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Guo X, Wang Y, Zha L, Li H, Qian K. DNA methylation-related lncRNAs predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:14745-14760. [PMID: 37592033 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05234-8] [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: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LncRNAs and DNA methylation are both key regulators of tumorigenesis and immune regulation. However, the interaction between lncRNA and DNA methylation, their regulation and their clinical and immune relevance in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. METHODS In this study, we identified DNA methylation regulator-related lncRNAs through Pearson correlation analysis in The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. Univariate Cox regression was used to screen DNA methylationrelated prognostic lncRNAs. Further, through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression, a prognostic model based on 13 lncRNAs was established. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis verified the accuracy of the model in predicting the survival of GC patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses also confirmed that the risk score obtained from the risk model could be applied as an independent prognostic factor for patients with GC. Furthermore, based on the risk score and other clinicopathological characteristics that can be used as independent prognostic factors, we constructed a nomogram that could accurately determine the survival time of each patient. In addition, a lncRNA score was constructed using a principal component analysis algorithm to quantify the DNA methylation-related lncRNA expression patterns of individual tumors. RESULTS We found that a higher lncRNA score indicated a worse the prognosis and was associated with a reduced tumor mutation burden and immunosuppression. A low lncRNA score was related to an increase in neoantigen load and an increase in the anti-PDL1/CTLA4 immunotherapy response. Additionally, a low lncRNA score was related to a significant therapeutic advantage and clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS This study describes a DNA methylation regulator-related lncRNA signature model, which provides a new approach for predicting therapeutic response and patient stratification in GC. Assessing lncRNA expression patterns in individual tumors will contribute to enhancing our understanding of tumor microenvironment infiltration and guide more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Guo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Daping Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Zha
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Pan X, Li C, Feng J. The role of LncRNAs in tumor immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:30. [PMID: 36810034 PMCID: PMC9942365 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02872-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a major breakthrough in the history of tumor therapy in the last decade. Immune checkpoint inhibitors blocking CTLA-4/B7 or PD-1/PD-L1 pathways have greatly prolonged the survival of patients with different cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormally expressed in tumors and play an important role in tumor immunotherapy through immune regulation and immunotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of lncRNAs in regulating gene expression and well-studied immune checkpoint pathways. The crucial regulatory function of immune-related lncRNAs in cancer immunotherapy was also described. Further understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these lncRNAs is of great importance to the development of taking lncRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chenchen Li
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Medical Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jifeng Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Tumor-Intrinsic PD-L1 Exerts an Oncogenic Function through the Activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911031. [PMID: 36232331 PMCID: PMC9569632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911031] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) strongly inhibits T cell activation, thereby aiding tumors in escaping the immune response. PD-L1 inhibitors have proven to be effective in the treatment of different types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Yet, the knowledge regarding the biological function of tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 in lung cancer remains obscure. In our study, we set the goal of determining the function of PD-L1 using overexpression and knockdown strategies. PD-L1 silencing resulted in decreased migratory and invasive ability of tumor cells, together with attenuated colony-forming capacity. Ectopic expression of PD-L1 showed the opposite effects, along with increased activities of MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and the upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes. Additionally, overexpression of PD-L1 was associated with dysregulated cellular and exosomal miRNAs involved in tumor progression and metastasis. In primary lung tumors, immunohistochemistry revealed that both PD1 and PD-L1 were highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to adenocarcinoma (p = 0.045 and p = 0.036, respectively). In SCC, PD1 expression was significantly associated with tumor grading (p = 0.016). Taken together, our data suggest that PD-L1 may exert an oncogenic function in NSCLC through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and may act as a potential diagnostic marker for lung SCC.
