1
|
Wang F, Yu X, Qian J, Cao Y, Dong S, Zhan S, Lu Z, Bast RC, Song Q, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Zhou J. A novel SIK2 inhibitor SIC-19 exhibits synthetic lethality with PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 74:101077. [PMID: 38518726 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101077] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian cancer patients with HR proficiency (HRP) have had limited benefits from PARP inhibitor treatment, highlighting the need for improved therapeutic strategies. In this study, we developed a novel SIK2 inhibitor, SIC-19, and investigated its potential to enhance the sensitivity and expand the clinical utility of PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. METHODS The SIK2 protein was modeled using a Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), and the most favorable model was selected based on a GBVI/WSA dG scoring function. The Chembridge Compound Library was screened, and the top 20 candidate compounds were tested for their interaction with SIK2 and downstream substrates, AKT-pS473 and MYLK-pS343. SIC-19 emerged as the most promising drug candidate and was further evaluated using multiple assays. RESULTS SIC-19 exhibited selective and potent inhibition of SIK2, leading to its degradation through the ubiquitination pathway. The IC50 of SIC-19 correlated inversely with endogenous SIK2 expression in ovarian cancer cell lines. Treatment with SIC-19 significantly inhibited cancer cell growth and sensitized cells to PARP inhibitors in vitro, as well as in ovarian cancer organoids and xenograft models. Mechanistically, SIK2 knockdown and SIC-19 treatment reduced RAD50 phosphorylation at Ser635, prevented nuclear translocation of RAD50, disrupted nuclear filament assembly, and impaired DNA homologous recombination repair, ultimately inducing apoptosis. These findings highlight the crucial role of SIK2 in the DNA HR repair pathway and demonstrate the significant PARP inhibitor sensitization achieved by SIC-19 in ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS SIC-19, a novel SIK2 inhibitor, effectively inhibits tumor cell growth in ovarian cancer by interfering with RAD50-mediated DNA HR repair. Furthermore, SIC-19 enhances the efficacy of PARP inhibitors, providing a promising therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuejiao Yu
- Department of Imaging Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yumin Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shunli Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shenghua Zhan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhen Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert C Bast
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qingxia Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sun BB, Wang GZ, Han SC, Yang FY, Guo H, Liu J, Liu YT, Zhou GB. Oncogenic functions and therapeutic potentials of targeted inhibition of SMARCAL1 in small cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 592:216929. [PMID: 38697461 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216929] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a recalcitrant cancer characterized by high frequency loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressors with a lack of targeted therapy due to absence of high frequency gain-of-function abnormalities in oncogenes. SMARCAL1 is a member of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein SNF2 family that plays critical roles in DNA damage repair and genome stability maintenance. Here, we showed that SMARCAL1 was overexpressed in SCLC patient samples and was inversely associated with overall survival of the patients. SMARCAL1 was required for SCLC cell proliferation and genome integrity. Mass spectrometry revealed that PAR6B was a downstream SMARCAL1 signal molecule which rescued inhibitory effects caused by silencing of SMARCAL1. By screening of 36 FDA-approved clinically available agents related to DNA damage repair, we found that an aza-anthracenedione, pixantrone, was a potent SMARCAL1 inhibitor which suppressed the expression of SMARCAL1 and PAR6B at protein level. Pixantrone caused DNA damage and exhibited inhibitory effects on SCLC cells in vitro and in a patient-derived xenograft mouse model. These results indicated that SMARCAL1 functions as an oncogene in SCLC, and pixantrone as a SMARCAL1 inhibitor bears therapeutic potentials in this deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bei-Bei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Gui-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Si-Chong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Fu-Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yu-Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Guang-Biao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Department of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gong Y, Li H. CDK7 in breast cancer: mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:226. [PMID: 38605321 PMCID: PMC11010440 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01577-y] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) serves as a pivotal regulator in orchestrating cellular cycle dynamics and gene transcriptional activity. Elevated expression levels of CDK7 have been ubiquitously documented across a spectrum of malignancies and have been concomitantly correlated with adverse clinical outcomes. This review delineates the biological roles of CDK7 and explicates the molecular pathways through which CDK7 exacerbates the oncogenic progression of breast cancer. Furthermore, we synthesize the extant literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancement of CDK7-specific small-molecule inhibitors, encapsulating both preclinical and clinical findings in breast cancer contexts. The accumulated evidence substantiates the conceptualization of CDK7 as a propitious therapeutic target in breast cancer management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Huiping Li
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dong H, He X, Zhang L, Chen W, Lin YC, Liu SB, Wang H, Nguyen LXT, Li M, Zhu Y, Zhao D, Ghoda L, Serody J, Vincent B, Luznik L, Gojo I, Zeidner J, Su R, Chen J, Sharma R, Pirrotte P, Wu X, Hu W, Han W, Shen B, Kuo YH, Jin J, Salhotra A, Wang J, Marcucci G, Luo YL, Li L. Targeting PRMT9-mediated arginine methylation suppresses cancer stem cell maintenance and elicits cGAS-mediated anticancer immunity. Nat Cancer 2024; 5:601-624. [PMID: 38413714 PMCID: PMC11056319 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00736-x] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Current anticancer therapies cannot eliminate all cancer cells, which hijack normal arginine methylation as a means to promote their maintenance via unknown mechanisms. Here we show that targeting protein arginine N-methyltransferase 9 (PRMT9), whose activities are elevated in blasts and leukemia stem cells (LSCs) from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), eliminates disease via cancer-intrinsic mechanisms and cancer-extrinsic type I interferon (IFN)-associated immunity. PRMT9 ablation in AML cells decreased the arginine methylation of regulators of RNA translation and the DNA damage response, suppressing cell survival. Notably, PRMT9 inhibition promoted DNA damage and activated cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, which underlies the type I IFN response. Genetically activating cyclic GMP-AMP synthase in AML cells blocked leukemogenesis. We also report synergy of a PRMT9 inhibitor with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 in eradicating AML. Overall, we conclude that PRMT9 functions in survival and immune evasion of both LSCs and non-LSCs; targeting PRMT9 may represent a potential anticancer strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Dong
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xin He
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yi-Chun Lin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Song-Bai Liu
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Xuan Truong Nguyen
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Min Li
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yinghui Zhu
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Dandan Zhao
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lucy Ghoda
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Serody
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin Vincent
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Computational Medicine Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Leo Luznik
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ivana Gojo
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Zeidner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rui Su
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ritin Sharma
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Cancer & Cell Biology Division, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Weidong Hu
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Weidong Han
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Binghui Shen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ya-Huei Kuo
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jie Jin
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Amandeep Salhotra
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yun Lyna Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kaur J, Sharma A, Passi G, Dey P, Khajuria A, Alajangi HK, Jaiswal PK, Barnwal RP, Singh G. Nanomedicine at the Pulmonary Frontier: Immune-Centric Approaches for Respiratory Disease Treatment. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:295-347. [PMID: 38206610 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2298398] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases (RD) are a group of common ailments with a rapidly increasing global prevalence, posing a significant threat to humanity, especially the elderly population, and imposing a substantial burden on society and the economy. RD represents an unmet medical need that requires the development of viable pharmacotherapies. While various promising strategies have been devised to advance potential treatments for RD, their implementation has been hindered by difficulties in drug delivery, particularly in critically ill patients. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for delivering medications to the inflamed organ sites, such as the lungs. Although this approach is enticing, delivering nanomedicine to the lungs presents complex challenges that require sophisticated techniques. In this context, we review the potential of novel nanomedicine-based immunomodulatory strategies that could offer therapeutic benefits in managing this pressing health condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jatinder Kaur
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gautam Passi
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Piyush Dey
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Akhil Khajuria
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Hema Kumari Alajangi
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Gurpal Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang S, Liu B, Li F, Tang Z, Gu X, Yuan X. Identification of the novel biomarkers involved in the mitochondrial metabolism-related reactive oxygen species and their role in lung cancer T-cell exhaustion and immunotherapy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27022. [PMID: 38449608 PMCID: PMC10915393 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27022] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To study the role of mitochondrial metabolism and obtain novel biomarkers in immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We collected the 188 genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism(MMGs) from the MSIGDB project and then quantified the activity of mitochondrial metabolism. All the NSCLC patients were divided into C1 and C2 clusters based on the 26 prognosis-related MMGs. The differences in biology, differential immune microenvironment, chronic hypoxia and prognosis between C1 and C2 patients were also analyzed. In addition, we validated the results of bioinformatics analysis in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Results Patients in the C2 cluster had a higher level of mitochondrial metabolism. Patients in the C2 cluster responded better to immunotherapy and had a lower level of T-cell exclusion. The markers of T-cell failure were upregulated in the C1 patients. Hypoxia can lead to a high percentage of C1 patients. ADH1C might be involved in mitochondrial metabolism and immunotherapy response, which can be affected by hypoxia, making it an underlying biomarker. The expression levels of ADH1C in BEAS-2B, H1299, A549 and H460 cells were detected, revealing that ADH1C is upregulated in lung cancer cells. We observed that patients with low ADH1C expression had a longer survival time. The enzyme activities of HK, PK, LDH and SDH were significantly reduced in H1299 and H460 cells with ADH1C knockdown, along with more ROS. Furthermore, the expression levels of PD-L1 and HHLA2 in tumor tissues were analyzed, which found that ADH1C was significantly positively correlated with the expression of PD-L1 and HHLA2. Conclusions In summary, our study comprehensively explored the molecules involved in mitochondrial metabolism and their role in immunotherapy and T lymphocyte failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhe Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xuyu Gu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lu T, Yang J, Cai Y, Ding M, Yu Z, Fang X, Zhou X, Wang X. NCAPD3 promotes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma progression through modulating SIRT1 expression in an H3K9 monomethylation-dependent manner. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00086-9. [PMID: 38432395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.02.024] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Condensin, a family of structural maintenance of chromosome complexes, has been shown to regulate chromosome compaction and segregation during mitosis. NCAPD3, a HEAT-repeat subunit of condensin II, plays a dominant role in condensin-mediated chromosome dynamics but remains unexplored in lymphoma. OBJECTIVES The study aims to unravel the molecular function and mechanism of NCAPD3 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS The expression and clinical significance of NCAPD3 were assessed in public database and clinical specimens. Chromosome spreads, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), mass spectrometry (MS), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were conducted to untangle the role and mechanism of NCAPD3 in DLBCL. RESULTS NCAPD3 was highly expressed in DLBCL, correlated with poor prognosis. NCAPD3 deficiency impeded cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and increased the chemosensitivity. Instead, NCAPD3 overexpression facilitated cell proliferation. In vivo experiments further indicated targeting NCAPD3 suppressed tumor growth. Noteworthily, NCAPD3 deficiency disturbed the mitosis, triggering the formation of aneuploids. To reveal the function of NCAPD3 in DLBCL, chromosome spreads were conducted, presenting that chromosomes became compact upon NCAPD3 overexpression, instead, loose, twisted and lacking axial rigidity upon NCAPD3 absence. Meanwhile, the classical transcription-activated marker, H3K4 trimethylation, was found globally upregulated after NCAPD3 knockout, suggesting that NCAPD3 might participate in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. MS revealed NCAPD3 could interact with transcription factor, TFII I. Further co-IP and ChIP assays verified NCAPD3 could be anchored at the promoter of SIRT1 by TFII I and then supported the transcription of SIRT1 via recognizing H3K9 monomethylation (H3K9me1) on SIRT1 promoter. Function reversion assay verified the oncogenic role of NCAPD3 in DLBCL was partially mediated by SIRT1. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that dysregulation of NCAPD3 could disturb chromosome compaction and segregation and regulate the transcription activity of SIRT1 in an H3K9me1-dependent manner, which provided novel insights into targeted strategy for DLBCL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiange Lu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yiqing Cai
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Mengfei Ding
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Zhuoya Yu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Xiaosheng Fang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 251006, China.
