transcriptomic landscape of HNSCC has leveraged better therapeutic approaches to manage this group of diseases, and it is hoped that additional insight into the molecular subtypes of HNSCC and its specific subsites will further drive improved strategies to stratify and treat patients with this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camile S Farah
- Australian Centre for Oral Oncology Research & Education, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Oral, Maxillofacial and Dental Surgery, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch WA, Australia.,Head and Neck Pathology, Australian Clinical Labs, Subiaco WA, Australia.,Genomics for Life, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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37
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Wang Z, Goto Y, Allevato MM, Wu VH, Saddawi-Konefka R, Gilardi M, Alvarado D, Yung BS, O'Farrell A, Molinolo AA, Duvvuri U, Grandis JR, Califano JA, Cohen EEW, Gutkind JS. Disruption of the HER3-PI3K-mTOR oncogenic signaling axis and PD-1 blockade as a multimodal precision immunotherapy in head and neck cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2383. [PMID: 33888713 PMCID: PMC8062674 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22619-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has revolutionized head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment, but <20% of patients achieve durable responses. Persistent activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling circuitry represents a key oncogenic driver in HNSCC; however, the potential immunosuppressive effects of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors may limit the benefit of their combination with ICB. Here we employ an unbiased kinome-wide siRNA screen to reveal that HER3, is essential for the proliferation of most HNSCC cells that do not harbor PIK3CA mutations. Indeed, we find that persistent tyrosine phosphorylation of HER3 and PI3K recruitment underlies aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in PIK3CA wild type HNSCCs. Remarkably, antibody-mediated HER3 blockade exerts a potent anti-tumor effect by suppressing HER3-PI3K-AKT-mTOR oncogenic signaling and concomitantly reversing the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. Ultimately, we show that HER3 inhibition and PD-1 blockade may provide a multimodal precision immunotherapeutic approach for PIK3CA wild type HNSCC, aimed at achieving durable cancer remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yusuke Goto
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael M Allevato
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victoria H Wu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert Saddawi-Konefka
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Mara Gilardi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Bryan S Yung
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aoife O'Farrell
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo A Molinolo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Umamaheswar Duvvuri
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph A Califano
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ezra E W Cohen
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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38
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Saidak Z, Lailler C, Testelin S, Chauffert B, Clatot F, Galmiche A. Contribution of Genomics to the Surgical Management and Study of Oral Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:5842-5854. [PMID: 33846893 PMCID: PMC8460589 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-09904-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent type of tumor arising from the oral cavity. Surgery is the cornerstone of the treatment of these cancers. Tumor biology has long been overlooked as an important contributor to the outcome of surgical procedures, but recent studies are challenging this concept. Molecular analyses of tumor DNA or RNA provide a rich source of information about the biology of OSCC. Methods We searched for relevant articles using PubMed. We examined in particular the prospect of applying molecular methods for minimally invasive exploration of OSCC biology. Results We examined five potential applications of genomics to the surgical management and study of OSCC: i) assessing oral potentially malignant lesions; ii) tumor staging prior to surgery; iii) predicting postoperative risk in locally advanced tumors; iv) measuring minimal residual disease and optimizing the longitudinal monitoring of OSCC; and v) predicting the efficacy of medical treatment. Conclusions Genomic information can be harnessed in order to identify new biomarkers that could improve the staging, choice of therapy and management of OSCC. The identification of new biomarkers is awaited for better personalization of the surgical treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Saidak
- UR7516 "CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne", Amiens, France. .,Centre de Biologie Humaine, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France.
