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Ma W, Tang W, Kwok JS, Tong AH, Lo CW, Chu AT, Chung BH. A review on trends in development and translation of omics signatures in cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:954-971. [PMID: 38385061 PMCID: PMC10879706 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.01.024] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of cancer genomics and transcriptomics has evolved from targeted profiling to swift sequencing of individual tumor genome and transcriptome. The steady growth in genome, epigenome, and transcriptome datasets on a genome-wide scale has significantly increased our capability in capturing signatures that represent both the intrinsic and extrinsic biological features of tumors. These biological differences can help in precise molecular subtyping of cancer, predicting tumor progression, metastatic potential, and resistance to therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarized the current development of genomic, methylomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic signatures in the field of cancer research and highlighted their potentials in clinical applications to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decision in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ma
- Hong Kong Genome Institute, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenshu Tang
- Hong Kong Genome Institute, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Brian H.Y. Chung
- Hong Kong Genome Institute, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hong Kong Genome Project
- Hong Kong Genome Institute, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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2
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Passemiers A, Tuveri S, Sudhakaran D, Jatsenko T, Laga T, Punie K, Hatse S, Tejpar S, Coosemans A, Van Nieuwenhuysen E, Timmerman D, Floris G, Van Rompuy AS, Sagaert X, Testa A, Ficherova D, Raimondi D, Amant F, Lenaerts L, Moreau Y, Vermeesch JR. MetDecode: methylation-based deconvolution of cell-free DNA for noninvasive multi-cancer typing. BIOINFORMATICS (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2024; 40:btae522. [PMID: 39177091 PMCID: PMC11379469 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btae522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
MOTIVATION Circulating-cell free DNA (cfDNA) is widely explored as a noninvasive biomarker for cancer screening and diagnosis. The ability to decode the cells of origin in cfDNA would provide biological insights into pathophysiological mechanisms, aiding in cancer characterization and directing clinical management and follow-up. RESULTS We developed a DNA methylation signature-based deconvolution algorithm, MetDecode, for cancer tissue origin identification. We built a reference atlas exploiting de novo and published whole-genome methylation sequencing data for colorectal, breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer, and blood-cell-derived entities. MetDecode models the contributors absent in the atlas with methylation patterns learnt on-the-fly from the input cfDNA methylation profiles. In addition, our model accounts for the coverage of each marker region to alleviate potential sources of noise. In-silico experiments showed a limit of detection down to 2.88% of tumor tissue contribution in cfDNA. MetDecode produced Pearson correlation coefficients above 0.95 and outperformed other methods in simulations (P < 0.001; T-test; one-sided). In plasma cfDNA profiles from cancer patients, MetDecode assigned the correct tissue-of-origin in 84.2% of cases. In conclusion, MetDecode can unravel alterations in the cfDNA pool components by accurately estimating the contribution of multiple tissues, while supplied with an imperfect reference atlas. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION MetDecode is available at https://github.com/JorisVermeeschLab/MetDecode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Passemiers
- Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics (STADIUS), Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Stefania Tuveri
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Dhanya Sudhakaran
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Jatsenko
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Tina Laga
- Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Kevin Punie
- Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, GZA Ziekenhuis, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
| | - Sigrid Hatse
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology Unit, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Laboratory of Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Els Van Nieuwenhuysen
- Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Floris
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Anne-Sophie Van Rompuy
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Xavier Sagaert
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Antonia Testa
- Department of Woman, Child and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Daniela Ficherova
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniele Raimondi
- Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics (STADIUS), Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Frederic Amant
- Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, 1066 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Lenaerts
- Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Yves Moreau
- Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics (STADIUS), Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Joris R Vermeesch
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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Wang M, Zhang XD, Yang HQ, Li Y, Chen WM, Yin AA. DNA methylation variations of DNA damage response correlate survival and local immune status in melanomas. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1331. [PMID: 39254643 PMCID: PMC11386344 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM We aimed to explore the impact of DNA methylation alterations on the DNA damage response (DDR) in melanoma prognosis and immunity. MATERIAL & METHODS: Different melanoma cohorts with molecular and clinical data were included. RESULTS Hierarchical clustering utilizing different combinations of DDR-relevant CpGs yielded distinct melanoma subtypes, which were characteristic of different prognoses, transcriptional function profiles of DDR, and immunity and immunotherapy responses but were associated with similar tumor mutation burdens. We then constructed and validated a clinically applicable 4-CpG risk-score signature for predicting survival and immunotherapy response. CONCLUSION Our study describes the close interrelationship among DNA methylation, DDR machinery, local tumor immune status, melanoma prognosis, and immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, Changzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, Changzhou, China
| | - Han-Qing Yang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, Changzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wen-Mei Chen
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, Changzhou, China
| | - An-An Yin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinic Genetics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Picard LC, Rich FJ, Kenwright DN, Stevens AJ. Epigenetic changes associated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment in bladder cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189123. [PMID: 38806074 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is an established immunotherapeutic, however, a significant portion of patients do not respond to treatment. Despite extensive research into the therapeutic mechanism of BCG, gaps remain in our understanding. This review specifically focuses on the epigenomic contributions in the immune microenvironment, in the context of BCG treatment for NMIBC. We also summarise the current understanding of NMIBC epigenetic characteristics, and discuss how future targeted strategies for BCG therapy should incorporate epigenomic biomarkers in conjunction with genomic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Picard
- University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Fenella J Rich
- University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Diane N Kenwright
- University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Aaron J Stevens
- University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.
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Hossain SM, Carpenter C, Eccles MR. Genomic and Epigenomic Biomarkers of Immune Checkpoint Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma: Current and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7252. [PMID: 39000359 PMCID: PMC11241335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) demonstrate durable responses, long-term survival benefits, and improved outcomes in cancer patients compared to chemotherapy. However, the majority of cancer patients do not respond to ICIs, and a high proportion of those patients who do respond to ICI therapy develop innate or acquired resistance to ICIs, limiting their clinical utility. The most studied predictive tissue biomarkers for ICI response are PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression, DNA mismatch repair deficiency, and tumour mutation burden, although these are weak predictors of ICI response. The identification of better predictive biomarkers remains an important goal to improve the identification of patients who would benefit from ICIs. Here, we review established and emerging biomarkers of ICI response, focusing on epigenomic and genomic alterations in cancer patients, which have the potential to help guide single-agent ICI immunotherapy or ICI immunotherapy in combination with other ICI immunotherapies or agents. We briefly review the current status of ICI response biomarkers, including investigational biomarkers, and we present insights into several emerging and promising epigenomic biomarker candidates, including current knowledge gaps in the context of ICI immunotherapy response in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Mehbuba Hossain
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (S.M.H.); (C.C.)