| | - Xiangxiang Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 251006, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 251006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Papavassiliou KA, Sofianidi AA, Gogou VA, Anagnostopoulos N, Papavassiliou AG. P53 and Rb Aberrations in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2479. [PMID: 38473726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052479] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The genes coding for the tumor suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) are inactivated in the vast majority of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tumors. Data support the notion that these two deleterious genetic events represent the initial steps in the development of SCLC, making them essential for a lung epithelial cell to progress toward the acquisition of a malignant phenotype. With the loss of TP53 and RB1, their broad tumor suppressive functions are eliminated and a normal cell is able to proliferate indefinitely, escape entering into cellular senescence, and evade death, no matter the damage it has experienced. Within this setting, lung epithelial cells accumulate further oncogenic mutations and are well on their way to becoming SCLC cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these genetic lesions and their effects within lung epithelial cells is of paramount importance, in order to tackle this aggressive and deadly lung cancer. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on p53 and Rb aberrations, their biological significance, and their prospective therapeutic potential, highlighting completed and ongoing clinical trials with agents that target downstream pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kostas A Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Amalia A Sofianidi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki A Gogou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nektarios Anagnostopoulos
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Oser MG, MacPherson D, Oliver TG, Sage J, Park KS. Genetically-engineered mouse models of small cell lung cancer: the next generation. Oncogene 2024; 43:457-469. [PMID: 38191672 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02929-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains the most fatal form of lung cancer, with patients in dire need of new and effective therapeutic approaches. Modeling SCLC in an immunocompetent host is essential for understanding SCLC pathogenesis and ultimately discovering and testing new experimental therapeutic strategies. Human SCLC is characterized by near universal genetic loss of the RB1 and TP53 tumor suppressor genes. Twenty years ago, the first genetically-engineered mouse model (GEMM) of SCLC was generated using conditional deletion of both Rb1 and Trp53 in the lungs of adult mice. Since then, several other GEMMs of SCLC have been developed coupling genomic alterations found in human SCLC with Rb1 and Trp53 deletion. Here we summarize how GEMMs of SCLC have contributed significantly to our understanding of the disease in the past two decades. We also review recent advances in modeling SCLC in mice that allow investigators to bypass limitations of the previous generation of GEMMs while studying new genes of interest in SCLC. In particular, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated somatic gene editing can accelerate how new genes of interest are functionally interrogated in SCLC tumorigenesis. Notably, the development of allograft models and precancerous precursor models from SCLC GEMMs provides complementary approaches to GEMMs to study tumor cell-immune microenvironment interactions and test new therapeutic strategies to enhance response to immunotherapy. Ultimately, the new generation of SCLC models can accelerate research and help develop new therapeutic strategies for SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Oser
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - David MacPherson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Trudy G Oliver
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Julien Sage
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kwon-Sik Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li H, Yu S, Liu H, Chen L, Liu H, Liu X, Shen C. Immunologic barriers in liver transplantation: a single-cell analysis of the role of mesenchymal stem cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1274982. [PMID: 38143768 PMCID: PMC10748593 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1274982] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to analyze the biomarkers that may reliably indicate rejection or tolerance and the mechanism that underlie the induction and maintenance of liver transplantation (LT) tolerance related to immunosuppressant or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods LT models of Lewis-Lewis and F344-Lewis rats were established. Lewis-Lewis rats model served as a control (Syn). F344-Lewis rats were treated with immunosuppressant alone (Allo+IS) or in combination with MSCs (Allo+IS+MSCs). Intrahepatic cell composition particularly immune cells was compared between the groups by single-cell sequencing. Analysis of subclusters, KEGG pathway analysis, and pseudotime trajectory analysis were performed to explore the potential immunoregulatory mechanisms of immunosuppressant alone or combined with MSCs. Results Immunosuppressants alone or combined with MSCs increases the liver tolerance, to a certain extent. Single-cell sequencing identified intrahepatic cell composition signature, including cell subpopulations of B cells, cholangiocytes, endothelial cells, erythrocytes, hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, neutrophils, T cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Immunosuppressant particularly its combination with MSCs altered the landscape of intrahepatic cells in transplanted livers, as well as gene expression patterns in immune cells. MSCs may be included in the differentiation of T cells, classical monocytes, and non-classical monocytes. Conclusion These findings provided novel insights for better understanding the heterogeneity and biological functions of intrahepatic immune cells after LT treated by IS alone or in combination with MSCs. The identified markers of immune cells may serve as the immunotherapeutic targets for MSC treatment of liver transplant rejection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Saihua Yu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lihong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongzhi Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xingwen Liu
- Department of Nursing, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Conglong Shen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chan FF, Yuen VWH, Shen J, Chin DWC, Law CT, Wong BPY, Chan CYK, Cheu JWS, Ng IOL, Wong CCL, Wong CM. Inhibition of CAF-1 histone chaperone complex triggers cytosolic DNA and dsRNA sensing pathways and induces intrinsic immunity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00670. [PMID: 38051950 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is a replication-dependent epigenetic regulator that controls cell cycle progression and chromatin dynamics. In this study, we aim to investigate the immunomodulatory role and therapeutic potential of the CAF-1 complex in HCC. APPROACH AND RESULTS CAF-1 complex knockout cell lines were established using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The effects of CAF-1 in HCC were studied in HCC cell lines, nude mice, and immunocompetent mice. RNA-sequencing, ChIP-Seq, and assay for transposase accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-Seq) were used to explore the changes in the epigenome and transcriptome. CAF-1 complex was significantly upregulated in human and mouse HCCs and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Knockout of CAF-1 remarkably suppressed HCC growth in both in vitro and in vivo models. Mechanistically, depletion of CAF-1 induced replicative stress and chromatin instability, which eventually led to cytoplasmic DNA leakage as micronuclei. Also, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses revealed a massive H3.3 histone variant replacement upon CAF-1 knockout. Enrichment of euchromatic H3.3 increased chromatin accessibility and activated the expression of endogenous retrovirus elements, a phenomenon known as viral mimicry. However, cytosolic micronuclei and endogenous retroviruses are recognized as ectopic elements by the stimulator of interferon genes and dsRNA viral sensing pathways, respectively. As a result, the knockout of CAF-1 activated inflammatory response and antitumor immune surveillance and thereby significantly enhanced the anticancer effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors in HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that CAF-1 is essential for HCC development; targeting CAF-1 may awaken the anticancer immune response and may work cooperatively with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- For-Fan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vincent Wai-Hin Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jialing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Don Wai-Ching Chin
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheuk-Ting Law
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bowie Po-Yee Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cerise Yuen-Ki Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacinth Wing-Sum Cheu
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun-Ming Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Huang L, Yang H, Chen K, Yuan J, Li J, Dai G, Gu M, Shi Y. The suppressive efficacy of THZ1 depends on KRAS mutation subtype and is associated with super-enhancer activity and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A hypothesis-generating study. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1500. [PMID: 38037549 PMCID: PMC10689978 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1500] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of CDK7, a potent transcription regulator, may bring new hope for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is featured by large genetic heterogeneity and abundant KRAS mutations. This investigation aimed at exploring the discrepant efficacies of THZ1, a small-molecule covalent CDK7 inhibitor, on PDACs with different KRAS mutations and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Associations of CDK7 expression with survival by KRAS mutations were first assessed. Effects of THZ1 on PDAC by different KRAS mutations were then investigated in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the effects of THZ1 on gene transcription and phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPOLII) in different KRAS mutant PDACs were assessed, and the effect of THZ1 on super-enhancer activity was evaluated using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. Lastly, the effects of THZ1 on the binding of H3K27ac to PIK3CA and on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling were analysed. RESULTS High CDK7 expression was significantly linked to worse survival within PDAC patients carrying KRAS-G12V mutation but not in those with KRAS-G12D mutation. The apoptosis-inducing effect of THZ1 was markedly stronger in KRAS-G12V PDAC than KRAS-G12D cancer. THZ1 significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumour with KRAS-G12V mutation, and the inhibition was markedly stronger than for KRAS-G12D tumour. In mini-cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models, THZ1 significantly suppressed KRAS-G12V PDAC but not KRAS-G12D cancer. THZ1 significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of RNAPOLII, and this effect was stronger in KRAS-G12V PDAC (especially at ser5). KRAS-G12V PDAC had more H3K27ac-binding super-enhancers, and the inhibition of THZ1 on super-enhancer activity was also stronger in KRAS-G12V PDAC. Furthermore, THZ1 significantly weakened the binding of H3K27ac to PIK3CA in KRAS-G12V PDAC. THZ1 significantly suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its downstream markers, and this effect was stronger in KRAS-G12V cells. CONCLUSIONS In this hypothesis-generating study, THZ1 might selectively inhibit certain PDACs with KRAS-G12V mutation more potently compared with some other PDACs with KRAS-G12D mutation, which might be associated with its effect on super-enhancer activity and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling. Our findings might offer novel key clues for the precise management of PDAC and important evidence for future targeted trial design. HIGHLIGHTS THZ1 had a stronger effect on PDAC-bearing KRAS-G12V mutation than G12D mutation. Suppressive effect of THZ1 on phosphorylation of RNAPOLII was stronger in KRAS-G12V than KRAS-G12D PDAC. Inhibition of THZ1 on super-enhancer activity and H3K27ac binding to PIK3CA was stronger in KRAS-G12V PDAC. Suppressive effect of THZ1 on PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was stronger in KRAS-G12V PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Huang
- Department of OncologyRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of OncologyRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Kaidi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical ScienceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of PathologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jie Li
- Department of PathologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Guanghai Dai
- Department of Medical OncologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Mancang Gu
- School of Pharmaceutical ScienceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of General SurgeryShanghai Seventh People's HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li Y, Mahadevan NR, Duplaquet L, Hong D, Durmaz YT, Jones KL, Cho H, Morrow M, Protti A, Poitras MJ, Springer BF, Bronson RT, Gong X, Hui YH, Du J, Southard J, Thai T, Li S, Lizotte PH, Gokhale PC, Nguyen QD, Oser MG. Aurora A kinase inhibition induces accumulation of SCLC tumor cells in mitosis with restored interferon signaling to increase response to PD-L1. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101282. [PMID: 37992688 PMCID: PMC10694667 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101282] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) having a high mutational burden, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy only modestly increases survival. A subset of SCLCs that lose their ASCL1 neuroendocrine phenotype and restore innate immune signaling (termed the "inflammatory" subtype) have durable responses to PD-L1. Some SCLCs are highly sensitive to Aurora kinase inhibitors, but early-phase trials show short-lived responses, suggesting effective therapeutic combinations are needed to increase their durability. Using immunocompetent SCLC genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and syngeneic xenografts, we show durable efficacy with the combination of a highly specific Aurora A kinase inhibitor (LSN3321213) and PD-L1. LSN3321213 causes accumulation of tumor cells in mitosis with lower ASCL1 expression and higher expression of interferon target genes and antigen-presentation genes mimicking the inflammatory subtype in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that inflammatory gene expression is restored in mitosis in SCLC, which can be exploited by Aurora A kinase inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Navin R Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leslie Duplaquet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Deli Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yavuz T Durmaz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kristen L Jones
