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Craig S, Stretch C, Farshidfar F, Sheka D, Alabi N, Siddiqui A, Kopciuk K, Park YJ, Khalil M, Khan F, Harvey A, Bathe OF. A clinically useful and biologically informative genomic classifier for papillary thyroid cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1220617. [PMID: 37772080 PMCID: PMC10523308 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1220617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of papillary thyroid cancer depends on estimations of prognosis. Standard care, which relies on prognostication based on clinicopathologic features, is inaccurate. We applied a machine learning algorithm (HighLifeR) to 502 cases annotated by The Cancer Genome Atlas Project to derive an accurate molecular prognostic classifier. Unsupervised analysis of the 82 genes that were most closely associated with recurrence after surgery enabled the identification of three unique molecular subtypes. One subtype had a high recurrence rate, an immunosuppressed microenvironment, and enrichment of the EZH2-HOTAIR pathway. Two other unique molecular subtypes with a lower rate of recurrence were identified, including one subtype with a paucity of BRAFV600E mutations and a high rate of RAS mutations. The genomic risk classifier, in addition to tumor size and lymph node status, enabled effective prognostication that outperformed the American Thyroid Association clinical risk stratification. The genomic classifier we derived can potentially be applied preoperatively to direct clinical decision-making. Distinct biological features of molecular subtypes also have implications regarding sensitivity to radioactive iodine, EZH2 inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Craig
- Department of Surgery, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Stretch
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Farshad Farshidfar
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dropen Sheka
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nikolay Alabi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ashar Siddiqui
- O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Karen Kopciuk
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moosa Khalil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Faisal Khan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- OncoHelix, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adrian Harvey
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Oliver F. Bathe
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Research and Development, Qualisure Diagnostics Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada
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2
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Jin ML, Jeong KW. Histone modifications in drug-resistant cancers: From a cancer stem cell and immune evasion perspective. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-01014-z. [PMID: 37394580 PMCID: PMC10394043 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01014-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and immune evasion of cancer stem cells (CSCs) limit the efficacy of currently available anticancer therapies. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic reprogramming regulates the expression of characteristic marker proteins and tumor plasticity associated with cancer cell survival and metastasis in CSCs. CSCs also possess unique mechanisms to evade external attacks by immune cells. Hence, the development of new strategies to restore dysregulated histone modifications to overcome cancer resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy has recently attracted attention. Restoring abnormal histone modifications can be an effective anticancer strategy to increase the therapeutic effect of conventional chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs by weakening CSCs or by rendering them in a naïve state with increased sensitivity to immune responses. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the role of histone modifiers in the development of drug-resistant cancer cells from the perspectives of CSCs and immune evasion. In addition, we discuss attempts to combine currently available histone modification inhibitors with conventional chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li Jin
- Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Won Jeong
- Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea.
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3
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de Mello DC, Saito KC, Cristovão MM, Kimura ET, Fuziwara CS. Modulation of EZH2 Activity Induces an Antitumoral Effect and Cell Redifferentiation in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097872. [PMID: 37175580 PMCID: PMC10178714 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and lethal form of thyroid cancer that requires urgent investigation of new molecular targets involved in its aggressive biology. In this context, the overactivation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2/EZH2, which induces chromatin compaction, is frequently observed in aggressive solid tumors, making the EZH2 methyltransferase a potential target for treatment. However, the deregulation of chromatin accessibility is yet not fully investigated in thyroid cancer. In this study, EZH2 expression was modulated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and pharmacologically inhibited with EZH2 inhibitor EPZ6438 alone or in combination with the MAPK inhibitor U0126. The results showed that CRISPR/Cas9-induced EZH2 gene editing reduced cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and resulted in a 90% reduction in tumor growth when EZH2-edited cells were injected into an immunocompromised mouse model. Immunohistochemistry analysis of the tumors revealed reduced tumor cell proliferation and less recruitment of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the EZH2-edited tumors compared to the control tumors. Moreover, EZH2 inhibition induced thyroid-differentiation genes' expression and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in ATC cells. Thus, this study shows that targeting EZH2 could be a promising neoadjuvant treatment for ATC, as it promotes antitumoral effects in vitro and in vivo and induces cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Claro de Mello
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Kelly Cristina Saito
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcella Maringolo Cristovão
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Edna Teruko Kimura
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Cesar Seigi Fuziwara
