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Brunsvig PF, Guren TK, Nyakas M, Steinfeldt-Reisse CH, Rasch W, Kyte JA, Juul HV, Aamdal S, Gaudernack G, Inderberg EM. Long-Term Outcomes of a Phase I Study With UV1, a Second Generation Telomerase Based Vaccine, in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:572172. [PMID: 33324397 PMCID: PMC7726017 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.572172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a target antigen for cancer immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have tested a novel hTERT vaccine, UV1, designed to give high population coverage. UV1 is composed of three synthetic long peptides containing multiple epitopes identified by epitope spreading data from long-term survivors from previous hTERT vaccination trials. Eighteen non-HLA-typed patients with stage III/IV NSCLC with no evidence of progression after prior treatments, were enrolled in a phase I dose-escalation study of UV1 vaccination with GM-CSF as adjuvant, evaluating safety, immune response, and long-term clinical outcome. Treatment with UV1 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events observed. Seventeen patients were evaluable for tumor response; 15 patients had stable disease as best response. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.7 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 28.2 months. The OS at 4 years was 39% (7/18). Five patients are alive (median survival 5.6 years), and none of these are known to have received checkpoint therapy after vaccination. UV1 induced specific T-cell responses in the majority (67%) of patients. Immune responses were dynamic and long lasting. Both immune response (IR) and OS were dose related. More patients in the highest UV1 dosage group (700 μg) developed IRs compared to the other groups, and the IRs were stronger and occurred earlier. Patients in this group had a 4-year OS of 83%. The safety and clinical outcome data favor 700 μg as the preferred UV1 dose in this patient population. These results provide a rationale for further clinical studies in NSCLC with UV1 vaccination in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. Clinical Trial Registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT0178909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paal F Brunsvig
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tormod Kyrre Guren
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marta Nyakas
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hedvig Vidarsdotter Juul
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Hiyama E, Hiyama K. Telomerase detection in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Cytotechnology 2011; 45:61-74. [PMID: 19003244 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-004-5126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2004] [Accepted: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, a critical enzyme responsible 'for cellular immortality, is usually repressed in somatic cells except for lymphocytes and self-renewal cells, but is activated in approximately 85% of human cancer tissues. The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic component of human telomerase. In cancers in which telomerase activation occurs at the early stages of the disease, telomerase activity and hTERT expression are useful markers for the detection of cancer cells. In other cancers in which telomerase becomes upregulated upon tumor progression, they are useful as prognostic indicators. However, careful attention should be paid to false-negative results caused by the instability of telomerase and of the hTERT mRNA and the presence of PCR inhibitors, as well as to false-positive results caused by the presence of alternatively spliced hTERT mRNA and normal cells with telomerase activity. Recently, methods for the in situ detection of the hTERT mRNA and protein have been developed. These methods should facilitate the unequivocal detection of cancer cells, even in tissues containing a background of normal telomerase-positive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiso Hiyama
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, RIRBM, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan,
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3
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Fritz H, Kennedy D, Fergusson D, Fernandes R, Doucette S, Cooley K, Seely A, Sagar S, Wong R, Seely D. Vitamin A and retinoid derivatives for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta analysis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21107. [PMID: 21738614 PMCID: PMC3124481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite reported antiproliferative activity of vitamin A and its common use for cancer, there is no comprehensive synthesis of its safety and efficacy in lung cancers. To address this issue we conducted a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of vitamin A for the treatment and prevention of lung cancers. METHODS AND FINDINGS Two independent reviewers searched six electronic databases from inception to July 2009 for clinical, observational, and preclinical evidence pertaining to the safety and efficacy of vitamin A and related retinoids for lung cancers. 248 studies were included for full review and analysis. Five RCTs assessed treatment of lung cancers, three assessed primary prevention, and three looked at secondary prevention of lung cancers. Five surrogate studies, 26 phase I/II, 32 observational, and 67 preclinical studies were also included. 107 studies were included for interactions between vitamin A and chemo- or radiation-therapy. Although some studies demonstrated benefits, there was insufficient evidence overall to support the use of vitamin A or related retinoids for the treatment or prevention of lung cancers. Retinyl palmitate combined with beta carotene increased risk of lung cancer in smokers in the large CARET trial. Pooling of three studies pertaining to treatment and three studies on secondary prevention revealed no significant effects on response rate, second primary tumor, recurrence, 5-year survival, and mortality. There was a small improvement in event free survival associated with vitamin A compared to controls, RR 1.24 (95% CI 1.13-1.35). The synthetic rexinoid bexarotene increased survival significantly among a subset of patients in two RCTs (p<0.014, <0.087). CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of evidence to support the use of naturally occurring retinoids for the treatment and prevention of lung cancers. The rexinoid bexarotene may hold promise for use among a subset of patients, and deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Fritz
- Department of Research and Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah Kennedy
- Department of Research and Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rochelle Fernandes
- Department of Research and Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP), The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steve Doucette
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kieran Cooley
- Department of Research and Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Seely
- Department of Surgery, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Sagar
- Department of Medicine, Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raimond Wong
- Department of Medicine, Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dugald Seely
- Department of Research and Epidemiology, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Wang L, Wang LE, Mao L, Spitz MR, Wei Q. A functional variant of tandem repeats in human telomerase gene was associated with survival of patients with early stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:3779-85. [PMID: 20466886 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Elevated levels of human telomerase (hTERT) mRNA in tumors is a marker for poorer survival in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A functional variant of MNS16A-short tandem repeats in hTERT (S allele) is associated with higher expression levels of hTERT mRNA compared with the MNS16A-long (L) allele. It is unknown, however, whether or not the hTERT MNS16A variant genotype predicts survival of NSCLC patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The hTERT genotypes of 808 patients with NSCLC were determined by direct PCR with genomic DNA. Overall median survival times were estimated by the life-table method, and the log-rank test was used to test for homogeneity of the survival curves. Both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between survival time and the hTERT genotype as well as other known risk factors. RESULTS The hTERT variant genotype was not associated with overall survival among the 808 patients. However, among 221 patients with stage I or II NSCLC, the S allele was associated with shorter survival time (P = 0.027, by log-rank test). The adjusted hazard ratios were 1.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.79-2.14; P = 0.310) for the SL-genotype and 2.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.20-4.56, P = 0.012) for the SS-genotype compared with the LL-genotype (P = 0.021 for trend test). These findings were not evident in 587 patients with stage III or IV NSCLC. CONCLUSION The functional MNS16A-SS genotype may be a marker for poorer survival in early-stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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5
