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Onciul R, Brehar FM, Toader C, Covache-Busuioc RA, Glavan LA, Bratu BG, Costin HP, Dumitrascu DI, Serban M, Ciurea AV. Deciphering Glioblastoma: Fundamental and Novel Insights into the Biology and Therapeutic Strategies of Gliomas. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:2402-2443. [PMID: 38534769 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas constitute a diverse and complex array of tumors within the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by a wide range of prognostic outcomes and responses to therapeutic interventions. This literature review endeavors to conduct a thorough investigation of gliomas, with a particular emphasis on glioblastoma (GBM), beginning with their classification and epidemiological characteristics, evaluating their relative importance within the CNS tumor spectrum. We examine the immunological context of gliomas, unveiling the intricate immune environment and its ramifications for disease progression and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, we accentuate critical developments in understanding tumor behavior, focusing on recent research breakthroughs in treatment responses and the elucidation of cellular signaling pathways. Analyzing the most novel transcriptomic studies, we investigate the variations in gene expression patterns in glioma cells, assessing the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these genetic alterations. Furthermore, the role of epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of gliomas is underscored, suggesting that such changes are fundamental to tumor evolution and possible therapeutic advancements. In the end, this comparative oncological analysis situates GBM within the wider context of neoplasms, delineating both distinct and shared characteristics with other types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razvan Onciul
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Felix-Mircea Brehar
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Luca-Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - David-Ioan Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Matei Serban
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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Li Y, Feng Y, Luo F, Peng G, Li Y. Positive regulators of T cell functions as predictors of prognosis and microenvironment characteristics of low-grade gliomas. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1089792. [PMID: 36726969 PMCID: PMC9885161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089792] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are one of the most prevalent types of brain cancers. The efficacy of immunotherapy in LGG is limited compared to other cancers. Immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of LGG is one of the main reasons for the low efficacy of immunotherapy. Recent studies have identified 33 positive regulators of T cell functions (TPRs) that play a critical role in promoting the proliferation, activity, and functions of multiple immunocytes. However, their role in the TME of LGG has not been investigated. This study aimed to construct a risk model based on these TPRs and to detect the significance of immunotypes in predicting LGG prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy. Methods A total of 688 LGGs and 202 normal brain tissues were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. The NMF R package was used to identify TRP-related subtypes. The TPR prognostic model was established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to predict the overall survival of LGG samples. Results The Subtype 2 patients had worse survival outcomes, suppressed immune function, and higher immune cell infiltration. A risk regression model consisting of 14 TPRs was established, and its performance was validated in CGGA325 cohorts. The low-risk group exhibited better overall survival, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response, as determined via the TIDE algorithm, indicating that increasing the level of immune infiltration can effectively improve the response to immunotherapy in the low-risk group. The risk score was determined to be an independent hazard factor (p<0.001) although other clinical features (age, sex, grade, IDH status, 1p19q codel status, MGMT status, and accepted radiotherapy) were considered. Lastly, high-risk groups in both cohorts revealed optimal drug responses to rapamycin, paclitaxel, JW-7-52-1, and bortezomib. Conclusions Our study identified two distinct TPR subtypes and built a TPR signature to elucidate the characteristics of T cell proliferation in LGG and its association with immune status and prognosis. These findings shed light on possible immunotherapeutic strategies for LGGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,PET-CT Center, Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Yabo Feng
- PET-CT Center, Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Fushu Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Gang Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yueran Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,*Correspondence: Yueran Li,
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Brain Cancer Treatment; A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.5812/ijcm-121473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Context: One of the most common aggressive and primary brain tumors is glioma. The majority of diagnoses are referred to high-grade malignant glioblastoma, which carries the worst prognosis. Still, treatment of brain tumors remains a big challenge for clinicians. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of gene therapy in the treatment of brain cancer. Methods: Studies use genes as a therapeutic agent in brain cancer treatment even alone or in combination with other treatment methods. Full-text papers, which met the inclusion criteria, were independently assessed by two reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consultation with a third reviewer. Results: Statistical analysis showed that 50% of the papers used a virus, 36% used polymers, and 14% used cells as carriers to transfect the genes as a therapeutic agent in brain tumor models. Data showed that the estimated size of the brain tumor was reduced by using co-treatment of the gene with one of the conventional therapies. Conclusions: According to the results, co-treatment of the gene with conventional therapies could be more effective than the monotherapy methods.
