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Ghorani E, Swanton C, Quezada SA. Cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms driving acquired immune tolerance. Immunity 2023; 56:2270-2295. [PMID: 37820584 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumors to survive contact with the host immune system and evade the cycle of immune recognition and destruction. Here, we review the current understanding of the cancer cell-intrinsic factors driving immune evasion. We focus on T cells as key effectors of anti-cancer immunity and argue that cancer cells evade immune destruction by gaining control over pathways that usually serve to maintain physiological tolerance to self. Using this framework, we place recent mechanistic advances in the understanding of cancer immune evasion into broad categories of control over T cell localization, antigen recognition, and acquisition of optimal effector function. We discuss the redundancy in the pathways involved and identify knowledge gaps that must be overcome to better target immune evasion, including the need for better, routinely available tools that incorporate the growing understanding of evasion mechanisms to stratify patients for therapy and trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghorani
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Hematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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2
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Crippa V, Malighetti F, Villa M, Graudenzi A, Piazza R, Mologni L, Ramazzotti D. Characterization of cancer subtypes associated with clinical outcomes by multi-omics integrative clustering. Comput Biol Med 2023; 162:107064. [PMID: 37267828 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer patients show heterogeneous phenotypes and very different outcomes and responses even to common treatments, such as standard chemotherapy. This state-of-affairs has motivated the need for the comprehensive characterization of cancer phenotypes and fueled the generation of large omics datasets, comprising multiple omics data reported for the same patients, which might now allow us to start deciphering cancer heterogeneity and implement personalized therapeutic strategies. In this work, we performed the analysis of four cancer types obtained from the latest efforts by The Cancer Genome Atlas, for which seven distinct omics data were available for each patient, in addition to curated clinical outcomes. We performed a uniform pipeline for raw data preprocessing and adopted the Cancer Integration via MultIkernel LeaRning (CIMLR) integrative clustering method to extract cancer subtypes. We then systematically review the discovered clusters for the considered cancer types, highlighting novel associations between the different omics and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Crippa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
| | - Federica Malighetti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
| | - Matteo Villa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
| | - Alex Graudenzi
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Rocco Piazza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Mologni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
| | - Daniele Ramazzotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
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3
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Almutairi MH, Alrubie TM, Almutairi BO, Alamri AM, Alrefaei AF, Arafah MM, Alanazi M, Semlali A. The Expression Patterns of Human Cancer-Testis Genes Are Induced through Epigenetic Drugs in Colon Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1319. [PMID: 36355490 PMCID: PMC9692864 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of human germline genes is restricted to the germ cells of the gonads, which produce sperm and eggs. The germline genes involved in testis development and potentially activated in cancer cells are known as cancer-testis (CT) genes. These genes are potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers, as well as drivers of the oncogenic process. CT genes can be reactivated by treatment with drugs that demethylate DNA. The majority of the existing literature on CT gene activation focuses on X-chromosome-produced CT genes. We tested the hypothesis that epigenetic landscape changes, such as DNA methylation, can alter several CT gene expression profiles in cancer and germ cells. METHODS Colon cancer (CC) cell lines were treated with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, or with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) trichostatin A (TSA). The effects of these epigenetic treatments on the transcriptional activation of previously published CT genes (CTAG1A, SCP2D1, TKTL2, LYZL6, TEX33, and ACTRT1) and testis-specific genes (NUTM1, ASB17, ZSWIM2, ADAM2, and C10orf82) were investigated. RESULTS We found that treatment of CC cell lines with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine or TSA correlated with activation of X-encoded CT genes and non-X-encoded CT genes in somatic (non-germline) cells. CONCLUSION These findings confirm that a subset of CT genes can be regulated by hypomethylating drugs and subsequently provide a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhlid H. Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki M. Alrubie
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader O. Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M. Alamri
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulwahed F. Alrefaei
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha M. Arafah
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alanazi
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelhabib Semlali
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, 2420 Rue de la Terrasse, Local 1758, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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4
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Wang G, Yang L, Wang Y, Hu R, Zhang K, Guo T, Chen B, Jiang X, Cui R. Characterization of Immune-Related Molecular Subtypes and a Prognostic Signature Correlating With the Response to Immunotherapy in Patients With Gastric Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:939836. [PMID: 35898512 PMCID: PMC9309259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a disease characterized by high molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity and represents a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) affects the response to immunotherapy and the prognosis of patients with GC. Explorations of the TIME in GC and characterization of molecular subtypes might enhance personalized treatment and facilitate clinical decision-making. In this study, two molecular subtypes were defined through unsupervised consensus clustering based on immune-related dysregulated genes. Then, patients with different molecular subtypes of GC were shown to have distinct differences in sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs). The immune-related prognostic signature was established utilizing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression analysis. Three independent external cohorts and the IMvigor210 cohort were introduced to validate the robustness of IPRS. scRNA-seq data of GC samples were used to decipher the underlying mechanisms of how IPRS contributes to the TIME. GC biospecimens were collected for RT-qPCR to further validate our findings. In summary, we characterized the abnormal TIME of GC and constructed a reliable immune-related prognostic signature correlating with the response to immunotherapy. This study may provide new strategies for developing individualized treatments for patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoming Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ludi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongkun Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renhao Hu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kehui Zhang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Taohua Guo
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaohua Jiang, ; Ran Cui,
| | - Ran Cui
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaohua Jiang, ; Ran Cui,
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Molecular Regulation of Androgen Receptors in Major Female Reproductive System Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147556. [PMID: 35886904 PMCID: PMC9322163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are three main types of cancer in the female reproductive system, specifically ovarian cancer (OVCA), endometrial cancer (EC), and cervical cancer (CC). They are common malignant tumors in women worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, androgen receptors (ARs) have been found to be closely related to the occurrence, progression, prognosis, and drug resistance of these three types of tumors. This paper summarizes current views on the role of AR in female reproductive system cancer, the associations between female reproductive system cancers and AR expression and polymorphisms. AR regulates the downstream target genes transcriptional activity and the expression via interacting with coactivators/corepressors and upstream/downstream regulators and through the gene transcription mechanism of “classical A/AR signaling” or “non-classical AR signaling”, involving a large number of regulatory factors and signaling pathways. ARs take part in the processes of cancer cell proliferation, migration/invasion, cancer cell stemness, and chemotherapeutic drug resistance. These findings suggest that the AR and related regulators could target the treatment of female reproductive system cancer.