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Basak SK, Veena MS, Oh S, Huang G, Srivatsan E, Huang M, Sharma S, Batra RK. The malignant pleural effusion as a model to investigate intratumoral heterogeneity in lung cancer. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5884. [PMID: 19536353 PMCID: PMC2697051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) may be useful as a model to study hierarchical progression of cancer and/or intratumoral heterogeneity. To strengthen the rationale for developing the MPE-model for these purposes, we set out to find evidence for the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in MPE and demonstrate an ability to sustain intratumoral heterogeneity in MPE-primary cultures. Our studies show that candidate lung CSC-expression signatures (PTEN, OCT4, hTERT, Bmi1, EZH2 and SUZ12) are evident in cell pellets isolated from MPE, and MPE-cytopathology also labels candidate-CSC (CD44, cMET, MDR-1, ALDH) subpopulations. Moreover, in primary cultures that use MPE as the source of both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), candidate CSC are maintained over time. This allows us to live-sort candidate CSC-fractions from the MPE-tumor mix on the basis of surface markers (CD44, c-MET, uPAR, MDR-1) or differences in xenobiotic metabolism (ALDH). Thus, MPE-primary cultures provide an avenue to extract candidate CSC populations from individual (isogenic) MPE-tumors. This will allow us to test whether these cells can be discriminated in functional bioassays. Tumor heterogeneity in MPE-primary cultures is evidenced by variable immunolabeling, differences in colony-morphology, and differences in proliferation rates of cell subpopulations. Collectively, these data justify the ongoing development of the MPE-model for the investigation of intratumoral heterogeneity, tumor-TME interactions, and phenotypic validation of candidate lung CSC, in addition to providing direction for the pre-clinical development of rational therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj K. Basak
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Mysore S. Veena
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Scott Oh
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ge Huang
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eri Srivatsan
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Min Huang
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Sherven Sharma
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Raj K. Batra
- Wadsworth Stem Cell Institute, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS*), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu Z, Zhang Y, Hua YF, Covey JM, Benbrook DM, Chan KK. Metabolism of a sulfur-containing heteroarotionoid antitumor agent, SHetA2, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2008; 22:3371-3381. [PMID: 18837006 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.3744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
SHetA2 {[(4-nitrophenyl)amino][2,2,4,4-tetramethylthiochroman-6-yl)amino]methanethione], NSC 726189}, a sulfur-containing heteroarotinoid, selectively inhibits cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis without activation of nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). The objective of this study was to investigate its in vitro metabolism in rat and human liver microsomes and in vivo metabolism in the mouse and rat using liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/multi-stage mass spectrometry (LC-UV/MS(n)) on an ion-trap mass spectrometer coupled with a photo-diode array (PDA) detector. In vitro, in the absence of glutathione (GSH), oxidation of the four aliphatic methyl groups of SHetA2 yielded one mono-, two di-, and one tri-hydroxylated SHetA2 metabolites, which were identified based on their UV and multi-stage mass spectra. In the presence of GSH, in addition to these primary oxidative metabolites, four GSH adducts of SHetA2 and a novel rare form thioether GSH adduct was detected and characterized. In vivo, the monohydroxylated SHetA2 metabolites were also detected in mouse and rat plasma and two GSH adducts were detected in rat liver following intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of SHetA2 at 40 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongfa Liu
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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7
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Das A, Banik NL, Ray SK. N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide induced both differentiation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cells. Brain Res 2008; 1227:207-15. [PMID: 18602901 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2008] [Revised: 06/10/2008] [Accepted: 06/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) is a synthetic retinoid that has shown biological activity against several malignant tumors and minimal side effects in humans. To explore the mechanisms underlying the chemotherapeutic effects of 4-HPR in glioblastoma, we used two human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cell lines. In situ methylene blue staining showed the morphological features of astrocytic differentiation in glioblastoma cells following exposure to 1 microM and 2 microM 4-HPR for a short duration (24 h). Astrocytic differentiation was associated with an increase in expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and downregulation of telomerase. Wright staining and ApopTag assay indicated appearance of apoptotic features in glioblastoma cells following exposure to 1 microM and 2 microM 4-HPR for a long duration (72 h). We found that 4-HPR caused apoptosis with activation of caspase-8 and cleavage of Bid to truncated Bid (tBid). Besides, apoptosis was associated with alterations in expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins resulting in an increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and Smac, downregulation of selective baculoviral inhibitor-of-apoptosis repeat containing (BIRC) molecules, an increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], and activation of calpain and caspase-3. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that 4-HPR could be used at low doses for induction of both differentiation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabinda Das
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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8
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Can CYP1A1 siRNA be an effective treatment for lung cancer? Cell Mol Biol Lett 2008; 13:240-9. [PMID: 18161011 PMCID: PMC6275798 DOI: 10.2478/s11658-007-0050-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Revised: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we identified a novel correlation between the upregulated expression of telomerase (hTERT) and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in A549 human lung cancer cell line. The expression correlation was confirmed by silencing CYP1A1 expression using siRNA technology and observing a silencing of hTERT transcription. Furthermore, silencing CYP1A1 and subsequently downregulating hTERT resulted in the reduction of cancer cell viability by more than 40%, which appeared as early as 24 hours after the treatment. The concomitant downregulation of CYP1A1 and hTERT resulted in rapid cell death. This finding can be further exploited to develop new molecular targets for the treatment of lung cancer.
