1
|
Nuno K, Azizi A, Koehnke T, Lareau C, Ediriwickrema A, Corces MR, Satpathy AT, Majeti R. Convergent epigenetic evolution drives relapse in acute myeloid leukemia. eLife 2024; 13:e93019. [PMID: 38647535 PMCID: PMC11034943 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is highly aggressive and often treatment refractory. We analyzed previously published AML relapse cohorts and found that 40% of relapses occur without changes in driver mutations, suggesting that non-genetic mechanisms drive relapse in a large proportion of cases. We therefore characterized epigenetic patterns of AML relapse using 26 matched diagnosis-relapse samples with ATAC-seq. This analysis identified a relapse-specific chromatin accessibility signature for mutationally stable AML, suggesting that AML undergoes epigenetic evolution at relapse independent of mutational changes. Analysis of leukemia stem cell (LSC) chromatin changes at relapse indicated that this leukemic compartment underwent significantly less epigenetic evolution than non-LSCs, while epigenetic changes in non-LSCs reflected overall evolution of the bulk leukemia. Finally, we used single-cell ATAC-seq paired with mitochondrial sequencing (mtscATAC) to map clones from diagnosis into relapse along with their epigenetic features. We found that distinct mitochondrially-defined clones exhibit more similar chromatin accessibility at relapse relative to diagnosis, demonstrating convergent epigenetic evolution in relapsed AML. These results demonstrate that epigenetic evolution is a feature of relapsed AML and that convergent epigenetic evolution can occur following treatment with induction chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Nuno
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Armon Azizi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- University of California Irvine School of MedicineIrvineUnited States
| | - Thomas Koehnke
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Caleb Lareau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Program in Immunology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Asiri Ediriwickrema
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - M Ryan Corces
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological DiseaseSan FranciscoUnited States
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and BiotechnologySan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Program in Immunology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic ImmunologySan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kang H, Hoang DH, Valerio M, Pathak K, Zhang L, Buettner R, Chen F, Estrella K, Graff W, Li Z, Xie J, Horne D, Kuo YH, Zhang B, Pirrotte P, Nguyen LXT, Marcucci G. OST-01, a natural product from Baccharis coridifolia, targets c-Myc-dependent ribogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2024; 38:657-662. [PMID: 38233463 PMCID: PMC10912030 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02146-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- HyunJun Kang
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Dinh Hoa Hoang
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Valerio
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Khyatiben Pathak
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ralf Buettner
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Katrina Estrella
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Zhuo Li
- Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - David Horne
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ya-Huei Kuo
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Le Xuan Truong Nguyen
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Varisli L, Vlahopoulos S. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Acute Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2173. [PMID: 38396852 PMCID: PMC10889420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042173] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a metabolic process that confers phenotypic flexibility to cells and the ability to adapt to new functions. This transition is critical during embryogenesis and is required for the differentiation of many tissues and organs. EMT can also be induced in advanced-stage cancers, leading to further malignant behavior and chemotherapy resistance, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis for patients. Although EMT was long considered and studied only in solid tumors, it has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies, including acute leukemias. Indeed, there is increasing evidence that EMT promotes the progression of acute leukemias, leading to the emergence of a more aggressive phenotype of the disease, and also causes chemotherapy resistance. The current literature suggests that the levels and activities of EMT inducers and markers can be used to predict prognosis, and that targeting EMT in addition to conventional therapies may increase treatment success in acute leukemias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lokman Varisli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey
| | - Spiros Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nuno KA, Azizi A, Köhnke T, Lareau CA, Ediwirickrema A, Ryan Corces M, Satpathy AT, Majeti R. Convergent Epigenetic Evolution Drives Relapse in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561642. [PMID: 37873452 PMCID: PMC10592718 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is highly aggressive and often treatment refractory. We analyzed previously published AML relapse cohorts and found that 40% of relapses occur without changes in driver mutations, suggesting that non-genetic mechanisms drive relapse in a large proportion of cases. We therefore characterized epigenetic patterns of AML relapse using 26 matched diagnosis-relapse samples with ATAC-seq. This analysis identified a relapse-specific chromatin accessibility signature for mutationally stable AML, suggesting that AML undergoes epigenetic evolution at relapse independent of mutational changes. Analysis of leukemia stem cell (LSC) chromatin changes at relapse indicated that this leukemic compartment underwent significantly less epigenetic evolution than non-LSCs, while epigenetic changes in non-LSCs reflected overall evolution of the bulk leukemia. Finally, we used single-cell ATAC-seq paired with mitochondrial sequencing (mtscATAC) to map clones from diagnosis into relapse along with their epigenetic features. We found that distinct mitochondrially-defined clones exhibit more similar chromatin accessibility at relapse relative to diagnosis, demonstrating convergent epigenetic evolution in relapsed AML. These results demonstrate that epigenetic evolution is a feature of relapsed AML and that convergent epigenetic evolution can occur following treatment with induction chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Nuno
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- These authors contributed to this work equally
| | - Armon Azizi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California
- These authors contributed to this work equally
| | - Thomas Köhnke
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Caleb A Lareau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Asiri Ediwirickrema
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - M Ryan Corces
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, California
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Antony ML, Chang D, Noble-Orcutt KE, Kay A, Jensen JL, Mohei H, Myers CL, Sachs K, Sachs Z. CD69 marks a subpopulation of acute myeloid leukemia with enhanced colony forming capacity and a unique signaling activation state. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:1262-1274. [PMID: 37161853 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2207698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leukemia stem cells (LSCs) have self-renewal potential and are responsible for relapse. We previously showed that, in Mll-AF9/NRASG12V murine AML, CD69 expression marks an LSC-enriched subpopulation with enhanced in vivo self-renewal capacity. Here, we used CyTOF to define activated signaling pathways in LSC subpopulations in Mll-AF9/NRASG12V AML. Furthermore, we compared the signaling activation states of CD69High and CD36High subsets of primary human AML. The human CD69High subset expresses low levels of Ki67 and high levels of NFκB and pMAPKAPKII. Additionally, the human CD69High AML subset also has enhanced colony-forming capacity. We applied Bayesian network modeling to compare the global signaling network within the human AML subsets. We find that distinct signaling states, distinguished by NFκB and pMAPKAPKII levels, correlate with divergent functional subsets, defined by CD69 and CD36 expression, in human AML. Targeting NFκB with proteasome inhibition diminished colony formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lue Antony
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Daniel Chang
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Klara E Noble-Orcutt
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Anna Kay
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Jensen
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hesham Mohei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chad L Myers
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Karen Sachs
- Next Generation Analytics, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Zohar Sachs
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Eid RA, Alaa Edeen M, Shedid EM, Kamal ASS, Warda MM, Mamdouh F, Khedr SA, Soltan MA, Jeon HW, Zaki MSA, Kim B. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells as the Key Driver of Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021786. [PMID: 36675306 PMCID: PMC9861138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) as the key driver behind carcinogenesis, progression, and diversity has displaced the prior model of a tumor composed of cells with similar subsequently acquired mutations and an equivalent capacity for renewal, invasion, and metastasis. This significant change has shifted the research focus toward targeting CSCs to eradicate cancer. CSCs may be characterized using cell surface markers. They are defined by their capacity to self-renew and differentiate, resist conventional therapies, and generate new tumors following repeated transplantation in xenografted mice. CSCs' functional capabilities are governed by various intracellular and extracellular variables such as pluripotency-related transcription factors, internal signaling pathways, and external stimuli. Numerous natural compounds and synthetic chemicals have been investigated for their ability to disrupt these regulatory components and inhibit stemness and terminal differentiation in CSCs, hence achieving clinical implications. However, no cancer treatment focuses on the biological consequences of these drugs on CSCs, and their functions have been established. This article provides a biomedical discussion of cancer at the time along with an overview of CSCs and their origin, features, characterization, isolation techniques, signaling pathways, and novel targeted therapeutic approaches. Additionally, we highlighted the factors endorsed as controlling or helping to promote stemness in CSCs. Our objective was to encourage future studies on these prospective treatments to develop a framework for their application as single or combined therapeutics to eradicate various forms of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Refaat A. Eid
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Alaa Edeen
- Cell Biology, Histology & Genetics Division, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.A.E.); (B.K.)
