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Biswal D, Brijwal M, Choudhary A, Kakkar A, Pramanik R, Thakar A, Dar L. Association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Experience from a North Indian tertiary care hospital. Indian J Med Microbiol 2024; 51:100699. [PMID: 39111666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2024.100699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), arising from nasopharyngeal epithelium is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is common in South China, South East Asia and North East India. The aim and objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of EBV in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections of clinically suspected NPC patients, correlate the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with histopathology findings, and to determine the utility of tissue EBV DNA as a diagnostic bio-marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS 31 FFPE tissue samples were collected from clinically suspected NPC patients from April 2018-December 2019. Histopathological diagnosis was done by examination of Hematoxylin and Eosin stained slides. Presence of EBV was detected by EBNA-1 PCR. IHC was performed using EBV Latent Membrane Protein 1. RESULTS Of the 31 clinically suspected NPC cases, 15 (48.4 %) were histopathological confirmed NPC. Of these15, 13 (86.6 %) were non-keratinising undifferentiated NPC, and one each were keratinising NPC and non-keratinising differentiated NPC respectively. EBV EBNA1 PCR was positive in 35.5 % (11/31) of clinically suspected NPC cases. Of the 11 PCR positive cases, 9 (81.8 %) were histopathological confirmed NPC. Of the 31 clinically suspected NPC cases, IHC was indicated in 23 biopsies. Of which, 12 (52.2 %) were positive for LMP1 in the abnormal cells. Of the 12 IHC positive samples, 10 were NPC cases. CONCLUSION EBV DNA as an indicator towards NPC among clinically suspected cases had a sensitivity of 60 % and specificity of 87.5 %. In this study, addition of EBV DNA detection by PCR from FFPE tissue sections could confirm EBV association in 20 % of cases where it was not detected by EBV LMP1 IHC, thus helped in increasing the detection of EBV positivity in NPC cases. Early diagnosis of NPC will improve the cure rate and hence reduce the morbidity and mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasish Biswal
- Department of Microbiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
| | - Megha Brijwal
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Aashish Choudhary
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Aanchal Kakkar
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Raja Pramanik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Alok Thakar
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Lalit Dar
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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Bhattacharyya M, Medhi PP, Sharma P, Nath J, Kalita AK, Roy PS, Rahman T, Yanthan Y. Patterns of failure in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer of Northeastern region of India: a retrospective observational study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:3743-3753. [PMID: 38578506 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08624-x] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to analyze patterns of failure and disease volume-treatment outcomes in patients with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with definitive radiation with or without concurrent chemotherapy at a tertiary cancer centre in northeast India. METHODS From February 2018 to February 2022, 99 histopathologically proved non-metastatic NPC patients treated with curative-intent RT with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Locally advanced patients received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the impact of various prognostic factors on locoregional free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meir curves compared outcome variables based on ROC analysis-classified tumor volume. RESULTS During a median follow up of 25.4 months (17.3-39.2), 35(35.4%) patients developed recurrence. Twenty-three patients developed locoregional failures, of which 11 were in-field; 12 patient showed an out-field failure. The 3-year LRFS, DMFS, PFS and OS was 71.10%, 70.90%, 64.10% and 74.10% respectively. There was statistically significant difference in LRFS according to T staging (p < 0.0001). Gross tumor volume (GTVp) and gross nodal volume (GTVn) were an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS, LRFS and DMFS. The cut-off volumes for GTVp and GTVn for distant metastases and locoregional failure, respectively, were found to be 13 and 22.7 mL and 3.7 and 39.2 mL, respectively, by ROC curve analysis. Based on this, 99 patients were divided into three subgroups. OS demonstrated significant differences among patients in different volume subgroups for GTVp (p = 0.03) and GTVn (p = 0.00024). CONCLUSIONS For NPC patients who undergo curative IMRT, primary tumour and nodal volumes are independent prognostic indicators. GTVp and GTVn are highly predictive of local control, distant metastases, disease-free survival, and overall survival. This justifies their use as quantitative prognostic indicator for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Partha Pratim Medhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Prashasti Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr. E Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
| | - Jyotiman Nath
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Apurba Kumar Kalita
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Partha Sarathi Roy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Tashnin Rahman
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Yanpothung Yanthan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
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Wu M, Hau PM, Li L, Tsang CM, Yang Y, Taghbalout A, Chung GTY, Hui SY, Tang WC, Jillette N, Zhu JJ, Lee HHY, Kong EL, Chan MSA, Chan JYK, Ma BBY, Chen MR, Lee C, To KF, Cheng AW, Lo KW. Synthetic BZLF1-targeted transcriptional activator for efficient lytic induction therapy against EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3729. [PMID: 38702330 PMCID: PMC11068728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48031-8] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The unique virus-cell interaction in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies implies targeting the viral latent-lytic switch is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the lack of specific and efficient therapeutic agents to induce lytic cycle in these cancers is a major challenge facing clinical implementation. We develop a synthetic transcriptional activator that specifically activates endogenous BZLF1 and efficiently induces lytic reactivation in EBV-positive cancer cells. A lipid nanoparticle encapsulating nucleoside-modified mRNA which encodes a BZLF1-specific transcriptional activator (mTZ3-LNP) is synthesized for EBV-targeted therapy. Compared with conventional chemical inducers, mTZ3-LNP more efficiently activates EBV lytic gene expression in EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Here we show the potency and safety of treatment with mTZ3-LNP to suppress tumor growth in EBV-positive cancer models. The combination of mTZ3-LNP and ganciclovir yields highly selective cytotoxic effects of mRNA-based lytic induction therapy against EBV-positive tumor cells, indicating the potential of mRNA nanomedicine in the treatment of EBV-associated epithelial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pok Man Hau
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Linxian Li
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yike Yang
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Chemistry and Green Catalysis Center, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Aziz Taghbalout
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Grace Tin-Yun Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shin Yee Hui
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing Chung Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Jacqueline Jufen Zhu
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Horace Hok Yeung Lee
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ee Ling Kong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Melissa Sue Ann Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason Ying Kuen Chan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brigette Buig Yue Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Charlie Lee Precision Immuno-oncology program, Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mei-Ru Chen
- Graduate Institute and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Charles Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Albert Wu Cheng
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Wang Y, Zhang W, Shi R, Luo Y, Feng Z, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Zhou Y, Liang J, Ye X, Feng Q, Zhang X, Xu M. Identification of HLA-A*11:01 and A*02:01-Restricted EBV Peptides Using HLA Peptidomics. Viruses 2024; 16:669. [PMID: 38793551 PMCID: PMC11125987 DOI: 10.3390/v16050669] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is closely linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), notably prevalent in southern China. Although type II latency of EBV plays a crucial role in the development of NPC, some lytic genes and intermittent reactivation are also critical for viral propagation and tumor progression. Since T cell-mediated immunity is effective in targeted killing of EBV-positive cells, it is important to identify EBV-derived peptides presented by highly prevalent human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) molecules throughout the EBV life cycle. Here, we constructed an EBV-positive NPC cell model to evaluate the presentation of EBV lytic phase peptides on streptavidin-tagged specific HLA-I molecules. Utilizing a mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based immunopeptidomic approach, we characterized eleven novel EBV peptides as well as two previously identified peptides. Furthermore, we determined these peptides were immunogenic and could stimulate PBMCs from EBV VCA/NA-IgA positive donors in an NPC endemic southern Chinese population. Overall, this work demonstrates that highly prevalent HLA-I-specific EBV peptides can be captured and functionally presented to elicit immune responses in an in vitro model, which provides insight into the epitopes presented during EBV lytic cycle and reactivation. It expands the range of viral targets for potential NPC early diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Wanlin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Ruona Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China; (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Yanran Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Zhenhuan Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China; (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Yanhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Qiuting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Jingtong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Xiaoping Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Qisheng Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China; (R.S.); (Z.F.)
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Miao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (Y.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (Q.F.)