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9
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Yim HW, Slebos RJC, Randell SH, Umbach DM, Parsons AM, Rivera MP, Detterbeck FC, Taylor JA. Smoking is associated with increased telomerase activity in short-term cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells. Cancer Lett 2007; 246:24-33. [PMID: 16517060 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2006.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2005] [Revised: 01/17/2006] [Accepted: 01/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase plays an important role in the maintenance of telomere ends in normal and tumor cells and ectopic expression can immortalize human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. We assessed telomerase activation, growth properties and methylation status in the hTERT promoter in a panel of HBE cell cultures in relation to smoking and previous lung cancer history. HBE cells were obtained from a total of 26 subjects, six of whom were lifelong non-smokers, while 20 subjects had a smoking history, including seven who had lung carcinoma. Telomerase activity was determined using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Maximum passage number and time to senescence were also determined through extended culturing. The distribution of the telomerase activity between ever-smokers and never-smokers was significantly different (P=0.03, F-test), and there was a strong correlation between telomerase activity and the number of pack-years smoked (P=0.0012, F-test for slope). A small difference in telomerase activity was observed according to lung cancer status (P=0.02, F-test). Telomerase activity was not correlated with maximum passage number after extended culturing or with time to senescence. None of the HBE cultures demonstrated methylation of the hTERT promoter. Our results indicate an association between tobacco carcinogen exposure and telomerase activity in normal bronchial epithelium, although a causative role of tobacco smoking in the (re)activation of telomerase can not be proven. An increase in telomerase activity in normal bronchial epithelium might extend the lifespan of cells at risk for malignant transformation, and thus contribute to lung carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Woo Yim
- Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Miura N, Nakamura H, Sato R, Tsukamoto T, Harada T, Takahashi S, Adachi Y, Shomori K, Sano A, Kishimoto Y, Ito H, Hasegawa J, Shiota G. Clinical usefulness of serum telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA as a novel tumor marker for lung cancer. Cancer Sci 2006; 97:1366-73. [PMID: 17052260 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2006.00342.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a newly developed assay of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in serum by real-time RT-PCR, we previously reported this assay to be superior to other tumor markers for hepatoma. In this study, we aimed to clarify its clinical significance as a biomarker for lung cancer. In 112 patients with lung tumor and 80 individuals without cancer, we measured serum hTERT mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA levels, using a quantitative one-step real-time RT-PCR assay. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis, its clinical significance in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlation with the clinical parameters using multivariate analyses and correlation relative tests. The copy number of serum hTERT mRNA was independently correlated with tumor size, tumor number, presence of metastasis and recurrence, and smoking (all P < 0.05). EGFR mRNA correlated with tumor number and clinical stage (both P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis were 89.0% and 72.7% for hTERT mRNA, and 71.3% and 80.0% for EGFR mRNA, respectively. hTERT mRNA was superior to other tumor markers in lung cancer diagnosis. For both mRNAs, serum levels were significantly correlated with levels in lung cancer tissues (both P < 0.05). The copy number of hTERT mRNA significantly decreased after the surgical treatment. The data suggest that hTERT mRNA, especially when combined with EGFR mRNA, is a novel and excellent biomarker for pulmonary malignancies to diagnose and assess the clinical stage.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma/secondary
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/secondary
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/secondary
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/secondary
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary
- Disease Progression
- ErbB Receptors/genetics
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis
- Neoplasm Staging
- Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
- Prognosis
- RNA, Messenger/blood
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/blood
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Telomerase/genetics
- Telomerase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimasa Miura
- Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Nishicho 86, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan.
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11
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Lippman SM, Lee JJ, Martin JW, El-Naggar AK, Xu X, Shin DM, Thomas M, Mao L, Fritsche HA, Zhou X, Papadimitrakopoulou V, Khuri FR, Tran H, Clayman GL, Hittelman WN, Hong WK, Lotan R. Fenretinide Activity in Retinoid-Resistant Oral Leukoplakia. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:3109-14. [PMID: 16707609 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-2636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that the retinamide N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide) would be clinically active potentially via receptor-independent apoptosis and receptor-dependent effects in natural retinoid-resistant oral leukoplakia patients--the first test of this hypothesis in any in vivo setting. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A phase II trial of fenretinide (200 mg/d for 3 months) in oral leukoplakia patients who had not responded (de novo resistance) or who had responded and then relapsed (acquired resistance) to previous treatment with natural retinoids. We analyzed apoptosis via the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling in situ DNA fragmentation assay. RESULTS We accrued 35 evaluable patients with retinoid-resistant oral leukoplakia, 12 (34.3%) had partial responses to fenretinide (95% confidence interval, 19.2-52.4%), and response was associated with acquired resistance to natural retinoids (P = 0.015, Fisher's exact test). Nine responders progressed within 9 months of stopping fenretinide. Toxicity was minimal and compliance was excellent. Mean apoptosis values (SE) increased from 0.35% (0.25%) at baseline to 1.18% (0.64%) at 3 months (P = 0.001, sign test); this increase did not correlate with clinical response. The increases in 3-month mean serum concentrations of fenretinide (0.23 micromol/L) and N-(4-methoxyphenyl)retinamide (0.57 micromol/L) correlated with decreased retinol concentrations [Spearman correlation coefficient of -0.57 (P = 0.001) and -0.43 (P = 0.01), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose fenretinide was clinically active and produced a small increase in apoptosis in retinoid-resistant oral leukoplakia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Lippman
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
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12