| | - Eslam M. Shedid
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Al Shaimaa S. Kamal
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Mona M. Warda
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Farag Mamdouh
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Sohila A. Khedr
- Industrial Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31733, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Soltan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Ismailia 41611, Egypt
| | - Hee Won Jeon
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohamed Samir A. Zaki
- Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 31527, Egypt
| | - Bonglee Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (M.A.E.); (B.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wu Z, Ou J, Liu N, Wang Z, Chen J, Cai Z, Liu X, Yu X, Dai M, Zhou H. Upregulation of Tim‐3 is associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Med 2022; 12:8956-8969. [PMID: 36545697 PMCID: PMC10134367 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy originated from leukemia stem cells (LSC). Emerging evidence suggests T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3(Tim3) as surface marker for LSC. However, the clinical significance and biology of Tim-3 in AML remain to be determined, especially those LSCs. In public AML databases as well as our data, we separated AML patients into Tim-3high and Tim-3low subsets using the X-tile software and evaluated the associations between Tim-3 and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort revealed that high Tim-3 expression in leukemic cells was linked with poor prognosis (DFS: p = 0.018; OS: p = 0.041). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis shows that Tim-3 was an independent factor for the prognosis (HR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.15-4.44, p = 0.017). Validation cohort of public gene expression omnibus (GEO) confirmed that Tim-3 was a prognostic candidate in AML. Besides, in our internal cohort, we also confirmed that over expression of Tim-3 protein in LSC/LPC made poor prognosis in AML. Additionally, we revealed that the LSC markers AKR1C3, CD34, and MMRN1 were upregulated in the Tim-3high group of TCGA. We found that the upregulated genes in the Tim-3high group were mainly enriched in immune response, cytokine binding and cell adhesion molecules, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway, by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Collectively, we revealed that, for the first time, upregulation of Tim-3 in LSCs at the level of gene and protein expression is associated with poor prognosis and the important biological feature of Tim-3 of LSC in AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Wu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Jiawang Ou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Zihong Cai
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Min Dai
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Hongsheng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shahid AM, Um IH, Elshani M, Zhang Y, Harrison DJ. NUC-7738 regulates β-catenin signalling resulting in reduced proliferation and self-renewal of AML cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278209. [PMID: 36520954 PMCID: PMC9754587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells are required for the initiation and maintenance of the disease. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required for the survival and development of AML leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) and therefore, targeting β-catenin is a potential therapeutic strategy. NUC-7738, a phosphoramidate transformation of 3'-deoxyadenosine (3'-dA) monophosphate, is specifically designed to generate the active anti-cancer metabolite 3'-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (3'-dATP) intracellularly, bypassing key limitations of breakdown, transport, and activation. NUC-7738 is currently in a Phase I/II clinical study for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Protein expression and immunophenotypic profiling revealed that NUC-7738 caused apoptosis in AML cell lines through reducing PI3K-p110α, phosphorylated Akt (Ser473) and phosphorylated GSK3β (Ser9) resulting in reduced β-catenin, c-Myc and CD44 expression. NUC-7738 reduced β-catenin nuclear expression in AML cells. NUC-7738 also decreased the percentage of CD34+ CD38- CD123+ (LSC-like cells) from 81% to 47% and reduced the total number and size of leukemic colonies. These results indicate that therapeutic targeting of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β axis can inhibit β-catenin signalling, resulting in reduced clonogenicity and eventual apoptosis of AML cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - In Hwa Um
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Mustafa Elshani
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom,NuCana plc, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - David James Harrison
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom,NuCana plc, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Doxorubicin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles Conjugated with CKR- and EVQ-FLT3 Peptides for Cytotoxicity in Leukemic Stem Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102115. [PMID: 36297550 PMCID: PMC9610626 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102115] [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: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (Dox) is the standard chemotherapeutic agent for acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) treatment. However, 40% of Dox-treated AML cases relapsed due to the presence of leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Thus, poloxamer 407 and CKR- and EVQ-FLT3 peptides were used to formulate Dox-micelles (DMs) and DM conjugated with peptides (CKR and EVQ) for improving AML-LSC treatment. Results indicated that DMs with a weight ratio of Dox to P407 of 1:200 had a particle size of 23.3 ± 1.3 nm with a high percentage of Dox entrapment. They were able to prolong drug release and maintain physicochemical stability. Following effective DM preparation, P407 was modified and conjugated with FLT3 peptides, CKR and EVQ to formulate DM-CKR, DM-EVQ, and DM-CKR+DM-EVQ. Freshly synthesized DMs displaying FLT3 peptides showed particle sizes smaller than 50 nm and a high drug entrapment level, comparable with DMs. DM-CKR+DM-EVQ was considerably more toxic to KG-1a (AML LSC-like cell model) than Dox-HCl. These FLT3-targeted DMs could increase drug uptake and induce apoptosis induction. Due to an increase in micelle-LSC binding and uptake, DMs displaying both peptides tended to improve the potency of Dox compared to a single peptide-coupled micelle.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ung J, Tan SF, Fox TE, Shaw JJP, Vass LR, Costa-Pinheiro P, Garrett-Bakelman FE, Keng MK, Sharma A, Claxton DF, Levine RL, Tallman MS, Cabot MC, Kester M, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Harnessing the power of sphingolipids: Prospects for acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Rev 2022; 55:100950. [PMID: 35487785 PMCID: PMC9475810 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, heterogenous malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitor cells. While our current understanding of the molecular and genomic landscape of AML has evolved dramatically and opened avenues for molecularly targeted therapeutics to improve upon standard intensive induction chemotherapy, curative treatments are elusive, particularly in older patients. Responses to current AML treatments are transient and incomplete, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies to improve outcomes. To this end, harnessing the power of bioactive sphingolipids to treat cancer shows great promise. Sphingolipids are involved in many hallmarks of cancer of paramount importance in AML. Leukemic blast survival is influenced by cellular levels of ceramide, a bona fide pro-death molecule, and its conversion to signaling molecules such as sphingosine-1-phosphate and glycosphingolipids. Preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of therapeutics that target dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism as well as their combinatorial synergy with clinically-relevant therapeutics. Thus, increased understanding of sphingolipid dysregulation may be exploited to improve AML patient care and outcomes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in AML, evaluates how pro-survival sphingolipids promote AML pathogenesis, and discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting these dysregulated sphingolipid pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Ung
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Todd E Fox
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J P Shaw
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Luke R Vass
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Pedro Costa-Pinheiro
- Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Francine E Garrett-Bakelman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Michael K Keng
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - David F Claxton
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - Ross L Levine
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Martin S Tallman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - David J Feith
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Thakral D, Gupta R, Khan A. Leukemic stem cell signatures in Acute myeloid leukemia- targeting the Guardians with novel approaches. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:1756-1773. [DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
12
|
Oncogenes and the Origins of Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042293. [PMID: 35216407 PMCID: PMC8875247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-maintaining hematopoietic stem cells are a cell population that is primarily ‘at risk’ to malignant transformation, and the cell-of-origin for some leukemias. Tissue-specific stem cells replenish the different types of functional cells within a particular tissue to meet the demands of an organism. For hematopoietic stem cells, this flexibility is important to satisfy the changing requirements for a certain type of immune cell, when needed. From studies of the natural history of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an initial oncogenic and prenatal insult gives rise to a preleukemic clone. At least a second genomic insult is needed that gives rise to a leukemia stem cell: this cell generates a hierarchy of leukemia cells. For some leukemias, there is evidence to support the concept that one of the genomic insults leads to dysregulation of the tissue homeostatic role of hematopoietic stem cells so that the hierarchy of differentiating leukemia cells belongs to just one cell lineage. Restricting the expression of particular oncogenes in transgenic mice to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells led to different human-like lineage-restricted leukemias. Lineage restriction is seen for human leukemias by virtue of their sub-grouping with regard to a phenotypic relationship to just one cell lineage.
