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Willbanks A, Seals M, Karmali R, Roy I. Harnessing the Systemic Biology of Functional Decline and Cachexia to Inform more Holistic Therapies for Incurable Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:360. [PMID: 38254849 PMCID: PMC10814065 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Options for treatment of incurable cancer remain scarce and are largely focused on limited therapeutic mechanisms. A new approach specific to advanced cancers is needed to identify new and effective treatments. Morbidity in advanced cancer is driven by functional decline and a number of systemic conditions, including cachexia and fatigue. This review will focus on these clinical concepts, describe our current understanding of their underlying biology, and then propose how future therapeutic strategies, including pharmaceuticals, exercise, and rehabilitation, could target these mechanisms as an alternative route to addressing incurable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mina Seals
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Reem Karmali
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ishan Roy
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Roy I, Binder-Markey B, Sychowski D, Willbanks A, Phipps T, McAllister D, Bhakta A, Marquez E, D'Andrea D, Franz C, Pichika R, Dwinell MB, Jayabalan P, Lieber RL. Gait speed is a biomarker of cancer-associated cachexia decline and recovery. bioRxiv 2023:2023.11.13.566852. [PMID: 38014165 PMCID: PMC10680669 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.566852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Progressive functional decline is a key element of cancer-associated cachexia. No therapies have successfully translated to the clinic due to an inability to measure and improve physical function in cachectic patients. Major barriers to translating pre-clinical therapies to the clinic include lack of cancer models that accurately mimic functional decline and use of non-specific outcome measures of function, like grip strength. New approaches are needed to investigate cachexia-related function at both the basic and clinical science levels. Methods Survival extension studies were performed by testing multiple cell lines, dilutions, and vehicle-types in orthotopic implantation of K-ras LSL.G12D/+ ; Trp53 R172H/+ ; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) derived cells. 128 animals in this new model were then assessed for muscle wasting, inflammation, and functional decline using a battery of biochemical, physiologic, and behavioral techniques. In parallel, we analyzed a 156-subject cohort of cancer patients with a range of cachexia severity, and who required rehabilitation, to determine the relationship between gait speed via six-minute walk test (6MWT), grip strength (hGS), and functional independence measures (FIM). Cachectic patients were identified using the Weight Loss Grading Scale (WLGS), Fearon consensus criteria, and the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI). Results Using a 100-cell dose of DT10022 KPC cells, we extended the survival of the KPC orthotopic model to 8-9 weeks post-implantation compared to higher doses used (p<0.001). In this Low-dose Orthotopic (LO) model, both progressive skeletal and cardiac muscle wasting were detected in parallel to systemic inflammation; skeletal muscle atrophy at the fiber level was detected as early as 3 weeks post-implantation compared to controls (p<0.001). Gait speed in LO animals declined as early 2 week post-implantation whereas grip strength change was a late event and related to end of life. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct cachectic and non-cachectic animal populations, which we leveraged to show that gait speed decline was specific to cachexia (p<0.01) while grip strength decline was not (p=0.19). These data paralleled our observations in cancer patients with cachexia who required rehabilitation. In cachectic patients (identified by WLGS, Fearon criteria, or PNI, change in 6MWT correlated with motor FIM score changes while hGS did not (r 2 =0.18, p<0.001). This relationship between 6MWT and FIM in cachectic patients was further confirmed through multivariate regression (r 2 =0.30, p<0.001) controlling for age and cancer burden. Conclusion Outcome measures linked to gait are better associated with cachexia related function and preferred for future pre-clinical and clinical cachexia studies.
