1
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Yang S, Li Z, Yi J, Pan M, Cao W, Ma J, Zhang P. Nebivolol, an antihypertensive agent, has new application in inhibiting melanoma. Anticancer Drugs 2024; 35:512-524. [PMID: 38602174 PMCID: PMC11078289 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001597] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Repurposing existing drugs for cancer therapy has become an important strategy because of its advantages, such as cost reduction, effect and safety. The present study was designed to investigate the antimelanoma effect and possible mechanisms of action of nebivolol, which is an approved and widely prescribed antihypertensive agent. In this study, we explored the effect of nebivolol on cell proliferation and cell activity in melanoma in vitro and the potential antimelanoma mechanism of nebivolol through a series of experiments, including the analysis of the effects with regard to cell apoptosis and metastasis. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimelanoma effect on xenograft tumor models and inspected the antimelanoma mechanism of nebivolol in vivo using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining assays. As results in this work, in vitro , nebivolol possessed a strong activity for suppression proliferation and cell cycle arrest on melanoma. Moreover, nebivolol significantly induced cell apoptosis in melanoma through a mitochondrial-mediated endogenous apoptosis pathway. Additionally, nebivolol inhibited melanoma cell metastasis. More importantly, nebivolol exhibited significantly effective melanoma xenograft models in vivo , which related to the mechanism of apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, metastasis blocking and angiogenesis arrest. Overall, the data of the present study recommend that nebivolol holds great potential in application as a novel agent for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
| | - Jiamei Yi
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
| | - Mingyue Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
| | - Weiling Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, South China Hospital, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong
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2
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Patel AS, Yanai I. A developmental constraint model of cancer cell states and tumor heterogeneity. Cell 2024; 187:2907-2918. [PMID: 38848676 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.032] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a disease that stems from a fundamental liability inherent to multicellular life forms in which an individual cell is capable of reneging on the interests of the collective organism. Although cancer is commonly described as an evolutionary process, a less appreciated aspect of tumorigenesis may be the constraints imposed by the organism's developmental programs. Recent work from single-cell transcriptomic analyses across a range of cancer types has revealed the recurrence, plasticity, and co-option of distinct cellular states among cancer cell populations. Here, we note that across diverse cancer types, the observed cell states are proximate within the developmental hierarchy of the cell of origin. We thus posit a model by which cancer cell states are directly constrained by the organism's "developmental map." According to this model, a population of cancer cells traverses the developmental map, thereby generating a heterogeneous set of states whose interactions underpin emergent tumor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi S Patel
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Itai Yanai
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Lin Q, Jing Y, Yan C, Chen X, Zhang Q, Lin X, Xu Y, Chen B. Design and Application of pH-Responsive Liposomes for Site-Specific Delivery of Cytotoxin from Cobra Venom. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:5381-5395. [PMID: 38859950 PMCID: PMC11164093 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s461728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Current immunotherapies with unexpected severe side effects and treatment resistance have not resulted in the desired outcomes for patients with melanoma, and there is a need to discover more effective medications. Cytotoxin (CTX) from Cobra Venom has been established to have favorable cytolytic activity and antitumor efficacy and is regarded as a promising novel anticancer agent. However, amphiphilic CTX with excellent anionic phosphatidylserine lipid-binding ability may also damage normal cells. Methods We developed pH-responsive liposomes with a high CTX load (CTX@PSL) for targeted acidic-stimuli release of drugs in the tumor microenvironment. The morphology, size, zeta potential, drug-release kinetics, and preservation stability were characterized. Cell uptake, apoptosis-promoting effects, and cytotoxicity were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry. Finally, the tissue distribution and antitumor effects of CTX@PSL were systematically assessed using an in vivo imaging system. Results CTX@PSL exhibited high drug entrapment efficiency, drug loading, stability, and a rapid release profile under acidic conditions. These nanoparticles, irregularly spherical in shape and small in size, can effectively accumulate at tumor sites (six times higher than free CTX) and are rapidly internalized into cancer cells (2.5-fold higher cell uptake efficiency). CTX@PSL displayed significantly stronger cytotoxicity (IC50 0.25 μg/mL) and increased apoptosis in than the other formulations (apoptosis rate 71.78±1.70%). CTX@PSL showed considerably better tumor inhibition efficacy than free CTX or conventional liposomes (tumor inhibition rate 79.78±5.93%). Conclusion Our results suggest that CTX@PSL improves tumor-site accumulation and intracellular uptake for sustained and targeted CTX release. By combining the advantages of CTX and stimuli-responsive nanotechnology, the novel CTX@PSL nanoformulation is a promising therapeutic candidate for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Fuzhou First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yafei Jing
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Nanomedical Technology (Education Department of Fujian Province), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cailing Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Nanomedical Technology (Education Department of Fujian Province), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunlu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Translational Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Nanomedical Technology (Education Department of Fujian Province), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Sang-aram C, Browaeys R, Seurinck R, Saeys Y. Spotless, a reproducible pipeline for benchmarking cell type deconvolution in spatial transcriptomics. eLife 2024; 12:RP88431. [PMID: 38787371 PMCID: PMC11126312 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial transcriptomics (ST) technologies allow the profiling of the transcriptome of cells while keeping their spatial context. Since most commercial untargeted ST technologies do not yet operate at single-cell resolution, computational methods such as deconvolution are often used to infer the cell type composition of each sequenced spot. We benchmarked 11 deconvolution methods using 63 silver standards, 3 gold standards, and 2 case studies on liver and melanoma tissues. We developed a simulation engine called synthspot to generate silver standards from single-cell RNA-sequencing data, while gold standards are generated by pooling single cells from targeted ST data. We evaluated methods based on their performance, stability across different reference datasets, and scalability. We found that cell2location and RCTD are the top-performing methods, but surprisingly, a simple regression model outperforms almost half of the dedicated spatial deconvolution methods. Furthermore, we observe that the performance of all methods significantly decreased in datasets with highly abundant or rare cell types. Our results are reproducible in a Nextflow pipeline, which also allows users to generate synthetic data, run deconvolution methods and optionally benchmark them on their dataset (https://github.com/saeyslab/spotless-benchmark).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chananchida Sang-aram
- Data Mining and Modelling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchGhentBelgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Robin Browaeys
- Data Mining and Modelling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchGhentBelgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Ruth Seurinck
- Data Mining and Modelling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchGhentBelgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Yvan Saeys
- Data Mining and Modelling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchGhentBelgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
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5
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Feng T, Tang Z, Karges J, Shu J, Xiong K, Jin C, Chen Y, Gasser G, Ji L, Chao H. An iridium(iii)-based photosensitizer disrupting the mitochondrial respiratory chain induces ferritinophagy-mediated immunogenic cell death. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6752-6762. [PMID: 38725496 PMCID: PMC11077511 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01214c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have a strategically optimized metabolism and tumor microenvironment for rapid proliferation and growth. Increasing research efforts have been focused on developing therapeutic agents that specifically target the metabolism of cancer cells. In this work, we prepared 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-functionalized Ir(iii) complexes that selectively localize in the mitochondria and generate singlet oxygen and superoxide anion radicals upon two-photon irradiation. The generation of this oxidative stress leads to the disruption of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and therefore the disturbance of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis metabolisms, triggering cell death by combining immunogenic cell death and ferritinophagy. To the best of our knowledge, this latter is reported for the first time in the context of photodynamic therapy (PDT). To provide cancer selectivity, the best compound of this work was encapsulated within exosomes to form tumor-targeted nanoparticles. Treatment of the primary tumor of mice with two-photon irradiation (720 nm) 24 h after injection of the nanoparticles in the tail vein stops the primary tumor progression and almost completely inhibits the growth of distant tumors that were not irradiated. Our compound is a promising photosensitizer that efficiently disrupts the mitochondrial respiratory chain and induces ferritinophagy-mediated long-term immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Feng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Zixin Tang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Johannes Karges
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum Universitätsstrasse 150 44780 Bochum Germany
| | - Jun Shu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Kai Xiong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Chengzhi Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology 75005 Paris France