Collapse
|
13
|
Fodil S, Arnaud M, Vaganay C, Puissant A, Lengline E, Mooney N, Itzykson R, Zafrani L. Endothelial cells: major players in acute myeloid leukaemia. Blood Rev 2022; 54:100932. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
14
|
Zhang Y, Liu D, Li F, Zhao Z, Liu X, Gao D, Zhang Y, Li H. Identification of biomarkers for acute leukemia via machine learning-based stemness index. Gene 2021; 804:145903. [PMID: 34411647 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Traditional methods to understand leukemia stem cell (LSC)'s biological characteristics include constructing LSC-like cells and mouse models by transgenic or knock-in methods. However, there are some potential pitfalls in using this method, such as retroviral insertion mutagenesis, non-physiological level gene expression, non-physiological expansion, and difficulty to construct. The mRNAsi index for each sample of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) could avoid these potential pitfalls by machine learning. In this work, we aimed to construct a network of LSC genes utilizing the mRNAsi. First, mRNAsi value was analyzed with expressions distributions, survival analysis, age, and gender in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples. Then, we used the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to construct modules of stemness genes. The correlation of the LSC genes transcription and interplay among LSC proteins was analyzed. We performed functional and pathway enrichment analysis to annotate stemness genes. Survival analysis further identified prognostic biomarkers by clinical data of TCGA and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We found that the result of mRNAsi overall survival is not significant, which may be due to the heterogeneity of AML in the stage of myeloid differentiation, French-American-British (FAB) classification systems. Enrichment analysis indicated that the stemness genes were biologically clustered as a group and mainly associated with cell cycle and mitosis. Moreover, 10 key genes (SNRNP40, RFC4, RFC5, CDC6, HSPE1, PA2G4, SNAP23P, DARS2, MIS18A, and HPRT1) were screened by survival analysis with the data from TCGA and GEO. Among them, RFC4 and RFC5 were the distinguished biomarkers for their double-validated prognostic value in both databases. Additionally, the expression of RFC4 and RFC5 had the same trend as mRNAsi score in FAB subtypes. In conclusion, our result demonstrated that mRNAsi based LSC-related genes were found to have strong interactions as a cluster. These genes, especially RFC4 and RFC5, could be the therapeutic targets for inhibiting the stemness characteristics of AML. This work is also a comprehensive pipeline for future cancer stem cell studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Dongzhe Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Xueyuan AVE 1098, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Fenglan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Zihui Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Xiqing Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
| | - Dixiang Gao
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tsakaneli A, Williams O. Drug Repurposing for Targeting Acute Leukemia With KMT2A ( MLL)-Gene Rearrangements. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:741413. [PMID: 34594227 PMCID: PMC8478155 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.741413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment failure rates of acute leukemia with rearrangements of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene highlight the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Taking into consideration the limitations of the current therapies and the advantages of novel strategies for drug discovery, drug repurposing offers valuable opportunities to identify treatments and develop therapeutic approaches quickly and effectively for acute leukemia with MLL-rearrangements. These approaches are complimentary to de novo drug discovery and have taken advantage of increased knowledge of the mechanistic basis of MLL-fusion protein complex function as well as refined drug repurposing screens. Despite the vast number of different leukemia associated MLL-rearrangements, the existence of common core oncogenic pathways holds the promise that many such therapies will be broadly applicable to MLL-rearranged leukemia as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tsakaneli
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chueahongthong F, Tima S, Chiampanichayakul S, Berkland C, Anuchapreeda S. Co-Treatments of Edible Curcumin from Turmeric Rhizomes and Chemotherapeutic Drugs on Cytotoxicity and FLT3 Protein Expression in Leukemic Stem Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:5785. [PMID: 34641328 PMCID: PMC8510311 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity of the combination treatment of a drug and curcumin (Cur) on leukemic stem cell and leukemic cell lines, including KG-1a and KG-1 (FLT3+ LSCs), EoL-1 (FLT3+ LCs), and U937 (FLT3- LCs). The cytotoxicity of co-treatments of doxorubicin (Dox) or idarubicin (Ida) at concentrations of the IC10-IC80 values and each concentration of Cur at the IC20, IC30, IC40, and IC50 values (conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4) was determined by MTT assays. Dox-Cur increased cytotoxicity in leukemic cells. Dox-Cur co-treatment showed additive and synergistic effects in several conditions. The effect of this co-treatment on FLT3 expression in KG-1a, KG-1, and EoL-1 cells was examined by Western blotting. Dox-Cur decreased FLT3 protein levels and total cell numbers in all the cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, this study exhibits a novel report of Dox-Cur co-treatment in both enhancing cytotoxicity of Dox and inhibiting cell proliferation via FLT3 protein expression in leukemia stem cells and leukemic cells. This is the option of leukemia treatment with reducing side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs to leukemia patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fah Chueahongthong
- Division of Clinical Microscopy, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (F.C.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Singkome Tima
- Division of Clinical Microscopy, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (F.C.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Cancer Research Unit of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS-CRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sawitree Chiampanichayakul
- Division of Clinical Microscopy, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (F.C.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Cancer Research Unit of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS-CRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Cory Berkland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Songyot Anuchapreeda
- Division of Clinical Microscopy, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (F.C.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Cancer Research Unit of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS-CRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Engraftment characterization of risk-stratified AML patients in NSGS mice. Blood Adv 2021; 5:4842-4854. [PMID: 34470043 PMCID: PMC9153030 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PDXs from risk-stratified AML samples are crucial for studying AML biology and testing novel therapeutics. We characterize human AML engraftment in NSGS mice, offering a valuable platform for in vivo testing of targeted therapies.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. Disease heterogeneity is well documented, and patient stratification determines treatment decisions. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from risk-stratified AML are crucial for studying AML biology and testing novel therapeutics. Despite recent advances in PDX modeling of AML, reproducible engraftment of human AML is primarily limited to high-risk (HR) cases, with inconsistent or very protracted engraftment observed for favorable-risk (FR) and intermediate-risk (IR) patients. We used NSGS mice to characterize the engraftment robustness/kinetics of 28 AML patient samples grouped according to molecular/cytogenetic classification and assessed whether the orthotopic coadministration of patient-matched bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MSCs) improves AML engraftment. PDX event-free survival correlated well with the predictable prognosis of risk-stratified AML patients. The majority (85-94%) of the mice were engrafted in bone marrow (BM) independently of the risk group, although HR AML patients showed engraftment levels that were significantly superior to those of FR or IR AML patients. Importantly, the engraftment levels observed in NSGS mice by week 6 remained stable over time. Serial transplantation and long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) assays revealed long-term engraftment limited to HR AML patients, fitter leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) in HR AML samples, and the presence of AML LICs in the CD34− leukemic fraction, regardless of the risk group. Finally, orthotopic coadministration of patient-matched BM MSCs and AML cells was dispensable for BM engraftment levels but favored peripheralization of engrafted AML cells. This comprehensive characterization of human AML engraftment in NSGS mice offers a valuable platform for in vivo testing of targeted therapies in risk-stratified AML patient samples.
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang B, Nguyen LXT, Zhao D, Frankhouser DE, Wang H, Hoang DH, Qiao J, Abundis C, Brehove M, Su YL, Feng Y, Stein A, Ghoda L, Dorrance A, Perrotti D, Chen Z, Han A, Pichiorri F, Jin J, Jovanovic-Talisman T, Caligiuri MA, Kuo CJ, Yoshimura A, Li L, Rockne RC, Kortylewski M, Zheng Y, Carlesso N, Kuo YH, Marcucci G. Treatment-induced arteriolar revascularization and miR-126 enhancement in bone marrow niche protect leukemic stem cells in AML. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:122. [PMID: 34372909 PMCID: PMC8351342 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During acute myeloid leukemia (AML) growth, the bone marrow (BM) niche acquires significant vascular changes that can be offset by therapeutic blast cytoreduction. The molecular mechanisms of this vascular plasticity remain to be fully elucidated. Herein, we report on the changes that occur in the vascular compartment of the FLT3-ITD+ AML BM niche pre and post treatment and their impact on leukemic stem cells (LSCs). METHODS BM vasculature was evaluated in FLT3-ITD+ AML models (MllPTD/WT/Flt3ITD/ITD mouse and patient-derived xenograft) by 3D confocal imaging of long bones, calvarium vascular permeability assays, and flow cytometry analysis. Cytokine levels were measured by Luminex assay and miR-126 levels evaluated by Q-RT-PCR and miRNA staining. Wild-type (wt) and MllPTD/WT/Flt3ITD/ITD mice with endothelial cell (EC) miR-126 knockout or overexpression served as controls. The impact of treatment-induced BM vascular changes on LSC activity was evaluated by secondary transplantation of BM cells after administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to MllPTD/WT/Flt3ITD/ITD mice with/without either EC miR-126 KO or co-treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) or anti-miR-126 miRisten. RESULTS In the normal BM niche, CD31+Sca-1high ECs lining arterioles have miR-126 levels higher than CD31+Sca-1low ECs lining sinusoids. We noted that during FLT3-ITD+ AML growth, the BM niche lost arterioles and gained sinusoids. These changes were mediated by TNFα, a cytokine produced by AML blasts, which induced EC miR-126 downregulation and caused depletion of CD31+Sca-1high ECs and gain in CD31+Sca-1low ECs. Loss of miR-126high ECs led to a decreased EC miR-126 supply to LSCs, which then entered the cell cycle and promoted leukemia growth. Accordingly, antileukemic treatment with TKI decreased the BM blast-produced TNFα and increased miR-126high ECs and the EC miR-126 supply to LSCs. High miR-126 levels safeguarded LSCs, as shown by more severe disease in secondary transplanted mice. Conversely, EC miR-126 deprivation via genetic or pharmacological EC miR-126 knock-down prevented treatment-induced BM miR-126high EC expansion and in turn LSC protection. CONCLUSIONS Treatment-induced CD31+Sca-1high EC re-vascularization of the leukemic BM niche may represent a LSC extrinsic mechanism of treatment resistance that can be overcome with therapeutic EC miR-126 deprivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - Le Xuan Truong Nguyen
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Dandan Zhao
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | | | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Dinh Hoa Hoang
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Junjing Qiao
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Christina Abundis
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Matthew Brehove
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Lin Su
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yuxin Feng
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Stein
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lucy Ghoda
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | | | | | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Anjia Han
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Flavia Pichiorri
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jie Jin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Russell C Rockne
- Division of Mathematical Oncology, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Yi Zheng
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nadia Carlesso
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Ya-Huei Kuo
