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Thakur C, Qiu Y, Pawar A, Chen F. Epigenetic regulation of breast cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:597-619. [PMID: 37857941 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Recurrent metastasis is associated with poor patient outcomes and poses a significant challenge in breast cancer therapies. Cancer cells adapting to a new tissue microenvironment is the key event in distant metastasis development, where the disseminating tumor cells are likely to acquire genetic and epigenetic alterations during the process of metastatic colonization. Despite several decades of research in this field, the exact mechanisms governing metastasis are not fully understood. However, emerging body of evidence indicates that in addition to genetic changes, epigenetic reprogramming of cancer cells and the metastatic niche are paramount toward successful metastasis. Here, we review and discuss the latest knowledge about the salient attributes of metastasis and epigenetic regulation in breast cancer and crucial research domains that need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Thakur
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Yiran Qiu
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Aashna Pawar
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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2
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Zhou L, Yu CW. Epigenetic modulations in triple-negative breast cancer: Therapeutic implications for tumor microenvironment. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107205. [PMID: 38719195 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and lacks HER2 overexpression. This absence of critical molecular targets poses significant challenges for conventional therapies. Immunotherapy, remarkably immune checkpoint blockade, offers promise for TNBC treatment, but its efficacy remains limited. Epigenetic dysregulation, including altered DNA methylation, histone modifications, and imbalances in regulators such as BET proteins, plays a crucial role in TNBC development and resistance to treatment. Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor gene promoters and the imbalance of histone methyltransferases such as EZH2 and histone deacetylases (HDACs) profoundly influence tumor cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. In addition, epigenetic alterations critically shape the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cell composition, cytokine signaling, and immune checkpoint expression, ultimately contributing to immune evasion. Targeting these epigenetic mechanisms with specific inhibitors such as EZH2 and HDAC inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy represents a compelling strategy to remodel the TME, potentially overcoming immune evasion and enhancing therapeutic outcomes in TNBC. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the current understanding of epigenetic modulation in TNBC, its influence on the TME, and the potential of combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapy to overcome the challenges posed by this aggressive breast cancer subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhou
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chen-Wei Yu
- Department of Statistics and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
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3
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Kim Y, Ko JY, Kong HK, Lee M, Chung W, Lim S, Son D, Oh S, Park JW, Kim DY, Lee M, Han W, Park WY, Yoo KH, Park JH. Hypomethylation of ATP1A1 Is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Cancer Progression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1666. [PMID: 38730618 PMCID: PMC11083557 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091666] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated DNA methylation in cancer is critical in the transcription machinery associated with cancer progression. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, but no treatment targeting TNBC biomarkers has yet been developed. To identify specific DNA methylation patterns in TNBC, methyl-binding domain protein 2 (MBD) sequencing data were compared in TNBC and the three other major breast cancer subtypes. Integrated analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression identified a gene set showing a correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression. ATPase Na+/K+-transporting subunit alpha 1 (ATP1A1) was found to be specifically hypomethylated in the coding sequence (CDS) region and to show increased expression in TNBC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database also showed that hypomethylation and high expression of ATP1A1 were strongly associated with poor survival in patients with TNBC. Furthermore, ATP1A1 knockdown significantly reduced the viability and tumor-sphere formation of TNBC cells. These results suggest that the hypomethylation and overexpression of ATP1A1 could be a prognostic marker in TNBC and that the manipulation of ATP1A1 expression could be a therapeutic target in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesol Kim
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Je Yeong Ko
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Hyun Kyung Kong
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Minyoung Lee
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Woosung Chung
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Sera Lim
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Dasom Son
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Sumin Oh
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Jee Won Park
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Do Yeon Kim
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Minju Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonshik Han
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Yoo
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
| | - Jong Hoon Park
- Department of Biological Science, Research Institute of Women’s Health, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (J.Y.K.)