| | - Liangnian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Hui Chao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology Xiangtan 400201 P. R. China
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6
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Karras P, Black JRM, McGranahan N, Marine JC. Decoding the interplay between genetic and non-genetic drivers of metastasis. Nature 2024; 629:543-554. [PMID: 38750233 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07302-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis is a multistep process by which cancer cells break away from their original location and spread to distant organs, and is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. Preventing early metastatic dissemination would revolutionize the ability to fight cancer. Unfortunately, the relatively poor understanding of the molecular underpinnings of metastasis has hampered the development of effective anti-metastatic drugs. Although it is now accepted that disseminating tumour cells need to acquire multiple competencies to face the many obstacles they encounter before reaching their metastatic site(s), whether these competencies are acquired through an accumulation of metastasis-specific genetic alterations and/or non-genetic events is often debated. Here we review a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of both genetic and non-genetic reprogramming events during the metastatic cascade, and discuss how genetic and non-genetic processes act in concert to confer metastatic competencies. We also describe how recent technological advances, and in particular the advent of single-cell multi-omics and barcoding approaches, will help to better elucidate the cross-talk between genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of metastasis and ultimately inform innovative paths for the early detection and interception of this lethal process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - James R M Black
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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7
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Wu B, Shentu X, Nan H, Guo P, Hao S, Xu J, Shangguan S, Cui L, Cen J, Deng Q, Wu Y, Liu C, Song Y, Lin X, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Ma W, Li R, Li Y, Qian Q, Du W, Lai T, Yang T, Liu C, Ma X, Chen A, Xu X, Lai Y, Liu L, Esteban MA, Hui L. A spatiotemporal atlas of cholestatic injury and repair in mice. Nat Genet 2024; 56:938-952. [PMID: 38627596 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01687-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver injuries, characterized by regional damage around the bile ductular region, lack curative therapies and cause considerable mortality. Here we generated a high-definition spatiotemporal atlas of gene expression during cholestatic injury and repair in mice by integrating spatial enhanced resolution omics sequencing and single-cell transcriptomics. Spatiotemporal analyses revealed a key role of cholangiocyte-driven signaling correlating with the periportal damage-repair response. Cholangiocytes express genes related to recruitment and differentiation of lipid-associated macrophages, which generate feedback signals enhancing ductular reaction. Moreover, cholangiocytes express high TGFβ in association with the conversion of liver progenitor-like cells into cholangiocytes during injury and the dampened proliferation of periportal hepatocytes during recovery. Notably, Atoh8 restricts hepatocyte proliferation during 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-collidin damage and is quickly downregulated after injury withdrawal, allowing hepatocytes to respond to growth signals. Our findings lay a keystone for in-depth studies of cellular dynamics and molecular mechanisms of cholestatic injuries, which may further develop into therapies for cholangiopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Shentu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haitao Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Shijie Hao
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangshan Xu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuncheng Shangguan
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health and Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Cen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuting Deng
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Wu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yumo Song
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiumei Lin
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Yue Yuan
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wen Ma
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ronghai Li
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yikang Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiwei Qian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Wensi Du
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingting Lai
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Yang
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanyu Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Shanxi Medical University-BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Ao Chen
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xun Xu
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Shanxi Medical University-BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yiwei Lai
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- Shanxi Medical University-BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Longqi Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- Shanxi Medical University-BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University-BGI Research Center for Integrative Biology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lijian Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Durand S, Tang Y, Pommier RM, Benboubker V, Grimont M, Boivin F, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Cumunel E, Dupeuble F, Eberhardt A, Plaschka M, Dalle S, Caramel J. ZEB1 controls a lineage-specific transcriptional program essential for melanoma cell state transitions. Oncogene 2024; 43:1489-1505. [PMID: 38519642 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell plasticity sustains intra-tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance in melanoma. Deciphering the transcriptional mechanisms governing reversible phenotypic transitions between proliferative/differentiated and invasive/stem-like states is required. Expression of the ZEB1 transcription factor is frequently activated in melanoma, where it fosters adaptive resistance to targeted therapies. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of ZEB1 transcriptional targets, by combining ChIP-sequencing and RNA-sequencing, upon phenotype switching in melanoma models. We identified and validated ZEB1 binding peaks in the promoter of key lineage-specific genes crucial for melanoma cell identity. Mechanistically, ZEB1 negatively regulates SOX10-MITF dependent proliferative/melanocytic programs and positively regulates AP-1 driven invasive and stem-like programs. Comparative analyses with breast carcinoma cells revealed lineage-specific ZEB1 binding, leading to the design of a more reliable melanoma-specific ZEB1 regulon. We then developed single-cell spatial multiplexed analyses to characterize melanoma cell states intra-tumoral heterogeneity in human melanoma samples. Combined with scRNA-Seq analyses, our findings confirmed increased ZEB1 expression in Neural-Crest-like cells and mesenchymal cells, underscoring its significance in vivo in both populations. Overall, our results define ZEB1 as a major transcriptional regulator of cell states transitions and provide a better understanding of lineage-specific transcriptional programs sustaining intra-tumor heterogeneity in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Durand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Yaqi Tang
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Roxane M Pommier
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Valentin Benboubker
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Maxime Grimont
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Felix Boivin
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Cumunel
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Florian Dupeuble
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Maud Plaschka
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France.
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9
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Lauss M, Phung B, Borch TH, Harbst K, Kaminska K, Ebbesson A, Hedenfalk I, Yuan J, Nielsen K, Ingvar C, Carneiro A, Isaksson K, Pietras K, Svane IM, Donia M, Jönsson G. Molecular patterns of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in melanoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3075. [PMID: 38594286 PMCID: PMC11004175 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47425-y] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has improved outcome for patients with metastatic melanoma but not all benefit from treatment. Several immune- and tumor intrinsic features are associated with clinical response at baseline. However, we need to further understand the molecular changes occurring during development of ICB resistance. Here, we collect biopsies from a cohort of 44 patients with melanoma after progression on anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD1 monotherapy. Genetic alterations of antigen presentation and interferon gamma signaling pathways are observed in approximately 25% of ICB resistant cases. Anti-CTLA4 resistant lesions have a sustained immune response, including immune-regulatory features, as suggested by multiplex spatial and T cell receptor (TCR) clonality analyses. One anti-PD1 resistant lesion harbors a distinct immune cell niche, however, anti-PD1 resistant tumors are generally immune poor with non-expanded TCR clones. Such immune poor microenvironments are associated with melanoma cells having a de-differentiated phenotype lacking expression of MHC-I molecules. In addition, anti-PD1 resistant tumors have reduced fractions of PD1+ CD8+ T cells as compared to ICB naïve metastases. Collectively, these data show the complexity of ICB resistance and highlight differences between anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 resistance that may underlie differential clinical outcomes of therapy sequence and combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lauss
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Phung
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Troels Holz Borch
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Katja Harbst
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kamila Kaminska
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Ebbesson
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Hedenfalk
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joan Yuan
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kari Nielsen
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital and Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christian Ingvar
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ana Carneiro
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karolin Isaksson
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Kristianstad Hospital, 29133, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Göran Jönsson
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund University Cancer Center, LUCC, Lund, Sweden.