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li Z, Wang F, Tian X, Long J, Ling B, Zhang W, Xu J, Liang A. HCK maintains the self-renewal of leukaemia stem cells via CDK6 in AML. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:210. [PMID: 34167558 PMCID: PMC8223385 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) are responsible for the initiation, maintenance, and recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive haematological malignancy associated with drug resistance and relapse. Identifying therapeutic LSC targets is critical to curing AML. Methods Bioinformatics databases were used to identify therapeutic LSC targets. The conditional knockout mice were used to analyse the role of HCK in leukaemogenesis or normal haematopoiesis. Colony-forming assays, cell counting, and flow cytometry were used to detect the viability and function of leukaemia cells. RT-PCR, western blotting, and RNA sequencing were used to detect mRNA and protein expression. Result HCK is expressed at higher levels in LSCs than in haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and high HCK levels are correlated with reduced survival time in AML patients. Knockdown of HCK leads to cell cycle arrest, which results in a dramatic decrease in the proliferation and colony formation in human AML cell lines. Moreover, HCK is required for leukemogenesis and leukaemia maintenance in vivo and in vitro. HCK is necessary for the self-renewal of LSCs during serial transplantation and limiting dilution assay. The phenotypes resulting from HCK deficiency can be rescued by CDK6 overexpression in the human cell line. RNA sequencing and gene expression have demonstrated that HCK may sustain cell cycle entry and maintain the self-renewal ability of LSCs through activating the ERK1/2-c-Myc-CDK6 signalling axis. In contrast, HCK deletion does not affect normal haematopoiesis or haematopoietic reconstruction in mice. Conclusions HCK maintains the self-renewal of leukaemia stem cells via CDK6 in AML and may be an ideal therapeutic target for eradicating LSCs without influencing normal haematopoiesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02007-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Fangce Wang
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxue Tian
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jun Long
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bin Ling
- The Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, 650000, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Jun Xu
- East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Aibin Liang
- Department of Haematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang X, Hoffman R. What are the molecular mechanisms driving the switch from MPNs to leukemia? Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34:101254. [PMID: 33762108 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasm-blast phase (MPN-BP) is a form of acute leukemia which is distinct from de novo acute myeloid leukemia with each entity being characterized by specific complex cytogenetic abnormalities and myeloid gene mutational patterns. MPN-BP patients have a particularly dismal prognosis with a medium overall survival of 5.8 months with currently available therapies. Large-scale sequencing studies have unraveled the mutational landscape of the chronic MPNs and MPN-BP, demonstrating importance of clonal heterogeneity and the role of somatic mutations in disease progression and their use to determine patient outcomes. JAK inhibitors represent the standard of care for intermediate/high-risk MF patients and have been shown to improve clinical symptoms. However, this therapeutic approach leads to a modest reduction in the variant allele frequency of the known MPN driver mutations in most patients and does not substantially delay or prevent the evolution to MPN-BP. In this article, we will review molecular mechanisms driving the progression from chronic MPNs to a BP, the impact of genetic changes on MPN-BP evolution, and the role of clonal evolution in response to JAK inhibitor therapy and disease progression. We will also discuss our ongoing functional studies of cells responsible for the development of MPN-BP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ronald Hoffman
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jahangiri L, Ishola T, Pucci P, Trigg RM, Pereira J, Williams JA, Cavanagh ML, Gkoutos GV, Tsaprouni L, Turner SD. The Role of Autophagy and lncRNAs in the Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061239. [PMID: 33799834 PMCID: PMC7998932 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct cancer subpopulation that can influence the tumour microenvironment, in addition to cancer progression and relapse. A multitude of factors including CSC properties, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and autophagy play pivotal roles in maintaining CSCs. We discuss the methods of detection of CSCs and how our knowledge of regulatory and cellular processes, and their interaction with the microenvironment, may lead to more effective targeting of these cells. Autophagy and lncRNAs can regulate several cellular functions, thereby promoting stemness factors and CSC properties, hence understanding this triangle and its associated signalling networks can lead to enhanced therapy response, while paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess properties such as self-renewal, resistance to apoptotic cues, quiescence, and DNA-damage repair capacity. Moreover, CSCs strongly influence the tumour microenvironment (TME) and may account for cancer progression, recurrence, and relapse. CSCs represent a distinct subpopulation in tumours and the detection, characterisation, and understanding of the regulatory landscape and cellular processes that govern their maintenance may pave the way to improving prognosis, selective targeted therapy, and therapy outcomes. In this review, we have discussed the characteristics of CSCs identified in various cancer types and the role of autophagy and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in maintaining the homeostasis of CSCs. Further, we have discussed methods to detect CSCs and strategies for treatment and relapse, taking into account the requirement to inhibit CSC growth and survival within the complex backdrop of cellular processes, microenvironmental interactions, and regulatory networks associated with cancer. Finally, we critique the computationally reinforced triangle of factors inclusive of CSC properties, the process of autophagy, and lncRNA and their associated networks with respect to hypoxia, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and signalling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jahangiri
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (T.I.); (M.L.C.); (L.T.)
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (R.M.T.); (S.D.T.)
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (G.V.G.)
| | - Tala Ishola
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (T.I.); (M.L.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Perla Pucci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (R.M.T.); (S.D.T.)
| | - Ricky M. Trigg
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (R.M.T.); (S.D.T.)
- Department of Functional Genomics, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Joao Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - John A. Williams
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK;
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SY, UK
| | - Megan L. Cavanagh
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (T.I.); (M.L.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Georgios V. Gkoutos
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK;
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SY, UK
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire OX110RD, UK
- MRC Health Data Research Midlands, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (G.V.G.)
| | - Loukia Tsaprouni
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (T.I.); (M.L.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Suzanne D. Turner
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (P.P.); (R.M.T.); (S.D.T.)
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lee HR, Lee GY, Kim EW, Kim HJ, Lee M, Humphries RK, Oh IH. Reversible switching of leukemic cells to a drug-resistant, stem-like subset via IL-4 mediated cross-talk with mesenchymal stroma. Haematologica 2021; 107:381-392. [PMID: 33440923 PMCID: PMC8804570 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.269944] [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: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance of leukemic cells has largely been attributed to clonal evolution secondary to accumulating mutations. Here, we show that a subset of leukemic blasts in contact with the mesenchymal stroma undergo cellular conversion into a distinct cell type that exhibits a stem cell-like phenotype and chemoresistance. These stroma-induced changes occur in a reversible and stochastic manner driven by cross-talk, whereby stromal contact induces interleukin-4 in leukemic cells that in turn targets the mesenchymal stroma to facilitate the development of new subset. This mechanism was dependent on interleukin-4-mediated upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule- 1 in mesenchymal stroma, causing tight adherence of leukemic cells to mesenchymal progenitors for generation of new subsets. Together, our study reveals another class of chemoresistance in leukemic blasts via functional evolution through stromal cross-talk, and demonstrates dynamic switching of leukemic cell fates that could cause a non-homologous response to chemotherapy in concert with the patient-specific microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Ri Lee
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Ga-Young Lee
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Eung-Won Kim
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Hee-Je Kim
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, St Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Minho Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
| | - R Keith Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Il-Hoan Oh
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Veschini L, Sailem H, Malani D, Pietiäinen V, Stojiljkovic A, Wiseman E, Danovi D. High-Content Imaging to Phenotype Human Primary and iPSC-Derived Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2185:423-445. [PMID: 33165865 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0810-4_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly powerful microscopy, liquid handling, and computational techniques have enabled cell imaging in high throughput. Microscopy images are quantified using high-content analysis platforms linking object features to cell behavior. This can be attempted on physiologically relevant cell models, including stem cells and primary cells, in complex environments, and conceivably in the presence of perturbations. Recently, substantial focus has been devoted to cell profiling for cell therapy, assays for drug discovery or biomarker identification for clinical decision-making protocols, bringing this wealth of information into translational applications. In this chapter, we focus on two protocols enabling to (1) benchmark human cells, in particular human endothelial cells as a case study and (2) extract cells from blood for follow-up experiments including image-based drug testing. We also present concepts of high-content imaging and discuss the benefits and challenges, with the aim of enabling readers to tailor existing pipelines and bring such approaches closer to translational research and the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Heba Sailem
- The Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Oxford, UK
| | - Disha Malani
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science-HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vilja Pietiäinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science-HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ana Stojiljkovic
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Erika Wiseman
- Stem Cell Hotel, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Davide Danovi
- Stem Cell Hotel, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Quantitative proteomics reveals specific metabolic features of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells. Blood 2020; 136:1507-1519. [DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019003654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by the accumulation of clonal myeloid blast cells unable to differentiate into mature leukocytes. Chemotherapy induces remission in the majority of patients, but relapse rates are high and lead to poor clinical outcomes. Because this is primarily caused by chemotherapy-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs), it is essential to eradicate LSCs to improve patient survival. LSCs have predominantly been studied at the transcript level, thus information about posttranscriptionally regulated genes and associated networks is lacking. Here, we extend our previous report on LSC proteomes to healthy age-matched hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and correlate the proteomes to the corresponding transcriptomes. By comparing LSCs to leukemic blasts and healthy HSPCs, we validate candidate LSC markers and highlight novel and potentially targetable proteins that are absent or only lowly expressed in HSPCs. In addition, our data provide strong evidence that LSCs harbor a characteristic energy metabolism, adhesion molecule composition, as well as RNA-processing properties. Furthermore, correlating proteome and transcript data of the same individual samples highlights the strength of proteome analyses, which are particularly potent in detecting alterations in metabolic pathways. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive proteomic and transcriptomic characterization of functionally validated LSCs, blasts, and healthy HSPCs, representing a valuable resource helping to design LSC-directed therapies.
