1
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Aumer T, Däther M, Bergmayr L, Kartika S, Zeng T, Ge Q, Giorgio G, Hess AJ, Michalakis S, Traube FR. The type of DNA damage response after decitabine treatment depends on the level of DNMT activity. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302437. [PMID: 38906675 PMCID: PMC11192838 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Decitabine and azacytidine are considered as epigenetic drugs that induce DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)-DNA crosslinks, resulting in DNA hypomethylation and damage. Although they are already applied against myeloid cancers, important aspects of their mode of action remain unknown, highly limiting their clinical potential. Using a combinatorial approach, we reveal that the efficacy profile of both compounds primarily depends on the level of induced DNA damage. Under low DNMT activity, only decitabine has a substantial impact. Conversely, when DNMT activity is high, toxicity and cellular response to both compounds are dramatically increased, but do not primarily depend on DNA hypomethylation or RNA-associated processes. By investigating proteome dynamics on chromatin, we show that decitabine induces a strictly DNMT-dependent multifaceted DNA damage response based on chromatin recruitment, but not expression-level changes of repair-associated proteins. The choice of DNA repair pathway hereby depends on the severity of decitabine-induced DNA lesions. Although under moderate DNMT activity, mismatch (MMR), base excision (BER), and Fanconi anaemia-dependent DNA repair combined with homologous recombination are activated in response to decitabine, high DNMT activity and therefore immense replication stress induce activation of MMR and BER followed by non-homologous end joining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Aumer
- Institute of Chemical Epigenetics Munich, Department of Chemistry, University of Munich (LMU), München, Germany
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | - Maike Däther
- Institute of Chemical Epigenetics Munich, Department of Chemistry, University of Munich (LMU), München, Germany
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | - Linda Bergmayr
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kartika
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich (LMU), München, Germany
| | - Theodor Zeng
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | - Qingyi Ge
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | - Grazia Giorgio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital LMU Munich, München, Germany
| | - Alexander J Hess
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
| | | | - Franziska R Traube
- Institute of Chemical Epigenetics Munich, Department of Chemistry, University of Munich (LMU), München, Germany
- https://ror.org/02kkvpp62 TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), München, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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2
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Flynn JK, Ortiz AM, Vujkovic-Cvijin I, Welles HC, Simpson J, Castello Casta FM, Yee DS, Rahmberg AR, Brooks KL, De Leon M, Knodel S, Birse K, Noel-Romas L, Deewan A, Belkaid Y, Burgener A, Brenchley JM. Translocating Bacteria in SIV Infection Are Not Stochastic and Preferentially Express Cytosine Methyltransferases. Mucosal Immunol 2024:S1933-0219(24)00074-6. [PMID: 39089468 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Microbial translocation is a significant contributor to chronic inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH) and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in individuals treated for long periods with antiretrovirals. The use of therapeutics to treat microbial translocation has yielded mixed effects, in part, because the species and mechanisms contributing to translocation in HIV remain incompletely characterized. To characterize translocating bacteria, we cultured translocators from chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. Proteomic profiling of these bacteria identified cytosine-specific methyltransferases as a common feature and therefore, a potential driver of translocation. Treatment of translocating bacteria with the cytosine methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine significantly impaired growth for several species in vitro. In rhesus macaques, oral treatment with decitabine led to some transient decreases in translocator taxa in the gut microbiome. These data provide mechanistic insight into bacterial translocation in lentiviral infection and explore a novel therapeutic intervention that may improve the prognosis of PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob K Flynn
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra M Ortiz
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ivan Vujkovic-Cvijin
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hugh C Welles
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Simpson
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Debra S Yee
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew R Rahmberg
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kelsie L Brooks
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marlon De Leon
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Samantha Knodel
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kenzie Birse
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Laura Noel-Romas
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Anshu Deewan
- Integrated Data Sciences Section, Research Technologies Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yasmine Belkaid
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; Metaorganism Unit, Immunology Department, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Adam Burgener
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jason M Brenchley
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Al-Dulaimi S, Matta S, Slijepcevic P, Roberts T. 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induces telomere dysfunction in breast cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117173. [PMID: 39059352 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Azacitidine, a drug that epigenetically modifies DNA, is widely used to treat haematological malignancies. However, at low doses, it demethylates DNA, and as a result, can alter gene expression. In our previous publication, we showed that low doses of azacitidine induce telomere length elongation in breast cancer cells. In this study, we aim to identify the mechanisms which lead to telomere length increases. METHODS Breast cancer cell lines representing different molecular sub-types were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza) in 2 and 3D cultures, followed by DNA, RNA, and protein extractions. Samples were then analysed for telomere length, DNA damage, telomerase, and ALT activity. RESULTS We show that treatment of the cell lines with 5-aza for 72 h induced DNA damage at the telomeres and increased ALT activity 3-fold. We also identified a gene, POLD3, which may be involved in the ALT activity seen after treatment. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that while 5-aza is a useful drug for treating haematological cancers, surviving cancer cells that have been exposed to lower doses of the drug may activate mechanisms such as ALT. This could lead to cancer cell survival and possible resistance to 5-aza clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Al-Dulaimi
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Sheila Matta
- Royal Brompton Hospital, Respiratory Clinical Research Facility, Fulham Road, London SW3 6HP, UK
| | - Predrag Slijepcevic
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Terry Roberts
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
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4
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Parmar K, Kundu R, Maiti A, Ball S. Updates in biology, classification, and management of acute myeloid leukemia with antecedent hematologic disorder and therapy related acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2024; 144:107546. [PMID: 38986173 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia with antecedent hematologic disorder (AHD-AML) and therapy related AML (t-AML) constitute a heterogenous disease with inferior outcomes. It is often characterized by high-risk cytogenetic and molecular alterations associated with AHD or prior cancer therapy. Historically, the standard of care treatment has been intensive induction with "7 + 3", with an improved overall response rate and survival with CPX-351. Results from large registry-based studies suggested that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is preferable to consolidation chemotherapy alone for achieving long-term survival in patients with AHD-AML. Prevalence of high-risk genetic features and advanced age and comorbidities in patients make AHD-AML and t-AML clinically challenging subgroups to treat with intensive approaches. Recent reports on less intensive treatment options, particularly the hypomethylating agent-venetoclax combination, have shown encouraging response rates in these patients. However, emerging resistance mechanisms compromise duration of response and overall survival. Several novel agents targeting apoptotic machinery, signaling pathways, and immune checkpoints are under clinical investigation, with an aim to truly improve overall outcomes in this subgroup. We reviewed updates in biology, classification, and clinical data comparing safety and efficacy of intensive and less intensive treatment options, and summarized ongoing studies with promising novel therapies in AHD-AML and t-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanak Parmar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Rupayan Kundu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Abhishek Maiti
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Somedeb Ball
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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5
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Lee AV, Nestler KA, Chiappinelli KB. Therapeutic targeting of DNA methylation alterations in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 258:108640. [PMID: 38570075 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108640] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a critical component of gene regulation and plays an important role in the development of cancer. Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and silencing of DNA repair pathways facilitate uncontrolled cell growth and synergize with oncogenic mutations to perpetuate cancer phenotypes. Additionally, aberrant DNA methylation hinders immune responses crucial for antitumor immunity. Thus, inhibiting dysregulated DNA methylation is a promising cancer therapy. Pharmacologic inhibition of DNA methylation reactivates silenced tumor suppressors and bolster immune responses through induction of viral mimicry. Now, with the advent of immunotherapies and discovery of the immune-modulatory effects of DNA methylation inhibitors, there is great interest in understanding how targeting DNA methylation in combination with other therapies can enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we describe the role of aberrant DNA methylation in cancer and mechanisms by which it promotes tumorigenesis and modulates immune responses. Finally, we review the initial discoveries and ongoing efforts to target DNA methylation as a cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin A Nestler
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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6
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Gener-Ricos G, Rodriguez-Sevilla JJ, Urrutia S, Bataller A, Bazinet A, Garcia-Manero G. Advances in the management of higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: future prospects. Leuk Lymphoma 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38712556 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2344061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) are defined using a number of prognostic scoring systems that include the degree of cytopenias, percentage of blasts, cytogenetic alterations, and more recently genomic data. HR-MDS encompasses characteristics such as progressive cytopenias, increased bone marrow blasts, unfavorable cytogenetics, and an adverse mutational profile. Survival is generally poor, and patients require therapy to improve outcomes. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs), such as azacitidine, decitabine, and more recently, oral decitabine/cedazuridine, are the only approved therapies for HR-MDS. These are often continued until loss of response, progression, or unacceptable toxicity. Combinations including an HMA plus other drugs have been investigated but have not demonstrated better outcomes compared to single-agent HMA. Moreover, in a disease of high genomic complexity such as HR-MDS, therapy targeting specific genomic abnormalities is of interest. This review will examine the biological underpinnings of HR-MDS, its therapeutic landscape in the frontline and relapsed settings, as well as the impact of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the only known curative intervention for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Gener-Ricos
