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Um JH, Zheng Y, Mao Q, Nam C, Zhao H, Koh YW, Shin SJ, Park YM, Lin DC. Genomic and single-cell characterization of patient-derived tumor organoid models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601068. [PMID: 39005427 PMCID: PMC11244938 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a significant health burden due to tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance, emphasizing the need for improved biological understanding and tailored therapies. This study enrolled 31 HNSCC patients for the establishment of patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs), which faithfully maintained genomic features and histopathological traits of primary tumors. Long-term culture preserved key characteristics, affirming PDOs as robust representative models. PDOs demonstrated predictive capability for cisplatin treatment responses, correlating ex vivo drug sensitivity with patient outcomes. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing unveiled molecular subtypes and intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) in PDOs, paralleling patient tumors. Notably, a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal transition (hEMT)-like ITH program is associated with cisplatin resistance and poor patient survival. Functional analyses identified amphiregulin (AREG) as a potential regulator of the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state. Moreover, AREG contributes to cisplatin resistance via EGFR pathway activation, corroborated by clinical samples. In summary, HNSCC PDOs serve as reliable and versatile models, offer predictive insights into ITH programs and treatment responses, and uncover potential therapeutic targets for personalized medicine. One Sentence Summary This study establishes patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs) from 31 Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, faithfully recapitulating characteristics of primary tumors and accurately predicting clinical responses to cisplatin treatment. We reveal intertumoral heterogeneity within PDOs and a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal transition (hEMT) program conferring cisplatin resistance, highlighting amphiregulin (AREG) as a regulator of cellular plasticity and potential therapeutic target for HNSCC treatment.
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Nam C, Li LY, Yang Q, Ziman B, Zhao H, Hu B, Collet C, Jing P, Lei Q, Xu LY, Li EM, Koeffler HP, Sinha UK, Lin DC. A druggable cascade links methionine metabolism to epigenomic reprogramming in squamous cell carcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320835121. [PMID: 38900797 PMCID: PMC11214090 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320835121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma (UASCC) is a common and aggressive malignancy with few effective therapeutic options. Here, we investigate amino acid metabolism in this cancer, surprisingly noting that UASCC exhibits the highest methionine level across all human cancers, driven by its transporter LAT1. We show that LAT1 is also expressed at the highest level in UASCC, transcriptionally activated by UASCC-specific promoter and enhancers, which are directly coregulated by SCC master regulators TP63/KLF5/SREBF1. Unexpectedly, unbiased bioinformatic screen identifies EZH2 as the most significant target downstream of the LAT1-methionine pathway, directly linking methionine metabolism to epigenomic reprogramming. Importantly, this cascade is indispensable for the survival and proliferation of UASCC patient-derived tumor organoids. In addition, LAT1 expression is closely associated with cellular sensitivity to inhibition of the LAT1-methionine-EZH2 axis. Notably, this unique LAT1-methionine-EZH2 cascade can be targeted effectively by either pharmacological approaches or dietary intervention in vivo. In summary, this work maps a unique mechanistic cross talk between epigenomic reprogramming with methionine metabolism, establishes its biological significance in the biology of UASCC, and identifies a unique tumor-specific vulnerability which can be exploited both pharmacologically and dietarily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chehyun Nam
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Li-Yan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Benjamin Ziman
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Hua Zhao
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Boyan Hu
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Casey Collet
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Pei Jing
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qifang Lei
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong518116, China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Uttam K. Sinha
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
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Mulaudzi PE, Abrahamse H, Crous A. Insights on Three Dimensional Organoid Studies for Stem Cell Therapy in Regenerative Medicine. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:509-523. [PMID: 38095787 PMCID: PMC10837234 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10655-6] [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] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine has developed as a promising discipline that utilizes stem cells to address limitations in traditional therapies, using innovative techniques to restore and repair damaged organs and tissues. One such technique is the generation of three-dimensional (3D) organoids in stem cell therapy. Organoids are 3D constructs that resemble specific organs' structural and functional characteristics and are generated from stem cells or tissue-specific progenitor cells. The use of 3D organoids is advantageous in comparison to traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture by bridging the gap between in vivo and in vitro research. This review aims to provide an overview of the advancements made towards regenerative medicine using stem cells to generate organoids, explore the techniques used in generating 3D organoids and their applications and finally elucidate the challenges and future directions in regenerative medicine using 3D organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Precious Earldom Mulaudzi
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Heidi Abrahamse
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Anine Crous
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
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Abd El-Salam MA, Troulis MJ, Pan CX, Rao RA. Unlocking the potential of organoids in cancer treatment and translational research: An application of cytologic techniques. Cancer Cytopathol 2024; 132:96-102. [PMID: 37843532 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22769] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Patient-derived organoid models hold promise for advancing clinical cancer research, including diagnosis and personalized and precision medicine approaches, and cytology, in particular, plays a pivotal role in this process. These three-dimensional multicellular structures are heterogeneous, potentially maintain the cancer phenotype, and conserve the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic patterns of the parental tumors. To ensure that only tumor tissue is used for organoid development, cytologic validation is necessary before initiating the process of organoid generation. Here, we explore the technology of tumor organoids and discuss the fundamental application of cytology as a simple and cost-effective approach toward organoid development. We also underscore the potential application of organoid development in drug efficacy studies for lung cancer and head and neck tumors. Additionally, we stress the importance of using fine-needle aspiration to generate tumoroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Abd El-Salam
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Maria J Troulis
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chong-Xian Pan
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rema A Rao
- Division of Cytology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Ottaiano A, Ianniello M, Santorsola M, Ruggiero R, Sirica R, Sabbatino F, Perri F, Cascella M, Di Marzo M, Berretta M, Caraglia M, Nasti G, Savarese G. From Chaos to Opportunity: Decoding Cancer Heterogeneity for Enhanced Treatment Strategies. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1183. [PMID: 37759584 PMCID: PMC10525472 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer manifests as a multifaceted disease, characterized by aberrant cellular proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Tumors exhibit variances across diverse dimensions, encompassing genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional realms. This heterogeneity poses significant challenges in prognosis and treatment, affording tumors advantages through an increased propensity to accumulate mutations linked to immune system evasion and drug resistance. In this review, we offer insights into tumor heterogeneity as a crucial characteristic of cancer, exploring the difficulties associated with measuring and quantifying such heterogeneity from clinical and biological perspectives. By emphasizing the critical nature of understanding tumor heterogeneity, this work contributes to raising awareness about the importance of developing effective cancer therapies that target this distinct and elusive trait of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Ottaiano
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Monica Ianniello
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (M.I.); (R.R.); (R.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariachiara Santorsola
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Raffaella Ruggiero
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (M.I.); (R.R.); (R.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Sirica
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (M.I.); (R.R.); (R.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy;
| | - Francesco Perri
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Marco Cascella
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Massimiliano Di Marzo
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Guglielmo Nasti
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, Via M. Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (F.P.); (M.C.); (M.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Giovanni Savarese
- AMES, Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale srl, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Italy; (M.I.); (R.R.); (R.S.); (G.S.)
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