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6
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Jumaa MG, Ramadhan MAK. Cancer testis antigen XAGE-1 is a promising marker for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. J Med Life 2022; 14:710-715. [PMID: 35027975 PMCID: PMC8742904 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0304] [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] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens have been discovered in various cancers, and several studies have suggested that since they exhibit such distinct patterns of expression, these antigens might be attractive targets for cancer detection and immunotherapy. Our work attempted to clarify the function played by cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancers, notably in the XAGE1 gene. The investigation was conducted on 74 tissue samples from newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer. The control group included twenty-eight benign ovarian tumors. The expression of XAGE1 mRNA was assessed using RT-PCR. Compared to benign tumors, cancer samples exhibited higher levels of XAGE1 gene expression, which was statistically significant (P0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between menopausal status and family history. Gene expression was substantially connected with age groups as the higher level of gene expression in patients 50-74 years of age (P 0.01) was seen. Mucinous tumors exhibited significant correlations (P0.01) across histopathological tumor types. In correlation with tumor stages, stage III was substantially linked compared to stage I (P0.01). In conclusion, we referred to the potential to use XAGE1 to discriminate malignant ovarian tumors as a diagnostic biomarker. The connection of high XAGE 1 level with advanced ovarian cancer stages has also been established, supporting XAGE 1's proposed role in poor prognosis. Finally, finding the specific involvement of this gene in ovarian cancer and other kinds of malignancies may require further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysaa Ghazi Jumaa
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Maisan, Maisan, Iraq
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Alternative polyadenylation: An untapped source for prostate cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets? Asian J Urol 2021; 8:407-415. [PMID: 34765448 PMCID: PMC8566364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2021.05.014] [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] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To review alternative polyadenylation (APA) as a mechanism of gene regulation and consider potential roles for APA in prostate cancer (PCa) biology and treatment. Methods An extensive review of mRNA polyadenylation, APA, and PCa literature was performed. This review article introduces APA and its association with human disease, outlines the mechanisms and components of APA, reviews APA in cancer biology, and considers whether APA may contribute to PCa progression and/or produce novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa. Results Eukaryotic mRNA 3′-end cleavage and polyadenylation play a critical role in gene expression. Most human genes encode more than one polyadenylation signal, and produce more than one transcript isoform, through APA. Polyadenylation can occur throughout the gene body to generate transcripts with differing 3′-termini and coding sequence. Differences in 3′-untranslated regions length can modify post-transcriptional gene regulation by microRNAs and RNA binding proteins, and alter mRNA stability, translation efficiency, and subcellular localization. Distinctive APA patterns are associated with human diseases, tissue origins, and changes in cellular proliferation rate and differentiation state. APA events may therefore generate unique mRNA biomarkers or therapeutic targets in certain cancer types or phenotypic states. Conclusions The full extent of cancer-associated and tissue-specific APA events have yet to be defined, and the mechanisms and functional consequences of APA in cancer remain incompletely understood. There is evidence that APA is active in PCa, and that it may be an untapped resource for PCa biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
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8
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Li S, Shi X, Li J, Zhou X. Pathogenicity of the MAGE family. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:844. [PMID: 34733362 PMCID: PMC8561213 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13105] [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: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) protein family is a group of highly conserved proteins that share a common homology domain. Under normal circumstances, numerous MAGE proteins are only expressed in reproduction-related tissues; however, abnormal expression levels are observed in a variety of tumor tissues. The MAGE family consists of type I and II proteins, several of which are cancer-testis antigens that are highly expressed in cancer and serve a critical role in tumorigenesis. Therefore, this review will use the relationship between MAGEs and tumors as a starting point, focusing on the latest developments regarding the function of MAGEs as oncogenes, and preliminarily reveal their possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanyan Li
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Shi
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Jingping Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Xianrong Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
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9
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Ojha R, Prajapati VK. Cognizance of posttranslational modifications in vaccines: A way to enhanced immunogenicity. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:8020-8034. [PMID: 34170014 PMCID: PMC8427110 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is a significant advancement or preventative strategy for controlling the spread of various severe infectious and noninfectious diseases. The purpose of vaccination is to stimulate or activate the immune system by injecting antigens, i.e., either whole microorganisms or using the pathogen's antigenic part or macromolecules. Over time, researchers have made tremendous efforts to reduce vaccine side effects or failure by developing different strategies combining with immunoinformatic and molecular biology. These newly designed vaccines are composed of single or several antigenic molecules derived from a pathogenic organism. Although, whole‐cell vaccines are still in use against various diseases but due to their ineffectiveness, other vaccines like DNA‐based, RNA‐based, and protein‐based vaccines, with the addition of immunostimulatory agents, are in the limelight. Despite this, many researchers escape the most common fundamental phenomenon of protein posttranslational modifications during the development of vaccines, which regulates protein functional behavior, evokes immunogenicity and stability, etc. The negligence about post translational modification (PTM) during vaccine development may affect the vaccine's efficacy and immune responses. Therefore, it becomes imperative to consider these modifications of macromolecules before finalizing the antigenic vaccine construct. Here, we have discussed different types of posttranslational/transcriptional modifications that are usually considered during vaccine construct designing: Glycosylation, Acetylation, Sulfation, Methylation, Amidation, SUMOylation, Ubiquitylation, Lipidation, Formylation, and Phosphorylation. Based on the available research information, we firmly believe that considering these modifications will generate a potential and highly immunogenic antigenic molecule against communicable and noncommunicable diseases compared to the unmodified macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupal Ojha
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
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10
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Wu M, Wang S, Chen JY, Zhou LJ, Guo ZW, Li YH. Therapeutic cancer vaccine therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Immunotherapy 2021; 13:863-877. [PMID: 33955237 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antitumor function of the immune system has been harnessed to eradicate tumor cells as cancer therapy. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to help immune cells recognize tumor cells, which are difficult to target owing to immune escape. Many attempts at vaccine designs have been conducted throughout the last decades. In addition, as the advanced understanding of immunosuppressive mechanisms mediated by tumor cells, combining cancer vaccines with other immune therapies seems to be more efficient for cancer treatment. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults with poor prognosis. Evidence has shown T-cell-mediated immune responses in AML, which encourages the utility of immune therapies in AML. This review discusses cancer vaccines in AML from vaccine design as well as recent progress in vaccination combination with other immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.,Department of Hematology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Jian-Yu Chen
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Zi-Wen Guo
- Department of Hematology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Yu-Hua Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
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Kundu S, Ray MD, Sharma A. Interplay between genome organization and epigenomic alterations of pericentromeric DNA in cancer. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:184-197. [PMID: 33840602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotic genome biology, the genomic organization inside the three-dimensional (3D) nucleus is highly complex, and whether this organization governs gene expression is poorly understood. Nuclear lamina (NL) is a filamentous meshwork of proteins present at the lining of inner nuclear membrane that serves as an anchoring platform for genome organization. Large chromatin domains termed as lamina-associated domains (LADs), play a major role in silencing genes at the nuclear periphery. The interaction of the NL and genome is dynamic and stochastic. Furthermore, many genes change their positions during developmental processes or under disease conditions such as cancer, to activate certain sorts of genes and/or silence others. Pericentromeric heterochromatin (PCH) is mostly in the silenced region within the genome, which localizes at the nuclear periphery. Studies show that several genes located at the PCH are aberrantly expressed in cancer. The interesting question is that despite being localized in the pericentromeric region, how these genes still manage to overcome pericentromeric repression. Although epigenetic mechanisms control the expression of the pericentromeric region, recent studies about genome organization and genome-nuclear lamina interaction have shed light on a new aspect of pericentromeric gene regulation through a complex and coordinated interplay between epigenomic remodeling and genomic organization in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Kundu
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Cancer Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - M D Ray
- Department of Surgical Oncology, IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Cancer Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.