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Chai AWY, Yee SM, Lee HM, Abdul Aziz N, Yee PS, Marzuki M, Wong KW, Chiang AK, Chow LKY, Dai W, Liu TF, Tan LP, Khoo ASB, Lo KW, Lim PV, Rajadurai P, Lightfoot H, Barthorpe S, Garnett MJ, Cheong SC. Establishment and Characterization of an Epstein-Barr Virus-positive Cell Line from a Non-keratinizing Differentiated Primary Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:645-659. [PMID: 38358347 PMCID: PMC10911800 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer that is etiologically associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is endemic in Southern China and Southeast Asia. The scarcity of representative NPC cell lines owing to the frequent loss of EBV episomes following prolonged propagation and compromised authenticity of previous models underscores the critical need for new EBV-positive NPC models. Herein, we describe the establishment of a new EBV-positive NPC cell line, designated NPC268 from a primary non-keratinizing, differentiated NPC tissue. NPC268 can undergo productive lytic reactivation of EBV and is highly tumorigenic in immunodeficient mice. Whole-genome sequencing revealed close similarities with the tissue of origin, including large chromosomal rearrangements, while whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA sequencing demonstrated a hypomethylated genome and enrichment in immune-related pathways, respectively. Drug screening of NPC268 together with six other NPC cell lines using 339 compounds, representing the largest high-throughput drug testing in NPC, revealed biomarkers associated with specific drug classes. NPC268 represents the first and only available EBV-positive non-keratinizing differentiated NPC model, and extensive genomic, methylomic, transcriptomic, and drug response data should facilitate research in EBV and NPC, where current models are limited. SIGNIFICANCE NPC268 is the first and only EBV-positive cell line derived from a primary non-keratinizing, differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma, an understudied but important subtype in Southeast Asian countries. This model adds to the limited number of authentic EBV-positive lines globally that will facilitate mechanistic studies and drug development for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shi Mun Yee
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Hui Mei Lee
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Norazlin Abdul Aziz
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
| | - Pei San Yee
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Marini Marzuki
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Ka Wo Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Alan K.S. Chiang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Larry Ka-Yue Chow
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Teng Fei Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Lu Ping Tan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Alan Soo Beng Khoo
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation and School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | | | - Pathmanathan Rajadurai
- Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Malaysia
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | | | - Syd Barthorpe
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sok Ching Cheong
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Malaysia
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6
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Torne AS, Robertson ES. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Latent Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Associated Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:991. [PMID: 38473352 PMCID: PMC10931536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a double-stranded DNA-based human tumor virus that was first isolated in 1964 from lymphoma biopsies. Since its initial discovery, EBV has been identified as a major contributor to numerous cancers and chronic autoimmune disorders. The virus is particularly efficient at infecting B-cells but can also infect epithelial cells, utilizing an array of epigenetic strategies to establish long-term latent infection. The association with histone modifications, alteration of DNA methylation patterns in host and viral genomes, and microRNA targeting of host cell factors are core epigenetic strategies that drive interactions between host and virus, which are necessary for viral persistence and progression of EBV-associated diseases. Therefore, understanding epigenetic regulation and its role in post-entry viral dynamics is an elusive area of EBV research. Here, we present current outlooks of EBV epigenetic regulation as it pertains to viral interactions with its host during latent infection and its propensity to induce tumorigenesis. We review the important epigenetic regulators of EBV latency and explore how the strategies involved during latent infection drive differential epigenetic profiles and host-virus interactions in EBV-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erle S. Robertson
- Tumor Virology Program, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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7
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Hartman-Houstman H, Swenson S, Minea RO, Sinha UK, Chiang MF, Chen TC, Schönthal AH. Activation of Epstein-Barr Virus' Lytic Cycle in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by NEO212, a Conjugate of Perillyl Alcohol and Temozolomide. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:936. [PMID: 38473298 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is accepted as a primary risk factor for certain nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) subtypes, where the virus persists in a latent stage which is thought to contribute to tumorigenesis. Current treatments are sub-optimal, and recurrence occurs in many cases. An alternative therapeutic concept is aimed at triggering the lytic cycle of EBV selectively in tumor cells as a means to add clinical benefit. While compounds able to stimulate the lytic cascade have been identified, their clinical application so far has been limited. We are developing a novel anticancer molecule, NEO212, that was generated by covalent conjugation of the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) to the naturally occurring monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH). In the current study, we investigated its potential to trigger the lytic cycle of EBV in NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. We used the established C666.1 cell line and primary patient cells derived from the brain metastasis of a patient with NPC, both of which harbored latent EBV. Upon treatment with NEO212, there was an increase in EBV proteins Zta and Ea-D, key markers of the lytic cycle, along with increased levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, followed by the activation of caspases. These effects could also be confirmed in tumor tissue from mice implanted with C666.1 cells. Towards a mechanistic understanding of these events, we used siRNA-mediated knockdown of CHOP and inclusion of anti-oxidant compounds. Both approaches blocked lytic cycle induction by NEO212. Therefore, we established a sequence of events, where NEO212 caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which triggered ER stress and elevated the levels of CHOP, which was required to stimulate the lytic cascade of EBV. Inclusion of the antiviral agent ganciclovir synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic impact of NEO212, pointing to a potential combination treatment for EBV-positive cancers which should be explored further. Overall, our study establishes NEO212 as a novel agent able to stimulate EBV's lytic cycle in NPC tumors, with implications for other virus-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hartman-Houstman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Radu O Minea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Uttam K Sinha
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ming-Fu Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- NeOnc Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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Lv M, Ding Y, Zhang Y, Liu S. Targeting EBV-encoded products: Implications for drug development in EBV-associated diseases. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2487. [PMID: 37905912 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2487] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus, a human gamma-herpesvirus, has a close connection to the pathogenesis of cancers and other diseases, which are a burden for public health worldwide. So far, several drugs or biomolecules have been discovered that can target EBV-encoded products for treatment, such as Silvestrol, affinity toxin, roscovitine, H20, H31, curcumin, thymoquinone, and ribosomal protein L22. These drugs activate or inhibit the function of some biomolecules, affecting subsequent signalling pathways by acting on the products of EBV. These drugs usually target LMP1, LMP2; EBNA1, EBNA2, EBNA3; EBER1, EBER2; Bam-HI A rightward transcript and BHRF1. Additionally, some promising findings in the fields of vaccines, immunological, and cellular therapies have been established. In this review, we mainly summarise the function of drugs mentioned above and unique mechanisms, hoping that we can help giving insight to the design of drugs for the treatment of EBV-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Lv
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Special Examination, Qingdao Women & Children Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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9
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Wibawa MS, Zhou JY, Wang R, Huang YY, Zhan Z, Chen X, Lv X, Young LS, Rajpoot N. AI-Based Risk Score from Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Predicts Locoregional-Free Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5789. [PMID: 38136336 PMCID: PMC10742296 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Locoregional recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) occurs in 10% to 50% of cases following primary treatment. However, the current main prognostic markers for NPC, both stage and plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA, are not sensitive to locoregional recurrence. METHODS We gathered 385 whole-slide images (WSIs) from haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained NPC sections (n = 367 cases), which were collected from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre. We developed a deep learning algorithm to detect tumour nuclei and lymphocyte nuclei in WSIs, followed by density-based clustering to quantify the tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) into 12 scores. The Random Survival Forest model was then trained on the TILs to generate risk score. RESULTS Based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, the proposed methods were able to stratify low- and high-risk NPC cases in a validation set of locoregional recurrence with a statically significant result (p < 0.001). This finding was also found in distant metastasis-free survival (p < 0.001), progression-free survival (p < 0.001), and regional recurrence-free survival (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in both univariate analysis (HR: 1.58, CI: 1.13-2.19, p < 0.05) and multivariate analysis (HR:1.59, CI: 1.11-2.28, p < 0.05), we also found that our methods demonstrated a strong prognostic value for locoregional recurrence. CONCLUSION The proposed novel digital markers could potentially be utilised to assist treatment decisions in cases of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Made Satria Wibawa
- Tissue Image Analytics Centre, Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (M.S.W.); (R.W.)
| | - Jia-Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (J.-Y.Z.); (Y.-Y.H.); (Z.Z.); (X.C.); (X.L.)
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Tissue Image Analytics Centre, Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (M.S.W.); (R.W.)
| | - Ying-Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (J.-Y.Z.); (Y.-Y.H.); (Z.Z.); (X.C.); (X.L.)
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zejiang Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (J.-Y.Z.); (Y.-Y.H.); (Z.Z.); (X.C.); (X.L.)
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (J.-Y.Z.); (Y.-Y.H.); (Z.Z.); (X.C.); (X.L.)
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xing Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (J.-Y.Z.); (Y.-Y.H.); (Z.Z.); (X.C.); (X.L.)
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Lawrence S. Young
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Nasir Rajpoot
- Tissue Image Analytics Centre, Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (M.S.W.); (R.W.)
- The Alan Turing Institute, London NW1 2DB, UK
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10
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Chiang CL, Lam TC, Li JCB, Chan KSK, El Helali A, Lee YYP, Law LHT, Zheng D, Lo AWI, Kam NW, Li WS, Cheung AKW, Chow JCH, Chan SPC, Lai JWY, Lee SWM, Kong FM(S, Ng WT, Kwong DLW, Lee AWM. Efficacy, safety, and correlative biomarkers of bintrafusp alfa in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer patients: a phase II clinical trial. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 40:100898. [PMID: 37701718 PMCID: PMC10493598 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Background The strategy of dual blockade of TGF-β and PD-L1 pathways has not been previously tested in platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (R/M NPC) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bintrafusp alfa in refractory R/M NPC patients. Methods In this single-arm, single-centre phase II clinical trial, 38 histologically confirmed R/M NPC patients were enrolled and administered with bintrafusp alfa every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DOR), and safety. Findings Thirty-eight patients were accrued (33 men; median age, 54 years). ORR was 23.7% (complete response, n = 2; partial response, n = 7). The median DOR was 19.2 months, median PFS was 2.3 months, median OS was 17.0 months, and 1-year OS rate was 63.2%. Unfortunately, 25 patients (65.7%) progressed within 8 weeks of treatment, 15 patients (39.5%) and 8 patients (21.1%) developed hyper-progressive disease (HPD) per RECIST v1.1 and tumor growth rate (TGR) ratio respectively. Sixteen patients (42.4%) experienced ≥ grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), most commonly anemia (n = 9, 23.7%) and secondary malignancies (n = 4, 10.5%). TRAEs led to permanent treatment discontinuation in 7 patients. Patients with strong suppression of plasma TGFβ1 level at week 8 were unexpectedly associated with worse ORR (9.1% vs 44.4%, P = 0.046) and development of HPD. There was no correlation between PD-L1 expression and ORR. Interpretation Bintrafusp alfa demonstrated modest activity in R/M NPC but high rates of HPD and treatment discontinuation secondary to TRAEs are concerning. Funding The project was supported by Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation Professorship Endowed Fund and Merck KGaA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Leung Chiang
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - Tai Chung Lam
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - James Chun Bong Li
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Kenneth Sik Kwan Chan
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Aya El Helali
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Laalaa Hiu Ting Law
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Danyang Zheng
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Ngar Woon Kam
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Sum Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | | | - Jessica Wing Yu Lai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sarah Wai Man Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng-Ming (Spring) Kong
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - Wai Tong Ng
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - Dora Lai Wan Kwong
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - Anne Wing Mui Lee
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital and School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
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11
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Low YH, Loh CJL, Peh DYY, Chu AJM, Han S, Toh HC. Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1202117. [PMID: 37901329 PMCID: PMC10600384 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1202117] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common human viruses, has been associated with both lymphoid and epithelial cancers. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), EBV associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) are amongst the few common epithelial cancers that EBV has been associated with. The pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC has been well described, however, the same cannot be said for primary pulmonary LELC (PPLELC) owing to the rarity of the cancer. In this review, we outline the pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC and EBVaGCs and their recent advances. By drawing on similarities between NPC and PPLELC, we then also postulated the pathogenesis of PPLELC. A deeper understanding about the pathogenesis of EBV enables us to postulate the pathogenesis of other EBV associated cancers such as PPLELC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hua Low
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Daniel Yang Yao Peh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Axel Jun Ming Chu
- Singapore Health Services Internal Medicine Residency Programme, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shuting Han
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Pu T, Peddle A, Zhu J, Tejpar S, Verbandt S. Neoantigen identification: Technological advances and challenges. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 183:265-302. [PMID: 38548414 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2023.06.005] [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] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Neoantigens have emerged as promising targets for cutting-edge immunotherapies, such as cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapy. These neoantigens are unique to tumors and arise exclusively from somatic mutations or non-genomic aberrations in tumor proteins. They encompass a wide range of alterations, including genomic mutations, post-transcriptomic variants, and viral oncoproteins. With the advancements in technology, the identification of immunogenic neoantigens has seen rapid progress, raising new opportunities for enhancing their clinical significance. Prediction of neoantigens necessitates the acquisition of high-quality samples and sequencing data, followed by mutation calling. Subsequently, the pipeline involves integrating various tools that can predict the expression, processing, binding, and recognition potential of neoantigens. However, the continuous improvement of computational tools is constrained by the availability of datasets which contain validated immunogenic neoantigens. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge as well as limitations in neoantigen prediction and validation. Additionally, it delves into the origin and biological role of neoantigens, offering a deeper understanding of their significance in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This article thus seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to harness neoantigens as powerful weapons in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Pu
- Digestive Oncology Unit, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Jingjing Zhu
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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13
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Zhai F, Wang J, Luo X, Ye M, Jin X. Roles of NOLC1 in cancers and viral infection. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:10593-10608. [PMID: 37296317 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04934-5] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nucleolus is considered the center of metabolic control and an important organelle for the biogenesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Nucleolar and coiled-body phosphoprotein 1(NOLC1), which was originally identified as a nuclear localization signal-binding protein is a nucleolar protein responsible for nucleolus construction and rRNA synthesis, as well as chaperone shuttling between the nucleolus and cytoplasm. NOLC1 plays an important role in a variety of cellular life activities, including ribosome biosynthesis, DNA replication, transcription regulation, RNA processing, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell regeneration. PURPOSE In this review, we introduce the structure and function of NOLC1. Then we elaborate its upstream post-translational modification and downstream regulation. Meanwhile, we describe its role in cancer development and viral infection which provide a direction for future clinical applications. METHODS The relevant literatures from PubMed have been reviewed for this article. CONCLUSION NOLC1 plays an important role in the progression of multiple cancers and viral infection. In-depth study of NOLC1 provides a new perspective for accurate diagnosis of patients and selection of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengguang Zhai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- The Affiliated First Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- The Affiliated First Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Meng Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
- The Affiliated First Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
- The Affiliated First Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China.
