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Senapati D, Sharma V, Rath SK, Rai U, Panigrahi N. Functional implications and therapeutic targeting of androgen response elements in prostate cancer. Biochimie 2023; 214:188-198. [PMID: 37460038 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.012] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) plays an essential role in the growth and progression of prostate cancer (CaP). Ligand-activated AR inside the nucleus binds to the androgen response element (ARE) of the target genes in dimeric form and recruits transcriptional machinery to facilitate gene transcription. Pharmacological compounds that inhibit the AR action either bind to the ligand binding domain (LBD) or interfere with the interactions of AR with other co-regulatory proteins, slowing the progression of the disease. However, the emergence of resistance to conventional treatment makes clinical management of CaP difficult. Resistance has been associated with activation of androgen/AR axis that restores AR transcriptional activity. Activated AR signaling in resistance cases can be mediated by several mechanisms including AR amplification, gain-of-function AR mutations, androgen receptor variant (ARVs), intracrine androgen production, and overexpression of AR coactivators. Importantly, in castration resistant prostate cancer, ARVs lacking the LBD become constitutively active and promote hormone-independent development, underlining the need to concentrate on the other domain or the AR-DNA interface for the identification of novel actionable targets. In this review, we highlight the plasticity of AR-DNA binding and explain how fine-tuning AR's cooperative interactions with DNA translate into developing an alternative strategy to antagonize AR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhirodatta Senapati
- GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Vikas Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Santosh Kumar Rath
- School of Pharmaceuticals and Population Health Informatics, DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Uddipak Rai
- School of Pharmaceuticals and Population Health Informatics, DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Naresh Panigrahi
- GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
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2
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Zhou X, Zhang P, Aryal S, Zhang L, Lu R. UTX loss alters therapeutic responses in KMT2A-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:226-230. [PMID: 36309561 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Pengcheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Sajesan Aryal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Lixia Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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3
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Transcription analysis of a histones modifiers panel coupled with critical tumor suppressor genes displayed frequent changes in patients with AML.: mRNA levels of histones modifiers and TSGs in AML. Curr Res Transl Med 2021; 69:103311. [PMID: 34455155 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2021.103311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations could cause leukemia through the activation of normally silent loci or silencing of normally active loci. We herein aimed to compare the expression patterns of a histone modifiers panel consisted of SUV39H1, PRDM16, UHRF2, KDM2B, and KDM3C between acute myeloid leukemia(AML) cells and normal cells and to assess the correlation of these genes with the expression of vital tumor suppressor genes, including p16INK4A and p53. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of 50 AML patients at diagnosis and also 18 subjects with a normal hematopoietic system as a control group were obtained after informed consent. Then, qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of the aforementioned genes. We found a broad alteration in the expression signature of five out of seven studied genes in AML patients as compared with the control group. UHRF2 and p53 were remarkably downregulated in AML patients (P<0.001), while SUV39H1, PRDM16, and KDM3C were significantly overexpressed (P<0.01). Based on the Spearman rank correlation, SUV39H1 and KDM2B negatively regulated both p16INK4A and p53 expression. Taken together, our findings provided preliminary evidence regarding the pervasive mRNA perturbation of histone modifiers and their plausible influences on critical tumor suppressor genes. Future studies in this area would be required to assist in establishing these results in the clinical practice of AML patients.