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Wang L, Wei Q, Wang LE, Aldape KD, Cao Y, Okcu MF, Hess KR, El-Zein R, Gilbert MR, Woo SY, Prabhu SS, Fuller GN, Bondy ML. Survival prediction in patients with glioblastoma multiforme by human telomerase genetic variation. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24:1627-32. [PMID: 16575014 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.04.0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive glioma with the poorest survival. Use of biomarkers for screening patients with GBM may be used to modify treatments and improve outcomes. The level of human telomerase (hTERT) expression is an independent predictor of outcome of many cancers, and a functional variant of hTERT MNS16A (shorter tandem repeats or short [S] allele) is associated with increased hTERT mRNA expression. We investigated whether hTERT MNS16A variant genotype predicted survival in GBM patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We genotyped hTERT MNS16A in 299 GBM patients using polymerase chain reaction and determined hTERT genotype by classifying the DNA band of 243 or 272 base pairs (bp) as S allele and 302 or 333 bp as long (L) allele. We compared overall survival using Kaplan-Meier estimates and equality of survival distributions using the log-rank test, and we computed univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the effects of selected variables. RESULTS Overall survival differed significantly by hTERT MNS16A genotype, with median survivals of 25.1, 14.7, and 14.6 months for the SS, SL, and LL genotypes, respectively. Compared with the SS genotype, the hazard ratios for the SL and LL genotypes were 1.69 and 1.87, respectively, after adjustment for other factors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed an independent statistically significant association between the hTERT MNS16A variant genotype and outcome. CONCLUSION A functional hTERT MNS16A genotype is a potential biomarker for assessment of survival outcome of GBM. Larger studies are needed to verify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230-1439, USA
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13
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Dutu T, Michiels S, Fouret P, Penault-Llorca F, Validire P, Benhamou S, Taranchon E, Morat L, Grunenwald D, Le Chevalier T, Sabatier L, Soria JC. Differential expression of biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma: a comparative study between smokers and never-smokers. Ann Oncol 2005; 16:1906-14. [PMID: 16219624 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdi408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small-cell lung cancer arising in never-smokers is usually of adenocarcinoma subtype. The oncogenic pathway of such tumors is poorly understood. To better define the biological characteristics of these tumors, we have compared the expression of a panel of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related biomarkers in lung adenocarcinomas from smokers versus those in never-smokers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using immunohistochemical analysis, we retrospectively analyzed EGFR, pAKT, PTEN, Ki-67, p27 and hTERT expression in specimens from 190 patients with completely resected lung adenocarcinomas (43 never-smokers and 147 smokers). These analyses were performed on tissue microarrays. RESULTS EGFR expression was higher in tumors from smokers (P < 0.01), while pAKT was overexpressed mainly in tumors from never-smokers (P = 0.01). As expected, the tumors from smokers presented a higher expression of Ki-67 and a more frequent loss of expression of p27 (P < 0.01). In a multivariate model, two biological factors (p27 and Ki-67) and two clinical factors (age and sex) showed independent significant correlation with never-smoking status. CONCLUSIONS Lung adenocarcinomas in never-smokers have a very distinct immunohistochemical expression profile of EGFR-related biomarkers as compared with lung adenocarcinomas in smokers. High levels of EGFR and Ki-67 are observed in smokers, while never-smokers are characterized by high levels of pAKT and p27.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Dutu
- Department of Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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14
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van Zandwijk N. Chemoprevention in lung carcinogenesis--an overview. Eur J Cancer 2005; 41:1990-2002. [PMID: 16112567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2005.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2005] [Revised: 05/20/2005] [Accepted: 05/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer ranks among the most commonly occurring malignancies and is currently the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. This is due to its late diagnosis and relative resistance to standard oncological treatment approaches. The heavy burden of lung cancer and its treatment resistance have elicited an intense interest in the promising approach of chemoprevention. Chemoprevention is defined as a pharmacologic intervention to suppress or reverse the carcinogenic process and the lung is one of the most studied sites for cancer chemoprevention. This review, with a short update on pulmonary carcinogenesis, will summarize the available knowledge of chemoprevention trials and agents with a preventive potential in the 'lung field'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico van Zandwijk
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, The Netherlands.
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15
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Miyazu YM, Miyazawa T, Hiyama K, Kurimoto N, Iwamoto Y, Matsuura H, Kanoh K, Kohno N, Nishiyama M, Hiyama E. Telomerase Expression in Noncancerous Bronchial Epithelia Is a Possible Marker of Early Development of Lung Cancer. Cancer Res 2005; 65:9623-7. [PMID: 16266979 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-0976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Centrally located lung cancers in smokers frequently associated with subsequent primary tumors. We evaluated the telomerase expression chronologically in noncancerous epithelia as a risk factor of susceptibility to lung cancer development. Telomerase protein expression was examined in situ by immunohistochemistry in 26 noncancerous bronchial epithelia adjacent to centrally located early-stage lung cancers in sequential 23 patients treated by photodynamic therapy or surgery among 206 patients who underwent autofluorescence bronchoscopy from 1997 to 2003. Among the 15 lesions in 12 patients treated by photodynamic therapy alone, 11 lesions achieved complete remission after photodynamic therapy, and none of their noncancerous bronchial epithelia was telomerase positive. On the contrary, in the remaining four lesions, either recurrence or secondary lung cancer developed adjacent to the successfully treated primary cancer within 26 months, and the telomerase protein expression in noncancerous epithelia was detected before the secondary cancer development (P < 0.001). The overall relationship of human telomerase reverse transcriptase positivity in noncancerous epithelia and subsequent lung cancer development, including patients treated by radiation or surgery, showed higher significance (P < 0.0001). Histologically “normal” bronchial epithelia in smokers may unphysiologically express telomerase as a field, and such epithelia are likely susceptible to develop lung cancer. We propose that ectopic expression of telomerase in bronchial epithelia may precede transformation in human lung cancer development and that detection of telomerase protein in noncancerous bronchial epithelia will become a useful marker detecting high-risk patients for lung cancer development.