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14
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Wu Y, Zhang X, Liu C, Li Z, Wen Y, Zheng R, Xu C, Tian J, Wei L, Wang J, Yan Q, Zheng X, Ma J. Epstein-Barr virus microRNA miR-BART2-5p accelerates nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis by suppressing RNase Ⅲ endonuclease DICER1. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105082. [PMID: 37495108 PMCID: PMC10470218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105082] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. NPC is usually asymptomatic until it spreads to other sites, and more than 70% of cases are classified as locally advanced disease at diagnosis. EBV-positive nasopharyngeal cancer tissues express only limited viral latent proteins, but express high levels of the EBV-encoded BamHI-A rightward transcript (BART) miRNA molecules. Here, we report that EBV-miRNA-BART2-5p (BART2-5p) promotes NPC cell invasion and metastasis in vivo and in vitro but has no effect on NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, BART2-5p altered the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of NPC cells. The development of human tumors has been reported to be associated with altered miRNAs expression, and overall miRNAs expression is reduced in many types of tumors. We found that BART2-5p downregulated the expression of several miRNAs that could exert oncogenic functions. Mechanistically, BART2-5p directly targets the RNase III endonuclease DICER1, inhibiting its function of cleaving double-stranded stem-loop RNA into short double-stranded RNA, which in turn causes altered expression of a series of key epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecules, and reverting DICER1 expression can rescue this phenotype. Furthermore, analysis from clinical samples showed a negative correlation between BART2-5p and DICER1 expression. According to our study, high expression of BART2-5p in tissues and plasma of patients with NPC is associated with poor prognosis. Our results suggest that, BART2-5p can accelerate NPC metastasis through modulating miRNA profiles which are mediated by DICER1, implying a novel role of EBV miRNAs in the pathogenesis of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangge Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Can Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengshuo Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Yuqing Wen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Run Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Chenxiao Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Junrui Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Lingyu Wei
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi, China
| | - Qun Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Jian Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China.
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15
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Leung NYT, Wang LW. Targeting Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Epstein-Barr Virus-Driven Proliferative Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3412. [PMID: 37444521 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of cancer cells and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected cells have remarkable similarities. Cancer cells frequently reprogram metabolic pathways to augment their ability to support abnormal rates of proliferation and promote intra-organismal spread through metastatic invasion. On the other hand, EBV is also capable of manipulating host cell metabolism to enable sustained growth and division during latency as well as intra- and inter-individual transmission during lytic replication. It comes as no surprise that EBV, the first oncogenic virus to be described in humans, is a key driver for a significant fraction of human malignancies in the world (~1% of all cancers), both in terms of new diagnoses and attributable deaths each year. Understanding the contributions of metabolic pathways that underpin transformation and virus replication will be important for delineating new therapeutic targets and designing nutritional interventions to reduce disease burden. In this review, we summarise research hitherto conducted on the means and impact of various metabolic changes induced by EBV and discuss existing and potential treatment options targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in EBV-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Yong Ting Leung
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos #04-06, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Liang Wei Wang
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos #04-06, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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16
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Liao LJ, Hsu WL, Chen CJ, Chiu YL. Feature Reviews of the Molecular Mechanisms of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1528. [PMID: 37371623 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare in most parts of the world but endemic in southern Asia. Here, we describe the molecular abnormalities in NPC and point out potential molecular mechanisms for future therapy. This article provides a brief up-to-date review focusing on the molecular pathways of NPC, which may improve our knowledge of this disease, and we also highlight some issues for further research. In brief, some heritable genes are related to NPC; therefore, people with a family history of NPC have an increased risk of this disease. Carcinogenic substances and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exposure both contribute to tumorigenesis through the accumulation of multiple genomic changes. In recent years, salted fish intake has decreased the impact on NPC, which implies that changing exposure to carcinogens can modify the risk of NPC. Eradication of cancer-associated viruses potentially eradicates cancer, and EBV vaccines might also prevent this disease in the future. Screening patients by using an EBV antibody is feasible in the high-risk group; plasma EBV DNA measurement could also be conducted for screening, prognosis, and monitoring of this disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of NPC can further provide novel information for health promotion, disease screening, and precision cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jen Liao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Lun Hsu
- Master Program of Big Data Analysis in Biomedicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Data Science Center, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ju Chen
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ling Chiu
- Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine and Graduate Program in Biomedical Informatics, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan
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17
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Cordes BLA, Bilger A, Kraus RJ, Ward-Shaw ET, Labott MR, Lee S, Lambert PF, Mertz JE. Drugs That Mimic Hypoxia Selectively Target EBV-Positive Gastric Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1846. [PMID: 36980731 PMCID: PMC10046841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with lymphoid and epithelial cell cancers, including 10% of gastric carcinomas. We previously reported that hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) induces EBV's latent-to-lytic switch and identified several HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs that induce this viral reactivation. Here, we tested three classes of these drugs for preferential killing of the EBV-positive gastric cancer AGS-Akata cell line compared to its matched EBV-negative AGS control. We observed preferential killing with iron chelators [Deferoxamine (DFO); Deferasirox (DFX)] and a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (BAY 85-3934 (Molidustat)), but not with a neddylation inhibitor [MLN4924 (Pevonedistat)]. DFO and DFX also induced preferential killing of the EBV-positive gastric cancer AGS-BDneo and SNU-719 cell lines. Preferential killing was enhanced when low-dose DFX (10 μM) was combined with the antiviral prodrug ganciclovir. DFO and DFX induced lytic EBV reactivation in approximately 10% of SNU-719 and 20-30% of AGS-Akata and AGS-BDneo cells. However, neither DFO nor DFX significantly induced synthesis of lytic EBV proteins in xenografts grown in NSG mice from AGS-Akata cells above the level observed in control-treated mice. Therefore, these FDA-approved iron chelators are less effective than gemcitabine at promoting EBV reactivation in vivo despite their high specificity and efficiency in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Janet E. Mertz
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (B.-l.A.C.); (A.B.); (R.J.K.); (E.T.W.-S.); (M.R.L.); (S.L.); (P.F.L.)
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18
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Yu L, Jiang L, Wu M, Dou W, Ji K, Zhou J, Kim J, Xu Y. RNA helicase MTR4 drives tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by regulating the expression of key cell cycle genes. Protein Cell 2023; 14:149-152. [PMID: 36929008 PMCID: PMC10019564 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meng Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Wenlong Dou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kaiyuan Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianlong Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinchul Kim
- Ageing Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Deajeon 34141, Korea
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19
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Gogi R, Sharma A, Sharma A, Mohanti BK, Pramanik R, Bhasker S, Biswas A, Thakar A, Singh AC, Sikka K, Kumar R, Thulkar S, Bahadur S. Real World Presentation and Treatment Outcomes with a Predominant Induction Chemotherapy Based Approach in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Sixteen Year Report from a Teaching Hospital in India. Cancer Invest 2023; 41:155-163. [PMID: 36305837 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2141771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy in India except in north-eastern states. We present our institutional experience of 16 years highlighting management, outcomes, responses and toxicities. MATERIALS AND METHODS NPC patients registered at our center during the period of 2000-2015. The primary objective of the study was to assess the overall survival (OS). Secondary outcome included determinations of response rates, progression free survival (PFS) and to assess treatment-related toxicity (CTCAE v4.0). Institute ethics committee approval was obtained prior to initiation of this study. RESULTS Data was retrieved from complete records of 222 patients out of 390 registered during study period. There were 163 males (73.4%) and 59 females (26.6%) with a male to female ratio of 2.8:1. The median age was 35 years (range 6-73). Only 5.6% (n = 12) presented in early-stage disease (stage I and II) while 89.6% (n = 199) were advanced stage (stage III, IVA, IVB). Five patients (2.2%) presented as metastatic disease. Majority of patients were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) {76.1%, n = 169}. Relapses were documented in 10.4% patients. 5% patients had loco-regional relapse while distant metastases were seen in 4% patients. The 3-year PFS and OS rates are 60.9% and 68.4%, respectively. Achieving a CR predicted superior OS on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS NPC is a rare malignancy and majority presented with advanced stages. This data outlines our experience and outcomes with a predominantly induction chemotherapy followed by definitive CCRT based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramana Gogi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Aparna Sharma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Atul Sharma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - B K Mohanti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Raja Pramanik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Suman Bhasker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ahitagni Biswas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Alok Thakar
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Chirom Singh
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kapil Sikka
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Thulkar
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sudhir Bahadur
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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20
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Increased Prevalence of EBV Infection in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients: A Six-Year Cross-Sectional Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030643. [PMID: 36765601 PMCID: PMC9913071 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030643] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is implicated in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and currently associated with at least 1% of global cancers. The differential prognosis analysis of NPC in EBV genotypes remains to be elucidated. Medical, radiological, pathological, and laboratory reports of 146 NPC patients were collected retrospectively over a 6-year period between 2015 and 2020. From the pathology archives, DNA was extracted from tumor blocks and used for EBV nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA-3C) genotyping by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We found a high prevalence of 96% of EBV infection in NPC patients with a predominance of genotype I detected in 73% of NPC samples. Histopathological examination showed that most of the NPC patients were in the advanced stages of cancer: stage III (38.4%) or stage IV-B (37.7%). Only keratinized squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher in EBV negative NPC patients compared with those who were EBV positive (OR = 0.01, 95%CI = (0.004-0.32; p = 0.009)), whereas the majority of patients (91.8%) had undifferentiated, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, followed by differentiated, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (7.5%). Although NPC had metastasized to 16% of other body sites, it was not associated with EBV infection, except for lung metastasis. A statistically significant reverse association was observed between EBV infection and lung metastasis (OR = 0.07, 95%CI = (0.01-0.51; p = 0.008)). Although 13% of NPC patients died, the overall survival (OS) mean time was 5.59 years. Given the high prevalence of EBV-associated NPC in our population, Saudi could be considered as an area with a high incidence of EBV-associated NPC with a predominance of EBV genotype I. A future multi-center study with a larger sample size is needed to assess the true burden of EBV-associated NPC in Saudi Arabia.
