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Grześ M, Jaiswar A, Grochowski M, Wojtyś W, Kaźmierczak W, Olesiński T, Lenarcik M, Nowak-Niezgoda M, Kołos M, Canarutto G, Piazza S, Wiśniewski JR, Walerych D. A common druggable signature of oncogenic c-Myc, mutant KRAS and mutant p53 reveals functional redundancy and competition among oncogenes in cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:638. [PMID: 39217152 PMCID: PMC11365971 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06965-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The major driver oncogenes MYC, mutant KRAS, and mutant TP53 often coexist and cooperate to promote human neoplasia, which results in anticancer therapeutic opportunities within their downstream molecular programs. However, little research has been conducted on whether redundancy and competition among oncogenes affect their programs and ability to drive neoplasia. By CRISPR‒Cas9-mediated downregulation we evaluated the downstream proteomics and transcriptomics programs of MYC, mutant KRAS, and mutant TP53 in a panel of cell lines with either one or three of these oncogenes activated, in cancers of the lung, colon and pancreas. Using RNAi screening of the commonly activated molecular programs, we found a signature of three proteins - RUVBL1, HSPA9, and XPO1, which could be efficiently targeted by novel drug combinations in the studied cancer types. Interestingly, the signature was controlled by the oncoproteins in a redundant or competitive manner rather than by cooperation. Each oncoprotein individually upregulated the target genes, while upon oncogene co-expression each target was controlled preferably by a dominant oncoprotein which reduced the influence of the others. This interplay was mediated by redundant routes of target gene activation - as in the case of mutant KRAS signaling to c-Jun/GLI2 transcription factors bypassing c-Myc activation, and by competition - as in the case of mutant p53 and c-Myc competing for binding to target promoters. The global transcriptomics data from the cell lines and patient samples indicate that the redundancy and competition of oncogenic programs are broad phenomena, that may constitute even a majority of the genes dependent on oncoproteins, as shown for mutant p53 in colon and lung cancer cell lines. Nevertheless, we demonstrated that redundant oncogene programs harbor targets for efficient anticancer drug combinations, bypassing the limitations for direct oncoprotein inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grześ
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute PAS, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Tomasz Olesiński
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lenarcik
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Małgorzata Kołos
- National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Giulia Canarutto
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Dawid Walerych
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute PAS, Warsaw, Poland.
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2
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Canu V, Vaccarella S, Sacconi A, Pulito C, Goeman F, Pallocca M, Rutigliano D, Lev S, Strano S, Blandino G. Targeting of mutant-p53 and MYC as a novel strategy to inhibit oncogenic SPAG5 activity in triple negative breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:603. [PMID: 39164278 PMCID: PMC11336084 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06987-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease which currently has no effective therapeutic targets and prominent biomarkers. The Sperm Associated antigen 5 (SPAG5) is a mitotic spindle associated protein with oncogenic function in several human cancers. In TNBC, increased SPAG5 expression has been associated with tumor progression, chemoresistance, relapse, and poor clinical outcome. Here we show that high SPAG5 expression in TNBC is regulated by coordinated activity of YAP, mutant p53 and MYC. Depletion of YAP or mutant p53 proteins reduced SPAG5 expression and the recruitment of MYC onto SPAG5 promoter. Targeting of MYC also reduced SPAG5 expression and concomitantly tumorigenicity of TNBC cells. These effects of MYC targeting were synergized with cytotoxic chemotherapy and markedly reduced TNBC oncogenicity in SPAG5-expression dependent manner. These results suggest that mutant p53-MYC-SPAG5 expression can be considered as bona fide predictors of patient's outcome, and reliable biomarkers for effective anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Canu
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Vaccarella
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Clinical Trial Center, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Pulito
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Frauke Goeman
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Pallocca
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Clinical Trial Center, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Rutigliano
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sima Lev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sabrina Strano
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Di Crosta M, Ragone FC, Benedetti R, D’Orazi G, Gilardini Montani MS, Cirone M. SAHA/5-AZA Enhances Acetylation and Degradation of mutp53, Upregulates p21 and Downregulates c-Myc and BRCA-1 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7020. [PMID: 39000128 PMCID: PMC11241381 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are common in cancer and include aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, including both acetylation or methylation. DNA methylation in the promoter regions and histone deacetylation are usually accompanied by gene silencing, and may lead to the suppression of tumor suppressors in cancer cells. An interaction between epigenetic pathways has been reported that could be exploited to more efficiently target aggressive cancer cells, particularly those against which current treatments usually fail, such as pancreatic cancer. In this study, we explored the possibility to combine the DNA demethylating agent 5-AZA with HDAC inhibitor SAHA to treat pancreatic cancer cell lines, focusing on the acetylation of mutp53 and the consequences on its stability, as well as on the interaction of this protein with c-myc and BRCA-1, key molecules in cancer survival. The results obtained suggest that SAHA/5-AZA combination was more effective than single treatments to promote the degradation of mutp53, to upregulate p21 and downregulate c-Myc and BRCA-1, thus increasing DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Di Crosta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.D.C.); (F.C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Francesca Chiara Ragone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.D.C.); (F.C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Rossella Benedetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.D.C.); (F.C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Gabriella D’Orazi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti, 66100 Pescara, Italy;
- Department of Research and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mara Cirone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.D.C.); (F.C.R.); (R.B.)