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Zhang K, Wang J, He Z, Qiu X, Sa R, Chen L. Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040559. [PMID: 37111316 PMCID: PMC10142462 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040559] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although biologically targeted therapies based on key oncogenic mutations have made significant progress in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, the challenges of drug resistance are urging us to explore other potentially effective targets. Herein, epigenetic modifications in thyroid cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, chromatin remodeling and RNA alterations, are reviewed and epigenetic therapeutic agents for the treatment of thyroid cancer, such as DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibitors, HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors, BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4) inhibitors, KDM1A (lysine demethylase 1A) inhibitors and EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) inhibitors, are updated. We conclude that epigenetics is promising as a therapeutic target in thyroid cancer and further clinical trials are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Junyao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ziyan He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xian Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin St., Changchun 130021, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
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Liu Y, Wang J, Hu X, Pan Z, Xu T, Xu J, Jiang L, Huang P, Zhang Y, Ge M. Radioiodine therapy in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: Resistance and overcoming strategy. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100939. [PMID: 36806005 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine tumor and its incidence is fast-growing worldwide in recent years. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common pathological subtype which is typically curable with surgery and Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy (approximately 85%). Radioactive iodine is the first-line treatment for patients with metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC). However, 60% of patients with aggressive metastasis DTC developed resistance to RAI treatment and had a poor overall prognosis. The molecular mechanisms of RAI resistance include gene mutation and fusion, failure to transport RAI into the DTC cells, and interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, it is unclear whether the above are the main drivers of the inability of patients with DTC to benefit from iodine therapy. With the development of new biological technologies, strategies that bolster RAI function include TKI-targeted therapy, DTC cell redifferentiation, and improved drug delivery via extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged. Despite some promising data and early success, overall survival was not prolonged in the majority of patients, and the disease continued to progress. It is still necessary to understand the genetic landscape and signaling pathways leading to iodine resistance and enhance the effectiveness and safety of the RAI sensitization approach. This review will summarize the mechanisms of RAI resistance, predictive biomarkers of RAI resistance, and the current RAI sensitization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Liu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zongfu Pan
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tong Xu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liehao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Minghua Ge
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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6
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Liao Q, Yang J, Ge S, Chai P, Fan J, Jia R. Novel insights into histone lysine methyltransferases in cancer therapy: From epigenetic regulation to selective drugs. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:127-141. [PMID: 36908859 PMCID: PMC9999304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The reversible and precise temporal and spatial regulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) is essential for epigenome homeostasis. The dysregulation of KMTs is associated with tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, invasiveness, and the immune microenvironment. Therapeutically, their promising effects are being evaluated in diversified preclinical and clinical trials, demonstrating encouraging outcomes in multiple malignancies. In this review, we have updated recent understandings of KMTs' functions and the development of their targeted inhibitors. First, we provide an updated overview of the regulatory roles of several KMT activities in oncogenesis, tumor suppression, and immune regulation. In addition, we summarize the current targeting strategies in different cancer types and multiple ongoing clinical trials of combination therapies with KMT inhibitors. In summary, we endeavor to depict the regulation of KMT-mediated epigenetic landscape and provide potential epigenetic targets in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
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7
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Branigan GP, Casado-Medrano V, O’Neill AB, Ricarte-Filho JC, Massoll N, Salwen M, Spangler Z, Scheerer M, Williamson EK, Bauer AJ, Franco AT. Development of Novel Murine BRAF V600E-Driven Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines for Modeling of Disease Progression and Preclinical Evaluation of Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:879. [PMID: 36765847 PMCID: PMC9913801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cancer Genome Atlas study in thyroid cancer exposed the genomic landscape of ~500 PTCs and revealed BRAFV600E-mutant tumors as having different prognosis, contrasting indolent cases and those with more invasive disease. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of six novel BRAFV600E-driven papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines established from a BrafV600E+/-/Pten+/-/TPO-Cre mouse model that spontaneously develop thyroid tumors. The novel cell lines were obtained from animals representing a range of developmental stages and both sexes, with the goal of establishing a heterogeneous panel of PTC cell lines sharing a common driver mutation. These cell lines recapitulate the genetics and diverse histopathological features of BRAFV600E-driven PTC, exhibiting differing degrees of growth, differentiation, and invasive potential that may help define mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying the heterogeneity present in the patient population. We demonstrate that these cell lines can be used for a variety of in vitro applications and can maintain the potential for in vivo transplantation into immunocompetent hosts. We believe that these novel cell lines will provide powerful tools for investigating the molecular basis of thyroid cancer progression and will lead to the development of more personalized diagnostic and treatment strategies for BRAFV600E-driven PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Purvis Branigan
