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Solta A, Ernhofer B, Boettiger K, Megyesfalvi Z, Heeke S, Hoda MA, Lang C, Aigner C, Hirsch FR, Schelch K, Döme B. Small cells - big issues: biological implications and preclinical advancements in small cell lung cancer. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:41. [PMID: 38395864 PMCID: PMC10893629 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01953-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Current treatment guidelines refer to small cell lung cancer (SCLC), one of the deadliest human malignancies, as a homogeneous disease. Accordingly, SCLC therapy comprises chemoradiation with or without immunotherapy. Meanwhile, recent studies have made significant advances in subclassifying SCLC based on the elevated expression of the transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3, as well as on certain inflammatory characteristics. The role of the transcription regulator YAP1 in defining a unique SCLC subset remains to be established. Although preclinical analyses have described numerous subtype-specific characteristics and vulnerabilities, the so far non-existing clinical subtype distinction may be a contributor to negative clinical trial outcomes. This comprehensive review aims to provide a framework for the development of novel personalized therapeutic approaches by compiling the most recent discoveries achieved by preclinical SCLC research. We highlight the challenges faced due to limited access to patient material as well as the advances accomplished by implementing state-of-the-art models and methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Büsra Ernhofer
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristiina Boettiger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Simon Heeke
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mir Alireza Hoda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Aigner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fred R Hirsch
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, Mount Sinai Health System, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Döme
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Sharma NK, Bahot A, Sekar G, Bansode M, Khunteta K, Sonar PV, Hebale A, Salokhe V, Sinha BK. Understanding Cancer's Defense against Topoisomerase-Active Drugs: A Comprehensive Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:680. [PMID: 38398072 PMCID: PMC10886629 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the emergence of cancer drug resistance has been one of the crucial tumor hallmarks that are supported by the level of genetic heterogeneity and complexities at cellular levels. Oxidative stress, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, overexpression of ABC transporters, and stemness are among the several key contributing molecular and cellular response mechanisms. Topo-active drugs, e.g., doxorubicin and topotecan, are clinically active and are utilized extensively against a wide variety of human tumors and often result in the development of resistance and failure to therapy. Thus, there is an urgent need for an incremental and comprehensive understanding of mechanisms of cancer drug resistance specifically in the context of topo-active drugs. This review delves into the intricate mechanistic aspects of these intracellular and extracellular topo-active drug resistance mechanisms and explores the use of potential combinatorial approaches by utilizing various topo-active drugs and inhibitors of pathways involved in drug resistance. We believe that this review will help guide basic scientists, pre-clinicians, clinicians, and policymakers toward holistic and interdisciplinary strategies that transcend resistance, renewing optimism in the ongoing battle against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh Kumar Sharma
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Anjali Bahot
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Gopinath Sekar
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Mahima Bansode
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Kratika Khunteta
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Priyanka Vijay Sonar
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Ameya Hebale
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Vaishnavi Salokhe
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, Maharashtra, India; (N.K.S.); (A.B.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (K.K.); (P.V.S.); (A.H.); (V.S.)
| | - Birandra Kumar Sinha
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USA
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Eglenen-Polat B, Kowash RR, Huang HC, Siteni S, Zhu M, Chen K, Bender ME, Mender I, Stastny V, Drapkin BJ, Raj P, Minna JD, Xu L, Shay JW, Akbay EA. A telomere-targeting drug depletes cancer initiating cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity in small cell lung cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:672. [PMID: 38253555 PMCID: PMC10803750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44861-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
There are few effective treatments for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study focuses on exploiting telomerase, a critical SCLC dependency as a therapeutic target. A prominent characteristic of SCLC is their reliance on telomerase activity, a key enzyme essential for their continuous proliferation. Here we utilize a nucleoside analog, 6-Thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6TdG) currently in phase II clinical trials, that is preferentially incorporated by telomerase into telomeres leading to telomere dysfunction. Using preclinical mouse and human derived models we find low intermittent doses of 6TdG inhibit tumor growth and reduce metastatic burden. Anti-tumor efficacy correlates with a reduction in a subpopulation of cancer initiating like cells (CICs) identified by their expression of L1CAM/CD133 and highest telomerase activity. 6TdG treatment also leads to activation of innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses. Mechanistically, 6TdG depletes CICs and induces type-I interferon signaling leading to tumor immune visibility by activating tumor cell STING signaling. We also observe increased sensitivity to irradiation after 6TdG treatment in both syngeneic and humanized SCLC xenograft models both of which are dependent on the presence of host immune cells. This study underscores the immune-enhancing and metastasis-reducing effects of 6TdG, employing a range of complementary in vitro and in vivo SCLC preclinical models providing a potential therapeutic approach to SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buse Eglenen-Polat
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ryan R Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hai-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew E Bender