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Abstract
The genetic information of human cells is stored in the context of chromatin, which is subjected to DNA methylation and various histone modifications. Such a 'language' of chromatin modification constitutes a fundamental means of gene and (epi)genome regulation, underlying a myriad of cellular and developmental processes. In recent years, mounting evidence has demonstrated that miswriting, misreading or mis-erasing of the modification language embedded in chromatin represents a common, sometimes early and pivotal, event across a wide range of human cancers, contributing to oncogenesis through the induction of epigenetic, transcriptomic and phenotypic alterations. It is increasingly clear that cancer-related metabolic perturbations and oncohistone mutations also directly impact chromatin modification, thereby promoting cancerous transformation. Phase separation-based deregulation of chromatin modulators and chromatin structure is also emerging to be an important underpinning of tumorigenesis. Understanding the various molecular pathways that underscore a misregulated chromatin language in cancer, together with discovery and development of more effective drugs to target these chromatin-related vulnerabilities, will enhance treatment of human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - C David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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5
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Mesothelin is a novel cell surface disease marker and potential therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv 2021; 5:2350-2361. [PMID: 33938941 PMCID: PMC8114558 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In an effort to identify acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-restricted targets for therapeutic development in AML, we analyzed the transcriptomes of 2051 children and young adults with AML and compared the expression profile with normal marrow specimens. This analysis identified a large cohort of AML-restricted genes with high expression in AML, but low to no expression in normal hematopoiesis. Mesothelin (MSLN), a known therapeutic target in solid tumors, was shown to be highly overexpressed in 36% of the AML cohort (range, 5-1077.6 transcripts per million [TPM]) and virtually absent in normal marrow (range, 0.1-10.7 TPM). We verified MSLN transcript expression by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, confirmed cell surface protein expression on leukemic blasts by multidimensional flow cytometry, and demonstrated that MSLN expression was associated with promoter hypomethylation. MSLN was highly expressed in patients with KMT2A rearrangements (P < .001), core-binding factor fusions [inv(16)/t(16;16), P < .001; t(8;21), P < .001], and extramedullary disease (P = .001). We also demonstrated the presence of soluble MSLN in diagnostic serum specimens using an MSLN-directed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro and in vivo preclinical efficacy of the MSLN-directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) anetumab ravtansine and anti-MSLN-DGN462 were evaluated in MSLN+ leukemia cell lines in vitro and in vivo, as well as in patient-derived xenografts. Treatment with ADCs resulted in potent target-dependent cytotoxicity in MSLN+ AML. In this study, we demonstrate that MSLN is expressed in a significant proportion of patients with AML and holds significant promise as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in AML, and that MSLN-directed therapeutic strategies, including ADCs, warrant further clinical investigation.
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Enhanced cytarabine-induced killing in OGG1-deficient acute myeloid leukemia cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2016833118. [PMID: 33836581 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016833118] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human clinical trials suggest that inhibition of enzymes in the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway, such as PARP1 and APE1, can be useful in anticancer strategies when combined with certain DNA-damaging agents or tumor-specific genetic deficiencies. There is also evidence suggesting that inhibition of the BER enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1), which initiates repair of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy-dG), could be useful in treating certain cancers. Specifically, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), both the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion and the CBFB-MYH11 subtypes have lower levels of OGG1 expression, which correlate with increased therapeutic-induced cell cytotoxicity and good prognosis for improved, relapse-free survival compared with other AML patients. Here we present data demonstrating that AML cell lines deficient in OGG1 have enhanced sensitivity to cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside [Ara-C]) relative to OGG1-proficient cells. This enhanced cytotoxicity correlated with endogenous oxidatively-induced DNA damage and Ara-C-induced DNA strand breaks, with a large proportion of these breaks occurring at common fragile sites. This lethality was highly specific for Ara-C treatment of AML cells deficient in OGG1, with no other replication stress-inducing agents showing a correlation between cell killing and low OGG1 levels. The mechanism for this preferential toxicity was addressed using in vitro replication assays in which DNA polymerase δ was shown to insert Ara-C opposite 8-oxo-dG, resulting in termination of DNA synthesis. Overall, these data suggest that incorporation of Ara-C opposite unrepaired 8-oxo-dG may be the fundamental mechanism conferring selective toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness in OGG1-deficient AML cells.
