1
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Takahashi N, Pongor L, Agrawal SP, Shtumpf M, Rajapakse VN, Shafiei A, Schultz CW, Kim S, Roame D, Carter P, Vilimas R, Nichols S, Desai P, Figg WD, Bagheri M, Teif VB, Thomas A. Genomic alterations and transcriptional phenotypes in circulating tumor DNA and matched metastatic tumor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.02.597054. [PMID: 38895436 PMCID: PMC11185519 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.02.597054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Background Profiling circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has become a fundamental practice in cancer medicine, but the effectiveness of cfDNA at elucidating tumor-derived molecular features has not been systematically compared to standard single-lesion tumor biopsies in prospective cohorts of patients. The use of plasma instead of tissue to guide therapy is particularly attractive for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a cancer whose aggressive clinical course making it exceedingly challenging to obtain tumor biopsies. Methods Here, a prospective cohort of 49 plasma samples obtained before, during, and after treatment from 20 patients with recurrent SCLC, we study cfDNA low pass whole genome (0.1X coverage) and exome (130X) sequencing in comparison with time-point matched tumor, characterized using exome and transcriptome sequencing. Results Direct comparison of cfDNA versus tumor biopsy reveals that cfDNA not only mirrors the mutation and copy number landscape of the corresponding tumor but also identifies clinically relevant resistance mechanisms and cancer driver alterations not found in matched tumor biopsies. Longitudinal cfDNA analysis reliably tracks tumor response, progression, and clonal evolution. Genomic sequencing coverage of plasma DNA fragments around transcription start sites shows distinct treatment-related changes and captures the expression of key transcription factors such as NEUROD1 and REST in the corresponding SCLC tumors, allowing prediction of SCLC neuroendocrine phenotypes and treatment responses. Conclusions These findings have important implications for non-invasive stratification and subtype-specific therapies for patients with SCLC, now treated as a single disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Takahashi
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
- Medical Oncology Branch, Center Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center East Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Lorinc Pongor
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | | | - Mariya Shtumpf
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Vinodh N Rajapakse
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Ahmad Shafiei
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Christopher W Schultz
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Sehyun Kim
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Diana Roame
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Paula Carter
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Rasa Vilimas
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Samantha Nichols
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Parth Desai
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - William Douglas Figg
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Mohammad Bagheri
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - Vladimir B Teif
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Anish Thomas
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
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2
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Papavassiliou KA, Sofianidi AA, Gogou VA, Anagnostopoulos N, Papavassiliou AG. P53 and Rb Aberrations in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2479. [PMID: 38473726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The genes coding for the tumor suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) are inactivated in the vast majority of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tumors. Data support the notion that these two deleterious genetic events represent the initial steps in the development of SCLC, making them essential for a lung epithelial cell to progress toward the acquisition of a malignant phenotype. With the loss of TP53 and RB1, their broad tumor suppressive functions are eliminated and a normal cell is able to proliferate indefinitely, escape entering into cellular senescence, and evade death, no matter the damage it has experienced. Within this setting, lung epithelial cells accumulate further oncogenic mutations and are well on their way to becoming SCLC cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these genetic lesions and their effects within lung epithelial cells is of paramount importance, in order to tackle this aggressive and deadly lung cancer. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on p53 and Rb aberrations, their biological significance, and their prospective therapeutic potential, highlighting completed and ongoing clinical trials with agents that target downstream pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas A Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Amalia A Sofianidi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki A Gogou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nektarios Anagnostopoulos
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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3