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Wu Y, Sang M, Liu F, Zhang J, Li W, Li Z, Gu L, Zheng Y, Li J, Shan B. Epigenetic modulation combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade enhances immunotherapy based on MAGE-A11 antigen-specific CD8+T cells against esophageal carcinoma. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:894-903. [PMID: 32529260 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are promising targets for T cell-based immunotherapy and studies have shown that certain CT genes are epigenetically depressed in cancer cells through DNA demethylation. Melanoma-associated antigen A11 (MAGE-A11) is a CTA that is frequently expressed in esophageal cancer and is correlated with a poor esophageal cancer prognosis. Consequently, MAGE-A11 is a potential immunotherapy target. In this study, we evaluated MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells and found that it was downregulated in several tumor cell lines, which restricted the effect of immunotherapy. Additionally, the specific recognition and lytic potential of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) derived from the MAGE-A11 was determined. Specific CTLs could kill esophageal cancer cells expressing MAGE-A11 but rarely lysed MAGE-A11-negative tumor cells. Therefore, induction of MAGE-A11 expression is critical for CTLs recognition and lysis of esophageal cancer cells. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine increased MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells and subsequently enhanced the cytotoxicity of MAGE-A11-specific CD8+T cells against cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we found that PD-L1 expression in esophageal cancer cells affected the antitumor function of CTLs. programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 blockade could increase the specific CTL-induced lysis of HLA-A2+/MAGE-A11+ tumor cell lines treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. These findings indicate that the treatment of tumor cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine augments MAGE-A11 expression in esophageal cancer cells. The combination of epigenetic modulation by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade may be useful for T cell-based immunotherapy against esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Wu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Tumor Research, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Gu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Tumor Research, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
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13
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Florke Gee RR, Chen H, Lee AK, Daly CA, Wilander BA, Fon Tacer K, Potts PR. Emerging roles of the MAGE protein family in stress response pathways. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16121-16155. [PMID: 32921631 PMCID: PMC7681028 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) proteins all contain a MAGE homology domain. MAGE genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and have expanded from a single gene in lower eukaryotes to ∼40 genes in humans and mice. Whereas some MAGEs are ubiquitously expressed in tissues, others are expressed in only germ cells with aberrant reactivation in multiple cancers. Much of the initial research on MAGEs focused on exploiting their antigenicity and restricted expression pattern to target them with cancer immunotherapy. Beyond their potential clinical application and role in tumorigenesis, recent studies have shown that MAGE proteins regulate diverse cellular and developmental pathways, implicating them in many diseases besides cancer, including lung, renal, and neurodevelopmental disorders. At the molecular level, many MAGEs bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases and, thus, regulate their substrate specificity, ligase activity, and subcellular localization. On a broader scale, the MAGE genes likely expanded in eutherian mammals to protect the germline from environmental stress and aid in stress adaptation, and this stress tolerance may explain why many cancers aberrantly express MAGEs Here, we present an updated, comprehensive review on the MAGE family that highlights general characteristics, emphasizes recent comparative studies in mice, and describes the diverse functions exerted by individual MAGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R Florke Gee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anna K Lee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christina A Daly
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Benjamin A Wilander
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas, USA.
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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14
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Colemon A, Harris TM, Ramanathan S. DNA hypomethylation drives changes in MAGE-A gene expression resulting in alteration of proliferative status of cells. Genes Environ 2020; 42:24. [PMID: 32760472 PMCID: PMC7392716 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-020-00162-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma Antigen Genes (MAGEs) are a family of genes that have piqued the interest of scientists for their unique expression pattern. A subset of MAGEs (Type I) are expressed in spermatogonial cells and in no other somatic tissue, and then re-expressed in many cancers. Type I MAGEs are often referred to as cancer-testis antigens due to this expression pattern, while Type II MAGEs are more ubiquitous in expression. This study determines the cause and consequence of the aberrant expression of the MAGE-A subfamily of cancer-testis antigens. We have discovered that MAGE-A genes are regulated by DNA methylation, as revealed by treatment with 5-azacytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis of existing methylome sequencing data also corroborates our findings. The consequence of expressing certain MAGE-A genes is an increase in cell proliferation and colony formation and resistance to chemo-therapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil and DNA damaging agent sodium arsenite. Taken together, these data indicate that DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of MAGE-A genes which then act as drivers of cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and chemo-resistance that is critical for cancer-cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Colemon
- Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program, Fisk University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Taylor M Harris
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Saumya Ramanathan
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, TN USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
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15
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The role of DNA-demethylating agents in cancer therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 205:107416. [PMID: 31626871 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation patterns are frequently altered in cancer cells as compared to normal cells. A large body of research associates these DNA methylation aberrations with cancer initiation and progression. Moreover, cancer cells seem to depend upon these aberrant DNA methylation profiles to thrive. Finally, DNA methylation modifications are reversible, highlighting the potential to target the global methylation patterns for cancer therapy. In this review, we will discuss the scientific and clinical aspects of DNA methylation in cancer. We will review the limited success of targeting DNA methylation in the clinic, the associated clinical challenges, the impact of novel DNA methylation inhibitors and how combination therapies are improving patient outcomes.