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de Vos L, Carrillo Cano TM, Zarbl R, Klümper N, Ralser DJ, Franzen A, Herr E, Gabrielpillai J, Vogt TJ, Dietrich J, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. CTLA4 , PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 DNA Methylation Is Associated With BAP1 -Aberrancy, Transcriptional Activity, and Overall Survival in Uveal Melanoma. J Immunother 2022; 45:324-334. [PMID: 35862127 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive disease with poor response to oncological treatment, including immunotherapy. Loss of the epigenetic modifier BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) function drives UM oncogenesis and is associated with an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, poor prognosis, and a distinct DNA methylation and gene expression profile. Our study aimed to analyze comprehensively the DNA methylation status of the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4, TIM-3 ( HAVCR2 ), TIGIT , and LAG3 and its association with mRNA expression, BAP1 -aberrancy, and patients' survival. We analyzed the DNA methylation landscape of immune checkpoint genes at single CpG resolution in N=80 UM samples provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas. We analyzed CpG methylation levels of the immune checkpoints with regard to their transcriptional signatures and patient outcomes.Methylation of specific CpG sites within the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 correlated strongly with mRNA expression levels, indicating a strong regulation of gene expression through DNA methylation. Moreover, immune checkpoint gene methylation was strongly associated with BAP1 -mutation status and associated with overall survival in UM. Our data indicate an epigenetic regulation of immune checkpoints through DNA methylation in UM. Further, our data highlight the prognostic significance of DNA methylation of immune checkpoint genes in UM thereby providing a rationale for methylation testing as predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emmanuelle Herr
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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5
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Fabrizio FP, Castellana S, Centra F, Sparaneo A, Mastroianno M, Mazza T, Coco M, Trombetta D, Cingolani N, Centonza A, Graziano P, Maiello E, Fazio VM, Muscarella LA. Design and experimental validation of OPERA_MET-A panel for deep methylation analysis by next generation sequencing. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968804. [PMID: 36033501 PMCID: PMC9404304 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most recognized epigenetic mark that leads to a massive distortion in cancer cells. It has been observed that a large number of DNA aberrant methylation events occur simultaneously in a group of genes, thus providing a growth advantage to the cell in promoting cell differentiation and neoplastic transformation. Due to this reason, methylation profiles have been suggested as promising cancer biomarkers. Here, we designed and performed a first step of validation of a novel targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) panel for methylation analysis, which can simultaneously evaluate the methylation levels at CpG sites of multiple cancer-related genes. The OPERA_MET-A methylation panel was designed using the Ion AmpliSeq™ technology to amplify 155 regions with 125-175 bp mean length and covers a total of 1107 CpGs of 18 cancer-related genes. The performance of the panel was assessed by running commercially available fully methylated and unmethylated control human genomic DNA (gDNA) samples and a variable mixture of them. The libraries were run on Ion Torrent platform and the sequencing output was analyzed using the “methylation_analysis” plugin. DNA methylation calls on both Watson (W) and Crick (C) strands and methylated:unmethylated ratio for each CpG site were obtained. Cell lines, fresh frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung cancer tissues were tested. The OPERA_MET-A panel allows to run a minimum of 6 samples/530 chip to reach an observed mean target depth ≥2,500X (W and C strands) and an average number of mapped reads >750,000/sample. The conversion efficiency, determined by spiking-in unmethylated Lambda DNA into each sample before the bisulfite conversion process, was >97% for all samples. The observed percentage of global methylation for all CpGs was >95% and <5% for fully methylated and unmethylated gDNA samples, respectively, and the observed results for the variable mixtures were in agreement with what was expected. Methylation-specific NGS analysis represents a feasible method for a fast and multiplexed screening of cancer patients by a high-throughput approach. Moreover, it offers the opportunity to construct a more robust algorithm for disease prediction in cancer patients having a low quantity of biological material available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Pio Fabrizio
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federico Pio Fabrizio, ; Lucia Anna Muscarella,
| | - Stefano Castellana
- Unit of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Flavia Centra
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angelo Sparaneo
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Mario Mastroianno
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Unit of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Michelina Coco
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Domenico Trombetta
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Nicola Cingolani
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Antonella Centonza
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Paolo Graziano