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10
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Gargiulo G, Serresi M, Marine JC. Cell States in Cancer: Drivers, Passengers, and Trailers. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:610-614. [PMID: 38571419 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
SUMMARY Cancer is traditionally perceived through a genetic lens, with therapeutic strategies targeting oncogenic driver mutations. We advocate an overarching framework recognizing tumors as comprising driver, passenger, and trailer cell states: Tailoring therapies to simultaneously target driver genetics and cell states may enhance effectiveness and durability. SIGNIFICANCE We redefine cancer progression by introducing a model that categorizes tumor cells into "driver," "passenger," and "trailer" phenotypes, expanding the focus on genetic aberrations to cellular behavior. This approach offers a roadmap to guide refining therapeutic strategies for more precise and durable cancer treatments that address tumor heterogeneity and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Gargiulo
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michela Serresi
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Diazzi S, Ablain J. Nonepithelial cancer dissemination: specificities and challenges. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:356-368. [PMID: 38135572 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.006] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cancers have served as a paradigm to study tumor dissemination but recent data have highlighted significant differences with nonepithelial cancers. Here, we review the current knowledge on nonepithelial tumor dissemination, drawing examples from the latest developments in melanoma, glioma, and sarcoma research. We underscore the importance of the reactivation of developmental processes during cancer progression and describe the nongenetic mechanisms driving nonepithelial tumor spread. We also outline therapeutic opportunities and ongoing clinical approaches to fight disseminating cancers. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges and emerging questions in the field. Defining the core principles underlying nonepithelial cancer dissemination may uncover actionable vulnerabilities of metastatic tumors and help improve the prognosis of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Diazzi
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julien Ablain
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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12
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Sadeghirad H, Yaghoubi Naei V, O'Byrne K, Warkiani ME, Kulasinghe A. In situ characterization of the tumor microenvironment. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 86:103083. [PMID: 38382325 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The development of new therapies for cancer is underpinned by an increasing need to comprehensively characterize the tumor microenvironment (TME). While traditional approaches have relied on bulk or single-cell approaches, these are limited in their ability to provide cellular context. Deconvolution of the complex TME is fundamental to understanding tumor dynamics and treatment resistance. Spatially resolved characterization of the TME is likely to provide greater insights into the cellular architecture, tumor-immune cell interactions, receptor-ligand interactions, and cell niches. In turn, these aid in dictating the optimal way in which to target each patient's individual cancer. In this review, we discuss a number of cutting-edge in situ spatial profiling methods giving us new insights into tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habib Sadeghirad
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vahid Yaghoubi Naei
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ken O'Byrne
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Majid E Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arutha Kulasinghe
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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13
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Ebrahim T, Ebrahim AS, Kandouz M. Diversity of Intercellular Communication Modes: A Cancer Biology Perspective. Cells 2024; 13:495. [PMID: 38534339 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
From the moment a cell is on the path to malignant transformation, its interaction with other cells from the microenvironment becomes altered. The flow of molecular information is at the heart of the cellular and systemic fate in tumors, and various processes participate in conveying key molecular information from or to certain cancer cells. For instance, the loss of tight junction molecules is part of the signal sent to cancer cells so that they are no longer bound to the primary tumors and are thus free to travel and metastasize. Upon the targeting of a single cell by a therapeutic drug, gap junctions are able to communicate death information to by-standing cells. The discovery of the importance of novel modes of cell-cell communication such as different types of extracellular vesicles or tunneling nanotubes is changing the way scientists look at these processes. However, are they all actively involved in different contexts at the same time or are they recruited to fulfill specific tasks? What does the multiplicity of modes mean for the overall progression of the disease? Here, we extend an open invitation to think about the overall significance of these questions, rather than engage in an elusive attempt at a systematic repertory of the mechanisms at play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanzeela Ebrahim
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Mustapha Kandouz
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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14
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Malla SB, Byrne RM, Lafarge MW, Corry SM, Fisher NC, Tsantoulis PK, Mills ML, Ridgway RA, Lannagan TRM, Najumudeen AK, Gilroy KL, Amirkhah R, Maguire SL, Mulholland EJ, Belnoue-Davis HL, Grassi E, Viviani M, Rogan E, Redmond KL, Sakhnevych S, McCooey AJ, Bull C, Hoey E, Sinevici N, Hall H, Ahmaderaghi B, Domingo E, Blake A, Richman SD, Isella C, Miller C, Bertotti A, Trusolino L, Loughrey MB, Kerr EM, Tejpar S, Maughan TS, Lawler M, Campbell AD, Leedham SJ, Koelzer VH, Sansom OJ, Dunne PD. Pathway level subtyping identifies a slow-cycling biological phenotype associated with poor clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer. Nat Genet 2024; 56:458-472. [PMID: 38351382 PMCID: PMC10937375 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01654-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Molecular stratification using gene-level transcriptional data has identified subtypes with distinctive genotypic and phenotypic traits, as exemplified by the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, rather than gene-level data, we make use of gene ontology and biological activation state information for initial molecular class discovery. In doing so, we defined three pathway-derived subtypes (PDS) in CRC: PDS1 tumors, which are canonical/LGR5+ stem-rich, highly proliferative and display good prognosis; PDS2 tumors, which are regenerative/ANXA1+ stem-rich, with elevated stromal and immune tumor microenvironmental lineages; and PDS3 tumors, which represent a previously overlooked slow-cycling subset of tumors within CMS2 with reduced stem populations and increased differentiated lineages, particularly enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells, yet display the worst prognosis in locally advanced disease. These PDS3 phenotypic traits are evident across numerous bulk and single-cell datasets, and demark a series of subtle biological states that are currently under-represented in pre-clinical models and are not identified using existing subtyping classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir B Malla
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ryan M Byrne
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Maxime W Lafarge
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shania M Corry
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Natalie C Fisher
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Raheleh Amirkhah
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sarah L Maguire
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | | | - Elena Grassi
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Viviani
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Emily Rogan
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Keara L Redmond
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Svetlana Sakhnevych
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Aoife J McCooey
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Courtney Bull
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Emily Hoey
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Nicoleta Sinevici
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Holly Hall
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Baharak Ahmaderaghi
- School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Enric Domingo
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Andrew Blake
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Susan D Richman
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Claudio Isella
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Crispin Miller
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrea Bertotti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Maurice B Loughrey
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Emma M Kerr
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Department of Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timothy S Maughan
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | | | - Viktor H Koelzer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Philip D Dunne
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK.
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15
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Reeves MQ, Balmain A. Mutations, Bottlenecks, and Clonal Sweeps: How Environmental Carcinogens and Genomic Changes Shape Clonal Evolution during Tumor Progression. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041388. [PMID: 38052482 PMCID: PMC10910358 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The transition from a single, initiated cell to a full-blown malignant tumor involves significant genomic evolution. Exposure to carcinogens-whether directly mutagenic or not-can drive progression toward malignancy, as can stochastic acquisition of cancer-promoting genetic events. Mouse models using both carcinogens and germline genetic manipulations have enabled precise inquiry into the evolutionary dynamics that take place as a tumor progresses from benign to malignant to metastatic stages. Tumor progression is characterized by changes in somatic point mutations and copy-number alterations, even though any single tumor can itself have a high or low burden of genomic alterations. Further, lineage-tracing, single-cell analyses and CRISPR barcoding have revealed the distinct clonal dynamics within benign and malignant tumors. Application of these tools in a range of mouse models can shed unique light on the patterns of clonal evolution that take place in both mouse and human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Q Reeves
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Allan Balmain
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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16
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Singvogel K, Schittek B. Dormancy of cutaneous melanoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38419052 PMCID: PMC10903048 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03278-5] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Many cancer-related deaths including melanoma result from metastases that develop months or years after the initial cancer therapy. Even the most effective drugs and immune therapies rarely eradicate all tumor cells. Instead, they strongly reduce cancer burden, permitting dormant cancer cells to persist in niches, where they establish a cellular homeostasis with their host without causing clinical symptoms. Dormant cancers respond poorly to most drugs and therapies since they do not proliferate and hide in niches. It therefore remains a major challenge to develop novel therapies for dormant cancers. In this review we focus on the mechanisms regulating the initiation of cutaneous melanoma dormancy as well as those which are involved in reawakening of dormant cutaneous melanoma cells. In recent years the role of neutrophils and niche components in reawakening of melanoma cells came into focus and indicate possible future therapeutic applications. Sophisticated in vitro and in vivo melanoma dormancy models are needed to make progress in this field and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Singvogel
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schittek
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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17
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Taglialatela I, Indini A, Santanelli G, Di Liberti G, Di Guardo L, De Braud F, Del Vecchio M. Melanoma and sex hormones: Pathogenesis, progressive disease and response to treatments. TUMORI JOURNAL 2024:3008916241231687. [PMID: 38372040 DOI: 10.1177/03008916241231687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma represents the fifth tumor in terms of incidence in young adults, with a major involvement of males than females. Despite the significant changes in available effective treatments for cutaneous melanoma, there is still a proportion of patients that do not benefit long-term disease control with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and eventually develop progressive disease. In addition to the emerging biomarkers under investigation to understand resistance to treatments, recent studies resumed the role of sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone and androgens) in melanoma patients. In the last decades, the impact of sex hormones has been considered controversial in melanoma patients, but actual growing preclinical and clinical evidence underline the potential influence on melanoma cells' growth, tumor microenvironment, the immune system and consequently on the course of disease.This review will provide available insights on the role of sex hormones in melanoma pathogenesis, disease progression and response/resistance to systemic treatments. We will also offer an overview on the recent studies on the theme, describing the hormonal contribution to disease response and the interaction with targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors in cutaneous melanoma patients, illustrating an insight into future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Taglialatela