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Mentzel J, Hildebrand LS, Kuhlmann L, Fietkau R, Distel LV. Effective Radiosensitization of HNSCC Cell Lines by DNA-PKcs Inhibitor AZD7648 and PARP Inhibitors Talazoparib and Niraparib. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5629. [PMID: 38891817 PMCID: PMC11172136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common, while treatment is difficult, and mortality is high. Kinase inhibitors are promising to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. We compared the effects of the PARP inhibitors talazoparib and niraparib and that of the DNA-PKcs inhibitor AZD7648, combined with ionizing radiation. (2) Seven HNSCC cell lines, including Cal33, CLS-354, Detroit 562, HSC4, RPMI2650 (HPV-negative), UD-SCC-2 and UM-SCC-47 (HPV-positive), and two healthy fibroblast cell lines, SBLF8 and SBLF9, were studied. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and necrosis induction (AnnexinV/7AAD) and cell cycle distribution (Hoechst). Cell inactivation was studied by the colony-forming assay. (3) AZD7648 had the strongest effects, radiosensitizing all HNSCC cell lines, almost always in a supra-additive manner. Talazoparib and niraparib were effective in both HPV-positive cell lines but only consistently in one and two HPV-negative cell lines, respectively. Healthy fibroblasts were not affected by any combined treatment in apoptosis and necrosis induction or G2/M-phase arrest. AZD7648 alone was not toxic to healthy fibroblasts, while the combination with ionizing radiation reduced clonogenicity. (4) In conclusion, talazoparib, niraparib and, most potently, AZD7648 could improve radiation therapy in HNSCC. Healthy fibroblasts tolerated AZD7648 alone extremely well, but irradiation-induced effects might occur. Our results justify in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Mentzel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Laura S. Hildebrand
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kuhlmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luitpold V. Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.M.); (L.S.H.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Smith E, Paloots R, Giagkos D, Baudis M, Stockinger K. Data-driven information extraction and enrichment of molecular profiling data for cancer cell lines. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2024; 4:vbae045. [PMID: 38560553 PMCID: PMC10978572 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Motivation With the proliferation of research means and computational methodologies, published biomedical literature is growing exponentially in numbers and volume. Cancer cell lines are frequently used models in biological and medical research that are currently applied for a wide range of purposes, from studies of cellular mechanisms to drug development, which has led to a wealth of related data and publications. Sifting through large quantities of text to gather relevant information on cell lines of interest is tedious and extremely slow when performed by humans. Hence, novel computational information extraction and correlation mechanisms are required to boost meaningful knowledge extraction. Results In this work, we present the design, implementation, and application of a novel data extraction and exploration system. This system extracts deep semantic relations between textual entities from scientific literature to enrich existing structured clinical data concerning cancer cell lines. We introduce a new public data exploration portal, which enables automatic linking of genomic copy number variants plots with ranked, related entities such as affected genes. Each relation is accompanied by literature-derived evidences, allowing for deep, yet rapid, literature search, using existing structured data as a springboard. Availability and implementation Our system is publicly available on the web at https://cancercelllines.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellery Smith
- Institute for Intelligent Information Systems, Zürich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Paloots
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Baudis
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kurt Stockinger
- Institute for Intelligent Information Systems, Zürich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
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6
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Zeng C, Han S, Pan Y, Huang Z, Zhang B, Zhang B. Revisiting the chaperonin T-complex protein-1 ring complex in human health and disease: A proteostasis modulator and beyond. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1592. [PMID: 38363102 PMCID: PMC10870801 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disrupted protein homeostasis (proteostasis) has been demonstrated to facilitate the progression of various diseases. The cytosolic T-complex protein-1 ring complex (TRiC/CCT) was discovered to be a critical player in orchestrating proteostasis by folding eukaryotic proteins, guiding intracellular localisation and suppressing protein aggregation. Intensive investigations of TRiC/CCT in different fields have improved the understanding of its role and molecular mechanism in multiple physiological and pathological processes. MAIN BODY In this review, we embark on a journey through the dynamic protein folding cycle of TRiC/CCT, unraveling the intricate mechanisms of its substrate selection, recognition, and intriguing folding and assembly processes. In addition to discussing the critical role of TRiC/CCT in maintaining proteostasis, we detail its involvement in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, autophagy, metabolic control, adaptive immunity and signal transduction processes. Furthermore, we meticulously catalogue a compendium of TRiC-associated diseases, such as neuropathies, cardiovascular diseases and various malignancies. Specifically, we report the roles and molecular mechanisms of TRiC/CCT in regulating cancer formation and progression. Finally, we discuss unresolved issues in TRiC/CCT research, highlighting the efforts required for translation to clinical applications, such as diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of TRiC/CCT for researchers to inspire further investigations and explorations of potential translational possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Zeng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Shenqi Han
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yonglong Pan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Zhao Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Binhao Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei ProvinceWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreatic‐Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of EducationWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, National Health CommissionWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesWuhanChina
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7
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Sacconi A, Muti P, Pulito C, Urbani G, Allegretti M, Pellini R, Mehterov N, Ben-David U, Strano S, Bossi P, Blandino G. Immunosignatures associated with TP53 status and co-mutations classify prognostically head and neck cancer patients. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:192. [PMID: 38031025 PMCID: PMC10687972 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01905-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a therapeutic strategy for various cancers although only a subset of patients respond to the therapy. Identifying patients more prone to respond to ICIs may increase the therapeutic benefit and allow studying new approaches for resistant patients. METHODS We analyzed the TCGA cohort of HNSCC patients in relation to their activation of 26 immune gene expression signatures, as well as their cell type composition, in order to define signaling pathways associated with resistance to ICIs. Results were validated on two cohorts of 102 HNSCC patients and 139 HNSCC patients under treatment with PD-L1 inhibitors, respectively, and a cohort of 108 HNSCC HPV negative patients and by in vitro experiments in HNSCC cell lines. RESULTS We observed a significant association between the gene set and TP53 gene status and OS and PFS of HNSCC patients. Surprisingly, the presence of a TP53 mutation together with another co-driver mutation was associated with significantly higher levels of the immune gene expression, in comparison to tumors in which the TP53 gene was mutated alone. In addition, the higher level of TP53 mutated-dependent MYC signature was associated with lower levels of the immune gene expression signature. In vitro and three different patient cohorts validation analyses corroborated these findings. CONCLUSIONS Immune gene signature sets associated with TP53 status and co-mutations classify with more accuracy HNSCC patients. These biomarkers may be easily implemented in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sacconi
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Paola Muti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical Science and Oral Health, Milan University, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dental Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Pulito
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Giulia Urbani
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Matteo Allegretti
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Raul Pellini
- Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Nikolay Mehterov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plodvid, Bulgaria
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Uri Ben-David
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sabrina Strano
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Bossi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy.