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Victoria Casado-Medrano
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alison B. O’Neill
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julio C. Ricarte-Filho
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicole Massoll
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Madeleine Salwen
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zachary Spangler
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michele Scheerer
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edward K. Williamson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew J. Bauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aime T. Franco
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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8
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Schubert L, Mariko ML, Clerc J, Huillard O, Groussin L. MAPK Pathway Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Data. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030710. [PMID: 36765665 PMCID: PMC9913385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, with a good prognosis in most cases. However, some cancers of follicular origin are metastatic or recurrent and eventually become radioiodine refractory thyroid cancers (RAIR-TC). These more aggressive cancers are a clinical concern for which the therapeutic arsenal remains limited. Molecular biology of these tumors has highlighted a hyper-activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK), mostly secondary to the BRAFV600E hotspot mutation occurring in about 60% of papillary cancers and 45% of anaplastic cancers. Therapies targeting the different protagonists of this signaling pathway have been tested in preclinical and clinical models: first and second generation RAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors. In clinical practice, dual therapies with a BRAF inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor are being recommended in anaplastic cancers with the BRAFV600E mutation. Concerning RAIR-TC, these inhibitors can be used as anti-proliferative drugs, but their efficacy is inconsistent due to primary or secondary resistance. A specific therapeutic approach in thyroid cancers consists of performing a short-term treatment with these MAPK pathway inhibitors to evaluate their capacity to redifferentiate a refractory tumor, with the aim of retreating the patients by radioactive iodine therapy in case of re-expression of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). In this work, we report data from recent preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of MAPK pathway inhibitors and their resistance mechanisms. We will also report the different preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated the redifferentiation with these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Schubert
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Mohamed Lamine Mariko
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Clerc
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Huillard
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Lionel Groussin
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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9
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Huang R, Wu Y, Zou Z. Combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapies for solid tumors: more choices for better effects. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1449-1464. [PMID: 36601794 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0320] [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: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator that methylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27) and is closely related to the development and metastasis of tumors. It often shows gain-of-function mutations in hematological tumors, while it is often overexpressed in solid tumors. EZH2 inhibitors have shown good efficacy in hematological tumors in clinical trials but poor efficacy in solid tumors. Therefore, current research on EZH2 inhibitors has focused on exploring additional combination strategies in solid tumors. Herein we summarize the combinations and mechanisms of EZH2 inhibitors and other therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and epigenetic therapy, both in clinical trials and preclinical studies, aiming to provide a reference for better antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Huang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhengyun Zou
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
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10
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Adhikari S, Bhattacharya A, Adhikary S, Singh V, Gadad S, Roy S, Das C. The paradigm of drug resistance in cancer: an epigenetic perspective. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20211812. [PMID: 35438143 PMCID: PMC9069444 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate and acquired resistance towards the conventional therapeutic regimen imposes a significant challenge for the successful management of cancer for decades. In patients with advanced carcinomas, acquisition of drug resistance often leads to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis after the first therapeutic cycle. In this context, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the prime drivers of therapy resistance in cancer due to their 'non-targetable' nature. Drug resistance in cancer is immensely influenced by different properties of CSCs such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a profound expression of drug efflux pump genes, detoxification genes, quiescence, and evasion of apoptosis, has been highlighted in this review article. The crucial epigenetic alterations that are intricately associated with regulating different mechanisms of drug resistance, have been discussed thoroughly. Additionally, special attention is drawn towards the epigenetic mechanisms behind the interaction between the cancer cells and their microenvironment which assists in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Finally, we have provided a cumulative overview of the alternative treatment strategies and epigenome-modifying therapies that show the potential of sensitizing the resistant cells towards the conventional treatment strategies. Thus, this review summarizes the epigenetic and molecular background behind therapy resistance, the prime hindrance of present day anti-cancer therapies, and provides an account of the novel complementary epi-drug-based therapeutic strategies to combat drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Adhikari
