1
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Aoude LG, Brosda S, Ng J, Lonie JM, Belle CJ, Patel K, Koufariotis LT, Wood S, Atkinson V, Smithers BM, Pearson JV, Waddell N, Barbour AP, Bonazzi VF. Circulating Tumor DNA: A Promising Biomarker for Predicting Recurrence in Patients with BRAF-Negative Melanoma. J Mol Diagn 2023; 25:771-781. [PMID: 37544359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For patients with BRAF wild-type stage III and IV melanoma, there is an urgent clinical need to identify prognostic biomarkers and biomarkers predictive of treatment response. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is emerging as a blood-based biomarker and has shown promising results for many cancers, including melanoma. The purpose of this study was to identify targetable, tumor-derived mutations in patient blood that may lead to treatment alternatives and improved outcomes for patients with BRAF-negative melanoma. Using a CAncer Personalized Profiling by deep Sequencing (CAPP-seq) pan-cancer gene panel, ctDNA from 150 plasma samples (n = 106 patients) was assessed, including serial blood collections for a subset of patients (n = 16). ctDNA variants were detected in 85% of patients, all in targetable pathways, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT, Bcl2/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ALK/MET, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6. Patients with stage IV melanoma with low ctDNA concentrations, <10 ng/mL, had significantly better disease-specific survival and progression-free survival. Patients with both a high concentration of ctDNA and any detectable ctDNA variants had the worst prognosis. In addition, these results indicated that longitudinal changes in ctDNA correlated with treatment response and disease progression determined by radiology. This study confirms that ctDNA may be used as a noninvasive liquid biopsy to identify recurrent disease and detect targetable variants in patients with late-stage melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren G Aoude
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland.
| | - Sandra Brosda
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Jessica Ng
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - James M Lonie
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Clemence J Belle
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Kalpana Patel
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | | | - Scott Wood
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Victoria Atkinson
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - B Mark Smithers
- Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - John V Pearson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Nicola Waddell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
| | - Andrew P Barbour
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland; Queensland Melanoma Project, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland
| | - Vanessa F Bonazzi
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland.
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2
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Harnessing RKIP to Combat Heart Disease and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040867. [PMID: 35205615 PMCID: PMC8870036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer and heart disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These diseases have common risk factors, common molecular signaling pathways that are central to their pathogenesis, and even some disease phenotypes that are interdependent. Thus, a detailed understanding of common regulators is critical for the development of new and synergistic therapeutic strategies. The Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a regulator of the cellular kinome that functions to maintain cellular robustness and prevent the progression of diseases including heart disease and cancer. Two of the key signaling pathways controlled by RKIP are the β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) signaling to protein kinase A (PKA), particularly in the heart, and the MAP kinase cascade Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 that regulates multiple diseases. The goal of this review is to discuss how we can leverage RKIP to suppress cancer without incurring deleterious effects on the heart. Specifically, we discuss: (1) How RKIP functions to either suppress or activate βAR (PKA) and ERK1/2 signaling; (2) How we can prevent cancer-promoting kinase signaling while at the same time avoiding cardiotoxicity.
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3
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Braunstein EM, Chen H, Juarez F, Yang F, Tao L, Makhlin I, Williams DM, Chaturvedi S, Pallavajjala A, Karantanos T, Martin R, Wohler E, Sobreira N, Gocke CD, Moliterno AR. Germline ERBB2/ HER2 Coding Variants Are Associated with Increased Risk of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133246. [PMID: 34209587 PMCID: PMC8268839 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial cases of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are relatively common, yet few inherited risk factors have been identified. Exome sequencing of a kindred with a familial cancer syndrome characterized by both MPN and melanoma produced a germline variant in the ERBB2/HER2 gene that co-segregates with disease. To further investigate whether germline ERBB2 variants contribute to MPN predisposition, the frequency of ERBB2 variants was analyzed in 1604 cases that underwent evaluation for hematologic malignancy, including 236 cases of MPN. MPN cases had a higher frequency of rare germline ERBB2 coding variants compared to non-MPN hematologic malignancies (8.9% vs. 4.1%, OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.4 to 4.0, p = 0.0028) as well as cases without a blood cancer diagnosis that served as an internal control (8.9% vs. 2.7%, OR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.3, p = 0.0053). This finding was validated via comparison to an independent control cohort of 1587 cases without selection for hematologic malignancy (8.9% in MPN cases vs. 5.2% in controls, p = 0.040). The most frequent variant identified, ERBB2 c.1960A > G; p.I654V, was present in MPN cases at more than twice its expected frequency. These data indicate that rare germline coding variants in ERBB2 are associated with an increased risk for development of MPN. The ERBB2 gene is a novel susceptibility locus which likely contributes to cancer risk in combination with additional risk alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M. Braunstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Felicia Juarez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Fanghan Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Lindsay Tao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Igor Makhlin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Donna M. Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Shruti Chaturvedi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
| | - Aparna Pallavajjala
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (A.P.); (C.D.G.)
