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Jankovic M, Knezevic T, Tomic A, Milicevic O, Jovanovic T, Djunic I, Mihaljevic B, Knezevic A, Todorovic-Balint M. Human Cytomegalovirus Oncoprotection across Diverse Populations, Tumor Histologies, and Age Groups: The Relevance for Prospective Vaccinal Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3741. [PMID: 38612552 PMCID: PMC11012084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073741] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The oncogenicity of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is currently being widely debated. Most recently, mounting clinical evidence suggests an anti-cancer effect via CMV-induced T cell-mediated tumor destruction. However, the data were mostly obtained from single-center studies and in vitro experiments. Broad geographic coverage is required to offer a global perspective. Our study examined the correlation between country-specific CMV seroprevalence (across 73 countries) and the age-standardized incidence rate (of 34 invasive tumors). The populations studied were stratified according to decadal age periods as the immunologic effects of CMV seropositivity may depend upon age at initial infection. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC WHO) database was used. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a worldwide inverse correlation between CMV seroprevalence and the incidences of 62.8% tumors. Notably, this inverse link persists for all cancers combined (Spearman's ρ = -0.732, p < 0.001; β = -0.482, p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.737). An antithetical and significant correlation was also observed in particular age groups for the vast majority of tumors. Our results corroborate the conclusions of previous studies and indicate that this oncopreventive phenomenon holds true on a global scale. It applies to a wide spectrum of cancer histologies, additionally supporting the idea of a common underlying mechanism-CMV-stimulated T cell tumor targeting. Although these results further advance the notion of CMV-based therapies, in-depth investigation of host-virus interactions is still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Jankovic
- Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, 1 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
| | - Tara Knezevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
| | - Ana Tomic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
| | - Ognjen Milicevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, 15 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Institute for Biocides and Medical Ecology, 16 Trebevicka Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Irena Djunic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
- Clinic of Hematology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 2 Dr Koste Todorovica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Mihaljevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
- Clinic of Hematology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 2 Dr Koste Todorovica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Knezevic
- Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, 1 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
| | - Milena Todorovic-Balint
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 8 Dr Subotica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (T.K.); (A.T.); (O.M.); (I.D.); (B.M.); (M.T.-B.)
- Clinic of Hematology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 2 Dr Koste Todorovica Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Vogel RI, Stenzel AE, Lee H, Hunter-Schlichting D, Wesley E, Uppendahl LD, Geller MA, Nelson HH. Prevalence of active cytomegalovirus infection at diagnosis of ovarian cancer and during chemotherapy and subsequent changes in cognitive functioning. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1057. [PMID: 37923995 PMCID: PMC10623703 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11566-y] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE One of the most frequently reported effects of cancer and its treatments is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Viral infections may affect inflammation and immune function and therefore may influence patient symptoms, including CRCI. The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections at diagnosis, during, and after chemotherapy in individuals with ovarian cancer and explore CMV infection at diagnosis with cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) following chemotherapy. METHODS We recruited adults newly diagnosed with ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer at a single academic cancer center into two prospective studies. In Study 1 (N = 71), participants provided blood samples at diagnosis. In Study 2 (N = 18), participants provided blood samples and completed symptom surveys before, during and after front-line adjuvant chemotherapy. Serum CMV DNA levels were assessed using digital PCR; >100 copies/mL of serum was considered positive for active CMV infection (CMV+). CRCI was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) questionnaire. Changes in FACT-Cog scores were compared by CMV status at diagnosis using t-tests at each time point. RESULTS At diagnosis, 29.2% were CMV+ (28.2% in Study 1, 33.3% in Study 2). Following three cycles of chemotherapy (Study 2), CMV positivity rose to 60.0% and then back down to 31.3% after chemotherapy. We observed significant differences in CRCI following chemotherapy by CMV status at diagnosis. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that active CMV infection is common among patients undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and may contribute to symptoms of CRCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Vogel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Ashley E Stenzel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Heewon Lee
- Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - DeVon Hunter-Schlichting
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Erin Wesley
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Locke D Uppendahl
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Melissa A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Heather H Nelson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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El Baba R, Haidar Ahmad S, Monnien F, Mansar R, Bibeau F, Herbein G. Polyploidy, EZH2 upregulation, and transformation in cytomegalovirus-infected human ovarian epithelial cells. Oncogene 2023; 42:3047-3061. [PMID: 37634008 PMCID: PMC10555822 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been implicated in epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). Polyploidy giant cancer cells (PGCCs) have been observed in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC); they possess cancer stem cell-like characteristics and give rise to progeny cells expressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. EZH2 plays a potential oncogenic role, correlating with high proliferative index and tumor grade in OC. Herein, we present the experimental evidence for HCMV as a reprogramming vector that elicited human ovarian epithelial cells (OECs) transformation leading to the generation of "CMV-transformed Ovarian cells" (CTO). The infection with the two high-risk clinical strains, namely HCMV-DB and BL provoked a distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms in infected OECs. EZH2 upregulation and cellular proliferation were curtailed by using EZH2 inhibitors. The HGSOC biopsies were characterized by an elevated EZH2 expression, possessing a strong positive correlation between the aforementioned marker and HCMV. From HGSOC biopsies, we isolated three HCMV clinical strains that transformed OECs generating CTO cells which displayed proliferative potentials in addition to EZH2 upregulation and PGCCs generation; these features were reduced upon EZH2 inhibition. High-risk HCMV strains transformed OECs confirming an HCMV-induced epithelial ovarian cancer model and highlighting EZH2 tumorigenic properties. Our findings might be highly relevant in the pathophysiology of ovarian tumors thereby nominating new targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranim El Baba
- Department of Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB Laboratory EA4266, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Sandy Haidar Ahmad
- Department of Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB Laboratory EA4266, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | | | - Racha Mansar
- Department of Pathology, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France
| | | | - Georges Herbein
- Department of Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB Laboratory EA4266, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
- Department of Virology, CHU Besançon, Besançon, France.