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Carien Carpenter
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (S.M.H.); (C.C.)
| | - Michael R. Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (S.M.H.); (C.C.)
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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Wang Y, Wang Z, Guo X, Cao Y, Xing H, Wang Y, Xing B, Wang Y, Yao Y, Ma W. Artificial neural network identified a 20-gene panel in predicting immunotherapy response and survival benefits after anti-PD1/PD-L1 treatment in glioblastoma patients. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7218. [PMID: 38733169 PMCID: PMC11087814 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising immunotherapy approach, but glioblastoma clinical trials have not yielded satisfactory results. OBJECTIVE To screen glioblastoma patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. METHODS Eighty-one patients receiving anti-PD1/PD-L1 treatment from a large-scale clinical trial and 364 patients without immunotherapy from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were included. Patients in the ICI-treated cohort were divided into responders and nonresponders according to overall survival (OS), and the most critical responder-relevant features were screened using random forest (RF). We constructed an artificial neural network (ANN) model and verified its predictive value with immunotherapy response and OS. RESULTS We defined two groups of ICI-treated glioblastoma patients with large differences in survival benefits as nonresponders (OS ≤6 months, n = 18) and responders (OS ≥17 months, n = 8). No differentially mutated genes were observed between responders and nonresponders. We performed RF analysis to select the most critical responder-relevant features and developed an ANN with 20 input variables, five hidden neurons and one output neuron. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the DeLong test demonstrated that the ANN had the best performance in predicting responders, with an AUC of 0.97. Survival analysis indicated that ANN-predicted responders had significantly better OS rates than nonresponders. CONCLUSION The 20-gene panel developed by the ANN could be a promising biomarker for predicting immunotherapy response and prognostic benefits in ICI-treated GBM patients and may guide oncologists to accurately select potential responders for the preferential use of ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yaning Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yuekun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Bing Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Wenbin Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Malignant Brain Tumors, National Glioma MDT Alliance, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical CollegeBeijingChina
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Qin Q, Zhou Y, Guo J, Chen Q, Tang W, Li Y, You J, Li Q. Conserved methylation signatures associate with the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy response. Genome Med 2024; 16:47. [PMID: 38566132 PMCID: PMC10985907 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01318-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant DNA methylation is a major characteristic of cancer genomes. It remains unclear which biological processes determine epigenetic reprogramming and how these processes influence the variants in the cancer methylome, which can further impact cancer phenotypes. METHODS We performed pairwise permutations of 381,900 loci in 569 paired DNA methylation profiles of cancer tissue and matched normal tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and defined conserved differentially methylated positions (DMPs) based on the resulting null distribution. Then, we derived independent methylation signatures from 2,465 cancer-only methylation profiles from the TCGA and 241 cell line-based methylation profiles from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) cohort using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF). We correlated DNA methylation signatures with various clinical and biological features, including age, survival, cancer stage, tumor immune microenvironment factors, and immunotherapy response. We inferred the determinant genes of these methylation signatures by integrating genomic and transcriptomic data and evaluated the impact of these signatures on cancer phenotypes in independent bulk and single-cell RNA/methylome cohorts. RESULTS We identified 7,364 differentially methylated positions (2,969 Hyper-DMPs and 4,395 Hypo-DMPs) in nine cancer types from the TCGA. We subsequently retrieved three highly conserved, independent methylation signatures (Hyper-MS1, Hypo-MS1, and Hypo-MS4) from cancer tissues and cell lines based on these Hyper and Hypo-DMPs. Our data suggested that Hypo-MS4 activity predicts poor survival and is associated with immunotherapy response and distant tumor metastasis, and Hypo-MS4 activity is related to TP53 mutation and FOXA1 binding specificity. In addition, we demonstrated a correlation between the activities of Hypo-MS4 in cancer cells and the fractions of regulatory CD4 + T cells with the expression levels of immunological genes in the tumor immune microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that the methylation signatures of distinct biological processes are associated with immune activity in the cancer microenvironment and predict immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Qin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Jintao Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Qinwei Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, The School of Clinical Medicine of Fujian, Medical University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yuchen Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Jun You
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Cancer Center, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Qiyuan Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China.
- School of Medicine, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China.