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Renan Martin
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.M.); (E.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Elizabeth Wohler
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.M.); (E.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Nara Sobreira
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.M.); (E.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Christopher D. Gocke
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (A.P.); (C.D.G.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Alison R. Moliterno
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (H.C.); (F.J.); (F.Y.); (L.T.); (D.M.W.); (S.C.); (A.R.M.)
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4
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Garutti M, Targato G, Buriolla S, Palmero L, Minisini AM, Puglisi F. CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Melanoma: A Comprehensive Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061334. [PMID: 34071228 PMCID: PMC8227121 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, metastatic melanoma was considered a highly lethal disease. However, recent advances in drug development have allowed a significative improvement in prognosis. In particular, BRAF/MEK inhibitors and anti-PD1 antibodies have completely revolutionized the management of this disease. Nonetheless, not all patients derive a benefit or a durable benefit from these therapies. To overtake this challenges, new clinically active compounds are being tested in the context of clinical trials. CDK4/6 inhibitors are drugs already available in clinical practice and preliminary evidence showed a promising activity also in melanoma. Herein we review the available literature to depict a comprehensive landscape about CDK4/6 inhibitors in melanoma. We present the molecular and genetic background that might justify the usage of these drugs, the preclinical evidence, the clinical available data, and the most promising ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Garutti
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (L.P.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giada Targato
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Silvia Buriolla
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Lorenza Palmero
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (L.P.); (F.P.)
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.M.)
| | | | - Fabio Puglisi
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (L.P.); (F.P.)
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.M.)
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5
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Scatena C, Murtas D, Tomei S. Cutaneous Melanoma Classification: The Importance of High-Throughput Genomic Technologies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:635488. [PMID: 34123788 PMCID: PMC8193952 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.635488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive tumor responsible for 90% of mortality related to skin cancer. In the recent years, the discovery of driving mutations in melanoma has led to better treatment approaches. The last decade has seen a genomic revolution in the field of cancer. Such genomic revolution has led to the production of an unprecedented mole of data. High-throughput genomic technologies have facilitated the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of several cancers, including melanoma. Nevertheless, there are a number of newer genomic technologies that have not yet been employed in large studies. In this article we describe the current classification of cutaneous melanoma, we review the current knowledge of the main genetic alterations of cutaneous melanoma and their related impact on targeted therapies, and we describe the most recent high-throughput genomic technologies, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. We hope that the current review will also help scientists to identify the most suitable technology to address melanoma-related relevant questions. The translation of this knowledge and all actual advancements into the clinical practice will be helpful in better defining the different molecular subsets of melanoma patients and provide new tools to address relevant questions on disease management. Genomic technologies might indeed allow to better predict the biological - and, subsequently, clinical - behavior for each subset of melanoma patients as well as to even identify all molecular changes in tumor cell populations during disease evolution toward a real achievement of a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Tomei
- Omics Core, Integrated Genomics Services, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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6
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Kreß JKC, Jessen C, Marquardt A, Hufnagel A, Meierjohann S. NRF2 Enables EGFR Signaling in Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083803. [PMID: 33916908 PMCID: PMC8067606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are rarely mutated in cutaneous melanoma, but the expression and activation of several RTK family members are associated with a proinvasive phenotype and therapy resistance. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the RTK family and is only expressed in a subgroup of melanomas with poor prognosis. The insight into regulators of EGFR expression and activation is important for the understanding of the development of this malignant melanoma phenotype. Here, we describe that the transcription factor NRF2, the master regulator of the oxidative and electrophilic stress response, mediates the expression and activation of EGFR in melanoma by elevating the levels of EGFR as well as its ligands EGF and TGFα. ChIP sequencing data show that NRF2 directly binds to the promoter of EGF, which contains a canonical antioxidant response element. Accordingly, EGF is induced by oxidative stress and is also increased in lung adenocarcinoma and head and neck carcinoma with mutationally activated NRF2. In contrast, regulation of EGFR and TGFA occurs by an indirect mechanism, which is enabled by the ability of NRF2 to block the activity of the melanocytic lineage factor MITF in melanoma. MITF effectively suppresses EGFR and TGFA expression and therefore serves as link between NRF2 and EGFR. As EGFR was previously described to stimulate NRF2 activity, the mutual activation of NRF2 and EGFR pathways was investigated. The presence of NRF2 was necessary for full EGFR pathway activation, as NRF2-knockout cells showed reduced AKT activation in response to EGF stimulation compared to controls. Conversely, EGF led to the nuclear localization and activation of NRF2, thereby demonstrating that NRF2 and EGFR are connected in a positive feedback loop in melanoma. In summary, our data show that the EGFR-positive melanoma phenotype is strongly supported by NRF2, thus revealing a novel maintenance mechanism for this clinically challenging melanoma subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Jessen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