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Desaulniers D, Cummings-Lorbetskie C, Leingartner K, Meier MJ, Pickles JC, Yauk CL. DNA methylation changes from primary cultures through senescence-bypass in Syrian hamster fetal cells initially exposed to benzo[a]pyrene. Toxicology 2023; 487:153451. [PMID: 36754249 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153451] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Current chemical testing strategies are limited in their ability to detect non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTxC). Epigenetic anomalies develop during carcinogenesis regardless of whether the molecular initiating event is associated with genotoxic (GTxC) or NGTxC events; therefore, epigenetic markers may be harnessed to develop new approach methodologies that improve the detection of both types of carcinogens. This study used Syrian hamster fetal cells to establish the chronology of carcinogen-induced DNA methylation changes from primary cells until senescence-bypass as an essential carcinogenic step. Cells exposed to solvent control for 7 days were compared to naïve primary cultures, to cells exposed for 7 days to benzo[a]pyrene, and to cells at the subsequent transformation stages: normal colonies, morphologically transformed colonies, senescence, senescence-bypass, and sustained proliferation in vitro. DNA methylation changes identified by reduced representation bisulphite sequencing were minimal at day-7. Profound DNA methylation changes arose during cellular senescence and some of these early differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were preserved through the final sustained proliferation stage. A set of these DMRs (e.g., Pou4f1, Aifm3, B3galnt2, Bhlhe22, Gja8, Klf17, and L1l) were validated by pyrosequencing and their reproducibility was confirmed across multiple clones obtained from a different laboratory. These DNA methylation changes could serve as biomarkers to enhance objectivity and mechanistic understanding of cell transformation and could be used to predict senescence-bypass and chemical carcinogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Desaulniers
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | | | - Karen Leingartner
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Matthew J Meier
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | | | - Carole L Yauk
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada.
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Brown LJ, Achinger-Kawecka J, Portman N, Clark S, Stirzaker C, Lim E. Epigenetic Therapies and Biomarkers in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030474. [PMID: 35158742 PMCID: PMC8833457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic therapies are promising agents for overcoming clinical resistance to conventional treatments in breast cancer. In the assessed trials, the use of epigenetic therapies for the management of breast cancer has not translated from the pre-clinical to clinical setting. However, novel epigenetic treatments remain promising, especially in the era of personalized medicine and improved genomic evaluation. The aim of our review was to assess the published evidence for the clinical utility of epigenetic therapies and their biomarkers in breast cancer and the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers to direct clinical management. Abstract Epigenetic therapies remain a promising, but still not widely used, approach in the management of patients with cancer. To date, the efficacy and use of epigenetic therapies has been demonstrated primarily in the management of haematological malignancies, with limited supportive data in solid malignancies. The most studied epigenetic therapies in breast cancer are those that target DNA methylation and histone modification; however, none have been approved for routine clinical use. The majority of pre-clinical and clinical studies have focused on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Even though the use of epigenetic therapies alone in the treatment of breast cancer has not shown significant clinical benefit, these therapies show most promise in use in combinations with other treatments. With improving technologies available to study the epigenetic landscape in cancer, novel epigenetic alterations are increasingly being identified as potential biomarkers of response to conventional and epigenetic therapies. In this review, we describe epigenetic targets and potential epigenetic biomarkers in breast cancer, with a focus on clinical trials of epigenetic therapies. We describe alterations to the epigenetic landscape in breast cancer and in treatment resistance, highlighting mechanisms and potential targets for epigenetic therapies. We provide an updated review on epigenetic therapies in the pre-clinical and clinical setting in breast cancer, with a focus on potential real-world applications. Finally, we report on the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to therapy, to guide and inform the clinical management of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Julia Brown
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Joanna Achinger-Kawecka
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Neil Portman
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Susan Clark
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Clare Stirzaker