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Gutiérrez M, Zamora I, Freeman MR, Encío IJ, Rotinen M. Actionable Driver Events in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:105. [PMID: 38203275 PMCID: PMC10778712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010105] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) stands out as the most aggressive form of lung cancer, characterized by an extremely high proliferation rate and a very poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate that falls below 7%. Approximately two-thirds of patients receive their diagnosis when the disease has already reached a metastatic or extensive stage, leaving chemotherapy as the remaining first-line treatment option. Other than the recent advances in immunotherapy, which have shown moderate results, SCLC patients cannot yet benefit from any approved targeted therapy, meaning that this cancer remains treated as a uniform entity, disregarding intra- or inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Continuous efforts and technological improvements have enabled the identification of new potential targets that could be used to implement novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent approaches for SCLC treatment, providing an extensive compilation of the targeted therapies that are currently under clinical evaluation and inhibitor molecules with promising results in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian Gutiérrez
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Irene Zamora
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Michael R. Freeman
- Departments of Urology and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ignacio J. Encío
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
- IdiSNA, Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Rotinen
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
- IdiSNA, Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
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4
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Megyesfalvi Z, Gay CM, Popper H, Pirker R, Ostoros G, Heeke S, Lang C, Hoetzenecker K, Schwendenwein A, Boettiger K, Bunn PA, Renyi-Vamos F, Schelch K, Prosch H, Byers LA, Hirsch FR, Dome B. Clinical insights into small cell lung cancer: Tumor heterogeneity, diagnosis, therapy, and future directions. CA Cancer J Clin 2023; 73:620-652. [PMID: 37329269 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth and high metastatic capacity. It has strong epidemiologic and biologic links to tobacco carcinogens. Although the majority of SCLCs exhibit neuroendocrine features, an important subset of tumors lacks these properties. Genomic profiling of SCLC reveals genetic instability, almost universal inactivation of the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and RB1, and a high mutation burden. Because of early metastasis, only a small fraction of patients are amenable to curative-intent lung resection, and these individuals require adjuvant platinum-etoposide chemotherapy. Therefore, the vast majority of patients are currently being treated with chemoradiation with or without immunotherapy. In patients with disease confined to the chest, standard therapy includes thoracic radiotherapy and concurrent platinum-etoposide chemotherapy. Patients with metastatic (extensive-stage) disease are treated with a combination of platinum-etoposide chemotherapy plus immunotherapy with an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 monoclonal antibody. Although SCLC is initially very responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy, these responses are transient because of the development of drug resistance. In recent years, the authors have witnessed an accelerating pace of biologic insights into the disease, leading to the redefinition of the SCLC classification scheme. This emerging knowledge of SCLC molecular subtypes has the potential to define unique therapeutic vulnerabilities. Synthesizing these new discoveries with the current knowledge of SCLC biology and clinical management may lead to unprecedented advances in SCLC patient care. Here, the authors present an overview of multimodal clinical approaches in SCLC, with a special focus on illuminating how recent advancements in SCLC research could accelerate clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Carl M Gay
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Helmut Popper
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Pirker
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gyula Ostoros
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Simon Heeke
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Schwendenwein
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristiina Boettiger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul A Bunn
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ferenc Renyi-Vamos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Prosch
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fred R Hirsch
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Center for Thoracic Oncology, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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5