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Yu M, Moinova HR, Willbanks A, Canon VK, Wang T, Carter K, Kaz A, Reddi D, Inadomi J, Luebeck G, Iyer PG, Canto MI, Wang JS, Shaheen NJ, Thota PN, Willis JE, LaFramboise T, Chak A, Markowitz SD, Grady WM. Novel DNA Methylation Biomarker Panel for Detection of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma and High-Grade Dysplasia. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3761-3769. [PMID: 35705525 PMCID: PMC9444948 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Current endoscopy-based screening and surveillance programs have not been proven effective at decreasing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) mortality, creating an unmet need for effective molecular tests for early detection of this highly lethal cancer. We conducted a genome-wide methylation screen to identify novel methylation markers that distinguish EAC and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) from normal squamous epithelium (SQ) or nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DNA methylation profiling of samples from SQ, NDBE, HGD, and EAC was performed using HM450 methylation arrays (Illumina) and reduced-representation bisulfate sequencing. Ultrasensitive methylation-specific droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based bisulfite-sequencing assays were developed to detect the methylation level of candidate CpGs in independent esophageal biopsy and endoscopic brushing samples. RESULTS Five candidate methylation markers were significantly hypermethylated in HGD/EAC samples compared with SQ or NDBE (P < 0.01) in both esophageal biopsy and endoscopic brushing samples. In an independent set of brushing samples used to construct biomarker panels, a four-marker panel (model 1) demonstrated sensitivity of 85.0% and 90.8% for HGD and EACs respectively, with 84.2% and 97.9% specificity for NDBE and SQ respectively. In a validation set of brushing samples, the panel achieved sensitivity of 80% and 82.5% for HGD and EAC respectively, at specificity of 67.6% and 96.3% for NDBE and SQ samples. CONCLUSIONS A novel DNA methylation marker panel differentiates HGD/EAC from SQ/NDBE. DNA-methylation-based molecular assays hold promise for the detection of HGD/EAC using esophageal brushing samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yu
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Helen R. Moinova
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Amber Willbanks
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Victoria K. Canon
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly Carter
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Kaz
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, WA, USA,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Deepti Reddi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John Inadomi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Georg Luebeck
- Public Heath Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Prasad G. Iyer
- Barrett’s Esophagus Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Marcia I. Canto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jean S. Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Nicholas J. Shaheen
- Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Joseph E. Willis
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Thomas LaFramboise
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Amitabh Chak
- Gastroenterology Division, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sanford D. Markowitz
- Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William M. Grady
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Wood S, Willbanks A, Cheng JX. The Role of RNA Modifications and RNA-modifying Proteins in Cancer Therapy and Drug Resistance. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:326-352. [PMID: 33504307 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666210127092828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The advent of new genome-wide sequencing technologies has uncovered abnormal RNA modifications and RNA editing in a variety of human cancers. The discovery of reversible RNA N6-methyladenosine (RNA: m6A) by fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) demethylase has led to exponential publications on the pathophysiological functions of m6A and its corresponding RNA modifying proteins (RMPs) in the past decade. Some excellent reviews have summarized the recent progress in this field. Compared to the extent of research into RNA: m6A and DNA 5-methylcytosine (DNA: m5C), much less is known about other RNA modifications and their associated RMPs, such as the role of RNA: m5C and its RNA cytosine methyltransferases (RCMTs) in cancer therapy and drug resistance. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress surrounding the function, intramolecular distribution and subcellular localization of several major RNA modifications, including 5' cap N7-methylguanosine (m7G) and 2'-O-methylation (Nm), m6A, m5C, A-to-I editing, and the associated RMPs. We will then discuss dysregulation of those RNA modifications and RMPs in cancer and their role in cancer therapy and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Wood
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Section, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637, United States
| | - Amber Willbanks
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Section, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637, United States
| | - Jason X Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Hematopathology Section, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637, United States
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Willbanks A, Wood S, Cheng JX. RNA Epigenetics: Fine-Tuning Chromatin Plasticity and Transcriptional Regulation, and the Implications in Human Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050627. [PMID: 33922187 PMCID: PMC8145807 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin structure plays an essential role in eukaryotic gene expression and cell identity. Traditionally, DNA and histone modifications have been the focus of chromatin regulation; however, recent molecular and imaging studies have revealed an intimate connection between RNA epigenetics and chromatin structure. Accumulating evidence suggests that RNA serves as the interplay between chromatin and the transcription and splicing machineries within the cell. Additionally, epigenetic modifications of nascent RNAs fine-tune these interactions to regulate gene expression at the co- and post-transcriptional levels in normal cell development and human diseases. This review will provide an overview of recent advances in the emerging field of RNA epigenetics, specifically the role of RNA modifications and RNA modifying proteins in chromatin remodeling, transcription activation and RNA processing, as well as translational implications in human diseases.