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Akhtar S, Hourani S, Therachiyil L, Al-Dhfyan A, Agouni A, Zeidan A, Uddin S, Korashy HM. Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:177-196. [PMID: 32877761 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Compelling evidence has demonstrated that tumor bulk comprises distinctive subset of cells generally referred as cancer stem cells (CSCs) that have been proposed as a strong sustainer and promoter of tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. These distinguished properties of CSCs have raised interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the maintenance of these cells. Numerous experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that exposure to environmental toxins such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is strongly involved in cancer initiation and progression. The PAH-induced carcinogenesis is shown to be mediated through the activation of a cytosolic receptor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/Cytochrome P4501A pathway, suggesting a possible direct link between AhR and CSCs. Several recent studies have investigated the role of AhR in CSCs self-renewal and maintenance, however the molecular mechanisms and particularly the epigenetic regulations of CSCs by the AhR/CYP1A pathway have not been reviewed before. In this review, we first summarize the crosstalk between AhR and cancer genetics, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms relevant to CSCs such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, NF-κB, and PTEN-PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The second part of this review discusses the recent advances and studies highlighting the epigenetic mechanisms mediated by the AhR/CYP1A pathway that control CSC gene expression, self-renewal, and chemoresistance in various human cancers. Furthermore, the review also sheds light on the importance of targeting the epigenetic pathways as a novel therapeutic approach against CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Akhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shireen Hourani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lubna Therachiyil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdullah Al-Dhfyan
- Stem Cell & Tissue Re-Engineering, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asad Zeidan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hesham M Korashy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Subhash S, Kanduri M, Kanduri C. Sperm Originated Chromatin Imprints and LincRNAs in Organismal Development and Cancer. iScience 2020; 23:101165. [PMID: 32485645 PMCID: PMC7262563 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance of sperm-derived transcripts and chromatin imprints in organismal development is poorly investigated. Here using an integrative approach, we show that human sperm transcripts are equally important as oocyte. Sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte common transcripts carry distinct chromatin structures at their promoters correlating with corresponding transcript levels in sperm. Interestingly, sperm-specific H3K4me3 patterns at the lincRNA promoters are not maintained in the germ layers and somatic tissues. However, bivalent chromatin at the sperm-specific protein-coding gene promoters is maintained throughout the development. Sperm-specific transcripts reach their peak expression during zygotic genome activation, whereas sperm-oocyte common transcripts are present during early preimplantation development but decline at the onset of zygotic genome activation. Additionally, there is an inverse correlation between sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte lincRNAs throughout the development. Sperm-lincRNAs also show aberrant activation in tumors. Overall, our observations indicate that sperm transcripts carrying chromatin imprints may play an important role in human development and cancer. Sp-lincRNAs carry distinct chromatin structures correlating with transcript levels Sp-lincRNAs are active during ZGA in preimplantation developmental stages SpOc-lincRNAs are active in pre-ZGA and decline at the onset of ZGA Sp-lincRNAs are silent post implantation but show aberrant cancer-specific activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhilal Subhash
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Meena Kanduri
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chandrasekhar Kanduri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden.
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Epigenetic reprogramming at estrogen-receptor binding sites alters 3D chromatin landscape in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Nat Commun 2020; 11:320. [PMID: 31949157 PMCID: PMC6965612 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy resistance frequently develops in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that 3-dimensional (3D) chromatin interactions both within and between topologically associating domains (TADs) frequently change in ER+ endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells and that the differential interactions are enriched for resistance-associated genetic variants at CTCF-bound anchors. Ectopic chromatin interactions are preferentially enriched at active enhancers and promoters and ER binding sites, and are associated with altered expression of ER-regulated genes, consistent with dynamic remodelling of ER pathways accompanying the development of endocrine resistance. We observe that loss of 3D chromatin interactions often occurs coincidently with hypermethylation and loss of ER binding. Alterations in active A and inactive B chromosomal compartments are also associated with decreased ER binding and atypical interactions and gene expression. Together, our results suggest that 3D epigenome remodelling is a key mechanism underlying endocrine resistance in ER+ breast cancer.