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Santanu Adhikary
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Shrikanth S. Gadad
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, U.S.A
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
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Jin Y, Liu T, Luo H, Liu Y, Liu D. Targeting Epigenetic Regulatory Enzymes for Cancer Therapeutics: Novel Small-Molecule Epidrug Development. Front Oncol 2022; 12:848221. [PMID: 35419278 PMCID: PMC8995554 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.848221] [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: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenetic enzyme-mediated transcription of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes is closely associated with the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of tumors. Based on the reversibility of epigenetic mechanisms, small-molecule compounds that target epigenetic regulation have become promising therapeutics. These compounds target epigenetic regulatory enzymes, including DNA methylases, histone modifiers (methylation and acetylation), enzymes that specifically recognize post-translational modifications, chromatin-remodeling enzymes, and post-transcriptional regulators. Few compounds have been used in clinical trials and exhibit certain therapeutic effects. Herein, we summarize the classification and therapeutic roles of compounds that target epigenetic regulatory enzymes in cancer treatment. Finally, we highlight how the natural compounds berberine and ginsenosides can target epigenetic regulatory enzymes to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Tianjia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Haoming Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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12
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Mousazadeh L, Mousazadeh B, Motaei J, Abbasi F, Esfehani RJ. Preclinical and clinical aspects of using Tazemetostate in human cancers. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1329-1333. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220408121514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Epigenetic drugs are novel drug categories with promising effects in different cancers. Tazemetostate is among the drugs that were recently used in clinical settings, especially in the treatment of specific tumors and lymphomas. There are a growing number of ongoing clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of tazemetostate in different cancers. The present review addressed the available preclinical studies evaluating the combination of tazemetostate and other chemotherapy agents in treating different cancers and summarized the limited clinical evidence available regarding the efficacy of this novel Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitor in cancer. Based on the available clinical studies, tazemetostate could be considered a safe epigenetic agent with limited adverse events for treating specific types of lymphomas and solid tumors. However, the superiority of using tazemetostate over other chemotherapy agents in patients with cancer as well as using the drug for other clinical conditions including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis needs further investigation. Moreover, the effect of tazemetostate on human germline cells is clearly evaluated as some animal studies demonstrated that the drug can affect germline epigenome suggesting further studies on this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Mousazadeh
- Department of Nursing, Kurdistan Technical Institute, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Behzad Mousazadeh
- Department of Medical laboratory science, Kurdistan Technical Institute, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Jamshid Motaei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Faezeh Abbasi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Reza Jafarzadeh Esfehani
- Blood Borne Infections Research Center, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)- Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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13
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Silaghi H, Lozovanu V, Georgescu CE, Pop C, Nasui BA, Cătoi AF, Silaghi CA. State of the Art in the Current Management and Future Directions of Targeted Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073470. [PMID: 35408830 PMCID: PMC8998761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Two-thirds of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with distant metastases would be classified as radioactive iodine-refractory (RAIR-DTC), evolving into a poor outcome. Recent advances underlying DTC molecular mechanisms have shifted the therapy focus from the standard approach to targeting specific genetic dysregulations. Lenvatinib and sorafenib are first-line, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) approved to treat advanced, progressive RAIR-DTC. However, other anti-angiogenic drugs, including single targeted TKIs, are currently being evaluated as alternative or salvage therapy after the failure of first-line TKIs. Combinatorial therapy of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling cascade inhibitors has become a highly advocated strategy to improve the low efficiency of the single agent treatment. Recent studies pointed out targetable alternative pathways to overcome the resistance to MAPK and PI3K pathways’ inhibitors. Because radioiodine resistance originates in DTC loss of differentiation, redifferentiation therapies are currently being explored for efficacy. The present review will summarize the conventional management of DTC, the first-line and alternative TKIs in RAIR-DTC, and the approaches that seek to overcome the resistance to MAPK and PI3K pathways’ inhibitors. We also aim to emphasize the latest achievements in the research of redifferentiation therapy, immunotherapy, and agents targeting gene rearrangements in advanced DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horatiu Silaghi
- Department of Surgery V, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Vera Lozovanu
- County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Carmen Emanuela Georgescu
- Department of Endocrinology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.E.G.); (C.A.S.)