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Samuel Urrutia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alex Bataller
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexandre Bazinet
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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7
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Watanabe T, Yamamoto Y, Kurahashi Y, Kawasoe K, Kidoguchi K, Ureshino H, Kamachi K, Yoshida-Sakai N, Fukuda-Kurahashi Y, Nakamura H, Okada S, Sueoka E, Kimura S. Reprogramming of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism supports vigorous cell proliferation of normal and malignant T cells. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1345-1358. [PMID: 38190613 PMCID: PMC10945144 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011131] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is triggered by infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). Here, we describe the reprogramming of pyrimidine biosynthesis in both normal T cells and ATL cells through regulation of uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2), which supports vigorous proliferation. UCK2 catalyzes the monophosphorylation of cytidine/uridine and their analogues during pyrimidine biosynthesis and drug metabolism. We found that UCK2 was overexpressed aberrantly in HTLV-1-infected T cells but not in normal T cells. T-cell activation via T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling induced expression of UCK2 in normal T cells. Somatic alterations and epigenetic modifications in ATL cells activate TCR signaling. Therefore, we believe that expression of UCK2 in HTLV-1-infected cells is induced by dysregulated TCR signaling. Recently, we established azacitidine-resistant (AZA-R) cells showing absent expression of UCK2. AZA-R cells proliferated normally in vitro, whereas UCK2 knockdown inhibited ATL cell growth. Although uridine and cytidine accumulated in AZA-R cells, possibly because of dysfunction of pyrimidine salvage biosynthesis induced by loss of UCK2 expression, the amount of UTP and CTP was almost the same as in parental cells. Furthermore, AZA-R cells were more susceptible to an inhibitor of dihydroorotic acid dehydrogenase, which performs the rate-limiting enzyme of de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis, and more resistant to dipyridamole, an inhibitor of pyrimidine salvage biosynthesis, suggesting that AZA-R cells adapt to UCK2 loss by increasing de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. Taken together, the data suggest that fine-tuning pyrimidine biosynthesis supports vigorous cell proliferation of both normal T cells and ATL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuro Watanabe
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- OHARA Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kawasoe
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kidoguchi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ureshino
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Kamachi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Nao Yoshida-Sakai
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukuda-Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- OHARA Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shiga, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakamura
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Saga University Hospital, Saga, Japan
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Eisaburo Sueoka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Shinya Kimura
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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8
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Karagiannis D, Wu W, Li A, Hayashi M, Chen X, Yip M, Mangipudy V, Xu X, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Soto-Feliciano YM, Ye J, Papagiannakopoulos T, Lu C. Metabolic reprogramming by histone deacetylase inhibition preferentially targets NRF2-activated tumors. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113629. [PMID: 38165806 PMCID: PMC10853943 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113629] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between metabolism and chromatin signaling is implicated in cancer progression. However, whether and how metabolic reprogramming in tumors generates chromatin vulnerabilities remain unclear. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumors frequently harbor aberrant activation of the NRF2 antioxidant pathway, which drives aggressive and chemo-resistant disease. Using a chromatin-focused CRISPR screen, we report that NRF2 activation sensitizes LUAD cells to genetic and chemical inhibition of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). This association is observed across cultured cells, mouse models, and patient-derived xenografts. Integrative epigenomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis demonstrates that HDAC inhibition causes widespread redistribution of H4ac and its reader protein, which transcriptionally downregulates metabolic enzymes. This results in reduced flux into amino acid metabolism and de novo nucleotide synthesis pathways that are preferentially required for the survival of NRF2-active cancer cells. Together, our findings suggest NRF2 activation as a potential biomarker for effective repurposing of HDAC inhibitors to treat solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Karagiannis
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Warren Wu
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Albert Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Makiko Hayashi
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michaela Yip
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vaibhav Mangipudy
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xinjing Xu
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Francisco J Sánchez-Rivera
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yadira M Soto-Feliciano
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jiangbin Ye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thales Papagiannakopoulos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter NYU Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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9
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Zorzetto F, Scalas A, Longu F, Isoni MA, Angelucci E, Fozza C. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Secondary to Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Resolved after Second-Line Treatment with Azacitidine plus Venetoclax. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2024; 16:e2024011. [PMID: 38223479 PMCID: PMC10786137 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2024.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), also defined as hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), represents a potentially life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome, characterized by impaired function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and macrophages. The main clinical features of HLH are prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperferritinemia and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, liver, spleen or lymph nodes. Secondary HLH typically occurs in conjunction with severe infections, malignancies or autoimmune disorders and intensive chemotherapy, potentially complicating treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in around 10% of cases. Herein we report for the first time a case of HLH secondary to refractory/relapsed AML resolved after a second line treatment with azacitidine plus venetoclax, thus offering a new potential therapeutic perspective in the context of a life-threatening clinical scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Zorzetto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Alessandra Scalas
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Francesco Longu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Maria Antonia Isoni
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Emanuele Angelucci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Claudio Fozza
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Ematologia e Terapie cellulari, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
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10
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Alsouqi A, Geramita E, Im A. Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Older Adults. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5409. [PMID: 38001669 PMCID: PMC10670451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy predominantly affecting older adults. Despite the advancements in new therapies for AML, older and medically unfit patients continue to suffer from poor outcomes due to disease-related factors such as the mutational profile and patient-related factors such as comorbidities and performance status. In this review, we discuss a spectrum of therapeutic options for older patients with AML starting with a historical perspective and ending with therapies being investigated in clinical trials. We review the standard of care treatment options including combination venetoclax and hypomethylating agents, in addition to targeted therapies such as FLT3 and IDH inhibitors. Lastly, we shed light on challenges facing the care of older adults and their representation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Annie Im
- Hillman Cancer Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA; (A.A.); (E.G.)
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11
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Moreta-Moraleda C, Queralt C, Vendrell-Ayats C, Forcales S, Martínez-Balibrea E. Chromatin factors: Ready to roll as biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer? Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106924. [PMID: 37709185 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer globally and stands as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related fatalities in 2020. Survival rates for metastatic disease have slightly improved in recent decades, with clinical trials showing median overall survival of approximately 24-30 months. This progress can be attributed to the integration of chemotherapeutic treatments alongside targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Despite these modest improvements, the primary obstacle to successful treatment for advanced CRC lies in the development of chemoresistance, whether inherent or acquired, which remains the major cause of treatment failure. Epigenetics has emerged as a hallmark of cancer, contributing to master transcription regulation and genome stability maintenance. As a result, epigenetic factors are starting to appear as potential clinical biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response in CRC.In recent years, numerous studies have investigated the influence of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodelers on responses to chemotherapeutic treatments. While there is accumulating evidence indicating their significant involvement in various types of cancers, the exact relationship between chromatin landscapes and treatment modulation in CRC remains elusive. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the most pertinent and extensively researched epigenetic-associated mechanisms described between 2015 and 2022 and their potential usefulness as predictive biomarkers in the metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Moreta-Moraleda
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, c/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08917 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Group of Inflammation, Immunity and Cancer, Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute ( IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals 3a Planta, Av. Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Cristina Queralt
- ProCURE Program, Catalan Instiute of Oncology, Carretera de Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Carla Vendrell-Ayats
- ProCURE Program, Catalan Instiute of Oncology, Carretera de Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain; CARE Program, Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Carretera de Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Sonia Forcales
- Serra Húnter Programme, Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, c/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08917 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Group of Inflammation, Immunity and Cancer, Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute ( IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals 3a Planta, Av. Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
| | - Eva Martínez-Balibrea
- ProCURE Program, Catalan Instiute of Oncology, Carretera de Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain; CARE Program, Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Carretera de Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain.