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Rahman MM, Brane AC, Tollefsbol TO. MicroRNAs and Epigenetics Strategies to Reverse Breast Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101214. [PMID: 31597272 PMCID: PMC6829616 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a sporadic disease with genetic and epigenetic components. Genomic instability in breast cancer leads to mutations, copy number variations, and genetic rearrangements, while epigenetic remodeling involves alteration by DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs (miRNAs) of gene expression profiles. The accrued scientific findings strongly suggest epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer pathogenesis though genomic instability is central to breast cancer hallmarks. Being reversible and plastic, epigenetic processes appear more amenable toward therapeutic intervention than the more unidirectional genetic alterations. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic reprogramming associated with breast cancer such as shuffling of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, histone methylation, and miRNAs expression profiles. As part of this, we illustrate how epigenetic instability orchestrates the attainment of cancer hallmarks which stimulate the neoplastic transformation-tumorigenesis-malignancy cascades. As reversibility of epigenetic controls is a promising feature to optimize for devising novel therapeutic approaches, we also focus on the strategies for restoring the epistate that favor improved disease outcome and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Andrew C Brane
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Over the last years, epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and histone modifications detected in early tumorigenesis and cancer progression, have been proposed as biomarkers for cancer detection, tumor prognosis, and prediction to treatment response. Importantly for the clinical use of DNA methylation biomarkers, specific methylation signatures can be detected in many body fluids including serum/plasma samples. Several of these potential epigenetic biomarkers detected in women's cancers, colorectal cancers, prostate, pancreatic, gastric, and lung cancers are discussed. Studies conducted in breast cancer, for example, found that aberrant methylation detection of several genes in serum DNA and genome-wide epigenetic change could be used for early breast cancer diagnosis and prediction of breast cancer risk. In colorectal cancers, numerous studies have been conducted to identify specific methylation markers important for CRC detection and in fact clinical assays evaluating the methylation status of SEPT19 gene and vimentin, became commercially available. Furthermore, some epigenetic changes detected in gastric washes have been suggested as potential circulating noninvasive biomarkers for the early detection of gastric cancers. For the early detection of prostate cancer, few epigenetic markers have shown a better sensitivity and specificity than serum PSA, indicating that the inclusion of these markers together with current screening tools, could improve early diagnosis and may reduce unnecessary repeat biopsies. Similarly, in pancreatic cancers, abnormal DNA methylation of several genes including NPTX2, have been suggested as a diagnostic biomarker. Epigenetic dysregulation was also observed in several tumor suppressor genes and miRNAs in lung cancer patients, suggesting the important role of these changes in cancer initiation and progression. In conclusion, epigenetic changes detected in biological fluids could play an essential role in the early detection of several cancer types and this may have a great impact for the cancer precision medicine field.
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11
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Salta S, P Nunes S, Fontes-Sousa M, Lopes P, Freitas M, Caldas M, Antunes L, Castro F, Antunes P, Palma de Sousa S, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. A DNA Methylation-Based Test for Breast Cancer Detection in Circulating Cell-Free DNA. J Clin Med 2018; 7:E420. [PMID: 30405052 PMCID: PMC6262630 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7110420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BrC) is the most frequent neoplasm in women. New biomarkers, including aberrant DNA methylation, may improve BrC management. Herein, we evaluated the detection and prognostic performance of seven genes' promoter methylation (APC, BRCA1, CCND2, FOXA1, PSAT1, RASSF1A and SCGB3A1). METHODS Methylation levels were assessed in primary BrC tissues by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (QMSP) and in circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) by multiplex QMSP from two independent cohorts of patients (Cohort #1, n = 137; and Cohort #2, n = 44). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, and log-rank test and Cox regression were performed to assess the prognostic value of genes' methylation levels. RESULTS The gene-panel APC, FOXA1, RASSF1A, SCGB3A1 discriminated normal from cancerous tissue with high accuracy (95.55%). In multivariable analysis, high PSAT1-methylation levels [>percentile 75 (P75)] associated with longer disease-free survival, whereas higher FOXA1-methylation levels (>P75) associated with shorter disease-specific survival. The best performing panel in ccfDNA (APC, FOXA1 and RASSF1A) disclosed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy over 70%. CONCLUSIONS This approach enables BrC accurate diagnosis and prognostic stratification in tissue samples, and allows for early detection in liquid biopsies, thus suggesting a putative value for patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Salta