| | - Claire Lailler
- UR7516 "CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne", Amiens, France.,Centre de Biologie Humaine, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France
| | - Sylvie Testelin
- UR7516 "CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne", Amiens, France.,Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France
| | - Bruno Chauffert
- UR7516 "CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne", Amiens, France.,Department of Oncology, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France
| | - Florian Clatot
- Centre Henri Becquerel, Rouen, France.,INSERM U1245/Team IRON, Rouen, France
| | - Antoine Galmiche
- UR7516 "CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne", Amiens, France.,Centre de Biologie Humaine, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France
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Yang M, Huang Q, Li C, Jiang Z, Sun J, Wang Z, Liang R, Li D, Li B, Zhao H. TOX Acts as a Tumor Suppressor by Inhibiting mTOR Signaling in Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:647540. [PMID: 33897695 PMCID: PMC8062716 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.647540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment and prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remain a challenging clinical research focus. Here, we describe a new CRC tumor suppressor and potential therapeutic target: thymocyte selection associated high mobility group box (TOX) protein. The expression of TOX was lower in CRC than para-CRC. With the increase of tumor stage, TOX expression decreased, indicating the presence of TOX relates to better overall survival (OS). TOX suppressed the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) signaling to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and change the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, TOX promoted apoptosis. As tumor mutation burden and tumor microenvironment play vital roles in the occurrence and development of tumors, we analyzed the TOX expression in the immune microenvironment of CRC. The high TOX expression was negatively correlated with TumorPurity. Moreover, it was positively related to ImmuneScore, StromalScore, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS) 3 typing. Based on gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), the reduced expression of TOX activated mTOR. We found rapamycin, a mTOR inhibitor, partly inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in shTOX HCT116 cells. Lastly, TOX suppressed tumorigenesis and lung metastasis of CRC in vivo. Rapamycin alone or combined with PD1 inhibitor is more effective than PD1 inhibitor alone in a tumor model. Taken together, these findings highlight the tumor-suppressive role of TOX in CRC, especially in MSI CRC, and provide valuable information that rapamycin alone or combined with PD1 inhibitor has therapeutic potential in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Yang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianru Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changcan Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Jiang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Liang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research, Guanghua Integrative Medicine Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Internal Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Chou MH, Chuang HC, Lin YT, Tsai MH, Kao YH, Lin IC, Huang TL, Fang FM, Chien CY. Targeting mTOR-CCL20 Signaling May Improve Response to Docetaxel in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3046. [PMID: 33802643 PMCID: PMC8002492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually show a dismal prognosis. It is this worthwhile to develop new, effective therapeutic regimens for these patients, such as molecular targeted therapy, which is promising as an alternative or combination treatment for HNSCC. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of HNSCC, is the most frequently activated, and is thus worthy of further investigation. In this study, two human HNSCC cell lines, FaDu and SAS, were evaluated for cell growth with trypan blue staining and tumor growth using an orthotopic xenograft model. The immunohistochemical expression of mTOR in the subcutaneous xenograft model and the inhibitory effects of docetaxel on the growth and state of activation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway were also evaluated and examined by colony formation and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration were measured by water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) and OrisTM cell migration assay, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of rapamycin and BEZ235, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) and mTOR inhibitor in combination with docetaxel or CCL20 were evaluated in the FaDu and SAS cells. The results showed that the expression of mTOR was significantly higher in the SAS and FaDu xenograft models than in the control. Docetaxel treatment significantly suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro via the PI3K/mTOR/CCL-20 signaling pathway. Additionally, when administered in a dose-dependent fashion, mTOR inhibitors inhibited the growth and migration of the HNSCC cells. This combination was synergistic with docetaxel, resulting in almost complete cell growth and migration arrest. In conclusion, docetaxel significantly inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro via the PI3K/mTOR/CCL-20 signaling pathway. The synergistic and additive activity of mTOR inhibitors combined with docetaxel shows potential as a new treatment strategy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Huei Chou
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Center for General Education, Cheng-Shiu University, Kaohsiung 83347, Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
| | - Hui-Ching Chuang
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tsai Lin
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsien Tsai
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsien Kao
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan;
| | - I-Chun Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Tai-Lin Huang
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Min Fang
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yen Chien
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Head and Neck Oncology Group, Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (H.-C.C.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-H.T.); (T.-L.H.); (F.-M.F.)