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Indini
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Santanelli
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Di Liberti
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza Di Guardo
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo De Braud
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Università degli studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Melanoma Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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18
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Yan S, Guo Y, Lin L, Zhang W. Breaks for Precision Medicine in Cancer: Development and Prospects of Spatiotemporal Transcriptomics. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2024; 39:35-45. [PMID: 38181185 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2023.0116] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
With the development of the social economy and the deepening understanding of cancer, cancer has become a significant cause of death, threatening human health. Although researchers have made rapid progress in cancer treatment strategies in recent years, the overall survival of cancer patients is still not optimistic. Therefore, it is essential to reveal the spatial pattern of gene expression, spatial heterogeneity of cell populations, microenvironment interactions, and other aspects of cancer. Spatiotemporal transcriptomics can help analyze the mechanism of cancer occurrence and development, greatly help precise cancer treatment, and improve clinical prognosis. Here, we review the integration strategies of single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics data, summarize the recent advances in spatiotemporal transcriptomics in cancer studies, and discuss the combined application of spatial multiomics, which provides new directions and strategies for the precise treatment and clinical prognosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhong Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Changde City, Changde, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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19
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Fischer A, Alsina-Sanchis E. Disturbed endothelial cell signaling in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102287. [PMID: 38029706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102287] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Growth of new blood vessels is considered requisite to cancer progression. Recent findings revealed that in addition to inducing angiogenesis, tumor-derived factors alter endothelial cell gene transcription within the tumor mass but also systemically throughout the body. This subsequently contributes to immunosuppression, altered metabolism, therapy resistance and metastasis. Clinical studies demonstrated that targeting the endothelium can increase the success rate of immunotherapy. Single-cell technologies revealed remarkable organ-specific endothelial heterogeneity that becomes altered by the presence of a tumor. In metastases, endothelial transcription differs remarkably between newly formed and co-opted vessels which may provide a basis for developing new therapies to target endothelial cells and overcome therapy resistance more effectively. This review addresses how cancers impact the endothelium to facilitate tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Fischer
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Elisenda Alsina-Sanchis
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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20
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Al Hmada Y, Brodell RT, Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Alamodi AA, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Hassan SL, Haikel Y, Megahed M, Santourlidis S, Hassan M. Mechanisms of Melanoma Progression and Treatment Resistance: Role of Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:470. [PMID: 38275910 PMCID: PMC10814963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer, characterized by its heterogeneity and propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor, composed of genetically divergent subpopulations, including a small fraction of melanoma-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and many non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs). CSCs are characterized by their unique surface proteins associated with aberrant signaling pathways with a causal or consequential relationship with tumor progression, drug resistance, and recurrence. Melanomas also harbor significant alterations in functional genes (BRAF, CDKN2A, NRAS, TP53, and NF1). Of these, the most common are the BRAF and NRAS oncogenes, with 50% of melanomas demonstrating the BRAF mutation (BRAFV600E). While the successful targeting of BRAFV600E does improve overall survival, the long-term efficacy of available therapeutic options is limited due to adverse side effects and reduced clinical efficacy. Additionally, drug resistance develops rapidly via mechanisms involving fast feedback re-activation of MAPK signaling pathways. This article updates information relevant to the mechanisms of melanoma progression and resistance and particularly the mechanistic role of CSCs in melanoma progression, drug resistance, and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Al Hmada
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Robert T. Brodell
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Naji Kharouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W. Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Abdulhadi A. Alamodi
- College of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, 310 W Woodrow Wilson Ave Ste 300, Jackson, MS 39213, USA;
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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21
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Fontana F, Sommariva M, Anselmi M, Bianchi F, Limonta P, Gagliano N. Differentiation States of Phenotypic Transition of Melanoma Cells Are Revealed by 3D Cell Cultures. Cells 2024; 13:181. [PMID: 38247872 PMCID: PMC10814891 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is characterized by high metastatic potential favored by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading melanoma cells to exhibit a spectrum of typical EMT markers. This study aimed to analyze the expression of EMT markers in A375 and BLM melanoma cell lines cultured in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids using morphological and molecular methods. The expression of EMT markers was strongly affected by 3D arrangement and revealed a hybrid phenotype for the two cell lines. Indeed, although E-cadherin was almost undetectable in both A375 and BLM cells, cortical actin was detected in A375 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids and was strongly expressed in BLM 3D spheroids. The mesenchymal marker N-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in A375 3D spheroids while undetectable in BLM cells, but vimentin was similarly expressed in both cell lines at the gene and protein levels. This pattern suggests that A375 cells exhibit a more undifferentiated/mesenchymal phenotype, while BLM cells have more melanocytic/differentiated characteristics. Accordingly, the Zeb1 and 2, Slug, Snail and Twist gene expression analyses showed that they were differentially expressed in 2D monolayers compared to 3D spheroids, supporting this view. Furthermore, A375 cells are characterized by a greater invasive potential, strongly influenced by 3D arrangement, compared to the BLM cell line, as evaluated by SDS-zymography and TIMPs gene expression analysis. Finally, TGF-β1, a master controller of EMT, and lysyl oxidase (LOX), involved in melanoma progression, were strongly up-regulated by 3D arrangement in the metastatic BLM cells alone, likely playing a role in the metastatic phases of melanoma progression. Overall, these findings suggest that A375 and BLM cells possess a hybrid/intermediate phenotype in relation to the expression of EMT markers. The former is characterized by a more mesenchymal/undifferentiated phenotype, while the latter shows a more melanocytic/differentiated phenotype. Our results contribute to the characterization of the role of EMT in melanoma cells and confirm that a 3D cell culture model could provide deeper insight into our understanding of the biology of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
| | - Martina Anselmi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Francesca Bianchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
- U. O. Laboratorio Morfologia Umana Applicata, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
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22
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Magrill J, Moldoveanu D, Gu J, Lajoie M, Watson IR. Mapping the single cell spatial immune landscapes of the melanoma microenvironment. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024:10.1007/s10585-023-10252-4. [PMID: 38217840 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10252-4] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly immunogenic malignancy with an elevated mutational burden, diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, and one of the highest response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, over half of all late-stage patients treated with ICIs will either not respond or develop progressive disease. Spatial imaging technologies are being increasingly used to study the melanoma tumor microenvironment (TME). The goal of such studies is to understand the complex interplay between the stroma, melanoma cells, and immune cell-types as well as their association with treatment response. Investigators seeking a better understanding of the role of cell location within the TME and the importance of spatial expression of biomarkers are increasingly turning to highly multiplexed imaging approaches to more accurately measure immune infiltration as well as to quantify receptor-ligand interactions (such as PD-1 and PD-L1) and cell-cell contacts. CyTOF-IMC (Cytometry by Time of Flight - Imaging Mass Cytometry) has enabled high-dimensional profiling of melanomas, allowing researchers to identify complex cellular subpopulations and immune cell interactions with unprecedented resolution. Other spatial imaging technologies, such as multiplexed immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics, have revealed distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration, highlighting the importance of spatial relationships, and their impact in modulating immunotherapy responses. Overall, spatial imaging technologies are just beginning to transform our understanding of melanoma biology, providing new avenues for biomarker discovery and therapeutic development. These technologies hold great promise for advancing personalized medicine to improve patient outcomes in melanoma and other solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Magrill
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dan Moldoveanu
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jiayao Gu
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Lajoie
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ian R Watson
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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23
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Ciriello G, Magnani L, Aitken SJ, Akkari L, Behjati S, Hanahan D, Landau DA, Lopez-Bigas N, Lupiáñez DG, Marine JC, Martin-Villalba A, Natoli G, Obenauf AC, Oricchio E, Scaffidi P, Sottoriva A, Swarbrick A, Tonon G, Vanharanta S, Zuber J. Cancer Evolution: A Multifaceted Affair. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:36-48. [PMID: 38047596 PMCID: PMC10784746 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells adapt and survive through the acquisition and selection of molecular modifications. This process defines cancer evolution. Building on a theoretical framework based on heritable genetic changes has provided insights into the mechanisms supporting cancer evolution. However, cancer hallmarks also emerge via heritable nongenetic mechanisms, including epigenetic and chromatin topological changes, and interactions between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. Recent findings on tumor evolutionary mechanisms draw a multifaceted picture where heterogeneous forces interact and influence each other while shaping tumor progression. A comprehensive characterization of the cancer evolutionary toolkit is required to improve personalized medicine and biomarker discovery. SIGNIFICANCE Tumor evolution is fueled by multiple enabling mechanisms. Importantly, genetic instability, epigenetic reprogramming, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment are neither alternative nor independent evolutionary mechanisms. As demonstrated by findings highlighted in this perspective, experimental and theoretical approaches must account for multiple evolutionary mechanisms and their interactions to ultimately understand, predict, and steer tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ciriello
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Magnani
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Breast Epigenetic Plasticity and Evolution Laboratory, Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Aitken