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16
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Gu L, Sang M, Li J, Liu F, Wu Y, Liu S, Shan B. Demethylation-mediated upregulation of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 correlates with malignant progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2019; 51:1475-1482. [PMID: 31155488 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression and methylation status of oncogenes are closely related to the onset and progression of cancer. AIMS To explore the role and methylation status of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS 116 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were obtained. The expression level and methylation status of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 in esophageal cancer cell lines and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues were determined respectively. RESULTS Significant up-regulation of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 was detected in esophageal cancer cell lines and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Up-regulation of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 contributed to proliferation and invasion in cancer cells. Hypomethylation of the CpG site was associated with pathological differentiation, clinical stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients in stage III and IV, with high expression of melanoma-associated antigen-A11 or hypomethylation of the CpG site within the promoter demonstrated poor survival. CONCLUSION Melanoma-associated antigen-A11 is up-regulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma at least partly by hypomethylation of the CpG site within the promoter and this hypomethylation may affect the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Gu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunyan Wu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shina Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Gu L, Sang M, Li J, Liu F, Wu Y, Liu S, Wang P, Shan B. Expression and prognostic significance of MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1,TFCP2 and ZEB1) in ESCC tissues. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 215:152446. [PMID: 31126819 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.152446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1, TFCP2 and ZEB1) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS To assess the expression of MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1, TFCP2 and ZEB1) in 121 ESCC samples were respectively detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS The results showed MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1,TFCP2 and ZEB1) expression were associated with some clinical features in patients, such as pathological differentiation, tumor size, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with ESCC having high MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1,TFCP2 and ZEB1) expression had a worse prognosis compared to the patients with low expression. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that MAGE-A11 expression, TFCP2 expression, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were independently associated with ESCC patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS High expression of MAGE-A11 and transcription factors (SP1,TFCP2 and ZEB1) in ESCC tissues suggests promoting ESCC progression and poor prognosis, co-expression of MAGE-A11 and transcription factors even worse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Gu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunyan Wu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shina Liu
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengyu Wang
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Research Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China; Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Sharma A, Albahrani M, Zhang W, Kufel CN, James SR, Odunsi K, Klinkebiel D, Karpf AR. Epigenetic activation of POTE genes in ovarian cancer. Epigenetics 2019; 14:185-197. [PMID: 30764732 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1581590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The POTE gene family consists of 14 homologous genes localized to autosomal pericentromeres, and a sub-set of POTEs are cancer-testis antigen (CTA) genes. POTEs are over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), including the high-grade serous subtype (HGSC), and expression of individual POTEs correlates with chemoresistance and reduced survival in HGSC. The mechanisms driving POTE overexpression in EOC and other cancers is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of epigenetics in regulating POTE expression, with a focus on DNA hypomethylation. Consistent with their pericentromeric localization, Pan-POTE expression in EOC correlated with expression of the pericentromeric repeat NBL2, which was not the case for non-pericentromeric CTAs. POTE genomic regions contain LINE-1 (L1) sequences, and Pan-POTE expression correlated with both global and POTE-specific L1 hypomethylation in EOC. Analysis of individual POTEs using RNA-seq and DNA methylome data from fallopian tube epithelia (FTE) and HGSC revealed that POTEs C, E, and F have increased expression in HGSC in conjunction with DNA hypomethylation at 5' promoter or enhancer regions. Moreover, POTEs C/E/F showed additional increased expression in recurrent HGSC in conjunction with 5' hypomethylation, using patient-matched samples. Experiments using decitabine treatment and DNMT knockout cell lines verified a functional contribution of DNA methylation to POTE repression, and epigenetic drug combinations targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone methyltransferases (HMTs) in combination with decitabine further increased POTE expression. In summary, several alterations of the cancer epigenome, including pericentromeric activation, global and locus-specific L1 hypomethylation, and locus-specific 5' CpG hypomethylation, converge to promote POTE expression in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Sharma
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Mustafa Albahrani
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Wa Zhang
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Christina N Kufel
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Smitha R James
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- d Department of Immunology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,e Department of Gynecologic Oncology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,f Center for Immunotherapy , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,g Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
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19
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The Role of Androgen Receptor Signaling in Ovarian Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020176. [PMID: 30791431 PMCID: PMC6406955 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has suggested that androgen receptor signaling plays an important role in ovarian cancer outgrowth. Specifically, androgen receptor activation appears to be associated with increased risks of developing ovarian cancer and inducing tumor progression. However, conflicting findings have also been reported. This review summarizes and discusses the available data indicating the involvement of androgens as well as androgen receptor and related signals in ovarian carcinogenesis and cancer growth. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms for androgen receptor functions in ovarian cancer remain far from being fully understood, current observations may offer effective chemopreventive and therapeutic approaches, via modulation of androgen receptor activity, against ovarian cancer. Indeed, several clinical trials have been conducted to determine the efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with ovarian cancer.
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20
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Overcoming immune suppression with epigenetic modification in ovarian cancer. Transl Res 2019; 204:31-38. [PMID: 30048638 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The impressive successes of immunotherapy have yet to be reliably translated to treatment of ovarian cancer, which may be a consequence of the unique barriers to T cell migration and tumor engagement in the peritoneal cavity and omentum. Epigenetic alterations contribute to establishment of these barriers and other mechanisms of immune subversion; therefore, epigenetic modifying agents represent an opportunity to mount effective antitumor immune responses by disrupting this finely tuned tumor epigenetic framework. Here, we discuss how epigenetic modifiers might permit and stimulate de novo antitumor immune responses in ovarian cancer, focusing largely on 2 common classes, DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Specifically, increasing T and NK cell trafficking to the tumor microenvironment as well as induction of altered tumor cell phenotypes that promote immune engagement and cytotoxicity may provide a platform upon which to elaborate existing immunotherapeutic strategies. Indeed, promising combination of epigenetic modifying agents with checkpoint blockade antibodies or cellular therapies in preclinical models has led to a burgeoning number of clinical trials. Therefore, rather than implementation as a monotherapy, epigenetic modifiers may well be best suited as adjuvants in combinatorial strategies, potentiating antitumor immune responses and unleashing the promise of immunotherapy in ovarian cancer.
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21
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Cuevas-Fernández B, Fuentes-Almagro C, Peragón J. Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Implications of Cytoskeleton and Mitochondria in the Response of the Rat Brain to Starvation. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11020219. [PMID: 30678170 PMCID: PMC6412446 DOI: 10.3390/nu11020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term starvation provokes a metabolic response in the brain to adapt to the lack of nutrient intake and to maintain the physiology of this organ. Here, we study the changes in the global proteomic profile of the rat brain after a seven-day period of food deprivation, to further our understanding of the biochemical and cellular mechanisms underlying the situations without food. We have used two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry (2D-MS) in order to identify proteins differentially expressed during prolonged food deprivation. After the comparison of the protein profiles, 22 brain proteins were found with altered expression. Analysis by peptide mass fingerprinting and MS/MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer, MALDI-TOF/TOF) enabled the identification of 14 proteins differentially expressed that were divided into 3 categories: (1) energy catabolism and mitochondrial proteins; (2) chaperone proteins; and (3) cytoskeleton, exocytosis, and calcium. Changes in the expression of six proteins, identified by the 2D-MS proteomics procedure, were corroborated by a nanoliquid chromatography-mass spectrometry proteomics procedure (nLC-MS). Our results show that long-term starvation compromises essential functions of the brain related with energetic metabolism, synapsis, and the transmission of nervous impulse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cuevas-Fernández
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
| | - Carlos Fuentes-Almagro
- Proteomics Unit, Central Service of Support to Research, University of Córdoba (SCAI), 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Juan Peragón
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
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22
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Xie K, Fu C, Wang S, Xu H, Liu S, Shao Y, Gong Z, Wu X, Xu B, Han J, Xu J, Xu P, Jia X, Wu J. Cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancer: implication for biomarkers and therapeutic targets. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:1. [PMID: 30609934 PMCID: PMC6318940 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide due to delayed diagnosis as well as recurrence and drug resistance. Thus, the development of new tumor-related molecules with high sensitivity and specificity to replace or supplement existing tools is urgently needed. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are exclusively expressed in normal testis tissues but abundantly found in several types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Numerous novel CTAs have been identified by high-throughput sequencing techniques, and some aberrantly expressed CTAs are associated with ovarian cancer initiation, clinical outcomes and chemotherapy resistance. More importantly, CTAs are immunogenic and may be novel targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. In this review, we attempt to characterize the expression of candidate CTAs in ovarian cancer and their clinical significance as biomarkers, activation mechanisms, function in malignant phenotypes and applications in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaipeng Xie
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Chenyang Fu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Suli Wang
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Hanzi Xu
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Yang Shao
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Zhen Gong
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jing Han
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Juan Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xuemei Jia
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Jiangping Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
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23
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Epigenetic regulation of MAGE family in human cancer progression-DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:115. [PMID: 30185218 PMCID: PMC6126015 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0550-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) proteins are a group of highly conserved family members that contain a common MAGE homology domain. Type I MAGEs are relevant cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), and originally considered as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy due to their typically high expression in tumor tissues but restricted expression in normal adult tissues. Here, we reviewed the recent discoveries and ideas that illustrate the biological functions of MAGE family in cancer progression. Furthermore, we also highlighted the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanism of MAGE family expression in human cancers.