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Institute for Translation Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
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41
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Moura ACD, Assad DX, Amorim Dos Santos J, Porto de Toledo I, Barra GB, Castilho RM, Squarize CH, Guerra ENS. Worldwide prevalence of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway mutations in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103284. [PMID: 33675910 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway mutations in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Overall, 105 studies comprising 8630 patients and 1306 mutations were selected. The estimated mutations prevalence was 13 % for PIK3CA (95 % confidence interval [CI] = 11-14; I2 = 82 %; p < 0.0001), 4% for PTEN (95 % CI = 3-5; I2 = 55 %; p < 0.0001), 3% for MTOR (95 % CI = 2-4; I2 = 5%; p = 0.40), and 2% for AKT (95 % CI = 1-2; I2 = 50 %; p = 0.0001). We further stratified the available data of the participants according to risk factors and tumor characteristics, including HPV infection, tobacco use, alcohol exposure, TNM stage, and histological tumor differentiation, and performed subgroup analysis. We identified significant associations between PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway-associated mutations and advanced TNM stage (odds ratio [OR] = 0.20; 95 % CI = 0.09-0.44; I² = 71 %; p = 0.0001) and oropharyngeal HPV-positive tumors and PIK3CA mutations (OR = 17.48; 95 % CI = 4.20-72.76; I² = 69 %; p < 0.0002). No associations were found between alcohol and tobacco exposure, and tumor differentiation grade. This SR demonstrated that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway emerges as a potential prognostic factor and could offer a molecular basis for future studies on therapeutic targeting in HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Castelo de Moura
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB-UnB/Ebserh), Brasília, DF, Brazil; Hospital Santa Lúcia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniele Xavier Assad
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Amorim Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Isabela Porto de Toledo
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Barcelos Barra
- Sabin Medicina Diagnóstica, SAAN Quadra 03 Lotes 145/185, Brasília, 70632-340, DF, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Moraes Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA
| | - Cristiane Helena Squarize
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA
| | - Eliete Neves Silva Guerra
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA.
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Medda A, Duca D, Chiocca S. Human Papillomavirus and Cellular Pathways: Hits and Targets. Pathogens 2021; 10:262. [PMID: 33668730 PMCID: PMC7996217 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of different kinds of tumors, including cervical cancers, non-melanoma skin cancers, anogenital cancers, and head and neck cancers. Despite the vaccination campaigns implemented over the last decades, we are far from eradicating HPV-driven malignancies. Moreover, the lack of targeted therapies to tackle HPV-related tumors exacerbates this problem. Biomarkers for early detection of the pathology and more tailored therapeutic approaches are needed, and a complete understanding of HPV-driven tumorigenesis is essential to reach this goal. In this review, we overview the molecular pathways implicated in HPV infection and carcinogenesis, emphasizing the potential targets for new therapeutic strategies as well as new biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy; (A.M.); (D.D.)
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Ortiz-Cuaran S, Bouaoud J, Karabajakian A, Fayette J, Saintigny P. Precision Medicine Approaches to Overcome Resistance to Therapy in Head and Neck Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:614332. [PMID: 33718169 PMCID: PMC7947611 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.614332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most incident cancer worldwide. More than half of HNSCC patients experience locoregional or distant relapse to treatment despite aggressive multimodal therapeutic approaches that include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Before the arrival of immunotherapy, systemic chemotherapy was previously employed as the standard first-line protocol with an association of cisplatin or carboplatin plus 5-fluorouracil plus cetuximab (anti-EFGR antibody). Unfortunately, acquisition of therapy resistance is common in patients with HNSCC and often results in local and distant failure. Despite our better understanding of HNSCC biology, no other molecular-targeted agent has been approved for HNSCC. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of resistance to the therapeutic strategies currently used in HNSCC, discuss combination treatment strategies to overcome them, and summarize the therapeutic regimens that are presently being evaluated in early- and late-phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jebrane Bouaoud
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Andy Karabajakian
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Jérôme Fayette
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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Zamame Ramirez JA, Romagnoli GG, Kaneno R. Inhibiting autophagy to prevent drug resistance and improve anti-tumor therapy. Life Sci 2020; 265:118745. [PMID: 33186569 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118745] [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: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic drugs remain the first-line option for cancer therapy but the development of drug-resistance by tumor cells represents a primary obstacle for successful chemotherapy. Autophagy is a physiological mechanism of cell survival efficiently used by tumor cells to avoid cell death and to induce drug-resistance. It is a macromolecular process, in which cells degrade and recycle intracellular substrates and damaged organelles to alleviate cell stress caused by nutritional deprivation, hypoxia, irradiation, and cytotoxic agents, as well. There is evidence that autophagy prevents cancer during the early steps of carcinogenesis, but once transformed, these cells show enhanced autophagy capacity and use it to survive, grow, and facilitate metastasis. Current basic studies and clinical trials show the feasibility of using pharmacological or molecular blockage of autophagy to improve the anticancer therapy efficiency. In this review, we overviewed the pathways and molecular aspects of autophagy, its role in carcinogenesis, and the evidence for its role in cancer adaptation and drug-resistance. Finally, we reviewed the clinical findings on how the autophagy interference helps to improve conventional anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jofer Andree Zamame Ramirez