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Li Y, Wu X, Fang D, Luo Y. Informing immunotherapy with multi-omics driven machine learning. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:67. [PMID: 38486092 PMCID: PMC10940614 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Progress in sequencing technologies and clinical experiments has revolutionized immunotherapy on solid and hematologic malignancies. However, the benefits of immunotherapy are limited to specific patient subsets, posing challenges for broader application. To improve its effectiveness, identifying biomarkers that can predict patient response is crucial. Machine learning (ML) play a pivotal role in harnessing multi-omic cancer datasets and unlocking new insights into immunotherapy. This review provides an overview of cutting-edge ML models applied in omics data for immunotherapy analysis, including immunotherapy response prediction and immunotherapy-relevant tumor microenvironment identification. We elucidate how ML leverages diverse data types to identify significant biomarkers, enhance our understanding of immunotherapy mechanisms, and optimize decision-making process. Additionally, we discuss current limitations and challenges of ML in this rapidly evolving field. Finally, we outline future directions aimed at overcoming these barriers and improving the efficiency of ML in immunotherapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Center for Collaborative AI in Healthcare, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Yuan Luo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Center for Collaborative AI in Healthcare, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Ressler JM, Tomasich E, Hatziioannou T, Ringl H, Heller G, Silmbrod R, Gottmann L, Starzer AM, Zila N, Tschandl P, Hoeller C, Preusser M, Berghoff AS. DNA Methylation Signatures Correlate with Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Melanoma. Target Oncol 2024; 19:263-275. [PMID: 38401029 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-024-01041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation profiles have emerged as potential predictors of therapeutic response in various solid tumors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the DNA methylation profiles of patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and evaluate their correlation with a radiological response according to immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST). METHODS A total of 81 tissue samples from 71 patients with metastatic melanoma (27 female, 44 male) were included in this study. We utilized Illumina Methylation EPIC Beadchips to retrieve their genome-wide methylation profile by interrogating >850,000 CpG sites. Clustering based on the 500 most differentially methylated genes was conducted to identify distinct methylation patterns associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor response. Results were further aligned with an independent, previously published data set. RESULTS The median progression-free survival was 8.5 months (range: 0-104.1 months), and the median overall survival was 30.6 months (range: 0-104.1 months). Objective responses were observed in 29 patients (40.8%). DNA methylation profiling revealed specific signatures that correlated with radiological response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Three distinct clusters were identified based on the methylation patterns of the 500 most differentially methylated genes. Cluster 1 (12/12) and cluster 2 (12/24) exhibited a higher proportion of responders, while cluster 3 (39/45) predominantly consisted of non-responders. In the validation data set, responders also showed more frequent hypomethylation although differences in the data sets limit the interpretation. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that DNA methylation profiling of tumor tissues might serve as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor response in patients with metastatic melanoma. Further validation studies are warranted to confirm the efficiency of DNA methylation profiling as a predictive tool in the context of immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erwin Tomasich
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Teresa Hatziioannou
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Ringl
- Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, Klinik Donaustadt, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rita Silmbrod
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lynn Gottmann
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Nina Zila
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Biomedical Science, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Tschandl
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Hoeller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Sophie Berghoff
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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10
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Yan X, Qi Y, Yao X, Zhou N, Ye X, Chen X. DNMT3L inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression through DNA methylation of CDO1: insights from big data to basic research. J Transl Med 2024; 22:128. [PMID: 38308276 PMCID: PMC10837993 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04939-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNMT3L is a crucial DNA methylation regulatory factor, yet its function and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. Bioinformatics-based big data analysis has increasingly gained significance in cancer research. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the role of DNMT3L in HCC by integrating big data analysis with experimental validation. METHODS Dozens of HCC datasets were collected to analyze the expression of DNMT3L and its relationship with prognostic indicators, and were used for molecular regulatory relationship evaluation. The effects of DNMT3L on the malignant phenotypes of hepatoma cells were confirmed in vitro and in vivo. The regulatory mechanisms of DNMT3L were explored through MSP, western blot, and dual-luciferase assays. RESULTS DNMT3L was found to be downregulated in HCC tissues and associated with better prognosis. Overexpression of DNMT3L inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis. Additionally, CDO1 was identified as a target gene of DNMT3L and also exhibits anti-cancer effects. DNMT3L upregulates CDO1 expression by competitively inhibiting DNMT3A-mediated methylation of CDO1 promoter. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the role and epi-transcriptomic regulatory mechanism of DNMT3L in HCC, and underscored the essential role and applicability of big data analysis in elucidating complex biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokai Yan
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Yao Qi
- Shanghai Molecular Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Shanghai National Engineering Research Center of Biochip, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xinyue Yao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Nanjing Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xinxin Ye
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Sacdalan DB, Ul Haq S, Lok BH. Plasma Cell-Free Tumor Methylome as a Biomarker in Solid Tumors: Biology and Applications. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:482-500. [PMID: 38248118 PMCID: PMC10814449 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a fundamental mechanism of epigenetic control in cells and its dysregulation is strongly implicated in cancer development. Cancers possess an extensively hypomethylated genome with focal regions of hypermethylation at CPG islands. Due to the highly conserved nature of cancer-specific methylation, its detection in cell-free DNA in plasma using liquid biopsies constitutes an area of interest in biomarker research. The advent of next-generation sequencing and newer computational technologies have allowed for the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that utilize methylation profiling to diagnose disease and stratify risk. Methylome-based predictive biomarkers can determine the response to anti-cancer therapy. An additional emerging application of these biomarkers is in minimal residual disease monitoring. Several key challenges need to be addressed before cfDNA-based methylation biomarkers become fully integrated into practice. The first relates to the biology and stability of cfDNA. The second concerns the clinical validity and generalizability of methylation-based assays, many of which are cancer type-specific. The third involves their practicability, which is a stumbling block for translating technologies from bench to clinic. Future work on developing pan-cancer assays with their respective validities confirmed using well-designed, prospective clinical trials is crucial in pushing for the greater use of these tools in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Benedict Sacdalan
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Sami Ul Haq
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Benjamin H. Lok
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Room 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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12
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Prelaj A, Miskovic V, Zanitti M, Trovo F, Genova C, Viscardi G, Rebuzzi SE, Mazzeo L, Provenzano L, Kosta S, Favali M, Spagnoletti A, Castelo-Branco L, Dolezal J, Pearson AT, Lo Russo G, Proto C, Ganzinelli M, Giani C, Ambrosini E, Turajlic S, Au L, Koopman M, Delaloge S, Kather JN, de Braud F, Garassino MC, Pentheroudakis G, Spencer C, Pedrocchi ALG. Artificial intelligence for predictive biomarker discovery in immuno-oncology: a systematic review. Ann Oncol 2024; 35:29-65. [PMID: 37879443 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.10.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionised treatment of multiple cancer types. However, selecting patients who may benefit from ICI remains challenging. Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches allow exploitation of high-dimension oncological data in research and development of precision immuno-oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed original articles studying the ICI efficacy prediction in cancer patients across five data modalities: genomics (including genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics), radiomics, digital pathology (pathomics), and real-world and multimodality data. RESULTS A total of 90 studies were included in this systematic review, with 80% published in 2021-2022. Among them, 37 studies included genomic, 20 radiomic, 8 pathomic, 20 real-world, and 5 multimodal data. Standard machine learning (ML) methods were used in 72% of studies, deep learning (DL) methods in 22%, and both in 6%. The most frequently studied cancer type was non-small-cell lung cancer (36%), followed by melanoma (16%), while 25% included pan-cancer studies. No prospective study design incorporated AI-based methodologies from the outset; rather, all implemented AI as a post hoc analysis. Novel biomarkers for ICI in radiomics and pathomics were identified using AI approaches, and molecular biomarkers have expanded past genomics into transcriptomics and epigenomics. Finally, complex algorithms and new types of AI-based markers, such as meta-biomarkers, are emerging by integrating multimodal/multi-omics data. CONCLUSION AI-based methods have expanded the horizon for biomarker discovery, demonstrating the power of integrating multimodal data from existing datasets to discover new meta-biomarkers. While most of the included studies showed promise for AI-based prediction of benefit from immunotherapy, none provided high-level evidence for immediate practice change. A priori planned prospective trial designs are needed to cover all lifecycle steps of these software biomarkers, from development and validation to integration into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Prelaj
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan; Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy; ESMO Real World Data and Digital Health Working Group, ESMO, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - V Miskovic
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan; Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - M Zanitti
- Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - F Trovo
- Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - C Genova
- UO Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (Di.M.I.), University of Genoa, Genoa
| | - G Viscardi
- Precision Medicine Department, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples
| | - S E Rebuzzi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (Di.M.I.), University of Genoa, Genoa; Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale San Paolo, Savona, Italy
| | - L Mazzeo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan; Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - L Provenzano
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - S Kosta
- Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Favali
- Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - A Spagnoletti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - L Castelo-Branco
- ESMO European Society for Medical Oncology, Lugano, Switzerland; NOVA National School of Public Health, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Dolezal
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - A T Pearson
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - G Lo Russo
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - C Proto
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - M Ganzinelli
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - C Giani
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - E Ambrosini
- Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - S Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London
| | - L Au
- Renal and Skin Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Koopman
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; ESMO Real World Data and Digital Health Working Group, ESMO, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - S Delaloge
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; ESMO Real World Data and Digital Health Working Group, ESMO, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - J N Kather
- Else Kroener Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - F de Braud
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - M C Garassino
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | | | - C Spencer
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London.