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21
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Zhang X, Wang T, Zhu X, Lu Y, Li M, Huang Z, Han D, Zhang L, Wu Y, Li L, Klawonn F, Stripecke R. GMP development and preclinical validation of CAR-T cells targeting a lytic EBV antigen for therapy of EBV-associated malignancies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1103695. [PMID: 36817460 PMCID: PMC9932894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1103695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a widely spread pathogen associated with lymphoproliferative diseases, B/ T/ NK cell lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and gastric carcinoma (GC). EBV lytic reactivations contribute to the genomic instability, inflammation and tumorigenesis of NPC, promoting cancer progression. Patients with NPC refractory to standard therapies show dismal survival. EBV gp350 is an envelope protein detectable in NPC specimens intracellularly and on the cell membrane of malignant cells, and is a potential viral antigen for T cell-directed immunotherapies. The potency of T cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting gp350 against EBV+ lymphoproliferative disease was previously shown. Methods Here, we advanced towards preclinical and non-clinical developments of this virus-specific CAR-T cell immunotherapy against NPC. Different gp350CAR designs were inserted into a lentiviral vector (LV) backbone. Results A construct expressing the scFv 7A1-anti-gp350 incorporating the CD8 transmembrane and CD28.CD3ζ signaling domain (ZT002) was selected. High titer ZT002 (~1x108 TU/ml) was manufactured in HEK 293T/17 suspension cells in serum free media as large-scale production under good manufacturing practices (GMP). A LV multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 resulted in high frequencies of functional gp350CAR+ T cells (>70%) at a low (<2) vector copy numbers in the genome. ZT002 was therefore used to establish gp350CAR-T batch run production methods. GMP upscaling and validation of T cell transduction and expansion in several runs resulted in average 3x109 gp350CAR-T cells per batch. >80% CD3+ gp350CAR-T cells bound to purified gp350 protein. In vitro cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion assays (IFN-γ and TNF-α) confirmed the specificity of gp350CAR-T cells against gp350+ NPC, GC and lymphoma cell targets. Immunocompromised B-NDG mice (NOD.CB17-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1/Bcgen) were challenged s.c. with a EBV+ NPC C666.1 cell line expressing gp350 and then treated with escalating doses of gp350CAR-T cells or with non-transduced T cells. gp350CAR-T cells promoted antitumor responses, bio-distributed in several tissues, infiltrated in tumors and rejected gp350+ tumor cells. Discussion These results support the use of gp350CAR-T cells generated with ZT002 as an Innovative New Drug to treat patients with solid and liquid EBV-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tiaoxia Wang
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaona Zhu
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yong Lu
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mingpeng Li
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Deping Han
- Biosyngen/Zelltechs Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Longzhen Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Liantao Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Frank Klawonn
- Biostatistics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute for Information Engineering, Ostfalia University, Wolfenbuettel, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig and Partner Site Cologne-Bonn, Cologne, Hannover, Germany
| | - Renata Stripecke
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig and Partner Site Cologne-Bonn, Cologne, Hannover, Germany.,Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Clinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Translational Immune-Oncology, Cancer Research Center Cologne-Essen (CCCE), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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22
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Wang L, Wang D, Zeng X, Zhang Q, Wu H, Liu J, Wang Y, Liu G, Pan Y. Exploration of spatial heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via transcriptional digital spatial profiling. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:2256-2269. [PMID: 37151882 PMCID: PMC10158028 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.74653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) leads to mixed clinical outcomes. We collected 92 regions of interest from 41 biopsies of patients with untreated NPC and obtained their transcripts using GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) technology. Spatial heterogeneity was determined by measuring the expression of marker genes in tumor cell-enriched (PanCK-expressing), immune cell-enriched (CD45-expressing), and normal epithelial (Endo) regions. We screened 16 prognostic markers in tumor cell-enriched regions and 4 prognostic markers in immune cell-enriched regions. The levels of CD8+ T follicular helper T cells, activated NK cells, and M0 macrophage contents were higher in tumor cell-enriched regions than in immune cell-enriched regions. Conversely, plasma cell and M2 macrophage levels were lower. The follicular helper T cells in tumor cell-enriched regions were negatively correlated with resting NK cells and positively correlated with activated NK cells. In immune cell-enriched regions, this relationship was reversed. We also explored the heterogeneity of HLA gene families, immune checkpoints, and metabolism-related genes in the three regions. In tumor cell-enriched regions, we obtained 19 prognosis-related metabolism genes via univariate cox analysis. We used multiplex immunofluorescence to verify the elevated expression of SLC8A1 and MDH1 in immune cell-enriched regions and tumor cell-enriched regions, respectively, both of which were associated with prognosis of NPC. In conclusion, we explored the spatial heterogeneity of the NPC tumor environment and found specific diagnostic and prognostic markers that can be used to differentiate tumor cell-enriched regions from immune cell-enriched regions in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dujuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Houjie Hospital of Dongguan, The Affiliated Houjie Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xiaojiao Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huiqing Wu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Yunbao Pan, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: . Guohong Liu, Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: ; Yang Wang, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, No.368 Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan 460032, China; E-mail:
| | - Guohong Liu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Yunbao Pan, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: . Guohong Liu, Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: ; Yang Wang, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, No.368 Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan 460032, China; E-mail:
| | - Yunbao Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Yunbao Pan, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: . Guohong Liu, Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, No.169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; E-mail: ; Yang Wang, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, No.368 Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan 460032, China; E-mail:
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23
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Shechter O, Sausen DG, Gallo ES, Dahari H, Borenstein R. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epithelial Associated Malignancies: Exploring Pathologies and Current Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14389. [PMID: 36430864 PMCID: PMC9699474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of eight known herpesviruses with the potential to infect humans. Globally, it is estimated that between 90-95% of the population has been infected with EBV. EBV is an oncogenic virus that has been strongly linked to various epithelial malignancies such as nasopharyngeal and gastric cancer. Recent evidence suggests a link between EBV and breast cancer. Additionally, there are other, rarer cancers with weaker evidence linking them to EBV. In this review, we discuss the currently known epithelial malignancies associated with EBV. Additionally, we discuss and establish which treatments and therapies are most recommended for each cancer associated with EBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Shechter
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA
| | - Daniel G. Sausen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA
| | - Elisa S. Gallo
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Division of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Harel Dahari
- The Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Ronen Borenstein
- The Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
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24
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Singh DR, Nelson SE, Pawelski AS, Cantres-Velez JA, Kansra AS, Pauly NP, Bristol JA, Hayes M, Ohashi M, Casco A, Lee D, Fogarty SA, Lambert PF, Johannsen EC, Kenney SC. Type 1 and Type 2 Epstein-Barr viruses induce proliferation, and inhibit differentiation, in infected telomerase-immortalized normal oral keratinocytes. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010868. [PMID: 36190982 PMCID: PMC9529132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated epithelial cells are an important source of infectious EBV virions in human saliva, and latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is strongly associated with the epithelial cell tumor, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, it has been difficult to model how EBV contributes to NPC, since EBV has not been shown to enhance proliferation of epithelial cells in monolayer culture in vitro and is not stably maintained in epithelial cells without antibiotic selection. In addition, although there are two major types of EBV (type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2)), it is currently unknown whether T1 and T2 EBV behave differently in epithelial cells. Here we inserted a G418 resistance gene into the T2 EBV strain, AG876, allowing us to compare the phenotypes of T1 Akata virus versus T2 AG876 virus in a telomerase-immortalized normal oral keratinocyte cell line (NOKs) using a variety of different methods, including RNA-seq analysis, proliferation assays, immunoblot analyses, and air-liquid interface culture. We show that both T1 Akata virus infection and T2 AG876 virus infection of NOKs induce cellular proliferation, and inhibit spontaneous differentiation, in comparison to the uninfected cells when cells are grown without supplemental growth factors in monolayer culture. T1 EBV and T2 EBV also have a similar ability to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition and activate canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling in infected NOKs. In contrast to our recent results in EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cells (in which T2 EBV infection is much more lytic than T1 EBV infection), we find that NOKs infected with T1 and T2 EBV respond similarly to lytic inducing agents such as TPA treatment or differentiation. These results suggest that T1 and T2 EBV have similar phenotypes in infected epithelial cells, with both EBV types enhancing cellular proliferation and inhibiting differentiation when growth factors are limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deo R. Singh
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Scott E. Nelson
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Abigail S. Pawelski
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Juan A. Cantres-Velez
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Alisha S. Kansra
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nicholas P. Pauly
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jillian A. Bristol
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mitchell Hayes
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Makoto Ohashi
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Alejandro Casco
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Denis Lee
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Stuart A. Fogarty
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Paul F. Lambert
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Eric C. Johannsen
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shannon C. Kenney
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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25
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Wang YL, Ren D, Lu JL, Jiang H, Wei JZ, Lan J, Liu F, Qu SH. STAT3 regulates SRGN and promotes metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through the FoxO1-miR-148a-5p-CREB1 axis. J Transl Med 2022; 102:919-934. [PMID: 36775421 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-022-00733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is marked by a distinct distribution, is a common subtype of epithelial carcinoma arising from the nasopharyngeal mucosal lining. SRGN acts as an important and poor prognostic factor of NPC through multiple different mechanisms. However, the biological role and mechanism of SRGN in NPC remain unknown. Expression levels of miR-148a-5p, CREB1, FoxO1, and SRGN in NPC tissues and cell lines were tested by qRT-PCR or/and Western blot. The impacts of miR-148a-5p, CREB1, FoxO1, and SRGN on NPC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were estimated in vitro by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell experiments, and in vivo by a xenograft tumor model. JASPAR analysis was used to predict the binding activity of Foxo1 (CREB1) with the miR-148a-5p (SRGN) promoter, and the interaction was validated by EMSA and ChIP assays. The miR-148a-5p-CREB1 interaction was validated by a dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assays. CREB1 and SRGN were increased while miR-148a-5p was decreased in NPC. Silencing of SRGN and CREB1, as well as miR-148a-5p overexpression, repressed NPC tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. CREB1 promoted SRGN expression in NPC by targeting the promoter area of SRGN. Silencing of FoxO1 facilitated NPC tumor progression, while silencing of STAT3 repressed NPC tumor progression. FoxO1 bound to and regulated miR-148a-5p in NPC, and miR-148a-5p targeted CREB1. Additionally, FoxO1 knockdown abolished the downregulation of CREB1 and SRGN induced by STAT3 silencing. Our results suggest that STAT3 regulates SRGN and promotes the growth and metastasis of NPC through the FoxO1-miR-148a-5p-CREB1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Li Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China.
| | - Dan Ren
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Jin-Long Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - He Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Jia-Zhang Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Jiao Lan
- Research Center of Medical Sciences, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Fei Liu
- Research Center of Medical Sciences, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Shen-Hong Qu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530021, PR China.
