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Cyberski TF, Singh A, Korzinkin M, Mishra V, Pun F, Shen L, Wing C, Cheng X, Baird B, Miao Y, Elkabets M, Kochanny S, Guo W, Dyer E, Pearson AT, Juloori A, Lingen M, Cole G, Zhavoronkov A, Agrawal N, Izumchenko E, Rosenberg AJ. Acquired resistance to immunotherapy and chemoradiation in MYC amplified head and neck cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:114. [PMID: 38783041 PMCID: PMC11116544 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncogene MYC encodes a nuclear transcription factor that has an important role in a variety of cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, proliferation, metabolism, adhesion, apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. MYC amplification is consistently observed in aggressive forms of several solid malignancies and correlates with poor prognosis and distant metastases. While the tumorigenic effects of MYC in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are well known, the molecular mechanisms by which the amplification of this gene may confer treatment resistance, especially to immune checkpoint inhibitors, remains under-investigated. Here we present a unique case of a patient with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC who, despite initial response to nivolumab-based treatment, developed rapidly progressive metastatic disease after the acquisition of MYC amplification. We conducted comparative transcriptomic analysis of this patient's tumor at baseline and upon progression to interrogate potential molecular processes through which MYC may confer resistance to immunotherapy and/or chemoradiation and used TCGA-HNSC dataset and an institutional cohort to further explore clinicopathologic features and key molecular networks associated with MYC amplification in HNSCC. This study highlights MYC amplification as a potential mechanism of immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance and suggest its use as a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Cyberski
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alka Singh
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vasudha Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank Pun
- Insilico Medicine, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
| | - Le Shen
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Claudia Wing
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiangying Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brandon Baird
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuxuan Miao
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sara Kochanny
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenji Guo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emma Dyer
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander T Pearson
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aditya Juloori
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grayson Cole
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Nishant Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ari J Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Liang Y, Qu X, Shah NM, Wang T. Towards targeting transposable elements for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:123-140. [PMID: 38228901 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) represent almost half of the human genome. Historically deemed 'junk DNA', recent technological advancements have stimulated a wave of research into the functional impact of TEs on gene-regulatory networks in evolution and development, as well as in diseases including cancer. The genetic and epigenetic evolution of cancer involves the exploitation of TEs, whereby TEs contribute directly to cancer-specific gene activities. This Review provides a perspective on the role of TEs in cancer as being a 'double-edged sword', both promoting cancer evolution and representing a vulnerability that could be exploited in cancer therapy. We discuss how TEs affect transcriptome regulation and other cellular processes in cancer. We highlight the potential of TEs as therapeutic targets for cancer. We also summarize technical hurdles in the characterization of TEs with genomic assays. Last, we outline open questions and exciting future research avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghao Liang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xuan Qu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nakul M Shah
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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Zhou B, He Y, Chen Y, Su B. Comparative Genomic Analysis Identifies Great-Ape-Specific Structural Variants and Their Evolutionary Relevance. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad184. [PMID: 37565562 PMCID: PMC10461412 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
During the origin of great apes about 14 million years ago, a series of phenotypic innovations emerged, such as the increased body size, the enlarged brain volume, the improved cognitive skill, and the diversified diet. Yet, the genomic basis of these evolutionary changes remains unclear. Utilizing the high-quality genome assemblies of great apes (including human), gibbon, and macaque, we conducted comparative genome analyses and identified 15,885 great ape-specific structural variants (GSSVs), including eight coding GSSVs resulting in the creation of novel proteins (e.g., ACAN and CMYA5). Functional annotations of the GSSV-related genes revealed the enrichment of genes involved in development and morphogenesis, especially neurogenesis and neural network formation, suggesting the potential role of GSSVs in shaping the great ape-shared traits. Further dissection of the brain-related GSSVs shows great ape-specific changes of enhancer activities and gene expression in the brain, involving a group of GSSV-regulated genes (such as NOL3) that potentially contribute to the altered brain development and function in great apes. The presented data highlight the evolutionary role of structural variants in the phenotypic innovations during the origin of the great ape lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoxi He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Turyova