| | - A L G Pedrocchi
- Nearlab, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
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13
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Zhang C, Sheng Q, Zhao N, Huang S, Zhao Y. DNA hypomethylation mediates immune response in pan-cancer. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2192894. [PMID: 36945884 PMCID: PMC10038033 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2192894] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal DNA methylation is a fundamental characterization of epigenetics in cancer. Here we demonstrate that aberrant DNA methylating can modulate the tumour immune microenvironment in 16 cancer types. Differential DNA methylation in promoter region can regulate the transcriptomic pattern of immune-related genes and DNA hypomethylation mainly participated in the processes of immunity, carcinogenesis and immune infiltration. Moreover, many cancer types shared immune-related functions, like activation of innate immune response, interferon gamma response and NOD-like receptor signalling pathway. DNA methylation can further help identify molecular subtypes of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. These subtypes are characterized by DNA methylation pattern, major histocompatibility complex, cytolytic activity and cytotoxic t lymphocyte and tumour mutation burden, and subtype with hypomethylation pattern shows unstable immune status. Then, we investigate the DNA methylation pattern of exhaustion-related marker genes and further demonstrate the role of hypomethylation in tumour immune microenvironment. In summary, our findings support the use of hypomethylation as a biomarker to understand the mechanism of tumour immune environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Zhang
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qi Sheng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shan Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuming Zhao
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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14
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Neely AM, Yang M, Marconett CN. CLOCK'ing differences in DNA methylation signatures to understand the molecular etiology of lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2023; 12:1338-1341. [PMID: 37425400 PMCID: PMC10326774 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-23-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Neely
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Minxiao Yang
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Crystal N. Marconett
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Gorlov IP, Conway K, Edmiston SN, Parrish EA, Hao H, Amos CI, Tsavachidis S, Gorlova OY, Begg C, Hernando E, Cheng C, Shen R, Orlow I, Luo L, Ernstoff MS, Kuan PF, Ollila DW, Tsai YS, Berwick M, Thomas NE. Methylation of nonessential genes in cutaneous melanoma - Rule Out hypothesis. Melanoma Res 2023; 33:163-172. [PMID: 36805567 PMCID: PMC10148896 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Differential methylation plays an important role in melanoma development and is associated with survival, progression and response to treatment. However, the mechanisms by which methylation promotes melanoma development are poorly understood. The traditional explanation of selective advantage provided by differential methylation postulates that hypermethylation of regulatory 5'-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3' dinucleotides (CpGs) downregulates the expression of tumor suppressor genes and therefore promotes tumorigenesis. We believe that other (not necessarily alternative) explanations of the selective advantages of methylation are also possible. Here, we hypothesize that melanoma cells use methylation to shut down transcription of nonessential genes - those not required for cell survival and proliferation. Suppression of nonessential genes allows tumor cells to be more efficient in terms of energy and resource usage, providing them with a selective advantage over the tumor cells that transcribe and subsequently translate genes they do not need. We named the hypothesis the Rule Out (RO) hypothesis. The RO hypothesis predicts higher methylation of CpGs located in regulatory regions (CpG islands) of nonessential genes. It also predicts the higher methylation of regulatory CpGs linked to nonessential genes in melanomas compared to nevi and lower expression of nonessential genes in malignant (derived from melanoma) versus normal (derived from nonaffected skin) melanocytes. The analyses conducted using in-house and publicly available data found that all predictions derived from the RO hypothesis hold, providing observational support for the hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan P Gorlov
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kathleen Conway
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina
- Department of Epidemiology
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Sharon N Edmiston
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina
- Department of Epidemiology
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Eloise A Parrish
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, State University of New York, Stony Brook
| | - Honglin Hao
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina
| | | | | | - Olga Y Gorlova
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Colin Begg
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ronglai Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
| | - Irene Orlow
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Maxico
| | - Marc S Ernstoff
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton, Buffalo
| | - Pei Fen Kuan
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, State University of New York, Stony Brook and
| | - David W Ollila
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yihsuan S Tsai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Marianne Berwick
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Maxico
| | - Nancy E Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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16
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Zhong F, Lin Y, Zhao L, Yang C, Ye Y, Shen Z. Reshaping the tumour immune microenvironment in solid tumours via tumour cell and immune cell DNA methylation: from mechanisms to therapeutics. Br J Cancer 2023:10.1038/s41416-023-02292-0. [PMID: 37117649 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02292-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the tumour microenvironment (TME) of solid tumours has attracted more and more attention from researchers, especially those non-tumour components such as immune cells. Infiltration of various immune cells causes tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) heterogeneity, and results in different therapeutic effects. Accumulating evidence showed that DNA methylation plays a crucial role in remodelling TIME and is associated with the response towards immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). During carcinogenesis, DNA methylation profoundly changes, specifically, there is a global loss of DNA methylation and increased DNA methylation at the promoters of suppressor genes. Immune cell differentiation is disturbed, and exclusion of immune cells from the TME occurs at least in part due to DNA methylation reprogramming. Therefore, pharmaceutical interventions targeting DNA methylation are promising. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) enhance antitumor immunity by inducing transcription of transposable elements and consequent viral mimicry. DNMTis upregulate the expression of tumour antigens, mediate immune cells recruitment and reactivate exhausted immune cells. In preclinical studies, DNMTis have shown synergistic effect when combined with immunotherapies, suggesting new strategies to treat refractory solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yilin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Changjiang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yingjiang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhanlong Shen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, P. R. China.