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16
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Lantuejoul S, Soria JC, Morat L, Lorimier P, Moro-Sibilot D, Sabatier L, Brambilla C, Brambilla E. Telomere Shortening and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Preinvasive Bronchial Lesions. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:2074-82. [PMID: 15756034 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-1376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex whose activity is related to the expression of its catalytic subunit human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), restores telomere length in tumor cells and enables immortality after p53/Rb inactivation has been achieved. To determine the timing of hTERT derepression during bronchial carcinogenesis and its relationship with telomere shortening and the p53/Rb pathway alterations, we did an immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study in preinvasive and invasive bronchial lesions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN hTERT, P53, P16, cyclin D1, Bax-to-Bcl2 ratio, and Ki67 immunostainings were done in 106 preneoplastic lesions and in paired lung carcinoma and normal bronchial mucosae. Concomitantly, hTERT mRNA levels and qualitative telomere shortening were assessed by in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization, respectively, in a subset of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. RESULTS Telomerase was increasingly expressed from normal epithelium to squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, and decreased in invasive carcinoma (P < 0.0001), with a direct correlation between protein and mRNA levels of expression (P < 0.0001). hTERT expression was directly correlated with P53, Ki67, and Bcl2-to-Bax ratio, suggesting a coupling between telomerase reactivation, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. Telomere signals significantly decreased as early as squamous metaplasia and progressively increased over the spectrum of preneoplastic lesions. CONCLUSIONS Telomere shortening represents an early genetic abnormality in bronchial carcinogenesis, preceding telomerase expression and p53/Rb inactivation, which predominate in high-grade preinvasive lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Lantuejoul
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Albert Michallon, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
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Malone W, Perloff M, Crowell J, Sigman C, Higley H. Fenretinide: a prototype cancer prevention drug. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2005; 12:1829-42. [PMID: 14585058 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.12.11.1829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Fenretinide (N-4-hydroxyphenylretinamide [4-HPR]) is a synthetic retinoid that has been examined in in vitro assays, preclinical animal models and clinical trials as a cancer chemopreventive agent. Its pharmacology, toxicity and mechanisms of action initially suggested an increased therapeutic index relative to native retinoids for the control of tumours of the breast, prostate, bladder, colon, cervix and head and neck. Although fenretinide at the doses and schedules used in several pivotal Phase II and III clinical trials has not been proven to be efficacious in reducing the incidence of cancer or in retarding the development of preneoplastic lesions, encouraging observations regarding unanticipated preventative activity, such as for ovarian cancer control, have arisen from these studies. Research in cancer therapy and the elucidation of molecular pathways activated by fenretinide have also yielded clues about how this agent might be better used in a prevention setting. Current trials are underway to re-examine both dose and schedule of fenretinide administration as well as the target tissues of interest. Investigations of potential synergism between fenretinide and other candidate chemopreventative molecules with complementary mechanisms of action may support future assessments of this prototype cancer prevention drug or its newer analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfred Malone
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention, Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Bethesda, MD, USA
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18
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Lu C, Soria JC, Tang X, Xu XC, Wang L, Mao L, Lotan R, Kemp B, Bekele BN, Feng L, Hong WK, Khuri FR. Prognostic Factors in Resected Stage I Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Multivariate Analysis of Six Molecular Markers. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22:4575-83. [PMID: 15542809 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2004.01.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To analyze the prognostic significance of six molecular biomarkers (death-associated protein kinase [DAPK] promoter methylation, interleukin-10 [IL-10] protein expression, cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] mRNA expression, human telomerase reverse transcriptase catalytic subunit [hTERT] mRNA expression, retinoic acid receptor-beta [RAR-β] mRNA expression, and K-ras mutational status) in stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Patients and Methods Biomarker analyses were performed on tumors from 94 patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent surgical resection at our institution. A minimum follow-up period of 5 years was required. DAPK methylation was assessed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RAR-β, COX-2, and hTERT mRNA levels were determined by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled antisense riboprobes. K-ras mutation status was determined by the PCR–primer introduced restriction with enrichment for mutant alleles method. IL-10 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antihuman IL-10 antibody. Cancer-specific survival was analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model. To identify independent prognostic factors, a stepwise selection method was used. Results DAPK methylation, IL-10 lack of expression, COX-2 expression, hTERT expression, RAR-β expression, and K-ras mutations were observed in 46.8%, 29.8%, 59.6%, 34.0%, 23.4%, and 34.0% of patients, respectively. In the final model, DAPK methylation and IL-10 lack of expression were significant negative prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival, whereas COX-2 expression was of borderline significance. Conclusion In this cohort of resected stage I NSCLC patients, molecular markers that independently predict cancer-specific survival have been identified. The prognostic roles of DAPK methylation, IL-10, and other biomarkers in NSCLC merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Lu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
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Winterhalder RC, Hirsch FR, Kotantoulas GK, Franklin WA, Bunn PA. Chemoprevention of lung cancer--from biology to clinical reality. Ann Oncol 2004; 15:185-96. [PMID: 14760107 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdh051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in developed countries and throughout the world. Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer and ex-smokers today comprise approximately 50% of all new lung cancer cases. Chemoprevention builds on the concepts of field of cancerization and multistep carcinogenesis and can be defined as the use of natural or chemical compounds to prevent, inhibit or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. So far, chemoprevention studies in lung cancer have failed to reduce lung cancer mortality. New developments in biotechnology have made it possible to define more accurately high-risk populations, make earlier diagnosis possible, and allow more specific targeted therapies to be developed. Both the development and validation of biomarkers, for the selection of high-risk study populations and for response evaluation in chemoprevention studies, are important for the faster turnover of studies evaluating new agents. This article reviews the current status and describes the perspectives for new approaches in the chemoprevention of lung cancer.