| | - Cristina Pop
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 6A Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Bogdana Adriana Nasui
- Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Adriana Florinela Cătoi
- Department of Pathophysiology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Cristina Alina Silaghi
- Department of Endocrinology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.E.G.); (C.A.S.)
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14
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Huang G, Chen J, Zhou J, Xiao S, Zeng W, Xia J, Zeng X. Epigenetic modification and BRAF gene mutation in thyroid carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:687. [PMID: 34923978 PMCID: PMC8684614 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThyroid cancer remains the most prevailing endocrine malignancy, and a progressively increasing incidence rate has been observed in recent years, with 95% of thyroid cancer represented by differentiated thyroid carcinomas. The genetics and epigenetics of thyroid cancer are gradually increasing, and gene mutations and methylation changes play an important roles in its occurrence and development. Although the role of RAS and BRAF mutations in thyroid cancer have been partially clarified,but the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of thyroid cancer remain to be elucidated. Epigenetic modification refer to genetic modification that does not change the DNA sequence of a gene but causes heritable phenotypic changes in its expression. Epigenetic modification mainly includes four aspects: DNA methylation, chromatin remodelling, noncoding RNA regulation, and histone modification. This article reviews the importance of thyroid cancer epigenetic modification and BRAF gene mutation in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
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15
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Sa R, Liang R, Qiu X, He Z, Liu Z, Chen L. IGF2BP2-dependent activation of ERBB2 signaling contributes to acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor in differentiation therapy of radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 527:10-23. [PMID: 34896211 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance represents a major obstacle to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-induced differentiation therapy of radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer (RR-PTC); thus, there is an urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Here, selumetinib-resistant PTC (PTCSR) cell lines, which were characterized by loss of sodium/iodide symporter expression, enhanced insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), and activated V-Erb-B2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) signaling, were initially established using a dose escalation method. Upon knockdown of IGF2BP2 in PTCSR cells, ERBB2 signaling was inhibited, and the acquired drug resistance was partially reversed. Mechanistically, the luciferase activity assay showed that IGF2BP2 bound to the N6-methyladenosine-binding site in the coding sequence of ERBB2 mRNA, yielding an increased ERBB2 translation efficacy revealed by polysome profiling. Inhibition of ERBB2 and IGF2BP2 by lapatinib robustly rescued the PTCSR cells from acquired dedifferentiation. Our study demonstrated that IGF2BP2-dependent ERBB2 signaling activation contributes to acquired resistance to TKI, which may be a promising differentiation strategy for RR-PTC by targeting IGF2BP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1# Xinmin St, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui Liang
- Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37# Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xian Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ziyan He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
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16
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White JR, Thompson DT, Koch KE, Kiriazov BS, Beck AC, van der Heide DM, Grimm BG, Kulak MV, Weigel RJ. AP-2α-Mediated Activation of E2F and EZH2 Drives Melanoma Metastasis. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4455-4470. [PMID: 34210752 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In melanoma metastasis, the role of the AP-2α transcription factor, which is encoded by TFAP2A, is controversial as some findings have suggested tumor suppressor activity while other studies have shown high TFAP2A expression in node-positive melanoma associated with poor prognosis. Here we demonstrate that AP-2α facilitates melanoma metastasis through transcriptional activation of genes within the E2F pathway including EZH2. A BioID screen found that AP-2α interacts with members of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Loss of AP-2α removed activating chromatin marks in the promoters of EZH2 and other E2F target genes through activation of the NuRD repression complex. In melanoma cells, treatment with tazemetostat, an FDA-approved and highly specific EZH2 inhibitor, substantially reduced anchorage-independent colony formation and demonstrated heritable antimetastatic effects, which were dependent on AP-2α. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of a metastatic melanoma mouse model revealed hyperexpansion of Tfap2a High/E2F-activated cell populations in transformed melanoma relative to progenitor melanocyte stem cells. These findings demonstrate that melanoma metastasis is driven by the AP-2α/EZH2 pathway and suggest that AP-2α expression can be used as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to EZH2 inhibitors for the treatment of advanced melanomas. SIGNIFICANCE: AP-2α drives melanoma metastasis by upregulating E2F pathway genes including EZH2 through inhibition of the NuRD repression complex, serving as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to EZH2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kelsey E Koch
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Anna C Beck
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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17
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Oh JM, Ahn BC. Molecular mechanisms of radioactive iodine refractoriness in differentiated thyroid cancer: Impaired sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression owing to altered signaling pathway activity and intracellular localization of NIS. Theranostics 2021; 11:6251-6277. [PMID: 33995657 PMCID: PMC8120202 DOI: 10.7150/thno.57689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The advanced, metastatic differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) have a poor prognosis mainly owing to radioactive iodine (RAI) refractoriness caused by decreased expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS), diminished targeting of NIS to the cell membrane, or both, thereby decreasing the efficacy of RAI therapy. Genetic aberrations (such as BRAF, RAS, and RET/PTC rearrangements) have been reported to be prominently responsible for the onset, progression, and dedifferentiation of DTCs, mainly through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways. Eventually, these alterations result in a lack of NIS and disabling of RAI uptake, leading to the development of resistance to RAI therapy. Over the past decade, promising approaches with various targets have been reported to restore NIS expression and RAI uptake in preclinical studies. In this review, we summarized comprehensive molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation in RAI-refractory DTCs and reviews strategies for restoring RAI avidity by tackling the mechanisms.
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18
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Abstract
Tazemetostat (Tazverik™), a first-in-class, small molecule enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitor, received accelerated approval in January 2020 in the USA for the treatment of adults and adolescents aged ≥ 16 years with locally advanced or metastatic epithelioid sarcoma not eligible for complete resection. Developed by Epizyme, in collaboration with Eisai, it is the first therapy to be approved specifically for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma in the USA. The recommended dosage regimen is 800 mg twice daily, administered orally with or without food, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tazemetostat is also undergoing clinical development in various countries worldwide for use in several other tumour types, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and mesothelioma, with the US FDA accepting a New Drug Application and granting priority review for its use in the treatment of follicular lymphoma. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of tazemetostat leading to this first approval for the treatment of adults and adolescents aged ≥ 16 years with locally advanced or metastatic epithelioid sarcoma not eligible for complete resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheridan M Hoy
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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19
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Sasaki T, Katagi H, Goldman S, Becher OJ, Hashizume R. Convection-Enhanced Delivery of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog-2 (EZH2) Inhibitor for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Neurosurgery 2020; 87:E680-E688. [PMID: 32674144 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a fatal childhood brain tumor and the majority of patients die within 2 yr after initial diagnosis. Factors that contribute to the dismal prognosis of these patients include the infiltrative nature and anatomic location in an eloquent area of the brain, which precludes total surgical resection, and the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which reduces the distribution of systemically administered agents. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a direct infusion technique to deliver therapeutic agents into a target site in the brain and able to deliver a high concentration drug to the infusion site without systemic toxicities. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2) inhibitor by CED against human DIPG xenograft models. METHODS The concentration of EZH2 inhibitor (EPZ-6438) in the brainstem tumor was evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). We treated mice-bearing human DIPG xenografts with EPZ-6438 using systemic (intraperitoneal) or CED administration. Intracranial tumor growth was monitored by bioluminescence image, and the therapeutic response was evaluated by animal survival. RESULTS LC/MS analysis showed that the concentration of EPZ-6438 in the brainstem tumor was 3.74% of serum concentration after systemic administration. CED of EPZ-6438 suppressed tumor growth and significantly extended animal survival when compared to systemic administration of EPZ-6438 (P = .0475). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that CED of an EZH2 inhibitor is a promising strategy to bypass the BBB and to increase the efficacy of an EZH2 inhibitor for the treatment of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Sasaki
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hiroaki Katagi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation in the Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Oren J Becher
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation in the Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Laetitia G, Sven S, Fabrice J. Combinatorial Therapies in Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Progresses. Cells 2020; 9:E830. [PMID: 32235612 PMCID: PMC7226736 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for about 2% of cancers diagnosed worldwide, thyroid cancer has caused about 41,000 deaths in 2018. Despite significant progresses made in recent decades in the treatment of thyroid cancer, many resistances to current monotherapies are observed. In our complete review, we report all treatments that were tested in combination against thyroid cancer. Many preclinical studies investigating the effects of inhibitors of the MAPK and PI3K pathways highlighted the importance of mutations in such signaling pathways and their impacts on the subsequent efficacy of targeted therapies, thus reinforcing the need of more personalized therapeutic strategies. Our review also points out the multiple possibilities of combinatory strategies, particularly using therapies targeting proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and in combination with conventional treatments such as chemotherapies. In any case, resistances to anticancer therapies always develop through the activation of alternative signaling pathways. Combinatory treatments aim to blockade such mechanisms, which are gradually decrypted, thus offering new perspectives for the future. The preclinical and clinical aspects of our review allow us to have a global opinion of the different therapeutic options currently evaluated in combination and to be aware about new perspectives of treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheysen Laetitia
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mons University, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 8, B7000 Mons, Belgium; (S.S.); (J.F.)
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Fu H, Cheng L, Sa R, Jin Y, Chen L. Combined tazemetostat and MAPKi enhances differentiation of papillary thyroid cancer cells harbouring BRAF V600E by synergistically decreasing global trimethylation of H3K27. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:3336-3345. [PMID: 31970877 PMCID: PMC7131946 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical efficacy of differentiation therapy with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi) for lethal radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer (RR-PTC) urgently needs to be improved and the aberrant trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) plays a vital role in BRAFV600E -MAPK-induced cancer dedifferentiation and drug resistance. Therefore, dual inhibition of MAPK and histone methyltransferase (EZH2) may produce more favourable treatment effects. In this study, BRAFV600E -mutant (BCPAP and K1) and BRAF-wild-type (TPC-1) PTC cells were treated with MAPKi (dabrafenib or selumetinib) or EZH2 inhibitor (tazemetostat), or in combination, and the expression of iodine-metabolizing genes, radioiodine uptake, and toxicity were tested. We found that tazemetostat alone slightly increased iodine-metabolizing gene expression and promoted radioiodine uptake and toxicity, irrespective of the BRAF status. However, MAPKi induced these effects preferentially in BRAFV600E mutant cells, which was robustly strengthened by tazemetostat incorporation. Mechanically, MAPKi-induced decrease of trimethylation of H3K27 was evidently intensified by tazemetostat in BRAFV600E -mutant cells. In conclusion, tazemetostat combined with MAPKi enhances differentiation of PTC cells harbouring BRAFV600E through synergistically decreasing global trimethylation of H3K27, representing a novel differentiation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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