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12
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Derakhshani A, Sharifi I, Salarkia E, Keyhani A, Agha Kuchak Afshari S, Iranmanesh B, Lashkarizadeh M, Nejad Biglari H, Lari Najafi M, Bamorovat M. Antileishmanial potentials of azacitidine and along with meglumine antimoniate on Leishmania major: In silico prediction and in vitro analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291321. [PMID: 37682979 PMCID: PMC10490874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291321] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in silico antileishmanial activity of azacitidine (AZA) on Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes. The in silico method was used to evaluate the possibility of the interaction of AZA into the binding pocket of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a leading defensive oxidative metabolite. Following that, in vitro anti-promastigote, and anti-amastigote activity of AZA was determined using an MTT assay and a macrophage model, respectively. Cytotoxic effects of AZA and meglumine antimoniate (MA) were also assessed by MTT assay on murine macrophages. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The results showed that AZA interacted with Ser133, Gln134, and Lys13 amino acids of iNOS, and the molecular docking score was obtained at -241.053 kcal/mol. AZA in combination with MA significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the growth rate of nonclinical promastigote (IC50 247.6±7.3 μM) and 8.5-fold higher of clinical intramacrophage amastigote stage (29.8±5.3 μM), compared to the untreated group. A significant upsurge of Th1 subsets and transcription genes and a meaningful decline in Th2 cytokines subclasses at the equivalent concentrations of AZA and MA was observed (P<0.001). The apoptosis effect of AZA along with MA was significantly induced on L. major in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001). The present study demonstrated that AZA possesses antileishmanial activity in in vitro and in silico models. However, AZA combined with MA was more effective than AZA alone in inhibiting the growth rate of promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major. This study indicates that AZA in combination with MA demonstrated a potent antileishmanial mechanism, promoting immune response and enhancing an immunomodulatory role toward the Th1 pathway. This experimental study is a basic study for applying more knowledge about the mechanisms of AZA along with MA in animal models in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Derakhshani
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Behzad Iranmanesh
- Department of Dermatology, Afzalipour Hospital, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Lashkarizadeh
- Department of Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Nejad Biglari
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Moslem Lari Najafi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Norollahi SE, Vahidi S, Shams S, Keymoradzdeh A, Soleymanpour A, Solymanmanesh N, Mirzajani E, Jamkhaneh VB, Samadani AA. Analytical and therapeutic profiles of DNA methylation alterations in cancer; an overview of changes in chromatin arrangement and alterations in histone surfaces. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2023; 44:337-356. [PMID: 36799246 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2022-0043] [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: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most important epigenetic element that activates the inhibition of gene transcription and is included in the pathogenesis of all types of malignancies. Remarkably, the effectors of DNA methylation are DNMTs (DNA methyltransferases) that catalyze de novo or keep methylation of hemimethylated DNA after the DNA replication process. DNA methylation structures in cancer are altered, with three procedures by which DNA methylation helps cancer development which are including direct mutagenesis, hypomethylation of the cancer genome, and also focal hypermethylation of the promoters of TSGs (tumor suppressor genes). Conspicuously, DNA methylation, nucleosome remodeling, RNA-mediated targeting, and histone modification balance modulate many biological activities that are essential and indispensable to the genesis of cancer and also can impact many epigenetic changes including DNA methylation and histone modifications as well as adjusting of non-coding miRNAs expression in prevention and treatment of many cancers. Epigenetics points to heritable modifications in gene expression that do not comprise alterations in the DNA sequence. The nucleosome is the basic unit of chromatin, consisting of 147 base pairs (bp) of DNA bound around a histone octamer comprised of one H3/H4 tetramer and two H2A/H2B dimers. DNA methylation is preferentially distributed over nucleosome regions and is less increased over flanking nucleosome-depleted DNA, implying a connection between nucleosome positioning and DNA methylation. In carcinogenesis, aberrations in the epigenome may also include in the progression of drug resistance. In this report, we report the rudimentary notes behind these epigenetic signaling pathways and emphasize the proofs recommending that their misregulation can conclude in cancer. These findings in conjunction with the promising preclinical and clinical consequences observed with epigenetic drugs against chromatin regulators, confirm the important role of epigenetics in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Elham Norollahi
- Cancer Research Center and Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Shima Shams
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Arman Keymoradzdeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armin Soleymanpour
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Nazanin Solymanmanesh
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Mirzajani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Vida Baloui Jamkhaneh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Babol Branch, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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14
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Wu RH, Zhu CY, Yu PH, Ma Y, Hussain L, Naranmandura H, Wang QQ. The landscape of novel strategies for acute myeloid leukemia treatment: Therapeutic trends, challenges, and future directions. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 473:116585. [PMID: 37302559 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous subtype of hematological malignancies with a wide spectrum of cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, which makes it difficult to manage and cure. Along with the deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML pathogenesis, a large cohort of novel targeted therapeutic approaches has emerged, which considerably expands the medical options and changes the therapeutic landscape of AML. Despite that, resistant and refractory cases caused by genomic mutations or bypass signalling activation remain a great challenge. Therefore, discovery of novel treatment targets, optimization of combination strategies, and development of efficient therapeutics are urgently required. This review provides a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the advantages and limitations of targeted therapies as a single agent or in combination with others. Furthermore, the innovative therapeutic approaches including hyperthermia, monoclonal antibody-based therapy, and CAR-T cell therapy are also introduced, which may provide safe and viable options for the treatment of patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri Han Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun 130032, China
| | - Chen Ying Zhu
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pei Han Yu
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yafang Ma
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Liaqat Hussain
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Qian Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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15
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Kirkiz E, Meers O, Grebien F, Buschbeck M. Histone Variants and Their Chaperones in Hematological Malignancies. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e927. [PMID: 37449197 PMCID: PMC10337764 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation occurs on the level of compacting DNA into chromatin. The functional unit of chromatin is the nucleosome, which consists of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins. While canonical histone proteins are incorporated into chromatin through a replication-coupled process, structural variants of histones, commonly named histone variants, are deposited into chromatin in a replication-independent manner. Specific chaperones and chromatin remodelers mediate the locus-specific deposition of histone variants. Although histone variants comprise one of the least understood layers of epigenetic regulation, it has been proposed that they play an essential role in directly regulating gene expression in health and disease. Here, we review the emerging evidence suggesting that histone variants have a role at different stages of hematopoiesis, with a particular focus on the histone variants H2A, H3, and H1. Moreover, we discuss the current knowledge on how the dysregulation of histone variants can contribute to hematopoietic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Kirkiz
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Meers
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- PhD Programme in Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florian Grebien
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
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16
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Gallimore F, Fandy TE. Therapeutic Applications of Azanucleoside Analogs as DNA Demethylating Agents. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:12. [PMID: 37489400 PMCID: PMC10366911 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7030012] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Azanucleosides, such as 5-azacytidine and decitabine, are DNA demethylating agents used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Researchers continue to explore their utility in the treatment of other hematologic and solid tumors. Based on the capacity of the compounds to inhibit DNA methyltransferase enzymes and the important role of DNA methylation in health and disease, it is essential to understand the molecular changes that azanucleosides induce and how these changes may improve treatment outcomes in subsets of patients. This review summarizes the molecular and therapeutic actions of azanucleosides and discusses recent clinical trials of these compounds as single agents or in combination therapy for the treatment of cancer and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fallon Gallimore
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
| | - Tamer E Fandy
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
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17
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Cho CC, Lin CJ, Huang HH, Yang WZ, Fei CY, Lin HY, Lee MS, Yuan HS. Mechanistic Insights into Harmine-Mediated Inhibition of Human DNA Methyltransferases and Prostate Cancer Cell Growth. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1335-1350. [PMID: 37188336 PMCID: PMC10278071 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), including DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B, are key DNA methylation enzymes and play important roles in gene expression regulation. Dysregulation of DNMTs is linked to various diseases and carcinogenesis, and therefore except for the two approved anticancer azanucleoside drugs, various non-nucleoside DNMT inhibitors have been identified and reported. However, the underlying mechanisms for the inhibitory activity of these non-nucleoside inhibitors still remain largely unknown. Here, we systematically tested and compared the inhibition activities of five non-nucleoside inhibitors toward the three human DNMTs. We found that harmine and nanaomycin A blocked the methyltransferase activity of DNMT3A and DNMT3B more efficiently than resveratrol, EGCG, and RG108. We further determined the crystal structure of harmine in complex with the catalytic domain of the DNMT3B-DNMT3L tetramer revealing that harmine binds at the adenine cavity of the SAM-binding pocket in DNMT3B. Our kinetics assays confirm that harmine competes with SAM to competitively inhibit DNMT3B-3L activity with a Ki of 6.6 μM. Cell-based studies further show that harmine treatment inhibits castration-resistant prostate cancer cell (CRPC) proliferation with an IC50 of ∼14 μM. The CPRC cells treated with harmine resulted in reactivating silenced hypermethylated genes compared to the untreated cells, and harmine cooperated with an androgen antagonist, bicalutamide, to effectively inhibit the proliferation of CRPC cells. Our study thus reveals, for the first time, the inhibitory mechanism of harmine on DNMTs and highlights new strategies for developing novel DNMT inhibitors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Cheng Cho
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
| | - Chun-Jung Lin
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
- Graduate
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10048, Republic of China
| | - Hsun-Ho Huang
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
- Graduate
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10048, Republic of China
| | - Wei-Zen Yang
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
| | - Cheng-Yin Fei
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
| | - Hsin-Ying Lin
- Graduate
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10048, Republic of China
| | - Ming-Shyue Lee
- Graduate
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10048, Republic of China
| | - Hanna S. Yuan
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11529, Republic
of China
- Graduate
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10048, Republic of China
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18
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Karagiannis D, Wu W, Li A, Hayashi M, Chen X, Yip M, Mangipudy V, Xu X, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Soto-Feliciano YM, Ye J, Papagiannakopoulos T, Lu C. Metabolic Reprogramming by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Selectively Targets NRF2-activated tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538118. [PMID: 37162970 PMCID: PMC10168258 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Interplay between metabolism and chromatin signaling have been implicated in cancer initiation and progression. However, whether and how metabolic reprogramming in tumors generates specific epigenetic vulnerabilities remain unclear. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumors frequently harbor mutations that cause aberrant activation of the NRF2 antioxidant pathway and drive aggressive and chemo-resistant disease. We performed a chromatin-focused CRISPR screen and report that NRF2 activation sensitized LUAD cells to genetic and chemical inhibition of class I histone deacetylases (HDAC). This association was consistently observed across cultured cells, syngeneic mouse models and patient-derived xenografts. HDAC inhibition causes widespread increases in histone H4 acetylation (H4ac) at intergenic regions, but also drives re-targeting of H4ac reader protein BRD4 away from promoters with high H4ac levels and transcriptional downregulation of corresponding genes. Integrative epigenomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis demonstrates that these chromatin changes are associated with reduced flux into amino acid metabolism and de novo nucleotide synthesis pathways that are preferentially required for the survival of NRF2-active cancer cells. Together, our findings suggest that metabolic alterations such as NRF2 activation could serve as biomarkers for effective repurposing of HDAC inhibitors to treat solid tumors.