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20
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Lantuejoul S, Soria JC, Moro-Sibilot D, Morat L, Veyrenc S, Lorimier P, Brichon PY, Sabatier L, Brambilla C, Brambilla E. Differential expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in lung tumours. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:1222-9. [PMID: 15026805 PMCID: PMC2410220 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase is a ribonucleoprotein that synthesises telomeric sequences, which decrease at each cell division. In cancer cells, its activity is linked to telomere maintenance leading to unlimited cellular proliferation and immortality. To evaluate the prognostic value of the catalytic subunit telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), we analysed its expression by immunohistochemistry in 122 formalin-fixed lung tumours including 42 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 43 adenocarcinoma (ADC), 19 basaloid carcinoma (BC) and 18 small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) in comparison with detection of hTERT mRNA by in situ hybridisation and relative telomerase activity by TRAP assay in a subset of tumours. We observed a high concordance between hTERT protein expression and detection of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity. Telomerase expression varied according to histology (P=0.0002) being significantly lower in ADC than in SCC, BC and SCLC (P<0.0001). Adenocarcinoma and SCC exhibited either a nuclear or a nucleolar staining in contrast with a diffuse nuclear staining observed in most BC and all SCLC (P=0.01). In stage I NSCLC telomerase expression was lower than in other stages (P=0.04), and a nucleolar staining was correlated with a short survival (P=0.03). We concluded that telomerase expression and pattern are distinctive among histopathological classes of lung cancer and convey prognostic influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lantuejoul
- Service de Pathologie Cellulaire, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - J C Soria
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie DSV-DRR CEA Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - D Moro-Sibilot
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - L Morat
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie DSV-DRR CEA Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - S Veyrenc
- Service de Pathologie Cellulaire, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - P Lorimier
- Service de Pathologie Cellulaire, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - P Y Brichon
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - L Sabatier
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie DSV-DRR CEA Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - C Brambilla
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
| | - E Brambilla
- Service de Pathologie Cellulaire, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
- Lung Cancer Research Group INSERM U 578, Institut A Bonniot, CHU Michallon Grenoble, France
- Service de Pathologie Cellulaire, CHU A. Michallon, BP 217 Cedex 9, 38043 Grenoble, France. E-mail:
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Abstract
The statistics on lung cancer form a powerful argument to develop new methods to control this most deadly form of cancer. Chemoprevention is one of these new approaches. Carcinogens from cigarette smoke form the link between nicotine addiction and lung cancer. At the same time it has become increasingly clear that dietary and genetically determined factors play an important role in modulating the individual susceptibility and are linked to the chemoprevention approach. In spite of many positive pre-clinical observations, most of the experiences with potential chemopreventive agents such as retinoids and antioxidants in individuals at risk for lung cancer have been negative so far. Moreover, beta-carotene was associated with an increased lung cancer incidence in two large randomized studies, most likely due to negative interaction with cigarette smoke. The recent progress in diagnostic techniques and molecular biology has led to a new paradigm for chemoprevention and there is considerable optimism regarding the potential of new molecules and antibodies that target specific cellular receptors or mutations. This article reviews the lung cancer chemoprevention efforts of the last two decades and also gives prospects for the next coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico van Zandwijk
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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22
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Varella-Garcia M, Kittelson J, Schulte AP, Vu KO, Wolf HJ, Zeng C, Hirsch FR, Byers T, Kennedy T, Miller YE, Keith RL, Franklin WA. Multi-target interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization assay increases sensitivity of sputum cytology as a predictor of lung cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 28:244-51. [PMID: 15350627 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdp.2004.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2004] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Survival rates for lung cancer are low because patients have disseminated disease at diagnosis; therefore tests for early diagnosis are highly desirable. This pilot study investigated occurrence of chromosomal aneusomy in sputum from a 33 case-control cohort matched on age, gender, and date of sample collection. Subjects had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and > or = 30 pack-years of tobacco use, and aneusomy was tested using a multi-target DNA FISH assay (LAVysion, Abbott/Vysis). In specimens collected within 12 months of lung cancer diagnosis, abnormality was more frequent among the 18 cases (41%) than the 17 controls (6%; P = 0.04). Aneusomy had no significant association with cytologic atypia, which might indicate that molecular and morphological changes could be independent markers of tumorigenesis. Combining both tests, abnormality was found in 83% of the cases and 20% of the controls (P = 0.0004) suggesting that FISH may improve the sensitivity of cytologic atypia as a predictor of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marileila Varella-Garcia
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Cancer Center, Campus Box B188, Denver 80262, USA.
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Wang L, Soria JC, Chang YS, Lee HY, Wei Q, Mao L. Association of a functional tandem repeats in the downstream of human telomerase gene and lung cancer. Oncogene 2003; 22:7123-9. [PMID: 14562040 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chemoprevention has been widely explored as a promising strategy for controlling the incidence of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related death. To maximize the benefit of lung cancer chemoprevention, it is important to identify individuals at high risk for the disease. The genetic background has been shown to play an important role in one's risk of developing lung cancer. We report here the identification of a polymorphic tandem repeats minisatellite (termed MNS16A) in the downstream region of the human telomerase gene. This minisatellite is located upstream of an antisense transcript from the human telomerase gene locus and was demonstrated to have promoter activity. The promoter activity was significantly lower in the construct containing the shorter repeats, suggesting that the MNS16A variant may have a relevance of functionality. To explore the role of this novel polymorphism in lung cancer, we conducted a pilot hospital-based case-control study by identifying the MNS16A genotype with genomic DNA from 53 lung cancer patients and 72 cancer-free controls. We found four different alleles and classified them as shorter (S) or longer (L) on the functional basis of the length of the repeats in the controls. The MNS16A genotype distributions of the SS, SL, and LL genotypes were 11, 32, and 57%, respectively, in the cases, and 14, 40, and 46%, respectively, in the controls. Compared with the SS+SL genotype, the LL genotype was associated with greater than twofold increased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio=2.18; 95% confidence interval=0.92, 5.20) after adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, and smoking status, suggesting a potential role of MNS16A in lung cancer susceptibility. Larger studies are needed to verify our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Wang
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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24