Collapse
|
25
|
Kihira K, Chelakkot VS, Kainuma H, Okumura Y, Tsuboya N, Okamura S, Kurihara K, Iwamoto S, Komada Y, Hori H. Close interaction with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells induces the development of cancer stem cell-like immunophenotype in B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Int J Hematol 2020; 112:795-806. [PMID: 32862292 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-020-02981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Minimal residual disease of leukemia may reside in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and escape the effects of chemotherapeutic agents. This study investigated interactions between B cell precursor (BCP)-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells and BM mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in vitro. Five BCP-ALL cell lines established from pediatric patients and primary samples from a BCP-ALL patient were examined by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry for expression of specific cell surface markers and cell adhesion proteins. The cell lines developed chemoresistance to commonly used anti-leukemic agents through adhesion to MSC-TERT cells in long-term culture. The change in chemosensitivity after adhering to BM-MSCs was associated with the expression of CD34, CD133, P-glycoprotein and BCRP/ABCG2, and downregulation of CD38. Similar phenotypic changes were observed in primary samples obtained by marrow aspiration or biopsy from a BCP-ALL patient. BM-MSC-adhering leukemia cells also showed deceleration of cell proliferation and expressed proteins in the Cadherin and Integrin pathways. These results suggest that BCP-ALL cells residing in the BM microenvironment may acquire chemoresistance by altering their phenotype to resemble that of cancer stem cells. Our results indicate that cell adhesion could be potentially targeted to improve the chemosensitivity of residual BCP-ALL cells in the BM microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kihira
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | | | - Hiroki Kainuma
- Department of Medical Education, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yosuke Okumura
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Naoki Tsuboya
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Okamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.,Department of Medical Education, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kurihara
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.,Department of Medical Education, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Shotaro Iwamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komada
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hori
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan. .,Department of Medical Education, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Maganti H, Visram A, Shorr R, Fulcher J, Sabloff M, Allan DS. Plerixafor in combination with chemotherapy and/or hematopoietic cell transplantation to treat acute leukemia: A systematic review and metanalysis of preclinical and clinical studies. Leuk Res 2020; 97:106442. [PMID: 32877869 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2020.106442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia-initiating cells localize to bone marrow niches via cell surface CXCR4 binding to stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). Plerixafor, a CXCR4 antagonist, can mobilize and sensitize leukemia cells to cytotoxic therapy, and/or enhance the engraftment of healthy donor stem cells in the context of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies was performed (updated May 1, 2020) to inform the design of definitive clinical trials and identified 19 studies. Pooled data from 10 preclinical in-vivo studies of AML and ALL in mouse models of leukemia revealed significant mobilization of leukemia cells into the peripheral circulation, decreased total blast burden and increased survival with plerixafor in addition to cytotoxic treatment compared to control animals. Two of 9 clinical studies compared outcomes to a control group. Plerixafor appears well tolerated and safe and can mobilize leukemia cells into the peripheral circulation. In patients with AML undergoing HCT, plerixafor given with the conditioning regimen appears safe and well tolerated. Engraftment, relapse and survival were not different from controls after limited follow-up. Studies in high risk patients with AML with longer follow-up are needed to understand the influence on relapse following treatment and on donor cell engraftment following HCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harinad Maganti
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Alissa Visram
- Department of Medicine (Hematology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Risa Shorr
- Medical Library, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jill Fulcher
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Department of Medicine (Hematology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mitchell Sabloff
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Department of Medicine (Hematology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - David S Allan
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Department of Medicine (Hematology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Panuzzo C, Jovanovski A, Pergolizzi B, Pironi L, Stanga S, Fava C, Cilloni D. Mitochondria: A Galaxy in the Hematopoietic and Leukemic Stem Cell Universe. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113928. [PMID: 32486249 PMCID: PMC7312164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the main fascinating energetic source into the cells. Their number, shape, and dynamism are controlled by the cell’s type and current behavior. The perturbation of the mitochondrial inward system via stress response and/or oncogenic insults could activate several trafficking molecular mechanisms with the intention to solve the problem. In this review, we aimed to clarify the crucial pathways in the mitochondrial system, dissecting the different metabolic defects, with a special emphasis on hematological malignancies. We investigated the pivotal role of mitochondria in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their main alterations that could induce malignant transformation, culminating in the generation of leukemic stem cells (LSCs). In addition, we presented an overview of LSCs mitochondrial dysregulated mechanisms in terms of (1) increasing in oxidative phosphorylation program (OXPHOS), as a crucial process for survival and self-renewal of LSCs,(2) low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and (3) aberrant expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) with sustained mitophagy. Furthermore, these peculiarities may represent attractive new “hot spots” for mitochondrial-targeted therapy. Finally, we remark the potential of the LCS metabolic effectors to be exploited as novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Panuzzo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
| | - Aleksandar Jovanovski
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Barbara Pergolizzi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Lucrezia Pironi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Serena Stanga
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, 10124 Turin, Italy;
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Carmen Fava
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Daniela Cilloni
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ramakrishnan R, Peña-Martínez P, Agarwal P, Rodriguez-Zabala M, Chapellier M, Högberg C, Eriksson M, Yudovich D, Shah M, Ehinger M, Nilsson B, Larsson J, Hagström-Andersson A, Ebert BL, Bhatia R, Järås M. CXCR4 Signaling Has a CXCL12-Independent Essential Role in Murine MLL-AF9-Driven Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107684. [PMID: 32460032 PMCID: PMC8109054 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is defined by an accumulation of immature myeloid blasts in the bone marrow. To identify key dependencies of AML stem cells in vivo, here we use a CRISPR-Cas9 screen targeting cell surface genes in a syngeneic MLL-AF9 AML mouse model and show that CXCR4 is a top cell surface regulator of AML cell growth and survival. Deletion of Cxcr4 in AML cells eradicates leukemia cells in vivo without impairing their homing to the bone marrow. In contrast, the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12 is dispensable for leukemia development in recipient mice. Moreover, expression of mutated Cxcr4 variants reveals that CXCR4 signaling is essential for leukemia cells. Notably, loss of CXCR4 signaling in leukemia cells leads to oxidative stress and differentiation in vivo. Taken together, our results identify CXCR4 signaling as essential for AML stem cells by protecting them from differentiation independent of CXCL12 stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Puneet Agarwal
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | | | - Carl Högberg
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Mia Eriksson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - David Yudovich
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Mansi Shah
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Mats Ehinger
- Division of Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Björn Nilsson
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Jonas Larsson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | | | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ravi Bhatia
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Marcus Järås
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Barbier V, Erbani J, Fiveash C, Davies JM, Tay J, Tallack MR, Lowe J, Magnani JL, Pattabiraman DR, Perkins AC, Lisle J, Rasko JEJ, Levesque JP, Winkler IG. Endothelial E-selectin inhibition improves acute myeloid leukaemia therapy by disrupting vascular niche-mediated chemoresistance. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2042. [PMID: 32341362 PMCID: PMC7184728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15817-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelial cell adhesion molecule E-selectin is a key component of the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) vascular niche regulating balance between HSC self-renewal and commitment. We now report in contrast, E-selectin directly triggers signaling pathways that promote malignant cell survival and regeneration. Using acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mouse models, we show AML blasts release inflammatory mediators that upregulate endothelial niche E-selectin expression. Alterations in cell-surface glycosylation associated with oncogenesis enhances AML blast binding to E-selectin and enable promotion of pro-survival signaling through AKT/NF-κB pathways. In vivo AML blasts with highest E-selectin binding potential are 12-fold more likely to survive chemotherapy and main contributors to disease relapse. Absence (in Sele−/− hosts) or therapeutic blockade of E-selectin using small molecule mimetic GMI-1271/Uproleselan effectively inhibits this niche-mediated pro-survival signaling, dampens AML blast regeneration, and strongly synergizes with chemotherapy, doubling the duration of mouse survival over chemotherapy alone, whilst protecting endogenous HSC. The cell adhesion molecule E-selectin regulates haematopoietic stem cell self-renewal in the bone marrow vascular niche. Here, the authors show E-selectin adhesion directly induces survival signaling in acute myeloid leukaemia and therapeutic inhibition improves chemotherapy outcomes in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Barbier
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Johanna Erbani
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
| | - Corrine Fiveash
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Julie M Davies
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Joshua Tay
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael R Tallack
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica Lowe
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Diwakar R Pattabiraman
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Molecular and Systems Biology, Norris Cotton Cancer Centre, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Andrew C Perkins
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Prahan, Vic, Australia
| | - Jessica Lisle
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - John E J Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jean-Pierre Levesque
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Ingrid G Winkler
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sheng Y, Yu C, Liu Y, Hu C, Ma R, Lu X, Ji P, Chen J, Mizukawa B, Huang Y, Licht JD, Qian Z. FOXM1 regulates leukemia stem cell quiescence and survival in MLL-rearranged AML. Nat Commun 2020; 11:928. [PMID: 32066721 PMCID: PMC7026046 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXM1, a known transcription factor, promotes cell proliferation in a variety of cancer cells. Here we show that Foxm1 is required for survival, quiescence and self-renewal of MLL-AF9 (MA9)-transformed leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in vivo. Mechanistically, Foxm1 upregulation activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways by directly binding to β-catenin and stabilizing β-catenin protein through inhibiting its degradation, thereby preserving LSC quiescence, and promoting LSC self-renewal in MLL-rearranged AML. More importantly, inhibition of FOXM1 markedly suppresses leukemogenic potential and induces apoptosis of primary LSCs from MLL-rearranged AML patients in vitro and in vivo in xenograft mice. Thus, our study shows a critical role and mechanisms of Foxm1 in MA9-LSCs, and indicates that FOXM1 is a potential therapeutic target for selectively eliminating LSCs in MLL-rearranged AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sheng
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chunjie Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yin Liu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chao Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rui Ma
- Institute for Tuberculosis Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xinyan Lu
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, IL, USA
| | - Peng Ji
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, IL, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of System Biology, City of Hope, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Mizukawa
- Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottestville, VA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhijian Qian
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wnt Signalling in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111403. [PMID: 31703382 PMCID: PMC6912424 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a group of malignant diseases of the haematopoietic system. AML occurs as the result of mutations in haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which upregulate Wnt signalling through a variety of mechanisms. Other mechanisms of Wnt activation in AML have been described such as Wnt antagonist inactivation through promoter methylation. Wnt signalling is necessary for the maintenance of leukaemic stem cells. Several molecules involved in or modulating Wnt signalling have a prognostic value in AML. These include: β-catenin, LEF-1, phosphorylated-GSK3β, PSMD2, PPARD, XPNPEP, sFRP2, RUNX1, AXIN2, PCDH17, CXXC5, LLGL1 and PTK7. Targeting Wnt signalling for tumour eradication is an approach that is being explored in haematological and solid tumours. A number of preclinical studies confirms its feasibility, albeit, so far no reliable clinical trial data are available to prove its utility and efficacy.
