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Ostojić M, Đurić A, Živić K, Grahovac J. Analysis of the nischarin expression across human tumor types reveals its context-dependent role and a potential as a target for drug repurposing in oncology. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299685. [PMID: 38781180 PMCID: PMC11115306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nischarin was reported to be a tumor suppressor that plays a critical role in breast cancer initiation and progression, and a positive prognostic marker in breast, ovarian and lung cancers. Our group has found that nischarin had positive prognostic value in female melanoma patients, but negative in males. This opened up a question whether nischarin has tumor type-specific and sex-dependent roles in cancer progression. In this study, we systematically examined in the public databases the prognostic value of nischarin in solid tumors, regulation of its expression and associated signaling pathways. We also tested the effects of a nischarin agonist rilmenidine on cancer cell viability in vitro. Nischarin expression was decreased in tumors compared to the respective healthy tissues, most commonly due to the deletions of the nischarin gene and promoter methylation. Unlike in healthy tissues where it was located in the cytoplasm and at the membrane, in tumor tissues nischarin could also be observed in the nuclei, implying that nuclear translocation may also account for its cancer-specific role. Surprisingly, in several cancer types high nischarin expression was a negative prognostic marker. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that in tumors in which high nischarin expression was a negative prognostic marker, signaling pathways that regulate stemness were enriched. In concordance with the findings that nischarin expression was negatively associated with pathways that control cancer growth and progression, nischarin agonist rilmenidine decreased the viability of cancer cells in vitro. Taken together, our study lays a ground for functional studies of nischarin in a context-dependent manner and, given that nischarin has several clinically approved agonists, provides rationale for their repurposing, at least in tumors in which nischarin is predicted to be a positive prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Ostojić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Đurić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kristina Živić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Grahovac
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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Zhao Z, Wang R, Wang R, Song J, Ma F, Pan H, Gao C, Wang D, Chen X, Fan X. Pancancer analysis of the prognostic and immunological role of FANCD2: a potential target for carcinogenesis and survival. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:69. [PMID: 38443946 PMCID: PMC10916239 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has shed light on the significant role of FANCD2 in cancer initiation, development, and progression. However, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of FANCD2 has been lacking. In this study, we have conducted a thorough investigation into the expression profiles and prognostic significance of FANCD2, as well as its correlation with clinicopathological parameters and immune cell infiltration, using advanced bioinformatic techniques. The results demonstrate that FANCD2 is significantly upregulated in various common cancers and is associated with prognosis. Notably, higher expression levels of FANCD2 are linked to poor overall survival, as indicated by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Additionally, we have observed a decrease in the methylation of FANCD2 DNA in some cancers, and this decrease is inversely correlated with FANCD2 expression. Genetic alterations in FANCD2 predominantly manifest as mutations, which are associated with overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free survival, and progression-free survival in certain tumor types. Moreover, FANCD2 exhibits a strong correlation with infiltrating cell levels, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). Enrichment analysis further highlights the potential impact of FANCD2 on Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway and cell cycle regulation. Through this comprehensive pan-cancer analysis, we have gained a deeper understanding of the functions of FANCD2 in oncogenesis and metastasis across different types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zedan Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Ruyu Wang
- School of clinical medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330004, China
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jialing Song
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Fengjun Ma
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huafeng Pan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuiyun Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Deqiang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China.
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China.
| | - Xiangzhen Fan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China.