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Liu X, Deng Y, Huang Y, Ye J, Xie S, He Q, Chen Y, Lin Y, Liang R, Wei J, Li Y, Zhang J. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression: Accumulating Genomic Instability and Persistent Epstein–Barr Virus Infection. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:6035-6052. [PMID: 36135044 PMCID: PMC9498130 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29090475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability facilitates the evolution of cells, tissues, organs, and species. The progression of human malignancies can be regarded as the accumulation of genomic instability, which confers a high evolutionary potential for tumor cells to adapt to continuous changes in the tumor microenvironment. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma closely associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. NPC progression is driven by a combination of accumulated genomic instability and persistent EBV infection. Here, we present a review of the key characteristics of genomic instability in NPC and the profound implications of EBV infection. We further discuss the significance of profiling genomic instability for the assessment of disease progression and treatment efficacy, as well as the opportunities and challenges of targeted therapies for NPC based on its unique genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yayan Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yujuan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jiaxiang Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Sifang Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, 6 Taoyuan Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Qian He
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Rong Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jiazhang Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, 6 Taoyuan Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yongqiang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jinyan Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning 530021, China
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (J.Z.)
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Gondhowiardjo SA, Adham M, Rachmadi L, Atmakusuma TD, Tobing DL, Auzan M, Hariyanto AD, Sulaeman D, Permata TBM, Handoko. Immune cells markers within local tumor microenvironment are associated with EBV oncoprotein in nasopharyngeal cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:887. [PMID: 35963999 PMCID: PMC9375267 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09948-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction EBV infection in nasopharyngeal cancer ensued in latent infection mode. In this latent infection various EBV oncoproteins such as EBNA1 and LMP1 was expressed. EBV oncoproteins could theoretically recruit immune cells, which might help to control cancer. Therefore, this study was aimed to elucidate the association with EBV oncoproteins (EBNA1 and LMP1), immune markers (CD4, CD8, and FOXP3) from nasopharyngeal cancer microenvironment with tumor progression. Method Nasopharyngeal biopsy was obtained from patients suspected to have nasopharyngeal cancer. Those samples with microscopically confirmed nasopharyngeal cancer were tested for EBNA1, LMP1, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3 concentration with ELISA, then verified with IHC. Each patient tumor volume was assessed for primary nasopharyngeal tumor volume (GTVp) and neck nodal metastases tumor volume (GTVn). Correlation test with Spearman correlation and scatterplot were carried out. Result Total 23 samples with nasopharyngeal cancer were analyzed. There was moderate correlation (ρ = 0.45; p value = 0.032) between LMP1 and GTVp. There was strong correlation (ρ = 0.81; p value < 0.001) between CD8 and GTVp. There was also moderate correlation (ρ = 0.6; p value = 0.002) between FOXP3 and GTVp. The CD8 concentration has moderate correlation with both EBNA1 (ρ = 0.46; p value = 0.026) and LMP1 (ρ = 0.47; p value = 0.023). While FOXP3 has moderate correlation with only LMP1 (ρ = 0.58; p value = 0.004). No correlation was found between all the markers tested here with GTVn. Discussion We found larger primary nasopharyngeal tumor was associated with higher CD8 marker. This was thought due to the presence of abundance CD8 T cells in the nasopharynx, but those abundance CD8 T cells were suspected to be dysfunctional. The nasopharyngeal cancer was also known to upregulate chemokines that could recruit T regulatory FOXP3 cells. Furthermore, T regulatory FOXP3 cells differentiation was induced through several pathways which was triggered by EBNA1. The correlation found in this study could guide further study to understand nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis and the relationship with our immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soehartati A Gondhowiardjo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Marlinda Adham
- Department of ENT, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Lisnawati Rachmadi
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Tubagus Djumhana Atmakusuma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Demak Lumban Tobing
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Dharmais National Cancer Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Letjen S. Parman No. 84-86, Jakarta, Indonesia, 11420
| | - Mahesa Auzan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Agustinus Darmadi Hariyanto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Dede Sulaeman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Tiara Bunga Mayang Permata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430
| | - Handoko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia / Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta - Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10430.
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Wyżewski Z, Mielcarska MB, Gregorczyk-Zboroch KP, Myszka A. Virus-Mediated Inhibition of Apoptosis in the Context of EBV-Associated Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137265. [PMID: 35806271 PMCID: PMC9266970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the representative of the Herpesviridae family, is a pathogen extensively distributed in the human population. One of its most characteristic features is the capability to establish latent infection in the host. The infected cells serve as a sanctuary for the dormant virus, and therefore their desensitization to apoptotic stimuli is part of the viral strategy for long-term survival. For this reason, EBV encodes a set of anti-apoptotic products. They may increase the viability of infected cells and enhance their resistance to chemotherapy, thereby contributing to the development of EBV-associated diseases, including Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), gastric cancer (GC), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and several other malignancies. In this paper, we have described the molecular mechanism of anti-apoptotic actions of a set of EBV proteins. Moreover, we have reviewed the pro-survival role of non-coding viral transcripts: EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), in EBV-carrying malignant cells. The influence of EBV on the expression, activity and/or intracellular distribution of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family members, has been presented. Finally, we have also discussed therapeutic perspectives of targeting viral anti-apoptotic products or their molecular partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Wyżewski
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-728-208-338
| | - Matylda Barbara Mielcarska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.M.); (K.P.G.-Z.)
| | | | - Anna Myszka
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland;
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29
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Ahmed K, Sheikh A, Fatima S, Haider G, Ghias K, Abbas F, Mughal N, Abidi SH. Detection and characterization of latency stage of EBV and histopathological analysis of prostatic adenocarcinoma tissues. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10399. [PMID: 35729214 PMCID: PMC9213544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14511-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of prostate cancer involves both genetic and acquired factors, including pathogens, such as viruses. A limited number of studies have shown the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in prostate cancer tissues. However, there is a dearth of data exploring EBV latency profile in prostate cancer, and the relationship of EBV with histopathological features of prostate cancer. In this study, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were screened for the presence of EBV, followed by the characterization of the EBV latency profile and analysis of histopathological parameters in EBV-positive and EBV-negative groups. A conventional PCR strategy was employed using virus-specific primers to screen EBV in 99 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer and 33 BPH samples received for histopathological analysis during the years 2019-2020. Subsequently, cDNA samples were used in a qPCR array to analyze the expression of EBV latency-associated genes to map the latency profile EBV maintains in the samples. Finally, statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between EBV and several histopathological features of the samples. EBV was detected in 39% of prostate cancer and 24% of BPH samples. The histopathological analysis of prostate cancer samples identified all samples as prostatic adenocarcinoma of acinar type, while statistical analyses revealed EBV-positive samples to exhibit significantly higher (p < 0.05) Gleason major and total Gleason scores as compared to EBV-negative samples. In the EBV-positive samples, variable expression patterns of latency-associated genes were observed, where most of the samples exhibited EBV latency II/III-like profiles in prostate cancer, while latency-II-like profiles in BPH samples. This study suggests a high prevalence of EBV in prostate samples, where EBV exhibited latency II/III-like profiles. Furthermore, EBV-positive samples exhibited a higher Gleason score suggesting a possible link between EBV and the onset/progression of prostate cancers. However, future functional studies are required to understand the role of the EBV gene expression profile in the onset/progression of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Ahmed
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Alisalman Sheikh
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saira Fatima
- Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kulsoom Ghias
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Farhat Abbas
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nouman Mughal
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Hani Abidi
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
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IKKα-Mediated Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling Is Required To Support Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Latency In Vivo. J Virol 2022; 96:e0002722. [PMID: 35481781 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00027-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncanonical NF-κB signaling is activated in B cells via the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily members CD40, lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), and B-cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R). The noncanonical pathway is required at multiple stages of B cell maturation and differentiation, including the germinal center reaction. However, the role of this pathway in gammaherpesvirus latency is not well understood. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) is a genetically tractable system used to define pathogenic determinants. Mice lacking the BAFF-R exhibit defects in splenic follicle formation and are greatly reduced for MHV68 latency. We report a novel approach to disrupt noncanonical NF-κB signaling exclusively in cells infected with MHV68. We engineered a recombinant virus that expresses a dominant negative form of IκB kinase α (IKKα), named IKKα-SA, with S176A and S180A mutations that prevent phosphorylation by NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK). We controlled for the transgene insertion by introducing two all-frame stop codons into the IKKα-SA gene. The IKKα-SA mutant but not the IKKα-SA.STOP control virus impaired LTβR-mediated activation of NF-κB p52 upon fibroblast infection. IKKα-SA expression did not impact replication in primary fibroblasts or in the lungs of mice following intranasal inoculation. However, the IKKα-SA mutant was severely defective in the colonization of the spleen and in the establishment of latency compared to the IKKα-SA.STOP control and wild-type (WT) MHV68 at 16 days postinfection (dpi). Reactivation was undetectable in splenocytes infected with the IKKα-SA mutant, but reactivation in peritoneal cells was not impacted by IKKα-SA. Taken together, the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is essential for the establishment of latency in the secondary lymphoid organs of mice infected with the murine gammaherpesvirus pathogen MHV68. IMPORTANCE The latency programs of the human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are associated with B cell lymphomas. It is critical to understand the signaling pathways that are used by gammaherpesviruses to establish and maintain latency in primary B cells. We used a novel approach to block noncanonical NF-κB signaling only in the infected cells of mice. We generated a recombinant virus that expresses a dominant negative mutant of IKKα that is nonresponsive to upstream activation. Latency was reduced in a route- and cell type-dependent manner in mice infected with this recombinant virus. These findings identify a significant role for the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway that might provide a novel target to prevent latent infection of B cells with oncogenic gammaherpesviruses.