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24
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Zhang W, Barger CJ, Eng KH, Klinkebiel D, Link PA, Omilian A, Bshara W, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation in epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:45352-45369. [PMID: 27322684 PMCID: PMC5216727 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PRAME is a cancer-testis antigen (CTA) and potential immuno-therapeutic target, but has not been well-studied in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or its high grade serous (HGSC) subtype. Compared to normal ovary, PRAME expression was significantly increased most EOC, regardless of stage and grade. Interestingly, PRAME mRNA expression was associated with improved survival in the HGSC subtype. The PRAME locus was a frequent target for copy number alterations (CNA) in HGSC but most changes were heterozygous losses, indicating that elevated PRAME expression is not typically due to CNA. In contrast, PRAME promoter DNA hypomethylation was very common in EOC and HGSC and correlated with increased PRAME expression. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation both correlated with LINE-1 hypomethylation, a biomarker of global DNA hypomethylation. Pharmacologic or genetic disruption of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes activated PRAME expression in EOC cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of PRAME in EOC revealed frequent, but low level, protein expression, and expression was confined to epithelial cells and localized to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic PRAME expression was positively associated with PRAME mRNA expression and negatively associated with promoter methylation, but the latter correlation was not statistically significant. PRAME protein expression did not correlate with EOC clinicopathology or survival. In summary, PRAME is frequently expressed in EOC at the mRNA and protein levels, and DNA methylation is a key mechanism regulating its expression. These data support PRAME as an immunotherapy target in EOC, and suggest treatment with DNMT inhibitors as a means to augment PRAME immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Current address: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kevin H Eng
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Petra A Link
- Department of Pharmacology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Angela Omilian
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wiam Bshara
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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25
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Liu S, Liu F, Huang W, Gu L, Meng L, Ju Y, Wu Y, Li J, Liu L, Sang M. MAGE-A11 is activated through TFCP2/ZEB1 binding sites de-methylation as well as histone modification and facilitates ESCC tumor growth. Oncotarget 2017; 9:3365-3378. [PMID: 29423052 PMCID: PMC5790469 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we have reported that the product of Melanoma Antigens Genes (MAGE) family member MAGE-A11 is an independent poor prognostic marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the reason how MAGE-A11 is activated in ESCC progression still remains unclear. In the current study, we demonstrated that DNA methylation and the subsequent histone posttranslational modifications play crucial roles in the regulation of MAGE-A11 in ESCC progression. We found that the methylation rate of TFCP2/ZEB1 binding site on MAGE-A11 promoter in ESCC tissues and cells is higher than the normal esophageal epithelial tissues and cells. Transcription factors TFCP2 and ZEB1 directly bind MAGE-A11 promoter and regulate the endogenous MAGE-A11 expression in a methylation-dependent manner in ESCC cells. Following MAGE-A11 promoter methylation, the methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2 was found to bind the methylated MAGE-A11 promoter to mediate histone deactylation by recruiting HDAC1 and HDAC2. Simultaneously, histone inactivation marks including H3K27me3 as well as H3K9me3 were increased, whereas histone activation mark H3K4me3 was decreased. HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) increased DNA methylase inhibitor Decitabine (DAC)-induced MAGE-A11 expression. siRNA-mediated knockdown of histone methltransferase EZH2 or DZNep (a EZH2 inhibitor) treatment increased DAC-induced MAGE-A11 expression. Our results indicate that MAGE-A11 is activated through DNA demethylation, histone acetylation and histone methylation in ESCC, and its activation promotes ESCC tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shina Liu
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Fei Liu
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Weina Huang
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Lina Gu
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Lingjiao Meng
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Yingchao Ju
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China.,Animal Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Yunyan Wu
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Juan Li
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Research Center, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China.,Tumor Research Institute, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, P. R. China
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26
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Srivastava P, Paluch BE, Matsuzaki J, James SR, Collamat-Lai G, Blagitko-Dorfs N, Ford LA, Naqash R, Lübbert M, Karpf AR, Nemeth MJ, Griffiths EA. Induction of cancer testis antigen expression in circulating acute myeloid leukemia blasts following hypomethylating agent monotherapy. Oncotarget 2017; 7:12840-56. [PMID: 26883197 PMCID: PMC4914325 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are promising cancer associated antigens in solid tumors, but in acute myeloid leukemia, dense promoter methylation silences their expression. Leukemia cell lines exposed to HMAs induce expression of CTAs. We hypothesized that AML patients treated with standard of care decitabine (20mg/m2 per day for 10 days) would demonstrate induced expression of CTAs. Peripheral blood blasts serially isolated from AML patients treated with decitabine were evaluated for CTA gene expression and demethylation. Induction of NY-ESO-1 and MAGEA3/A6, were observed following decitabine. Re-expression of NY-ESO-1 and MAGEA3/A6 was associated with both promoter specific and global (LINE-1) hypomethylation. NY-ESO-1 and MAGEA3/A6 mRNA levels were increased irrespective of clinical response, suggesting that these antigens might be applicable even in patients who are not responsive to HMA therapy. Circulating blasts harvested after decitabine demonstrate induced NY-ESO-1 expression sufficient to activate NY-ESO-1 specific CD8+ T-cells. Induction of CTA expression sufficient for recognition by T-cells occurs in AML patients receiving decitabine. Vaccination against NY-ESO-1 in this patient population is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Srivastava
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin E Paluch
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Junko Matsuzaki
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Smitha R James
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Golda Collamat-Lai
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nadja Blagitko-Dorfs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Freiburg, Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laurie Ann Ford
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rafeh Naqash
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Freiburg, Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michael J Nemeth
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Griffiths
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
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27
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Zebularine Treatment Induces MAGE-A11 Expression and Improves CTL Cytotoxicity Using a Novel Identified HLA-A2-restricted MAGE-A11 Peptide. J Immunother 2017; 40:211-220. [DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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28
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Sato T, Issa JPJ, Kropf P. DNA Hypomethylating Drugs in Cancer Therapy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a026948. [PMID: 28159832 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a026948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is a critically important modification in cancer cells, which, through promoter and enhancer DNA methylation changes, use this mechanism to activate oncogenes and silence of tumor-suppressor genes. Targeting DNA methylation in cancer using DNA hypomethylating drugs reprograms tumor cells to a more normal-like state by affecting multiple pathways, and also sensitizes these cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The first generation hypomethylating drugs azacitidine and decitabine are routinely used for the treatment of myeloid leukemias and a next-generation drug (guadecitabine) is currently in clinical trials. This review will summarize preclinical and clinical data on DNA hypomethylating drugs as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Sato
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140
| | - Jean-Pierre J Issa
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140.,Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111
| | - Patricia Kropf
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111
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29
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Zhang W, Barger CJ, Link PA, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Miller A, Akers SN, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. DNA hypomethylation-mediated activation of Cancer/Testis Antigen 45 (CT45) genes is associated with disease progression and reduced survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. Epigenetics 2016; 10:736-48. [PMID: 26098711 PMCID: PMC4622579 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1062206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a highly lethal malignancy due to a lack of early detection approaches coupled with poor outcomes for patients with clinically advanced disease. Cancer-testis (CT) or cancer-germline genes encode antigens known to generate spontaneous anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients. CT45 genes are a recently discovered 6-member family of X-linked CT genes with oncogenic function. Here, we determined CT45 expression in EOC and fully defined its epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation. CT45 was silent and hypermethylated in normal control tissues, but a large subset of EOC samples showed increased CT45 expression in conjunction with promoter DNA hypomethylation. In contrast, copy number status did not correlate with CT45 expression in the TCGA database for EOC. CT45 promoter methylation inversely correlated with both CT45 mRNA and protein expression, the latter determined using IHC staining of an EOC TMA. CT45 expression was increased and CT45 promoter methylation was decreased in late-stage and high-grade EOC, and both measures were associated with poor survival. CT45 hypomethylation was directly associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation, and CT45 was frequently co-expressed with other CT antigen genes in EOC. Decitabine treatment induced CT45 mRNA and protein expression in EOC cells, and promoter transgene analyses indicated that DNA methylation directly represses CT45 promoter activity. These data verify CT45 expression and promoter hypomethylation as possible prognostic biomarkers, and suggest CT45 as an immunological or therapeutic target in EOC. Treatment with decitabine or other epigenetic modulators could provide a means for more effective immunological targeting of CT45.