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7
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Chen C, Xu L, Gao R, Wang S, Zhang Y, Wang C, Zeng C, Li Y. Transcriptome-Based Co-Expression of BRD4 and PD-1/PD-L1 Predicts Poor Overall Survival in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:582955. [PMID: 33658927 PMCID: PMC7917577 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.582955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockades was observed in the treatment of solid tumors. However, the clinical response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade varied in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is thought that there are factors other than PD-1 and PD-L1 that may affect the effect of immunotherapy. This study explored the impact of transcriptome-based co-expression of bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) and PD-1/PD-L1 on the overall survival (OS) of patients with AML, in order to understand whether BRD4 would affect the effect of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades. Bone marrow samples from 59 AML patients in our clinical center and data of 176 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used for OS analysis and validation. It was found that increased expression of BRD4 was associated with poor OS in AML patients. Moreover, co-expression of BRD4 with PD-1 or PD-L1 was related to poor OS. The co-expression of BRD4 and PD-L1 was better than BRD4 and PD-1 for OS prediction. Furthermore, co-expression of BRD4 and PD-L1 was positively correlated with high tumor mutation burden, which contributed to poor OS in AML patients. Additionally, the co-expression of BRD4 and PD-L1 was associated with poor OS in non-acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with intermediate/high risk or under 60 years. Our results suggest that transcriptome-based co-expression of BRD4 and PD-L1 is a predictor for poor OS in AML patients, which might provide novel insight into designing combinational targeted therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunte Chen
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, The Clinical Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rili Gao
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunqing Wang
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengwu Zeng
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Wong NHM, So CWE. Novel therapeutic strategies for MLL-rearranged leukemias. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194584. [PMID: 32534041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MLL rearrangement is one of the key drivers and generally regarded as an independent poor prognostic marker in acute leukemias. The standard of care for MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years despite unsatisfying clinical outcomes, so there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that a vast number of epigenetic regulators are directly or indirectly involved in MLL-r leukemia, and they are responsible for supporting the aberrant gene expression program mediated by MLL-fusions. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications can be reversed by pharmacologic targeting of the responsible epigenetic regulators. This leads to significant interest in developing epigenetic therapies for MLL-r leukemia. Intriguingly, many of the epigenetic enzymes also involve in DNA damage response (DDR), which can be potential targets for synthetic lethality-induced therapies. In this review, we will summarize some of the recent advances in the development of epigenetic and DDR therapeutics by targeting epigenetic regulators or protein complexes that mediate MLL-r leukemia gene expression program and key players in DDR that safeguard essential genome integrity. The rationale and molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects will also be discussed with a focus on how these treatments can disrupt MLL-fusion mediated transcriptional programs and impair DDR, which may help overcome treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nok-Hei Mickey Wong
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK.
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9
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Illiano M, Conte M, Salzillo A, Ragone A, Spina A, Nebbioso A, Altucci L, Sapio L, Naviglio S. The KDM Inhibitor GSKJ4 Triggers CREB Downregulation via a Protein Kinase A and Proteasome-Dependent Mechanism in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:799. [PMID: 32582541 PMCID: PMC7289982 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a progressive hematopoietic-derived cancer arising from stepwise genetic mutations of the myeloid lineage. cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a nuclear transcription factor, which plays a key role in the multistep process of leukemogenesis, thus emerging as an attractive potential drug target for AML treatment. Since epigenetic dysregulations, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, as well as chromatin remodeling, are a frequent occurrence in AML, an increasing and selective number of epi-drugs are emerging as encouraging therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate that the histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) JMJD3/UTX inhibitor GSKJ4 results in both proliferation decrease and CREB protein downregulation in AML cells. We found that GSKJ4 clearly decreases CREB protein, but not CREB mRNA levels. By cycloheximide assay, we provide evidence that GSKJ4 reduces CREB protein stability; moreover, proteasome inhibition largely counteracts the GSKJ4-induced CREB downregulation. Very interestingly, a rapid CREB phosphorylation at the Ser133 residue precedes CREB protein decrease in response to GSKJ4 treatment. In addition, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibition, almost completely prevents both GSKJ4-induced p-Ser133-CREB phosphorylation and CREB protein downregulation. Overall, our study enforces the evidence regarding CREB as a potential druggable target, identifies the small epigenetic molecule GSKJ4 as an “inhibitor” of CREB, and encourages the design of future GSKJ4-based studies for the development of innovative approaches for AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Illiano
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Conte
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Salzillo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Ragone
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Spina
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Sapio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvio Naviglio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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10
