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El-Hajjar M, Gerhardt L, Hong MMY, Krishnamoorthy M, Figueredo R, Zheng X, Koropatnick J, Maleki Vareki S. Inducing mismatch repair deficiency sensitizes immune-cold neuroblastoma to anti-CTLA4 and generates broad anti-tumor immune memory. Mol Ther 2023; 31:535-551. [PMID: 36068918 PMCID: PMC9931548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade can induce potent and durable responses in patients with highly immunogenic mismatch repair-deficient tumors; however, these drugs are ineffective against immune-cold neuroblastoma tumors. To establish a role for a T cell-based therapy against neuroblastoma, we show that T cell and memory T cell-dependent gene expression are associated with improved survival in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. To stimulate anti-tumor immunity and reproduce this immune phenotype in neuroblastoma tumors, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to knockout MLH1-a crucial molecule in the DNA mismatch repair pathway-to induce mismatch repair deficiency in a poorly immunogenic murine neuroblastoma model. Induced mismatch repair deficiency increased the expression of proinflammatory genes and stimulated T cell infiltration into neuroblastoma tumors. In contrast to adult cancers with induced mismatch repair deficiency, neuroblastoma tumors remained unresponsive to anti-PD1 treatment. However, anti-CTLA4 therapy was highly effective against these tumors. Anti-CTLA4 therapy promoted immune memory and T cell epitope spreading in cured animals. Mechanistically, the effect of anti-CTLA4 therapy against neuroblastoma tumors with induced mismatch repair deficiency is CD4+ T cell dependent, as depletion of these cells abolished the effect. Therefore, a therapeutic strategy involving mismatch repair deficiency-based T cell infiltration of neuroblastoma tumors combined with anti-CTLA4 can serve as a novel T cell-based treatment strategy for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikal El-Hajjar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lara Gerhardt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Megan M Y Hong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rene Figueredo
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Xiufen Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - James Koropatnick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Saman Maleki Vareki
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
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Barresi V, Musmeci C, Rinaldi A, Condorelli DF. Transcript-Targeted Therapy Based on RNA Interference and Antisense Oligonucleotides: Current Applications and Novel Molecular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168875. [PMID: 36012138 PMCID: PMC9408055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel target therapies based on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is growing in an exponential way, challenging the chance for the treatment of the genetic diseases and cancer by hitting selectively targeted RNA in a sequence-dependent manner. Multiple opportunities are taking shape, able to remove defective protein by silencing RNA (e.g., Inclisiran targets mRNA of protein PCSK9, permitting a longer half-life of LDL receptors in heterozygous familial hypercholesteremia), by arresting mRNA translation (i.e., Fomivirsen that binds to UL123-RNA and blocks the translation into IE2 protein in CMV-retinitis), or by reactivating modified functional protein (e.g., Eteplirsen able to restore a functional shorter dystrophin by skipping the exon 51 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy) or a not very functional protein. In this last case, the use of ASOs permits modifying the expression of specific proteins by modulating splicing of specific pre-RNAs (e.g., Nusinersen acts on the splicing of exon 7 in SMN2 mRNA normally not expressed; it is used for spinal muscular atrophy) or by downregulation of transcript levels (e.g., Inotersen acts on the transthryretin mRNA to reduce its expression; it is prescribed for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis) in order to restore the biochemical/physiological condition and ameliorate quality of life. In the era of precision medicine, recently, an experimental splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotide, Milasen, was designed and used to treat an 8-year-old girl affected by a rare, fatal, progressive form of neurodegenerative disease leading to death during adolescence. In this review, we summarize the main transcriptional therapeutic drugs approved to date for the treatment of genetic diseases by principal regulatory government agencies and recent clinical trials aimed at the treatment of cancer. Their mechanism of action, chemical structure, administration, and biomedical performance are predominantly discussed.