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Key Words
- CNA, copy number alteration
- CT antigen genes, cancer-testis or cancer-germline antigen genes
- CT45
- DAC, decitabine, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine
- DFS, disease-free survival
- DNA methylation
- DNMT, DNA methyltransferase
- EOC, epithelial ovarian cancer
- FTE, normal fallopian tube epithelia
- HGSOC, high-grade serous ovarian cancer
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- NO, bulk normal ovary
- OS, overall survival
- OSE, normal ovary surface epithelia
- RLM-RACE, 5′ RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends
- RNA-seq, RNA sequencing
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TMA, tissue microarray
- TSS, transcription start site
- cancer germline genes
- cancer testis antigen genes
- decitabine
- epithelial ovarian cancer
- tumor antigens
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Zhang
- a Eppley Institute; University of Nebraska Medical Center ; Omaha , NE USA
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30
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Altered primary chromatin structures and their implications in cancer development. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2016; 39:195-210. [PMID: 27007278 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-016-0276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer development is a complex process involving both genetic and epigenetic changes. Genetic changes in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes are generally considered as primary causes, since these genes may directly regulate cellular growth. In addition, it has been found that changes in epigenetic factors, through mutation or altered gene expression, may contribute to cancer development. In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells DNA and histone proteins form a structure called chromatin which consists of nucleosomes that, like beads on a string, are aligned along the DNA strand. Modifications in chromatin structure are essential for cell type-specific activation or repression of gene transcription, as well as other processes such as DNA repair, DNA replication and chromosome segregation. Alterations in epigenetic factors involved in chromatin dynamics may accelerate cell cycle progression and, ultimately, result in malignant transformation. Abnormal expression of remodeler and modifier enzymes, as well as histone variants, may confer to cancer cells the ability to reprogram their genomes and to yield, maintain or exacerbate malignant hallmarks. At the end, genetic and epigenetic alterations that are encountered in cancer cells may culminate in chromatin changes that may, by altering the quantity and quality of gene expression, promote cancer development. METHODS During the last decade a vast number of studies has uncovered epigenetic abnormalities that are associated with the (anomalous) packaging and remodeling of chromatin in cancer genomes. In this review I will focus on recently published work dealing with alterations in the primary structure of chromatin resulting from imprecise arrangements of nucleosomes along DNA, and its functional implications for cancer development. CONCLUSIONS The primary chromatin structure is regulated by a variety of epigenetic mechanisms that may be deregulated through gene mutations and/or gene expression alterations. In recent years, it has become evident that changes in chromatin structure may coincide with the occurrence of cancer hallmarks. The functional interrelationships between such epigenetic alterations and cancer development are just becoming manifest and, therefore, the oncology community should continue to explore the molecular mechanisms governing the primary chromatin structure, both in normal and in cancer cells, in order to improve future approaches for cancer detection, prevention and therapy, as also for circumventing drug resistance.
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31
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Colombo M, Mirandola L, Reidy A, Suvorava N, Konala V, Chiaramonte R, Grizzi F, Rahman RL, Jenkins MR, Nugyen DD, Dalhbeck S, Cobos E, Figueroa JA, Chiriva-Internati M. Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells through Inhibition of Cancer Testis Antigens and Notch Signaling: A Hypothesis. Int Rev Immunol 2016; 34:188-99. [PMID: 25901861 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2015.1027629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tumor initiating cells (TICs) differ from normal stem cells (SCs) in their ability to initiate tumorigenesis, invasive growth, metastasis and the acquisition of chemo and/or radio-resistance. Over the past years, several studies have indicated the potential role of the Notch system as a key regulator of cellular stemness and tumor development. Furthermore, the expression of cancer testis antigens (CTA) in TICs, and their role in SC differentiation and biology, has become an important area of investigation. Here, we propose a model in which CTA expression and Notch signaling interacts to maintain the sustainability of self-replicating tumor populations, ultimately leading to the development of metastasis, drug resistance and cancer progression. We hypothesize that Notch-CTA interactions in TICs offer a novel opportunity for meaningful therapeutic interventions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Colombo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
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32
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Srivastava P, Paluch BE, Matsuzaki J, James SR, Collamat-Lai G, Taverna P, Karpf AR, Griffiths EA. Immunomodulatory action of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and xenografts. Epigenetics 2015; 10:237-46. [PMID: 25793777 PMCID: PMC4623048 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1017198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine the effect of SGI-110 on methylation and expression of the cancer testis antigens (CTAs) NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells in vitro and in vivo and to establish the impact of SGI-110 on expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on EOC cells, and on recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. We also tested the impact of combined SGI-110 and NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells on tumor growth and/or murine survival in a xenograft setting. EOC cells were treated with SGI-110 in vitro at various concentrations and as tumor xenografts with 3 distinct dose schedules. Effects on global methylation (using LINE-1), NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A methylation, mRNA, and protein expression were determined and compared to controls. SGI-110 treated EOC cells were evaluated for expression of immune-modulatory genes using flow cytometry, and were co-cultured with NY-ESO-1 specific T-cell clones to determine immune recognition. In vivo administration of SGI-110 and CD8+ T-cells was performed to determine anti-tumor effects on EOC xenografts. SGI-110 treatment induced hypomethylation and CTA gene expression in a dose dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo, at levels generally superior to azacitidine or decitabine. SGI-110 enhanced the expression of MHC I and ICAM-1, and enhanced recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. Sequential SGI-110 and antigen-specific CD8+ cell treatment restricted EOC tumor growth and enhanced survival in a xenograft setting. SGI-110 is an effective hypomethylating agent and immune modulator and, thus, an attractive candidate for combination with CTA-directed vaccines in EOC.