| | - André Marquardt
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anita Hufnagel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.K.); (C.J.); (A.M.); (A.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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7
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Hoesl C, Fröhlich T, Posch C, Kneitz H, Goebeler M, Schneider MR, Dahlhoff M. The transmembrane protein LRIG1 triggers melanocytic tumor development following chemically induced skin carcinogenesis. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2140-2155. [PMID: 33786987 PMCID: PMC8495683 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer has increased tremendously in recent years. Although novel treatment options have significantly improved patient outcomes, the prognosis for most patients with an advanced disease remains dismal. It is, thus, imperative to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in skin carcinogenesis in order to develop new targeted treatment strategies. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) like the ERBB receptor family, including EGFR/ERBB1, ERBB2/NEU, ERBB3, and ERBB4, are important regulators of skin homeostasis and their dysregulation often results in cancer, which makes them attractive therapeutic targets. Members of the leucine‐rich repeats and immunoglobulin‐like domains protein family (LRIG1‐3) are ERBB regulators and thus potential therapeutic targets to manipulate ERBB receptors. Here, we analyzed the function of LRIG1 during chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in transgenic mice expressing LRIG1 in the skin under the control of the keratin 5 promoter (LRIG1‐TG mice). We observed a significant induction of melanocytic tumor formation in LRIG1‐TG mice and no difference in papilloma incidence between LRIG1‐TG and control mice. Our findings also revealed that LRIG1 affects ERBB signaling via decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and increased activation of the oncoprotein ERBB2 during skin carcinogenesis. The epidermal proliferation rate was significantly decreased during epidermal tumorigenesis under LRIG1 overexpression, and the apoptosis marker cleaved caspase 3 was significantly activated in the epidermis of transgenic LRIG1 mice. Additionally, we detected LRIG1 expression in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma samples. Therefore, we depleted LRIG1 in human melanoma cells (A375) by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and found that this caused EGFR and ERBB3 downregulation in A375 LRIG1 knockout cells 6 h following stimulation with EGF. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that LRIG1‐TG mice develop melanocytic skin tumors during chemical skin carcinogenesis and a deletion of LRIG1 in human melanoma cells reduces EGFR and ERBB3 expression after EGF stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Hoesl
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, LMU München, Germany
| | - Thomas Fröhlich
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU München, Germany
| | - Christian Posch
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar - TU München, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Universität Wien, Austria
| | - Hermann Kneitz
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Goebeler
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marlon R Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, LMU München, Germany
| | - Maik Dahlhoff
- Institute of In vivo and In vitro Models, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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8
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Meierjohann S. Effect of stress-induced polyploidy on melanoma reprogramming and therapy resistance. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:232-240. [PMID: 33610722 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanomas and their precursors, the melanocytes, are frequently exposed to UV due to their anatomic location, leading to DNA damage and reactive oxygen stress related harm. Such damage can result in multinucleation or polyploidy, in particularly in presence of mitotic or cell division failure. As a consequence, the cell encounters either of two fates: mitotic catastrophe, resulting in cell death, or survival and recovery, the latter occurring less frequently. However, when cells manage to recover in an polyploid state, they have often acquired new features, which allow them to tolerate and adapt to oncogene- or therapy induced stress. This review focuses on polyploidy inducers in melanoma and their effects on transcriptional reprogramming and phenotypic adaptation as well as the relevance of polyploid melanoma cells for therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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9
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Friedmann Angeli JP, Meierjohann S. NRF2-dependent stress defense in tumor antioxidant control and immune evasion. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 34:268-279. [PMID: 33205526 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 is known as the master regulator of the oxidative stress response. Tumor entities presenting oncogenic activation of NRF2, such as lung adenocarcinoma, are associated with drug resistance, and accumulating evidence demonstrates its involvement in immune evasion. In other cancer types, the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway is not commonly mutated, but NRF2 is activated by other means such as radiation, oncogenic activity, cytokines, or other pro-oxidant triggers characteristic of the tumor niche. The obvious effect of stress-activated NRF2 is the protection from oxidative or electrophilic damage and the adaptation of the tumor metabolism to changing conditions. However, data from melanoma also reveal a role of NRF2 in modulating differentiation and suppressing anti-tumor immunity. This review summarizes the function of NRF2 in this tumor entity and discusses the implications for current tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Friedmann Angeli