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3
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Parseghian CM, Loree JM, Morris VK, Liu X, Clifton KK, Napolitano S, Henry JT, Pereira AA, Vilar E, Johnson B, Kee B, Raghav K, Dasari A, Wu J, Garg N, Raymond VM, Banks KC, Talasaz AA, Lanman RB, Strickler JH, Hong DS, Corcoran RB, Overman MJ, Kopetz S. Anti-EGFR-resistant clones decay exponentially after progression: implications for anti-EGFR re-challenge. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:243-249. [PMID: 30462160 PMCID: PMC6657008 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been shown to acquire RAS and EGFR ectodomain mutations as mechanisms of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition (anti-EGFR). After anti-EGFR withdrawal, RAS and EGFR mutant clones lack a growth advantage relative to other clones and decay; however, the kinetics of decay remain unclear. We sought to determine the kinetics of acquired RAS/EGFR mutations after discontinuation of anti-EGFR therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We present the post-progression circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiles of 135 patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic CRC treated with anti-EGFR who acquired RAS and/or EGFR mutations during therapy. Our validation cohort consisted of an external dataset of 73 patients with a ctDNA profile suggestive of prior anti-EGFR exposure and serial sampling. A separate retrospective cohort of 80 patients was used to evaluate overall response rate and progression free survival during re-challenge therapies. RESULTS Our analysis showed that RAS and EGFR relative mutant allele frequency decays exponentially (r2=0.93 for RAS; r2=0.94 for EGFR) with a cumulative half-life of 4.4 months. We validated our findings using an external dataset of 73 patients with a ctDNA profile suggestive of prior anti-EGFR exposure and serial sampling, confirming exponential decay with an estimated half-life of 4.3 months. A separate retrospective cohort of 80 patients showed that patients had a higher overall response rate during re-challenge therapies after increasing time intervals, as predicted by our model. CONCLUSION These results provide scientific support for anti-EGFR re-challenge and guide the optimal timing of re-challenge initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Parseghian
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
| | | | - V K Morris
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - X Liu
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - K K Clifton
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Napolitano
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - J T Henry
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A A Pereira
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - E Vilar
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA; Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - B Johnson
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - B Kee
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - K Raghav
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A Dasari
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - J Wu
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - N Garg
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | - K C Banks
- Guardant Health Inc, Redwood City, USA
| | | | | | | | - D S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - R B Corcoran
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - M J Overman
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Kopetz
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
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Mairinger FD, Schmeller J, Borchert S, Wessolly M, Mairinger E, Kollmeier J, Hager T, Mairinger T, Christoph DC, Walter RFH, Eberhardt WEE, Plönes T, Wohlschlaeger J, Jasani B, Schmid KW, Bankfalvi A. Immunohistochemically detectable metallothionein expression in malignant pleural mesotheliomas is strongly associated with early failure to platin-based chemotherapy. Oncotarget 2018; 9:22254-22268. [PMID: 29854276 PMCID: PMC5976462 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a biologically highly aggressive tumor arising from the pleura with a dismal prognosis. Cisplatin is the drug of choice for the treatment of MPM, and carboplatin seems to have comparable efficacy. Nevertheless, cisplatin treatment results in a response rate of merely 14% and a median survival of less than seven months. Due to their role in many cellular processes, methallothioneins (MTs) have been widely studied in various cancers. The known heavy metal detoxifying effect of MT-I and MT-II may be the reason for heavy metal drug resistance of various cancers including MPM. Methods 105 patients were retrospectively analyzed immunohistochemically for their MT expression levels. Survival analysis was done by Cox-regression, and statistical significance determined using likelihood ratio, Wald test and Score (logrank) tests. Results Cox-regression analyses were done in a linear and logarithmic scale revealing a significant association between expression of MT and shortened overall survival (OS) in a linear (p=0.0009) and logarithmic scale (p=0.0003). Reduced progression free survival (PFS) was also observed for MT expressing tumors (linear: p=0.0134, log: p=0.0152). Conclusion Since both, overall survival and progression-free survival are negatively correlated with detectable MT expression in MPM, our results indicate a possible resistance to platin-based chemotherapy associated with MT expression upregulation, found exclusively in progressive MPM samples. Initial cell culture studies suggest promoter DNA hypomethylation and expression of miRNA-566 a direct regulator of copper transporter SLC31A1 and a putative regulator of MT1A and MT2A gene expression, to be responsible for the drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian D Mairinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Schmeller
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Borchert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Wessolly
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elena Mairinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jens Kollmeier
- Department of Pneumology, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hager
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Mairinger
- Department of Pathology, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel C Christoph
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Internistic Oncology, Kliniken Essen Mitte, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert F H Walter
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Ruhrlandklinik, West German Lung Centre, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Wilfried E E Eberhardt
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Ruhrlandklinik, West German Lung Centre, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Till Plönes
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracical Endoscopy, Ruhrlandklinik, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jeremias Wohlschlaeger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Pathology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus Flensburg, Flensburg, Germany
| | - Bharat Jasani
- Department of Pathology, Targos Molecular Pathology GmbH, Kassel, Germany
| | - Kurt Werner Schmid
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Agnes Bankfalvi
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Baert A, Machackova E, Coene I, Cremin C, Turner K, Portigal-Todd C, Asrat MJ, Nuk J, Mindlin A, Young S, MacMillan A, Van Maerken T, Trbusek M, McKinnon W, Wood ME, Foulkes WD, Santamariña M, de la Hoya M, Foretova L, Poppe B, Vral A, Rosseel T, De Leeneer K, Vega A, Claes KBM. Thorough in silico and in vitro cDNA analysis of 21 putative BRCA1 and BRCA2 splice variants and a complex tandem duplication in BRCA2 allowing the identification of activated cryptic splice donor sites in BRCA2 exon 11. Hum Mutat 2018; 39:515-526. [PMID: 29280214 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