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Zhang S, Kim KB, Huang Y, Kim DW, Kim B, Ko KP, Zou G, Zhang J, Jun S, Kirk NA, Hwang YE, Ban YH, Chan JM, Rudin CM, Park KS, Park JI. CRACD loss promotes small cell lung cancer tumorigenesis via EZH2-mediated immune evasion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.15.528365. [PMID: 36824957 PMCID: PMC9949038 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.15.528365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remain unclear. Herein, we investigate the role of CRACD tumor suppressor in SCLC. We found that CRACD is frequently inactivated in SCLC, and Cracd knockout (KO) significantly accelerates SCLC development driven by loss of Rb1, Trp53, and Rbl2. Notably, the Cracd-deficient SCLC tumors display CD8+ T cell depletion and suppression of antigen presentation pathway. Mechanistically, CRACD loss silences the MHC-I pathway through EZH2. EZH2 blockade is sufficient to restore the MHC-I pathway and inhibit CRACD loss-associated SCLC tumorigenesis. Unsupervised single-cell transcriptomic analysis identifies SCLC patient tumors with concomitant inactivation of CRACD, impairment of tumor antigen presentation, and downregulation of EZH2 target genes. Our findings define CRACD loss as a new molecular signature associated with immune evasion of SCLC cells and proposed EZH2 blockade as a viable option for CRACD-negative SCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhe Zhang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kee-Beom Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dong-Wook Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Bongjun Kim
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kyung-Pil Ko
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gengyi Zou
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sohee Jun
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nicole A. Kirk
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ye Eun Hwang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Young Ho Ban
- Hamatovascular Biology Center, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Joseph M. Chan
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charles M. Rudin
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kwon-Sik Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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6
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Kant R, Manne RK, Anas M, Penugurti V, Chen T, Pan BS, Hsu CC, Lin HK. Deregulated transcription factors in cancer cell metabolisms and reprogramming. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1158-1174. [PMID: 36244530 PMCID: PMC11220368 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an important cancer hallmark that plays a key role in cancer malignancies and therapy resistance. Cancer cells reprogram the metabolic pathways to generate not only energy and building blocks but also produce numerous key signaling metabolites to impact signaling and epigenetic/transcriptional regulation for cancer cell proliferation and survival. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which metabolic reprogramming is regulated in cancer may provide potential new strategies for cancer targeting. Recent studies suggest that deregulated transcription factors have been observed in various human cancers and significantly impact metabolism and signaling in cancer. In this review, we highlight the key transcription factors that are involved in metabolic control, dissect the crosstalk between signaling and transcription factors in metabolic reprogramming, and offer therapeutic strategies targeting deregulated transcription factors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Manne
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Mohammad Anas
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Vasudevarao Penugurti
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Tingjin Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Bo-Syong Pan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Che-Chia Hsu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Hui-Kuan Lin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
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7
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Yuan M, Zhao Y, Arkenau HT, Lao T, Chu L, Xu Q. Signal pathways and precision therapy of small-cell lung cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:187. [PMID: 35705538 PMCID: PMC9200817 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) encounters up 15% of all lung cancers, and is characterized by a high rate of proliferation, a tendency for early metastasis and generally poor prognosis. Most of the patients present with distant metastatic disease at the time of clinical diagnosis, and only one-third are eligible for potentially curative treatment. Recently, investigations into the genomic make-up of SCLC show extensive chromosomal rearrangements, high mutational burden and loss-of-function mutations of several tumor suppressor genes. Although the clinical development of new treatments for SCLC has been limited in recent years, a better understanding of oncogenic driver alterations has found potential novel targets that might be suitable for therapeutic approaches. Currently, there are six types of potential treatable signaling pathways in SCLC, including signaling pathways targeting the cell cycle and DNA repair, tumor development, cell metabolism, epigenetic regulation, tumor immunity and angiogenesis. At this point, however, there is still a lack of understanding of their role in SCLC tumor biology and the promotion of cancer growth. Importantly optimizing drug targets, improving drug pharmacology, and identifying potential biomarkers are the main focus and further efforts are required to recognize patients who benefit most from novel therapies in development. This review will focus on the current learning on the signaling pathways, the status of immunotherapy, and targeted therapy in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, 200072, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, 200072, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Tongnei Lao