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Histopathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Leila Akkari
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas Hanahan
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dan A. Landau
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Nuria Lopez-Bigas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Darío G. Lupiáñez
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana Martin-Villalba
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gioacchino Natoli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna C. Obenauf
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisa Oricchio
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Scaffidi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Cancer Epigenetic Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Sottoriva
- Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Giovanni Tonon
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sakari Vanharanta
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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24
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Harrer DC, Lüke F, Pukrop T, Ghibelli L, Gerner C, Reichle A, Heudobler D. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα/γ agonist pioglitazone for rescuing relapsed or refractory neoplasias by unlocking phenotypic plasticity. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1289222. [PMID: 38273846 PMCID: PMC10808445 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1289222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of seven clinical trials on relapsed or refractory (r/r) metastatic neoplasias followed the question: Are networks of ligand-receptor cross-talks that support tumor-specific cancer hallmarks, druggable with tumor tissue editing approaches therapeutically exploiting tumor plasticity? Differential recombinations of pioglitazone, a dual peroxisome-proliferator activated receptorα/γ (PPARα/γ) agonist, with transcriptional modulators, i.e., all-trans retinoic acid, interferon-α, or dexamethasone plus metronomic low-dose chemotherapy (MCT) or epigenetic modeling with azacitidine plus/minus cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition initiated tumor-specific reprogramming of cancer hallmarks, as exemplified by inflammation control in r/r melanoma, renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (mLCH) or differentiation induction in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (non-PML AML). Pioglitazone, integrated in differentially designed editing schedules, facilitated induction of tumor cell death as indicated by complete remission (CR) in r/r non-PML AML, continuous CR in r/r RCCC, mLCH, and in HL by addition of everolimus, or long-term disease control in melanoma by efficaciously controlling metastasis, post-therapy cancer repopulation and acquired cell-resistance and genetic/molecular-genetic tumor cell heterogeneity (M-CRAC). PPARα/γ agonists provided tumor-type agnostic biomodulatory efficacy across different histologic neoplasias. Tissue editing techniques disclose that wide-ranging functions of PPARα/γ agonists may be on-topic focused for differentially unlocking tumor phenotypes. Low-dose MCT facilitates targeted reprogramming of cancer hallmarks with transcriptional modulators, induction of tumor cell death, M-CRAC control and editing of non-oncogene addiction. Thus, pioglitazone, integrated in tumor tissue editing protocols, is an important biomodulatory drug for addressing urgent therapeutic problems, such as M-CRAC in relapsed or refractory tumor disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Lüke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Albrecht Reichle
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Heudobler
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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25
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Xiao H, Shiu J, Chen CF, Wu J, Zhou P, Telang SS, Ruiz-Vega R, Nie Q, Lander AD, Ganesan AK. Uncovering Minimal Pathways in Melanoma Initiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.08.570336. [PMID: 38106189 PMCID: PMC10723457 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.08.570336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanomas are clinically and histologically heterogeneous. Most display activating mutations in Braf or Nras and complete loss of function of one or more tumor suppressor genes. Mouse models that replicate such mutations produce fast-growing, pigmented tumors. However, mice that combine Braf activation with only heterozygous loss of Pten also produce tumors and, as we show here, in an Albino background this occurs even with Braf activation alone. Such tumors arise rarely, grow slowly, and express low levels of pigmentation genes. The timing of their appearance was consistent with a single step stochastic event, but no evidence could be found that it required de novo mutation, suggesting instead the involvement of an epigenetic transition. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed such tumors to be heterogeneous, including a minor cell type we term LNM ( L ow-pigment, N eural- and extracellular M atrix-signature) that displays gene expression resembling "neural crest"-like cell subsets detected in the fast-growing tumors of more heavily-mutated mice, as well as in human biopsy and xenograft samples. We provide evidence that LNM cells pre-exist in normal skin, are expanded by Braf activation, can transition into malignant cells, and persist with malignant cells through multiple rounds of transplantation. We discuss the possibility that LNM cells not only serve as a pre-malignant state in the production of some melanomas, but also as an important intermediate in the development of drug resistance.
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26
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Pozniak J, Pedri D, Landeloos E, Van Herck Y, Antoranz A, Vanwynsberghe L, Nowosad A, Roda N, Makhzami S, Bervoets G, Maciel LF, Pulido-Vicuña CA, Pollaris L, Seurinck R, Zhao F, Flem-Karlsen K, Damsky W, Chen L, Karagianni D, Cinque S, Kint S, Vandereyken K, Rombaut B, Voet T, Vernaillen F, Annaert W, Lambrechts D, Boecxstaens V, Saeys Y, van den Oord J, Bosisio F, Karras P, Shain AH, Bosenberg M, Leucci E, Paschen A, Rambow F, Bechter O, Marine JC. A TCF4-dependent gene regulatory network confers resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma. Cell 2024; 187:166-183.e25. [PMID: 38181739 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.037] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
To better understand intrinsic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), we established a comprehensive view of the cellular architecture of the treatment-naive melanoma ecosystem and studied its evolution under ICB. Using single-cell, spatial multi-omics, we showed that the tumor microenvironment promotes the emergence of a complex melanoma transcriptomic landscape. Melanoma cells harboring a mesenchymal-like (MES) state, a population known to confer resistance to targeted therapy, were significantly enriched in early on-treatment biopsies from non-responders to ICB. TCF4 serves as the hub of this landscape by being a master regulator of the MES signature and a suppressor of the melanocytic and antigen presentation transcriptional programs. Targeting TCF4 genetically or pharmacologically, using a bromodomain inhibitor, increased immunogenicity and sensitivity of MES cells to ICB and targeted therapy. We thereby uncovered a TCF4-dependent regulatory network that orchestrates multiple transcriptional programs and contributes to resistance to both targeted therapy and ICB in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pozniak
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Dennis Pedri
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory for Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewout Landeloos
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Asier Antoranz
- Laboratory of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven and UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Vanwynsberghe
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ada Nowosad
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niccolò Roda
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samira Makhzami
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Bervoets
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lucas Ferreira Maciel
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carlos Ariel Pulido-Vicuña
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Pollaris
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine Group, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ruth Seurinck
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine Group, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fang Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Karine Flem-Karlsen
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 05610, USA
| | - William Damsky
- Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Yale University, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 05610, USA
| | - Limin Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Despoina Karagianni
- Immune Regulation and Tumor Immunotherapy Group, Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Sonia Cinque
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Kint
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katy Vandereyken
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Rombaut
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine Group, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thierry Voet
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Wim Annaert
- Laboratory for Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Yvan Saeys
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine Group, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joost van den Oord
- Laboratory of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Bosisio
- Laboratory of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Hunter Shain
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Departments of Dermatology, Pathology and Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 05610, USA
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annette Paschen
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Applied Computational Cancer Research, Institute for AI in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Oliver Bechter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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27
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Li Z, Yang W, Wu P, Shan Y, Zhang X, Chen F, Yang J, Yang JR. Reconstructing cell lineage trees with genomic barcoding: approaches and applications. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:35-47. [PMID: 37269980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, developmental history of cell divisions and functional annotation of terminal cells can be organized into a cell lineage tree (CLT). The reconstruction of the CLT has long been a major goal in developmental biology and other related fields. Recent technological advancements, especially those in editable genomic barcodes and single-cell high-throughput sequencing, have sparked a new wave of experimental methods for reconstructing CLTs. Here we review the existing experimental approaches to the reconstruction of CLT, which are broadly categorized as either image-based or DNA barcode-based methods. In addition, we present a summary of the related literature based on the biological insight provided by the obtained CLTs. Moreover, we discuss the challenges that will arise as more and better CLT data become available in the near future. Genomic barcoding-based CLT reconstructions and analyses, due to their wide applicability and high scalability, offer the potential for novel biological discoveries, especially those related to general and systemic properties of the developmental process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhang Li
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Department of Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yuyan Shan
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Department of Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Junnan Yang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jian-Rong Yang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Department of Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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28
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Varrone M, Tavernari D, Santamaria-Martínez A, Walsh LA, Ciriello G. CellCharter reveals spatial cell niches associated with tissue remodeling and cell plasticity. Nat Genet 2024; 56:74-84. [PMID: 38066188 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01588-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Tissues are organized in cellular niches, the composition and interactions of which can be investigated using spatial omics technologies. However, systematic analyses of tissue composition are challenged by the scale and diversity of the data. Here we present CellCharter, an algorithmic framework to identify, characterize, and compare cellular niches in spatially resolved datasets. CellCharter outperformed existing approaches and effectively identified cellular niches across datasets generated using different technologies, and comprising hundreds of samples and millions of cells. In multiple human lung cancer cohorts, CellCharter uncovered a cellular niche composed of tumor-associated neutrophil and cancer cells expressing markers of hypoxia and cell migration. This cancer cell state was spatially segregated from more proliferative tumor cell clusters and was associated with tumor-associated neutrophil infiltration and poor prognosis in independent patient cohorts. Overall, CellCharter enables systematic analyses across data types and technologies to decode the link between spatial tissue architectures and cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Varrone
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Tavernari