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8
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Li M, Sun D, Song N, Chen X, Zhang X, Zheng W, Yu Y, Han C. Mutant p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Molecular mechanism of gain‑of‑function and targeting therapy (Review). Oncol Rep 2023; 50:162. [PMID: 37449494 PMCID: PMC10394732 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8599] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most widespread malignancies worldwide. p53, as a transcription factor, can play its role in tumor suppression by activating the expression of numerous target genes. However, p53 is one of the most commonly mutated genes, which frequently harbors missense mutations. These missense mutations are nucleotide substitutions that result in the substitution of an amino acid in the DNA binding domain. Most p53 mutations in HNSCC are missense mutations and the mutation rate of p53 reaches 65‑85%. p53 mutation not only inhibits the tumor suppressive function of p53 but also provides novel functions to facilitate tumor recurrence, called gain‑of‑function (GOF). The present study focused on the prevalence and clinical relevance of p53 mutations in HNSCC, and further described how mutant p53 accumulates. Moreover, mutant p53 in HNSCC can interact with proteins, RNA, and exosomes to exert effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, immunosuppression, and metabolism. Finally, several treatment strategies have been proposed to abolish the tumor‑promoting function of mutant p53; these strategies include reactivation of mutant p53 into wild‑type p53, induction of mutant p53 degradation, enhancement of the synthetic lethality of mutant p53, and treatment with immunotherapy. Due to the high frequency of p53 mutations in HNSCC, a further understanding of the mechanism of mutant p53 may provide potential applications for targeted therapy in patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Li
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Dongyuan Sun
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
- Department of Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Ning Song
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Wentian Zheng
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Yu
- School of Stomatology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
- Department of Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Chengbing Han
- Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
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9
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Tang M, Crown J, Duffy MJ. Degradation of MYC by the mutant p53 reactivator drug, COTI-2 in breast cancer cells. Invest New Drugs 2023; 41:541-550. [PMID: 37233863 PMCID: PMC10447602 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01368-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
TP53 (p53) and MYC are amongst the most frequently altered genes in cancer. Both are thus attractive targets for new anticancer therapies. Historically, however, both genes have proved challenging to target and currently there is no approved therapy against either. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the mutant p53 reactivating drug, COTI-2 on MYC. Total MYC, pSer62 MYC and pThr58 MYC were detected using Western blotting. Proteasome-mediated degradation was determined using the proteasome, inhibitor MG-132, while MYC half-life was measured using pulse chase experiments in the presence of cycloheximide. Cell proliferation was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Treatment of 5 mutant p53 breast cancer cell lines with COTI-2 resulted in dose-dependent MYC degradation. Addition of the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, rescued the degradation, suggesting that this proteolytic system was at least partly responsible for the inactivation of MYC. Using cycloheximide in pulse chase experiments, COTI-2 was found to reduce the half-life of MYC in 2 different mutant p53 breast cancer cell lines, i.e., from 34.8 to 18.6 min in MDA-MB-232 cells and from 29.6 to 20.3 min in MDA-MB-468 cells. Co-treatment with COTI-2 and the MYC inhibitor, MYCi975 resulted in synergistic growth inhibition in all 4 mutant p53 cell lines investigated. The dual ability of COTI-2 to reactivate mutant p53 and degrade MYC should enable this compound to have broad application as an anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhong Tang
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael J Duffy
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Clinical Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, D04 T6F4, Ireland.
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10
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Shi Y, Ren X, Cao S, Chen X, Yuan B, Brasil da Costa FH, Rodriguez Rosario AE, Corona A, Michikawa C, Veeramachaneni R, Osman AA, Xie T, Wang W, Sikora AG, Myers JN, Rangel R. TP53 gain-of-function mutation modulates the immunosuppressive microenvironment in non-HPV-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006666. [PMID: 37604640 PMCID: PMC10445354 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TP53, the most mutated gene in solid cancers, has a profound impact on most hallmarks of cancer. Somatic TP53 mutations occur in high frequencies in head and neck cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our study aims to understand the role of TP53 gain-of-function mutation in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in OSCC. METHODS Short hairpin RNA knockdown of mutant p53R172H in syngeneic oral tumors demonstrated changes in tumor growth between immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. HTG EdgeSeq targeted messenger RNA sequencing was used to analyze cytokine and immune cell markers in tumors with inactivated mutant p53R172H. Flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) confirmed the role of mutant p53R172H in the TIME. The gene expression of patients with OSCC was analyzed by CIBERSORT and mIF was used to validate the immune landscape at the protein level. RESULTS Mutant p53R172H contributes to a cytokine transcriptome network that inhibits the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and promotes intratumoral recruitment of regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages. Moreover, p53R172H also regulates the spatial distribution of immunocyte populations, and their distribution between central and peripheral intratumoral locations. Interestingly, p53R172H-mutated tumors are infiltrated with CD8+ and CD4+ T cells expressing programmed cell death protein 1, and these tumors responded to immune checkpoint inhibitor and stimulator of interferon gene 1 agonist therapy. CIBERSORT analysis of human OSCC samples revealed associations between immune cell populations and the TP53R175H mutation, which paralleled the findings from our syngeneic mouse tumor model. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that syngeneic tumors bearing the TP53R172H gain-of-function mutation modulate the TIME to evade tumor immunity, leading to tumor progression and decreased survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewen Shi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyong Ren
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shaolong Cao
- Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Alanis E Rodriguez Rosario
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Arnoldo Corona
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chieko Michikawa
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ratna Veeramachaneni
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Abdullah A Osman
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tongxin Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wenyi Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew G Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Roberto Rangel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Alves LB, Moura AC, Amorim Dos Santos J, Borges GA, Guerra ENS. Pharmacological PI3K inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 88:105558. [PMID: 36681288 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105558] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Considering the role of PI3K and its downstream effectors in cell proliferation, invasion, and survival, it is reasonable to expect that treatment with PI3K inhibitors could control HNSCC onset and progression. Thus, the research question for our review was whether pharmacological inhibition of PI3K affects HNSCC progression. METHODS In vitro and in vivo studies were selected from six databases. We collected data regarding cell viability, apoptosis, and the regulation of protein expression levels from in vitro studies. For the in vivo studies, we analyzed the reduction in tumor size or gene and protein expression. RESULTS The included studies showed reduced cell proliferation and apoptosis after treatment with PI3K inhibitors. PI3K inhibitors in combination with other drugs had an enhanced anticancer effects compared to those of single-drug treatments. CONCLUSIONS The results support the potential of PI3K inhibitors as candidates for clinical trials in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Alves