- Department of Oncology, Centro Medico BO CHI, Macao, SAR, China
| | - Li Chu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qing Xu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, 200072, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Wang WZ, Shulman A, Amann JM, Carbone DP, Tsichlis PN. Small cell lung cancer: Subtypes and therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:543-554. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Costanzo F, Martínez Diez M, Santamaría Nuñez G, Díaz-Hernandéz JI, Genes Robles CM, Díez Pérez J, Compe E, Ricci R, Li TK, Coin F, Martínez Leal JF, Garrido-Martin EM, Egly JM. Promoters of ASCL1- and NEUROD1-dependent genes are specific targets of lurbinectedin in SCLC cells. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14841. [PMID: 35263037 PMCID: PMC8988166 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Small‐Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis. Here, we focus on the neuroendocrine SCLC subtypes, SCLC‐A and SCLC‐N, whose transcription addiction was driven by ASCL1 and NEUROD1 transcription factors which target E‐box motifs to activate up to 40% of total genes, the promoters of which are maintained in a steadily open chromatin environment according to ATAC and H3K27Ac signatures. This leverage is used by the marine agent lurbinectedin, which preferentially targets the CpG islands located downstream of the transcription start site, thus arresting elongating RNAPII and promoting its degradation. This abrogates the expression of ASCL1 and NEUROD1 and of their dependent genes, such as BCL2, INSM1, MYC, and AURKA, which are responsible for relevant SCLC tumorigenic properties such as inhibition of apoptosis and cell survival, as well as for a part of its neuroendocrine features. In summary, we show how the transcription addiction of these cells becomes their Achilles’s heel, and how this is effectively exploited by lurbinectedin as a novel SCLC therapeutic endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Costanzo
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.,Cell Biology Department, Research and Development, Pharmamar SA, Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Marta Martínez Diez
- Cell Biology Department, Research and Development, Pharmamar SA, Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Gema Santamaría Nuñez
- Cell Biology Department, Research and Development, Pharmamar SA, Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Mario Genes Robles
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Javier Díez Pérez
- Cell Biology Department, Research and Development, Pharmamar SA, Colmenar Viejo, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Compe
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Romeo Ricci
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tsai-Kun Li
- College of Medicine, Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei city, Taiwan
| | - Frédéric Coin
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Jean Marc Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.,College of Medicine, Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei city, Taiwan
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10
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Tokgun O, Tokgun PE, Inci K, Akca H. lncRNAs as Potential Targets in Small Cell Lung Cancer: MYC -dependent Regulation. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:2074-2081. [PMID: 32698750 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200721130700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy. MYC family oncogenes are amplified and overexpressed in 20% of SCLCs, showing that MYC oncogenes and MYC regulated genes are strong candidates as therapeutic targets for SCLC. c-MYC plays a fundamental role in cancer stem cell properties and malignant transformation. Several targets have been identified by the activation/repression of MYC. Deregulated expression levels of lncRNAs have also been observed in many cancers. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to investigate the lncRNA profiles which depend on MYC expression levels in SCLC. METHODS Firstly, we constructed lentiviral vectors for MYC overexpression/inhibition. MYC expression is suppressed by lentiviral shRNA vector in MYC amplified H82 and N417 cells, and overexpressed by lentiviral inducible overexpression vector in MYC non-amplified H345 cells. LncRNA cDNA is transcribed from total RNA samples, and 91 lncRNAs are evaluated by qRT-PCR. RESULTS We observed that N417, H82 and H345 cells require MYC for their growth. Besides, MYC is not only found to regulate the expressions of genes related to invasion, stem cell properties, apoptosis and cell cycle (p21, Bcl2, cyclinD1, Sox2, Aldh1a1, and N-Cadherin), but also found to regulate lncRNAs. With this respect, expressions of AK23948, ANRIL, E2F4AS, GAS5, MEG3, H19, L1PA16, SFMBT2, ZEB2NAT, HOTAIR, Sox2OT, PVT1, and BC200 were observed to be in parallel with MYC expression, whereas expressions of Malat1, PTENP1, Neat1, UCA1, SNHG3, and SNHG6 were inversely correlated. CONCLUSION Targeting MYC-regulated genes as a therapeutic strategy can be important for SCLC therapy. This study indicated the importance of identifying MYC-regulated lncRNAs and that these can be utilized to develop a therapeutic strategy for SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Tokgun
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey,Department of Cancer Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Pervin E Tokgun
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Kubilay Inci
- Department of Cancer Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Hakan Akca