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Yu M, Maden S, Stachler M, Kaz AM, Ayers J, Guo Y, Carter KT, Willbanks A, Heinzerling TJ, O’Leary RM, Xu X, Bass A, Chandar AK, Chak A, Elliot R, Willis JE, Markowitz SD, Grady WM. Subtypes of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma based on genome-wide methylation analysis. Gut 2019; 68:389-399. [PMID: 29884612 PMCID: PMC6565505 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and characterise DNA methylation subtypes in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor Barrett's oesophagus (BE). DESIGN We performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling on samples of non-dysplastic BE from cancer-free patients (n=59), EAC (n=23), normal squamous oesophagus (n=33) and normal fundus (n=9), and identified methylation subtypes using a recursively partitioned mixture model. We assessed genomic alterations for 9 BE and 22 EAC samples with massively parallel sequencing of 243 EAC-associated genes, and we conducted integrative analyses with transcriptome data to identify epigenetically repressed genes. We also carried out in vitro experiments treating EAC cell lines with 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC), short hairpin RNA knockdown and anticancer therapies. RESULTS We identified and validated four methylation subtypes of EAC and BE. The high methylator subtype (HM) of EAC had the greatest number of activating events in ERBB2 (p<0.05, Student's t-test) and the highest global mutation load (p<0.05, Fisher's exact test). PTPN13 was silenced by aberrant methylation in the HM subtype preferentially and in 57% of EACs overall. In EAC cell lines, 5-Aza-dC treatment restored PTPN13 expression and significantly decreased its promoter methylation in HM cell lines (p<0.05, Welch's t-test). Inhibition of PTPN13 expression in the SK-GT-4 EAC cell line promoted proliferation, colony formation and migration, and increased phosphorylation in ERBB2/EGFR/Src kinase pathways. Finally, EAC cell lines showed subtype-specific responses to topotecan, SN-38 and palbociclib treatment. CONCLUSIONS We identified and characterised methylator subtypes in BE and EAC. We further demonstrated the biological and clinical relevance of EAC methylator subtypes, which may ultimately help guide clinical management of patients with EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yu
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sean Maden
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew Stachler
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew M. Kaz
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA,Gastroenterology Section, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessica Ayers
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yuna Guo
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly T. Carter
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amber Willbanks
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tai J. Heinzerling
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rachele M O’Leary
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xinsen Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Bass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Apoorva K. Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH,Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA
| | - Amitabh Chak
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH,Division of Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA
| | - Robin Elliot
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA
| | - Joseph E. Willis
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA
| | - Sanford D. Markowitz
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; USA
| | - William M. Grady
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Lapinska K, Housman G, Byler S, Heerboth S, Willbanks A, Oza A, Sarkar S. The Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor and Calpain Inhibitor Combination Therapies on Ovarian Cancer Cells. Anticancer Res 2017; 36:5731-5742. [PMID: 27793894 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.11156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is difficult to treat due to absence of selective drugs and tendency of platinum drugs to promote resistance. Combination therapy using epigenetic drugs is predicted to be a beneficial alternative. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study investigated the effects of combination therapies using two structurally different histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACi), sodium butyrate and suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), with the calpain inhibitor calpeptin on two characteristically different ovarian cancer cell lines, CAOV-3 and SKOV-3. RESULTS Suboptimal doses of HDACi and calpeptin produced several effects. Growth inhibition was enhanced and the epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes ARHI, p21 and RARβ2 were re-expressed. Methylation of specific CpG residues in ARHI were reduced. Cell-cycle progression was inhibited and apoptosis, as well as autophagy, were induced. The phosphorylation of ERK and Akt were differentially effected by these inhibitors. CONCLUSION The re-expression of tumor suppressors may sensitize ovarian cancer cells, which then undergo apoptosis and autophagy for cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Lapinska
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, U.S.A.,Quinnipiac University School of Medicine, North Haven, CT, U.S.A
| | - Genevieve Housman
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A
| | - Shannon Byler
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, U.S.A
| | - Sarah Heerboth
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, U.S.A
| | - Amber Willbanks
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, U.S.A
| | - Anuja Oza
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, U.S.A
| | - Sibaji Sarkar
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, U.S.A. .,Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, U.S.A