Collapse
|
32
|
Eaves CJ. A Prospective Analysis of Human Leukemogenesis. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 11:1034-1039. [PMID: 30428386 PMCID: PMC6235667 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Decades of lack of progress in treating many fatal malignancies of the blood-forming system is commanding interest in new approaches. Targeting early events in the leukemogenic process has long been recognized as likely to offer the information required for these diseases. Analysis of the representation of different mutations in the leukemic cells from individual patients offers a retrospective method to infer their sequence of acquisition and associated subclonal dynamics. An alternative, prospective approach is to exploit strategies for recreating human leukemia de novo using defined genetic methods. This concept is not new, but has been historically difficult to realize. A brief review of our experience in generating insights into the properties and regulation of primitive normal human hematopoietic cells serves as a reminder of how this has enabled our recent advances in developing this approach using both primary sources of chronic myeloid leukemic cells and normal cord blood cells as targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connie J Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10(th) Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chopra M, Bohlander SK. The cell of origin and the leukemia stem cell in acute myeloid leukemia. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:850-858. [PMID: 31471945 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is experimental and observational evidence that the cells of the leukemic clone in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have different phenotypes even though they share the same somatic mutations. The organization of the malignant clone in AML has many similarities to normal hematopoiesis, with leukemia stem cells (LSCs) that sustain leukemia and give rise to more differentiated cells. LSCs, similar to normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), are those cells that are able to give rise to a new leukemic clone when transplanted into a recipient. The cell of origin of leukemia (COL) is defined as the normal cell that is able to transform into a leukemia cell. Current evidence suggests that the COL is distinct from the LSC. Here, we will review the current knowledge about LSCs and the COL in AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Chopra
- Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
ABCG1 and Pgp identify drug resistant, self-renewing osteosarcoma cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 453:142-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
35
|
Izaguirre-Carbonell J, Christiansen L, Burns R, Schmitz J, Li C, Mokry RL, Bluemn T, Zheng Y, Shen J, Carlson KS, Rao S, Wang D, Zhu N. Critical role of Jumonji domain of JMJD1C in MLL-rearranged leukemia. Blood Adv 2019; 3:1499-1511. [PMID: 31076406 PMCID: PMC6517669 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018026054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
JMJD1C, a member of the lysine demethylase 3 family, is aberrantly expressed in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene-rearranged (MLLr) leukemias. We have shown previously that JMJD1C is required for self-renewal of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leukemia stem cells (LSCs) but not normal hematopoietic stem cells. However, the domains within JMJD1C that promote LSC self-renewal are unknown. Here, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) negative-selection screening and identified a requirement for the catalytic Jumonji (JmjC) domain and zinc finger domain for leukemia cell survival in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we found that histone H3 lysine 36 methylation (H3K36me) is a marker for JMJD1C activity at gene loci. Moreover, we performed single cell transcriptome analysis of mouse leukemia cells harboring a single guide RNA (sgRNA) against the JmjC domain and identified increased activation of RAS/MAPK and the JAK-STAT pathway in cells harboring the JmjC sgRNA. We discovered that upregulation of interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor genes mediates increased activation of IL-3 signaling upon JMJD1C loss or mutation. Along these lines, we observed resistance to JMJD1C loss in MLLr AML bearing activating RAS mutations, suggesting that RAS pathway activation confers resistance to JMJD1C loss. Overall, we discovered the functional importance of the JMJD1C JmjC domain in AML leukemogenesis and a novel interplay between JMJD1C and the IL-3 signaling pathway as a potential resistance mechanism to targeting JMJD1C catalytic activity.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Editing
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Interleukin-3/metabolism
- Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/chemistry
- Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/genetics
- Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics
- Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/chemistry
- Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/genetics
- Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/metabolism
- Protein Domains
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Zinc Fingers/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke Christiansen
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy
| | - Robert Burns
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
| | - Jesse Schmitz
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
| | - Chenxuan Li
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
| | | | - Theresa Bluemn
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy
| | - Yongwei Zheng
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Karen-Sue Carlson
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Internal Medicine, and
| | - Sridhar Rao
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Demin Wang
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Nan Zhu
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI; and
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhang H, Li S. Concise Review: Exploiting Unique Biological Features of Leukemia Stem Cells for Therapeutic Benefit. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:768-774. [PMID: 31016860 PMCID: PMC6646691 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells play a critical role in disease initiation and insensitivity to chemotherapy in numerous hematologic malignancies and some solid tumors, and these stem cells need to be eradicated to achieve a cure. Key to successful targeting of cancer stem cells is to identify and functionally test critical target genes and to fully understand their associated molecular network in these stem cells. Human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is well accepted as one of the typical types of hematopoietic malignancies that are derived from leukemia stem cells (LSCs), serving as an excellent model disease for understanding the biology of LSCs and developing effective, selective, and curative strategies through targeting LSCs. Here, we discuss LSCs in CML with a focus on identification of unique biological features of these stem cells to emphasize the feasibility and significance of specific targeting of LSCs while sparing normal stem cell counterparts in leukemia therapy. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:768&774
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haojian Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoguang Li
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Afenya EK, Ouifki R, Mundle SD. Mathematical modeling of bone marrow - peripheral blood dynamics in the disease state based on current emerging paradigms, part II. J Theor Biol 2019; 460:37-55. [PMID: 30296448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell hypothesis has gained currency in recent times but concerns remain about its scientific foundations because of significant gaps that exist between research findings and comprehensive knowledge about cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this light, a mathematical model that considers hematopoietic dynamics in the diseased state of the bone marrow and peripheral blood is proposed and used to address findings about CSCs. The ensuing model, resulting from a modification and refinement of a recent model, develops out of the position that mathematical models of CSC development, that are few at this time, are needed to provide insightful underpinnings for biomedical findings about CSCs as the CSC idea gains traction. Accordingly, the mathematical challenges brought on by the model that mirror general challenges in dealing with nonlinear phenomena are discussed and placed in context. The proposed model describes the logical occurrence of discrete time delays, that by themselves present mathematical challenges, in the evolving cell populations under consideration. Under the challenging circumstances, the steady state properties of the model system of delay differential equations are obtained, analyzed, and the resulting mathematical predictions arising therefrom are interpreted and placed within the framework of findings regarding CSCs. Simulations of the model are carried out by considering various parameter scenarios that reflect different experimental situations involving disease evolution in human hosts. Model analyses and simulations suggest that the emergence of the cancer stem cell population alongside other malignant cells engenders higher dimensions of complexity in the evolution of malignancy in the bone marrow and peripheral blood at the expense of healthy hematopoietic development. The model predicts the evolution of an aberrant environment in which the malignant population particularly in the bone marrow shows tendencies of reaching an uncontrollable equilibrium state. Essentially, the model shows that a structural relationship exists between CSCs and non-stem malignant cells that confers on CSCs the role of temporally enhancing and stimulating the expansion of non-stem malignant cells while also benefitting from increases in their own population and these CSCs may be the main protagonists that drive the ultimate evolution of the uncontrollable equilibrium state of such malignant cells and these may have implications for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evans K Afenya
- Department of Mathematics, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA.
