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Liu S, Dai W, Jin B, Jiang F, Huang H, Hou W, Lan J, Jin Y, Peng W, Pan J. Effects of super-enhancers in cancer metastasis: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:122. [PMID: 38844984 PMCID: PMC11157854 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02033-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis remains the principal cause of cancer-related lethality despite advancements in cancer treatment. Dysfunctional epigenetic alterations are crucial in the metastatic cascade. Among these, super-enhancers (SEs), emerging as new epigenetic regulators, consist of large clusters of regulatory elements that drive the high-level expression of genes essential for the oncogenic process, upon which cancer cells develop a profound dependency. These SE-driven oncogenes play an important role in regulating various facets of metastasis, including the promotion of tumor proliferation in primary and distal metastatic organs, facilitating cellular migration and invasion into the vasculature, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhancing cancer stem cell-like properties, circumventing immune detection, and adapting to the heterogeneity of metastatic niches. This heavy reliance on SE-mediated transcription delineates a vulnerable target for therapeutic intervention in cancer cells. In this article, we review current insights into the characteristics, identification methodologies, formation, and activation mechanisms of SEs. We also elaborate the oncogenic roles and regulatory functions of SEs in the context of cancer metastasis. Ultimately, we discuss the potential of SEs as novel therapeutic targets and their implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Bei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Jinxia Lan
- College of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Yanli Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University Institute of Tumor Pharmacology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Weijie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China.
| | - Jingxuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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2
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Vlahopoulos S, Pan L, Varisli L, Dancik GM, Karantanos T, Boldogh I. OGG1 as an Epigenetic Reader Affects NFκB: What This Means for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:148. [PMID: 38201575 PMCID: PMC10778025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010148] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1), which was initially identified as the enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the DNA base excision repair pathway, is now also recognized as a modulator of gene expression. What is important for cancer is that OGG1 acts as a modulator of NFκB-driven gene expression. Specifically, oxidant stress in the cell transiently halts enzymatic activity of substrate-bound OGG1. The stalled OGG1 facilitates DNA binding of transactivators, such as NFκB to their cognate sites, enabling the expression of cytokines and chemokines, with ensuing recruitment of inflammatory cells. Recently, we highlighted chief aspects of OGG1 involvement in regulation of gene expression, which hold significance in lung cancer development. However, OGG1 has also been implicated in the molecular underpinning of acute myeloid leukemia. This review analyzes and discusses how these cells adapt through redox-modulated intricate connections, via interaction of OGG1 with NFκB, which provides malignant cells with alternative molecular pathways to transform their microenvironment, enabling adjustment, promoting cell proliferation, metastasis, and evading killing by therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spiros Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Lang Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Lokman Varisli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey;
| | - Garrett M. Dancik
- Department of Computer Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA;
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Division of Hematological Malignancies, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA;
| | - Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
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3
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Marino-Merlo F, Grelli S, Mastino A, Lai M, Ferrari P, Nicolini A, Pistello M, Macchi B. Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Oncogenesis between Active Expression and Latency: A Possible Source for the Development of Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14807. [PMID: 37834255 PMCID: PMC10572738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the only known human oncogenic retrovirus. HTLV-1 can cause a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The virus is transmitted through the body fluids of infected individuals, primarily breast milk, blood, and semen. At least 5-10 million people in the world are infected with HTLV-1. In addition to ATL, HTLV-1 infection can also cause HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP). ATL is characterized by a low viral expression and poor prognosis. The oncogenic mechanism triggered by HTLV-1 is extremely complex and the molecular pathways are not fully understood. However, viral regulatory proteins Tax and HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ) have been shown to play key roles in the transformation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Moreover, several studies have shown that the final fate of HTLV-1-infected transformed Tcell clones is the result of a complex interplay of HTLV-1 oncogenic protein expression with cellular transcription factors that subvert the cell cycle and disrupt regulated cell death, thereby exerting their transforming effects. This review provides updated information on the mechanisms underlying the transforming action of HTLV-1 and highlights potential therapeutic targets to combat ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marino-Merlo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Mastino
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Medical and Oncological Area, Azienda Ospedaliera—Universitaria Pisana, 56125 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Beatrice Macchi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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Fernández S, Díaz E, Rita CG, Estévez M, Montalbán C, García JF. BET inhibitors induce NF-κB and E2F downregulation in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. Exp Cell Res 2023; 430:113718. [PMID: 37468057 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) continues to be poor. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop novel therapies and to rationalize the use of target combinations. In recent years there has been growing interest in epigenetic targets for hematological malignancies under the rationale of the presence of common alterations in epigenetic transcriptional regulation. Since Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells have frequent inactivating mutations of the CREBBP and EP300 acetyltransferases, bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors can be a rational therapy for cHL. Here we aimed to confirm the efficacy of BET inhibitors (iBETs) using representative cell models and functional experiments, and to further explore biological mechanisms under iBET treatment using whole-transcriptome analyses. Our results reveal cytostatic rather than cytotoxic activity through the induction of G1/S and G2/M cell-cycle arrest, in addition to variable MYC downregulation. Additionally, massive changes in the transcriptome induced by the treatment include downregulation of relevant pathways in cHL disease: NF-kB and E2F, among others. Our findings support the therapeutic use of iBETs in selected cHL patients and reveal previously unknown biological mechanisms and consequences of pan-BET inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fernández
- Translational Research Laboratory, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Díaz
- Translational Research Laboratory, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia G Rita
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Eurofins-Megalab, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Estévez
- Department of Hematology, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Montalbán
- Department of Hematology, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan F García
- Translational Research Laboratory, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain.