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sandra P Nunes
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Mário Fontes-Sousa
- Breast Cancer Clinic and Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Lopes
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Micaela Freitas
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Margarida Caldas
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís Antunes
- Department of Epidemiology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Fernando Castro
- Breast Cancer Clinic and Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Antunes
- Breast Cancer Clinic and Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Susana Palma de Sousa
- Breast Cancer Clinic and Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group-Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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12
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Abstract
Differentiation of stem cells into highly specialised cells requires gene expression changes brought about by remodelling of the chromatin architecture. During this lineage-commitment process, the majority of DNA needs to be packaged into inactive heterochromatin, allowing only a subset of regulatory elements to remain open and functionally required genes to be expressed. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, post-translational modifications to histone tails, and nucleosome positioning all potentially contribute to the changes in higher order chromatin structure during differentiation. The mammary gland is a particularly useful model to study these complex epigenetic processes since the majority of its development is postnatal, the gland is easily accessible, and development occurs in a highly reproducible manner. Inappropriate epigenetic remodelling can also drive tumourigenesis; thus, insights into epigenetic remodelling during mammary gland development advance our understanding of breast cancer aetiology. We review the current literature surrounding DNA methylation and histone modifications in the developing mammary gland and its implications for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Holliday
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Laura A Baker
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Simon R Junankar
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Susan J Clark
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Epigenetics Research Program, Genomics and Epigenetics Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia. .,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.
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13
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Romagnolo DF, Daniels KD, Grunwald JT, Ramos SA, Propper CR, Selmin OI. Epigenetics of breast cancer: Modifying role of environmental and bioactive food compounds. Mol Nutr Food Res 2017; 60:1310-29. [PMID: 27144894 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201501063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Reduced expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) increases the susceptibility to breast cancer. However, only a small percentage of breast tumors is related to family history and mutational inactivation of TSG. Epigenetics refers to non-mutational events that alter gene expression. Endocrine disruptors found in foods and drinking water may disrupt epigenetically hormonal regulation and increase breast cancer risk. This review centers on the working hypothesis that agonists of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), bisphenol A (BPA), and arsenic compounds, induce in TSG epigenetic signatures that mirror those often seen in sporadic breast tumors. Conversely, it is hypothesized that bioactive food components that target epigenetic mechanisms protect against sporadic breast cancer induced by these disruptors. METHODS AND RESULTS This review highlights (i) overlaps between epigenetic signatures placed in TSG by AHR-ligands, BPA, and arsenic with epigenetic alterations associated with sporadic breast tumorigenesis; and (ii) potential opportunities for the prevention of sporadic breast cancer with food components that target the epigenetic machinery. CONCLUSIONS Characterizing the overlap between epigenetic signatures elicited in TSG by endocrine disruptors with those observed in sporadic breast tumors may afford new strategies for breast cancer prevention with specific bioactive food components or diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato F Romagnolo
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kevin D Daniels
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Jonathan T Grunwald
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Stephan A Ramos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Catherine R Propper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Ornella I Selmin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
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14