For 21 putative BRCA1 and BRCA2 splice site variants, the concordance between mRNA analysis and predictions by in silico programs was evaluated. Aberrant splicing was confirmed for 12 alterations. In silico prediction tools were helpful to determine for which variants cDNA analysis is warranted, however, predictions for variants in the Cartegni consensus region but outside the canonical sites, were less reliable. Learning algorithms like Adaboost and Random Forest outperformed the classical tools. Further validations are warranted prior to implementation of these novel tools in clinical settings. Additionally, we report here for the first time activated cryptic donor sites in the large exon 11 of BRCA2 by evaluating the effect at the cDNA level of a novel tandem duplication (5' breakpoint in intron 4; 3' breakpoint in exon 11) and of a variant disrupting the splice donor site of exon 11 (c.6841+1G > C). Additional sites were predicted, but not activated. These sites warrant further research to increase our knowledge on cis and trans acting factors involved in the conservation of correct transcription of this large exon. This may contribute to adequate design of ASOs (antisense oligonucleotides), an emerging therapy to render cancer cells sensitive to PARP inhibitor and platinum therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelot Baert
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Machackova
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ilse Coene
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carol Cremin
- BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer Nuk
- BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Sean Young
- BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Cancer Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andree MacMillan
- Provincial Medical Genetics Program, Eastern Health, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Tom Van Maerken
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martin Trbusek
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Wendy McKinnon
- Familial Cancer Program, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, United States
| | - Marie E Wood
- Familial Cancer Program, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, United States
| | - William D Foulkes
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marta Santamariña
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIBERER, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel de la Hoya
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory CIBERONC, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, IdISSC (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lenka Foretova
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bruce Poppe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne Vral
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Toon Rosseel
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim De Leeneer
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ana Vega
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIBERER, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Ferguson PJ, Vincent MD, Koropatnick J. Synergistic Antiproliferative Activity of the RAD51 Inhibitor IBR2 with Inhibitors of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and Microtubule Protein. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 364:46-54. [PMID: 29061656 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.241661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cancer cell genetic instability contributes to characteristics that mediate tumorigenicity, it also contributes to the tumor-selective toxicity of some chemotherapy drugs. This synthetic lethality can be enhanced by inhibitors of DNA repair. To exploit this potential Achilles heel, we tested the ability of a RAD51 inhibitor to potentiate the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs. 2-(Benzylsulfonyl)-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline (IBR2) inhibits RAD51-mediated DNA double-strand break repair but also enhances cytotoxicity of the Bcr-Abl inhibitor imatinib. The potential for synergy between IBR2 and more drugs was examined in vitro across a spectrum of cancer cell lines from various tissues. Cells were exposed to IBR2 simultaneously with inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases, DNA-damaging agents, or microtubule disruptors. IBR2, at concentrations that inhibited proliferation between 0% and 75%, enhanced toxicity by up to 80% of imatinib and regorafenib (targets RAF and kit); epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and osimertinib; and vincristine, an inhibitor of microtubule function. However, IBR2 antagonized the action of olaparib, cisplatin, melphalan, and irinotecan. A vincristine-resistant squamous cell line was not cross resistant to imatinib, but IBR2 and another RAD51 inhibitor (B02) enhanced imatinib toxicity in this cell line, its HN-5a parent, and the colon cancer line HT-29 by up to 60% and much better than verapamil, a P-glycoprotein inhibitor (P < 0.05). Given the disparate agents the functions of which are enhanced by IBR2, the mechanisms of enhancement may be multimodal. Whether RAD51 is common to these mechanisms remains to be elucidated, but it provides the potential for selectivity to tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Ferguson
- London Regional Cancer Program and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.); and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology (J.K.), Pathology (J.K.), Physiology and Pharmacology (J.K.), and Oncology (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark D Vincent
- London Regional Cancer Program and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.); and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology (J.K.), Pathology (J.K.), Physiology and Pharmacology (J.K.), and Oncology (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Koropatnick
- London Regional Cancer Program and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.); and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology (J.K.), Pathology (J.K.), Physiology and Pharmacology (J.K.), and Oncology (P.J.F., M.D.V., J.K.), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Williams DT, Staples CJ. Approaches for Identifying Novel Targets in Precision Medicine: Lessons from DNA Repair. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1007:1-16. [PMID: 28840549 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60733-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genome stability is maintained by a number of elegant mechanisms, which sense and repair damaged DNA. Germline defects that compromise genomic integrity result in cancer predisposition, exemplified by rare syndromes caused by mutations in certain DNA repair genes. These individuals often exhibit other symptoms including progeria and neurodegeneration. Paradoxically, some of these deleterious genetic alterations provide novel therapeutic opportunities to target cancer cells; an excellent example of such an approach being the recent development of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors as the first 'synthetic lethal' medicine for patients with BRCA-mutant cancers. The therapeutic exploitation of synthetic lethal interactions has enabled a novel approach to personalised medicine based on continued molecular profiling of patient and tumour material. This profiling may also aid clinicians in the identification of specific drug resistance mechanisms following relapse, and enable appropriate modification of the therapeutic regimen. This chapter focuses on therapeutic strategies designed to target aspects of the DNA damage response, and examines emerging themes demonstrating mechanistic overlap between DNA repair and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean T Williams
- School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, UK.,Department of Vascular Surgery, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, LL57 2PW, UK
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