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Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Tobacco is an addictive agent producing carcinogenic effects that have been extremely difficult to prevent or detect in a curable stage. Important randomized controlled studies have been published in "healthy" smokers (primary prevention); patients with early lesions, such as mucosal dysplasia/metaplasia (secondary prevention); and those who have already had definitive treatment for their first tobacco-related malignancy (tertiary prevention). To date, the results have been generally disappointing. It is critical to remember that lung cancer is usually diagnosed decades after the patient has begun or even stopped smoking. We must intervene with more effective agents or combinations of agents and do it earlier in the process of carcinogenesis. Approximately 10% of patients with lung cancer either never smoked or only were "passive" smokers due to their environment, workplace. These "never-smokers" may actually benefit from retinoids, while current smokers have not benefited from alpha-tocopherol, retinal, N-acetylcysteine, or isotretinoin. Smokers are actually harmed by the concurrent use of beta-carotene. We now have unprecedented knowledge regarding the control of cellular growth and senescence. New diagnostic tools also allow detection of smaller lesions. We must use all our knowledge of the cancer biology, new risk models, more refined intermediate markers, and modern detection tools to focus more clearly on the pathology of lung cancer and design research to ask more probing and relevant questions so we can begin to put an end to the worldwide scourge of this terrible killer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Karp
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
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25
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Ma Y, Koza-Taylor PH, DiMattia DA, Hames L, Fu H, Dragnev KH, Turi T, Beebe JS, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. Microarray analysis uncovers retinoid targets in human bronchial epithelial cells. Oncogene 2003; 22:4924-32. [PMID: 12894236 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Retinoids, the natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, have a role in cancer treatment and prevention. There is a need to reveal mechanisms that account for retinoid response or resistance. This study identified candidate all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) target genes linked to growth suppression in BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. Microarray analyses were performed using Affymetrix arrays. A total of 11 RA-induced species were validated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western or Northern analyses. Three of these species were novel candidate RA-target genes in human bronchial epithelial cells. These included: placental bone morphogenetic protein (PLAB), polyamine oxidase isoform 1 (PAOh1) and E74-like factor 3 (ELF3). Expression patterns were studied in RA-resistant BEAS-2B-R1 cells. In BEAS-2B-R1 cells, RA dysregulated the expression of the putative lymphocyte G0/G1 switch gene (G0S2), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2), inhibitor of DNA binding 1(Id1), fos-like antigen 1 (FOSL1), transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), PLAB, PAOh1 and ELF3, while prominent induction of insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein 6 (IGFBP6) still occurred. In summary, this study identified 11 candidate RA-target genes in human bronchial epithelial cells including three novel species. Expression studies in BEAS-2B-R1 cells indicated that several were directly implicated in RA signaling, since their aberrant expression was linked to RA resistance of human bronchial epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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26
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Horikawa I, Barrett JC. Transcriptional regulation of the telomerase hTERT gene as a target for cellular and viral oncogenic mechanisms. Carcinogenesis 2003; 24:1167-76. [PMID: 12807729 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgg085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant transformation from mortal, normal cells to immortal, cancer cells is generally associated with activation of telomerase and subsequent telomere maintenance. A major mechanism to regulate telomerase activity in human cells is transcriptional control of the telomerase catalytic subunit gene, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Several transcription factors, including oncogene products (e.g. c-Myc) and tumor suppressor gene products (e.g. WT1 and p53), are able to control hTERT transcription when over-expressed, although it remains to be determined whether a cancer-associated alteration of these factors is primarily responsible for the hTERT activation during carcinogenic processes. Microcell-mediated chromosome transfer experiments have provided evidence for endogenous factors that function to repress the telomerase activity in normal cells and are inactivated in cancer cells. At least one of those endogenous telomerase repressors, which is encoded by a putative tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 3p, acts through transcriptional repression of the hTERT gene. The hTERT gene is also a target site for viruses frequently associated with human cancers, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). HPV E6 protein contributes to keratinocyte immortalization and carcinogenesis through trans-activation of the hTERT gene transcription. In at least some hepatocellular carcinomas, the hTERT gene is a non-random integration site of HBV genome, which activates in cis the hTERT transcription. Thus, a variety of cellular and viral oncogenic mechanisms converge on transcriptional control of the hTERT gene. Regulation of chromatin structure through the modification of nucleosomal histones may mediate the action of these cellular and viral mechanisms. Further elucidation of the hTERT transcriptional regulation, including identification and characterization of the endogenous repressor proteins, should lead to better understanding of the complex regulation of human telomerase in normal and cancer cells and may open up new strategies for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Horikawa
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Cancer, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 37, Room 5046, MSC-4264, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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27
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Romeo MS, Sokolova IA, Morrison LE, Zeng C, Barón AE, Hirsch FR, Miller YE, Franklin WA, Varella-Garcia M. Chromosomal abnormalities in non-small cell lung carcinomas and in bronchial epithelia of high-risk smokers detected by multi-target interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. J Mol Diagn 2003; 5:103-12. [PMID: 12707375 PMCID: PMC1907319 DOI: 10.1016/s1525-1578(10)60459-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human lung carcinogenesis is accompanied by complex chromosomal changes that may be detected in interphase cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay using recently developed multitarget DNA probes. Touch preparations of 20 non-small cell lung carcinomas, sputum specimens from 3 patients with lung cancer and from 11 ex-smokers without lung cancer, and cultured benign bronchial epithelium of 42 high-risk smokers, 9 of whom had concurrent invasive carcinoma, were tested using a four-color FISH probe (LAVysion) targeting centromere 6, 5p15.2, 7p12 (EGFR), and 8q24 (MYC). Significantly high frequencies of abnormal cells were found in each of the 20 NSCLC (100%) and in the 3 sputum specimens from lung cancer patients. None of the cytologically normal sputa contained FISH abnormalities. Cultured bronchial epithelial cells from 11 of 42 patients (26%) were abnormal for at least one probe. Abnormal FISH patterns had no association with gender, presence of tumor or histology. Multicolor FISH can readily detect chromosomal abnormalities in imprints and sputa from lung carcinomas. Chromosomal aneusomy is also frequent in bronchial epithelial cells from long-term smokers. The prognostic significance of the multicolor LAVysion FISH probe set should be validated in a controlled clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Santos Romeo
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA