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University - UNESP, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Graziela Gorete Romagnoli
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University - UNESP, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Oeste Paulista University - UNOESTE, Department of Health Sciences, Jaú, SP, Brazil
| | - Ramon Kaneno
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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Chandel V, Raj S, Kumar P, Gupta S, Dhasmana A, Kesari KK, Ruokolainen J, Mehra P, Das BC, Kamal MA, Kumar D. Metabolic regulation in HPV associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Life Sci 2020; 258:118236. [PMID: 32795537 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells exhibit distinct energy metabolic pathways due to multiple oncogenic events. In normoxia condition, the anaerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) is highly observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is associated with smoking, chewing tobacco, consumption of alcohol or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection primarily HPV16. In recent years, the correlation of HPV with HNSCC has significantly expanded. Despite the recent advancement in therapeutic approaches, the rate of HPV infected HNSCC has significantly increased in the last few years, specifically, in lower middle-income countries. The oncoproteins of High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV), E6 and E7, alter the metabolic phenotype in HNSCC, which is distinct from non-HPV associated HNSCC. These oncoproteins, modulate the cell cycle and metabolic signalling through interacting with tumor suppressor proteins, p53 and pRb. Since, metabolic alteration represents a major hallmark for tumorigenesis, HPV acts as a source of biomarker linked to cancer progression in HNSCC. The dependency of cancer cells to specific nutrients and alteration of various metabolic associated genes may provide a unique opportunity for pharmacological intervention in HPV infected HNSCC. In this review, we have discussed the molecular mechanism (s) and metabolic regulation in HNSCC depending on the HPV status. We have also discussed the possible potential therapeutic approaches for HPV associated HNSCC through targeting metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Chandel
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India
| | - Sibi Raj
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India
| | - Prabhat Kumar
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India
| | - Shilpi Gupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India
| | - Anupam Dhasmana
- Himalayan School of Biosciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Swami Ram Nagar, Jolly Grant, Doiwala, Dehradun 248016, India; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX, USA
| | - Kavindra Kumar Kesari
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Janne Ruokolainen
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Pravesh Mehra
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Bhudev C Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia; Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, NSW, Australia
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University UttarPradesh, Sec 125, Noida 201303, India.
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Harsha C, Banik K, Ang HL, Girisa S, Vikkurthi R, Parama D, Rana V, Shabnam B, Khatoon E, Kumar AP, Kunnumakkara AB. Targeting AKT/mTOR in Oral Cancer: Mechanisms and Advances in Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093285. [PMID: 32384682 PMCID: PMC7246494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer (OC) is a devastating disease that takes the lives of lots of people globally every year. The current spectrum of treatment modalities does not meet the needs of the patients. The disease heterogeneity demands personalized medicine or targeted therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify potential targets for the treatment of OC. Abundant evidence has suggested that the components of the protein kinase B (AKT)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway are intrinsic factors for carcinogenesis. The AKT protein is central to the proliferation and survival of normal and cancer cells, and its downstream protein, mTOR, also plays an indispensable role in the cellular processes. The wide involvement of the AKT/mTOR pathway has been noted in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This axis significantly regulates the various hallmarks of cancer, like proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, autophagy, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Activated AKT/mTOR signaling is also associated with circadian signaling, chemoresistance and radio-resistance in OC cells. Several miRNAs, circRNAs and lncRNAs also modulate this pathway. The association of this axis with the process of tumorigenesis has culminated in the identification of its specific inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of OC. In this review, we discussed the significance of AKT/mTOR signaling in OC and its potential as a therapeutic target for the management of OC. This article also provided an update on several AKT/mTOR inhibitors that emerged as promising candidates for therapeutic interventions against OC/head and neck cancer (HNC) in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choudhary Harsha
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Kishore Banik
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Hui Li Ang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore;
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Sosmitha Girisa
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Rajesh Vikkurthi
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Dey Parama
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Varsha Rana
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Bano Shabnam
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Elina Khatoon
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore;
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Correspondence: (A.P.K.); (A.B.K.); Tel.: +65-6516-5456 (A.P.K.); +91-361-258-2231 (A.B.K.); Fax: +65-6873-9664 (A.P.K.); +91-361-258-2249 (A.B.K.)
| | - Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India; (C.H.); (K.B.); (S.G.); (R.V.); (D.P.); (V.R.); (B.S.); (E.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.K.); (A.B.K.); Tel.: +65-6516-5456 (A.P.K.); +91-361-258-2231 (A.B.K.); Fax: +65-6873-9664 (A.P.K.); +91-361-258-2249 (A.B.K.)