| | - Rachid Ouifki
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Suneel D Mundle
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Leukemia Stem Cells in the Pathogenesis, Progression, and Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1143:95-128. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7342-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
39
|
Kageyama Y, Miwa H, Arakawa R, Tawara I, Ohishi K, Masuya M, Nakase K, Katayama N. Expression of CD25 fluctuates in the leukemia-initiating cell population of CD25-positive AML. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209295. [PMID: 30550585 PMCID: PMC6294374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CD25 is expressed on leukemic cells in 10–20% cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and its expression is associated with poor prognosis. We reevaluated the relationship between CD25 expression and the leukemia-initiating cell (LIC) properties of AML using a patient-derived xenograft model. We divided lineage marker-negative (Lin–) CD34+CD38– or Lin–CD34+ cells from CD25-positive AML into CD25-positive and -negative populations, and then transplanted each population into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/Sz mice. Leukemic engraftment was observed with both CD25-positive and -negative populations from three of nine CD25-positive AML patients. In two of those three patients, CD25-positive and -negative Lin–CD34+ cells engrafted at the primary transplantation led to leukemic engraftment at the secondary transplantation, in which engrafted cells contained both CD25-positive and -negative Lin–CD34+ AML cells. In an in vitro culture system, expression of CD25 was considerably induced in the CD25-negative population of Lin–CD34+ cells from two cases of CD25-positive AML. In one case, CD25-positive Lin–CD34+ cells gave rise to CD25-negative as well as -positive CD34+ cells. These observations suggest that there exist CD25-positive and -negative populations that can reconstitute CD25-positive AML in a patient-derived xenograft model, and that CD25 expression fluctuates in the LICs of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kageyama
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miwa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Rino Arakawa
- School of Medicine, Mie University, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Isao Tawara
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Kohshi Ohishi
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Masahiro Masuya
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | | | - Naoyuki Katayama
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Jones CL, Stevens BM, D'Alessandro A, Reisz JA, Culp-Hill R, Nemkov T, Pei S, Khan N, Adane B, Ye H, Krug A, Reinhold D, Smith C, DeGregori J, Pollyea DA, Jordan CT. Inhibition of Amino Acid Metabolism Selectively Targets Human Leukemia Stem Cells. Cancer Cell 2018; 34:724-740.e4. [PMID: 30423294 PMCID: PMC6280965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 344] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study we interrogated the metabolome of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells to elucidate properties relevant to therapeutic intervention. We demonstrate that amino acid uptake, steady-state levels, and catabolism are all elevated in the leukemia stem cell (LSC) population. Furthermore, LSCs isolated from de novo AML patients are uniquely reliant on amino acid metabolism for oxidative phosphorylation and survival. Pharmacological inhibition of amino acid metabolism reduces oxidative phosphorylation and induces cell death. In contrast, LSCs obtained from relapsed AML patients are not reliant on amino acid metabolism due to their ability to compensate through increased fatty acid metabolism. These findings indicate that clinically relevant eradication of LSCs can be achieved with drugs that target LSC metabolic vulnerabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L Jones
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Brett M Stevens
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Julie A Reisz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rachel Culp-Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Shanshan Pei
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nabilah Khan
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Biniam Adane
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Haobin Ye
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Anna Krug
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dominik Reinhold
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Clayton Smith
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James DeGregori
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Daniel A Pollyea
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Craig T Jordan
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19(th) Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hu Q, Sun W, Wang J, Ruan H, Zhang X, Ye Y, Shen S, Wang C, Lu W, Cheng K, Dotti G, Zeidner JF, Wang J, Gu Z. Conjugation of haematopoietic stem cells and platelets decorated with anti-PD-1 antibodies augments anti-leukaemia efficacy. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:831-840. [PMID: 31015615 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0310-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia who relapse following therapy have few treatment options and face poor outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibition, for example, by antibody-mediated programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade, is a potent therapeutic modality that improves treatment outcomes in acute myeloid leukaemia. Here, we show that systemically delivered blood platelets decorated with anti-PD-1 antibodies (aPD-1) and conjugated to haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) suppress the growth and recurrence of leukaemia in mice. Following intravenous injection into mice bearing leukaemia cells, the HSC-platelet-aPD-1 conjugate migrated to the bone marrow and locally released aPD-1, significantly enhancing anti-leukaemia immune responses, and increasing the number of active T cells, production of cytokines and chemokines, and survival time of the mice. This cellular conjugate also promoted resistance to re-challenge with leukaemia cells. Taking advantage of the homing capability of HSCs and in situ activation of platelets for the enhanced delivery of a checkpoint inhibitor, this cellular combination-mediated drug delivery strategy can significantly augment the therapeutic efficacy of checkpoint blockade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quanyin Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Wujin Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jinqiang Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Huitong Ruan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yanqi Ye
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Song Shen
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, and School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Cheng
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joshua F Zeidner
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, and School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. .,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bigoni-Ordóñez GD, Ortiz-Sánchez E, Rosendo-Chalma P, Valencia-González HA, Aceves C, García-Carrancá A. Molecular iodine inhibits the expression of stemness markers on cancer stem-like cells of established cell lines derived from cervical cancer. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:928. [PMID: 30257666 PMCID: PMC6158890 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4824-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSC) are characterized by deregulated self-renewal, tumorigenicity, metastatic potential, aberrant stemness signaling pathways, resistance to conventional therapy, and the ability to give rise to a progeny of proliferating cells that constitute the bulk of tumors. Targeting CSC will provide novel treatments for cancer. Different investigations have focused on developing complementary approaches that involve natural compounds that decrease chemo-resistance and reduce the side effects of conventional therapies. Since, it has been reported that molecular iodine (I2) exhibits antineoplastic effects and decreases tumor progression in some cancer models, we evaluated the potential effect of I2 on cell cultures enriched in cervical cancer stem-like cells. METHODS HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells were treated with 200uM I2 for 24 h. After time, cells were cultured in CSC-conditioned medium (cervospheres) and viability assays were performed. Following, tumorigenic capabilities in cervospheres treated with I2 were evaluated in NOD/SCID mice. HeLa monolayer cells untreated and their respective cervosphere cells treated or untreated with 200 μM of I2 for 24 h were xenotransplanted subcutaneously at different amounts and mice were monitored for at least 2 months. RESULTS In the present study, monolayer and CSC-enriched cultures (cervospheres) from cervical cancer-derived cell lines, HeLa and SiHa, showed that 200uM I2 supplementation inhibits proliferation of both and decreased their tumorigenic capacity, in vivo. This antineoplastic effect of I2 was accompanied by diminished expression of stemness markers including CD49f, CK17, OCT-4, NANOG, SOX2, and KLF4, as well as increased expression and activation of PPARγ receptors. CONCLUSIONS All this data led us to suggest a clinical potential use of I2 for targeting CSC and improve current treatments against cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Davide Bigoni-Ordóñez
- 0000 0004 1791 0836grid.415745.6División de Investigación Básica, Laboratory of Virus and Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaria de Salud, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, CP Mexico
- 0000 0001 2159 0001grid.9486.3Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Facultad de Química, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz-Sánchez
- 0000 0004 1791 0836grid.415745.6División de Investigación Básica, Laboratory of Virus and Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaria de Salud, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, CP Mexico
| | - Pedro Rosendo-Chalma
- 0000 0004 1791 0836grid.415745.6División de Investigación Básica, Laboratory of Virus and Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaria de Salud, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, CP Mexico
- 0000 0001 2159 0001grid.9486.3Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Heriberto A Valencia-González
- 0000 0004 1791 0836grid.415745.6División de Investigación Básica, Laboratory of Virus and Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaria de Salud, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, CP Mexico
- 0000 0001 2159 0001grid.9486.3Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Facultad de Química, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carmen Aceves
- 0000 0001 2159 0001grid.9486.3Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla. Campus-Juriquilla., Querétaro, 76230 Qro Mexico
| | - Alejandro García-Carrancá
- 0000 0004 1791 0836grid.415745.6División de Investigación Básica, Laboratory of Virus and Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaria de Salud, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, CP Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Naciona Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Stevens BM, Khan N, D'Alessandro A, Nemkov T, Winters A, Jones CL, Zhang W, Pollyea DA, Jordan CT. Characterization and targeting of malignant stem cells in patients with advanced myelodysplastic syndromes. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3694. [PMID: 30209285 PMCID: PMC6135858 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05984-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a chronic hematologic disorder that frequently evolves to more aggressive stages and in some cases leads to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS arises from mutations in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Thus, to define optimal therapies, it is essential to understand molecular events driving HSC pathogenesis. In this study, we report that during evolution of MDS, malignant HSCs activate distinct cellular programs that render such cells susceptible to therapeutic intervention. Specifically, metabolic analyses of the MDS stem cell compartment show a profound activation of protein synthesis machinery and increased oxidative phosphorylation. Pharmacological targeting of protein synthesis and oxidative phosphorylation demonstrated potent and selective eradication of MDS stem cells in primary human patient specimens. Taken together, our findings indicate that MDS stem cells are reliant on specific metabolic events and that such properties can be targeted prior to the onset of clinically significant AML, during antecedent MDS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Stevens
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nabilah Khan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Amanda Winters
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Courtney L Jones
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Daniel A Pollyea
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Craig T Jordan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yabushita T, Satake H, Maruoka H, Morita M, Katoh D, Shimomura Y, Yoshioka S, Morimoto T, Ishikawa T. Expression of multiple leukemic stem cell markers is associated with poor prognosis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2017; 59:2144-2151. [PMID: 29251166 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2017.1410888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) play a crucial role in chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although the association between the expression of individual LSC markers and poor prognosis has been reported, few studies have evaluated the prognostic effect of multiple LSC markers in patients with AML. Herein, we examined three LSC markers (CD25, CD96, and CD123) and the combined effect of their expression on clinical outcome. We retrospectively analyzed 80 adult patients with de novo AML who received intensive chemotherapy. Multiple LSC marker expression was significantly associated with shorter three-year overall survival (OS), compared with single or no LSC marker expression (18.2 vs. 65.0%, p < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that the expression of multiple LSC markers remained significant in terms of three-year OS (hazard ratio: 3.80, p = .001). Therefore, the combined evaluation of several LSC markers can predict the clinical outcome in patients with AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Yabushita
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Hironaga Satake
- b Department of Medical Oncology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Hayato Maruoka
- c Department of Clinical Laboratory , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Mari Morita
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Daisuke Katoh
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Yoshimitsu Shimomura
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshioka
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Takeshi Morimoto
- d Clinical Research Center, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan.,e Department of Clinical Epidemiology , Hyogo College of Medicine , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Takayuki Ishikawa
- a Department of Hematology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Hyogo , Japan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Li F, Sutherland MK, Yu C, Walter RB, Westendorf L, Valliere-Douglass J, Pan L, Cronkite A, Sussman D, Klussman K, Ulrich M, Anderson ME, Stone IJ, Zeng W, Jonas M, Lewis TS, Goswami M, Wang SA, Senter PD, Law CL, Feldman EJ, Benjamin DR. Characterization of SGN-CD123A, A Potent CD123-Directed Antibody-Drug Conjugate for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 17:554-564. [PMID: 29142066 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Treatment choices for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients resistant to conventional chemotherapies are limited and novel therapeutic agents are needed. IL3 receptor alpha (IL3Rα, or CD123) is expressed on the majority of AML blasts, and there is evidence that its expression is increased on leukemic relative to normal hematopoietic stem cells, which makes it an attractive target for antibody-based therapy. Here, we report the generation and preclinical characterization of SGN-CD123A, an antibody-drug conjugate using the pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer (PBD) linker and a humanized CD123 antibody with engineered cysteines for site-specific conjugation. Mechanistically, SGN-CD123A induces activation of DNA damage response pathways, cell-cycle changes, and apoptosis in AML cells. In vitro, SGN-CD123A-mediated potent cytotoxicity of 11/12 CD123+ AML cell lines and 20/23 primary samples from AML patients, including those with unfavorable cytogenetic profiles or FLT3 mutations. In vivo, SGN-CD123A treatment led to AML eradication in a disseminated disease model, remission in a subcutaneous xenograft model, and significant growth delay in a multidrug resistance xenograft model. Moreover, SGN-CD123A also resulted in durable complete remission of a patient-derived xenograft AML model. When combined with a FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib, SGN-CD123A enhanced the activity of quizartinib against two FLT3-mutated xenograft models. Overall, these data demonstrate that SGN-CD123A is a potent antileukemic agent, supporting an ongoing trial to evaluate its safety and efficacy in AML patients (NCT02848248). Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 554-64. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu Li
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington.