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Abusalah MAH, Irekeola AA, Hanim Shueb R, Jarrar M, Yean Yean C. Prognostic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) miRNA biomarkers for survival outcome in EBV-associated epithelial malignancies: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266893. [PMID: 35436288 PMCID: PMC9015129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The EBV-associated epithelial tumours consist 80% of all EBV-associated cancer, where the nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) are considered as the most frequent EBV-associated epithelial tumours. It has been shown that the BART-encoded miRNAs are abundantly expressed in EBV-associated epithelial tumours, hence, these miRNAs may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for EBV-associated epithelial tumours. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess these EBV miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers for NPC and GC.
Method
This systematic review was developed based on PRISMA guidelines and utilizing PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google scholar databases. The retrieved articles were thoroughly screened in accordance with the selection criteria. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for patient survival outcomes were used to evaluate EBV miRNA expression levels. To assess the risk of bias, funnel plot symmetry and Egger’s bias test were employed.
Result
Eleven studies met the selection criteria for inclusion, and four were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the articles considered in this study were from China, with one study from South Korea. The overall pooled effect size estimation (HR) for upregulated EBV miRNAs was 3.168 (95% CI: 2.020–4.969), demonstrating that upregulated EBV miRNA expression enhanced the mortality risk in NPC and GC patients by three times.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that investigates the significance of EBV miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in NPC and GC patients. The pooled effect estimates of HR of the various studies revealed that higher EBV miRNA expression in NPC and GC may result in a worse survival outcome. To assess the clinical significance of EBV miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers, larger-scale prospective studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Haleem Abusalah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti SainsMalaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Adebayo Irekeola
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti SainsMalaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Summit University Offa, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Rafidah Hanim Shueb
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti SainsMalaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mu’taman Jarrar
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chan Yean Yean
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti SainsMalaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
- * E-mail: ,
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Sharma M, Bakshi AK, Mittapelly N, Gautam S, Marwaha D, Rai N, Singh N, Tiwari P, Aggarwal N, Kumar A, Mishra PR. Recent updates on innovative approaches to overcome drug resistance for better outcomes in cancer. J Control Release 2022; 346:43-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Su ZY, Siak PY, Leong CO, Cheah SC. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Microenvironment: Past, Current, and Future Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:840467. [PMID: 35311066 PMCID: PMC8924466 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.840467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy that raises public health concerns in endemic countries. Despite breakthroughs in therapeutic strategies, late diagnosis and drug resistance often lead to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes in NPC patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex niche consisting of tumor-associated cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, leukocytes, that influences tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Cells in the TME communicate through various mechanisms, of note, exosomes, ligand-receptor interactions, cytokines and chemokines are active players in the construction of TME, characterized by an abundance of immune infiltrates with suppressed immune activities. The NPC microenvironment serves as a target-rich niche for the discovery of potential promising predictive or diagnostic biomarkers and the development of therapeutic strategies. Thus, huge efforts have been made to exploit the role of the NPC microenvironment. The whole picture of the NPC microenvironment remains to be portrayed to understand the mechanisms underlying tumor biology and implement research into clinical practice. The current review discusses the recent insights into the role of TME in the development and progression of NPC which results in different clinical outcomes of patients. Clinical interventions with the use of TME components as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets, their challenges, and future perspectives will be introduced. This review anticipates to provide insights to the researchers for future preclinical, translational and clinical research on the NPC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Su
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pui Yan Siak
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Centre of Cancer and Stem Cells Research, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiau-Chuen Cheah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Adeshakin AO, Adeshakin FO, Yan D, Wan X. Regulating Histone Deacetylase Signaling Pathways of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhanced T Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:781660. [PMID: 35140716 PMCID: PMC8818783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.781660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to combat immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) for improved cancer treatment. FDA approval for the clinical use of programmed death receptor 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors revolutionized T cell-based immunotherapy. Although only a few cancer patients respond to this treatment due to several factors including the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells in the TME. Several immunosuppressive cells within the TME such as regulatory T cells, myeloid cells, and cancer-associated fibroblast inhibit the activation and function of T cells to promote tumor progression. The roles of epigenetic modifiers such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) in cancer have long been investigated but little is known about their impact on immune cells. Recent studies showed inhibiting HDAC expression on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) promoted their differentiation to less suppressive cells and reduced their immunosuppressive effect in the TME. HDAC inhibitors upregulated PD-1 or PD-L1 expression level on tumor or immune cells sensitizing tumor-bearing mice to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. Herein we discuss how inhibiting HDAC expression on MDSCs could circumvent drawbacks to immune checkpoint inhibitors and improve cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, we highlighted current challenges and future perspectives of HDAC inhibitors in regulating MDSCs function for effective cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeleye O. Adeshakin
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing , China
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Funmilayo O. Adeshakin
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing , China
| | - Dehong Yan
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing , China
- *Correspondence: Dehong Yan, ; Xiaochun Wan,
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing , China
- *Correspondence: Dehong Yan, ; Xiaochun Wan,
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35
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The Clinical, Pathological, and Prognostic Value of High PD-1 Expression and the Presence of Epstein–Barr Virus Reactivation in Patients with Laryngeal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030480. [PMID: 35158748 PMCID: PMC8833734 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our immune reaction depends on some ‘immune checkpoints’, such as PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4, that maintain homeostasis and define new pathways in the fight against carcinogenesis. Viral infections, including EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) are one of the risk factors for laryngeal cancer. The aim of our study was to evaluate the level of PD-1 receptor in blood, tumor and lymph node samples collected from 45 laryngeal cancer patients and 20 healthy volunteers from control group. We detected the presence of EBV molecules in cancer samples and show the relationship between tumor progression and the level of PD-1 receptor. We confirmed, that EBV infection may affect the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and develop the laryngeal cancer. What is important, the level of PD-1 on CD4+ T cells in lymph nodes increased the risk of death, so it can be an important prognostic factor (marker) for laryngeal cancer patients’ treatment and their prognosis. Abstract Due to the development of molecular diagnostic techniques, the latest research in the diagnosis of cancer diseases, including laryngeal cancer, has been focused on the occurrence of specific types of molecular patterns, including markers expressed on cells of the immune system (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4), which may be directly or indirectly involved in the development of neoplastic diseases. Laryngeal cancer is one of the diseases that is diagnosed more often in men than in women, and many factors are involved in its development, including environmental and lifestyle factors, viral infections (e.g., HPV, HHV-1, and EBV), and disorders of the immune system. In this study, we determined the level of PD-1 receptor expression on T and B lymphocytes and their relationships based on the classification of the grade and TNM scale, in turn based on blood, tumor, and lymph node samples from patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. In addition, we determined the presence of EBV genetic material in the tested biological materials as well as the degree of cancer advancement and its correlation with the level of PD-1 receptor expression. The results suggested that the level of PD-1 expression on T and B lymphocytes was significantly higher in the tumor samples as compared to the lymph node samples, and their comparison with the immunophenotype results from the blood samples provided statistically significant data on changes in the incidence of individual subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes and the level of PD-1 receptor expression. The analysis of the individual parameters of the TNM scale also showed significant changes between the PD-1 expression and the tested biological material in individual subgroups of the scale. We also found that the expression of PD-1 on the CD4+ T cells from the lymph node samples caused an almost 1.5-fold increase in the risk of death. In the analyses of the presence of EBV, the highest concentration was recorded in the tumor samples, then for the lymph node samples, and followed by the blood samples. Furthermore, we showed that the presence of EBV genetic material was positively correlated with the level of PD-1 expression in the tested biological materials.
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Lee SW, Yang CC, Lai HY, Tsai HH, Yeh CF, Kuo YH, Kang NW, Chen TJ, Chang SL. Roundabout Guidance Receptor 1 Is an Emerging Prognostic Biomarker for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS: ONCOLOGY 2022; 16:11795549221113244. [PMID: 35898392 PMCID: PMC9310334 DOI: 10.1177/11795549221113244] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originating from the nasopharynx with high morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia and south of China. Roundabout guidance receptor 1 (ROBO1) can regulate axonogenesis (axon-like protrusion), which may play an important role in migration. However, the roles of ROBO1 in NPC have not been clarified. Methods: A comparative analysis employing the NPC transcriptome (GSE12452) and the axonogenesis-related genes (GO: 0050772) was performed. In total, 124 tissue blocks from patients primarily diagnosed as NPC (1993-2002) were examined using immunohistochemical staining. The connections between clinicopathological variables and protein immunoexpression were analyzed by Pearson’s chi-square test. The Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test was employed to plot survival curves. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model to identify independent prognostic biomarker. Results: According to transcriptome analysis, we found that ROBO1 is significantly highly expressed in NPC tissues compared with normal tissues. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed that high expression of ROBO1 was significantly related to primary tumor (T1T2 and T3T4) ( P = .024), nodal metastasis status (N0N1 and N2N3) ( P = .030), stage (I-II and III-IV) ( P = .019), and histological grade (keratinizing, non-keratinizing, and undifferentiated) ( P = .065). Importantly, NPC patients with high ROBO1 expression had poorer disease-specific survival (DSS) ( P = .0001), distal metastasis-free survival (DMeFS) ( P < .0001), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) ( P = .0001) compared with NPC patients with low ROBO1 expression through the uni-/multivariate and the Kaplan–Meier survival analyses. Conclusion: Our report indicates that ROBO1 might be a potential prognostic biomarker for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Wei Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying
| | - Ching-Chieh Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan
| | - Hong-Yue Lai
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- Trans-Omic Laboratory for Precision Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
| | - Hsin-Hwa Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- Trans-Omic Laboratory for Precision Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
| | - Cheng-Fa Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Kuo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- College of Pharmacy and Science, Chia Nan University, Tainan
| | - Nai-Wen Kang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan
| | - Tzu-Ju Chen
- Department of Pet care and grooming, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- Institute of Biomedical Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung
| | - Shih-Lun Chang
- Department of Pet care and grooming, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
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Longitudinal evaluation of five nasopharyngeal carcinoma animal models on the microPET/MR platform. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:1497-1507. [PMID: 34862520 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05633-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We longitudinally evaluated the tumour growth and metabolic activity of three nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line models (C666-1, C17 and NPC43) and two xenograft models (Xeno76 and Xeno23) using a micropositron emission tomography and magnetic resonance (microPET/MR). With a better understanding of the interplay between tumour growth and metabolic characteristics of these NPC models, we aim to provide insights for the selection of appropriate NPC cell line/xenograft models to assist novel drug discovery and evaluation. METHODS Mice were imaged by 18F-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) microPET/MR twice a week for consecutive 3-7 weeks. [18F]FDG uptake was quantified by standardized uptake value (SUV) and presented as SUVmean tumour-to-liver ratio (SUVRmean). Longitudinal tumour growth patterns and metabolic patterns were recorded. SUVRmean and histological characteristics were compared across the five NPC models. Cisplatin was administrated to one selected optimal tumour model, C17, to evaluate our imaging platform. RESULTS We found variable tumour growth and metabolic patterns across different NPC tumour types. C17 has an optimal growth rate and higher tumour metabolic activity compared with C666-1. C666-1 has a fast growth rate but is low in SUVRmean at endpoint due to necrosis as confirmed by H&E. NPC43 and Xeno76 have relatively slow growth rates and are low in SUVRmean, due to severe necrosis. Xeno23 has the slowest growth rate, and a relative high SUVRmean. Cisplatin showed the expected therapeutic effect in the C17 model in marked reduction of tumour size and metabolism. CONCLUSION Our study establishes an imaging platform that characterizes the growth and metabolic patterns of different NPC models, and the platform is well able to demonstrate drug treatment outcome supporting its use in novel drug discovery and evaluation for NPC.