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Hyeonseo Cho
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Murry Morrow
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Andrea Protti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Michael J Poitras
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Benjamin F Springer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Roderick T Bronson
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | | | - Jian Du
- Loxo@Lilly, Indianapolis, IN 46225, USA
| | - Jackson Southard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Translational Immunogenomics Lab, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tran Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Translational Immunogenomics Lab, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick H Lizotte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Quang-De Nguyen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Lurie Family Imaging Center, Center for Biomedical Imaging in Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Matthew G Oser
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Morita TY, Yu J, Kashima Y, Kamata R, Yamamoto G, Minamide T, Mashima C, Yoshiya M, Sakae Y, Yamauchi T, Hakozaki Y, Kageyama SI, Nakamura A, Lightcap E, Tanaka K, Niu H, Kannan K, Ohashi A. CDC7 inhibition induces replication stress-mediated aneuploid cells with an inflammatory phenotype sensitizing tumors to immune checkpoint blockade. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7490. [PMID: 37980406 PMCID: PMC10657413 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43274-3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase, cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is critical for initiating DNA replication. TAK-931 is a specific CDC7 inhibitor, which is a next-generation replication stress (RS) inducer. This study preclinically investigates TAK-931 antitumor efficacy and immunity regulation. TAK-931 induce RS, generating senescence-like aneuploid cells, which highly expressed inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (senescence-associated secretory phenotype, SASP). In vivo multilayer-omics analyses in gene expression panel, immune panel, immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, and single-cell RNA sequencing reveal that the RS-mediated aneuploid cells generated by TAK-931 intensively activate inflammatory-related and senescence-associated pathways, resulting in accumulation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and potent antitumor immunity and efficacy. Finally, the combination of TAK-931 and immune checkpoint inhibitors profoundly enhance antiproliferative activities. These findings suggest that TAK-931 has therapeutic antitumor properties and improved clinical benefits in combination with conventional immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Yamamori Morita
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jie Yu
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas (TDCA), Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Yukie Kashima
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Kamata
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Gaku Yamamoto
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Minamide
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chiaki Mashima
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Miyuki Yoshiya
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuta Sakae
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toyohiro Yamauchi
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Hakozaki
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichiro Kageyama
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akito Nakamura
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas (TDCA), Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Eric Lightcap
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas (TDCA), Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Kosuke Tanaka
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Huifeng Niu
- Oncology Translational Science., TDCA, Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Akihiro Ohashi
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan.
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas (TDCA), Inc., Lexington, MA, USA.
- Department of Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wu H, Chen Y, Li M, Chen Z, Liu J, Lai G. Characterization of tumor microenvironment infiltration and therapeutic responses of cell cycle-related genes' signature in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:13889-13904. [PMID: 37540256 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05198-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown how the cell cycle plays a role in breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to establish a clinically applicable predictive model to predict the therapeutic responses and overall survival in BC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell cycle-related genes (CCGs) were identified within the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort (n is equal to 1001) and the Gene Expression Omnibus cohort (n is equal to 3265). An analysis of univariate and multivariate Cox was then conducted to develop a nomogram based on CCGs. After validating the nomogram, risk cohort stratification was established and the predictive value was examined. Finally, immune cell infiltration and therapeutic responses were analysed. RESULTS Based on 15 CCGs, 4 prognostic predictors were identified and entered into the nomogram. According to the curves of calibration, the estimated and observed value of the nomogram is in optimal agreement. Subsequently, stratification into two risk cohorts showed that the predictive value, immune cell infiltration and overall survival were better among patients with low risk. Immune checkpoint expression in patients with BC at higher risk was downregulated. Furthermore, the results of the study revealed that doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, cisplatin and vinorelbine all had higher IC50 values in patients with high-risk BC. CONCLUSION The nomogram based on CCG could assess tumour immune micro-environment regulation and therapeutic responses of immunotherapy in BC. Moreover, it may provide novel information on the control of immune micro-environment infiltration in BC and aid in the development of targeted immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huacong Wu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Yutao Chen
- The Second Clinical School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyi Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijun Chen
- The Second Clinical School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer, Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China.
| | - Guie Lai
- Breast Disease Comprehensive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen Y, Li H, Fan Y. Shaping the tumor immune microenvironment of SCLC: Mechanisms, and opportunities for immunotherapy. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102606. [PMID: 37579532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102606] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with a poor prognosis. Whereas immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating SCLC, its unique tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) might limit patient responses. To fully characterize the TIME and understand the mechanism of its formation with respect to SCLC is crucial. The recent rapid development of multi-omics technologies has rapidly advanced knowledge of TIME features and the regulatory mechanisms associated with SCLC. This review summarizes the TIME features of SCLC as well as shaping the TIME according to the genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics of tumors. Future opportunities and challenges for immunotherapy are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Chen
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| | - Yun Fan
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ooki A, Osumi H, Fukuda K, Yamaguchi K. Potent molecular-targeted therapies for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1021-1054. [PMID: 37422534 PMCID: PMC10584733 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10121-2] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), which are characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation, can arise in various organs. NENs have been divided into well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) based on morphological differentiation, each of which has a distinct etiology, molecular profile, and clinicopathological features. While the majority of NECs originate in the pulmonary organs, extrapulmonary NECs occur most predominantly in the gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) system. Although platinum-based chemotherapy is the main therapeutic option for recurrent or metastatic GEP-NEC patients, the clinical benefits are limited and associated with a poor prognosis, indicating the clinically urgent need for effective therapeutic agents. The clinical development of molecular-targeted therapies has been hampered due to the rarity of GEP-NECs and the paucity of knowledge on their biology. In this review, we summarize the biology, current treatments, and molecular profiles of GEP-NECs based on the findings of pivotal comprehensive molecular analyses; we also highlight potent therapeutic targets for future precision medicine based on the most recent results of clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Osumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koshiro Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gaur T, Poddutoori R, Khare L, Bagal B, Rashmi S, Patkar N, Tembhare P, Pg S, Shetty D, Dutt A, Zhang Q, Konopleva M, Platzbeckar U, Gupta S, Samajdar S, Ramchandra M, Khattry N, Hasan SK. Novel covalent CDK7 inhibitor potently induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia and synergizes with Venetoclax. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:186. [PMID: 37507802 PMCID: PMC10386772 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02750-w] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of resistance to the highly successful BCL2-directed therapy is a major unmet need in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive malignancy with poor survival rates. Towards identifying therapeutic options for AML patients who progress on BCL2-directed therapy, we studied a clinical-stage CDK7 inhibitor XL102, which is being evaluated in solid tumors (NCT04726332). MATERIALS AND METHODS To determine the anti-proliferative effects of XL102, we performed experiments including time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer, target occupancy, cell cycle and apoptosis-based assays. We also included genetically characterized primary myeloid blasts from de novo and relapsed/refractory AML patients. For mechanistic studies, CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockout of CDK7 and c-Myc and immunoblotting were performed. NOD/SCID orthotropic and subcutaneous AML xenografts were used to determine anti-leukemic effects. To assess the synergistic effects of XL102 with Venetoclax, we performed RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis using Venetoclax sensitive and resistant model systems. RESULTS XL102, a highly specific, orally bioavailable covalent inhibitor of CDK7. Inhibitory effect on CDK7 by XL102 in primary myeloid blasts (n = 54) was in nanomolar range (mean = 300 nM; range = 4.0-952 nM). XL102 treated AML cells showed a reduction in phosphorylation levels of Serine 2/5/7 at carboxy-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. T-loop phosphorylation of CDK1(Thr161) and CDK2(Thr160) was inhibited by XL102 in dose-dependent manner leading to cell-cycle arrest. c-Myc downregulation and enhanced levels of p53 and p21 in XL102 treated cells were observed. Increased levels of p21 and activation of p53 by XL102 were mimicked by genetic ablation of CDK7, which supports that the observed effects of XL102 are due to CDK7 inhibition. XL102 treated AML xenografts showed remarkable reduction in hCD45 + marrow cells (mean = 0.60%; range = 0.04%-3.53%) compared to vehicle control (mean = 38.2%; range = 10.1%-78%), with corresponding increase in p53, p21 and decrease in c-Myc levels. The data suggests XL102 induces apoptosis in AML cells via CDK7/c-Myc/p53 axis. RNA-sequencing from paired Venetoclax-sensitive and Venetoclax-resistant cells treated with XL102 showed downregulation of genes involved in proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSION Taken together, XL102 with Venetoclax led to synergistic effects in overcoming resistance and provided a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of XL102 as a single agent and in combination with Venetoclax.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tarang Gaur
- Hasan Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Ramulu Poddutoori
- Aurigene Oncology Limited, Electronic City Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Leena Khare
- Aurigene Oncology Limited, Electronic City Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Bhausaheb Bagal
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, 400014, India
| | - Sonal Rashmi
- Dutt Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
- Present Address: CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nikhil Patkar
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Hematopathology Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
| | - Prashant Tembhare
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Hematopathology Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
| | - Subramanian Pg
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Hematopathology Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
| | - Dhanlaxmi Shetty
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Department of Cytogenetics, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
| | - Amit Dutt
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Dutt Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Uwe Platzbeckar
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Johannisallee 32, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sudeep Gupta
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, 400014, India
| | - Susanta Samajdar
- Aurigene Oncology Limited, Electronic City Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Murali Ramchandra
- Aurigene Oncology Limited, Electronic City Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Navin Khattry
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, 400014, India.