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Totiger TM, Ghoshal A, Zabroski J, Sondhi A, Bucha S, Jahn J, Feng Y, Taylor J. Targeted Therapy Development in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:641. [PMID: 36831175 PMCID: PMC9953553 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic developments targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been in the pipeline for five decades and have recently resulted in the approval of multiple targeted therapies. However, there remains an unmet need for molecular treatments that can deliver long-term remissions and cure for this heterogeneous disease. Previously, a wide range of small molecule drugs were developed to target sub-types of AML, mainly in the relapsed and refractory setting; however, drug resistance has derailed the long-term efficacy of these as monotherapies. Recently, the small molecule venetoclax was introduced in combination with azacitidine, which has improved the response rates and the overall survival in older adults with AML compared to those of chemotherapy. However, this regimen is still limited by cytotoxicity and is not curative. Therefore, there is high demand for therapies that target specific abnormalities in AML while sparing normal cells and eliminating leukemia-initiating cells. Despite this, the urgent need to develop these therapies has been hampered by the complexities of this heterogeneous disease, spurring the development of innovative therapies that target different mechanisms of leukemogenesis. This review comprehensively addresses the development of novel targeted therapies and the translational perspective for acute myeloid leukemia, including the development of selective and non-selective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulasigeri M. Totiger
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anirban Ghoshal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jenna Zabroski
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anya Sondhi
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Saanvi Bucha
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jacob Jahn
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yangbo Feng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Justin Taylor
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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20
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Solute Carrier Family 29A1 Mediates In Vitro Resistance to Azacitidine in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043553. [PMID: 36834962 PMCID: PMC9965596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Azacitidine (AZA) is commonly used hypomethylating agent for higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although some patients achieve remission, eventually most patients fail AZA therapy. Comprehensive analysis of intracellular uptake and retention (IUR) of carbon-labeled AZA (14C-AZA), gene expression, transporter pump activity with or without inhibitors, and cytotoxicity in naïve and resistant cell lines provided insight into the mechanism of AZA resistance. AML cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of AZA to create resistant clones. 14C-AZA IUR was significantly lower in MOLM-13- (1.65 ± 0.08 ng vs. 5.79 ± 0.18 ng; p < 0.0001) and SKM-1- (1.10 ± 0.08 vs. 5.08 ± 0.26 ng; p < 0.0001) resistant cells compared to respective parental cells. Importantly, 14C-AZA IUR progressively reduced with downregulation of SLC29A1 expression in MOLM-13- and SKM-1-resistant cells. Furthermore, nitrobenzyl mercaptopurine riboside, an SLC29A inhibitor, reduced 14C-AZA IUR in MOLM-13 (5.79 ± 0.18 vs. 2.07 ± 0.23, p < 0.0001) and SKM-1-naive cells (5.08 ± 2.59 vs. 1.39 ± 0.19, p = 0.0002) and reduced efficacy of AZA. As the expression of cellular efflux pumps such as ABCB1 and ABCG2 did not change in AZA-resistant cells, they are unlikely contribute to AZA resistance. Therefore, the current study provides a causal link between in vitro AZA resistance and downregulation of cellular influx transporter SLC29A1.
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21
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Friedman MJ, Lee H, Lee JY, Oh S. Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Context-Dependent Plasticity in T-Helper Lineages. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e5. [PMID: 36911799 PMCID: PMC9995996 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Th cell lineage determination and functional specialization are tightly linked to the activation of lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) that bind cis-regulatory elements. These lineage-determining TFs act in concert with multiple layers of transcriptional regulators to alter the epigenetic landscape, including DNA methylation, histone modification and three-dimensional chromosome architecture, in order to facilitate the specific Th gene expression programs that allow for phenotypic diversification. Accumulating evidence indicates that Th cell differentiation is not as rigid as classically held; rather, extensive phenotypic plasticity is an inherent feature of T cell lineages. Recent studies have begun to uncover the epigenetic programs that mechanistically govern T cell subset specification and immunological memory. Advances in next generation sequencing technologies have allowed global transcriptomic and epigenomic interrogation of CD4+ Th cells that extends previous findings focusing on individual loci. In this review, we provide an overview of recent genome-wide insights into the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of CD4+ T cell-mediated adaptive immunity and discuss the implications for disease as well as immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meyer J. Friedman
- Department and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Haram Lee
- College of Pharmacy Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea
| | - June-Yong Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Institute of Genetic Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Soohwan Oh
- College of Pharmacy Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea
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22
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Pre-Clinical Evaluation of the Hypomethylating Agent Decitabine for the Treatment of T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030647. [PMID: 36765607 PMCID: PMC9913791 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a rare and aggressive lymphatic cancer, often diagnosed at a young age. Patients are treated with intensive chemotherapy, potentially followed by a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although prognosis of T-LBL has improved with intensified treatment protocols, they are associated with side effects and 10-20% of patients still die from relapsed or refractory disease. Given this, the search toward less toxic anti-lymphoma therapies is ongoing. Here, we targeted the recently described DNA hypermethylated profile in T-LBL with the DNA hypomethylating agent decitabine. We evaluated the anti-lymphoma properties and downstream effects of decitabine, using patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. Decitabine treatment resulted in prolonged lymphoma-free survival in all T-LBL PDX models, which was associated with downregulation of the oncogenic MYC pathway. However, some PDX models showed more benefit of decitabine treatment compared to others. In more sensitive models, differentially methylated CpG regions resulted in more differentially expressed genes in open chromatin regions. This resulted in stronger downregulation of cell cycle genes and upregulation of immune response activating transcripts. Finally, we suggest a gene signature for high decitabine sensitivity in T-LBL. Altogether, we here delivered pre-clinical proof of the potential use of decitabine as a new therapeutic agent in T-LBL.
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Feehley T, O’Donnell CW, Mendlein J, Karande M, McCauley T. Drugging the epigenome in the age of precision medicine. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:6. [PMID: 36631803 PMCID: PMC9832256 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01419-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modulating the epigenome has long been considered a potential opportunity for therapeutic intervention in numerous disease areas with several approved therapies marketed, primarily for cancer. Despite the overall promise of early approaches, however, these drugs have been plagued by poor pharmacokinetic and safety/tolerability profiles due in large part to off-target effects and a lack of specificity. RESULTS Recently, there has been marked progress in the field on a new generation of epigenomic therapies which address these challenges directly by targeting defined loci with highly precise, durable, and tunable approaches. Here, we review the promise and pitfalls of epigenetic drug development to date and provide an outlook on recent advances and their promise for future therapeutic applications. CONCLUSIONS Novel therapeutic modalities leveraging epigenetics and epigenomics with increased precision are well positioned to advance the field and treat patients across disease areas in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Feehley
- Omega Therapeutics, 20 Acorn Park Drive, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02140 USA
| | | | - John Mendlein
- grid.510906.b0000 0004 6487 6319Flagship Pioneering, 55 Cambridge Parkway Suite 800E, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Mahesh Karande
- Omega Therapeutics, 20 Acorn Park Drive, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02140 USA
| | - Thomas McCauley
- Omega Therapeutics, 20 Acorn Park Drive, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02140 USA
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24
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Symeonidis A, Chatzilygeroudi T, Chondrou V, Sgourou A. Contingent Synergistic Interactions between Non-Coding RNAs and DNA-Modifying Enzymes in Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416069. [PMID: 36555712 PMCID: PMC9785516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders with maturation and differentiation defects exhibiting morphological dysplasia in one or more hematopoietic cell lineages. They are associated with peripheral blood cytopenias and by increased risk for progression into acute myelogenous leukemia. Among their multifactorial pathogenesis, age-related epigenetic instability and the error-rate DNA methylation maintenance have been recognized as critical factors for both the initial steps of their pathogenesis and for disease progression. Although lower-risk MDS is associated with an inflammatory bone marrow microenvironment, higher-risk disease is delineated by immunosuppression and clonal expansion. "Epigenetics" is a multidimensional level of gene regulation that determines the specific gene networks expressed in tissues under physiological conditions and guides appropriate chromatin rearrangements upon influence of environmental stimulation. Regulation of this level consists of biochemical modifications in amino acid residues of the histone proteins' N-terminal tails and their concomitant effects on chromatin structure, DNA methylation patterns in CpG dinucleotides and the tissue-specific non-coding RNAs repertoire, which are directed against various gene targets. The role of epigenetic modifications is widely recognized as pivotal both in gene expression control and differential molecular response to drug therapies in humans. Insights to the potential of synergistic cooperations of epigenetic mechanisms provide new avenues for treatment development to comfort human diseases with a known epigenetic shift, such as MDS. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs), such as epigenetic modulating drugs, have been widely used in the past years as first line treatment for elderly higher-risk MDS patients; however, just half of them respond to therapy and are benefited. Rational outcome predictors following epigenetic therapy in MDS and biomarkers associated with disease relapse are of high importance to improve our efforts in developing patient-tailored clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argiris Symeonidis
- Hematology Division & Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Medical School University of Patras, University Campus, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Theodora Chatzilygeroudi
- Hematology Division & Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Chondrou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Argyro Sgourou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
- Correspondence:
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25
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Aumer T, Gremmelmaier CB, Runtsch LS, Pforr JC, Yeşiltaç GN, Kaiser S, Traube FR. Comprehensive comparison between azacytidine and decitabine treatment in an acute myeloid leukemia cell line. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:113. [PMID: 36089606 PMCID: PMC9465881 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01329-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Azacytidine (AzaC) and decitabine (AzadC) are cytosine analogs that covalently trap DNA methyltransferases, which place the important epigenetic mark 5-methyl-2’-deoxycytidine by methylating 2’-deoxycytidine (dC) at the C5 position. AzaC and AzadC are used in the clinic as antimetabolites to treat myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia and are explored against other types of cancer. Although their principal mechanism of action is known, the downstream effects of AzaC and AzadC treatment are not well understood and the cellular prerequisites that determine sensitivity toward AzaC and AzadC remain elusive. Here, we investigated the effects and phenotype of AzaC and AzadC exposure on the acute myeloid leukemia cell line MOLM-13. We found that while AzaC and AzadC share many effects on the cellular level, including decreased global DNA methylation, increased formation of DNA double-strand breaks, transcriptional downregulation of important oncogenes and similar changes on the proteome level, AzaC failed in contrast to AzadC to induce apoptosis efficiently in MOLM-13. The only cellular marker that correlated with this clear phenotypical outcome was the level of hydroxy-methyl-dC, an additional epigenetic mark that is placed by TET enzymes and repressed in cancer cells. Whereas AzadC increased hmdC substantially in MOLM-13, AzaC treatment did not result in any increase at all. This suggests that hmdC levels in cancer cells should be monitored as a response toward AzaC and AzadC and considered as a biomarker to judge whether AzaC or AzadC treatment leads to cell death in leukemic cells.