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Anna Muscarella
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federico Pio Fabrizio, ; Lucia Anna Muscarella,
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6
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Gül D, Schweitzer A, Khamis A, Knauer SK, Ding GB, Freudelsperger L, Karampinis I, Strieth S, Hagemann J, Stauber RH. Impact of Secretion-Active Osteoblast-Specific Factor 2 in Promoting Progression and Metastasis of Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2337. [PMID: 35565465 PMCID: PMC9106029 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment success of head and neck cancer (HNC) is still hampered by tumor relapse due to metastases. Our study aimed to identify biomarkers by exploiting transcriptomics profiles of patient-matched metastases, primary tumors, and normal tissue mucosa as well as the TCGA HNC cohort data sets. Analyses identified osteoblast-specific factor 2 (OSF-2) as significantly overexpressed in lymph node metastases and primary tumors compared to normal tissue. High OSF-2 levels correlate with metastatic disease and reduced overall survival of predominantly HPV-negative HNC patients. No significant correlation was observed with tumor localization or therapy response. These findings were supported by the fact that OSF-2 expression was not elevated in cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines. OSF-2 was strongly expressed in tumor-associated fibroblasts, suggesting a tumor microenvironment-promoting function. Molecular cloning and expression studies of OSF-2 variants from patients identified an evolutionary conserved bona fide protein secretion signal (1MIPFLPMFSLLLLLIVNPINA21). OSF-2 enhanced cell migration and cellular survival under stress conditions, which could be mimicked by the extracellular administration of recombinant protein. Here, OSF-2 executes its functions via ß1 integrin, resulting in the phosphorylation of PI3K and activation of the Akt/PKB signaling pathway. Collectively, we suggest OSF-2 as a potential prognostic biomarker and drug target, promoting metastases by supporting the tumor microenvironment and lymph node metastases survival rather than by enhancing primary tumor proliferation or therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Gül
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Andrea Schweitzer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Aya Khamis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, El Azareta, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shirley K. Knauer
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Centre for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße, 45117 Essen, Germany;
| | - Guo-Bin Ding
- Institute of Biotechnology, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;
| | - Laura Freudelsperger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Ioannis Karampinis
- Academic Thoracic Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Jan Hagemann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Roland H. Stauber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Biotechnology, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;
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7
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Siemer S, Bauer TA, Scholz P, Breder C, Fenaroli F, Harms G, Dietrich D, Dietrich J, Rosenauer C, Barz M, Becker S, Strieth S, Reinhardt C, Fauth T, Hagemann J, Stauber RH. Targeting Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance by Precision Medicine-Driven Nanoparticle-Formulated Cisplatin. ACS NANO 2021; 15:18541-18556. [PMID: 34739225 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c08632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Therapy resistance is the major cause of cancer death. As patients respond heterogeneously, precision/personalized medicine needs to be considered, including the application of nanoparticles (NPs). The success of therapeutic NPs requires to first identify clinically relevant resistance mechanisms and to define key players, followed by a rational design of biocompatible NPs capable to target resistance. Consequently, we employed a tiered experimental pipeline from in silico to analytical and in vitro to overcome cisplatin resistance. First, we generated cisplatin-resistant cancer cells and used next-generation sequencing together with CRISPR/Cas9 knockout technology to identify the ion channel LRRC8A as a critical component for cisplatin resistance. LRRC8A's cisplatin-specificity was verified by testing free as well as nanoformulated paclitaxel or doxorubicin. The clinical relevance of LRRC8A was demonstrated by its differential expression in a cohort of 500 head and neck cancer patients, correlating with patient survival under cisplatin therapy. To overcome LRRC8A-mediated cisplatin resistance, we constructed cisplatin-loaded, polysarcosine-based core cross-linked polymeric NPs (NPCis, Ø ∼ 28 nm) with good colloidal stability, biocompatibility (low immunogenicity, low toxicity, prolonged in vivo circulation, no complement activation, no plasma protein aggregation), and low corona formation properties. 2D/3D-spheroid cell models were employed to demonstrate that, in contrast to standard of care cisplatin, NPCis significantly (p < 0.001) eradicated all cisplatin-resistant cells by circumventing the LRRC8A-transport pathway via the endocytic delivery route. We here identified LRRC8A as critical for cisplatin resistance and suggest LRRC8A-guided patient stratification for ongoing or prospective clinical studies assessing therapy resistance to nanoscale platinum drug nanoformulations versus current standard of care formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Siemer