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Albert Santamaria-Martínez
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Logan A Walsh
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Giovanni Ciriello
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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29
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Fabi F. In Regard to Smart et al. Adv Radiat Oncol 2024; 9:101380. [PMID: 38260221 PMCID: PMC10801637 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- François Fabi
- Département de Radio-Oncologie, CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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30
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PARK MINJI, BANG CHULHWAN, YUN WONSOO, JEONG YUNMI. Low-molecular-weight fucoidan inhibits the proliferation of melanoma via Bcl-2 phosphorylation and PTEN/AKT pathway. Oncol Res 2023; 32:273-282. [PMID: 38186578 PMCID: PMC10765131 DOI: 10.32604/or.2023.044362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fucoidan, a sulfate polysaccharide obtained from brown seaweed, has various bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-Helicobacter pylori properties. However, the effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMW-F) on melanoma cell lines and three dimensional (3D) cell culture models are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LMW-F on A375 human melanoma cells and cryopreserved biospecimens derived from patients with advanced melanoma. Ultrasonic wave was used to fragment fucoidan derived from Fucus vesiculosus into smaller LMW-F. MTT and live/dead assays showed that LMW-F inhibited cell proliferation in both A375 cells and patient-derived melanoma explants in a 3D-printed collagen scaffold. The PTEN/AKT pathway was found to be involved in the anti-melanoma effects of fucoidan. Western blot analysis revealed that LMW-F reduced the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 at Thr 56, which was associated with the prevention of anti-apoptotic activity of cancer cells. Our findings suggested that LMW-F could enhance anti-melanoma chemotherapy and improve the outcomes of patients with melanoma resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- MINJI PARK
- T&R Biofab Co., Ltd., Seongnam-si, 13487, Korea
| | - CHULHWAN BANG
- Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 02706, Korea
| | - WON-SOO YUN
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tech University of Korea, Si-heung City, 15073, Korea
| | - YUN-MI JEONG
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tech University of Korea, Si-heung City, 15073, Korea
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31
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Guo X, Fan A, Qi X, Liu D, Huang J, Lin W. Indoloquinazoline alkaloids suppress angiogenesis and inhibit metastasis of melanoma cells. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106873. [PMID: 37734192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, targeting angiogenesis emerges as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma metastasis. Discovery of new antiangiogenic compounds with specific mechanism of action is still desired. In present study, a bioassay-guidance uncovers the EtOAc extract of a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus clavutus LZD32-24 with significant inhibitory activity against the angiogenesis in Tg (fli1a: EGFP) zebrafish model. Extensive chromatographic fractionation led to the isolation of 48 indoloquinazoline alkaloids, including 21 new analogues namely clavutoines A-U (1-21). Their structures were determined by the spectroscopic data, including the ECD, single crystal X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculation for the configurational assignments. Among the bioactive analogues, quinadoline B (QB) showed the most efficacy to suppress the zebrafish vascular outgrowth in zebrafish embryos. QB markedly inhibited the migration, invasion and tube formation with weak cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Investigation of the mode of action revealed QB suppressed the ROCK/MYPT1/MLC2/coffin and FAK /Src signaling pathways, and subsequently disrupted actin cytoskeletal organization. In addition, QB reduced the number of new vessels sprouting from the ex vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), and inhibited the metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells in lung of C57BL/6 mice through suppressing angiogenesis. These findings suggest that QB is a potential lead for the development of new antiangiogenic agent to inhibit melanoma metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Aili Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xinyi Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Dong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Jian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Wenhan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Ningbo Institute of Marine Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
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32
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Godoy PM, Oyedeji A, Mudd JL, Morikis VA, Zarov AP, Longmore GD, Fields RC, Kaufman CK. Functional analysis of recurrent CDC20 promoter variants in human melanoma. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1216. [PMID: 38030698 PMCID: PMC10686982 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Small nucleotide variants in non-coding regions of the genome can alter transcriptional regulation, leading to changes in gene expression which can activate oncogenic gene regulatory networks. Melanoma is heavily burdened by non-coding variants, representing over 99% of total genetic variation, including the well-characterized TERT promoter mutation. However, the compendium of regulatory non-coding variants is likely still functionally under-characterized. We developed a pipeline to identify hotspots, i.e. recurrently mutated regions, in melanoma containing putatively functional non-coding somatic variants that are located within predicted melanoma-specific regulatory regions. We identified hundreds of statistically significant hotspots, including the hotspot containing the TERT promoter variants, and focused on a hotspot in the promoter of CDC20. We found that variants in the promoter of CDC20, which putatively disrupt an ETS motif, lead to lower transcriptional activity in reporter assays. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated an indel in the CDC20 promoter in human A375 melanoma cell lines and observed decreased expression of CDC20, changes in migration capabilities, increased growth of xenografts, and an altered transcriptional state previously associated with a more proliferative and less migratory state. Overall, our analysis prioritized several recurrent functional non-coding variants that, through downregulation of CDC20, led to perturbation of key melanoma phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Godoy
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abimbola Oyedeji
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Mudd
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vasilios A Morikis
- Departments of Medicine (Oncology) and Cell Biology and Physiology and the ICCE Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Anna P Zarov
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gregory D Longmore
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Departments of Medicine (Oncology) and Cell Biology and Physiology and the ICCE Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles K Kaufman
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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33
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Emmons MF, Bennett RL, Riva A, Gupta K, Carvalho LADC, Zhang C, Macaulay R, Dupéré-Richér D, Fang B, Seto E, Koomen JM, Li J, Chen YA, Forsyth PA, Licht JD, Smalley KSM. HDAC8-mediated inhibition of EP300 drives a transcriptional state that increases melanoma brain metastasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7759. [PMID: 38030596 PMCID: PMC10686983 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanomas can adopt multiple transcriptional states. Little is known about the epigenetic drivers of these cell states, limiting our ability to regulate melanoma heterogeneity. Here, we identify stress-induced HDAC8 activity as driving melanoma brain metastasis development. Exposure of melanocytes and melanoma cells to multiple stresses increases HDAC8 activation leading to a neural crest-stem cell transcriptional state and an amoeboid, invasive phenotype that increases seeding to the brain. Using ATAC-Seq and ChIP-Seq we show that increased HDAC8 activity alters chromatin structure by increasing H3K27ac and enhancing accessibility at c-Jun binding sites. Functionally, HDAC8 deacetylates the histone acetyltransferase EP300, causing its enzymatic inactivation. This, in turn, increases binding of EP300 to Jun-transcriptional sites and decreases binding to MITF-transcriptional sites. Inhibition of EP300 increases melanoma cell invasion, resistance to stress and increases melanoma brain metastasis development. HDAC8 is identified as a mediator of transcriptional co-factor inactivation and chromatin accessibility that drives brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Emmons
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Richard L Bennett
- UF Health Cancer Center, 2033 Mowry Road, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Alberto Riva
- Bioinformatics Core, Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Kanchan Gupta
- UF Health Cancer Center, 2033 Mowry Road, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | | | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Robert Macaulay
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Daphne Dupéré-Richér
- UF Health Cancer Center, 2033 Mowry Road, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics & Metabolomics Core, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Edward Seto
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, 2300 Eye Street, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jiannong Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Y Ann Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- UF Health Cancer Center, 2033 Mowry Road, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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34
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Harmange G, Hueros RAR, Schaff DL, Emert B, Saint-Antoine M, Kim LC, Niu Z, Nellore S, Fane ME, Alicea GM, Weeraratna AT, Simon MC, Singh A, Shaffer SM. Disrupting cellular memory to overcome drug resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7130. [PMID: 37932277 PMCID: PMC10628298 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41811-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression states persist for varying lengths of time at the single-cell level, a phenomenon known as gene expression memory. When cells switch states, losing memory of their prior state, this transition can occur in the absence of genetic changes. However, we lack robust methods to find regulators of memory or track state switching. Here, we develop a lineage tracing-based technique to quantify memory and identify cells that switch states. Applied to melanoma cells without therapy, we quantify long-lived fluctuations in gene expression that are predictive of later resistance to targeted therapy. We also identify the PI3K and TGF-β pathways as state switching modulators. We propose a pretreatment model, first applying a PI3K inhibitor to modulate gene expression states, then applying targeted therapy, which leads to less resistance than targeted therapy alone. Together, we present a method for finding modulators of gene expression memory and their associated cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Harmange
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raúl A Reyes Hueros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dylan L Schaff
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Michael Saint-Antoine
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Laura C Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zijian Niu
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Physics, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shivani Nellore
- Department of Biology, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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35
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Pu Y, Li L, Peng H, Liu L, Heymann D, Robert C, Vallette F, Shen S. Drug-tolerant persister cells in cancer: the cutting edges and future directions. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:799-813. [PMID: 37749382 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cell populations were originally discovered in antibiotic-resistant bacterial biofilms. Similar populations with comparable features have since been identified among cancer cells and have been linked with treatment resistance that lacks an underlying genomic alteration. Research over the past decade has improved our understanding of the biological roles of DTP cells in cancer, although clinical knowledge of the role of these cells in treatment resistance remains limited. Nonetheless, targeting this population is anticipated to provide new treatment opportunities. In this Perspective, we aim to provide a clear definition of the DTP phenotype, discuss the underlying characteristics of these cells, their biomarkers and vulnerabilities, and encourage further research on DTP cells that might improve our understanding and enable the development of more effective anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Li
- Lung Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoning Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lunxu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dominique Heymann
- Nantes Université, CNRS, UMR6286, US2B, Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Caroline Robert
- INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - François Vallette
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Saint-Herblain, France.