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Vilar JB, Christmann M, Tomicic MT. Alterations in Molecular Profiles Affecting Glioblastoma Resistance to Radiochemotherapy: Where Does the Good Go? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102416. [PMID: 35626024 PMCID: PMC9139489 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer that remains incurable. Despite multiple past and ongoing preclinical studies and clinical trials, involving adjuvants to the conventional therapy and based on molecular targeting, no relevant benefit for patients’ survival has been achieved so far. The current first-line treatment regimen is based on ionizing radiation and the monoalkylating compound, temozolomide, and has been administered for more than 15 years. Glioblastoma is extremely resistant to most agents due to a mutational background that elicits quick response to insults and adapts to microenvironmental and metabolic changes. Here, we present the most recent evidence concerning the molecular features and their alterations governing pathways involved in GBM response to the standard radio-chemotherapy and discuss how they collaborate with acquired GBM’s resistance. Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor characterized by high heterogeneity, diffuse infiltration, aggressiveness, and formation of recurrences. Patients with this kind of tumor suffer from cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems, beyond exhibiting dismal survival rates. Current treatment comprises surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with the methylating agent, temozolomide (TMZ). GBMs harbor intrinsic mutations involving major pathways that elicit the cells to evade cell death, adapt to the genotoxic stress, and regrow. Ionizing radiation and TMZ induce, for the most part, DNA damage repair, autophagy, stemness, and senescence, whereas only a small fraction of GBM cells undergoes treatment-induced apoptosis. Particularly upon TMZ exposure, most of the GBM cells undergo cellular senescence. Increased DNA repair attenuates the agent-induced cytotoxicity; autophagy functions as a pro-survival mechanism, protecting the cells from damage and facilitating the cells to have energy to grow. Stemness grants the cells capacity to repopulate the tumor, and senescence triggers an inflammatory microenvironment favorable to transformation. Here, we highlight this mutational background and its interference with the response to the standard radiochemotherapy. We discuss the most relevant and recent evidence obtained from the studies revealing the molecular mechanisms that lead these cells to be resistant and indicate some future perspectives on combating this incurable tumor.
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FADD in Cancer: Mechanisms of Altered Expression and Function, and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101462. [PMID: 31569512 PMCID: PMC6826683 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
FADD was initially described as an adaptor molecule for death receptor-mediated apoptosis, but subsequently it has been implicated in nonapoptotic cellular processes such as proliferation and cell cycle control. During the last decade, FADD has been shown to play a pivotal role in most of the signalosome complexes, such as the necroptosome and the inflammasome. Interestingly, various mechanisms involved in regulating FADD functions have been identified, essentially posttranslational modifications and secretion. All these aspects have been thoroughly addressed in previous reviews. However, FADD implication in cancer is complex, due to pleiotropic effects. It has been reported either as anti- or protumorigenic, depending on the cell type. Regulation of FADD expression in cancer is a complex issue since both overexpression and downregulation have been reported, but the mechanisms underlying such alterations have not been fully unveiled. Posttranslational modifications also constitute a relevant mechanism controlling FADD levels and functions in tumor cells. In this review, we aim to provide detailed, updated information on alterations leading to changes in FADD expression and function in cancer. The participation of FADD in various biological processes is recapitulated, with a mention of interesting novel functions recently proposed for FADD, such as regulation of gene expression and control of metabolic pathways. Finally, we gather all the available evidence regarding the clinical implications of FADD alterations in cancer, especially as it has been proposed as a potential biomarker with prognostic value.