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17
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Wang MM, Koskela SA, Mehmood A, Langguth M, Maranou E, Figueiredo CR. Epigenetic control of CD1D expression as a mechanism of resistance to immune checkpoint therapy in poorly immunogenic melanomas. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152228. [PMID: 37077920 PMCID: PMC10106630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune Checkpoint Therapies (ICT) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, only a subset of patients reaches complete responses. Deficient β2-microglobulin (β2M) expression impacts antigen presentation to T cells, leading to ICT resistance. Here, we investigate alternative β2M-correlated biomarkers that associate with ICT resistance. We shortlisted immune biomarkers interacting with human β2M using the STRING database. Next, we profiled the transcriptomic expression of these biomarkers in association with clinical and survival outcomes in the melanoma GDC-TCGA-SKCM dataset and a collection of publicly available metastatic melanoma cohorts treated with ICT (anti-PD1). Epigenetic control of identified biomarkers was interrogated using the Illumina Human Methylation 450 dataset from the melanoma GDC-TCGA-SKCM study. We show that β2M associates with CD1d, CD1b, and FCGRT at the protein level. Co-expression and correlation profile of B2M with CD1D, CD1B, and FCGRT dissociates in melanoma patients following B2M expression loss. Lower CD1D expression is typically found in patients with poor survival outcomes from the GDC-TCGA-SKCM dataset, in patients not responding to anti-PD1 immunotherapies, and in a resistant anti-PD1 pre-clinical model. Immune cell abundance study reveals that B2M and CD1D are both enriched in tumor cells and dendritic cells from patients responding to anti-PD1 immunotherapies. These patients also show increased levels of natural killer T (NKT) cell signatures in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methylation reactions in the TME of melanoma impact the expression of B2M and SPI1, which controls CD1D expression. These findings suggest that epigenetic changes in the TME of melanoma may impact β2M and CD1d-mediated functions, such as antigen presentation for T cells and NKT cells. Our hypothesis is grounded in comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of a large transcriptomic dataset from four clinical cohorts and mouse models. It will benefit from further development using well-established functional immune assays to support understanding the molecular processes leading to epigenetic control of β2M and CD1d. This research line may lead to the rational development of new combinatorial treatments for metastatic melanoma patients that poorly respond to ICT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Meng Wang
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Saara A. Koskela
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Arfa Mehmood
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Miriam Langguth
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Eleftheria Maranou
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Carlos R. Figueiredo
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Carlos R. Figueiredo,
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18
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Micevic G, Bosenberg MW, Yan Q. The Crossroads of Cancer Epigenetics and Immune Checkpoint Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:1173-1182. [PMID: 36449280 PMCID: PMC10073242 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have significantly improved treatment outcomes for several types of cancer over the past decade, but significant challenges that limit wider effectiveness of current immunotherapies remain to be addressed. Certain "cold" tumor types, such as pancreatic cancer, exhibit very low response rates to ICI due to intrinsically low immunogenicity. In addition, many patients who initially respond to ICI lack a sustained response due to T-cell exhaustion. Several recent studies show that epigenetic modifiers, such as SETDB1 and LSD1, can play critical roles in regulating both tumor cell-intrinsic immunity and T-cell exhaustion. Here, we review the evidence showing that multiple epigenetic regulators silence the expression of endogenous antigens, and their loss induces viral mimicry responses bolstering the response of "cold" tumors to ICI in preclinical models. Similarly, a previously unappreciated role for epigenetic enzymes is emerging in the establishment and maintenance of stem-like T-cell populations that are critical mediators of response to ICI. Targeting the crossroads of epigenetics and immune checkpoint therapy has tremendous potential to improve antitumor immune responses and herald the next generation of sustained responses in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Micevic
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Marcus W. Bosenberg
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Qin Yan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
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19
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Schneider L, Wies C, Krieghoff-Henning EI, Bucher TC, Utikal JS, Schadendorf D, Brinker TJ. Multimodal integration of image, epigenetic and clinical data to predict BRAF mutation status in melanoma. Eur J Cancer 2023; 183:131-138. [PMID: 36854237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In machine learning, multimodal classifiers can provide more generalised performance than unimodal classifiers. In clinical practice, physicians usually also rely on a range of information from different examinations for diagnosis. In this study, we used BRAF mutation status prediction in melanoma as a model system to analyse the contribution of different data types in a combined classifier because BRAF status can be determined accurately by sequencing as the current gold standard, thus nearly eliminating label noise. METHODS We trained a deep learning-based classifier by combining individually trained random forests of image, clinical and methylation data to predict BRAF-V600 mutation status in primary and metastatic melanomas of The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. RESULTS With our multimodal approach, we achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80, whereas the individual classifiers yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.63 (histopathologic image data), 0.66 (clinical data) and 0.66 (methylation data) on an independent data set. CONCLUSIONS Our combined approach can predict BRAF status to some extent by identifying BRAF-V600 specific patterns at the histologic, clinical and epigenetic levels. The multimodal classifiers have improved generalisability in predicting BRAF mutation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Schneider
- Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Wies
- Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva I Krieghoff-Henning
- Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tabea-Clara Bucher
- Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen S Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; DKFZ Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Titus J Brinker
- Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Huang H, Cao W, Long Z, Kuang L, Li X, Feng Y, Wu Y, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Sun P, Peng P, Zhang J, Yuan L, Li T, Hu H, Li G, Yang L, Zhang X, Hu F, Sun X, Hu D. DNA methylation-based patterns for early diagnostic prediction and prognostic evaluation in colorectal cancer patients with high tumor mutation burden. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1030335. [PMID: 36713578 PMCID: PMC9880489 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1030335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has proven to be a promising treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC). We aim to investigate the relationship between DNA methylation and tumor mutation burden (TMB) by integrating genomic and epigenetic profiles to precisely identify clinical benefit populations and to evaluate the effect of ICI therapy. Methods A total of 536 CRC tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with mutation data were collected and subjected to calculate TMB. 80 CRC patients with high TMB and paired normal tissues were selected as training sets and developed the diagnostic and prognostic methylation models, respectively. In the validation set, the diagnostic model was validated in our in-house 47 CRC tissues and 122 CRC tissues from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, respectively. And a total of 38 CRC tissues with high TMB from the COLONOMICS dataset verified the prognostic model. Results A positive correlation between differential methylation positions and TMB level was observed in TCGA CRC cohort (r=0.45). The diagnostic score that consisted of methylation levels of four genes (ADHFE1, DOK6, GPR75, and MAP3K14-AS1) showed high diagnostic performance in the discovery (AUC=1.000) and two independent validation (AUC=0.946, AUC=0.857) datasets. Additionally, these four genes showed significant positive correlations with NK cells. The prognostic score containing three genes (POU3F3, SYN2, and TMEM178A) had significantly poorer survival in the high-risk TMB samples than those in the low-risk TMB samples (P=0.016). CRC patients with low-risk scores combined with TMB levels represent a favorable survival. Conclusions By integrating analyses of methylation and mutation data, it is suggested that DNA methylation patterns combined with TMB serve as a novel potential biomarker for early screening in more high-TMB populations and for evaluating the prognostic effect of CRC patients with ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weifan Cao