| | - Syed K Hasan
- Hasan Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi, Mumbai, 410210, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Klapp V, Álvarez-Abril B, Leuzzi G, Kroemer G, Ciccia A, Galluzzi L. The DNA Damage Response and Inflammation in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1521-1545. [PMID: 37026695 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Genomic stability in normal cells is crucial to avoid oncogenesis. Accordingly, multiple components of the DNA damage response (DDR) operate as bona fide tumor suppressor proteins by preserving genomic stability, eliciting the demise of cells with unrepairable DNA lesions, and engaging cell-extrinsic oncosuppression via immunosurveillance. That said, DDR sig-naling can also favor tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Indeed, DDR signaling in cancer cells has been consistently linked to the inhibition of tumor-targeting immune responses. Here, we discuss the complex interactions between the DDR and inflammation in the context of oncogenesis, tumor progression, and response to therapy. SIGNIFICANCE Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that DDR is intimately connected to the emission of immunomodulatory signals by normal and malignant cells, as part of a cell-extrinsic program to preserve organismal homeostasis. DDR-driven inflammation, however, can have diametrically opposed effects on tumor-targeting immunity. Understanding the links between the DDR and inflammation in normal and malignant cells may unlock novel immunotherapeutic paradigms to treat cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Klapp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Beatriz Álvarez-Abril
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Leuzzi
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Department of Biology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Piemonte KM, Webb BM, Bobbitt JR, Majmudar PR, Cuellar-Vite L, Bryson BL, Latina NC, Seachrist DD, Keri RA. Disruption of CDK7 signaling leads to catastrophic chromosomal instability coupled with a loss of condensin-mediated chromatin compaction. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104834. [PMID: 37201585 PMCID: PMC10300262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104834] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin organization is highly dynamic and modulates DNA replication, transcription, and chromosome segregation. Condensin is essential for chromosome assembly during mitosis and meiosis, as well as maintenance of chromosome structure during interphase. While it is well established that sustained condensin expression is necessary to ensure chromosome stability, the mechanisms that control its expression are not yet known. Herein, we report that disruption of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), the core catalytic subunit of CDK-activating kinase, leads to reduced transcription of several condensin subunits, including structural maintenance of chromosomes 2 (SMC2). Live and static microscopy revealed that inhibiting CDK7 signaling prolongs mitosis and induces chromatin bridge formation, DNA double-strand breaks, and abnormal nuclear features, all of which are indicative of mitotic catastrophe and chromosome instability. Affirming the importance of condensin regulation by CDK7, genetic suppression of the expression of SMC2, a core subunit of this complex, phenocopies CDK7 inhibition. Moreover, analysis of genome-wide chromatin conformation using Hi-C revealed that sustained activity of CDK7 is necessary to maintain chromatin sublooping, a function that is ascribed to condensin. Notably, the regulation of condensin subunit gene expression is independent of superenhancers. Together, these studies reveal a new role for CDK7 in sustaining chromatin configuration by ensuring the expression of condensin genes, including SMC2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Piemonte
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Bryan M Webb
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica R Bobbitt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Parth R Majmudar
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Leslie Cuellar-Vite
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Benjamin L Bryson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicholas C Latina
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cai R, Wang M, Liu M, Zhu X, Feng L, Yu Z, Yang X, Zhang Z, Guo H, Guo R, Zheng Y. An iRGD-conjugated photothermal therapy-responsive gold nanoparticle system carrying siCDK7 induces necroptosis and immunotherapeutic responses in lung adenocarcinoma. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10430. [PMID: 37476070 PMCID: PMC10354770 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although immunotherapy has improved the clinical treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), many tumors have poor responses to immunotherapy. In this study, we confirmed that high expression of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 7 (CDK7) promoted an immunosuppressive macrophage phenotype and macrophage infiltration in LUAD. Thus, we have developed an internalizing-RGD (iRGD)-conjugated gold nanoparticle (AuNP) system which carries siCDK7 to activate the antitumor immune response. The iRGD-conjugated AuNP/siCDK7 system exhibited good tumor targeting performance and photothermal effects. The AuNP/siCDK7 system with excellent biosafety exerted a significant photothermal antitumor effect by inducing tumor cell necroptosis. Furthermore, the AuNP/siCDK7 system ameliorated the immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment by increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration and decreasing M2 macrophage infiltration. Hence, this iRGD-conjugated AuNP/siCDK7 system is a potential treatment strategy for lung adenocarcinoma, which exerts its effects by triggering tumor cell necroptosis and immunotherapeutic responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cai
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Meiyuan Liu
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiongjie Zhu
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Longbao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Drug Carrier Development, Department of Biomedical EngineeringJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhongjian Yu
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhiwu Zhang
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Huili Guo
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Rui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Drug Carrier Development, Department of Biomedical EngineeringJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yanfang Zheng
- Department of Medical OncologyAffiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yao Y, Ng JF, Park WD, Samur M, Morelli E, Encinas Mayoral J, Chyra Z, Xu Y, Derebail S, Epstein C, Nabet B, Chesi M, Gray NS, Young RA, Kwiatkowski N, Mitsiades C, Anderson KC, Lin CY, Munshi NC, Fulciniti M. CDK7 controls E2F- and MYC-driven proliferative and metabolic vulnerabilities in multiple myeloma. Blood 2023; 141:2841-2852. [PMID: 36877894 PMCID: PMC10315622 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022018885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of CDK7 has proven beneficial in preclinical studies, yet the off-target effects of currently available CDK7 inhibitors make it difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanisms behind MM cell death mediated by CDK7 inhibition. Here, we show that CDK7 expression positively correlates with E2F and MYC transcriptional programs in cells from patients with multiple myeloma (MM); its selective targeting counteracts E2F activity via perturbation of the cyclin-dependent kinases/Rb axis and impairs MYC-regulated metabolic gene signatures translating into defects in glycolysis and reduced levels of lactate production in MM cells. CDK7 inhibition using the covalent small-molecule inhibitor YKL-5-124 elicits a strong therapeutic response with minimal effects on normal cells, and causes in vivo tumor regression, increasing survival in several mouse models of MM including a genetically engineered mouse model of MYC-dependent MM. Through its role as a critical cofactor and regulator of MYC and E2F activity, CDK7 is therefore a master regulator of oncogenic cellular programs supporting MM growth and survival, and a valuable therapeutic target providing rationale for development of YKL-5-124 for clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Blood Disease Institute, Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jessica Fong Ng
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Woojun Daniel Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Mehmet Samur
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Eugenio Morelli
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Zuzana Chyra
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yan Xu
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sanika Derebail
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Marta Chesi
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, CA
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth C. Anderson
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Nikhil C. Munshi
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
| | - Mariateresa Fulciniti
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Otegui N, Houry M, Arozarena I, Serrano D, Redin E, Exposito F, Leon S, Valencia K, Montuenga L, Calvo A. Cancer Cell-Intrinsic Alterations Associated with an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3076. [PMID: 37370686 PMCID: PMC10295869 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123076] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great clinical success of immunotherapy in lung cancer patients, only a small percentage of them (<40%) will benefit from this therapy alone or combined with other strategies. Cancer cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic mechanisms have been associated with a lack of response to immunotherapy. The present study is focused on cancer cell-intrinsic genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic and metabolic alterations that reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME) and determine response or refractoriness to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Mutations in KRAS, SKT11(LKB1), KEAP1 and TP53 and co-mutations of these genes are the main determinants of ICI response in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Recent insights into metabolic changes in cancer cells that impose restrictions on cytotoxic T cells and the efficacy of ICIs indicate that targeting such metabolic restrictions may favor therapeutic responses. Other emerging pathways for therapeutic interventions include epigenetic modulators and DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, especially in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Therefore, the many potential pathways for enhancing the effect of ICIs suggest that, in a few years, we will have much more personalized medicine for lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy. Such strategies could include vaccines and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Otegui
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maeva Houry
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Imanol Arozarena
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Cancer Signaling Unit, Navarrabiomed, University Hospital of Navarra (HUN), Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Diego Serrano
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Esther Redin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Francisco Exposito
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sergio Leon
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karmele Valencia
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Montuenga
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Calvo
- CCUN Cancer Center and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (N.O.); (M.H.); (D.S.); (S.L.); (K.V.); (L.M.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Constantin TA, Varela-Carver A, Greenland KK, de Almeida GS, Olden E, Penfold L, Ang S, Ormrod A, Leach DA, Lai CF, Ainscow EK, Bahl AK, Carling D, Fuchter MJ, Ali S, Bevan CL. The CDK7 inhibitor CT7001 (Samuraciclib) targets proliferation pathways to inhibit advanced prostate cancer. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:2326-2337. [PMID: 37076563 PMCID: PMC10241923 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02252-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current strategies to inhibit androgen receptor (AR) are circumvented in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) promotes AR signalling, in addition to established roles in cell cycle and global transcription, providing a rationale for its therapeutic targeting in CRPC. METHODS The antitumour activity of CT7001, an orally bioavailable CDK7 inhibitor, was investigated across CRPC models in vitro and in xenograft models in vivo. Cell-based assays and transcriptomic analyses of treated xenografts were employed to investigate the mechanisms driving CT7001 activity, alone and in combination with the antiandrogen enzalutamide. RESULTS CT7001 selectively engages with CDK7 in prostate cancer cells, causing inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest. Activation of p53, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of transcription mediated by full-length and constitutively active AR splice variants contribute to antitumour efficacy in vitro. Oral administration of CT7001 represses growth of CRPC xenografts and significantly augments growth inhibition achieved by enzalutamide. Transcriptome analyses of treated xenografts indicate cell cycle and AR inhibition as the mode of action of CT7001 in vivo. CONCLUSIONS This study supports CDK7 inhibition as a strategy to target deregulated cell proliferation and demonstrates CT7001 is a promising CRPC therapeutic, alone or in combination with AR-targeting compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodora A Constantin
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Anabel Varela-Carver
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Kyle K Greenland
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Gilberto Serrano de Almeida
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Ellen Olden
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Lucy Penfold
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Simon Ang
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Alice Ormrod
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Damien A Leach
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Chun-Fui Lai
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Edward K Ainscow