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RETRACTED ARTICLE: Transcriptional retargeting of herpes simplex virus for cell-specific replication to control cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018; 144:2107. [PMID: 29305707 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-017-2566-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Bayat N, Ebrahimi-Barough S, Norouzi-Javidan A, Saberi H, Tajerian R, Ardakan MMM, Shirian S, Ai A, Ai J. Apoptotic effect of atorvastatin in glioblastoma spheroids tumor cultured in fibrin gel. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 84:1959-1966. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Kane JR, Miska J, Young JS, Kanojia D, Kim JW, Lesniak MS. Sui generis: gene therapy and delivery systems for the treatment of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2015; 17 Suppl 2:ii24-ii36. [PMID: 25746089 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy offers a multidimensional set of approaches intended to treat and cure glioblastoma (GBM), in combination with the existing standard-of-care treatment (surgery and chemoradiotherapy), by capitalizing on the ability to deliver genes directly to the site of neoplasia to yield antitumoral effects. Four types of gene therapy are currently being investigated for their potential use in treating GBM: (i) suicide gene therapy, which induces the localized generation of cytotoxic compounds; (ii) immunomodulatory gene therapy, which induces or augments an enhanced antitumoral immune response; (iii) tumor-suppressor gene therapy, which induces apoptosis in cancer cells; and (iv) oncolytic virotherapy, which causes the lysis of tumor cells. The delivery of genes to the tumor site is made possible by means of viral and nonviral vectors for direct delivery of therapeutic gene(s), tumor-tropic cell carriers expressing therapeutic gene(s), and "intelligent" carriers designed to increase delivery, specificity, and tumoral toxicity against GBM. These vehicles are used to carry genetic material to the site of pathology, with the expectation that they can provide specific tropism to the desired site while limiting interaction with noncancerous tissue. Encouraging preclinical results using gene therapies for GBM have led to a series of human clinical trials. Although there is limited evidence of a therapeutic benefit to date, a number of clinical trials have convincingly established that different types of gene therapies delivered by various methods appear to be safe. Due to the flexibility of specialized carriers and genetic material, the technology for generating new and more effective therapies already exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Robert Kane
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Miska
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jacob S Young
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Deepak Kanojia
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Julius W Kim
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Saggioro FP, Neder L, Stávale JN, Paixão-Becker ANP, Malheiros SM, Soares FA, Pittella JEH, Matias CCM, Colli BO, Carlotti CG, Franco M. Fas, FasL, and cleaved caspases 8 and 3 in glioblastomas: A tissue microarray-based study. Pathol Res Pract 2014; 210:267-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Miao L, Fraefel C, Sia KC, Newman JP, Mohamed-Bashir SA, Ng WH, Lam PYP. The potential application of a transcriptionally regulated oncolytic herpes simplex virus for human cancer therapy. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:94-106. [PMID: 24196790 PMCID: PMC3887293 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging studies have shown the potential benefit of arming oncolytic viruses with therapeutic genes. However, most of these therapeutic genes are placed under the regulation of ubiquitous viral promoters. Our goal is to generate a safer yet potent oncolytic herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) for cancer therapy. METHODS Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) recombineering, a cell cycle-regulatable luciferase transgene cassette was replaced with the infected cell protein 6 (ICP6) coding region (encoded for UL39 or large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase) of the HSV-1 genome. These recombinant viruses, YE-PC8, were further tested for its proliferation-dependent luciferase gene expression. RESULTS The ability of YE-PC8 to confer proliferation-dependent transgene expression was demonstrated by injecting similar amount of viruses into the tumour-bearing region of the brain and the contralateral normal brain parenchyma of the same mouse. The results showed enhanced levels of luciferase activities in the tumour region but not in the normal brain parenchyma. Similar findings were observed in YE-PC8-infected short-term human brain patient-derived glioma cells compared with normal human astrocytes. intratumoural injection of YE-PC8 viruses resulted in 77% and 80% of tumour regression in human glioma and human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts, respectively. CONCLUSION YE-PC8 viruses confer tumour selectivity in proliferating cells and may be developed further as a feasible approach to treat human cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain Neoplasms/genetics
- Brain Neoplasms/therapy
- Brain Neoplasms/virology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Female
- Glioma/genetics
- Glioma/therapy
- Glioma/virology
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Luciferases/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, SCID
- Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods
- Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transgenes
- Vero Cells
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- L Miao
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - C Fraefel
- Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K C Sia
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - J P Newman
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - S A Mohamed-Bashir
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - W H Ng
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - P Y P Lam