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiping Long
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health School of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lei Kuang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuying Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinggang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Panxin Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinli Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijun Yuan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianze Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huifang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gairui Li
- Department of Chronic Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Longkun Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fulan Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Dongsheng Hu, ; Xizhuo Sun, ; Fulan Hu,
| | - Xizhuo Sun
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Dongsheng Hu, ; Xizhuo Sun, ; Fulan Hu,
| | - Dongsheng Hu
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Dongsheng Hu, ; Xizhuo Sun, ; Fulan Hu,
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21
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Rubanov A, Berico P, Hernando E. Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Melanoma Resistance to Immune and Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235858. [PMID: 36497341 PMCID: PMC9738385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235858] [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: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer reliant on early detection for high likelihood of successful treatment. Solar UV exposure transforms melanocytes into highly mutated tumor cells that metastasize to the liver, lungs, and brain. Even upon resection of the primary tumor, almost thirty percent of patients succumb to melanoma within twenty years. Identification of key melanoma genetic drivers led to the development of pharmacological BRAFV600E and MEK inhibitors, significantly improving metastatic patient outcomes over traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy or pioneering IFN-α and IL-2 immune therapies. Checkpoint blockade inhibitors releasing the immunosuppressive effects of CTLA-4 or PD-1 proved to be even more effective and are the standard first-line treatment. Despite these major improvements, durable responses to immunotherapy and targeted therapy have been hindered by intrinsic or acquired resistance. In addition to gained or selected genetic alterations, cellular plasticity conferred by epigenetic reprogramming is emerging as a driver of therapy resistance. Epigenetic regulation of chromatin accessibility drives gene expression and establishes distinct transcriptional cell states. Here we review how aberrant chromatin, transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation contribute to therapy resistance and discuss how targeting these programs sensitizes melanoma cells to immune and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Rubanov
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Pietro Berico
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence:
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22
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Zaremba A, Jansen P, Murali R, Mayakonda A, Riedel A, Philip M, Rose C, Schaller J, Müller H, Kutzner H, Möller I, Stadtler N, Kretz J, Sucker A, Bankfalvi A, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Horn S, Paschen A, Plass C, Schadendorf D, Hadaschik E, Lutsik P, Griewank K. Genetic and methylation profiles distinguish benign, malignant and spitzoid melanocytic tumors. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1542-1554. [PMID: 35737508 PMCID: PMC9474633 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Accurate classification of melanocytic tumors is important for prognostic evaluation, treatment and follow-up protocols of patients. The majority of melanocytic proliferations can be classified solely based on clinical and pathological criteria, however in select cases a definitive diagnostic assessment remains challenging and additional diagnostic biomarkers would be advantageous. We analyzed melanomas, nevi, Spitz nevi and atypical spitzoid tumors using parallel sequencing (exons of 611 genes and 507 gene translocation analysis) and methylation arrays (850k Illumina EPIC). By combining detailed genetic and epigenetic analysis with reference-based and reference-free DNA methylome deconvolution we compared Spitz nevi to nevi and melanoma and assessed the potential for these methods in classifying challenging spitzoid tumors. Results were correlated with clinical and histologic features. Spitz nevi were found to cluster independently of nevi and melanoma and demonstrated a different mutation profile. Multiple copy number alterations and TERT promoter mutations were identified only in melanomas. Genome-wide methylation in Spitz nevi was comparable to benign nevi while the Leukocytes UnMethylation for Purity (LUMP) algorithm in Spitz nevi was comparable to melanoma. Histologically difficult to classify Spitz tumor cases were assessed which, based on methylation arrays, clustered between Spitz nevi and melanoma and in terms of genetic profile or copy number variations demonstrated worrisome features suggesting a malignant neoplasm. Comprehensive sequencing and methylation analysis verify Spitz nevi as an independent melanocytic entity distinct from both nevi and melanoma. Combined genetic and methylation assays can offer additional insights in diagnosing difficult to classify Spitzoid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Zaremba
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Jansen
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rajmohan Murali
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Anand Mayakonda
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz International Graduate School for Cancer Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Riedel
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz International Graduate School for Cancer Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Philip
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heinz Kutzner
- Dermatopathologie Friedrichshafen, Medical faculty of the University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Inga Möller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadine Stadtler
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Kretz
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Sucker
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Agnes Bankfalvi
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Livingstone
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Zimmer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Horn
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Medical faculty of the University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Plass
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Hadaschik
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pavlo Lutsik
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Griewank