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Patel J, Nguyen SA, Ogretmen B, Gutkind JS, Nathan C, Day T. mTOR inhibitor use in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis on survival, tumor response, and toxicity. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2020; 5:243-255. [PMID: 32337356 PMCID: PMC7178455 DOI: 10.1002/lio2.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been rising in incidence primarily related to HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers. Novel molecular therapeutics are evolving with the mTOR pathway as a new target. Previous studies have shown variable outcomes with relatively low toxicity. This study reports the tumor response, survivability, and toxicity of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) in HNSCC. Despite expanding research on this pathway, there remains controversy around mTORi use for treatment of HNSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies were included if: (a) Used mTORi alone or in combination with other treatment modalities in HNSCC. (b) Site of cancer included were one of the following: nasopharyngeal, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx. (c) All stages of cancer and treatment stage (neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative) were included. The rate of adverse events (AEs), tumor response, progression free survival, and overall survival were meta-analyzed. RESULTS From 1299 publications only 11 studies met inclusion criteria with a combined 232 total patients treated. Two studies used mTORi neoadjuvantly, five adjuvantly, and four in palliative/unresectable/metastatic setting. Monotherapeutic mTORi resulted in stabilization of disease (52.5%), but partial response was the most common response when mTORi were combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation (CRT) (48.1%). Survival rate was the highest in the mTORi combined with CRT. Hyperglycemia of any grade was the most commonly reported toxicity while grade 3 or less AEs were the most common grade of toxicity. CONCLUSION The use of mTORi as monotherapy in HNSCC has thus far not yielded significant tumor response, however, in combination with other agents, an improved partial tumor response is evident that may or may not be associated with the addition of mTORi. Although adverse events were common, grade 4/5 AEs were uncommon. Further prospective, randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm the direct roles of these agents in HNSCC tumor response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimin Patel
- Head and Neck Tumor Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shaun A. Nguyen
- Head and Neck Tumor Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Head and Neck Tumor Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jorge S. Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, Department of PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cherie‐Ann Nathan
- Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Feist‐Weiller Cancer Cancer, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryLousiana State University Health CenterShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Terry Day
- Head and Neck Tumor Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
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Wang SW, Lee CH, Lin MS, Chi CW, Chen YJ, Wang GS, Liao KW, Chiu LP, Wu SH, Huang DM, Chen L, Shen YS. ZnO Nanoparticles Induced Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma through Mitochondrial Dysfunction and p70S6K Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051612. [PMID: 32111101 PMCID: PMC7084801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are increasingly used in sunscreens, food additives, pigments, rubber manufacture, and electronic materials. Several studies have shown that ZnO-NPs inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis by the production of oxidative stress in a variety of human cancer cells. However, the anti-cancer property and molecular mechanism of ZnO-NPs in human gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) are not fully understood. In this study, we found that ZnO-NPs induced growth inhibition of GSCC (Ca9-22 and OECM-1 cells), but no damage in human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells). ZnO-NPs caused apoptotic cell death of GSCC in a concentration-dependent manner by the quantitative assessment of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle progression revealed that sub-G1 phase accumulation was dramatically induced by ZnO-NPs. In addition, ZnO-NPs increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species and specifically superoxide levels, and also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. ZnO-NPs further activated apoptotic cell death via the caspase cascades. Importantly, anti-oxidant and caspase inhibitor clearly prevented ZnO-NP-induced cell death, indicating the fact that superoxide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the ZnO-NP-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in human GSCC. Moreover, ZnO-NPs significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K kinase). In a corollary in vivo study, our results demonstrated that ZnO-NPs possessed an anti-cancer effect in a zebrafish xenograft model. Collectively, these results suggest that ZnO-NPs induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial oxidative damage and p70S6K signaling pathway in human GSCC. The present study may provide an experimental basis for ZnO-NPs to be considered as a promising novel anti-tumor agent for the treatment of gingival cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Wei Wang
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shen Lin
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Wen Chi
- Department of Nursing, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chen
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Guo-Shou Wang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (G.-S.W.); (K.-W.L.)
- Department of Orthopaedics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Wen Liao
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (G.-S.W.); (K.-W.L.)