- Rudolf-Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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10
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The transcription factor NRF2 enhances melanoma malignancy by blocking differentiation and inducing COX2 expression. Oncogene 2020; 39:6841-6855. [PMID: 32978520 PMCID: PMC7605435 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 is the major mediator of oxidative stress responses and is closely connected to therapy resistance in tumors harboring activating mutations in the NRF2 pathway. In melanoma, such mutations are rare, and it is unclear to what extent melanomas rely on NRF2. Here we show that NRF2 suppresses the activity of the melanocyte lineage marker MITF in melanoma, thereby reducing the expression of pigmentation markers. Intriguingly, we furthermore identified NRF2 as key regulator of immune-modulating genes, linking oxidative stress with the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in an ATF4-dependent manner. COX2 is critical for the secretion of prostaglandin E2 and was strongly induced by H2O2 or TNFα only in presence of NRF2. Induction of MITF and depletion of COX2 and PGE2 were also observed in NRF2-deleted melanoma cells in vivo. Furthermore, genes corresponding to the innate immune response such as RSAD2 and IFIH1 were strongly elevated in absence of NRF2 and coincided with immune evasion parameters in human melanoma datasets. Even in vitro, NRF2 activation or prostaglandin E2 supplementation blunted the induction of the innate immune response in melanoma cells. Transcriptome analyses from lung adenocarcinomas indicate that the observed link between NRF2 and the innate immune response is not restricted to melanoma.
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11
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Guo L, Qi J, Wang H, Jiang X, Liu Y. Getting under the skin: The role of CDK4/6 in melanomas. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 204:112531. [PMID: 32712436 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest type of cancer that affects the largest organ of our body, the skin. In recent years, there is an increase in the incidence and aggressiveness of melanomas. The number of treatment options has grown considerably in the past few years, leading to significant improvements in both overall and progression-free survival. One of the attractive candidates in this wave of treatment options is a cell cycle controller: cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors. CDK4/6, a class of serine/threonine kinases expressed in most cell types, controls the first gap phase (G1 to S) of the cell cycle, indicating its vital importance in both normal cellular processes as well as tumorigenesis. Up to 90% of melanoma patients have genomic mutations affecting various parts of CDK4/6 pathway. Noticeably, with the help of next-generation sequencing technology, mutations with high frequency in the CDK4 pathway were also identified in relatively rare subtypes of melanoma including acral melanoma and mucosal melanoma. Therefore, CDK4/6 inhibitors have emerged as powerful and promising anticancer therapies, especially in combination treatment with immunotherapies or other targeted therapies. In this review, we will provide an overview of current scientific knowledge regarding the oncogenic properties of CDK4/6 in melanomas, we mainly discuss the latest genomic and preclinical findings of CDK4 signaling in melanoma, the progress of CDK4 inhibition as combined with other therapies for overcoming resistance and summarize recent advances from clinical trials as well as ongoing studies which gives us a better scope into the effectiveness of CDK4/6 therapy in treating malignant melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghong Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Dermatology, The First People's Hospital of Zigong, Zigong, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, China.
| | - Jinxin Qi
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Han Wang
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xian Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Dermatology, The First People's Hospital of Zigong, Zigong, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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Abstract
The adaptive immune response is a 500-million-year-old (the "Big Bang" of Immunology) collective set of rearranged and/or selected receptors capable of recognizing soluble and cell surface molecules or shape (B cells, antibody), endogenous and extracellular peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility (MHC) molecules including Class I and Class II (conventional αβ T cells), lipid in the context of MHC-like molecules of the CD1 family (NKT cells), metabolites and B7 family molecules/butyrophilins with stress factors (γδT cells), and stress ligands and absence of MHC molecules (natural killer, NK cells). What makes tumor immunogenic is the recruitment of initially innate immune cells to sites of stress or tissue damage with release of Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) molecules. Subsequent maintenance of a chronic inflammatory state, representing a balance between mature, normalized blood vessels, innate and adaptive immune cells and the tumor provides a complex tumor microenvironment serving as the backdrop for Darwinian selection, tumor elimination, tumor equilibrium, and ultimately tumor escape. Effective immunotherapies are still limited, given the complexities of this highly evolved and selected tumor microenvironment. Cytokine therapies and Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) enable immune effector function and are largely dependent on the shape and size of the B and T cell repertoires (the "adaptome"), now accessible by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and dimer-avoidance multiplexed PCR. How immune effectors access the tumor (infiltrated, immune sequestered, and immune desserts), egress and are organized within the tumor are of contemporary interest and substantial investigation.