- Carrick Therapeutics, Nova UCD, Bellfield Innovation Park, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - Ash K Bahl
- Carrick Therapeutics, Nova UCD, Bellfield Innovation Park, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - David Carling
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Fuchter
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London, UK
| | - Simak Ali
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Charlotte L Bevan
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Moliner L, Zhang B, Lamberti G, Ardizzoni A, Byers LA, Califano R. Novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent SCLC. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 186:104017. [PMID: 37150311 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104017] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for patients with relapsed SCLC are limited, and the prognosis in this setting remains poor. While clinical outcomes for frontline treatment have modestly improved with the introduction of immunotherapy, treatment in the second-line setting persists almost unchanged. In this review, current treatment options and recent advances in molecular biology are described. Emerging therapeutic options in this setting and potential strategies to improve clinical outcomes of these patients are also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moliner
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Bingnan Zhang
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Raffaele Califano
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Khadela A, Postwala H, Rana D, Dave H, Ranch K, Boddu SHS. A review of recent advances in the novel therapeutic targets and immunotherapy for lung cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:152. [PMID: 37071269 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02005-w] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is amongst the most pervasive malignancies having high mortality rates. It is broadly grouped into non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The concept of personalized medicine has overshadowed the conventional chemotherapy given to all patients with lung cancer. The targeted therapy is given to a particular population having specific mutations to help in the better management of lung cancer. The targeting pathways for NSCLC include the epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, MET (Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor) oncogene, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). SCLC targeting pathway includes Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) inhibitors, checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK 1) pathway, WEE1 pathway, Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)/Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), and Delta-like canonical Notch ligand 3 (DLL-Immune checkpoint inhibitors like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) blockade are also utilized in the management of lung cancer. Many of the targeted therapies are still under development and require clinical trials to establish their safety and efficacy. This review summarizes the mechanism of molecular targets and immune-mediated targets, recently approved drugs, and their clinical trials for lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Khadela
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
| | - Humzah Postwala
- Pharm.D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Deval Rana
- Pharm.D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Hetvi Dave
- Pharm.D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Ketan Ranch
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharm. Technology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Sai H S Boddu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Martin-Serrano MA, Kepecs B, Torres-Martin M, Bramel ER, Haber PK, Merritt E, Rialdi A, Param NJ, Maeda M, Lindblad KE, Carter JK, Barcena-Varela M, Mazzaferro V, Schwartz M, Affo S, Schwabe RF, Villanueva A, Guccione E, Friedman SL, Lujambio A, Tocheva A, Llovet JM, Thung SN, Tsankov AM, Sia D. Novel microenvironment-based classification of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with therapeutic implications. Gut 2023; 72:736-748. [PMID: 35584893 PMCID: PMC10388405 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The diversity of the tumour microenvironment (TME) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has not been comprehensively assessed. We aimed to generate a novel molecular iCCA classifier that incorporates elements of the stroma, tumour and immune microenvironment ('STIM' classification). DESIGN We applied virtual deconvolution to transcriptomic data from ~900 iCCAs, enabling us to devise a novel classification by selecting for the most relevant TME components. Murine models were generated through hydrodynamic tail vein injection and compared with the human disease. RESULTS iCCA is composed of five robust STIM classes encompassing both inflamed (35%) and non-inflamed profiles (65%). The inflamed classes, named immune classical (~10%) and inflammatory stroma (~25%), differ in oncogenic pathways and extent of desmoplasia, with the inflammatory stroma showing T cell exhaustion, abundant stroma and KRAS mutations (p<0.001). Analysis of cell-cell interactions highlights cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes as potential mediators of immune evasion. Among the non-inflamed classes, the desert-like class (~20%) harbours the lowest immune infiltration with abundant regulatory T cells (p<0.001), whereas the hepatic stem-like class (~35%) is enriched in 'M2-like' macrophages, mutations in IDH1/2 and BAP1, and FGFR2 fusions. The remaining class (tumour classical: ~10%) is defined by cell cycle pathways and poor prognosis. Comparative analysis unveils high similarity between a KRAS/p19 murine model and the inflammatory stroma class (p=0.02). The KRAS-SOS inhibitor, BI3406, sensitises a KRAS-mutant iCCA murine model to anti-PD1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS We describe a comprehensive TME-based stratification of iCCA. Cross-species analysis establishes murine models that align closely to human iCCA for the preclinical testing of combination strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Martin-Serrano
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Kepecs
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Miguel Torres-Martin
- Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Emily R Bramel
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philipp K Haber
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elliot Merritt
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Rialdi
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nesteene Joy Param
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Miho Maeda
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine E Lindblad
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - James K Carter
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marina Barcena-Varela
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan and Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Foundation, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Department of Surgery, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Silvia Affo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anna Tocheva
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Swan N Thung
- Department of Pathology, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander M Tsankov
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniela Sia
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Safaroghli-Azar A, Emadi F, Lenjisa J, Mekonnen L, Wang S. Kinase inhibitors: Opportunities for small molecule anticancer immunotherapies. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103525. [PMID: 36907320 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103525] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
As the fifth pillar of cancer treatment, immunotherapy has dramatically changed the paradigm of therapeutic strategies by focusing on the host's immune system. In the long road of immunotherapy development, the identification of immune-modulatory effects for kinase inhibitors opened a new chapter in this therapeutic approach. These small molecule inhibitors not only directly eradicate tumors by targeting essential proteins of cell survival and proliferation but can also drive immune responses against malignant cells. This review summarizes the current standings and challenges of kinase inhibitors in immunotherapy, either as a single agent or in a combined modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ava Safaroghli-Azar
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Emadi
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jimma Lenjisa
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hargadon KM. Genetic dysregulation of immunologic and oncogenic signaling pathways associated with tumor-intrinsic immune resistance: a molecular basis for combination targeted therapy-immunotherapy for cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:40. [PMID: 36629955 PMCID: PMC11072992 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04689-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Since the turn of the century, advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Although these approaches have far outperformed traditional therapies in various clinical settings, both remain plagued by mechanisms of innate and acquired resistance that limit therapeutic efficacy in many patients. With a focus on tumor-intrinsic resistance to immunotherapy, this review highlights our current understanding of the immunologic and oncogenic pathways whose genetic dysregulation in cancer cells enables immune escape. Emphasis is placed on genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic aberrations that influence the activity of these pathways in the context of immune resistance. Specifically, the role of pathways that govern interferon signaling, antigen processing and presentation, and immunologic cell death as determinants of tumor immune susceptibility are discussed. Likewise, mechanisms of tumor immune resistance mediated by dysregulated RAS-MAPK, WNT, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and cell cycle pathways are described. Finally, this review highlights the ways in which recent insight into genetic dysregulation of these immunologic and oncogenic signaling pathways is informing the design of combination targeted therapy-immunotherapy regimens that aim to restore immune susceptibility of cancer cells by overcoming resistance mechanisms that often limit the success of monotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian M Hargadon
- Hargadon Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, 23943, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhao K, Jiang L, Si Y, Zhou S, Huang Z, Meng X. TIGIT blockade enhances tumor response to radiotherapy via a CD103 + dendritic cell-dependent mechanism. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:193-209. [PMID: 35794399 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Blockade of the T cell immunoreceptor with the immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) can enhance innate and adaptive tumor immunity and radiotherapy (RT) can enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, our data suggest that TIGIT-mediated immune suppression may be an impediment to such goals. Herein, we report on the synergistic effects of RT combined with anti-TIGIT therapy and the mechanism of their interaction. Treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring primary and secondary tumor growth, survival, and immune memory capacity. The function of CD103 + dendritic cells (DCs) under the combined treatment was assessed in wild-type and BATF3-deficient (BATF3-/-) mice. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) was used to confirm the role of CD103 + DCs in RT combined with anti-TIGIT therapy. TIGIT was upregulated in immune cells following RT in both esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and mouse models. Administration of the anti-TIGIT antibody enhanced the efficacy of RT through a CD8 + T cell-dependent mechanism. It was observed that RT and the anti-TIGIT antibody synergistically enhanced the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating DCs, which activated CD8 + T cells. The efficacy of the combination therapy was negated in the BATF3-/- mouse model. CD103 + DCs were required to promote the anti-tumor effects of combination therapy. Additionally, Flt3L therapy enhanced tumor response to RT combined with TIGIT blockade. Our study demonstrated TIGIT blockade can synergistically enhance anti-tumor T cell responses to RT via CD8 + T cells (dependent on CD103 + DCs), suggesting the clinical potential of targeting the TIGIT pathway and expanding CD103 + DCs in RT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaikai Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Liyang Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Youjiao Si
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Shujie Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaoqin Huang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
| | - Xiangjiao Meng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
McDonald JA, Scott L, Van Zuylekom J, Holloway S, Blyth BJ, Sutherland KD. On Target: An Intrapulmonary Transplantation Method for Modelling Lung Tumor Development in its Native Microenvironment. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2691:31-41. [PMID: 37355535 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3331-1_3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The development of in vivo lung cancer models that faithfully mimic the human disease is a crucial research tool for understanding the molecular mechanisms driving tumorigenesis. Subcutaneous transplantation assays are commonly employed, likely due to their amenability to easily monitor tumor growth and the simplistic nature of the technique to deliver tumor cells. Importantly however, subcutaneous tumors grow in a microenvironment that differs from that resident within the lung. To circumvent this limitation, here we describe the development of an intrapulmonary (iPUL) orthotopic transplantation method that enables the delivery of lung cancer cells, with precision, to the left lung lobe of recipient mice. Critically, this allows for the growth of lung cancer cells within their native microenvironment. The coupling of iPUL transplantation with position emission tomography (PET) imaging permits the serial detection of tumors in vivo and serves as a powerful tool to trace lung tumor growth and dissemination over time in mouse disease models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson A McDonald
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Leanne Scott