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - A C Moura
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - J Amorim Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - G A Borges
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - E N S Guerra
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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12
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Li Q, Tie Y, Alu A, Ma X, Shi H. Targeted therapy for head and neck cancer: signaling pathways and clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:31. [PMID: 36646686 PMCID: PMC9842704 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is malignant, genetically complex and difficult to treat and is the sixth most frequent cancer, with tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus being major risk factors. Based on epigenetic data, HNC is remarkably heterogeneous, and treatment remains challenging. There is a lack of significant improvement in survival and quality of life in patients with HNC. Over half of HNC patients experience locoregional recurrence or distal metastasis despite the current multiple traditional therapeutic strategies and immunotherapy. In addition, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some targeted therapies is common. Therefore, it is urgent to explore more effective and tolerable targeted therapies to improve the clinical outcomes of HNC patients. Recent targeted therapy studies have focused on identifying promising biomarkers and developing more effective targeted therapies. A well understanding of the pathogenesis of HNC contributes to learning more about its inner association, which provides novel insight into the development of small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the vital signaling pathways and discussed the current potential therapeutic targets against critical molecules in HNC, as well as presenting preclinical animal models and ongoing or completed clinical studies about targeted therapy, which may contribute to a more favorable prognosis of HNC. Targeted therapy in combination with other therapies and its limitations were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Li
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aqu Alu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Huashan Shi
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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13
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Mokou M, Narayanasamy S, Stroggilos R, Balaur IA, Vlahou A, Mischak H, Frantzi M. A Drug Repurposing Pipeline Based on Bladder Cancer Integrated Proteotranscriptomics Signatures. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2684:59-99. [PMID: 37410228 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3291-8_4] [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] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Delivering better care for patients with bladder cancer (BC) necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies that address both the high disease heterogeneity and the limitations of the current therapeutic modalities, such as drug low efficacy and patient resistance acquisition. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective strategy that targets the reuse of existing drugs for new therapeutic purposes. Such a strategy could open new avenues toward more effective BC treatment. BC patients' multi-omics signatures can be used to guide the investigation of existing drugs that show an effective therapeutic potential through drug repurposing. In this book chapter, we present an integrated multilayer approach that includes cross-omics analyses from publicly available transcriptomics and proteomics data derived from BC tissues and cell lines that were investigated for the development of disease-specific signatures. These signatures are subsequently used as input for a signature-based repurposing approach using the Connectivity Map (CMap) tool. We further explain the steps that may be followed to identify and select existing drugs of increased potential for repurposing in BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Mokou
- Department of Biomarker Research, Mosaiques Diagnostics, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Shaman Narayanasamy
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Rafael Stroggilos
- Systems Biology Center, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irina-Afrodita Balaur
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Antonia Vlahou
- Systems Biology Center, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Harald Mischak
- Department of Biomarker Research, Mosaiques Diagnostics, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maria Frantzi
- Department of Biomarker Research, Mosaiques Diagnostics, Hannover, Germany
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14
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Mireștean CC, Iancu RI, Iancu DPT. p53 Modulates Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Cancers-From Classic to Future Horizons. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:3052. [PMID: 36553058 PMCID: PMC9777383 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123052] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
p53, initially considered a tumor suppressor, has been the subject of research related to cancer treatment resistance in the last 30 years. The unfavorable response to multimodal therapy and the higher recurrence rate, despite an aggressive approach, make HNSCC a research topic of interest for improving therapeutic outcomes, even if it is only the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. New advances in molecular biology and genetics include the involvement of miRNA in the control of the p53 pathway, the understanding of mechanisms such as gain/loss of function, and the development of different methods to restore p53 function, especially for HPV-negative cases. The different ratio between mutant p53 status in the primary tumor and distant metastasis originating HNSCC may serve to select the best therapeutic target for activating an abscopal effect by radiotherapy as a "booster" of the immune system. P53 may also be a key player in choosing radiotherapy fractionation regimens. Targeting any pathway involving p53, including tumor metabolism, in particular the Warburg effect, could modulate the radiosensitivity and chemo-sensitivity of head and neck cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camil Ciprian Mireștean
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Surgery, Railways Clinical Hospital Iasi, 700506 Iași, Romania
| | - Roxana Irina Iancu
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, “St. Spiridon” Emergency Universitary Hospital, 700111 Iași, Romania
| | - Dragoș Petru Teodor Iancu
- Oncology and Radiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iași, Romania
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15
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Huang Q, You Q, Zhu N, Wu Z, Xiang Z, Wu K, Ren J, Gui Y. Prognostic prediction of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Construction of cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA signature. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24723. [PMID: 36189780 PMCID: PMC9701877 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a new type of programmed cell death, cuproptosis, has been identified to play important role in the progression of tumors. We constructed a cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature to predict the prognostic significance for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS The risk model was developed based on differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with cuproptosis. Principal component analysis was used to assess the validity. The Kaplan-Meier curves were analyzed to compare the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) values. The multivariate and univariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic efficiency. Furthermore, the functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and sensitivity toward chemotherapy were also explored. RESULTS Six cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (AL109936.2, CDKN2A-DT, AC090587.1, KLF3-AS1, AL133395.1, and LINC01063) were identified to construct the independent prognostic predictor for HNSCC. The area under the curve and C-index values obtained using the risk model were higher than the values corresponding to the clinical factors. Analysis of Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that the OS, PFS, and DSS time recorded for the patients in the low-risk group were higher than the corresponding values recorded for the patients belonging to the high-risk group. By functional enrichment analysis, we observed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the immune response and tumor-associated pathways. The patients characterized by a low-risk score exhibited better immune cell infiltration than the patients belonging to the other group. We also observed that the sensitivity of the individuals belonging to the low-risk group to chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, docetaxel, and paclitaxel) was higher than the sensitivity of those in the other group. CONCLUSIONS A cuproptosis-related lncRNA-based signature that functioned as an independent prognosis predictor for HNSCC patients was constructed. The chemosensitivity of individual patients can be potentially predicted using this signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Quanjie You