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Key Words
- AZA, Azacitidine (5-azacytidine)
- CTA, Cancer-testis antigen or cancer-germline antigen
- CTAG1B, Cancer/testis antigen 1B
- DAC, Decitabine (5-aza-2′-deoxycitidine)
- DNA methylation
- DNA methyltransferase inhibitors
- DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DNMTi, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor
- EOC, Epithelial ovarian cancer
- HLA, Human leukocyte antigen
- ICAM-1, Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1
- LINE-1, Long interspersed nuclear element-1
- MAGE-A, Melanoma antigen family A
- MHC, Major histocompatibility complex
- NY-ESO-1, New york esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1
- RNA, Ribonucleic acid
- SGI-110
- cancer germline genes
- cancer testis antigens
- epigenetics
- epithelial ovarian cancer
- immune modulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Srivastava
- a Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Cancer Institute ; Buffalo NY USA
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33
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Minges JT, Grossman G, Zhang P, Kafri T, Wilson EM. Post-translational Down-regulation of Melanoma Antigen-A11 (MAGE-A11) by Human p14-ARF Tumor Suppressor. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:25174-87. [PMID: 26330556 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.663641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked primate-specific melanoma antigen-A11 (MAGE-A11) is a human androgen receptor (AR) coactivator and proto-oncogene expressed at low levels in normal human reproductive tract tissues and at higher levels in castration-resistant prostate cancer where it is required for androgen-dependent cell growth. In this report, we show that MAGE-A11 is targeted for degradation by human p14-ARF, a tumor suppressor expressed from an alternative reading frame of the p16 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor INK4a/ARF gene. MAGE-A11 degradation by the proteasome was mediated by an interaction with p14-ARF and was independent of lysine ubiquitination. A dose-dependent inverse relationship between MAGE-A11 and p14-ARF correlated with p14-ARF inhibition of the MAGE-A11-induced increase in androgen-dependent AR transcriptional activity and constitutive activity of a splice variant-like AR. Reciprocal stabilization between MAGE-A11 and AR did not protect against degradation promoted by p14-ARF. p14-ARF prevented MAGE-A11 interaction with the E2F1 oncoprotein and inhibited the MAGE-A11-induced increase in E2F1 transcriptional activity. Post-translational down-regulation of MAGE-A11 promoted by p14-ARF was independent of HDM2, the human homologue of mouse double minute 2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibited by p14-ARF. However, MAGE-A11 had a stabilizing effect on HDM2 in the absence or presence of p14-ARF and cooperated with HDM2 to increase E2F1 transcriptional activity in the absence of p14-ARF. We conclude that degradation of MAGE-A11 promoted by the human p14-ARF tumor suppressor contributes to low levels of MAGE-A11 in nontransformed cells and that higher levels of MAGE-A11 associated with low p14-ARF increase AR and E2F1 transcriptional activity and promote the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Minges
- From the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Gail Grossman
- From the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics
| | | | - Tal Kafri
- Lentivirus Core Facility, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Gene Therapy Center, and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and
| | - Elizabeth M Wilson
- From the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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34
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Chiappinelli KB, Strissel PL, Desrichard A, Li H, Henke C, Akman B, Hein A, Rote NS, Cope LM, Snyder A, Makarov V, Budhu S, Buhu S, Slamon DJ, Wolchok JD, Pardoll DM, Beckmann MW, Zahnow CA, Merghoub T, Mergoub T, Chan TA, Baylin SB, Strick R. Inhibiting DNA Methylation Causes an Interferon Response in Cancer via dsRNA Including Endogenous Retroviruses. Cell 2015; 162:974-86. [PMID: 26317466 PMCID: PMC4556003 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1140] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We show that DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) upregulate immune signaling in cancer through the viral defense pathway. In ovarian cancer (OC), DNMTis trigger cytosolic sensing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) causing a type I interferon response and apoptosis. Knocking down dsRNA sensors TLR3 and MAVS reduces this response 2-fold and blocking interferon beta or its receptor abrogates it. Upregulation of hypermethylated endogenous retrovirus (ERV) genes accompanies the response and ERV overexpression activates the response. Basal levels of ERV and viral defense gene expression significantly correlate in primary OC and the latter signature separates primary samples for multiple tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas into low versus high expression groups. In melanoma patients treated with an immune checkpoint therapy, high viral defense signature expression in tumors significantly associates with durable clinical response and DNMTi treatment sensitizes to anti-CTLA4 therapy in a pre-clinical melanoma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexis Desrichard
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Huili Li
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Christine Henke
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Akman
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alexander Hein
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Neal S Rote
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Leslie M Cope
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alexandra Snyder
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vladimir Makarov
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Sadna Buhu
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dennis J Slamon
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jedd D Wolchok
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cynthia A Zahnow
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | | | - Taha Mergoub
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Timothy A Chan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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35
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Environmental pollution and DNA methylation: carcinogenesis, clinical significance, and practical applications. Front Med 2015; 9:261-74. [PMID: 26290283 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-015-0406-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is one of the main causes of human cancer. Exposures to environmental carcinogens result in genetic and epigenetic alterations which induce cell transformation. Epigenetic changes caused by environmental pollution play important roles in the development and progression of environmental pollution-related cancers. Studies on DNA methylation are among the earliest and most conducted epigenetic research linked to cancer. In this review, the roles of DNA methylation in carcinogenesis and their significance in clinical medicine were summarized, and the effects of environmental pollutants, particularly air pollutants, on DNA methylation were introduced. Furthermore, prospective applications of DNA methylation to environmental pollution detection and cancer prevention were discussed.