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Breindel JL, Skibinski A, Sedic M, Wronski-Campos A, Zhou W, Keller PJ, Mills J, Bradner J, Onder T, Kuperwasser C. Epigenetic Reprogramming of Lineage-Committed Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Requires DNMT3A and Loss of DOT1L. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:943-955. [PMID: 28781076 PMCID: PMC5599181 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Organogenesis and tissue development occur through sequential stepwise processes leading to increased lineage restriction and loss of pluripotency. An exception to this appears in the adult human breast, where rare variant epithelial cells exhibit pluripotency and multilineage differentiation potential when removed from the signals of their native microenvironment. This phenomenon provides a unique opportunity to study mechanisms that lead to cellular reprogramming and lineage plasticity in real time. Here, we show that primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) lose expression of differentiated mammary epithelial markers in a manner dependent on paracrine factors and epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HMEC reprogramming is dependent on gene silencing by the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and loss of histone transcriptional marks following downregulation of the methyltransferase DOT1L. These results demonstrate that lineage commitment in adult tissues is context dependent and highlight the plasticity of somatic cells when removed from their native tissue microenvironment. vHMECs arise through epigenetic modification of pre-existing human breast cells DNA methylation by DNMT3a is required for vHMEC formation Loss of DOT1L and active histone methylation marks accelerates vHMEC formation Loss of mammary identity requires changes in both DNA and histone methylation
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerrica L Breindel
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Adam Skibinski
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Maja Sedic
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Ania Wronski-Campos
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Patricia J Keller
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Joslyn Mills
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - James Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Tamer Onder
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Department of Developmental, Chemical, and Molecular Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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15
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A Tox21 Approach to Altered Epigenetic Landscapes: Assessing Epigenetic Toxicity Pathways Leading to Altered Gene Expression and Oncogenic Transformation In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061179. [PMID: 28587163 PMCID: PMC5486002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An emerging vision for toxicity testing in the 21st century foresees in vitro assays assuming the leading role in testing for chemical hazards, including testing for carcinogenicity. Toxicity will be determined by monitoring key steps in functionally validated molecular pathways, using tests designed to reveal chemically-induced perturbations that lead to adverse phenotypic endpoints in cultured human cells. Risk assessments would subsequently be derived from the causal in vitro endpoints and concentration vs. effect data extrapolated to human in vivo concentrations. Much direct experimental evidence now shows that disruption of epigenetic processes by chemicals is a carcinogenic mode of action that leads to altered gene functions playing causal roles in cancer initiation and progression. In assessing chemical safety, it would therefore be advantageous to consider an emerging class of carcinogens, the epigenotoxicants, with the ability to change chromatin and/or DNA marks by direct or indirect effects on the activities of enzymes (writers, erasers/editors, remodelers and readers) that convey the epigenetic information. Evidence is reviewed supporting a strategy for in vitro hazard identification of carcinogens that induce toxicity through disturbance of functional epigenetic pathways in human somatic cells, leading to inactivated tumour suppressor genes and carcinogenesis. In the context of human cell transformation models, these in vitro pathway measurements ensure high biological relevance to the apical endpoint of cancer. Four causal mechanisms participating in pathways to persistent epigenetic gene silencing were considered: covalent histone modification, nucleosome remodeling, non-coding RNA interaction and DNA methylation. Within these four interacting mechanisms, 25 epigenetic toxicity pathway components (SET1, MLL1, KDM5, G9A, SUV39H1, SETDB1, EZH2, JMJD3, CBX7, CBX8, BMI, SUZ12, HP1, MPP8, DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, TET1, MeCP2, SETDB2, BAZ2A, UHRF1, CTCF, HOTAIR and ANRIL) were found to have experimental evidence showing that functional perturbations played “driver” roles in human cellular transformation. Measurement of epigenotoxicants presents challenges for short-term carcinogenicity testing, especially in the high-throughput modes emphasized in the Tox21 chemicals testing approach. There is need to develop and validate in vitro tests to detect both, locus-specific, and genome-wide, epigenetic alterations with causal links to oncogenic cellular phenotypes. Some recent examples of cell-based high throughput chemical screening assays are presented that have been applied or have shown potential for application to epigenetic endpoints.