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Touma J, Pantalone MR, Rahbar A, Liu Y, Vetvik K, Sauer T, Söderberg-Naucler C, Geisler J. Human Cytomegalovirus Protein Expression Is Correlated with Shorter Overall Survival in Breast Cancer Patients: A Cohort Study. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030732. [PMID: 36992442 PMCID: PMC10054688 DOI: 10.3390/v15030732] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is increasingly suggested to be involved in human carcinogenesis and onco-modulation due to its ability to contribute to all hallmarks of cancer. Growing evidence demonstrates a link between HCMV infection and various malignancies, including breast cancer, which incidence and mortality are still on the rise. The etiology of breast cancer remains mostly unclear, leaving 80% of breast cancer cases considered to be sporadic. Identifying novel risk- and prognostic factors for improved breast cancer treatment and increased survival rates, were the objectives of this study. Methods: Automated immunohistochemical staining results for HCMV proteins in 109 breast tumors and lymph node metastasis were correlated with clinical follow-up data (>10 years). Statistical analyses for median Overall Survival (OS) were performed. Results: Survival analyses revealed shorter median OS for patients with HCMV-IE positive tumors of 118.4 months compared to 202.4 months for HCMV-IE negative tumors. A higher number of HCMV-LA positive cells in the tumors was also associated with a shorter OS in patients (146.2 months vs. 151.5 months). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a link between HCMV-infections and breast cancer prognosis, which paves the way for potential novel clinical intervention and targeted therapy that may prolong the overall survival of selected patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Touma
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Mattia Russel Pantalone
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Afsar Rahbar
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Katja Vetvik
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Torill Sauer
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Cecilia Söderberg-Naucler
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Unit for Infection and Immunology, MediCity Research Laboratory, Turku University, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: (C.S.-N.); (J.G.); Tel.: +46-8-5177-9816 (C.S.-N.); +47-9118-7447 (J.G.)
| | - Jürgen Geisler
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Correspondence: (C.S.-N.); (J.G.); Tel.: +46-8-5177-9816 (C.S.-N.); +47-9118-7447 (J.G.)
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Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus (HPV16/18), Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV), and Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in Endometrial Endometroid and Ovarian Cancers. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030397. [PMID: 36986319 PMCID: PMC10053580 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV16/18), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and the occurrence of ovarian cancer in 48 women, of whom 36 underwent surgery and chemotherapy (group A), 12 in whom surgery was sufficient (group B), and 60 with endometroid endometrial cancer stage G1-G3 (group C), compared to patients in whom the uterus and its appendages were removed for nononcological reasons (control group). The detection of HPV, EBV, and HCMV in tumor tissue and normal tissue was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. A statistically significantly higher risk of endometrial cancer was noted in patients infected only with HCMV (OR > 1; p < 0.05). In contrast, a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in group A was associated with HPV16, HPV18, and EBV (OR > 1; p < 0.05); a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in group B was associated with HPV18 and HMCV (OR > 1; p < 0.05). The obtained results suggest that HCMV infection is associated with the development of a stage of ovarian cancer when treatment can be completed with surgery alone. Meanwhile, EBV appears to be responsible for the development of ovarian cancer in more advanced stages.
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Zhang C, Zhang X, Gong Y, Li T, Yang L, Xu W, Dong L. Role of the lncRNA-mRNA network in atherosclerosis using ox-low-density lipoprotein-induced macrophage-derived foam cells. Mol Omics 2020; 16:543-553. [PMID: 32915179 DOI: 10.1039/d0mo00077a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading cause of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and other cardiovascular diseases, making it a major risk factor for high morbidity and mortality. Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play a role in AS, the specific effects of lncRNAs on AS remain largely unknown. Thus the purpose of this study was to explore the roles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in atherosclerosis via an ox-low-density lipoprotein induced macrophage-derived foam cell model. Microarray analysis identified a total of 50 688 mRNAs and 1514 lncRNAs, including 51 lncRNAs and 1730 mRNAs that were significantly dysregulated in the model group (p-adjust < 0.05 and |log 2FC| > 2). The results of gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses demonstrated that the dysregulated genes were associated with cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. An lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network was created to further analyze the key regulatory genes. The lncRNAs Brip1os, Gm16586, AU020206, 9430034N14Rik, 2510016D11Rik, LNC_000709, Gm15472, Gm20703, and Dubr were identified as potential biomarkers in macrophage-derived foam cells. Based on 9 lncRNAs and 13 mRNAs, key genes influencing the degree of cell proliferation and cell apoptosis and the subsequent development of AS were identified. Q-PCR verified the key dysregulated genes. Thus, our results suggest potential therapeutic targets for AS and provide avenues for further research on AS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Zhang
- School of Life Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Northeast Corner of Intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Fang-Shan District, Beijing, 102488, China.
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