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Victor Stastny
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin J Drapkin
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Prithvi Raj
- Department of Immunology and Microbiome Research Laboratory University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Popper H, Brcic L, Eidenhammer S. Does subtyping of high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas have an impact on therapy selection? Transl Lung Cancer Res 2023; 12:2412-2426. [PMID: 38205203 PMCID: PMC10775006 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-23-505] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC) are characterized by a rapid progressive course. Therapy for SCLC has not much changed for decades, and in LCNEC controversies exist, favoring either SCLC-like or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-like therapy. Three subtypes of SCLC identified in cell cultures, namely ASCL1, NeuroD1, and POU2F3 have been confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The fourth type based on the expression of YAP1 was questioned, and another type, inflamed SCLC, was proposed. Methods SCLC and LCNEC samples were investigated by immunohistochemistry for different subtypes. Additionally, immunohistochemical markers as potential tools to identify patients who might respond to targeted treatment were investigated. For validation a biopsy set was added. Results ASCL1, NeuroD1, and POU2F3 were expressed in different percentages in SCLC and LCNEC. Similar percentages of expression were found in biopsies. ATOH was expressed in combination with one of the subtypes. YAP1 and TAZ were expressed in some SCLC and LCNEC cases. HES1 expression was seen in few cases. Predominantly stroma cells expressed programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The dominant MYC protein was N-MYC. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) was expressed in the majority of both carcinomas, whereas fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in few. Conclusions SCLC and LCNEC can be subtyped into ASCL1-, NeuroD1-, and POU2F3-positive types. AURKA expression and positivity for N-MYC protein was not associated with subtypes. AURKA and FGFR2 are both possible targets for inhibition in SCLC and LCNEC, but patients' selection should be based on expression of the enzyme. Combined chemo- and immunotherapy might be decided by PD-L1 staining of stroma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luka Brcic
- D&F Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Gutiérrez M, Zamora I, Freeman MR, Encío IJ, Rotinen M. Actionable Driver Events in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:105. [PMID: 38203275 PMCID: PMC10778712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) stands out as the most aggressive form of lung cancer, characterized by an extremely high proliferation rate and a very poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate that falls below 7%. Approximately two-thirds of patients receive their diagnosis when the disease has already reached a metastatic or extensive stage, leaving chemotherapy as the remaining first-line treatment option. Other than the recent advances in immunotherapy, which have shown moderate results, SCLC patients cannot yet benefit from any approved targeted therapy, meaning that this cancer remains treated as a uniform entity, disregarding intra- or inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Continuous efforts and technological improvements have enabled the identification of new potential targets that could be used to implement novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent approaches for SCLC treatment, providing an extensive compilation of the targeted therapies that are currently under clinical evaluation and inhibitor molecules with promising results in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian Gutiérrez
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Irene Zamora
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Michael R. Freeman
- Departments of Urology and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ignacio J. Encío
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
- IdiSNA, Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Rotinen
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.G.); (I.Z.)
- IdiSNA, Navarre Institute for Health Research, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
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Cho W, Lee JH, Park SB. STING upregulation strategies to potentiate STING immunotherapy. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1819-1822. [PMID: 37791535 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wansang Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Jung Ho Lee
- Department of Biophysics & Chemical Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Seung Bum Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
- Department of Biophysics & Chemical Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
- SPARK Biopharma, Inc., 134 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08791, Korea
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Li Y, Wang X, Hou X, Ma X. Could Inhibiting the DNA Damage Repair Checkpoint Rescue Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Resistant Endometrial Cancer? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12083014. [PMID: 37109350 PMCID: PMC10144486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12083014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly undermining female health worldwide, with poor survival rates for advanced or recurrent/metastatic diseases. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has opened a window of opportunity for patients with first-line therapy failure. However, there is a subset of patients with endometrial cancer who remain insensitive to immunotherapy alone. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents and further explore reliable combinational strategies to optimize the efficacy of immunotherapy. DNA damage repair (DDR) inhibitors as novel targeted drugs are able to generate genomic toxicity and induce cell death in solid tumors, including EC. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated the DDR pathway modulates innate and adaptive immunity in tumors. In this review, we concentrate on the exploration of the intrinsic correlation between DDR pathways, especially the ATM-CHK2-P53 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway, and oncologic immune response, as well as the feasibility of adding DDR inhibitors to ICIs for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent/metastatic EC. We hope that this review will offer some beneficial references to the investigation of immunotherapy and provide a reasonable basis for "double-checkpoint inhibition" in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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