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Willbanks A, Leary M, Greenshields M, Tyminski C, Heerboth S, Lapinska K, Haskins K, Sarkar S. The Evolution of Epigenetics: From Prokaryotes to Humans and Its Biological Consequences. Genet Epigenet 2016; 8:25-36. [PMID: 27512339 PMCID: PMC4973776 DOI: 10.4137/geg.s31863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The evolution process includes genetic alterations that started with prokaryotes and now continues in humans. A distinct difference between prokaryotic chromosomes and eukaryotic chromosomes involves histones. As evolution progressed, genetic alterations accumulated and a mechanism for gene selection developed. It was as if nature was experimenting to optimally utilize the gene pool without changing individual gene sequences. This mechanism is called epigenetics, as it is above the genome. Curiously, the mechanism of epigenetic regulation in prokaryotes is strikingly different from that in eukaryotes, mainly higher eukaryotes, like mammals. In fact, epigenetics plays a significant role in the conserved process of embryogenesis and human development. Malfunction of epigenetic regulation results in many types of undesirable effects, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. This review provides a comparative analysis and new insights into these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Willbanks
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Leary
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Molly Greenshields
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Camila Tyminski
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Heerboth
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karolina Lapinska
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Haskins
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sibaji Sarkar
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.; Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Longacre M, Snyder NA, Housman G, Leary M, Lapinska K, Heerboth S, Willbanks A, Sarkar S. A Comparative Analysis of Genetic and Epigenetic Events of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Related to Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E759. [PMID: 27213343 PMCID: PMC4881580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer persists as the most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Ovarian cancer is also a significant source of morbidity and mortality, as the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women. This reflects the continued need for further understanding and innovation in cancer treatment. Though breast and ovarian cancer usually present as distinct clinical entities, the recent explosion of large-scale -omics research has uncovered many overlaps, particularly with respect to genetic and epigenetic alterations. We compared genetic, microenvironmental, stromal, and epigenetic changes common between breast and ovarian cancer cells, as well as the clinical relevance of these changes. Some of the most striking commonalities include genetic alterations of BRCA1 and 2, TP53, RB1, NF1, FAT3, MYC, PTEN, and PIK3CA; down regulation of miRNAs 9, 100, 125a, 125b, and 214; and epigenetic alterations such as H3K27me3, H3K9me2, H3K9me3, H4K20me3, and H3K4me. These parallels suggest shared features of pathogenesis. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggests a shared epigenetic mechanism of oncogenesis. These similarities, warrant further investigation in order to ultimately inform development of more effective chemotherapeutics, as well as strategies to circumvent drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole A Snyder
- Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Genevieve Housman
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
| | - Meghan Leary
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Karolina Lapinska
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Sarah Heerboth
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
| | - Amber Willbanks
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Sibaji Sarkar
- Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
- Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Heerboth S, Housman G, Leary M, Longacre M, Byler S, Lapinska K, Willbanks A, Sarkar S. EMT and tumor metastasis. Clin Transl Med 2015; 4:6. [PMID: 25852822 PMCID: PMC4385028 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-015-0048-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 518] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
EMT and MET comprise the processes by which cells transit between epithelial and mesenchymal states, and they play integral roles in both normal development and cancer metastasis. This article reviews these processes and the molecular pathways that contribute to them. First, we compare embryogenesis and development with cancer metastasis. We then discuss the signaling pathways and the differential expression and down-regulation of receptors in both tumor cells and stromal cells, which play a role in EMT and metastasis. We further delve into the clinical implications of EMT and MET in several types of tumors, and lastly, we discuss the role of epigenetic events that regulate EMT/MET processes. We hypothesize that reversible epigenetic events regulate both EMT and MET, and thus, also regulate the development of different types of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Heerboth
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Genevieve Housman
- />School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Meghan Leary
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | | | - Shannon Byler
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Karolina Lapinska
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Amber Willbanks
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Sibaji Sarkar
- />Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
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