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica Van Zuylekom
- Models of Cancer Translational Research Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Holloway
- Bioservices Department, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Blyth
- Models of Cancer Translational Research Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kate D Sutherland
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gupta A, Dagar G, Chauhan R, Sadida HQ, Almarzooqi SK, Hashem S, Uddin S, Macha MA, Akil ASAS, Pandita TK, Bhat AA, Singh M. Cyclin-dependent kinases in cancer: Role, regulation, and therapeutic targeting. Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology 2023; 135:21-55. [PMID: 37061333 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulated cell division is one of the fundamental phenomena which is the basis of all life on earth. Even a single base pair mutation in DNA leads to the production of the dysregulated protein that can have catastrophic consequences. Cell division is tightly controlled and orchestrated by proteins called cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKs), which serve as licensing factors during different phases of cell division. Dysregulated cell division is one of the most important hallmarks of cancer and is commonly associated with a mutation in cyclins and CDKs along with tumor suppressor proteins. Therefore, targeting the component of the cell cycle which leads to these characteristics would be an effective strategy for treating cancers. Specifically, Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) involved in cell cycle regulation have been identified to be overexpressed in many cancers. Many studies indicate that oncogenesis occurs in cancerous cells by the overactivity of different CDKs, which impact cell cycle progression and checkpoint dysregulation which is responsible for development of tumor. The development of CDK inhibitors has emerged as a promising and novel approach for cancer treatment in both solid and hematological malignancies. Some of the novel CDK inhibitors have shown remarkable results in clinical trials, such as-Ribociclib®, Palbociclib® and Abemaciclib®, which are CDK4/6 inhibitors and have received FDA approval for the treatment of breast cancer. In this chapter, we discuss the molecular mechanism through which cyclins and CDKs regulate cell cycle progression and the emergence of cyclins and CDKs as rational targets in cancer. We also discuss recent advances in developing CDK inhibitors, which have emerged as a novel class of inhibitors, and their associated toxicities in recent years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashna Gupta
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Gunjan Dagar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravi Chauhan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Hana Q Sadida
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara K Almarzooqi
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tej K Pandita
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Caliman E, Fancelli S, Petroni G, Gatta Michelet MR, Cosso F, Ottanelli C, Mazzoni F, Voltolini L, Pillozzi S, Antonuzzo L. Challenges in the treatment of small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular classification. Lung Cancer 2023; 175:88-100. [PMID: 36493578 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
For many years the standard of care for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remained unchanged. Despite decades of active research, current treatment options are limited and the prognosis of patients with extended disease (ED) SCLC remains poor. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents an exception and the only recent approval for ED-SCLC. However, the magnitude of benefit obtained with immunotherapy in SCLC is much more modest than that observed in other malignancies. Different pro-immunogenic or immunosuppressive features within the tumor microenvironment of SCLC may either modulate the sensitivity to immunotherapy or conversely dampen the efficacy of ICIs. Beside immunotherapy, a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of SCLC has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets for this lethal malignancy. Recent epigenetic and gene expression studies have resulted into a new molecular classification of four distinct subtypes of SCLC, defined by the relative expression of key transcription regulators and each characterized by specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review discusses the rationale for immunotherapy in SCLC and summarizes the main ICIs-trials in this tumor. We provide also an overview of new potential therapeutic opportunities and their integration with the new molecular classification of SCLC.
Collapse
|
35
|
Leung ELH, Fan XX, Huang JM, Huang C, Lin H, Cao YB. Holistic immunomodulation for small cell lung cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:96-105. [PMID: 36470543 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.012] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by a high mortality rate, rapid growth, and early metastasis, which lead to a poor prognosis. Moreover, limited clinical treatment options further lower the survival rate of patients. Therefore, novel technology and agents are urgently required to enhance clinical efficacy. In this review, from a holistic perspective, we summarized the therapeutic targets, agents and strategies with the most potential for treating SCLC, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy, immunomodulating antibodies, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), and the microbiota, which have been found recently to improve the clinical outcomes and prognosis of SCLC. Multiomics technologies can be integrated to develop effective diagnostic methods and identify new targets for new drug discovery in SCLC. We discussed in depth the feasibility, potential, and challenges of these new strategies, as well as their combinational treatments, which may provide promising alternatives for enhancing the clinical efficacy of SCLC in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Ju-Min Huang
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Chen Huang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Hong Lin
- Zhuhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya-Bing Cao
- Department of Oncology, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Donovan MG, Galbraith MD, Espinosa JM. Multi-omics investigation reveals functional specialization of transcriptional cyclin dependent kinases in cancer biology. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22505. [PMID: 36577800 PMCID: PMC9797569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26860-1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional addiction is recognized as a valid therapeutic target in cancer, whereby the dependency of cancer cells on oncogenic transcriptional regulators may be pharmacologically exploited. However, a comprehensive understanding of the key factors within the transcriptional machinery that might afford a useful therapeutic window remains elusive. Herein, we present a cross-omics investigation into the functional specialization of the transcriptional cyclin dependent kinases (tCDKs) through analysis of high-content genetic dependency, gene expression, patient survival, and drug response datasets. This analysis revealed specialization among tCDKs in terms of contributions to cancer cell fitness, clinical prognosis, and interaction with oncogenic signaling pathways. CDK7 and CDK9 stand out as the most relevant targets, albeit through distinct mechanisms of oncogenicity and context-dependent contributions to cancer survival and drug sensitivity. Genetic ablation of CDK9, but not CDK7, mimics the effect on cell viability the loss of key components of the transcriptional machinery. Pathway analysis of genetic co-dependency and drug sensitivity data show CDK7 and CDK9 have distinct relationships with major oncogenic signatures, including MYC and E2F targets, oxidative phosphorylation, and the unfolded protein response. Altogether, these results inform the improved design of therapeutic strategies targeting tCDKs in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micah G Donovan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Matthew D Galbraith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joaquin M Espinosa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang X, Liu X, Zhu K, Zhang X, Li N, Sun T, Fan S, Dai L, Zhang J. CD5L-associated gene analyses highlight the dysregulations, prognostic effects, immune associations, and drug-sensitivity predicative potentials of LCAT and CDC20 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:393. [PMID: 36494696 PMCID: PMC9733014 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dysregulation of CD5L has been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its functions in HCC were controversial. In this study, we aimed to identify CD5L-associated pathways and markers and explore their values in HCC diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. METHODS HCC datasets with gene expression profiles and clinical data in TCGA and ICGC were downloaded. The immune/stroma cell infiltrations were estimated with xCell. CD5L-associated pathways and CD5L-associated genes (CD5L-AGs) were identified with gene expression comparisons and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were performed. The correlations of the key genes with immune/stroma infiltrations, immunoregulators, and anti-cancer drug sensitivities in HCC were investigated. At protein level, the key genes dysregulations, their correlations and prognostic values were validated in clinical proteomic tumor analysis consortium (CPTAC) database. Serum CD5L and LCAT activity in 50 HCC and 30 normal samples were evaluated and compared. The correlations of serum LCAT activity with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (ALB) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in HCC were also investigated. RESULTS Through systemic analyses, 14 CD5L-associated biological pathways, 256 CD5L-AGs and 28 CD5L-associated prognostic and diagnostic genes (CD5L-APDGs) were identified. A risk model consisting of LCAT and CDC20 was constructed for HCC overall survival (OS), which could discriminate HCC OS status effectively in both the training and the validation sets. CD5L, LCAT and CDC20 were shown to be significantly correlated with immune/stroma cell infiltrations, immunoregulators and 31 anti-cancer drug sensitivities in HCC. At protein level, the dysregulations of CD5L, LCAT and CDC20 were confirmed. LCAT and CDC20 were shown to be significantly correlated with proliferation marker MKI67. In serum, no significance of CD5L was shown. However, the lower activity of LCAT in HCC serum was obvious, as well as its significant positive correlations ALB and HDL concentrations. CONCLUSIONS CD5L, LCAT and CDC20 were dysregulated in HCC both at mRNA and protein levels. The LCAT-CDC20 signature might be new predicator for HCC OS. The associations of the three genes with HCC microenvironment and anti-cancer drug sensitivities would provide new clues for HCC immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- grid.414011.10000 0004 1808 090XLaboratory Department, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Keke Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shasha Fan
- grid.477407.70000 0004 1806 9292Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, Changsha, China ,grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Liping Dai
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinzhong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Khan P, Fatima M, Khan MA, Batra SK, Nasser MW. Emerging role of chemokines in small cell lung cancer: Road signs for metastasis, heterogeneity, and immune response. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:117-126. [PMID: 36371025 PMCID: PMC10199458 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a recalcitrant, relatively immune-cold, and deadly subtype of lung cancer. SCLC has been viewed as a single or homogenous disease that includes deletion or inactivation of the two major tumor suppressor genes (TP53 and RB1) as a key hallmark. However, recent sightings suggest the complexity of SCLC tumors that comprises highly dynamic multiple subtypes contributing to high intratumor heterogeneity. Furthermore, the absence of targeted therapies, the understudied tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and subtype plasticity are also responsible for therapy resistance. Secretory chemokines play a crucial role in immunomodulation by trafficking immune cells to the tumors. Chemokines and cytokines modulate the anti-tumor immune response and wield a pro-/anti-tumorigenic effect on SCLC cells after binding to cognate receptors. In this review, we summarize and highlight recent findings that establish the role of chemokines in SCLC growth and metastasis, and sophisticated intratumor heterogeneity. We also discuss the chemokine networks that are putative targets or modulators for augmenting the anti-tumor immune responses in targeted or chemo-/immuno-therapeutic strategies, and how these combinations may be utilized to conquer SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mahek Fatima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Md Arafat Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Surinder Kumar Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Li ZM, Liu G, Gao Y, Zhao MG. Targeting CDK7 in oncology: The avenue forward. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108229. [PMID: 35700828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108229] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 is best characterized for the ability to regulate biological processes, including the cell cycle and gene transcription. Abnormal CDK7 activity is observed in various tumours and represents a driving force for tumourigenesis. Therefore, CDK7 may be an appealing target for cancer treatment. Whereas, the enthusiasm for CDK7-targeted therapeutic strategy is mitigated due to the widely possessed belief that this protein is essential for normal cells. Indeed, the fact confronts the consensus. This is the first review to introduce the role of CDK7 in pan-cancers via a combined analysis of comprehensive gene information and (pre)clinical research results. We also discuss the recent advances in protein structure and summarize the understanding of mechanisms underlying CDK7 function. These endeavours highlight the pivotal roles of CDK7 in tumours and may contribute to the development of effective CDK7 inhibitors within the strategy of structure-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Mei Li
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Guan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Ya Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, PR China.