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey,Department of Cancer Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
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11
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Abstract
The epigenetic landscape, which in part includes DNA methylation, chromatin organization, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA regulation, greatly contributes to the heterogeneity that makes developing effective therapies for lung cancer challenging. This review will provide an overview of the epigenetic alterations that have been implicated in all aspects of cancer pathogenesis and progression as well as summarize clinical applications for targeting epigenetics in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne L Chao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Chad V Pecot
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
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12
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Zhu M, Huang Y, Bender ME, Girard L, Kollipara R, Eglenen-Polat B, Naito Y, Savage TK, Huffman KE, Koyama S, Kumanogoh A, Minna JD, Johnson JE, Akbay EA. Evasion of Innate Immunity Contributes to Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1813-1826. [PMID: 33495232 PMCID: PMC8137539 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a pulmonary neuroendocrine cancer with very poor prognosis and limited effective therapeutic options. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, and the exact reason for the aggressive and metastatic phenotype of SCLC is completely unknown. Despite a high tumor mutational burden, responses to immune checkpoint blockade are minimal in patients with SCLC. This may reflect defects in immune surveillance. Here we illustrate that evading natural killer (NK) surveillance contributes to SCLC aggressiveness and metastasis, primarily through loss of NK-cell recognition of these tumors by reduction of NK-activating ligands (NKG2DL). SCLC primary tumors expressed very low level of NKG2DL mRNA and SCLC lines express little to no surface NKG2DL at the protein level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing showed NKG2DL loci in SCLC are inaccessible compared with NSCLC, with few H3K27Ac signals. Restoring NKG2DL in preclinical models suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in an NK cell-dependent manner. Likewise, histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment induced NKG2DL expression and led to tumor suppression by inducing infiltration and activation of NK and T cells. Among all the common tumor types, SCLC and neuroblastoma were the lowest NKG2DL-expressing tumors, highlighting a lineage dependency of this phenotype. In conclusion, these data show that epigenetic silencing of NKG2DL results in a lack of stimulatory signals to engage and activate NK cells, highlighting the underlying immune avoidance of SCLC and neuroblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE: This study discovers in SCLC and neuroblastoma impairment of an inherent mechanism of recognition of tumor cells by innate immunity and proposes that this mechanism can be reactivated to promote immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Matthew E Bender
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Luc Girard
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Rahul Kollipara
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Buse Eglenen-Polat
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yujiro Naito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Trisha K Savage
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kenneth E Huffman
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Shohei Koyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kumanogoh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - John D Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jane E Johnson
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas
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13
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Schwendenwein A, Megyesfalvi Z, Barany N, Valko Z, Bugyik E, Lang C, Ferencz B, Paku S, Lantos A, Fillinger J, Rezeli M, Marko-Varga G, Bogos K, Galffy G, Renyi-Vamos F, Hoda MA, Klepetko W, Hoetzenecker K, Laszlo V, Dome B. Molecular profiles of small cell lung cancer subtypes: therapeutic implications. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 20:470-483. [PMID: 33718595 PMCID: PMC7917449 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC; accounting for approximately 13%-15% of all lung cancers) is an exceptionally lethal malignancy characterized by rapid doubling time and high propensity to metastasize. In contrast to the increasingly personalized therapies in other types of lung cancer, SCLC is still regarded as a homogeneous disease and the prognosis of SCLC patients remains poor. Recently, however, substantial progress has been made in our understanding of SCLC biology. Advances in genomics and development of new preclinical models have facilitated insights into the intratumoral heterogeneity and specific genetic alterations of this disease. This worldwide resurgence of studies on SCLC has ultimately led to the development of novel subtype-specific classifications primarily based on the neuroendocrine features and distinct molecular profiles of SCLC. Importantly, these biologically distinct subtypes might define unique therapeutic vulnerabilities. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular profiles of SCLC subtypes with a focus on their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schwendenwein