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Bowler S, Papoutsoglou G, Karanikas A, Tsamardinos I, Corley MJ, Ndhlovu LC. A machine learning approach utilizing DNA methylation as an accurate classifier of COVID-19 disease severity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17480. [PMID: 36261477 PMCID: PMC9580434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing cases with variable outcomes continue globally because of variants and despite vaccines and therapies. There is a need to identify at-risk individuals early that would benefit from timely medical interventions. DNA methylation provides an opportunity to identify an epigenetic signature of individuals at increased risk. We utilized machine learning to identify DNA methylation signatures of COVID-19 disease from data available through NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. A training cohort of 460 individuals (164 COVID-19-infected and 296 non-infected) and an external validation dataset of 128 individuals (102 COVID-19-infected and 26 non-COVID-associated pneumonia) were reanalyzed. Data was processed using ChAMP and beta values were logit transformed. The JADBio AutoML platform was leveraged to identify a methylation signature associated with severe COVID-19 disease. We identified a random forest classification model from 4 unique methylation sites with the power to discern individuals with severe COVID-19 disease. The average area under the curve of receiver operator characteristic (AUC-ROC) of the model was 0.933 and the average area under the precision-recall curve (AUC-PRC) was 0.965. When applied to our external validation, this model produced an AUC-ROC of 0.898 and an AUC-PRC of 0.864. These results further our understanding of the utility of DNA methylation in COVID-19 disease pathology and serve as a platform to inform future COVID-19 related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bowler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Georgios Papoutsoglou
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristides Karanikas
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsamardinos
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Computer Science, University of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Michael J Corley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
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24
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Marquardt A, Kollmannsberger P, Krebs M, Argentiero A, Knott M, Solimando AG, Kerscher AG. Visual Clustering of Transcriptomic Data from Primary and Metastatic Tumors-Dependencies and Novel Pitfalls. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081335. [PMID: 35893071 PMCID: PMC9394300 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized oncology is a rapidly evolving area and offers cancer patients therapy options that are more specific than ever. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding transcriptomic similarities or differences of metastases and corresponding primary sites. Applying two unsupervised dimension reduction methods (t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP)) on three datasets of metastases (n = 682 samples) with three different data transformations (unprocessed, log10 as well as log10 + 1 transformed values), we visualized potential underlying clusters. Additionally, we analyzed two datasets (n = 616 samples) containing metastases and primary tumors of one entity, to point out potential familiarities. Using these methods, no tight link between the site of resection and cluster formation outcome could be demonstrated, or for datasets consisting of solely metastasis or mixed datasets. Instead, dimension reduction methods and data transformation significantly impacted visual clustering results. Our findings strongly suggest data transformation to be considered as another key element in the interpretation of visual clustering approaches along with initialization and different parameters. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for a more thorough examination of parameters used in the analysis of clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Marquardt
- Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Stuttgart, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (A.G.K.)
| | - Philip Kollmannsberger
- Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Markus Krebs
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.A.); (A.G.S.)
| | - Markus Knott
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Palliative Care, Klinikum Stuttgart, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany;
- Stuttgart Cancer Center–Tumor Unit Eva Mayr-Stihl, Klinikum Stuttgart, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.A.); (A.G.S.)
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Alexander Georg Kerscher
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (A.G.K.)
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25
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Chen Y, Yi X, Sun N, Guo W, Li C. Epigenetics Regulates Antitumor Immunity in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868786. [PMID: 35693795 PMCID: PMC9174518 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most malignant skin cancer, which originates from epidermal melanocytes, with increasing worldwide incidence. The escape of immune surveillance is a hallmark of the tumor, which is manifested by the imbalance between the enhanced immune evasion of tumor cells and the impaired antitumor capacity of infiltrating immune cells. According to this notion, the invigoration of the exhausted immune cells by immune checkpoint blockades has gained encouraging outcomes in eliminating tumor cells and significantly prolonged the survival of patients, particularly in melanoma. Epigenetics is a pivotal non-genomic modulatory paradigm referring to heritable changes in gene expression without altering genome sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs, and m6A RNA methylation. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated how the dysregulation of epigenetics regulates multiple biological behaviors of tumor cells and contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression in melanoma. Nevertheless, the linkage between epigenetics and antitumor immunity, as well as its implication in melanoma immunotherapy, remains elusive. In this review, we first introduce the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic innovations of melanoma. Then, the tumor microenvironment and the functions of different types of infiltrating immune cells are discussed, with an emphasis on their involvement in antitumor immunity in melanoma. Subsequently, we systemically summarize the linkage between epigenetics and antitumor immunity in melanoma, from the perspective of distinct paradigms of epigenetics. Ultimately, the progression of the clinical trials regarding epigenetics-based melanoma immunotherapy is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiuli Yi
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ningyue Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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26
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Woltering N, Albers A, Müther M, Stummer W, Paulus W, Hasselblatt M, Holling M, Thomas C. DNA
methylation profiling of central nervous system hemangioblastomas identifies two distinct subgroups. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13083. [PMID: 35637626 PMCID: PMC9616087 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemangioblastomas (HBs) of the central nervous system are highly vascular neoplasms that occur sporadically or as a manifestation of von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease. Despite their benign nature, HBs are clinically heterogeneous and can be associated with significant morbidity due to mass effects of peritumoral cysts or tumor progression. Underlying molecular factors involved in HB tumor biology remain elusive. We investigated genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles and clinical and histopathological features in a series of 47 HBs from 42 patients, including 28 individuals with VHL disease. Thirty tumors occurred in the cerebellum, 8 in the brainstem and 8 HBs were of spinal location, while 1 HB was located in the cerebrum. Histologically, 12 HBs (26%) belonged to the cellular subtype and exclusively occurred in the cerebellum, whereas 35 HBs were reticular (74%). Unsupervised clustering and dimensionality reduction of DNA methylation profiles revealed two distinct subgroups. Methylation cluster 1 comprised 30 HBs of mainly cerebellar location (29/30, 97%), whereas methylation cluster 2 contained 17 HBs predominantly located in non‐cerebellar compartments (16/17, 94%). The sum of chromosomal regions being affected by copy‐number alterations was significantly higher in methylation cluster 1 compared to cluster 2 (mean 262 vs. 109 Mb, p = 0.001). Of note, loss of chromosome 6 occurred in 9/30 tumors (30%) of methylation cluster 1 and was not observed in cluster 2 tumors (p = 0.01). No relevant methylation differences between sporadic and VHL‐related HBs or cystic and non‐cystic HBs could be detected. Deconvolution of the bulk DNA methylation profiles revealed four methylation components that were associated with the two methylation clusters suggesting cluster‐specific cell‐type compositions. In conclusion, methylation profiling of HBs reveals 2 distinct subgroups that mainly associate with anatomical location, cytogenetic profiles and differences in cell type composition, potentially reflecting different cells of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Woltering