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Yang Y, Zhou T, Chen X, Li J, Pan J, He X, Lin L, Shi YR, Feng W, Xiong J, Yang K, Yu Q, Zhang Q, Hu D, Sun Y, Hu G, Li P, Shen L, Lin Q, Zhang B, Qu X, Zou J, Zhang L, Fang W, Zhao Y. Efficacy, safety, and biomarker analysis of Camrelizumab in Previously Treated Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (CAPTAIN study). J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e003790. [PMID: 34933967 PMCID: PMC8693086 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of camrelizumab, an antiprogrammed cell death-1 antibody, in pretreated recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to explore predictive biomarkers. METHODS Patients with recurrent (not amenable to locally curative treatment) or metastatic NPC who had failed at least two lines of chemotherapy were eligible to receive camrelizumab (200 mg intravenously every 2 weeks) for 2 years or until disease progression, intolerable adverse events, withdrawal of consents, or investigator decision. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent review committee (IRC). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Other immune-related biomarkers including major histocompatibility complex class I and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) were assessed by multiplex immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Between August 14, 2018, and December 30, 2019, a total of 156 patients were enrolled. The IRC-assessed ORR was 28.2% (95% CI 21.3% to 36.0%). The median progression-free survival was 3.7 months (95% CI 2.0 to 4.1) per IRC, and the median overall survival was 17.4 months (95% CI 15.2 to 21.9). The ORRs were 35.2% (95% CI 25.3% to 46.1%) vs 19.4% (95% CI 10.4% to 31.4%) in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression of ≥10% and<10%, respectively. Patients with durable clinical benefit (DCB), which was defined as complete response, partial response or stable disease of ≥18 weeks, had higher density of MHC-II+ cell in stroma than patients without DCB (median 868.1 (IQR 413.4-2854.0) cells/mm2 vs median 552.4 (IQR 258.4 to 1242.1) cells/mm2). MHC-II+ cell density did not correlate with PD-L1 expression, and a composite of high stromal MHC-II+ cell density and tumor PD-L1 expression further enriched patients who could benefit from camrelizumab. CONCLUSIONS Camrelizumab had clinically meaningful antitumor activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC. The composition of both MHC-II+ cell density and PD-L1 expression could result in better patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhong Chen
- Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingao Li
- Department of Head and Neck Radiotherapy, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianji Pan
- Department of Head and Neck Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui He
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lizhu Lin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Rui Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weineng Feng
- Department of Head, Neck and Thoracic Oncology, Foshan First People's Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Jianping Xiong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Kunyu Yang
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qitao Yu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qunling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Desheng Hu
- Department of Head and Neck Tumor Radiotherapy, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyuan Hu
- Department of Comprehensive Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangfang Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ben Zhang
- Clinical Research & Development, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Qu
- Clinical Research & Development, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Zou
- Clinical Research & Development, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Wong KCW, Hui EP, Lo KW, Lam WKJ, Johnson D, Li L, Tao Q, Chan KCA, To KF, King AD, Ma BBY, Chan ATC. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an evolving paradigm. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:679-695. [PMID: 34194007 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The past three decades have borne witness to many advances in the understanding of the molecular biology and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer endemic to southern China, southeast Asia and north Africa. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary overview of key research findings regarding NPC pathogenesis, treatment, screening and biomarker development. We describe how technological advances have led to the advent of proton therapy and other contemporary radiotherapy approaches, and emphasize the relentless efforts to identify the optimal sequencing of chemotherapy with radiotherapy through decades of clinical trials. Basic research into the pathogenic role of EBV and the genomic, epigenomic and immune landscape of NPC has laid the foundations of translational research. The latter, in turn, has led to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets and of improved approaches for individualizing immunotherapy and targeted therapies for patients with NPC. We provide historical context to illustrate the effect of these advances on treatment outcomes at present. We describe current preclinical and clinical challenges and controversies in the hope of providing insights for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C W Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Edwin P Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wai Kei Jacky Lam
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - David Johnson
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Lili Li
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Qian Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kwan Chee Allen Chan
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ann D King
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Brigette B Y Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
| | - Anthony T C Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
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Granato M. Nanotechnology Frontiers in γ-Herpesviruses Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111407. [PMID: 34768838 PMCID: PMC8583734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV) are γ-herpesviruses that belong to the Herpesviridae family. EBV infections are linked to the onset and progression of several diseases, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and lymphoproliferative malignancies arising in post-transplanted patients (PTDLs). KSHV, an etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), displays primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). Many therapeutics, such as bortezomib, CHOP cocktail medications, and natural compounds (e.g., quercetin or curcumin), are administrated to patients affected by γ-herpesvirus infections. These drugs induce apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting the proliferative and cell cycle progression in these malignancies. In the last decade, many studies conducted by scientists and clinicians have indicated that nanotechnology and nanomedicine could improve the outcome of several treatments in γ-herpesvirus-associated diseases. Some drugs are entrapped in nanoparticles (NPs) expressed on the surface area of polyethylene glycol (PEG). These NPs move to specific tissues and exert their properties, releasing therapeutics in the cell target. To treat EBV- and KSHV-associated diseases, many studies have been performed in vivo and in vitro using virus-like particles (VPLs) engineered to maximize antigen and epitope presentations during immune response. NPs are designed to improve therapeutic delivery, avoiding dissolving the drugs in toxic solvents. They reduce the dose-limiting toxicity and reach specific tissue areas. Several attempts are ongoing to synthesize and produce EBV vaccines using nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Granato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, RM, Italy
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Gong L, Kwong DLW, Dai W, Wu P, Wang Y, Lee AWM, Guan XY. The Stromal and Immune Landscape of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Implications for Precision Medicine Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:744889. [PMID: 34568077 PMCID: PMC8462296 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.744889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a cancer-dependent and dynamic process. The TME is often a complex ecosystem with immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting functions. Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, primarily focus on inducing tumor apoptosis and hijacking tumor growth, whereas the tumor-protective microenvironment cannot be altered or destructed. Thus, tumor cells can quickly escape from extraneous attack and develop therapeutic resistance, eventually leading to treatment failure. As an Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is frequently infiltrated with varied stromal cells, making its microenvironment a highly heterogeneous and suppressive harbor protecting tumor cells from drug penetration, immune attack, and facilitating tumor development. In the last decade, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have emerged as promising options to treat advanced, metastatic, recurrent, and resistant NPC, but lack of understanding of the TME had hindered the therapeutic development and optimization. Single-cell sequencing of NPC-infiltrating cells has recently deciphered stromal composition and functional dynamics in the TME and non-malignant counterpart. In this review, we aim to depict the stromal landscape of NPC in detail based on recent advances, and propose various microenvironment-based approaches for precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pingan Wu
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anne Wing-Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Abusalah MAH, Binti Hassan SA, Mat Lazim N, Abdullah B, Binti Wan Sohaimi WF, Husin A, Cheng KY, Yean CY. Design of InnoPrimers-Duplex Real-Time PCR for Detection and Treatment Response Prediction of EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Circulating Genetic Biomarker. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11101761. [PMID: 34679459 PMCID: PMC8534743 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial tumor with high prevalence in southern China and Southeast Asia. NPC is well associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) 30 bp deletion by having its vital role in increased tumorigenicity and decreased immune recognition of EBV-related tumors. This study developed an InnoPrimers-duplex qPCR for detection of NPC blood circulating LMP1 30 bp deletion genetic biomarker for early diagnosis and treatment response prediction of NPC patients. The analytical and diagnostic evaluation and treatment response prediction were conducted using NPC patients’ whole blood (WB) and tissue samples and non-NPC cancer patients and healthy individuals’ WB samples. The assay was able to detect as low as 20 ag DNA per reaction (equivalent to 173 copies) with high specificity against broad reference microorganisms and archive NPC biopsy tissue and FNA samples. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 100%, respectively. The 30 bp deletion genetic biomarker was found to be a good prognostic biomarker associated with overall clinical outcome of NPC WHO type III patients. This sensitive and specific assay can help clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment response prediction of NPC patients, which will enhance treatment outcome and lead to better life-saving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Haleem Abusalah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (M.A.H.A.); (S.A.B.H.)
| | - Siti Asma Binti Hassan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (M.A.H.A.); (S.A.B.H.)
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
| | - Norhafiza Mat Lazim
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Baharudin Abdullah
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Wan Fatihah Binti Wan Sohaimi
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Oncology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Azlan Husin
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Kueh Yee Cheng
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Chan Yean Yean
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (M.A.H.A.); (S.A.B.H.)