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Soria JC, Xu X, Liu DD, Lee JJ, Kurie J, Morice RC, Khuri F, Mao L, Hong WK, Lotan R. Retinoic acid receptor beta and telomerase catalytic subunit expression in bronchial epithelium of heavy smokers. J Natl Cancer Inst 2003; 95:165-8. [PMID: 12529350 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/95.2.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta) and telomerase catalytic subunit (human telomerase reverse transcriptase [hTERT]) was analyzed in 285 bronchial biopsy specimens from 53 heavy cigarette smokers and four former smokers by using in situ hybridization. Of the 191 biopsy specimens that were positive for RAR beta, 69% expressed hTERT, whereas only 54% of the 94 RAR beta negative biopsy specimens expressed hTERT (P =.014). Because hTERT expression in bronchial tissue has been previously associated with increased risk of lung cancer, the association between RAR beta and hTERT expression suggests that RAR beta expression may be an indicator of increased risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Charles Soria
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA
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Tyczynski JE, Bray F, Parkin DM. Lung cancer in Europe in 2000: epidemiology, prevention, and early detection. Lancet Oncol 2003; 4:45-55. [PMID: 12517539 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(03)00960-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. In men, the highest incidence rates are seen in Europe (especially eastern Europe) and North America. In women, high incidence rates are found in North America and in Europe, particularly in northern and western Europe. It is estimated that there were about 375000 cases of lung cancer in Europe in 2000; 303000 in men and 72000 in women. The number of resulting deaths was about 347000 (280000 in men and 67000 in women). Tobacco smoking is well established as the main cause of lung cancer and about 90% of cases are thought to be tobacco related. There is a clear dose-response relation between lung-cancer risk and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, degree of inhalation, and age at initiation of smoking. Someone who has smoked all their life has a lung-cancer risk 20-30 times greater than a non-smoker. However, risk of lung cancer decreases with time since smoking cessation. Recently, there has been renewed interest in screening because spiral computerised tomography can detect small asymptomatic lesions more effectively than conventional radiography. Although cure rates for such lesions are very good, there is to date no evidence for effectiveness of mass-screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy E Tyczynski
- Unit of Descriptive Epidemiology, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
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Abstract
Our understanding of the molecular pathology of lung cancer is advancing rapidly with several specific genes and chromosomal regions being identified. Lung cancer appears to require many mutations in both dominant and recessive oncogenes to possess malignant phenotypes. Several genetic and epigenetic changes are common to all lung cancer histologic types, while others appear to be cell type specific. However, specific roles of the genes undergoing mutations and the order of cumulative molecular changes that lead to the development of each lung tumor histologic type remain to be fully elucidated. Recent findings of molecular abnormalities in normal appearing and preneoplastic bronchial epithelium from patients with lung cancer and chronic smokers suggest that genetic changes may serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis, risk assessment and monitoring response to chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio I Wistuba
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, P.O. Box 114-D, Chile
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Ramachandran C, Fonseca HB, Jhabvala P, Escalon EA, Melnick SJ. Curcumin inhibits telomerase activity through human telomerase reverse transcritpase in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Cancer Lett 2002; 184:1-6. [PMID: 12104041 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(02)00192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory effect of curcumin, the yellow-colored pigment from turmeric, on telomerase activity was analyzed in human mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Telomerase activity in MCF-7 cells is 6.9-fold higher than that of human mammary epithelial cells. In MCF-7 cells, telomerase activity decreased with increasing concentrations of curcumin, inhibiting about 93.4% activity at 100 microM concentration. The inhibition of telomerase activity in MCF-7 cells may be due to down-regulation of hTERT expression. Increasing concentrations of curcumin caused a steady decrease in the level of hTERT mRNA in MCF-7 cells whereas the level of hTER and c-myc mRNAs remained the same. Our results suggest that curcumin inhibits telomerase activity by down-regulating hTERT expression in breast cancer cells and this down-regulation is not through the c-myc pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheppail Ramachandran
- Department of Pathology, Miami Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, FL 33155, USA.
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Abstract
Despite extensive effort in improvement of diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung cancer in past three decades, the overall survival of patients with the disease remains dismal. Because the development of lung cancer takes a few decades, early diagnosis of the disease or identification of truly high-risk populations may provide us opportunity to successfully cure or prevent the disease. Recent advances in understanding biological basis of lung tumorigenesis provide new tools for detecting malignant cells or the process of malignant transformation and progression. Along with identification of molecular abnormalities in the early lung tumorigenesis, advanced molecular analytic technologies have been emerged, which may facilitate development of rapid and effective methods for early diagnosis and risk assessment. Here, I discuss recent progresses in understanding of early molecular abnormalities in lung cancer, efforts of translating laboratory findings to clinical tests, and prospective of biomarkers in lung cancer diagnosis and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Mao
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
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Abstract
Among all cancers, lung cancer has the highest rate of mortality in the western world, both in men and women. The poor lung cancer survival rates argue powerfully for new approaches to control this disease, such as chemoprevention, which has been defined as the use of agents that reverse, suppress, or prevent lung carcinogenesis. Over 80% of lung cancers are attributed to tobacco and carcinogens from cigarette smoke, which unquestionably links nicotine addiction and lung cancer. Epidemiologic studies show that not more than 15% of heavy smokers will ultimately develop lung cancer. That 85% of heavy smokers will not develop lung cancer points to differences in susceptibility. Diet and genetically determined factors seem to play an important role in modulating individual susceptibility and are closely linked to the chemoprevention approach. Despite encouraging data from experimental and epidemiologic studies, the evidence for a positive effect in the human situation is still controversial. However, recent developments in molecular biology and increased insight in lung carcinogenesis have led to the potential of more specifically targeted intervention and optimism for new, successful chemopreventive approaches.
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Mao L. Molecular abnormalities in lung carcinogenesis and their potential clinical implications. Lung Cancer 2001; 34 Suppl 2:S27-34. [PMID: 11720738 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(01)00341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Development of lung cancer is multistep and requires accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. Modern molecular technology has facilitated a rapid and effective identification of these genetic alterations as well as epigenetic alterations. The determination of molecular alterations in the early tumorigenic process of the lung will not only extend our understanding of the underlying biology but also provide molecular markers for cancer risk assessment, early detection, and molecular classification. In this article, I will discuss the common molecular abnormalities in lung cancer and how these abnormalities may be used as biomarkers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mao
- The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, FC9.3014, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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