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Schütte J, Reusch J, Khandanpour C, Eisfeld C. Structural Variants as a Basis for Targeted Therapies in Hematological Malignancies. Front Oncol 2019; 9:839. [PMID: 31555592 PMCID: PMC6722867 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural variants (SV) are changes in the genomic landscape that can alter gene expression levels and thus lead to disease development. The most common and best studied SVs in hematological malignancies are chromosomal translocations. Here, parts of two genes that are normally on different chromosomes come into close proximity due to a failure in DNA repair. As a consequence, fusion proteins which show a different function and/or cellular localization compared to the two original proteins are expressed, sometimes even at different levels. The identification of chromosomal translocations is often used to identify the specific disease a patient is suffering from. In addition, SVs such as deletions, duplications, inversions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can occur in hematopoietic cells and lead to their malignant transformations. Changes in the 3D genome structure have also recently been shown to impact disease development. In this review, we describe a variety of SVs occurring in different subtypes of hematological malignancies. Currently, most therapeutic approaches target fusion proteins which are the cellular product of chromosomal translocations. However, amplifications and SNPs also play a role in disease progression and can be targeted. We present some examples for different types of structural variants and how they are currently treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Schütte
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julia Reusch
- Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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11
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Li J, Ahn JH, Wang GG. Understanding histone H3 lysine 36 methylation and its deregulation in disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2899-2916. [PMID: 31147750 PMCID: PMC11105573 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) plays crucial roles in the partitioning of chromatin to distinctive domains and the regulation of a wide range of biological processes. Trimethylation of H3K36 (H3K36me3) demarcates body regions of the actively transcribed genes, providing signals for modulating transcription fidelity, mRNA splicing and DNA damage repair; and di-methylation of H3K36 (H3K36me2) spreads out within large intragenic regions, regulating distribution of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and possibly DNA methylation. These H3K36 methylation-mediated events are biologically crucial and controlled by different classes of proteins responsible for either 'writing', 'reading' or 'erasing' of H3K36 methylation marks. Deregulation of H3K36 methylation and related regulatory factors leads to pathogenesis of disease such as developmental syndrome and cancer. Additionally, recurrent mutations of H3K36 and surrounding histone residues are detected in human tumors, further highlighting the importance of H3K36 in biology and medicine. This review will elaborate on current advances in understanding H3K36 methylation and related molecular players during various chromatin-templated cellular processes, their crosstalks with other chromatin factors, as well as their deregulations in the diseased contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jeong Hyun Ahn
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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12
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Golub D, Iyengar N, Dogra S, Wong T, Bready D, Tang K, Modrek AS, Placantonakis DG. Mutant Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors as Targeted Cancer Therapeutics. Front Oncol 2019; 9:417. [PMID: 31165048 PMCID: PMC6534082 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of heterozygous neomorphic isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations across multiple cancer types including both solid and hematologic malignancies has revolutionized our understanding of oncogenesis in these malignancies and the potential for targeted therapeutics using small molecule inhibitors. The neomorphic mutation in IDH generates an oncometabolite product, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which has been linked to the disruption of metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for cellular differentiation and is likely an early and critical contributor to oncogenesis. In the past 2 years, two mutant IDH (mutIDH) inhibitors, Enasidenib (AG-221), and Ivosidenib (AG-120), have been FDA-approved for IDH-mutant relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on phase 1 safety and efficacy data and continue to be studied in trials in hematologic malignancies, as well as in glioma, cholangiocarcinoma, and chondrosarcoma. In this review, we will summarize the molecular pathways and oncogenic consequences associated with mutIDH with a particular emphasis on glioma and AML, and systematically review the development and preclinical testing of mutIDH inhibitors. Existing clinical data in both hematologic and solid tumors will likewise be reviewed followed by a discussion on the potential limitations of mutIDH inhibitor monotherapy and potential routes for treatment optimization using combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Golub
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Clinical and Translational Science Institute, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nishanth Iyengar
- New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Siddhant Dogra
- New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Taylor Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Devin Bready
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Karen Tang
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aram S Modrek
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dimitris G Placantonakis
- Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Brain Tumor Center, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States.,Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
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13
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Mio C, Bulotta S, Russo D, Damante G. Reading Cancer: Chromatin Readers as Druggable Targets for Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010061. [PMID: 30634442 PMCID: PMC6356452 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic machinery deputed to control histone post-translational modifications is frequently dysregulated in cancer cells. With epigenetics being naturally reversible, it represents a good target for therapies directed to restore normal gene expression. Since the discovery of Bromodomain and Extra Terminal (BET) inhibitors, a great effort has been spent investigating the effects of chromatin readers’ inhibition, specifically the class of proteins assigned to bind acetylated and methylated residues. So far, focused studies have been produced on epigenetic regulation, dissecting a specific class of epigenetic-related proteins or investigating epigenetic therapy in a specific tumor type. In this review, recent steps toward drug discovery on the different classes of chromatin readers have been outlined, highlighting the pros and cons of current therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Mio
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