- Hospital USM, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (N.M.L.); (B.A.); (W.F.B.W.S.); (A.H.); (K.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +60-9-7676258 or +60-129011066
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Aguayo F, Boccardo E, Corvalán A, Calaf GM, Blanco R. Interplay between Epstein-Barr virus infection and environmental xenobiotic exposure in cancer. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:50. [PMID: 34193233 PMCID: PMC8243497 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus associated with lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. Both B cells and epithelial cells are susceptible and permissive to EBV infection. However, considering that 90% of the human population is persistently EBV-infected, with a minority of them developing cancer, additional factors are necessary for tumor development. Xenobiotics such as tobacco smoke (TS) components, pollutants, pesticides, and food chemicals have been suggested as cofactors involved in EBV-associated cancers. In this review, the suggested mechanisms by which xenobiotics cooperate with EBV for carcinogenesis are discussed. Additionally, a model is proposed in which xenobiotics, which promote oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage, regulate EBV replication, promoting either the maintenance of viral genomes or lytic activation, ultimately leading to cancer. Interactions between EBV and xenobiotics represent an opportunity to identify mechanisms by which this virus is involved in carcinogenesis and may, in turn, suggest both prevention and control strategies for EBV-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrique Boccardo
- Laboratory of Oncovirology, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Corvalán
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gloria M Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, 1000000, Arica, Chile.,Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Rancés Blanco
- Laboratorio de Oncovirología, Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Brennan S, Baird AM, O’Regan E, Sheils O. The Role of Human Papilloma Virus in Dictating Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:677900. [PMID: 34250016 PMCID: PMC8262095 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.677900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an oncogenic virus which is associated with the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), predominantly within the oropharynx. Approximately 25% of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cases worldwide are attributable to HPV infection, with an estimated 65% in the United States. Transmission is via exposure during sexual contact, with distinctive anatomical features of the tonsils providing this organ with a predilection for infection by HPV. No premalignant lesion is identifiable on clinical examination, thus no comparative histological features to denote the stages of carcinogenesis for HPV driven HNSCC are identifiable. This is in contrast to HPV-driven cervical carcinoma, making screening a challenge for the head and neck region. However, HPV proffers a favorable prognosis in the head and neck region, with better overall survival rates in contrast to its HPV negative counterparts. This has resulted in extensive research into de-intensifying therapies aiming to minimize the morbidity induced by standard concurrent chemo-radiotherapy without compromising efficacy. Despite the favorable prognosis, cases of recurrence and/or metastasis of HPV positive HNSCC do occur, and are linked with poor outcomes. HPV 16 is the most frequent genotype identified in HNSCC, yet there is limited research to date studying the impact of other HPV genotype with respect to overall survival. A similar situation pertains to genetic aberrations associated in those with HPV positive HNSCC who recur, with only four published studies to date. Somatic mutations in TSC2, BRIP1, NBN, TACC3, NFE2l2, STK11, HRAS, PIK3R1, TP63, and FAT1 have been identified in recurrent HPV positive OPSCC. Finding alternative therapeutic strategies for this young cohort may depend on upfront identification of HPV genotypes and mutations which are linked with worse outcomes, thus ensuring appropriate stratification of treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Brennan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne-Marie Baird
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Esther O’Regan
- Department of Histopathology, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Sheils
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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Poon DJJ, Tay LM, Ho D, Chua MLK, Chow EKH, Yeo ELL. Improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers: Leveraging on novel artificial intelligence-based approaches for drug combination discovery. Cancer Lett 2021; 511:56-67. [PMID: 33933554 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous advances in cancer radiotherapy, tumor radioresistance remain one of the major challenges limiting treatment efficacy of radiotherapy. Conventional strategies to overcome radioresistance involve understanding the underpinning molecular mechanisms, and subsequently using combinatorial treatment strategies involving radiation and targeted drug combinations against these radioresistant tumors. These strategies exploit and target the molecular fingerprint and vulnerability of the radioresistant clones to achieve improved efficacy in tumor eradication. However, conventional drug-screening approaches for the discovery of new drug combinations have been proven to be inefficient, limited and laborious. With the increasing availability of computational resources in recent years, novel approaches such as Quadratic Phenotypic Optimization Platform (QPOP), CURATE.AI and Drug Combination and Prediction and Testing (DCPT) platform have emerged to aid in drug combination discovery and the longitudinally optimized modulation of combination therapy dosing. These platforms could overcome the limitations of conventional screening approaches, thereby facilitating the discovery of more optimal drug combinations to improve the therapeutic ratio of combinatorial treatment. The use of better and more accurate models and methods with rapid turnover can thus facilitate a rapid translation in the clinic, hence, resulting in a better patient outcome. Here, we reviewed the clinical observations, molecular mechanisms and proposed treatment strategies for tumor radioresistance and discussed how novel approaches may be applied to enhance drug combination discovery, with the aim to further improve the therapeutic ratio and treatment efficacy of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Jun Jie Poon
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore.
| | - Li Min Tay
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
| | - Dean Ho
- The N.1 Institute of Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore; Department of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Melvin Lee Kiang Chua
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore; Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore; Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; The N.1 Institute of Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore; Department of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Eugenia Li Ling Yeo
- Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, 169610, Singapore.
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Li X, Zhang W. Expression of PD-L1 in EBV-associated malignancies. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 95:107553. [PMID: 33765613 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus infection is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of malignant tumors. Tumor immunotherapy has been combined with modern biological high-tech technology, and has become the fourth cancer treatment mode after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In 2013, immunotherapy was named the first of ten scientific breakthroughs by science. It aims to control and destroy tumor cells by stimulating and enhancing autoimmune function. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-L1 have become a research hotspot in the field of cancer. Recent studies have shown that EBV infection can upregulate PD-L1 through complex mechanisms. Further understanding of these mechanisms and prevention of hyperprogressive disease (HPD) can make PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors an effective way of immunotherapy for EBV related malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China; Clinical Laboratory, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Fan FS, Chiu CF, Huang HH, Shu HFW. Remarkable Response to Cisplatin Doublet Chemotherapy in Pulmonary Metastasis With Left Atrial Extension From a Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Cureus 2021; 13:e13793. [PMID: 33959428 PMCID: PMC8093781 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A 60-year-old male patient whose nasopharyngeal carcinoma was brought to complete remission with induction chemotherapy composing of cisplatin plus fluorouracil and subsequent radiotherapy with intent of cure eight years ago presented with dyspnea due to left side massive pleural effusion with pleural seedings, left lower lobe huge space occupying lesion, and left atrial tumor extending from the intrapulmonary lesion through left inferior pulmonary veins. Pleural biopsy revealed a picture of nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma positive for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs in situ hybridization, leading to a diagnosis of late pulmonary metastases from the antecedent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Systemic chemotherapy with initial cisplatin plus paclitaxel and subsequent cisplatin plus gemcitabine brought remarkable resolution to the malignant cardiac and intrathoracic lesions. So far as we know, this is the first case report of left atrial invasion from pulmonary metastasis of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma origin in the English literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank S Fan
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Ministry of Health and Welfare Taitung Hospital, Taitung County, TWN
| | - Chen-Feng Chiu
- Section of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare Feng Yuan Hospital, Taichung City, TWN
| | - Hsuan-Hua Huang
- Pathology, Ministry of Health and Welfare Feng Yuan Hospital, Taichung City, TWN
| | - Hwei-Fan Wendy Shu
- Pathology, Ministry of Health and Welfare Feng Yuan Hospital, Taichung City, TWN
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48
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Riess C, Irmscher N, Salewski I, Strüder D, Classen CF, Große-Thie C, Junghanss C, Maletzki C. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in head and neck cancer and glioblastoma-backbone or add-on in immune-oncology? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:153-171. [PMID: 33161487 PMCID: PMC7897202 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) control the cell cycle and play a crucial role in oncogenesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of CDK has contributed to the recent clinical approval of dual CDK4/6 inhibitors for the treatment of breast and small cell lung cancer. While the anticancer cell effects of CDK inhibitors are well-established, preclinical and early clinical studies describe additional mechanisms of action such as chemo- and radiosensitization or immune stimulation. The latter offers great potential to incorporate CDK inhibitors in immune-based treatments. However, dosing schedules and accurate timing of each combination partner need to be respected to prevent immune escape and resistance. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of CDK inhibitors in the two solid cancer types head and neck cancer and glioblastoma multiforme; it describes the molecular mechanisms of response vs. resistance and covers strategies to avoid resistance by the combination of immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Riess
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- University Children's and Adolescents' Hospital, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nina Irmscher
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Inken Salewski
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Daniel Strüder
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Carl-Friedrich Classen
- University Children's and Adolescents' Hospital, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christina Große-Thie
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Claudia Maletzki
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
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Savoret J, Mesnard JM, Gross A, Chazal N. Antisense Transcripts and Antisense Protein: A New Perspective on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:625941. [PMID: 33510738 PMCID: PMC7835632 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.625941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It was first predicted in 1988 that there may be an Open Reading Frame (ORF) on the negative strand of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome that could encode a protein named AntiSense Protein (ASP). In spite of some controversy, reports began to emerge some years later describing the detection of HIV-1 antisense transcripts, the presence of ASP in transfected and infected cells, and the existence of an immune response targeting ASP. Recently, it was established that the asp gene is exclusively conserved within the pandemic group M of HIV-1. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on HIV-1 antisense transcripts and ASP, and we discuss their potential functions in HIV-1 infection together with the role played by antisense transcripts and ASPs in some other viruses. Finally, we suggest pathways raised by the study of antisense transcripts and ASPs that may warrant exploration in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Savoret
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Michel Mesnard
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine Gross
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Chazal
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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50
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Strycharz-Dudziak M, Fołtyn S, Dworzański J, Kiełczykowska M, Malm M, Drop B, Polz-Dacewicz M. Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in Oropharyngeal Cancer Associated with EBV and HPV Coinfection. Viruses 2020; 12:E1008. [PMID: 32917014 PMCID: PMC7551554 DOI: 10.3390/v12091008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reports have pointed to the link between persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and carcinogenesis; however most of the studies concerning the role of viruses in head and neck cancer (HNC) are focused mainly on one type of virus. Our present study aimed to study the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus/human papilloma virus (EBV/HPV) coinfection and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in oropharyngeal cancer. Fresh-frozen tumor tissue samples were collected from 128 patients with oropharyngeal cancer infected with EBV or HPV or with EBV/HPV coinfection. After DNA extraction, EBV and HPV DNA was detected using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. GPx and SOD activity was determined in homogenates of cancer tissue using diagnostic kits produced by Randox Laboratories. Both GPx and SOD activity was statistically lower in patients with EBV/HPV coinfection than in a single EBV or HPV infection. Analysis of GPx and SOD activity in relation to histological grading and tumor, node (TN) classification revealed that in poorly-differentiated tumors, the level of antioxidant enzymes was lower compared with well-differentiated lesions and in cases with greater tumor dimensions and lymph-node involvement, both GPx and SOD activity was decreased. Further studies are necessary to clarify the influence of interplay between EBV, HPV, and oxidative stress on malignant transformation of upper aerodigestive tract epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Strycharz-Dudziak
- Chair and Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sylwia Fołtyn
- Department of Otolaryngology, Masovian Specialist Hospital, 26-617 Radom, Poland;
| | - Jakub Dworzański
- Department of Internal Diseases, Masovian Specialist Hospital, 26-617 Radom, Poland;
| | | | - Maria Malm
- Department of Information Technology and Medical Statistics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.D.)
| | - Bartłomiej Drop
- Department of Information Technology and Medical Statistics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (B.D.)
| | - Małgorzata Polz-Dacewicz
- Department of Virology with SARS Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
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