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Ning Zhu
- Department of OtolaryngologySecond Hospital of Ninghai CountyNingboChina
| | - Zhenhua Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Zhenfei Xiang
- Department of Radiation OncologyLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Kaiyuan Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Jianjun Ren
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Yihua Gui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryNingbo Medical Center Lihuili HospitalNingboChina,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryLihuili Hospital affiliated to Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
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16
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Zhao S, An L, Yang X, Wei Z, Zhang H, Wang Y. Identification and validation of the role of c-Myc in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:820587. [PMID: 36119473 PMCID: PMC9470836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.820587] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many studies have shown that c-Myc plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. However, the molecular role of c-Myc in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remains unclear. Methods Several biological databases, including UALCAN, TIMER2.0, TCGAportal, GEPIA, KM plotter, OncoLnc, LinkedOmics, GSCA, and TCIA, were used to analyze the molecular role of c-Myc in HNSC. The expression levels of c-Myc were validated by real-time PCR (RT–PCR) and Western blot in CAL-27 cells. Results The expression of c-Myc mRNA were significantly increased in HPV-negative HNSC tissues. The expression of c-Myc gene level was correlated with TP53 mutation status. HNSC also showed hypomethylated c-Myc compared with normal tissues. c-Myc was identified as an ominous prognostic factor for HNSC patients and correlated with immune infiltrating levels. Moreover, high c-Myc expression was associated with decreased expression of a series of immune checkpoints, resulting in a dampened immune response. c-Myc potentially mediated IL-17 signaling pathway and Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. Inhibition of c-Myc expression increased apoptosis of CAL-27 cells. Conclusions These findings suggest a new mechanism of c-Myc in the prognosis of HNSC, implying the potential of c-Myc as a therapeutic target for HNSC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufeng Zhao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Sufeng Zhao, ; Xudong Yang,
| | - Li An
- Department of Geriatrics, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xudong Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Sufeng Zhao, ; Xudong Yang,
| | - Zheng Wei
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Periodontology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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P63 and P73 Activation in Cancers with p53 Mutation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071490. [PMID: 35884795 PMCID: PMC9313412 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The members of the p53 family comprise p53, p63, and p73, and full-length isoforms of the p53 family have a tumor suppressor function. However, p53, but not p63 or p73, has a high mutation rate in cancers causing it to lose its tumor suppressor function. The top and second-most prevalent p53 mutations are missense and nonsense mutations, respectively. In this review, we discuss possible drug therapies for nonsense mutation and a missense mutation in p53. p63 and p73 activators may be able to replace mutant p53 and act as anti-cancer drugs. Herein, these p63 and p73 activators are summarized and how to improve these activator responses, particularly focusing on p53 gain-of-function mutants, is discussed.
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Ghozlan H, Cox A, Nierenberg D, King S, Khaled AR. The TRiCky Business of Protein Folding in Health and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:906530. [PMID: 35602608 PMCID: PMC9117761 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.906530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of the cellular proteome or proteostasis is an essential process that when deregulated leads to diseases like neurological disorders and cancer. Central to proteostasis are the molecular chaperones that fold proteins into functional 3-dimensional (3D) shapes and prevent protein aggregation. Chaperonins, a family of chaperones found in all lineages of organisms, are efficient machines that fold proteins within central cavities. The eukaryotic Chaperonin Containing TCP1 (CCT), also known as Tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1) Ring Complex (TRiC), is a multi-subunit molecular complex that folds the obligate substrates, actin, and tubulin. But more than folding cytoskeletal proteins, CCT differs from most chaperones in its ability to fold proteins larger than its central folding chamber and in a sequential manner that enables it to tackle proteins with complex topologies or very large proteins and complexes. Unique features of CCT include an asymmetry of charges and ATP affinities across the eight subunits that form the hetero-oligomeric complex. Variable substrate binding capacities endow CCT with a plasticity that developed as the chaperonin evolved with eukaryotes and acquired functional capacity in the densely packed intracellular environment. Given the decades of discovery on the structure and function of CCT, much remains unknown such as the scope of its interactome. New findings on the role of CCT in disease, and potential for diagnostic and therapeutic uses, heighten the need to better understand the function of this essential molecular chaperone. Clues as to how CCT causes cancer or neurological disorders lie in the early studies of the chaperonin that form a foundational knowledgebase. In this review, we span the decades of CCT discoveries to provide critical context to the continued research on the diverse capacities in health and disease of this essential protein-folding complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Ghozlan
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Amanda Cox
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Daniel Nierenberg
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Stephen King
- Division of Neuroscience, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Annette R. Khaled
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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Targeting Wee1 kinase to suppress proliferation and survival of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:469-478. [PMID: 35212780 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the role of Wee1 kinase in cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in multiple cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell lines and determined the efficacy of either Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775 alone, or in combination with cisplatin, on cisplatin-resistant HNSCC inhibition. METHODS Phosphorylation and total protein levels of cells were assessed by Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS Wee1 kinase protein expression levels in five cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell types were higher than those in their parental cisplatin-sensitive partners. Importantly, Wee1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and re-sensitized cells to cisplatin treatment. Interestingly, previous studies have also shown that Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 synergizes with cisplatin to suppress cell proliferation of cisplatin-sensitive HNSCC. We found that AZD1775 inhibited both cisplatin-sensitive and resistant HNSCC with similar IC50 values, which suggested that AZD1775 could overcome cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant HNSCC. Mechanistically, AZD1775 and cisplatin cooperatively induced DNA damage and apoptosis. CONCLUSION Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775, and cisplatin coordinately suppressed proliferation and survival of HNSCC.