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nandor Barany
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Valko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edina Bugyik
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bence Ferencz
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sandor Paku
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andras Lantos
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janos Fillinger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Melinda Rezeli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gyorgy Marko-Varga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Krisztina Bogos
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Galffy
- Torokbalint County Institute of Pulmonology, 2045 Torokbalint, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Renyi-Vamos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mir Alireza Hoda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Viktoria Laszlo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
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14
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Khan P, Siddiqui JA, Maurya SK, Lakshmanan I, Jain M, Ganti AK, Salgia R, Batra SK, Nasser MW. Epigenetic landscape of small cell lung cancer: small image of a giant recalcitrant disease. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:57-76. [PMID: 33220460 PMCID: PMC8218609 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a particular subtype of lung cancer with high mortality. Recent advances in understanding SCLC genomics and breakthroughs of immunotherapy have substantially expanded existing knowledge and treatment modalities. However, challenges associated with SCLC remain enigmatic and elusive. Most of the conventional drug discovery approaches targeting altered signaling pathways in SCLC end up in the 'grave-yard of drug discovery', which mandates exploring novel approaches beyond inhibiting cell signaling pathways. Epigenetic modifications have long been documented as the key contributors to the tumorigenesis of almost all types of cancer, including SCLC. The last decade witnessed an exponential increase in our understanding of epigenetic modifications for SCLC. The present review highlights the central role of epigenetic regulations in acquiring neoplastic phenotype, metastasis, aggressiveness, resistance to chemotherapy, and immunotherapeutic approaches of SCLC. Different types of epigenetic modifications (DNA/histone methylation or acetylation) that can serve as predictive biomarkers for prognostication, treatment stratification, neuroendocrine lineage determination, and development of potential SCLC therapies are also discussed. We also review the utility of epigenetic targets/epidrugs in combination with first-line chemotherapy and immunotherapy that are currently under investigation in preclinical and clinical studies. Altogether, the information presents the inclusive landscape of SCLC epigenetics and epidrugs that will help to improve SCLC outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Jawed Akhtar Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Apar Kishor Ganti
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, VA-Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, 68105, USA; Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte 91010, CA, USA
| | - Surinder Kumar Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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15
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Sun J, Wang X, Liu W, Ji P, Shang A, Wu J, Zhou H, Quan W, Yao Y, Yang Y, Gu C, Sun Z, Goel A, Weng W, Li D. Novel evidence for retinoic acid-induced G (Rig-G) as a tumor suppressor by activating p53 signaling pathway in lung cancer. FASEB J 2020; 34:11900-11912. [PMID: 32741018 PMCID: PMC7725982 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903220r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of most common malignancies worldwide. We have previously identified retinoic acid-induced gene G (Rig-G) as a tumor suppressor in not only acute promyelocytic leukemia, but also in other solid tumors. However, the clinical significance of Rig-G and the underlying mechanism(s) for its biological function in lung cancer remain largely unexplored. Herein, we first compared the expression of Rig-G between lung cancer (n = 138) and normal tissues (n = 23), from public-available data sets and our patient cohort. We further analyzed the correlation of Rig-G expression with key clinico-pathological features and survival outcomes in a multi-site clinical cohort of 300 lung cancer patients. Functional studies for Rig-G were performed in cell lines, and an animal model to support clinical findings. We found that Rig-G was frequently downregulated in lung cancer tissues and cell lines, and correlated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Overexpression of Rig-G led to significantly reduced cell growth and suppressed migration in A549 and NCI-H1944 cells, accompanied by reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Likewise, restoration of Rig-G in Lewis lung carcinoma cells permitted development of fewer cancer metastases versus controls in an animal model. Gene expression profiling results identified p53 pathway as a key downstream target of Rig-G, and p53 inhibition by pifithrin-α caused abrogation of tumor-suppressive effects of Rig-G in lung cancer. In conclusion, we, for the first time, have identified Rig-G as a novel and important tumor suppressor, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for restoring p53 expression in lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Putuo People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200060, China