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26
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Anestopoulos I, Kyriakou S, Tragkola V, Paraskevaidis I, Tzika E, Mitsiogianni M, Deligiorgi MV, Petrakis G, Trafalis DT, Botaitis S, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Targeting the epigenome in malignant melanoma: Facts, challenges and therapeutic promises. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108301. [PMID: 36283453 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with high rates of mortality. Although current treatment options provide a short-clinical benefit, acquired-drug resistance highlights the low 5-year survival rate among patients with advanced stage of the disease. In parallel, the involvement of an aberrant epigenetic landscape, (e.g., alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications marks and expression of non-coding RNAs), in addition to the genetic background, has been also associated with the onset and progression of melanoma. In this review article, we report on current therapeutic options in melanoma treatment with a focus on distinct epigenetic alterations and how their reversal, by specific drug compounds, can restore a normal phenotype. In particular, we concentrate on how single and/or combinatorial therapeutic approaches have utilized epigenetic drug compounds in being effective against malignant melanoma. Finally, the role of deregulated epigenetic mechanisms in promoting drug resistance to targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors is presented leading to the development of newly synthesized and/or improved drug compounds capable of targeting the epigenome of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - S Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - V Tragkola
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - I Paraskevaidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - E Tzika
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - M V Deligiorgi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - G Petrakis
- Saint George Hospital, Chania, Crete, Greece
| | - D T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Botaitis
- Department of Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - A Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Koukourakis
- Radiotherapy / Oncology, Radiobiology & Radiopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - R Franco
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - A Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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27
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Sogutlu F, Pekerbas M, Biray Avci C. Epigenetic signatures in gastric cancer: current knowledge and future perspectives. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:1063-1075. [PMID: 36522183 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2159381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world and accounts for 7.7% of all cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis of GC is critical in terms of prognosis, and aberrations at the molecular level, especially epigenetic alterations, manifest much earlier than histological findings. In recent years, there has been a great deal of research on the epigenomic profile of GC, and epigenetic alterations seem to play a more important role than genetic factors. With the introduction of epigenetic drugs into clinical use in the last decade, the importance of the epigenetic background of GC has increased considerably. AREAS COVERED In this review, we summarize the role of methylation changes, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of GC and how these signatures can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in clinical management. EXPERT OPINION Epigenetic alterations take place before most genetic aberrations observed in GC and may have an initiating role in the pathogenesis of GC. They can be used as biomarkers in risk calculation, early diagnosis, and evaluation of prognosis of GC, as well as treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Sogutlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Pekerbas
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cigir Biray Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
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28
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Different Gene Sets Are Associated With Azacitidine Response In Vitro Versus in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients. Hemasphere 2022; 6:e792. [PMID: 36310757 PMCID: PMC9605795 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic disorders characterized by dysplasia, ineffective hematopoiesis, and predisposition to secondary acute myeloid leukemias (sAML). Azacitidine (AZA) is the standard care for high-risk MDS patients not eligible for allogenic bone marrow transplantation. However, only half of the patients respond to AZA and eventually all patients relapse. Response-predicting biomarkers and combinatorial drugs targets enhancing therapy response and its duration are needed. Here, we have taken a dual approach. First, we have evaluated genes encoding chromatin regulators for their capacity to modulate AZA response. We were able to validate several genes, whose genetic inhibition affected the cellular AZA response, including 4 genes encoding components of Imitation SWItch chromatin remodeling complex pointing toward a specific function and co-vulnerability. Second, we have used a classical cohort analysis approach measuring the expression of a gene panel in bone marrow samples from 36 MDS patients subsequently receiving AZA. The gene panel included the identified AZA modulators, genes known to be involved in AZA metabolism and previously identified candidate modulators. In addition to confirming a number of previously made observations, we were able to identify several new associations, such as NSUN3 that correlated with increased overall survival. Taken together, we have identified a number of genes associated with AZA response in vitro and in patients. These groups of genes are largely nonoverlapping suggesting that different gene sets need to be exploited for the development of combinatorial drug targets and response-predicting biomarkers.
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29
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Fan R, De Beule N, Maes A, De Bruyne E, Menu E, Vanderkerken K, Maes K, Breckpot K, De Veirman K. The prognostic value and therapeutic targeting of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hematological cancers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1016059. [PMID: 36304465 PMCID: PMC9592826 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of immunotherapeutic approaches in hematological cancers is partially hampered by the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are key components of this suppressive environment and are frequently associated with tumor cell survival and drug resistance. Based on their morphology and phenotype, MDSC are commonly subdivided into polymorphonuclear MDSC (PMN-MDSC or G-MDSC) and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC), both characterized by their immunosuppressive function. The phenotype, function and prognostic value of MDSC in hematological cancers has been intensively studied; however, the therapeutic targeting of this cell population remains challenging and needs further investigation. In this review, we will summarize the prognostic value of MDSC and the different attempts to target MDSC (or subtypes of MDSC) in hematological cancers. We will discuss the benefits, challenges and opportunities of using MDSC-targeting approaches, aiming to enhance anti-tumor immune responses of currently used cellular and non-cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fan
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Beule
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anke Maes
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ken Maes
- Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Kim De Veirman,
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30
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Maity S, Abbaspour R, Nahabedian D, Connor SA. Norepinephrine, beyond the Synapse: Coordinating Epigenetic Codes for Memory. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179916. [PMID: 36077313 PMCID: PMC9456295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The noradrenergic system is implicated in neuropathologies contributing to major disorders of the memory, including post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Determining the impact of norepinephrine on cellular function and plasticity is thus essential for making inroads into our understanding of these brain conditions, while expanding our capacity for treating them. Norepinephrine is a neuromodulator within the mammalian central nervous system which plays important roles in cognition and associated synaptic plasticity. Specifically, norepinephrine regulates the formation of memory through the stimulation of β-ARs, increasing the dynamic range of synaptic modifiability. The mechanisms through which NE influences neural circuit function have been extended to the level of the epigenome. This review focuses on recent insights into how the noradrenergic recruitment of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones, contribute to homo- and heterosynaptic plasticity. These advances will be placed in the context of synaptic changes associated with memory formation and linked to brain disorders and neurotherapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Maity
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavioral Sciences, St. George’s University School of Medicine, True Blue FZ818, Grenada
| | - Raman Abbaspour
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - David Nahabedian
- The Center for Biomedical Visualization, Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University School of Medicine, True Blue FZ818, Grenada
| | - Steven A. Connor
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(416)-736-2100 (ext. 33803)
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31
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Upadhyay P, Beales J, Shah NM, Gruszczynska A, Miller CA, Petti AA, Ramakrishnan SM, Link DC, Ley TJ, Welch JS. Recurrent transcriptional responses in AML and MDS patients treated with decitabine. Exp Hematol 2022; 111:50-65. [PMID: 35429619 PMCID: PMC9833843 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The molecular events responsible for decitabine responses in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia patients are poorly understood. Decitabine has a short serum half-life and limited stability in tissue culture. Therefore, theoretical pharmacologic differences may exist between patient molecular changes in vitro and the consequences of in vivo treatment. To systematically identify the global genomic and transcriptomic alterations induced by decitabine in vivo, we evaluated primary bone marrow samples that were collected during patient treatment and applied whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, RNA-sequencing, and single-cell RNA sequencing. Decitabine induced global, reversible hypomethylation after 10 days of therapy in all patients, which was associated with induction of interferon-induced pathways, the expression of endogenous retroviral elements, and inhibition of erythroid-related transcripts, recapitulating many effects seen previously in in vitro studies. However, at relapse after decitabine treatment, interferon-induced transcripts remained elevated relative to day 0, but erythroid-related transcripts now were more highly expressed than at day 0. Clinical responses were not correlated with epigenetic or transcriptional signatures, although sample size and interpatient variance restricted the statistical power required for capturing smaller effects. Collectively, these data define global hypomethylation by decitabine and find that erythroid-related pathways may be relevant because they are inhibited by therapy and reverse at relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Upadhyay
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Jeremy Beales
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Nakul M. Shah
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Agata Gruszczynska
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Christopher A. Miller
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Allegra A. Petti
- Department of Neuro-logical Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Sai Mukund Ramakrishnan
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Daniel C. Link
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Timothy J. Ley
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - John S. Welch
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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32