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Lin W, Wu L, Zhang Y, Wen Y, Yan B, Dai C, Liu K, He S, Bo X. An enhanced cascade-based deep forest model for drug combination prediction. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6513435. [DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Combination therapy has shown an obvious curative effect on complex diseases, whereas the search space of drug combinations is too large to be validated experimentally even with high-throughput screens. With the increase of the number of drugs, artificial intelligence techniques, especially machine learning methods, have become applicable for the discovery of synergistic drug combinations to significantly reduce the experimental workload. In this study, in order to predict novel synergistic drug combinations in various cancer cell lines, the cell line-specific drug-induced gene expression profile (GP) is added as a new feature type to capture the cellular response of drugs and reveal the biological mechanism of synergistic effect. Then, an enhanced cascade-based deep forest regressor (EC-DFR) is innovatively presented to apply the new small-scale drug combination dataset involving chemical, physical and biological (GP) properties of drugs and cells. Verified by the dataset, EC-DFR outperforms two state-of-the-art deep neural network-based methods and several advanced classical machine learning algorithms. Biological experimental validation performed subsequently on a set of previously untested drug combinations further confirms the performance of EC-DFR. What is more prominent is that EC-DFR can distinguish the most important features, making it more interpretable. By evaluating the contribution of each feature type, GP feature contributes 82.40%, showing the cellular responses of drugs may play crucial roles in synergism prediction. The analysis based on the top contributing genes in GP further demonstrates some potential relationships between the transcriptomic levels of key genes under drug regulation and the synergism of drug combinations.
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21
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Understanding the Pattern of Oropharyngeal Cancers from North-East Romanian Patients. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112412079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is acknowledged as a risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cellular cancers (OPSCC), of which the dominant types are tonsillar (TSCC) and base of tongue cancer (BOTSCC). Objective: To assess the role of HPV in selected OPSCC cases, from Romanian patients by sensitive and complementary molecular assays. Material and Methods: Fifty-four formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) OPSCC samples were analyzed for HPV DNA by a PCR-based bead-based multiplex-assay. Thirty-four samples were tested for HPV RNA and for overexpression of p16INK4a by immunohistochemistry. Twenty samples were evaluated by Competitive Allele-Specific Taqman PCR (CAST-PCR) for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 protein (FGFR3) status. Results: A total of 33.3% (18/54) OPSCC samples were positive for HPV DNA. HPV16 was the most frequent type (30%, 16/54); followed by HPV18 (3.7%, 2/54); and 1 sample (1.8%) was positive for both HPV16 and 18. HPV18 E6*I was detected in a HPV18 DNA-positive oropharynx tumor. Four samples positive for HPV16 were also positive for p16INK4a. All the tested samples were negative for FGFR3. Conclusions: The increased HPV16 prevalence is in line with similar studies and is a new confirmation that HPV16 is the most prevalent type in our country; supporting the potential benefit of prophylactic vaccines. Overall, there is no concordance between DNA and any of the two other analytes that are considered being markers of HPV-driven cancers. There is a need to explore novel screening strategies that could be broadly used in the clinical routine to initiate preventive measures.
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Kong X, Yu D, Wang Z, Li S. Relationship between p53 status and the bioeffect of ionizing radiation. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:661. [PMID: 34386083 PMCID: PMC8299044 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is widely used in the clinical treatment of cancer patients and it may be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy to inhibit tumor development. However, radiotherapy may at times not kill all cancer cells completely, as certain cells may develop radioresistance that counteracts the effects of radiation. The emergence of radioresistance is associated with the genetic background and epigenetic regulation of cells. p53 is an important tumor suppressor gene that is expressed at low levels in cells. However, when cells are subjected to stress-induced stimulation, the expression level of p53 increases, thereby preventing genomic disruption. This mechanism has important roles in maintaining cell stability and inhibiting carcinogenesis. However, mutation and deletion destroy the anticancer function of p53 and may induce carcinogenesis. In tumor radiotherapy, the status of p53 expression in cancer cells has a close relationship with radiotherapeutic efficacy. Therefore, understanding how p53 expression affects the cellular response to radiation is of great significance for solving the problem of radioresistance and improving radiotherapeutic outcomes. For the present review, the literature was searched for studies published between 1979 and 2021 using the PubMed database (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) with the following key words: Wild-type p53, mutant-type p53, long non-coding RNA, microRNA, gene mutation, radioresistance and radiosensitivity. From the relevant studies retrieved, the association between different p53 mutants and cellular radiosensitivity, as well as the molecular mechanisms of p53 affecting the radiosensitivity of cells, were summarized. The aim of the present study was to provide useful information for understanding and resolving radioresistance, to help clinical researchers develop more accurate treatment strategies and to improve radiotherapeutic outcomes for cancer patients with p53 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Kong
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Dehai Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Precision Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoyi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Sijie Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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23
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Blandino G. Drugging the Master Regulator TP53 in Cancer: Mission Possible? J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:1595-1597. [PMID: 33797953 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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24