E, Mikolajcik P, Grendar M, Kudelova E, Holubekova V, Kalman M, Marcinek J, Hrnciar M, Kovac M, Miklusica J, Laca L, Lasabova Z. Expression of OCT4 isoforms is reduced in primary colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1166835. [PMID: 37409260 PMCID: PMC10319064 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The carcinogenesis of CRC is indeed complex, and there are many different mechanisms and pathways that contribute to the development of malignancy and the progression from primary to metastatic tumors. The OCT4A, encoded by the POU5F1 gene, is a transcription factor responsible for the phenotype of stem cells, maintaining pluripotency and regulation of differentiation. The POU5F1 gene is made up of five exons that can create numerous isoforms through alternative promoter or alternative splicing. In addition to OCT4A, other isoforms called OCT4B are also translated into protein; however, their role in cells has been unclear. The aim of our work was to investigate the expression patterns of OCT4 isoforms in primary and metastatic CRC, providing us with useful information about their role in the development and progression of CRC. Methods Surgical specimens from a total of 78 patients were collected and isolated from primary tumors (n = 47) and metastases (n = 31). The relative gene expression of OCT4 isoforms was investigated using the RT-qPCR method together with the TaqMan probes for particular OCT4 isoforms. Results Our results suggest significantly downregulated expression of the OCT4A and OCT4Bs isoforms in both primary (p = 0.0002 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and metastatic tumors (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.00051, respectively) when compared with the control samples. We also observed a correlation between reduced expression of all OCT4 isoforms and both primary and left-sided tumors (p = 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). On the other hand, the expression of all OCT4 isoforms was significantly upregulated in metastases compared with primary tumors (p < 0.0001). Discussion Unlike previous reports, we found out that the expression of OCT4A, OCT4Bs, and all OCT4 isoforms was significantly reduced in primary tumors and metastases compared with control samples. On the other hand, we supposed that the expression rate of all OCT4 isoforms may be related to the cancer type and side, as well as to liver metastases. However, further studies are required to investigate the detailed expression patterns and significance of individual OCT4 isoforms in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Turyova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Mikolajcik
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marian Grendar
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kudelova
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Holubekova
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Michal Kalman
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Marcinek
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Matej Hrnciar
- Department of Informatics, Information Systems and Software Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Kovac
- Department of Informatics, Information Systems and Software Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Miklusica
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Laca
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zora Lasabova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
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Luo Y, Deng X, Liao W, Huang Y, Lu C. Prognostic value of autophagy-related genes based on single-cell RNA-sequencing in colorectal cancer. Front Genet 2023; 14:1109683. [PMID: 37065476 PMCID: PMC10097963 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1109683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in China. Autophagy plays an important role in the initiation and development of CRC. Here, we assessed the prognostic value and potential functions of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) using integrated analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).Methods: We analyzed GEO-scRNA-seq data from GEO using various single-cell technologies, including cell clustering, and identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different cell types. Additionally, we performed gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The differentially expressed ARGs among different cell types and those between CRC and normal tissues were identified using TCGA-RNA-seq data, and the hub ARGs were screened. Finally, a prognostic model based on the hub ARGs was constructed and validated, and patients with CRC in TCGA datasets were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on their risk-score, and immune cells infiltration and drug sensitivity analyses between the two groups were performed.Results: We obtained single-cell expression profiles of 16,270 cells, and clustered them into seven types of cells. GSVA revealed that the DEGs among the seven types of cells were enriched in many signaling pathways associated with cancer development. We screened 55 differentially expressed ARGs, and identified 11 hub ARGs. Our prognostic model revealed that the 11 hub ARGs including CTSB, ITGA6, and S100A8, had a good predictive ability. Moreover, the immune cell infiltrations in CRC tissues were different between the two groups, and the hub ARGs were significantly correlated with the enrichment of immune cell infiltration. The drug sensitivity analysis revealed that the patients in the two risk groups had difference in their response to anti-cancer drugs.Conclusion: We developed a novel prognostic 11-hub ARG risk model, and these hubs may act as potential therapeutic targets for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Yuqi Luo,
| | - Xuesong Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihua Liao
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Nansha District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiwen Huang
- Department of Emergency, Nansha Hospital, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Caijie Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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