- Medical Genetics Institute, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
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Mercher T, Schwaller J. Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): From Genes to Models Toward Targeted Therapeutic Intervention. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:401. [PMID: 31681706 PMCID: PMC6803505 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the genetic lesions driving pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), emerging biological concepts, and strategies for therapeutic intervention. Hereby, we focus on lesions that preferentially or exclusively occur in pediatric patients and molecular markers of aggressive disease with often poor outcome including fusion oncogenes that involve epigenetic regulators like KMT2A, NUP98, or CBFA2T3, respectively. Functional studies were able to demonstrate cooperation with signaling mutations leading to constitutive activation of FLT3 or the RAS signal transduction pathways. We discuss the issues faced to faithfully model pediatric acute leukemia in mice. Emerging experimental evidence suggests that the disease phenotype is dependent on the appropriate expression and activity of the driver fusion oncogenes during a particular window of opportunity during fetal development. We also highlight biochemical studies that deciphered some molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation by KMT2A, NUP98, and CBFA2T3 fusions, which, in some instances, allowed the development of small molecules with potent anti-leukemic activities in preclinical models (e.g., inhibitors of the KMT2A-MENIN interaction). Finally, we discuss other potential therapeutic strategies that not only target driver fusion-controlled signals but also interfere with the transformed cell state either by exploiting the primed apoptosis or vulnerable metabolic states or by increasing tumor cell recognition and elimination by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mercher
- INSERM U1170, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Gustave Roussy Institute, Université Paris Diderot, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Juerg Schwaller
- Department of Biomedicine, University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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15
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Cai L, Tsai YH, Wang P, Wang J, Li D, Fan H, Zhao Y, Bareja R, Lu R, Wilson EM, Sboner A, Whang YE, Zheng D, Parker JS, Earp HS, Wang GG. ZFX Mediates Non-canonical Oncogenic Functions of the Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 in Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Mol Cell 2018; 72:341-354.e6. [PMID: 30270106 PMCID: PMC6214474 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) is crucial for prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. We show that, independent of ligand, AR-V7 binds both androgen-responsive elements (AREs) and non-canonical sites distinct from full-length AR (AR-FL) targets. Consequently, AR-V7 not only recapitulates AR-FL's partial functions but also regulates an additional gene expression program uniquely via binding to gene promoters rather than ARE enhancers. AR-V7 binding and AR-V7-mediated activation at these unique targets do not require FOXA1 but rely on ZFX and BRD4. Knockdown of ZFX or select unique targets of AR-V7/ZFX, or BRD4 inhibition, suppresses growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. We also define an AR-V7 direct target gene signature that correlates with AR-V7 expression in primary tumors, differentiates metastatic prostate cancer from normal, and predicts poor prognosis. Thus, AR-V7 has both ARE/FOXA1 canonical and ZFX-directed non-canonical regulatory functions in the evolution of anti-androgen therapeutic resistance, providing information to guide effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Cai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yi-Hsuan Tsai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dongxu Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Huitao Fan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rohan Bareja
- Meyer Cancer Center and Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Wilson
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrea Sboner
- Meyer Cancer Center and Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Young E Whang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Joel S Parker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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16
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Illiano M, Conte M, Sapio L, Nebbioso A, Spina A, Altucci L, Naviglio S. Forskolin Sensitizes Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells to H3K27me2/3 Demethylases GSKJ4 Inhibitor via Protein Kinase A. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:792. [PMID: 30079022 PMCID: PMC6063003 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy occurring very often in older adults, with poor prognosis depending on both rapid disease progression and drug resistance occurrence. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are demanded. Epigenetic marks play a relevant role in AML. GSKJ4 is a novel inhibitor of the histone demethylases JMJD3 and UTX. To note GSKJ4 has been recently shown to act as a potent small molecule inhibitor of the proliferation in many cancer cell types. On the other hand, forskolin, a natural cAMP raising compound, used for a long time in traditional medicine and considered safe also in recent studies, is emerging as a very interesting molecule for possible use in cancer therapy. Here, we investigate the effects of forskolin on the sensitivity of human leukemia U937 cells to GSKJ4 through flow cytometry-based assays (cell-cycle progression and cell death), cell number counting, and immunoblotting experiments. We provide evidence that forskolin markedly potentiates GSKJ4-induced antiproliferative effects by apoptotic cell death induction, accompanied by a dramatic BCL2 protein down-regulation as well as caspase 3 activation and PARP protein cleavage. Comparable effects are observed with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX and 8-Br-cAMP analogous, but not by using 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP Epac activator. Moreover, the forskolin-induced enhancement of sensitivity to GSKJ4 is counteracted by pre-treatment with Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitors. Altogether, our data strongly suggest that forskolin sensitizes U937 cells to GSKJ4 inhibitor via a cAMP/PKA-mediated mechanism. Our findings provide initial evidence of anticancer activity induced by forskolin/GSKJ4 combination in leukemia cells and underline the potential for use of forskolin and GSKJ4 in the development of innovative and effective therapeutic approaches for AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Illiano
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Sapio
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Spina
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Silvio Naviglio
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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