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5
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Stuver R, Horwitz SM, Epstein-Peterson ZD. Treatment of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Established Paradigms and Emerging Directions. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:948-964. [PMID: 37300656 PMCID: PMC11010735 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01111-1] [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: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a rare, aggressive subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma developing after many years of chronic, asymptomatic infection with the retrovirus human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). HTLV-1 is endemic to certain geographic areas of the world, and primary infection generally occurs in infancy through mother-to-child transmission via breastfeeding. In less than 5% of infected individuals, a decades-long pathogenic process culminates in the development of ATL. Aggressive subtypes of ATL are life-threatening and challenging to treat, with median overall survival typically less than 1 year in the absence of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Owing to the rarity of this illness, prospective large-scale clinical trials have been challenging to perform, and treatment recommendations are largely founded upon limited evidence. Herein, we review the current therapeutic options for ATL, providing a broad literature overview of the foremost clinical trials and reports of this disease. We emphasize our own treatment paradigm, which is broadly based upon disease subtype, patient fitness, and intent to perform alloHCT. Finally, we highlight recent advances in understanding ATL disease biology and important ongoing clinical trials that we foresee as informative and potentially practice-changing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Stuver
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 530 E. 74th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - Steven M Horwitz
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 530 E. 74th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zachary D Epstein-Peterson
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 530 E. 74th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Bangham CRM. HTLV-1 persistence and the oncogenesis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Blood 2023; 141:2299-2306. [PMID: 36800643 PMCID: PMC10646791 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022019332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), also known as human T-lymphotropic virus type 1, causes the aggressive malignancy known as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) in 5% of infected people and a chronic progressive inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, in ∼0.3% to 4% of them, varying between regions where it is endemic. Reliable treatments are lacking for both conditions, although there have been promising recent advances in the prevention and treatment of ATL. Because ATL typically develops after several decades of infection, it is necessary to understand how the virus persists in the host despite a strong immune response, and how this persistence results in oncogenesis.
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Di Giorgio E, Benetti R, Kerschbamer E, Xodo L, Brancolini C. Super-enhancer landscape rewiring in cancer: The epigenetic control at distal sites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 380:97-148. [PMID: 37657861 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Super-enhancers evolve as elements at the top of the hierarchical control of gene expression. They are important end-gatherers of signaling pathways that control stemness, differentiation or adaptive responses. Many epigenetic regulations focus on these regions, and not surprisingly, during the process of tumorigenesis, various alterations can account for their dysfunction. Super-enhancers are emerging as key drivers of the aberrant gene expression landscape that sustain the aggressiveness of cancer cells. In this review, we will describe and discuss about the structure of super-enhancers, their epigenetic regulation, and the major changes affecting their functionality in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Roberta Benetti
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuela Kerschbamer
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi Xodo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Zuo X, Zhou R, Yang S, Ma G. HTLV-1 persistent infection and ATLL oncogenesis. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28424. [PMID: 36546414 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus; whereas HTLV-1 mainly persists in the infected host cell as a provirus, it also causes a malignancy called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in about 5% of infection. HTLV-1 replication is in most cases silent in vivo and viral de novo infection rarely occurs; HTLV-1 rather relies on clonal proliferation of infected T cells for viral propagation as it multiplies the number of the provirus copies. It is mechanistically elusive how leukemic clones emerge during the course of HTLV-1 infection in vivo and eventually cause the onset of ATLL. This review summarizes our current understanding of HTLV-1 persistence and oncogenesis, with the incorporation of recent cutting-edge discoveries obtained by high-throughput sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorui Zuo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruoning Zhou
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sikai Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangyong Ma
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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