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Wang L, Wei CY, Xu YY, Deng XY, Wang Q, Ying JH, Zhang SM, Yuan X, Xuan TF, Pan YY, Gu JY. Prognostic genes of melanoma identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and drug repositioning using a network-based method. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6066-6078. [PMID: 31788081 PMCID: PMC6864934 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most malignant types of skin cancer. However, the efficacy and utility of available drug therapies for melanoma are limited. The objective of the present study was to identify potential genes associated with melanoma progression and to explore approved therapeutic drugs that target these genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to construct a gene co-expression network, explore the associations between genes and clinical characteristics and identify potential biomarkers. Gene expression profiles of the GSE65904 dataset were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. RNA-sequencing data and clinical information associated with melanoma obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used for biomarker validation. A total of 15 modules were identified through average linkage hierarchical clustering. In the two significant modules, three network hub genes associated with melanoma prognosis were identified: C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit γ (PIK3CG). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the mRNA levels of these genes exhibited excellent prognostic efficiency for primary and metastatic tumor tissues. In addition, the proximity between candidate genes associated with melanoma progression and drug targets obtained from DrugBank was calculated in the protein interaction network, and the top 15 drugs that may be suitable for treating melanoma were identified. In summary, co-expression network analysis led to the selection of CXCR4, IL7R and PIK3CG for further basic and clinical research on melanoma. Utilizing a network-based method, 15 drugs that exhibited potential for the treatment of melanoma were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Chuan-Yuan Wei
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Xu
- Department of Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Yi Deng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jiang-Hui Ying
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Si-Min Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Tian-Fan Xuan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Yan Pan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Ying Gu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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IFN-gamma-induced PD-L1 expression in melanoma depends on p53 expression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:397. [PMID: 31506076 PMCID: PMC6737652 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1403-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibition and in particular anti-PD-1 immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. In this regard, higher tumoral PD-L1 protein (gene name: CD274) expression is associated with better clinical response and increased survival to anti-PD-1 therapy. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that tumor suppressor proteins are involved in immune regulation and are capable of modulating the expression of immune checkpoint proteins. Here, we determined the role of p53 protein (gene name: TP53) in the regulation of PD-L1 expression in melanoma. Methods We analyzed publicly available mRNA and protein expression data from the cancer genome/proteome atlas and performed immunohistochemistry on tumors with known TP53 status. Constitutive and IFN-ɣ-induced PD-L1 expression upon p53 knockdown in wildtype, TP53-mutated or JAK2-overexpressing melanoma cells or in cells, in which p53 was rendered transcriptionally inactive by CRISPR/Cas9, was determined by immunoblot or flow cytometry. Similarly, PD-L1 expression was investigated after overexpression of a transcriptionally-impaired p53 (L22Q, W23S) in TP53-wt or a TP53-knockout melanoma cell line. Immunoblot was applied to analyze the IFN-ɣ signaling pathway. Results For TP53-mutated tumors, an increased CD274 mRNA expression and a higher frequency of PD-L1 positivity was observed. Interestingly, positive correlations of IFNG mRNA and PD-L1 protein in both TP53-wt and -mutated samples and of p53 and PD-L1 protein suggest a non-transcriptional mode of action of p53. Indeed, cell line experiments revealed a diminished IFN-ɣ-induced PD-L1 expression upon p53 knockdown in both wildtype and TP53-mutated melanoma cells, which was not the case when p53 wildtype protein was rendered transcriptionally inactive or by ectopic expression of p53L22Q,W23S, a transcriptionally-impaired variant, in TP53-wt cells. Accordingly, expression of p53L22Q,W23S in a TP53-knockout melanoma cell line boosted IFN-ɣ-induced PD-L1 expression. The impaired PD-L1-inducibility after p53 knockdown was associated with a reduced JAK2 expression in the cells and was almost abrogated by JAK2 overexpression. Conclusions While having only a small impact on basal PD-L1 expression, both wildtype and mutated p53 play an important positive role for IFN-ɣ-induced PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells by supporting JAK2 expression. Future studies should address, whether p53 expression levels might influence response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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