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Ghozlan H, Showalter A, Lee E, Zhu X, Khaled AR. Chaperonin-Containing TCP1 Complex (CCT) Promotes Breast Cancer Growth Through Correlations With Key Cell Cycle Regulators. Front Oncol 2021; 11:663877. [PMID: 33996588 PMCID: PMC8121004 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.663877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled proliferation as a result of dysregulated cell cycling is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Therapeutically targeting pathways that control the cell cycle would improve patient outcomes. However, the development of drug resistance and a limited number of inhibitors that target multiple cell cycle modulators are challenges that impede stopping the deregulated growth that leads to malignancy. To advance the discovery of new druggable targets for cell cycle inhibition, we investigated the role of Chaperonin-Containing TCP1 (CCT or TRiC) in breast cancer cells. CCT, a type II chaperonin, is a multi-subunit protein-folding complex that interacts with many oncoproteins and mutant tumor suppressors. CCT subunits are highly expressed in a number of cancers, including breast cancer. We found that expression of one of the CCT subunits, CCT2, inversely correlates with breast cancer patient survival and is subject to copy number alterations through genomic amplification. To investigate a role for CCT2 in the regulation of the cell cycle, we expressed an exogenous CCT2-FLAG construct in T47D and MCF7 luminal A breast cancer cells and examined cell proliferation under conditions of two-dimensional (2D) monolayer and three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cultures. Exogenous CCT2 increased the proliferation of cancer cells, resulting in larger and multiple spheroids as compared to control cells. CCT2-expressing cells were also able to undergo spheroid growth reversal, re-attaching, and resuming growth in 2D cultures. Such cells gained anchorage-independent growth. CCT2 expression in cells correlated with increased expression of MYC, especially in spheroid cultures, and other cell cycle regulators like CCND1 and CDK2, indicative of a novel activity that could contribute to the increase in cell growth. Statistically significant correlations between CCT2, MYC, and CCND1 were shown. Since CCT2 is located on chromosome 12q15, an amplicon frequently found in soft tissue cancers as well as breast cancer, CCT2 may have the basic characteristics of an oncogene. Our findings suggest that CCT2 could be an essential driver of cell division that may be a node through which pathways involving MYC, cyclin D1 and other proliferative factors could converge. Hence the therapeutic inhibition of CCT2 may have the potential to achieve multi-target inhibition, overcoming the limitations associated with single agent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Ghozlan
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Adrian Showalter
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Eunkyung Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Annette R Khaled
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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25
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Chen ZS, Lin X, Chan TF, Chan HYE. Pan-cancer investigation reveals mechanistic insights of planar cell polarity gene Fuz in carcinogenesis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:7259-7283. [PMID: 33658400 PMCID: PMC7993721 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The fuzzy planar cell polarity protein (Fuz) is an effector component of the planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. Together with other core and effector proteins, the PCP pathway controls polarized cell movements. Fuz was also reported as a negative regulator of cell survival. In this study, we performed a pan-cancer survey to demonstrate the role of Fuz in multiple types of cancer. In head-neck squamous cell carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma tumor samples, a reduction of Fuz transcript expression was detected. This coincides with the poor overall survival probabilities of these patients. We further showed that Fuz promoter hypermethylation contributes to its transcriptional downregulation. Meanwhile, we also identified a relatively higher mutation frequency at the 404th arginine amino acid residue in the coding sequence of Fuz locus, and further demonstrated that mutant Fuz proteins perturb the pro-apoptotic function of Fuz. In summary, our study unveiled an intriguing relationship between Fuz dysregulation and cancer prognosis, and further provides mechanistic insights of Fuz's involvement in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhefan Stephen Chen
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ting-Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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26
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Akbari Dilmaghani N, Safaroghli-Azar A, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Bashash D. The PI3K/Akt/mTORC signaling axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Possibilities for therapeutic interventions either as single agents or in combination with conventional therapies. IUBMB Life 2021; 73:618-642. [PMID: 33476088 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The latest advances in the sequencing methods in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues have revolutionized our understanding of the disease by taking off the veil from the most frequent genetic alterations in the components of the oncogenic pathways. Among all the identified alterations, aberrancies in the genes attributed to the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) axis have attracted special attention as they were altered in more than 90% of the tissues isolated from HNSCC patients. In fact, the association between these aberrancies and the increased risk of cancer metastasis suggested this axis as an "Achilles Heel" of HNSCC, which may be therapeutically targeted. The results of the clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of the inhibitors targeting the components of the PI3K axis in the treatment of HNSCC patients, either alone or in a combined-modal strategy, opened a new chapter in the treatment strategy of this malignancy. The present study aimed to review the importance of the PI3K axis in the pathogenesis of HNSCC and also provide a piece of information about the breakthroughs and challenges of PI3K inhibitors in the therapeutic strategies of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Akbari Dilmaghani
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Loghman Hakim Educational Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ava Safaroghli-Azar
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Mokou M, Lygirou V, Angelioudaki I, Paschalidis N, Stroggilos R, Frantzi M, Latosinska A, Bamias A, Hoffmann MJ, Mischak H, Vlahou A. A Novel Pipeline for Drug Repurposing for Bladder Cancer Based on Patients' Omics Signatures. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3519. [PMID: 33255925 PMCID: PMC7759896 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-omics signatures of patients with bladder cancer (BC) can guide the identification of known de-risked therapeutic compounds through drug repurposing, an approach not extensively explored yet. In this study, we target drug repurposing in the context of BC, driven by tissue omics signatures. To identify compounds that can reverse aggressive high-risk Non-Muscle Invasive BC (NMIBC) to less aggressive low-risk molecular subtypes, the next generation Connectivity Map (CMap) was employed using as input previously published proteomics and transcriptomics respective signatures. Among the identified compounds, the ATP-competitive inhibitor of mTOR, WYE-354, showed a consistently very high score for reversing the aggressive BC molecular signatures. WYE-354 impact was assessed in a panel of eight multi-origin BC cell lines and included impaired colony growth and proliferation rate without any impact on apoptosis. Overall, with this study we introduce a promising pipeline for the repurposing of drugs for BC treatment, based on patients' omics signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Mokou
- Biotechnology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (V.L.); (I.A.); (R.S.)
- Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH, 30659 Hannover, Germany; (M.F.); (A.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Vasiliki Lygirou
- Biotechnology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (V.L.); (I.A.); (R.S.)
| | - Ioanna Angelioudaki
- Biotechnology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (V.L.); (I.A.); (R.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Paschalidis
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Rafael Stroggilos
- Biotechnology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (V.L.); (I.A.); (R.S.)
| | - Maria Frantzi
- Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH, 30659 Hannover, Germany; (M.F.); (A.L.); (H.M.)
| | | | - Aristotelis Bamias
- Haematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - Michèle J. Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Harald Mischak
- Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH, 30659 Hannover, Germany; (M.F.); (A.L.); (H.M.)