- Nantes Université, INSERM, U1307, CRCI2NA, Nantes, France.
| | - Shensi Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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36
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Fazilaty H, Basler K. Reactivation of embryonic genetic programs in tissue regeneration and disease. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1792-1806. [PMID: 37904052 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01526-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic genetic programs are reactivated in response to various types of tissue damage, providing cell plasticity for tissue regeneration or disease progression. In acute conditions, these programs remedy the damage and then halt to allow a return to homeostasis. In chronic situations, including inflammatory diseases, fibrosis and cancer, prolonged activation of embryonic programs leads to disease progression and tissue deterioration. Induction of progenitor identity and cell plasticity, for example, epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, are critical outcomes of reactivated embryonic programs. In this Review, we describe molecular players governing reactivated embryonic genetic programs, their role during disease progression, their similarities and differences and lineage reversion in pathology and discuss associated therapeutics and drug-resistance mechanisms across many organs. We also discuss the diversity of reactivated programs in different disease contexts. A comprehensive overview of commonalities between development and disease will provide better understanding of the biology and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Fazilaty
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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37
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Nowosad A, Marine JC, Karras P. Perivascular niches: critical hubs in cancer evolution. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:897-910. [PMID: 37453870 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.06.010] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Tumors are heterogeneous ecosystems in which cancer cells coexist within a complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). The malignant, stromal, and immune cell compartments establish a plethora of bidirectional cell-cell communication crosstalks that influence tumor growth and metastatic dissemination, which we are only beginning to understand. Cancer cells either co-opt or promote the formation of new blood and lymphatic vessels to cope with their need for nutrients and oxygen. Recent studies have highlighted additional key roles for the tumor vasculature and have identified the perivascular niche as a cellular hub, where intricate and dynamic cellular interactions promote cancer stemness, immune evasion, dormancy, and metastatic spreading. Here, we review these findings, and discuss how they may be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Nowosad
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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38
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Chen S, Zhou Z, Li Y, Du Y, Chen G. Application of single-cell sequencing to the research of tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285540. [PMID: 37965341 PMCID: PMC10641410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing is a technique for detecting and analyzing genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes at the single-cell level, which can detect cellular heterogeneity lost in conventional sequencing hybrid samples, and it has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity and complexity of tumor progression. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the formation, development and response to treatment of tumors. The application of single-cell sequencing has ushered in a new age for the TME analysis, revealing not only the blueprint of the pan-cancer immune microenvironment, but also the heterogeneity and differentiation routes of immune cells, as well as predicting tumor prognosis. Thus, the combination of single-cell sequencing and the TME analysis provides a unique opportunity to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development and progression. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in single-cell sequencing and the TME analysis, highlighting their potential applications in cancer research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Guoan Chen
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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39
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Khan SU, Fatima K, Malik F, Kalkavan H, Wani A. Cancer metastasis: Molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108522. [PMID: 37661054 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108522] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic progression combined with non-responsiveness towards systemic therapy often shapes the course of disease for cancer patients and commonly determines its lethal outcome. The complex molecular events that promote metastasis are a combination of both, the acquired pro-metastatic properties of cancer cells and a metastasis-permissive or -supportive tumor micro-environment (TME). Yet, dissemination is a challenging process for cancer cells that requires a series of events to enable cancer cell survival and growth. Metastatic cancer cells have to initially detach themselves from primary tumors, overcome the challenges of their intravasal journey and colonize distant sites that are suited for their metastases. The implicated obstacles including anoikis and immune surveillance, can be overcome by intricate intra- and extracellular signaling pathways, which we will summarize and discuss in this review. Further, emerging modulators of metastasis, like the immune-microenvironment, microbiome, sublethal cell death engagement, or the nervous system will be integrated into the existing working model of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Kaneez Fatima
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Halime Kalkavan
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Abubakar Wani
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, United States.
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Purwin TJ, Caksa S, Sacan A, Capparelli C, Aplin AE. Gene signature reveals decreased SOX10-dependent transcripts in malignant cells from immune checkpoint inhibitor-resistant cutaneous melanomas. iScience 2023; 26:107472. [PMID: 37636077 PMCID: PMC10450419 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence is mounting for cross-resistance between immune checkpoint and targeted kinase inhibitor therapies in cutaneous melanoma patients. Since the loss of the transcription factor, SOX10, causes tolerance to MAPK pathway inhibitors, we used bioinformatic techniques to determine if reduced SOX10 expression/activity is associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. We integrated SOX10 ChIP-seq, knockout RNA-seq, and knockdown ATAC-seq data from melanoma cell models to develop a robust SOX10 gene signature. We used computational methods to validate this signature as a measure of SOX10-dependent activity in independent single-cell and bulk RNA-seq SOX10 knockdown, cell line panel, and MAPK inhibitor drug-resistant datasets. Evaluation of patient single-cell RNA-seq data revealed lower levels of SOX10-dependent transcripts in immune checkpoint inhibitor-resistant tumors. Our results suggest that SOX10-deficient melanoma cells are associated with cross-resistance between targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors and highlight the need to identify therapeutic strategies that target this subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Purwin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Signe Caksa
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ahmet Sacan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Claudia Capparelli
- Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Andrew E. Aplin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Mahmoud A, Ganesh K. Mouse Models of Metastasis and Dormancy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023:a041386. [PMID: 37696656 PMCID: PMC10925556 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is the ultimate and often lethal stage of cancer. Metastasis occurs in three phases that may vary across individuals: First, dissemination from the primary tumor. Second, tumor dormancy at the metastatic site where micrometastatic cancer cells remain quiescent or, in dynamic cycles of proliferation and elimination, remaining clinically undetectable. Finally, cancer cells are able to overcome microenvironmental constraints for outgrowth, or the formation of clinically detectable macrometastases that colonize distant organs and are largely incurable. A variety of approaches have been used to model metastasis to elucidate molecular mechanisms and identify putative therapeutic targets. In particular, metastatic dormancy has been challenging to model in vivo due to the sparse numbers of cancer cells in micrometastasis nodules and the long latency times required for tumor outgrowth. Here, we review state-of-the art genetically engineered mouse, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft approaches for modeling metastasis and dormancy. We describe the advantages and limitations of various metastasis models, novel findings enabled by such approaches, and highlight opportunities for future improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mahmoud
- Program in Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Karuna Ganesh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
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42
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Subhadarshini S, Sahoo S, Debnath S, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Dynamical modeling of proliferative-invasive plasticity and IFNγ signaling in melanoma reveals mechanisms of PD-L1 expression heterogeneity. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006766. [PMID: 37678920 PMCID: PMC10496669 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenotypic heterogeneity of melanoma cells contributes to drug tolerance, increased metastasis, and immune evasion in patients with progressive disease. Diverse mechanisms have been individually reported to shape extensive intra-tumor and inter-tumor phenotypic heterogeneity, such as IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition, but how their crosstalk impacts tumor progression remains largely elusive. METHODS Here, we integrate dynamical systems modeling with transcriptomic data analysis at bulk and single-cell levels to investigate underlying mechanisms behind phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma and its impact on adaptation to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. We construct a minimal core regulatory network involving transcription factors implicated in this process and identify the multiple 'attractors' in the phenotypic landscape enabled by this network. Our model predictions about synergistic control of PD-L1 by IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition were validated experimentally in three melanoma cell lines-MALME3, SK-MEL-5 and A375. RESULTS We demonstrate that the emergent dynamics of our regulatory network comprising MITF, SOX10, SOX9, JUN and ZEB1 can recapitulate experimental observations about the co-existence of diverse phenotypes (proliferative, neural crest-like, invasive) and reversible cell-state transitions among them, including in response to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These phenotypes have varied levels of PD-L1, driving heterogeneity in immunosuppression. This heterogeneity in PD-L1 can be aggravated by combinatorial dynamics of these regulators with IFNγ signaling. Our model predictions about changes in proliferative to invasive transition and PD-L1 levels as melanoma cells evade targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were validated in multiple RNA-seq data sets from in vitro and in vivo experiments. CONCLUSION Our calibrated dynamical model offers a platform to test combinatorial therapies and provide rational avenues for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. This improved understanding of crosstalk among PD-L1 expression, proliferative to invasive transition and IFNγ signaling can be leveraged to improve the clinical management of therapy-resistant and metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Shibjyoti Debnath
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Wang Y, Liu B, Zhao G, Lee Y, Buzdin A, Mu X, Zhao J, Chen H, Li X. Spatial transcriptomics: Technologies, applications and experimental considerations. Genomics 2023; 115:110671. [PMID: 37353093 PMCID: PMC10571167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The diverse cell types of an organ have a highly structured organization to enable their efficient and correct function. To fully appreciate gene functions in a given cell type, one needs to understand how much, when and where the gene is expressed. Classic bulk RNA sequencing and popular single cell sequencing destroy cell structural organization and fail to provide spatial information. However, the spatial location of gene expression or of the cell in a complex tissue provides key clues to comprehend how the neighboring genes or cells cross talk, transduce signals and work together as a team to complete the job. The functional requirement for the spatial content has been a driving force for rapid development of the spatial transcriptomics technologies in the past few years. Here, we present an overview of current spatial technologies with a special focus on the commercially available or currently being commercialized technologies, highlight their applications by category and discuss experimental considerations for a first spatial experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang 110042, China