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Luo H, Shan J, Zhang H, Song G, Li Q, Xu CX. Targeting the epigenetic processes to enhance antitumor immunity in small cell lung cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:960-970. [PMID: 35189321 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and modulation of chromatin states, drives aberrant transcription that promotes initiation and progression of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Accumulating evidence has proven crucial roles of epigenetic machinery in modulating immune cell functions and antitumor immune response. Epigenetics-targeting drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and histone methyltransferase inhibitors involved in preclinical and clinical trials may trigger antitumor immunity. Herein, we summarize the impact of epigenetic processes on tumor immunogenicity and antitumor immune cell functions in SCLC. Furthermore, we review current clinical trials of epigenetic therapy against SCLC and the mechanisms of epigenetic inhibitors to boost antitumor immunity. Eventually, we discuss the opportunities of developing therapeutic regimens combining epigenetic agents with immunotherapy for SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - Jinlu Shan
- Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401120, China.
| | - Guanbin Song
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Qing Li
- College of Bioengineering, Key Lab of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Cheng-Xiong Xu
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Li Y, Niu L. Identification of the effects of COVID-19 on patients with pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer: a bioinformatics analysis and literature review. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16040. [PMID: 36163484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20040-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to human health and life. The effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19 complications have become crucial to saving patients’ lives. During the phase of mass spread of the epidemic, a large number of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancers were inevitably infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Lung cancers have the highest tumor morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and pulmonary fibrosis itself is one of the complications of COVID-19. Idiopathic lung fibrosis (IPF) and various lung cancers (primary and metastatic) become risk factors for complications of COVID-19 and significantly increase mortality in patients. Therefore, we applied bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify molecular biomarkers and common pathways in COVID-19, IPF, colorectal cancer (CRC) lung metastasis, SCLC and NSCLC. We identified 79 DEGs between COVID-19, IPF, CRC lung metastasis, SCLC and NSCLC. Meanwhile, based on the transcriptome features of DSigDB and common DEGs, we identified 10 drug candidates. In this study, 79 DEGs are the common core genes of the 5 diseases. The 10 drugs were found to have positive effects in treating COVID-19 and lung cancer, potentially reducing the risk of pulmonary fibrosis.
Collapse
|
42
|
Kuempers C, Jagomast T, Heidel C, Paulsen FO, Bohnet S, Schierholz S, Dreyer E, Kirfel J, Perner S. CDK7 is a prognostic biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:927140. [PMID: 36212402 PMCID: PMC9540232 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.927140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death globally despite promising progress of personalized therapy approaches. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a kinase involved in transcription, overexpressed in a broad spectrum of cancer types and found to be associated with an unfavourable prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protein expression of CDK7 in a large cohort of NSCLC incorporating adenocarcinomas (adNSCLC) and squamous cell carcinomas (sqNSCLC) and to correlate its expression with clinicopathological data. Methods We performed immunohistochemical staining of CDK7 on our cohort of NSCLC including 258 adNSCLC and 101 sqNSCLC and measured protein expression via a semi-automated read out. According to the median value of CDK7 the cohort was stratified in a CDK7 high and low expressing group, respectively, and results were correlated with clinico-pathological data. Results CDK7 was significantly higher expressed in sqNSCLC than in adNSCLC. In the group of sqNSCLC, CDK7 expression was significantly higher in sqNSCLC with lymph node metastases than in sqNSCLC with N0 stage. We found a significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival for patients with CDK7 high expressing NSCLC. Conclusion Since a high CDK7 expression seems to be linked with a poor prognosis it might serve as a promising novel prognostic biomarker and its assessment could be implied in future routine diagnostic workup of NSCLC samples. Considering that CDK7 inhibitors are currently tested in several trials for advanced solid malignancies, it may also be a new target for future anti-cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Kuempers
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christiane Kuempers,
| | - Tobias Jagomast
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Carsten Heidel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Schoen Klinik Neustadt, Holstein, Germany
| | - Finn-Ole Paulsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Bohnet
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schierholz
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Eva Dreyer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
- Pathology, Research Center Borstel-Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL) Department Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Pan Y, Hao Y, Han H, Chen T, Ding H, Labbe KE, Shum E, Guidry K, Hu H, Sherman F, Geng K, Stephens J, Chafitz A, Tang S, Huang HY, Peng C, Almonte C, Lopes JE, Losey HC, Winquist RJ, Velcheti V, Zhang H, Wong KK. Nemvaleukin alfa, a novel engineered IL-2 fusion protein, drives antitumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth in small cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004913. [PMID: 36472839 PMCID: PMC9462379 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a deadly disease with a 5-year survival of less than 7%. The addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy was recently approved as first-line treatment; however, the improved clinical benefit is modest, highlighting an urgent need for new treatment strategies. Nemvaleukin alfa, a novel engineered interleukin-2 fusion protein currently in phase I-III studies, is designed to selectively expand cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. Here, using a novel SCLC murine model, we investigated the effects of a mouse version of nemvaleukin (mNemvaleukin) on tumor growth and antitumor immunity. METHODS A novel Rb1 -/- p53 -/- p130 -/- SCLC model that mimics human disease was generated. After confirming tumor burden by MRI, mice were randomized into four treatment groups: vehicle, mNemvaleukin alone, chemotherapy (cisplatin+etoposide) alone, or the combination of mNemvaleukin and chemotherapy. Tumor growth was measured by MRI and survival was recorded. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine and chemokine secretion were quantified and transcriptomic analysis was performed to characterize the immune gene signatures. RESULTS mNemvaleukin significantly inhibited SCLC tumor growth, which was further enhanced by the addition of chemotherapy. Combining mNemvaleukin with chemotherapy provided the most significant survival benefit. Profiling of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes revealed mNemvaleukin expanded the total number of tumor-infiltrating NK and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, mNemvaleukin increased the frequencies of activated and proliferating NK and CD8+ T cells in tumors. Similar immune alterations were observed in the peripheral blood of mNemvaleukin-treated mice. Of note, combining mNemvaleukin with chemotherapy had the strongest effects in activating effector and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. mNemvaleukin alone, and in combination with chemotherapy, promoted proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, which was further confirmed by transcriptomic analysis. CONCLUSIONS mNemvaleukin, a novel cytokine-based immunotherapy, significantly inhibited murine SCLC tumor growth and prolonged survival, which was further enhanced by the addition of chemotherapy. mNemvaleukin alone, and in combination with chemotherapy, drove a strong antitumor immune program elicited by cytotoxic immune cells. Our findings support the evaluation of nemvaleukin alone or in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials for the treatment of SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwang Pan
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuan Hao
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, Office of Science and Research, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Han Han
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ting Chen
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hailin Ding
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen E Labbe
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elaine Shum
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kayla Guidry
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hai Hu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fiona Sherman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ke Geng
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Janaye Stephens
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alison Chafitz
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sittinon Tang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hsin-Yi Huang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chengwei Peng
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christina Almonte
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hua Zhang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kwok-Kin Wong
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Sun J, Zhang Q, Sun X, Xue A, Gao X, Shen K. THZ1 targeting CDK7 suppresses c-KIT transcriptional activity in gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:138. [PMID: 36076237 PMCID: PMC9454178 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00928-x] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and are characterized by activating mutations of c-KIT or PDGFRa receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Despite the clinical success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), more than half of GIST patients develop resistance due to a second mutation. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is the catalytic subunit of CDK-activating kinase (CAK), and it plays an important role in the regulation of cell cycle transitions and gene transcription. THZ1, a CDK7 inhibitor, exhibits a dose-dependent inhibitory effect in various cancers. Methods Data from the public GEO database and tissue microarray were used to analyse the gene expression levels of CDKs in GISTs. The impact of CDK7 knockdown and the CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 on GIST progression was investigated in vitro using CCK-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays and in vivo using a xenograft mouse model. RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the mechanism of GIST cell viability impairment mediated by THZ1 treatment. Results Our study demonstrated that CDK7 is relatively overexpressed in high-risk GISTs and predicts a poor outcome. A low concentration of THZ1 exhibited a pronounced antineoplastic effect in GIST cells in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, THZ1 exerted synergistic anticancer effects with imatinib. THZ1 treatment resulted in transcriptional modulation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Ser2, Ser5, and Ser7 within RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). c-KIT, an oncogene driver of GIST, was transcriptionally repressed by THZ1 treatment or CDK7 knockdown. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that OSR1 acts as a downstream target of CDK7 and regulates c-KIT expression. Taken together, our results highlight elevated CDK7 expression as a predictor of poor outcome in GIST and present the combination of CDK7 and RTK inhibitors as a potent therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of GIST treatment. Video abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00928-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiangfei Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Anwei Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaodong Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Kuntang Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, #180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zeng S, Lan B, Ren X, Zhang S, Schreyer D, Eckstein M, Yang H, Britzen-Laurent N, Dahl A, Mukhopadhyay D, Chang D, Kutschick I, Pfeffer S, Bailey P, Biankin A, Grützmann R, Pilarsky C. CDK7 inhibition augments response to multidrug chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:241. [PMID: 35945614 PMCID: PMC9364549 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02443-w] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis. Although combined treatment with gemcitabine and albumin-bound paclitaxel has improved the prognosis of PDAC, both intrinsic and acquired chemoresistance remain as severe hurtles towards improved prognosis. Thus, new therapeutic targets and innovative strategies are urgently needed. METHODS In this study, we used the KPC mouse model-derived PDAC cell line TB32047 to perform kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screening. Next-generation sequencing and MAGeCK-VISPR analysis were performed to identify candidate genes. We then conducted cell viability, clonogenic, and apoptosis assays and evaluated the synergistic therapeutic effects of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) depletion or inhibition with gemcitabine (GEM) and paclitaxel (PTX) in a murine orthotopic pancreatic cancer model. For mechanistic studies, we performed genome enrichment analysis (GSEA) and Western blotting to identify and verify the pathways that render PDAC sensitive to GEM/PTX therapy. RESULTS We identified several cell cycle checkpoint kinases and DNA damage-related kinases as targets for overcoming chemoresistance. Among them, CDK7 ranked highly in both screenings. We demonstrated that both gene knockout and pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 by THZ1 result in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and DNA damage at least predominantly through the STAT3-MCL1-CHK1 axis. Furthermore, THZ1 synergized with GEM and PTX in vitro and in vivo, resulting in enhanced antitumor effects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the application of CRISPR-Cas9 screening in identifying novel therapeutic targets and suggest new strategies for overcoming chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Zeng
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bin Lan
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xiaofan Ren
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shuman Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Schreyer
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hai Yang
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nathalie Britzen-Laurent
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center a DFG NGS Competence Center, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Debabrata Mukhopadhyay
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Jacksonville, USA
| | - David Chang
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Isabella Kutschick
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Pfeffer
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Bailey
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew Biankin
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Grützmann
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Pilarsky
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Translational Research Center, Schwabachanlage 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Doolittle WKL, Zhao L, Cheng SY. Blocking CDK7-Mediated NOTCH1-cMYC Signaling Attenuates Cancer Stem Cell Activity in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2022; 32:937-948. [PMID: 35822558 PMCID: PMC9419935 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2022.0087] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive solid cancer in humans with few treatment options. Recent studies suggest that aberrant gene transcription could contribute to aggressive ATC progression. To test this hypothesis, we assessed if blocking cyclin-dependent protein 7 (CDK7) activity could impede ATC progression through attenuation of cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Methods: We treated cell lines isolated from human ATC (THJ-11T and -16T) and xenograft mice induced by these cells with the CDK7 inhibitor THZ1. Through integrative transcriptome analyses we found that the NOTCH1-cMYC signaling axis was a potential target of CDK7 inhibition in ATC. To determine the regulatory action of NOTCH1-cMYC signaling in CSC maintenance, we evaluated the effect of a selective NOTCH1 inhibitor, crenigacestat, on CSC capacities in ATC. Results: THZ1 markedly inhibited proliferation of ATC cells and xenograft tumor growth by blocking cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis. NOTCH1 was sensitive to suppressive transcription mediated by CDK7 inhibition and was highly enriched in tumorspheres from ATC cells. Treatment of ATC cells with either crenigacestat or THZ1 blocked formation of tumorspheres, decreased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and suppressed in vivo initiation and growth of tumors induced by ATC cells, indicating that NOTCH1 was a critical regulator of CSC activity in ATC. Furthermore, we demonstrated that cMYC was a downstream target of NOTCH1 signaling that collaboratively maintained CSC activity in ATC. Of note, genomic analysis showed that low CDK7 expression contributed to longer disease-free survival of thyroid cancer patients. Conclusions: NOTCH1 is a newly identified CSC regulator. Targeting NOTCH1-cMYC signaling is a promising therapeutic strategy for ATC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyung Lee Doolittle
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hu X, Zhou X. Impact of single-cell RNA sequencing on understanding immune regulation. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:4645-4657. [PMID: 35906816 PMCID: PMC9443940 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), one of the most powerful technologies, can describe the transcriptomic heterogeneity of single cells and reveal previously unreported cell types or states in complex tissues. With the rapid development of scRNA‐seq, it has renewed our view of cellular heterogeneity and its significance for deeply understanding cell development and function. There are a large number of studies applying scRNA‐seq to investigate the heterogeneity of immune cells and disease pathogenesis, focusing on differences among every individual cell, which have provided novel inspiration for disease therapy and biological processes. In this review, we describe the development of scRNA‐seq and its application in immune‐related physiological states, regulatory mechanisms and diseases. In addition, we further discuss the opportunities and challenges of scRNA‐seq in immune regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xikun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Yang D, Li H, Chen Y, Li C, Ren W, Huang Y. A Pan-Cancer Analysis of the Oncogenic Role of BCL7B: A Potential Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy. Front Genet 2022; 13:906174. [PMID: 35910232 PMCID: PMC9334570 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.906174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have partly explored the role of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 7 protein family member B (BCL7B) in tumorigenesis and development. However, the prognosis and immunoregulatory value of BCL7B in pan-cancer patients remains unclear. Methods: Through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, the distinct expression of BCL7B gene in 33 tumors and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed. The Kaplan–Meier method (univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier curve) was used to identify the cancer types whose BCL7B gene expression was related to prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to elucidate the diagnosis value of BCL7B gene. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to explore the relationship between BCL7B gene expression and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, DNA methylation, DNA repair genes, immune-activating genes, immune-suppressing genes, immune subtypes, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). The Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to compare the expression of BCL7B gene in tumor tissues with different clinicopathological features. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to identify the tumor-related pathways in pan-cancer. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database was used to verify the BCL7B gene expression at the protein level. Results: High expression of BCL7B was associated with an inferior prognosis in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), glioma (GBMLGG), kidney chromophobe (KICH), brain lower grade glioma (LGG), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), rectum adenocarcinoma (READ), and uveal melanoma (UVM). Low expression of BCL7B was associated with a poor prognosis in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), thyroid carcinoma (THCA), and sarcoma (SARC). The BCL7B gene expression had varying degrees of correlation with 24 immune cell subsets in 37 tumor environments such as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and bladder urothelial carcinoma (BCLA). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient showed that BCL7B gene expression had different degrees of correlation with 47 immune checkpoints, 46 immune-activating genes, 24 immune-suppressing genes, 5 DNA repair genes, and DNA methylation, TMB, and MSI in 39 tumors. GSEA suggested that BCL7B was notably associated with cancer-related and immune-related pathways. Conclusion: In summary, BCL7B gene has a high diagnostic and prognostic value in pan-cancer and is related to the infiltration of 24 immune cell subsets in pan-cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dinglong Yang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hetong Li
- Second Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yujing Chen
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xian, China
| | - Chunjiang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weiping Ren
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yongbo Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- *Correspondence: Yongbo Huang,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Guo X, Chen H, Zhou Y, Shen L, Wu S, Chen Y. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition and its intersection with immunotherapy in breast cancer: more than CDK4/6 inhibition. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:933-944. [PMID: 35786092 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2097067] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have had clinical success in treating hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Notably, CDK4/6i have expanded to the neoadjuvant setting for early breast cancer and other cancer types and potently synergize with immunotherapy. Other CDKs, including CDK7, CDK9, and CDK12/13, mainly function in transcriptional processes as well as cell cycle regulation, RNA splicing, and DNA damage response. Inhibiting these CDKs aids in suppressing tumors, reversing drug resistance, increasing drug sensitivity, and enhancing anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. AREAS COVERED We reviewed the applications of CDK4/6i, CDK7i, CDK9i and CDK12/13i for various breast cancer subtypes and their potentials for combination with immunotherapy. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in April 2022. EXPERT OPINION The use of CDK4/6i represents a major milestone in breast cancer treatment. Moreover, transcription-related CDKs play critical roles in tumor development and are promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Some relevant clinical studies are underway. More specific and efficient CDKis will undoubtedly be developed and clinically tested. Characterization of their immune-priming effects will promote the development of combination therapies consisting of CDKi and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianan Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shijie Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|