- Nanobiomedicine/ENT Department, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias A Bauer
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paul Scholz
- BRAIN AG, Darmstaedter Straße 34, 64673 Zwingenberg, Germany
| | - Christina Breder
- Nanobiomedicine/ENT Department, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Federico Fenaroli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gregory Harms
- Cell Biology Unit, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christine Rosenauer
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Barz
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Tuebingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Reinhardt
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Torsten Fauth
- BRAIN AG, Darmstaedter Straße 34, 64673 Zwingenberg, Germany
| | - Jan Hagemann
- Nanobiomedicine/ENT Department, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Roland H Stauber
- Nanobiomedicine/ENT Department, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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8
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Jiang W, Pan S, Chen X, Wang ZW, Zhu X. The role of lncRNAs and circRNAs in the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:116. [PMID: 34496886 PMCID: PMC8424797 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has recently shown promising antitumor effects in various types of tumors. Among all immune checkpoints, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays an important role in the immune evasion of tumor cells, making it a potent target in antitumor immunity. Accordingly, antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have been developed to attack tumor cells; however, resistance to immune therapy remains to be solved. Hence, identification of the underlying modulators of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is of significant importance to understand the mechanisms of antitumor immunotherapy. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to regulate the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, leading to participation in the immune response and immunotherapy. Therefore, this review focuses on the functions of lncRNAs and circRNAs in regulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. We hope this review will stimulate research to supply more precise and effective cancer immune checkpoint therapies for a large number of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiao Jiang
- Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027 Zhejiang China
| | - Shuya Pan
- Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027 Zhejiang China
| | - Xin Chen
- Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027 Zhejiang China
| | - Zhi-wei Wang
- Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027 Zhejiang China
| | - Xueqiong Zhu
- Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027 Zhejiang China
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9
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Gül D, Habtemichael N, Dietrich D, Dietrich J, Gößwein D, Khamis A, Deuss E, Künzel J, Schneider G, Strieth S, Stauber RH. Identification of cytokeratin24 as a tumor suppressor for the management of head and neck cancer. Biol Chem 2021; 403:869-890. [PMID: 34450690 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To improve management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, we need to increase our understanding of carcinogenesis, to identify biomarkers, and drug targets. This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers by providing transcriptomics profiles of matched primary tumors, lymph node metastasis, and non-malignant tissue of 20 HNSCC patients as well as by bioinformatic analyses of a TCGA HNSCC cohort, comprising 554 patients. We provide cancer cell signaling networks differentially expressed in tumors versus metastases, such as mesenchymal-epithelial transition, and structural integrity networks. As a proof of principle study, we exploited the data sets and performed functional analyses of a novel cytokeratin, cytokeratin24 (cKRT24), which had not been described as biomarker for tumors before. Survival analysis revealed that low cKRT24 expression correlated with poor overall survival in HNSCC. Experimentally, downregulation of cKRT24 in primary tumors, metastases, and HNSCC cell lines was verified on mRNA and protein level. Cloning and ectopic overexpression of cKRT24 not only affected viability and growth of HNSSC cell lines, but also inhibited tumor growth in murine xenograft studies. We conclude that cKRT24 functions as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC, and may serve as an additional prognostic biomarker and novel target to support current HNSCC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Gül
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Negusse Habtemichael
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University Medical Center Bonn, D-53127Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University Medical Center Bonn, D-53127Bonn, Germany
| | - Dorothee Gößwein
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Aya Khamis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Eric Deuss
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, D-45147Essen, Germany
| | - Julian Künzel
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, University Hospital, D-93053Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, University Hospital, D-93053Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University Medical Center Bonn, D-53127Bonn, Germany
| | - Roland H Stauber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, D-55131Mainz, Germany
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