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Antonia Vlahou
- Biotechnology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (V.L.); (I.A.); (R.S.)
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28
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Sacconi A, Donzelli S, Pulito C, Ferrero S, Spinella F, Morrone A, Rigoni M, Pimpinelli F, Ensoli F, Sanguineti G, Pellini R, Agrawal N, Izumchenko E, Ciliberto G, Giannì A, Muti P, Strano S, Blandino G. TMPRSS2, a SARS-CoV-2 internalization protease is downregulated in head and neck cancer patients. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:200. [PMID: 32967703 PMCID: PMC7510014 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background SARS-coronavirus-2 enters host cells through binding of the Spike protein to ACE2 receptor and subsequent S priming by the TMPRSS2 protease. We aim to assess differences in both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in normal tissues from oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and lung tissues as well as neoplastic tissues from the same areas. Methods The study has been conducted using the TCGA and the Regina Elena Institute databases and validated by experimental model in HNSCC cells. We also included data from one COVID19 patient who went under surgery for HNSCC. Results TMPRSS2 expression in HNSCC was significantly reduced compared to the normal tissues. It was more evident in women than in men, in TP53 mutated versus wild TP53 tumors, in HPV negative patients compared to HPV positive counterparts. Functionally, we modeled the multivariate effect of TP53, HPV, and other inherent variables on TMPRSS2. All variables had a statistically significant independent effect on TMPRSS2. In particular, in tumor tissues, HPV negative, TP53 mutated status and elevated TP53-dependent Myc-target genes were associated with low TMPRSS2 expression. The further analysis of both TCGA and our institutional HNSCC datasets identified a signature anti-correlated to TMPRSS2. As proof-of-principle we also validated the anti-correlation between microRNAs and TMPRSS2 expression in a SARS-CoV-2 positive HNSCC patient tissues Finally, we did not find TMPRSS2 promoter methylation. Conclusions Collectively, these findings suggest that tumoral tissues, herein exemplified by HNSCC and lung cancers might be more resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to reduced expression of TMPRSS2. These observations may help to better assess the frailty of SARS-CoV-2 positive cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sacconi
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Donzelli
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Pulito
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan La Statale, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan La Statale, Milan, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Fulvia Pimpinelli
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ensoli
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sanguineti
- Radiotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Raul Pellini
- Otolaryngology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Nishant Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Giannì
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan La Statale, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Muti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan La Statale, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Strano
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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29
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Jung JH, Lee H, Zeng SX, Lu H. RBM10, a New Regulator of p53. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092107. [PMID: 32947864 PMCID: PMC7563659 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 acts as a transcription factor that regulates the expression of a number of genes responsible for DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, metabolism, cell migration, angiogenesis, ferroptosis, senescence, and apoptosis. It is the most commonly silenced or mutated gene in cancer, as approximately 50% of all types of human cancers harbor TP53 mutations. Activation of p53 is detrimental to normal cells, thus it is tightly regulated via multiple mechanisms. One of the recently identified regulators of p53 is RNA-binding motif protein 10 (RBM10). RBM10 is an RNA-binding protein frequently deleted or mutated in cancer cells. Its loss of function results in various deformities, such as cleft palate and malformation of the heart, and diseases such as lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, RBM10 mutations are frequently observed in lung adenocarcinomas, colorectal carcinomas, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. RBM10 plays a regulatory role in alternative splicing. Several recent studies not only linked this splicing regulation of RBM10 to cancer development, but also bridged RBM10's anticancer function to the p53 pathway. This review will focus on the current progress in our understanding of RBM10 regulation of p53, and its role in p53-dependent cancer prevention.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology
- Alternative Splicing
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Cellular Senescence
- Cleft Palate/genetics
- Cleft Palate/metabolism
- Cleft Palate/pathology
- Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics
- Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism
- Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics
- Heart Defects, Congenital/metabolism
- Heart Defects, Congenital/pathology
- Humans
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
- Correspondence: or (J.H.J.); (H.L.); Tel.: +82-10-961-9597 (J.H.J.); +1-504-988-5293 (H.L.)
| | - Hyemin Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Shelya X Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Correspondence: or (J.H.J.); (H.L.); Tel.: +82-10-961-9597 (J.H.J.); +1-504-988-5293 (H.L.)
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Endothelin-1 axis fosters YAP-induced chemotherapy escape in ovarian cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 492:84-95. [PMID: 32860850 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The majority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients recur with a platinum-resistant disease. OC cells activate adaptive resistance mechanisms that are only partially described. Here we show that OC cells can adapt to chemotherapy through a positive-feedback loop that favors chemoresistance. In platinum-resistant OC cells we document that the endothelin-1 (ET-1)/endothelin A receptor axis intercepts the YAP pathway. This cross-talk occurs through the LATS/RhoA/actin-dependent pathway and contributes to prevent the chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) and YAP form a complex shaping TEAD-dependent transcriptional activity on the promoters of YAP target genes, including EDN1, which fuels a feed-forward signaling circuit that sustains a platinum-tolerant state. The FDA approved dual ET-1 receptor antagonist macitentan in co-therapy with cisplatin sensitizes resistant cells to the platinum-based therapy, reducing their metastatic potential. Furthermore, high ETAR/YAP gene expression signature is associated with a poor platinum-response in OC patients. Collectively, our findings identify in the networking between ET-1 and YAP pathways an escape strategy from chemotherapy. ET-1 receptor blockade interferes with such adaptive network and enhances platinum-induced apoptosis, representing a promising therapeutic opportunity to restore drug sensitivity in OC patients.
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31
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Pulito C, Strano S, Blandino G. Dihydroartemisinin: from malaria to the treatment of relapsing head and neck cancers. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:612. [PMID: 32566549 PMCID: PMC7290621 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2020.03.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Pulito
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Strano
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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