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36
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Duan ZH, Wang HC, Zhao DM, Ji XX, Song M, Yang XJ, Cui W. Cooperatively transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of sonic hedgehog overexpression drives malignant potential of breast cancer. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:1084-91. [PMID: 25990213 PMCID: PMC4556399 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh), a ligand of Hedgehog signaling pathway, is considered an important oncogene and an exciting potential therapeutic target in several cancers. Comprehensive understanding of the regulation mechanism of Shh in cancer cells is necessary to find an effective approach to selectively block its tumorigenic function. We and others previously demonstrated that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and promoter hypomethylation contributed to the overexpression of Shh. However, the relationship between transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of Shh, and their roles in the malignant phenotype of cancer cells are still not clearly elucidated. In the present study, our data showed that the level of Shh was higher in breast cancer tissues with positive NF-κB nuclear staining and promoter hypomethylation. In addition, survival analysis revealed that Shh overexpression, but not hypomethylation and NF-κB nuclear staining, was a poor prognosis indicator for breast cancers. Moreover, in vitro data demonstrated that both NF-κB activation and hypomethylation in promoter region were positively associated with the overexpression of Shh. Mechanistically, the hypomethylation in Shh promoter could facilitate NF-κB binding to its site, and subsequently cooperate to induce transcription of Shh. Furthermore, the biological function data indicated that overexpressed Shh enhanced the self-renewal capacity and migration ability of breast cancer cells, which could be augmented by promoter demethylation and NF-κB activation. Overall, our findings reveal multiple and cooperative mechanisms of Shh upregulation in cancer cells, and the roles of Shh in tumor malignant behavior, thus suggesting a new strategy for therapeutic interventions to reduce Shh in tumors and improve patients’ prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Heng Duan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hao-Chuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dong-Mei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Min Song
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Yang
- Center for Neuroscience, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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37
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Li X, Mei Q, Nie J, Fu X, Han W. Decitabine: a promising epi-immunotherapeutic agent in solid tumors. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2015; 11:363-75. [DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2015.1002397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Li H, Chiappinelli KB, Guzzetta AA, Easwaran H, Yen RWC, Vatapalli R, Topper MJ, Luo J, Connolly RM, Azad NS, Stearns V, Pardoll DM, Davidson N, Jones PA, Slamon DJ, Baylin SB, Zahnow CA, Ahuja N. Immune regulation by low doses of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine in common human epithelial cancers. Oncotarget 2015; 5:587-98. [PMID: 24583822 PMCID: PMC3996658 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy is emerging as a potential therapy for solid tumors. To investigate its mechanism of action, we performed integrative expression and methylation analysis of 63 cancer cell lines (breast, colorectal, and ovarian) after treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine (AZA). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrated significant enrichment for immunomodulatory pathways in all three cancers (14.4-31.3%) including interferon signaling, antigen processing and presentation, and cytokines/chemokines. Strong upregulation of cancer testis antigens was also observed. An AZA IMmune gene set (AIMs) derived from the union of these immunomodulatory pathway genes classified primary tumors from all three types, into "high" and "low" AIM gene expression subsets in tumor expression data from both TCGA and GEO. Samples from selected patient biopsies showed upregulation of AIM genes after treatment with epigenetic therapy. These results point to a broad immune stimulatory role for DNA demethylating drugs in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Li
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Identification of a class of human cancer germline genes with transcriptional silencing refractory to the hypomethylating drug 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Oncoscience 2014; 1:745-50. [PMID: 25594001 PMCID: PMC4278271 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bona fide germline genes have expression restricted to the germ cells of the gonads. Testis-specific germline development-associated genes can become activated in cancer cells and can potentially drive the oncogenic process and serve as therapeutic/biomarker targets; such germline genes are referred to as cancer/testis genes. Many cancer/testis genes are silenced via hypermethylation of CpG islands in their associated transcriptional control regions and become activated upon treatment with DNA hypomethylating agents; such hypomethylation-induced activation of cancer/testis genes provides a potential combination approach to augment immunotherapeutics. Thus, understanding cancer/testis gene regulation is of increasing clinical importance. Previously studied cancer/testis gene activation has focused on X chromosome encoded cancer/testis genes. Here we find that a sub-set of non-X encoded cancer/testis genes are silenced in non-germline cells via a mechanism that is refractory to epigenetic dysregulation, including treatment with the hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor tricostatin A. These findings formally indicate that there is a sub-group of the clinically important cancer/testis genes that are unlikely to be activated in clinical therapeutic approaches using hypomethylating agents and it indicates a unique transcriptional silencing mechanism for germline genes in non-germline cells that might provide a target mechanism for new clinical therapies.
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Landes Highlights. Nucleus 2014. [PMCID: PMC3899121 DOI: 10.4161/nucl.26164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Gibson DA, Simitsidellis I, Collins F, Saunders PTK. Evidence of androgen action in endometrial and ovarian cancers. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:T203-18. [PMID: 24623742 DOI: 10.1530/erc-13-0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer are common gynaecological malignancies. The impact of androgen action in these cancers is poorly understood; however, there is emerging evidence to suggest that targeting androgen signalling may be of therapeutic benefit. Epidemiological evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of EC associated with exposure to elevated levels of androgens, and genetic variants in genes related to both androgen biosynthesis and action are associated with an increased risk of both EC and ovarian cancer. Androgen receptors (ARs) may be a potential therapeutic target in EC due to reported anti-proliferative activities of androgens. By contrast, androgens may promote growth of some ovarian cancers and anti-androgen therapy has been proposed. Introduction of new therapies targeting ARs expressed in EC or ovarian cancer will require a much greater understanding of the impacts of cell context-specific AR-dependent signalling and how ARs can crosstalk with other steroid receptors during progression of disease. This review considers the evidence that androgens may be important in the aetiology of EC and ovarian cancer with discussion of evidence for androgen action in normal and malignant endometrial and ovarian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A Gibson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthThe University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Ioannis Simitsidellis
- MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthThe University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Frances Collins
- MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthThe University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Philippa T K Saunders
- MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthThe University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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Unmethylated state of 5′ upstream CpG islands may be necessary but not sufficient for the testis-enriched expression of ZNF230/Znf230. Genes Genomics 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-013-0153-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Su S, Minges JT, Grossman G, Blackwelder AJ, Mohler JL, Wilson EM. Proto-oncogene activity of melanoma antigen-A11 (MAGE-A11) regulates retinoblastoma-related p107 and E2F1 proteins. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:24809-24. [PMID: 23853093 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.468579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma antigen-A11 (MAGE-A11) is a low-abundance, primate-specific steroid receptor coregulator in normal tissues of the human reproductive tract that is expressed at higher levels in prostate cancer. Increased expression of MAGE-A11 enhances androgen receptor transcriptional activity and promotes prostate cancer cell growth. Further investigation into the mechanisms of MAGE-A11 function in prostate cancer demonstrated interactions with the retinoblastoma-related protein p107 and Rb tumor suppressor but no interaction with p130 of the Rb family. MAGE-A11 interaction with p107 was associated with transcriptional repression in cells with low MAGE-A11 and transcriptional activation in cells with higher MAGE-A11. Selective interaction of MAGE-A11 with retinoblastoma family members suggested the regulation of E2F transcription factors. MAGE-A11 stabilized p107 by inhibition of ubiquitination and linked p107 to hypophosphorylated E2F1 in association with the stabilization and activation of E2F1. The androgen receptor and MAGE-A11 modulated endogenous expression of the E2F1-regulated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1). The ability of MAGE-A11 to increase E2F1 transcriptional activity was similar to the activity of adenovirus early oncoprotein E1A and depended on MAGE-A11 interactions with p107 and p300. The immunoreactivity of p107 and MAGE-A11 was greater in advanced prostate cancer than in benign prostate, and knockdown with small inhibitory RNA showed that p107 is a transcriptional activator in prostate cancer cells. These results suggest that MAGE-A11 is a proto-oncogene whose increased expression in prostate cancer reverses retinoblastoma-related protein p107 from a transcriptional repressor to a transcriptional activator of the androgen receptor and E2F1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifeng Su
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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