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16
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Girotra S, Yeghiazaryan K, Golubnitschaja O. Potential biomarker panels in overall breast cancer management: advancements by multilevel diagnostics. Per Med 2016; 13:469-484. [PMID: 29767597 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2016-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) prevalence has reached an epidemic scale with half a million deaths annually. Current deficits in BC management include predictive and preventive approaches, optimized screening programs, individualized patient profiling, highly sensitive detection technologies for more precise diagnostics and therapy monitoring, individualized prediction and effective treatment of BC metastatic disease. To advance BC management, paradigm shift from delayed to predictive, preventive and personalized medical services is essential. Corresponding step forwards requires innovative multilevel diagnostics procuring specific panels of validated biomarkers. Here, we discuss current instrumental advancements including genomics, proteomics, epigenetics, miRNA, metabolomics, circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells with a focus on biomarker discovery and multilevel diagnostic panels. A list of the recommended biomarker candidates is provided.
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17
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Mulero-Navarro S, Fernandez-Salguero PM. New Trends in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:45. [PMID: 27243009 PMCID: PMC4863130 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally considered as a critical intermediate in the toxic and carcinogenic response to dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD), the Aryl hydrocarbon/Dioxin receptor (AhR) has proven to be also an important regulator of cell physiology and organ homeostasis. AhR has become an interesting and actual area of research mainly boosted by a significant number of recent studies analyzing its contribution to the proper functioning of the immune, hepatic, cardiovascular, vascular and reproductive systems. At the cellular level, AhR establishes functional interactions with signaling pathways governing cell proliferation and cell cycle, cell morphology, cell adhesion and cell migration. Two exciting new aspects in AhR biology deal with its implication in the control of cell differentiation and its more than likely involvement in cell pluripotency and stemness. In fact, it is possible that AhR could help modulate the balance between differentiation and pluripotency in normal and transformed tumor cells. At the molecular level, AhR regulates an increasingly large array of physiologically relevant genes either by traditional transcription-dependent mechanisms or by unforeseen processes involving genomic insulators, chromatin dynamics and the transcription of mobile genetic elements. AhR is also closely related to epigenetics, not only from the point of view of target gene expression but also with respect to its own regulation by promoter methylation. It is reasonable to consider that deregulation of these many functions could have a causative role, or at least contribute to, human disease. Consequently, several laboratories have proposed that AhR could be a valuable tool as diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target in human pathologies. An additional point of interest is the possibility of regulating AhR activity by endogenous non-toxic low weight molecules agonist or antagonist molecules that could be present or included in the diet. In this review, we will address these molecular and functional features of AhR biology within physiological and pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mulero-Navarro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura Badajoz, Spain
| | - Pedro M Fernandez-Salguero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura Badajoz, Spain
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18
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Romagnolo DF, Papoutsis AJ, Laukaitis C, Selmin OI. Constitutive expression of AhR and BRCA-1 promoter CpG hypermethylation as biomarkers of ERα-negative breast tumorigenesis. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:1026. [PMID: 26715507 PMCID: PMC4696163 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-2044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Only 5–10 % of breast cancer cases is linked to germline mutations in the BRCA-1 gene and occurs early in life. Conversely, sporadic breast tumors, which represent 90-95 % of breast malignancies, have lower BRCA-1 expression, but not mutated BRCA-1 gene, and tend to occur later in life in combination with other genetic alterations and/or environmental exposures. The latter may include environmental and dietary factors that activate the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Therefore, understanding if changes in expression and/or activation of the AhR are associated with somatic inactivation of the BRCA-1 gene may provide clues for breast cancer therapy. Methods We evaluated Brca-1 CpG promoter methylation and expression in mammary tumors induced in Sprague–Dawley rats with the AhR agonist and mammary carcinogen 7,12-dimethyl-benzo(a)anthracene (DMBA). Also, we tested in human estrogen receptor (ER)α-negative sporadic UACC-3199 and ERα-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells carrying respectively, hyper- and hypomethylated BRCA-1 gene, if the treatment with the AhR antagonist α-naphthoflavone (αNF) modulated BRCA-1 and ERα expression. Finally, we examined the association between expression of AhR and BRCA-1 promoter CpG methylation in human triple-negative (TNBC), luminal-A (LUM-A), LUM-B, and epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-positive breast tumor samples. Results Mammary tumors induced with DMBA had reduced BRCA-1 and ERα expression; higher Brca-1 promoter CpG methylation; increased expression of Ahr and its downstream target Cyp1b1; and higher proliferation markers Ccnd1 (cyclin D1) and Cdk4. In human UACC-3199 cells, low BRCA-1 was paralleled by constitutive high AhR expression; the treatment with αNF rescued BRCA-1 and ERα, while enhancing preferential expression of CYP1A1 compared to CYP1B1. Conversely, in MCF-7 cells, αNF antagonized estradiol-dependent activation of BRCA-1 without effects on expression of ERα. TNBC exhibited increased basal AhR and BRCA-1 promoter CpG methylation compared to LUM-A, LUM-B, and HER-2-positive breast tumors. Conclusions Constitutive AhR expression coupled to BRCA-1 promoter CpG hypermethylation may be predictive markers of ERα-negative breast tumor development. Regimens based on selected AhR modulators (SAhRMs) may be useful for therapy against ERα-negative tumors, and possibly, TNBC with increased AhR and hypermethylated BRCA-1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato F Romagnolo
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, 303 Shantz Bldg, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, USA. .,The University of Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, 3999A, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5024, USA.