| | | | - Changpu Yu
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Roland B Walter
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington.,Division of Hematology and Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lori Westendorf
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | | | - Lucy Pan
- Analytical Science, Seattle Genetics, Inc., Bothell, Washington
| | - Ashley Cronkite
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Django Sussman
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Kerry Klussman
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Michelle Ulrich
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | | | - Ivan J Stone
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Weiping Zeng
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Mechthild Jonas
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Timothy S Lewis
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Maitrayee Goswami
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sa A Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter D Senter
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Che-Leung Law
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | - Eric J Feldman
- Translational Research, Seattle Genetics, Inc. Bothell, Washington
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Krivtsov AV, Hoshii T, Armstrong SA. Mixed-Lineage Leukemia Fusions and Chromatin in Leukemia. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a026658. [PMID: 28242784 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a026658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown the importance of chromatin-modifying complexes in the maintenance of developmental gene expression and human disease. The mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL1) encodes a chromatin-modifying protein and was discovered as a result of the cloning of translocations involved in human leukemias. MLL1 is a histone lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase that supports transcription of genes that are important for normal development including homeotic (Hox) genes. MLL1 rearrangements result in expression of fusion proteins without H3K4 methylation activity but may gain the ability to recruit other chromatin-associated complexes such as the H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L and the super elongation complex. Therefore, chromosomal translocations involving MLL1 appear to directly perturb the regulation of multiple chromatin-associated complexes to allow inappropriate expression of developmentally regulated genes and thus drive leukemia development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei V Krivtsov
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Takayuki Hoshii
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Picot T, Aanei CM, Fayard A, Flandrin-Gresta P, Tondeur S, Gouttenoire M, Tavernier-Tardy E, Wattel E, Guyotat D, Campos L. Expression of embryonic stem cell markers in acute myeloid leukemia. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317716629. [PMID: 28718379 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317716629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is driven by leukemic stem cells which can be identified by cross lineage expression or arrest of differentiation compared to normal hematopoietic stem cells. Self-renewal and lack of differentiation are also features of stem cells and have been associated with the expression of embryonic genes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of embryonic antigens (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA1, SSEA3) in hematopoietic stem cell subsets (CD34+CD38- and CD34+CD38+) from normal bone marrows and in samples from acute myeloid leukemia patients. We observed an upregulation of the transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 in leukemic cells as compared to normal cells. Conversely, SSEA1 protein was downregulated in leukemic cells. The expression of OCT4, SOX2, and SSEA3 was higher in CD34+CD38- than in CD34+CD38+ subsets in leukemic cells. There was no correlation with biological characteristics of the leukemia. We evaluated the prognostic value of marker expression in 69 patients who received an intensive treatment. The rate of complete remission was not influenced by the level of expression of markers. Overall survival was significantly better for patients with high SOX2 levels, which was unexpected because of the inverse correlation with favorable genetic subtypes. These results prompt us to evaluate the potential role of these markers in leukemogenesis and to test their relevance for better leukemic stem cell identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiphanie Picot
- 1 Laboratoire d'Hématologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| | - Carmen Mariana Aanei
- 1 Laboratoire d'Hématologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| | - Amandine Fayard
- 3 Département d'Hématologie, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Pascale Flandrin-Gresta
- 1 Laboratoire d'Hématologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| | - Sylvie Tondeur
- 1 Laboratoire d'Hématologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| | - Marina Gouttenoire
- 3 Département d'Hématologie, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Emmanuelle Tavernier-Tardy
- 2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France.,3 Département d'Hématologie, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Eric Wattel
- 2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| | - Denis Guyotat
- 2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France.,3 Département d'Hématologie, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Lydia Campos
- 1 Laboratoire d'Hématologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,2 UMR 5239, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Biology and relevance of human acute myeloid leukemia stem cells. Blood 2017; 129:1577-1585. [PMID: 28159741 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-10-696054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of human acute myeloid leukemia stem cells (AML LSCs) was first reported nearly 2 decades ago through the identification of rare subpopulations of engrafting cells in xenotransplantation assays. These AML LSCs were shown to reside at the apex of a cellular hierarchy that initiates and maintains the disease, exhibiting properties of self-renewal, cell cycle quiescence, and chemoresistance. This cancer stem cell model offers an explanation for chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse and implies that approaches to treatment must eradicate LSCs for cure. More recently, a number of studies have both refined and expanded our understanding of LSCs and intrapatient heterogeneity in AML using improved xenotransplant models, genome-scale analyses, and experimental manipulation of primary patient cells. Here, we review these studies with a focus on the immunophenotype, biological properties, epigenetics, genetics, and clinical associations of human AML LSCs and discuss critical questions that need to be addressed in future research.
Collapse
|
49
|
Therapeutic targeting of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells. Blood 2017; 129:1627-1635. [PMID: 28159738 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-10-696039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than 50 years, investigators have considered a malignant stem cell as the potential origin of and a key therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other forms of cancer.1-4 The nature and existence of tumor-initiating cells for leukemia and other malignancies have long been the subject of intense and rigorous study; indeed, the promise of the potential to eradicate such cells is clear. However, until recently, deficiencies in our understanding of the nature of these cell populations, coupled with a limited ability to therapeutically exploit their weaknesses, have been limiting factors in realizing the goal of targeting leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Exciting new insights into the fundamental underpinnings of LSCs are now being made in an era in which drug development pipelines offer the potential to specifically target pathways of significance. Therefore, the focus in this new era, characterized by the confluence of understanding LSCs and the ability to target them, is shifting from "if it can be done" to "how it will be done." Moving from a theoretical stage to this hopeful era of possibilities, new challenges expectedly arise, and our focus now must shift to determining the best strategy by which to target LSCs, with their well-documented heterogeneity and readily evident intra- and interpatient variability. The purpose of this review is therefore both to summarize the key scientific findings pertinent to AML LSC targeting and to consider methods of clinical evaluation that will be most effective for identifying successful LSC-directed therapies.
Collapse
|
50
|
Aberger F, Hutterer E, Sternberg C, Del Burgo PJ, Hartmann TN. Acute myeloid leukemia - strategies and challenges for targeting oncogenic Hedgehog/GLI signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2017; 15:8. [PMID: 28122581 PMCID: PMC5267446 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-017-0163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive and heterogeneous hematological malignancy, remains a challenge. Despite advances in our understanding of the complex genetics and biology of AML pathophysiology, these findings have been translated to the clinic with only limited success, and poor outcomes persist for the majority of patients. Thus, novel treatment strategies are clearly needed for achieving deeper and prolonged remissions and for avoiding the development of resistance. Due to its profound role in (cancer) stem cell biology and differentiation, the Hedgehog (HH)/Glioma-associated Oncogene Homolog (GLI) signaling pathway may be an attractive novel therapeutic target in AML. In this review, we aim to provide a critical and concise overview of the currently known potential and challenges of HH/GLI targeting. We describe the biological role of the HH/GLI pathway in AML pathophysiology. We specifically focus on ways of targeting non-canonical HH/GLI signaling in AML, particularly in combination with standard treatment regimens, which may overcome some hurdles observed with approved HH pathway inhibitors in solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Aberger
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Department of Molecular Biology, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Evelyn Hutterer
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute (SCRI) - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), 5020, Salzburg, Austria.,Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christina Sternberg
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Department of Molecular Biology, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Pedro J Del Burgo
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Department of Molecular Biology, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tanja N Hartmann
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute (SCRI) - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), 5020, Salzburg, Austria. .,Third Medical Department with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|