| | - Wenfang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Ping Ji
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Anquan Shang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Junlu Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Wenqiang Quan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yiwen Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yibao Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - ChenZheng Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zujun Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Ajay Goel
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wenhao Weng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200090, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
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16
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Coban MA, Fraga S, Caulfield TR. Structural And Computational Perspectives of Selectively Targeting Mutant Proteins. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2020; 18:365-378. [PMID: 32160847 DOI: 10.2174/1570163817666200311114819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Diseases are often caused by mutant proteins. Many drugs have limited effectiveness and/or toxic side effects because of a failure to selectively target the disease-causing mutant variant, rather than the functional wild type protein. Otherwise, the drugs may even target different proteins with similar structural features. Designing drugs that successfully target mutant proteins selectively represents a major challenge. Decades of cancer research have led to an abundance of potential therapeutic targets, often touted to be "master regulators". For many of these proteins, there are no FDA-approved drugs available; for others, off-target effects result in dose-limiting toxicity. Cancer-related proteins are an excellent medium to carry the story of mutant-specific targeting, as the disease is both initiated and sustained by mutant proteins; furthermore, current chemotherapies generally fail at adequate selective distinction. This review discusses some of the challenges associated with selective targeting from a structural biology perspective, as well as some of the developments in algorithm approach and computational workflow that can be applied to address those issues. One of the most widely researched proteins in cancer biology is p53, a tumor suppressor. Here, p53 is discussed as a specific example of a challenging target, with contemporary drugs and methodologies used as examples of burgeoning successes. The oncogene KRAS, which has been described as "undruggable", is another extensively investigated protein in cancer biology. This review also examines KRAS to exemplify progress made towards selective targeting of diseasecausing mutant proteins. Finally, possible future directions relevant to the topic are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A Coban
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, United States
| | - Sarah Fraga
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, United States
| | - Thomas R Caulfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, United States
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17
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Dong BW, Zhang WB, Qi SM, Yan CY, Gao J. Transactivation of PTGS2 by PAX5 signaling potentiates cisplatin resistance in muscle-invasive bladder cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:2293-2300. [PMID: 29964012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CDDP)-based systematic chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, acquired resistance to CDDP, a multifactorial process governed by an array of signals acting at different levels, is the major problem in BC treatment. Here, we report for the first time that, expression of Paired-box gene 5 (PAX5), a B-cell essential transcription factor, was significantly induced in CDDP-resistant BC tissues and in experimentally-induced CDDP-resistant BC cells. Inhibition of PAX5 expression by shRNA treatment effectively improved CDDP sensitivity in BC cells, whereas overexpression of PAX5 potentiated CDDP resistance through supporting BC cell survival. Mechanistically, using luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we identified prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, also called COX2), a potent enzyme responsible for prostanoids formation and inflammatory response, as the direct down-stream target of PAX5. PAX5 exerted its oncogenic function during the pathogenesis of CDDP resistance via stimulation of PTGS2 transcription. These observations collectively suggest that dysregulation of PAX5/PTGS2 cascade plays a causal role in the induction of CDDP resistance and gene silencing approaches targeting this pathway may therefore provide a novel therapeutic strategy for overcoming CDDP resistance in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Wei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Xian Yang Central Hospital, Xian Yang, 712000, China.
| | - Wei-Bo Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xian Yang Central Hospital, Xian Yang, 712000, China
| | - Shu-Min Qi
- Department of Pathology, Xian Yang Rainbow Hospital, Xian Yang, 712000, China
| | - Chang-You Yan
- Family Planning Service Stations of Health and Family Planning Commission of Chengcheng County, Weinan City, 714000, China
| | - Juan Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710077, China
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