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Jing X, Qin X, Liu H, Liu H, Wang H, Qin J, Zhang Y, Cao S, Fan X. DNA damage response alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: clinical, molecular, and prognostic implications. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:107. [PMID: 38326910 PMCID: PMC10848511 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01678-x] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways modulate cancer risk, progression, and therapeutic responses. Nonetheless, the characteristics and significance of DDR alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain undefined. This study aimed to explore the predictive role, molecular mechanism, and tumor immune profile of DDR genes in ccRCC. METHODS We prospectively sequenced 757 tumors and matched blood DNA samples from Chinese patients with ccRCC using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and analyzed data from 537 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A comprehensive analysis was performed. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of Chinese patients with ccRCC harbored DDR gene mutations and 57% of TCGA patients. The immunotherapy treatment prognosis of patients with DDR gene mutations was superior to that of patients without DDR gene mutations (p = 0.047). DDR gene mutations were associated with more gene mutations and a higher tumor mutation load (TMB, p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with DDR gene mutations have a distinct mutational signature compared with those with wild-type DDR. Furthermore, the DDR-mut group had elevated neoantigen load (including single-nucleotide variants (SNV) and indel neoantigen load, p = 0.037 and p = 0.002, respectively), TCR Shannon (p = 0.025), and neutrophils (p = 0.010). DDR gene mutations exhibited a distinct immune profile with significantly higher expression levels of TNFSF9, CD70, ICAM1, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and lower expression levels of VTCN1 and IL12A. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the detection of somatic mutations in DDR genes can predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with ccRCC. Furthermore, we revealed the unique molecular and immune mechanisms underlying ccRCC with DDR gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Jing
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangcheng Qin
- Department of Urology, Ningbo Urology and Nephrology Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanhuan Liu
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Huina Wang
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jiayue Qin
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yanui Zhang
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Shanbo Cao
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Fan
- Department of Urology, Ningbo Urology and Nephrology Hospital, Ningbo, China.
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Huang X, Ren Q, Yang L, Cui D, Ma C, Zheng Y, Wu J. Immunogenic chemotherapy: great potential for improving response rates. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1308681. [PMID: 38125944 PMCID: PMC10732354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1308681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of anti-tumor immunity is critical in treating cancers. Recent studies indicate that several chemotherapy agents can stimulate anti-tumor immunity by inducing immunogenic cell death and durably eradicate tumors. This suggests that immunogenic chemotherapy holds great potential for improving response rates. However, chemotherapy in practice has only had limited success in inducing long-term survival or cure of cancers when used either alone or in combination with immunotherapy. We think that this is because the importance of dose, schedule, and tumor model dependence of chemotherapy-activated anti-tumor immunity is under-appreciated. Here, we review immune modulation function of representative chemotherapy agents and propose a model of immunogenic chemotherapy-induced long-lasting responses that rely on synergetic interaction between killing tumor cells and inducing anti-tumor immunity. We comb through several chemotherapy treatment schedules, and identify the needs for chemotherapy dose and schedule optimization and combination therapy with immunotherapy when chemotherapy dosage or immune responsiveness is too low. We further review tumor cell intrinsic factors that affect the optimal chemotherapy dose and schedule. Lastly, we review the biomarkers indicating responsiveness to chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy treatments. A deep understanding of how chemotherapy activates anti-tumor immunity and how to monitor its responsiveness can lead to the development of more effective chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy, thereby improving the efficacy of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Huang
- Cancer Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinghuan Ren
- Alberta Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Leixiang Yang
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Cui
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenyang Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yueliang Zheng
- Cancer Center, Emergency and Critical Care Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Xu Y, Nowsheen S, Deng M. DNA Repair Deficiency Regulates Immunity Response in Cancers: Molecular Mechanism and Approaches for Combining Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051619. [PMID: 36900418 PMCID: PMC10000854 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in DNA repair pathways can lead to genomic instability in multiple tumor types, which contributes to tumor immunogenicity. Inhibition of DNA damage response (DDR) has been reported to increase tumor susceptibility to anticancer immunotherapy. However, the interplay between DDR and the immune signaling pathways remains unclear. In this review, we will discuss how a deficiency in DDR affects anti-tumor immunity, highlighting the cGAS-STING axis as an important link. We will also review the clinical trials that combine DDR inhibition and immune-oncology treatments. A better understanding of these pathways will help exploit cancer immunotherapy and DDR pathways to improve treatment outcomes for various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Somaira Nowsheen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92122, USA
- Correspondence: (S.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Min Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Correspondence: (S.N.); (M.D.)
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