| | - Andreas J Papoutsis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, 303 Shantz Bldg, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, USA.
| | - Christina Laukaitis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, 303 Shantz Bldg, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, USA. .,The University of Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, 3999A, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5024, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - Ornella I Selmin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, 303 Shantz Bldg, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, USA. .,The University of Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, 3999A, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5024, USA.
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19
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Verigos J, Magklara A. Revealing the Complexity of Breast Cancer by Next Generation Sequencing. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2183-200. [PMID: 26561834 PMCID: PMC4695885 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Revised: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years the increasing usage of "-omic" platforms, supported by next-generation sequencing, in the analysis of breast cancer samples has tremendously advanced our understanding of the disease. New driver and passenger mutations, rare chromosomal rearrangements and other genomic aberrations identified by whole genome and exome sequencing are providing missing pieces of the genomic architecture of breast cancer. High resolution maps of breast cancer methylomes and sequencing of the miRNA microworld are beginning to paint the epigenomic landscape of the disease. Transcriptomic profiling is giving us a glimpse into the gene regulatory networks that govern the fate of the breast cancer cell. At the same time, integrative analysis of sequencing data confirms an extensive intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity and plasticity in breast cancer arguing for a new approach to the problem. In this review, we report on the latest findings on the molecular characterization of breast cancer using NGS technologies, and we discuss their potential implications for the improvement of existing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Verigos
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
- Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology,Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
| | - Angeliki Magklara
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
- Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology,Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
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20
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DNA methylation of oestrogen-regulated enhancers defines endocrine sensitivity in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7758. [PMID: 26169690 PMCID: PMC4510968 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of oestrogen receptor (ESR1) determines whether a breast cancer patient receives endocrine therapy, but does not guarantee patient response. The molecular factors that define endocrine response in ESR1-positive breast cancer patients remain poorly understood. Here we characterize the DNA methylome of endocrine sensitivity and demonstrate the potential impact of differential DNA methylation on endocrine response in breast cancer. We show that DNA hypermethylation occurs predominantly at oestrogen-responsive enhancers and is associated with reduced ESR1 binding and decreased gene expression of key regulators of ESR1 activity, thus providing a novel mechanism by which endocrine response is abated in ESR1-positive breast cancers. Conversely, we delineate that ESR1-responsive enhancer hypomethylation is critical in transition from normal mammary epithelial cells to endocrine-responsive ESR1-positive cancer. Cumulatively, these novel insights highlight the potential of ESR1-responsive enhancer methylation to both predict ESR1-positive disease and stratify ESR1-positive breast cancer patients as responders to endocrine therapy. The molecular factors influencing patient response to endocrine therapy are poorly understood. Here Stone et al. characterize the DNA methylome of endocrine response and show that methylation of oestrogen receptor-associated enhancers underpins endocrine sensitivity in human breast cancer.
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