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Karimi Kelaye S, Najafi F, Kazemi B, Foruzandeh Z, Seif F, Solali S, Alivand MR. The contributing factors of resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1250-1261. [PMID: 35076883 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02776-0] [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: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is the drug-effectiveness reduction in treatment and is a serious problem in oncology and infections. In oncology, drug resistance is a complicated process resulting from enhancing the function of a pump that transports drugs out of tumor cells, or acquiring mutations in drug target. Surprisingly, most drugs are very effective in the early stages, but the response to the drug wears off over time and resistance eventually develops. Drug resistance is caused by genetic and epigenetic changes that affect cancer cells and the tumor environment. The study of inherited changes in the phenotype without changes in the DNA sequence is called epigenetics. Because of reversible changes in epigenetics, they are an attractive target for therapy. Some of these epigenetic drugs are effective in treating cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of immature hematopoietic cells in the blood and bone marrow. In this article, we outlined the various contributing factors involved in resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohre Karimi Kelaye
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Najafi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahareh Kazemi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Foruzandeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Seif
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Solali
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Alivand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Platzbecker U, Chromik J, Krönke J, Handa H, Strickland S, Miyazaki Y, Wermke M, Sakamoto W, Tachibana Y, Taube T, Germing U. Volasertib as a monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia: summary of three phase I studies. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:569. [PMID: 35597904 PMCID: PMC9124414 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09622-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This report summarizes three phase I studies evaluating volasertib, a polo-like kinase inhibitor, plus azacitidine in adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS Patients received intravenous volasertib in 28-day cycles (dose-escalation schedules). In Part 1 of 1230.33 (Study 1; NCT01957644), patients received 250-350 mg volasertib on day (D)1 and D15; in Part 2, patients received different schedules [A, D1: 170 mg/m2; B, D7: 170 mg/m2; C, D1 and D7: 110 mg/m2]. In 1230.35 (Study 2; NCT02201329), patients received 200-300 mg volasertib on D1 and D15. In 1230.43 (Study 3; NCT02721875), patients received 110 mg/m2 volasertib on D1 and D8. All patients in Studies 1 and 2, and approximately half of the patients in Study 3, were scheduled to receive subcutaneous azacitidine 75 mg/m2 on D1-7. RESULTS Overall, 22 patients were treated (17 with MDS; 12 previously untreated). Across Studies 1 and 2 (n = 21), the most common drug-related adverse events were hematological (thrombocytopenia [n = 11]; neutropenia [n = 8]). All dose-limiting toxicities were grade 4 thrombocytopenia. The only treated patient in Study 3 experienced 18 adverse events following volasertib monotherapy. Studies 1 and 2 showed preliminary activity (objective response rates: 25 and 40%). CONCLUSIONS The safety of volasertib with azacitidine in patients with MDS was consistent with other volasertib studies. All studies were terminated prematurely following the discontinuation of volasertib for non-clinical reasons by Boehringer Ingelheim; however, safety information on volasertib plus azacitidine are of interest for future studies in other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Platzbecker
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Johannisallee 32, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Joerg Chromik
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Handa
- Department of Hematology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Stephen Strickland
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yasushi Miyazaki
- Department of Hematology, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki City, Japan
| | - Martin Wermke
- NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit, Technical University Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wataru Sakamoto
- Biostatistics and Data Science Japan, Medical Division, Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tillmann Taube
- Therapeutic Area Oncology Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim International, Biberach, Germany
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
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Traube FR, Brás NF, Roos WP, Sommermann CC, Diehl T, Mayer RJ, Ofial AR, Müller M, Zipse H, Carell T. Epigenetic Anti‐Cancer Treatment With a Stabilized Carbocyclic Decitabine Analogue. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200640. [PMID: 35285586 PMCID: PMC9314125 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
5‐Aza‐2’‐deoxycytidine (Decitabine, AzadC) is a nucleoside analogue, which is in clinical use to treat patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. Its mode of action is unusual because the compound is one of the few drugs that act at the epigenetic level of the genetic code. AzadC is incorporated as an antimetabolite into the genome and creates covalent, inhibitory links to DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) that methylate 2’‐deoxycytidine (dC) to 5‐methyl‐dC (mdC). Consequently, AzadC treatment leads to a global loss of mdC, which presumably results in a reactivation of silenced genes, among them tumor suppressor and DNA damage response genes. Because AzadC suffers from severe instability, which limits its use in the clinic, a more sophisticated AzadC derivative would be highly valuable. Here, we report that a recently developed carbocyclic AzadC analogue (cAzadC) blocks DNMT1 in the AML cell line MOLM‐13 as efficient as AzadC. Moreover, cAzadC has a surprisingly strong anti‐proliferative effect and leads to a significantly higher number of double strand breaks compared to AzadC, while showing less off‐target toxicity. These results show that cAzadC triggers more deleterious repair and apoptotic pathways in cancer cells than AzadC, which makes cAzadC a promising next generation epigenetic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska R. Traube
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Natércia F. Brás
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
- LAQV-REQUIMTEDepartamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de CiênciasUniversidade do PortoRua do Campo Alegre s/n4169-007PortoPortugal
| | - Wynand P. Roos
- Institut für ToxikologieUniversitätsmedizin MainzObere Zahlbacher Str. 6755131MainzGermany
| | - Corinna C. Sommermann
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Tamara Diehl
- Institut für ToxikologieUniversitätsmedizin MainzObere Zahlbacher Str. 6755131MainzGermany
| | - Robert J. Mayer
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
- Present address: Institut des Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS)Université des Strasbourg & CNRS8 Allée Gaspard Monge67000StrasbourgFrance
| | - Armin R. Ofial
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Markus Müller
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Hendrik Zipse
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Thomas Carell
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5–1381377MunichGermany
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Kumar VE, Nambiar R, De Souza C, Nguyen A, Chien J, Lam KS. Targeting Epigenetic Modifiers of Tumor Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cell Behavior. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091403. [PMID: 35563709 PMCID: PMC9102449 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity poses one of the greatest challenges to a successful treatment of cancer. Tumor cell populations consist of different subpopulations that have distinct phenotypic and genotypic profiles. Such variability poses a challenge in successfully targeting all tumor subpopulations at the same time. Relapse after treatment has been previously explained using the cancer stem cell model and the clonal evolution model. Cancer stem cells are an important subpopulation of tumor cells that regulate tumor plasticity and determine therapeutic resistance. Tumor plasticity is controlled by genetic and epigenetic changes of crucial genes involved in cancer cell survival, growth and metastasis. Targeting epigenetic modulators associated with cancer stem cell survival can unlock a promising therapeutic approach in completely eradicating cancer. Here, we review various factors governing epigenetic dysregulation of cancer stem cells ranging from the role of epigenetic mediators such as histone and DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases to various signaling pathways associated with cancer stem cell regulation. We also discuss current treatment regimens targeting these factors and other promising inhibitors in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vigneshwari Easwar Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Roshni Nambiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Cristabelle De Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Audrey Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Jeremy Chien
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kit S. Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (V.E.K.); (R.N.); (C.D.S.); (A.N.); (K.S.L.)
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The Contrasting Delayed Effects of Transient Exposure of Colorectal Cancer Cells to Decitabine or Azacitidine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061530. [PMID: 35326680 PMCID: PMC8945888 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Decitabine and azacitidine are cytosine analogs representing the class of drugs interfering with DNA methylation. Due to their molecular homology and similar clinical application these drugs are viewed as interchangeable. Despite their unique epigenetic mechanism of action, the studies of the prolonged activity of decitabine and azacitidine are rare. Our head-to-head comparison revealed profound differences in the activities of decitabine and azacitidine important in their anti-cancer potential and clinical application. We show that azacitidine, despite significant immediate toxicity, has negligible long-term effects. Contrary, decitabine, which does not exert initial toxicity, profoundly worsened the condition of the cancer cells over time. The effects of decitabine need a relatively long time to develop. This property is crucial for the proper design of studies or therapy involving decitabine. It undermines opinion about the similar therapeutic mechanism and interchangeability of decitabine and azacitidine. Abstract (1) Background: Decitabine and azacitidine are cytosine analogues representing the class of drugs interfering with DNA methylation. Due to their molecular homology and similar clinical application, both drugs are often regarded as interchangeable. Despite their unique mechanism of action the studies designed for observation and comparison of the prolonged activity of these drugs are rare. (2) Methods: The short-time (20–72 h) and long-term (up to 20 days) anti-cancer activity of decitabine and azacitidine has been studied in colorectal cancer cells. We observe the impact on cell culture’s viability, clonogenicity, proliferation, and expression of CDKN1A, CCND1, MDM2, MYC, CDKN2A, GLB1 genes, and activity of SA-β-galactosidase. (3) Results: Decitabine has much stronger anti-clonogenic activity than azacitidine. We show that azacitidine, despite significant immediate toxicity, has negligible long-term effects. Contrary, decitabine, which does not exert initial toxicity, profoundly worsened the condition of the cells over time. On the 13th day after treatment, the viability of cells was decreased and proliferation inhibited. These functional changes were accompanied by up-regulation of expression CDKN1A, CCND1, and CDKN2A genes and increased activation of SA-β-galactosidase, indicating cellular senescence. (4) Conclusions: Our head-to-head comparison revealed profound differences in the activities of decitabine and azacitidine important in their anti-cancer potential and clinical application. The effects of decitabine need relatively long time to develop. This property is crucial for proper design of studies and therapy concerning decitabine and undermines opinion about the similar therapeutic mechanism and interchangeability of these drugs.