- Institute of Neuropathology University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | - Anne Albers
- Institute of Neuropathology University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | - Michael Müther
- Department of Neurosurgery University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | - Walter Stummer
- Department of Neurosurgery University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | - Werner Paulus
- Institute of Neuropathology University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | | | - Markus Holling
- Department of Neurosurgery University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Institute of Neuropathology University Hospital Münster Münster Germany
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Urban H, Steidl E, Hattingen E, Filipski K, Meissner M, Sebastian M, Koch A, Strzelczyk A, Forster MT, Baumgarten P, Ronellenfitsch MW, Steinbach JP, Voss M. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Cerebral Pseudoprogression: Patterns and Categorization. Front Immunol 2022; 12:798811. [PMID: 35046955 PMCID: PMC8761630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.798811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The inclusion of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in therapeutic algorithms has led to significant survival benefits in patients with various metastatic cancers. Concurrently, an increasing number of neurological immune related adverse events (IRAE) has been observed. In this retrospective analysis, we examine the ICI-induced incidence of cerebral pseudoprogression and propose a classification system. Methods We screened our hospital information system to identify patients with any in-house ICI treatment for any tumor disease during the years 2007-2019. All patients with cerebral MR imaging (cMRI) of sufficient diagnostic quality were included. cMRIs were retrospectively analyzed according to immunotherapy response assessment for neuro-oncology (iRANO) criteria. Results We identified 12 cases of cerebral pseudoprogression in 123 patients treated with ICIs and sufficient MRI. These patients were receiving ICI therapy for lung cancer (n=5), malignant melanoma (n=4), glioblastoma (n=1), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1) or lymphoma (n=1) when cerebral pseudoprogression was detected. Median time from the start of ICI treatment to pseudoprogression was 5 months. All but one patient developed neurological symptoms. Three different patterns of cerebral pseudoprogression could be distinguished: new or increasing contrast-enhancing lesions, new or increasing T2 predominant lesions and cerebral vasculitis type pattern. Conclusion Cerebral pseudoprogression followed three distinct patterns and was detectable in 3.2% of all patients during ICI treatment and in 9.75% of the patients with sufficient brain imaging follow up. The fact that all but one of the affected patients developed neurological symptoms, which would be classified as progressive disease according to iRANO criteria, mandates vigilance in the diagnosis and treatment of ICI-induced cerebral lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Urban
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Eike Steidl
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Katharina Filipski
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Markus Meissner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Martin Sebastian
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Agnes Koch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Agaplesion Markuskrankenhaus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (Cepter), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie-Thérèse Forster
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Peter Baumgarten
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Michael W Ronellenfitsch
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (Cepter), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Joachim P Steinbach
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Martin Voss
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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Transcriptional determinants of cancer immunotherapy response and resistance. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:404-415. [PMID: 35125331 PMCID: PMC9035058 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The host immune response is a potent defense mechanism against cancer development and progression. To survive, cancer cells must develop mechanisms to evade the immune response. Based on this knowledge, a series of new therapies collectively referred to as immunotherapies have been developed and translated to the clinic for treating cancer patients. Although some cancer subtypes have shown strong clinical responses, including curative outcomes in some patients, immunotherapies have not worked as desired for some subtypes and forms of cancers. We provide an overview of the transcriptional mechanisms that drive the response and resistance to immunotherapies. We also discuss possible interventions to enhance the outcomes of immunotherapies by targeting dysregulated transcriptional networks in cancer cells.
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Ko H, Ahn HJ, Kim YI. Methylation and mutation of the inhibin‑α gene in human melanoma cells and regulation of PTEN expression and AKT/PI3K signaling by a demethylating agent. Oncol Rep 2021; 47:37. [PMID: 34958114 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibin suppresses the pituitary secretion of follicle‑stimulating hormone and has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor gene in the gonad in mice. Epigenetic modifications, mutations, changes in the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the inhibin‑α gene and regulation of gene expression in response to a demethylating agent [5‑aza‑2'‑deoxycytidine (5‑Aza‑dC)] in human melanoma cells were assessed. In addition, the association between a mutation in the 5'‑untranslated region (5'‑UTR) of the inhibin‑α subunit and the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‑trisphosphate‑dependent Rac exchanger 2 (PREX2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) as well as AKT/PI3K signaling was determined. The methylation status of the CpG sites of the inhibin‑α promoter was analyzed by methylation‑specific PCR in bisulfite‑treated DNA. Cell viability was counted using the trypan blue assay, mRNA expression was examined via reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, and protein expression was examined via western blot analysis. The inhibin‑α promoter was hypermethylated in G361, SK‑MEL‑3, SK‑MEL‑24 and SK‑MEL‑28 cells and moderately methylated in SK‑MEL‑5 cells. Inhibin‑α gene mutations were observed in the 5'‑UTR exon 1 of G361, SK‑MEL‑5, SK‑MEL‑24 and SK‑MEL‑28 cells as well as in exon 2 of SK‑MEL‑3 cells. Allelic imbalance, including LOH, in the inhibin‑α gene was detected in human melanoma cells. Treatment with 5‑Aza‑dC increased inhibin‑α mRNA and protein levels, inhibited cell proliferation, and delayed the doubling times of surviving melanoma cells. In 5‑Aza‑dC‑treated cells, PREX2 protein expression was slightly increased in G361 and SK‑MEL‑24 cells and decreased in SK‑MEL3, SK‑MEL‑5 and SK‑MEL‑28 cells. However, the protein expression of PTEN was decreased in melanoma cells. In addition, AKT and PI3K protein phosphorylation levels increased in all melanoma cells, except of G361 cells, demonstrating decreased PI3K protein phosphorylation. These data provided evidence that methylation, mutation and LOH are observed in the inhibin α‑subunit gene and gene locus in human melanoma cells. Furthermore, the demethylating agent reactivated inhibin‑α gene expression and regulated PREX2 expression. AKT/PI3K signaling increased as PTEN expression decreased. In addition, mutations in the tumor suppressor inhibin‑α, PTEN and p53 genes were not associated with transcriptional silencing, gene expression and cell growth as analyzed through experiments and literature reviews. These data demonstrated that methylation and mutations were associated with the inhibin‑α gene in human melanoma cells and indicated the regulation of PTEN expression and AKT/PI3K signaling by a demethylating agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunmin Ko
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Ahn
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Il Kim
- Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Dongdaemun, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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