| | - Gexin Zhao
- UCLA Technology Center for Genomics & Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 650 Charles E Young Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - YooJin Lee
- UCLA Technology Center for Genomics & Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 650 Charles E Young Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anton Buzdin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia; World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Xiaofeng Mu
- Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Joseph Zhao
- UCLA Technology Center for Genomics & Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 650 Charles E Young Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 142, Sanfu Street, Xiangfang District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province 150036, China
| | - Xinmin Li
- UCLA Technology Center for Genomics & Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 650 Charles E Young Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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44
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Giraulo C, Turiello R, Orlando L, Leonardelli S, Landsberg J, Belvedere R, Rolshoven G, Müller CE, Hölzel M, Morello S. The CD73 is induced by TGF-β1 triggered by nutrient deprivation and highly expressed in dedifferentiated human melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115225. [PMID: 37517292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115225] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CD73 is the key enzyme in the generation of extracellular adenosine, a mediator involved in tumor progression, tumor immune escape and resistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. Microenvironmental conditions influence the expression of CD73 in tumor cells. However how CD73 expression and activity is regulated in a stress condition of lower nutrient availability are largely unknown. Our results indicate that serum starvation leads to a marked up-regulation of CD73 expression on A375 melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner. The cell-surface expression of CD73 is associated with an increased release of TGF-β1 by starved cells. Blockade of TGF-β1 receptors or TGFβ/SMAD3 signaling pathway significantly reduce the expression of CD73 induced by starvation. Treatment of cells with rTGF-β1 up-regulates the expression of CD73 in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming the role of this pathway in regulating CD73 in melanoma A375 cells. The increased expression of CD73 is associated with enhanced AMPase activity, which is selectively reduced by inhibitors of CD73 activity, APCP and PSB-12489. Pharmacological blockade of CD73 significantly inhibits invasion of melanoma cells in a transwell system. Furthermore, using multiplex immunofluorescence imaging we found that, within human melanoma metastases, tumor cells at the dedifferentiated stage show the highest CD73 protein expression. In summary, our data provide new insights into the mechanism regulating the expression/activity of CD73 in melanoma cells in a condition of lower availability of nutrients, which is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. Within human metastatic melanoma tissues elevated protein expression of CD73 is associated with an invasive-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Giraulo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Roberta Turiello
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lavinia Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy; PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sonia Leonardelli
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Georg Rolshoven
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
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45
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Arumi-Planas M, Rodriguez-Baena FJ, Cabello-Torres F, Gracia F, Lopez-Blau C, Nieto MA, Sanchez-Laorden B. Microenvironmental Snail1-induced immunosuppression promotes melanoma growth. Oncogene 2023; 42:2659-2672. [PMID: 37516803 PMCID: PMC10473961 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer due to its high metastatic abilities and resistance to therapies. Melanoma cells reside in a heterogeneous tumour microenvironment that acts as a crucial regulator of its progression. Snail1 is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factor expressed during development and reactivated in pathological situations including fibrosis and cancer. In this work, we show that Snail1 is activated in the melanoma microenvironment, particularly in fibroblasts. Analysis of mouse models that allow stromal Snail1 depletion and therapeutic Snail1 blockade indicate that targeting Snail1 in the tumour microenvironment decreases melanoma growth and lung metastatic burden, extending mice survival. Transcriptomic analysis of melanoma-associated fibroblasts and analysis of the tumours indicate that stromal Snail1 induces melanoma growth by promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a decrease in anti-tumour immunity. This study unveils a novel role of Snail1 in melanoma biology and supports its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francisco Gracia
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | | | - M Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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46
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Filipp FV. Spatial Cancer Systems Biology Resolves Heterotypic Interactions and Identifies Disruption of Spatial Hierarchy as a Pathological Driver Event. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1342-1347. [PMID: 37455062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian V Filipp
- Cancer Systems Biology, Institute of Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany; School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 3, Freising, Germany; Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 3, Freising, Germany; Metaflux, San Diego, California, USA.
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47
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Grafanaki K, Grammatikakis I, Ghosh A, Gopalan V, Olgun G, Liu H, Kyriakopoulos GC, Skeparnias I, Georgiou S, Stathopoulos C, Hannenhalli S, Merlino G, Marie KL, Day CP. Noncoding RNA circuitry in melanoma onset, plasticity, and therapeutic response. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 248:108466. [PMID: 37301330 PMCID: PMC10527631 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma, the cancer of the melanocyte, is the deadliest form of skin cancer with an aggressive nature, propensity to metastasize and tendency to resist therapeutic intervention. Studies have identified that the re-emergence of developmental pathways in melanoma contributes to melanoma onset, plasticity, and therapeutic response. Notably, it is well known that noncoding RNAs play a critical role in the development and stress response of tissues. In this review, we focus on the noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and other small RNAs, for their functions in developmental mechanisms and plasticity, which drive onset, progression, therapeutic response and resistance in melanoma. Going forward, elucidation of noncoding RNA-mediated mechanisms may provide insights that accelerate development of novel melanoma therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Grafanaki
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Ioannis Grammatikakis
- Cancer Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arin Ghosh
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vishaka Gopalan
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gulden Olgun
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Huaitian Liu
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George C Kyriakopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Ilias Skeparnias
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sophia Georgiou
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | | | - Sridhar Hannenhalli
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kerrie L Marie
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Chi-Ping Day
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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48
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Pérez-González A, Bévant K, Blanpain C. Cancer cell plasticity during tumor progression, metastasis and response to therapy. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1063-1082. [PMID: 37537300 PMCID: PMC7615147 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00595-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell plasticity represents the ability of cells to be reprogrammed and to change their fate and identity, enabling homeostasis restoration and tissue regeneration following damage. Cell plasticity also contributes to pathological conditions, such as cancer, enabling cells to acquire new phenotypic and functional features by transiting across distinct cell states that contribute to tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Here, we review the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms driving cell plasticity that promote tumor growth and proliferation as well as metastasis and drug tolerance. Finally, we discuss how cell plasticity could be exploited for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pérez-González
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Bévant
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
- WELBIO, ULB, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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49
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Cheng C, Chen W, Jin H, Chen X. A Review of Single-Cell RNA-Seq Annotation, Integration, and Cell-Cell Communication. Cells 2023; 12:1970. [PMID: 37566049 PMCID: PMC10417635 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating cellular biology at an unprecedented resolution, enabling the characterization of cellular heterogeneity, identification of rare but significant cell types, and exploration of cell-cell communications and interactions. Its broad applications span both basic and clinical research domains. In this comprehensive review, we survey the current landscape of scRNA-seq analysis methods and tools, focusing on count modeling, cell-type annotation, data integration, including spatial transcriptomics, and the inference of cell-cell communication. We review the challenges encountered in scRNA-seq analysis, including issues of sparsity or low expression, reliability of cell annotation, and assumptions in data integration, and discuss the potential impact of suboptimal clustering and differential expression analysis tools on downstream analyses, particularly in identifying cell subpopulations. Finally, we discuss recent advancements and future directions for enhancing scRNA-seq analysis. Specifically, we highlight the development of novel tools for annotating single-cell data, integrating and interpreting multimodal datasets covering transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics, and inferring cellular communication networks. By elucidating the latest progress and innovation, we provide a comprehensive overview of the rapidly advancing field of scRNA-seq analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changde Cheng
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
| | - Wenan Chen
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (W.C.); (H.J.)
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (W.C.); (H.J.)
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
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Priantti JN, Vilbert M, Madeira T, Moraes FCA, Hein ECK, Saeed A, Cavalcante L. Efficacy and Safety of Rechallenge with BRAF/MEK Inhibitors in Advanced Melanoma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3754. [PMID: 37568570 PMCID: PMC10417341 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rechallenging advanced melanoma patients with BRAFi/MEKi. Seven studies, accounting for 400 patients, were included. Most patients received immunotherapy before the rechallenge, and 79% underwent rechallenge with the combination of BRAFi/MEKi. We found a median progression-free survival of 5 months and overall survival of 9.8 months. The one-year survival rate was 42.63%. Regarding response, ORR was 34% and DCR 65%. There were no new or unexpected safety concerns. Rechallenge with BRAFi/MEKi can improve outcomes in advanced melanoma patients with refractory disease. These findings have significant implications for clinical practice, particularly in the setting of progressive disease in later lines and limited treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Priantti
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Amazonas-UFAM, Manaus 69020-160, AM, Brazil
| | - Maysa Vilbert
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Thiago Madeira
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Erica C Koch Hein
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ludimila Cavalcante
- Department of Medical Oncology, Novant Health Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA
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