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Šimoničová K, Janotka Ľ, Kavcová H, Sulová Z, Breier A, Messingerova L. Different mechanisms of drug resistance to hypomethylating agents in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Drug Resist Updat 2022; 61:100805. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2022.100805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Fernández-Serrano M, Winkler R, Santos JC, Le Pannérer MM, Buschbeck M, Roué G. Histone Modifications and Their Targeting in Lymphoid Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:253. [PMID: 35008680 PMCID: PMC8745418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In a wide range of lymphoid neoplasms, the process of malignant transformation is associated with somatic mutations in B cells that affect the epigenetic machinery. Consequential alterations in histone modifications contribute to disease-specific changes in the transcriptional program. Affected genes commonly play important roles in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis-inducing signal transduction, and DNA damage response, thus facilitating the emergence of malignant traits that impair immune surveillance and favor the emergence of different B-cell lymphoma subtypes. In the last two decades, the field has made a major effort to develop therapies that target these epigenetic alterations. In this review, we discuss which epigenetic alterations occur in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, we aim to present in a close to comprehensive manner the current state-of-the-art in the preclinical and clinical development of epigenetic drugs. We focus on therapeutic strategies interfering with histone methylation and acetylation as these are most advanced in being deployed from the bench-to-bedside and have the greatest potential to improve the prognosis of lymphoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
| | - René Winkler
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Juliana C. Santos
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
| | - Marguerite-Marie Le Pannérer
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
- Program of Personalized and Predictive Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
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Serin I, Dogu MH. The use of hypomethylating agents in hematologic malignancies: treatment preferences and results. Int J Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:IJH37. [PMID: 35295753 PMCID: PMC8922247 DOI: 10.2217/ijh-2020-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The objective of this article was to compare the efficiency of azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are not suitable for high-dose chemotherapy. Materials and methods: MDS and AML patients who were treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) between January 2005 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the patients who received AZA or DAC in AML patients. In MDS group, the rate of patients who achieved remission was statistically significantly higher in patients who received DAC (p = 0.032). Conclusion: The advantage in terms of response for MDS and no survival difference between AZA and DAC for AML and MDS patients will be an important contribution to the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istemi Serin
- University of Health Science, Istanbul Training & Research Hospital, Department of Hematology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Hilmi Dogu
- Istinye University, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Liv Hospital Ulus, Beşiktaş, Turkey
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Varghese B, Del Gaudio N, Cobellis G, Altucci L, Nebbioso A. KDM4 Involvement in Breast Cancer and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. Front Oncol 2021; 11:750315. [PMID: 34778065 PMCID: PMC8581295 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.750315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, although recent scientific and technological achievements have led to significant improvements in progression-free disease and overall survival of patients. Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications play a critical role in deregulating gene expression, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer progression. Aberrant histone modifications are one of the most frequent epigenetic mechanisms occurring in cancer. In particular, methylation and demethylation of specific lysine residues alter gene accessibility via histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). The KDM family includes more than 30 members, grouped into six subfamilies and two classes based on their sequency homology and catalytic mechanisms, respectively. Specifically, the KDM4 gene family comprises six members, KDM4A-F, which are associated with oncogene activation, tumor suppressor silencing, alteration of hormone receptor downstream signaling, and chromosomal instability. Blocking the activity of KDM4 enzymes renders them "druggable" targets with therapeutic effects. Several KDM4 inhibitors have already been identified as anticancer drugs in vitro in BC cells. However, no KDM4 inhibitors have as yet entered clinical trials due to a number of issues, including structural similarities between KDM4 members and conservation of the active domain, which makes the discovery of selective inhibitors challenging. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of the molecular functions of KDM4 members in BC, describe currently available KDM4 inhibitors, and discuss their potential use in BC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benluvankar Varghese
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nunzio Del Gaudio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Gilda Cobellis
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy.,Biogem Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Frazzi R, Cusenza VY, Pistoni M, Canovi L, Cascione L, Bertoni F, Merli F. KLF4, DAPK1 and SPG20 promoter methylation is not affected by DNMT1 silencing and hypomethylating drugs in lymphoma cells. Oncol Rep 2021; 47:10. [PMID: 34751409 PMCID: PMC8600396 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Promoter methylation represents one of the major epigenetic mechanisms responsible for the regulation of gene expression. Hypomethylating drugs are currently approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, and some studies have recently been carried out on diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). DLBCL is a type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)1 in mediating the epigenetic regulation of some key targets previously emerged as hypermethylated in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, genome-wide arrays and methylation-specific PCR were used to determine the level of methylation of specific targets. Gene silencing, gene expression and immunoblotting were used to investigate the role of DNMT1 and DNMT3a in lymphoma cells. The present study showed that lymphoma cell lines displayed a completely different methylation profile on selected targets compared with primary B lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. 5′-aza-cytidine (5AZA) and 5′-aza-2-deoxycitidine (decitabine) exerted their activity through, at least in part, mechanisms independent of DNMT1 downregulation. Despite a global hypomethylating effect of 5AZA and decitabine, DNMT1 was not found to be necessary to maintain the hypermethylation of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), death associated protein 1 (DAPK1) and spastic paraplegia 20 (SPG20). SPG20 was found to be a completely methylated target in all the tested cell lines, but not in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting its association with malignancy. The highest methylation was clustered upstream of the transcription starting site in a panel of 28 DLBCL cell lines and the results were unaffected by the silencing of DNMT1 expression. These data demonstrated the epigenetic regulation of SPG20 in lymphoid cells and identified a number of novel markers associated with lymphomas that deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Frazzi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‑ IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I‑42123 Reggio Emilia, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy
| | - Vincenza Ylenia Cusenza
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‑ IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I‑42123 Reggio Emilia, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Pistoni
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‑ IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I‑42123 Reggio Emilia, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy
| | - Laura Canovi
- Immunohematology and Transfusional Medicine Division, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‑ IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I‑42123 Reggio Emilia, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Italian Switzerland, 6501 Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Italian Switzerland, 6501 Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Merli
- Hematology Division, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‑ IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I‑42123 Reggio Emilia, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy
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Divergent leukaemia subclones as cellular models for testing vulnerabilities associated with gains in chromosomes 7, 8 or 18. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21145. [PMID: 34707142 PMCID: PMC8551338 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00623-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Haematopoietic malignancies are frequently characterized by karyotypic abnormalities. The development of targeted drugs has been pioneered with compounds against gene products of fusion genes caused by chromosomal translocations. While polysomies are equally frequent as translocations, for many of them we are lacking therapeutic approaches aimed at synthetic lethality. Here, we report two new cell lines, named MBU-7 and MBU-8, that differ in complete trisomy of chromosome18, a partial trisomy of chromosome 7 and a tetrasomy of the p-arm of chromosome 8, but otherwise share the same mutational pattern and complex karyotype. Both cell lines are divergent clones of U-937 cells and have the morphology and immunoprofile of monocytic cells. The distinct karyotypic differences between MBU-7 and MBU-8 are associated with a difference in the specific response to nucleoside analogues. Taken together, we propose the MBU-7 and MBU-8 cell lines described here as suitable in vitro models for screening and testing vulnerabilities that are associated with the disease-relevant polysomies of chromosome 7, 8 and 18.
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Inhibition of CBP synergizes with the RNA-dependent mechanisms of Azacitidine by limiting protein synthesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6060. [PMID: 34663789 PMCID: PMC8523560 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26258-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleotide analogue azacitidine (AZA) is currently the best treatment option for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, only half of treated patients respond and of these almost all eventually relapse. New treatment options are urgently needed to improve the clinical management of these patients. Here, we perform a loss-of-function shRNA screen and identify the histone acetyl transferase and transcriptional co-activator, CREB binding protein (CBP), as a major regulator of AZA sensitivity. Compounds inhibiting the activity of CBP and the closely related p300 synergistically reduce viability of MDS-derived AML cell lines when combined with AZA. Importantly, this effect is specific for the RNA-dependent functions of AZA and not observed with the related compound decitabine that is only incorporated into DNA. The identification of immediate target genes leads us to the unexpected finding that the effect of CBP/p300 inhibition is mediated by globally down regulating protein synthesis.