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Li-Pin Chiu
- General Education Center, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
- Division of General Surgery, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 103, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hui Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan;
| | - Dong-Ming Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (D.-M.H.); (L.C.); (Y.-S.S.); Tel.: +886-37-246-166 (ext. 38105) (D.-M.H.); +886-2-2621-5656 (ext. 2682) (L.C.); +886-2-2636-0303 (ext. 1422) (Y.-S.S.)
| | - Luke Chen
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (D.-M.H.); (L.C.); (Y.-S.S.); Tel.: +886-37-246-166 (ext. 38105) (D.-M.H.); +886-2-2621-5656 (ext. 2682) (L.C.); +886-2-2636-0303 (ext. 1422) (Y.-S.S.)
| | - Yung-Shuen Shen
- Institute of Geriatric Welfare Technology and Science, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (D.-M.H.); (L.C.); (Y.-S.S.); Tel.: +886-37-246-166 (ext. 38105) (D.-M.H.); +886-2-2621-5656 (ext. 2682) (L.C.); +886-2-2636-0303 (ext. 1422) (Y.-S.S.)
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Hsu PJ, Yan K, Shi H, Izumchenko E, Agrawal N. Molecular biology of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2020; 102:104552. [PMID: 31918173 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.104552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is a heterogeneous and complex disease that arises due to dysfunction of multiple molecular signaling pathways. Recent advances in high-throughput genetic sequencing technologies coupled with innovative analytical techniques have begun to characterize the molecular determinants driving OCSCC. An understanding of the key molecular signaling networks underlying the initiation and progression of is essential for informing treatment of the disease. In this chapter, we discuss recent findings of key genes altered in OCSCC and potential treatments targeting these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip J Hsu
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kenneth Yan
- Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hailing Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Section of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Nishant Agrawal
- Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Tuomainen K, Al-Samadi A, Potdar S, Turunen L, Turunen M, Karhemo PR, Bergman P, Risteli M, Åström P, Tiikkaja R, Grenman R, Wennerberg K, Monni O, Salo T. Human Tumor-Derived Matrix Improves the Predictability of Head and Neck Cancer Drug Testing. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010092. [PMID: 31905951 PMCID: PMC7017272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro cancer drug testing carries a low predictive value. We developed the human leiomyoma–derived matrix “Myogel” to better mimic the human tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that Myogel could provide an appropriate microenvironment for cancer cells, thereby allowing more in vivo–relevant drug testing. We screened 19 anticancer compounds, targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), MEK, and PI3K/mTOR on 12 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines cultured on plastic, mouse sarcoma–derived Matrigel (MSDM), and Myogel. We applied a high-throughput drug screening assay under five different culturing conditions: cells in two-dimensional (2D) plastic wells and on top or embedded in Matrigel or Myogel. We then compared the efficacy of the anticancer compounds to the response rates of 19 HNSCC monotherapy clinical trials. Cancer cells on top of Myogel responded less to EGFR and MEK inhibitors compared to cells cultured on plastic or Matrigel. However, we found a similar response to the PI3K/mTOR inhibitors under all culturing conditions. Cells grown on Myogel more closely resembled the response rates reported in EGFR-inhibitor monotherapy clinical trials. Our findings suggest that a human tumor matrix improves the predictability of in vitro anticancer drug testing compared to current 2D and MSDM methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Tuomainen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (K.T.); (A.A.-S.); (M.T.)
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (K.T.); (A.A.-S.); (M.T.)
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Swapnil Potdar
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (S.P.); (L.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Laura Turunen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (S.P.); (L.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Minna Turunen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (K.T.); (A.A.-S.); (M.T.)
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia-Riitta Karhemo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology Program and Medicum, Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (P.-R.K.); (O.M.)
| | - Paula Bergman
- Biostatistics Consulting, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Maija Risteli
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (M.R.); (P.Å.); (R.T.)
| | - Pirjo Åström
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (M.R.); (P.Å.); (R.T.)
| | - Riia Tiikkaja
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (M.R.); (P.Å.); (R.T.)
| | - Reidar Grenman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (S.P.); (L.T.); (K.W.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center, Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Outi Monni
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology Program and Medicum, Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (P.-R.K.); (O.M.)
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (K.T.); (A.A.-S.); (M.T.)
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (M.R.); (P.Å.); (R.T.)
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, 90014 Oulu, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-40-544-1560
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