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Hattori N, Asada K, Miyajima N, Mori A, Nakanishi Y, Kimura K, Wakabayashi M, Takeshima H, Nitani C, Hara J, Ushijima T. Combination of a synthetic retinoid and a DNA demethylating agent induced differentiation of neuroblastoma through retinoic acid signal reprogramming. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1647-1656. [PMID: 34635821 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CpG island methylator phenotype of neuroblastoma (NBL) is strongly associated with poor prognosis and can be targeted by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). Differentiation therapy is a standard maintenance therapy for high-risk NBLs. However, the in vivo effect of tamibarotene, a synthetic retinoic acid, and the efficacy of its combination with 5-aza-dC have not been studied. Here, we conducted a preclinical study to assess the in vivo tamibarotene effect and the combination. METHODS Treatment effects were analysed by in vitro cell growth and differentiation state and by in vivo xenograft suppression. Demethylated genes were analysed by DNA methylation microarrays and geneset enrichment. RESULTS Tamibarotene monotherapy induced neural extension and upregulation of differentiation markers of NBL cells in vitro, and tumour regression without severe side effects in vivo. 5-Aza-dC monotherapy suppressed tumour growth both in vitro and in vivo, and induced demethylation of genes related to nervous system development and function. Pre-treatment with 5-aza-dC in vitro enhanced upregulation of differentiation markers and genes involved in retinoic acid signaling. Pre-treatment with 5-aza-dC in vivo significantly suppressed tumour growth and reduced the variation in tumour sizes. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic drug-based differentiation therapy using 5-aza-dC and TBT is a promising strategy for refractory NBLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Hattori
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Asada
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nozomu Miyajima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Mori
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Nakanishi
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kana Kimura
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Wakabayashi
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takeshima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chika Nitani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junichi Hara
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation (DNAm) have been associated with stress responses and increased vulnerability to depression. Abnormal DNAm is observed in stressed animals and depressed individuals. Antidepressant treatment modulates DNAm levels and regulates gene expression in diverse tissues, including the brain and the blood. Therefore, DNAm could be a potential therapeutic target in depression. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge about the involvement of DNAm in the behavioural and molecular changes associated with stress exposure and depression. We also evaluated the possible use of DNAm changes as biomarkers of depression. Finally, we discussed current knowledge limitations and future perspectives.
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Lee P, Yim R, Yung Y, Chu HT, Yip PK, Gill H. Molecular Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10232. [PMID: 34638574 PMCID: PMC8508686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous, clonal hematological disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, cytopenia, morphologic dysplasia, and predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Stem cell genomic instability, microenvironmental aberrations, and somatic mutations contribute to leukemic transformation. The hypomethylating agents (HMAs), azacitidine and decitabine are the standard of care for patients with higher-risk MDS. Although these agents induce responses in up to 40-60% of patients, primary or secondary drug resistance is relatively common. To improve the treatment outcome, combinational therapies comprising HMA with targeted therapy or immunotherapy are being evaluated and are under continuous development. This review provides a comprehensive update of the molecular pathogenesis and immune-dysregulations involved in MDS, mechanisms of resistance to HMA, and strategies to overcome HMA resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Harinder Gill
- Division of Haematology, Medical Oncology and Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (P.L.); (R.Y.); (Y.Y.); (H.-T.C.); (P.-K.Y.)
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Wang D, Lin M, Utz B, Bosompem A, Guo Y, Daneshbod Y, Alford CE, Nettles SA, Scher J, Gagne EY, O'Neill M, Barrow L, Wojciechowska N, Keegan J, Mosse CA, Lederer JA, Kim AS. miR-378-3p Knockdown Recapitulates Many of the Features of Myelodysplastic Syndromes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:2009-2022. [PMID: 34364880 PMCID: PMC8579243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal neoplasms of the hematopoietic stem cell that result in aberrant differentiation of hematopoietic lineages due to a wide range of underlying genetic, epigenetic, and other causes. Despite the myriad etiologies, there is a recognizable MDS phenotype that has been associated with microRNA (miRNA) aberrant expression. A model of aberrant myeloid maturation mimicking MDS that is seen in MDS has been created using a stable knockdown of miR-378-3p. This model exhibited a transcriptional profile that indicates aberrant maturation and function, showed immunophenotypic and morphologic dysplasia, and displays the aberrant growth and function that characterizes MDS. Moreover, aberrant signal transduction in response to stimulation was demonstrated that is specific to the stage of myeloid maturation and mimics that seen in MDS patient samples using mass cytometry (CyTOF). The aberrant signaling, immunophenotypic changes, cellular growth, and colony formation ability seen in this myeloid model could be reversed with azacytidine (AZA) albeit without significant improvement of neutrophil function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Wang
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miao Lin
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Begum Utz
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Amma Bosompem
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yahya Daneshbod
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Catherine E Alford
- Department of Pathology, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sabin A Nettles
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jonathan Scher
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emma Y Gagne
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lia Barrow
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natalia Wojciechowska
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joshua Keegan
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Claudio A Mosse
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pathology, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - James A Lederer
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Annette S Kim
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
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48
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Gene Transcription as a Therapeutic Target in Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147340. [PMID: 34298959 PMCID: PMC8304797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood malignancies often arise from undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells or partially differentiated stem-like cells. A tight balance of multipotency and differentiation, cell division, and quiescence underlying normal hematopoiesis requires a special program governed by the transcriptional machinery. Acquisition of drug resistance by tumor cells also involves reprogramming of their transcriptional landscape. Limiting tumor cell plasticity by disabling reprogramming of the gene transcription is a promising strategy for improvement of treatment outcomes. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms of action of transcription-targeted drugs in hematological malignancies (largely in leukemia) with particular respect to the results of clinical trials.
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Park HS, Son BR, Shin KS, Byeon S, Kim HK, Yang Y, Jeong Y, Han HS, Lee KH, Kwon J. The Prognostic Ability of RAS Pathway-Related Gene Mutations in Patients with Myeloid Neoplasms Treated with Hypomethylating Agents. Acta Haematol 2021; 144:649-659. [PMID: 34233332 DOI: 10.1159/000516793] [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: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to identify genetic predictors of treatment response and survival in patients with myeloid neoplasms treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs). METHODS We performed next-generation sequencing on bone marrow aspiration samples of 59 patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts-2, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and treated with decitabine or azacitidine as a frontline therapy. RESULTS A single gene with the most common mutations was TP53 (14 of 59 patients), and mutations in RAS pathway-related genes including KRAS, NRAS, FLT3, PTPN11, CBL, and KIT were found in 28.8% of patients. The overall response rate to HMAs was 33.9%. Predictive factors for a poor response were an age >75 years (p = 0.007), 3 or more gene mutations (p = 0.004), mutations in RAS pathway-related genes (p = 0.033), and a mutated NRAS gene (p = 0.042). An age >75 years (hazard ratio 2.946), diagnosis of AML (hazard ratio 2.915), and mutations in NRAS (hazard ratio 4.440) were identified as poor prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSION In conclusion, mutations in RAS pathway-related genes were predictors of a poor response to HMAs. Particularly, mutated NRAS was associated with inferior survival rates.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use
- Decitabine/therapeutic use
- Female
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/mortality
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mutation
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/mortality
- Prognosis
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Sue Park
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Ra Son
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Seob Shin
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonggyu Byeon
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Kyung Kim
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yaewon Yang
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yusook Jeong
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sook Han
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyeong Lee
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Kwon
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
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Sorrentino VG, Thota S, Gonzalez EA, Rameshwar P, Chang VT, Etchegaray JP. Hypomethylating Chemotherapeutic Agents as Therapy for Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Prevention of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:641. [PMID: 34358067 PMCID: PMC8308509 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDSs) affect the elderly and can progress to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation and chromatin modification may contribute to the initiation and progression of these malignancies. DNA hypomethylating agents such as decitabine and azacitidine are used as therapeutic treatments and have shown to promote expression of genes involved in tumor suppression, apoptosis, and immune response. Another anti-cancer drug, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, is used as a chemotherapeutic treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). Phase III clinical trials of decitabine and azacitidine used alone and in combination with other chemotherapeutics demonstrated their capacity to treat hematological malignancies and prolong the survival of MDS and AML patients. Although phase III clinical trials examining bortezomib's role in MDS and AML patients are limited, its underlying mechanisms in MM highlight its potential as a chemotherapeutic for such malignancies. Further research is needed to better understand how the epigenetic mechanisms mediated by these chemotherapeutic agents and their targeted gene networks are associated with the development and progression of MDS into AML. This review discusses the mechanisms by which decitabine, azacitidine, and bortezomib alter epigenetic programs and their results from phase III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent G. Sorrentino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University—Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (V.G.S.); (S.T.); (E.A.G.)
| | - Srijan Thota
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University—Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (V.G.S.); (S.T.); (E.A.G.)
| | - Edward A. Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University—Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (V.G.S.); (S.T.); (E.A.G.)
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
| | - Victor T. Chang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
- Veteran Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA;
| | - Jean-Pierre Etchegaray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University—Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (V.G.S.); (S.T.); (E.A.G.)
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