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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Ahn BJ, Pollack IF, Okada H. Immune-checkpoint blockade and active immunotherapy for glioma. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 5:1379-412. [PMID: 24202450 PMCID: PMC3875944 DOI: 10.3390/cancers5041379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has made tremendous progress, including promising results in patients with malignant gliomas. Nonetheless, the immunological microenvironment of the brain and tumors arising therein is still believed to be suboptimal for sufficient antitumor immune responses for a variety of reasons, including the operation of “immune-checkpoint” mechanisms. While these mechanisms prevent autoimmunity in physiological conditions, malignant tumors, including brain tumors, actively employ these mechanisms to evade from immunological attacks. Development of agents designed to unblock these checkpoint steps is currently one of the most active areas of cancer research. In this review, we summarize recent progresses in the field of brain tumor immunology with particular foci in the area of immune-checkpoint mechanisms and development of active immunotherapy strategies. In the last decade, a number of specific monoclonal antibodies designed to block immune-checkpoint mechanisms have been developed and show efficacy in other cancers, such as melanoma. On the other hand, active immunotherapy approaches, such as vaccines, have shown encouraging outcomes. We believe that development of effective immunotherapy approaches should ultimately integrate those checkpoint-blockade agents to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic approaches. With these agents available, it is going to be quite an exciting time in the field. The eventual success of immunotherapies for brain tumors will be dependent upon not only an in-depth understanding of immunology behind the brain and brain tumors, but also collaboration and teamwork for the development of novel trials that address multiple layers of immunological challenges in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Ahn
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Ian F. Pollack
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-412-623-3111; Fax: +1-412-623-1415
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Raychaudhuri S, Raychaudhuri SC. Death ligand concentration and the membrane proximal signaling module regulate the type 1/type 2 choice in apoptotic death signaling. SYSTEMS AND SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY 2013; 8:83-97. [PMID: 24592294 DOI: 10.1007/s11693-013-9124-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Apoptotic death pathways are frequently activated by death ligand induction and subsequent activation of the membrane proximal signaling module. Death receptors cluster upon binding to death ligands, leading to formation of a membrane proximal death-inducing-signaling-complex (DISC). In this membrane proximal signalosome, initiator caspases (caspase 8) are processed resulting in activation of both type 1 and type 2 pathways of apoptosis signaling. How the type 1/type 2 choice is made is an important question in the systems biology of apoptosis signaling. In this study, we utilize a Monte Carlo based in silico approach to elucidate the role of membrane proximal signaling module in the type 1/type 2 choice of apoptosis signaling. Our results provide crucial mechanistic insights into the formation of DISC signalosome and caspase 8 activation. Increased concentration of death ligands was shown to correlate with increased type 1 activation. We also study the caspase 6 mediated system level feedback activation of apoptosis signaling and its role in the type 1/type 2 choice. Our results clarify the basis of cell-to-cell stochastic variability in apoptosis activation and ramifications of this issue is further discussed in the context of therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Raychaudhuri
- Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, 110020 Delhi India ; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95776 USA
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Raychaudhuri S, Raychaudhuri SC. Monte carlo study elucidates the type 1/type 2 choice in apoptotic death signaling in healthy and cancer cells. Cells 2013; 2:361-92. [PMID: 24709706 PMCID: PMC3972686 DOI: 10.3390/cells2020361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death is coordinated through two distinct (type 1 and type 2) intracellular signaling pathways. How the type 1/type 2 choice is made remains a central problem in the biology of apoptosis and has implications for apoptosis related diseases and therapy. We study the problem of type 1/type 2 choice in silico utilizing a kinetic Monte Carlo model of cell death signaling. Our results show that the type 1/type 2 choice is linked to deterministic versus stochastic cell death activation, elucidating a unique regulatory control of the apoptotic pathways. Consistent with previous findings, our results indicate that caspase 8 activation level is a key regulator of the choice between deterministic type 1 and stochastic type 2 pathways, irrespective of cell types. Expression levels of signaling molecules downstream also regulate the type 1/type 2 choice. A simplified model of DISC clustering elucidates the mechanism of increased active caspase 8 generation and type 1 activation in cancer cells having increased sensitivity to death receptor activation. We demonstrate that rapid deterministic activation of the type 1 pathway can selectively target such cancer cells, especially if XIAP is also inhibited; while inherent cell-to-cell variability would allow normal cells stay protected.
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YANG SHUXU, WANG KUN, QIAN CONG, SONG ZHENGFEI, PU PEIYU, ZHANG ANLING, WANG WEI, NIU HUANJIANG, LI XINWEI, QI XUCHEN, ZHU YINXIN, WANG YIRONG. A predicted miR-27a-mediated network identifies a signature of glioma. Oncol Rep 2012; 28:1249-56. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.1955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Jia LT, Chen SY, Yang AG. Cancer gene therapy targeting cellular apoptosis machinery. Cancer Treat Rev 2012; 38:868-76. [PMID: 22800735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The unraveling of cellular apoptosis machinery provides novel targets for cancer treatment, and gene therapy targeting this suicidal system has been corroborated to cause inflammation-free autonomous elimination of neoplastic cells. The apoptotic machinery can be targeted by introduction of a gene encoding an inducer, mediator or executioner of apoptotic cell death or by inhibition of anti-apoptotic gene expression. Strategies targeting cancer cells, which are achieved by selective gene delivery, specific gene expression or secretion of target proteins via genetic modification of autologous cells, dictate the outcome of apoptosis-based cancer gene therapy. Despite so far limited clinical success, gene therapy targeting the apoptotic machinery has great potential to benefit patients with threatening malignancies provided the availability of efficient and specific gene delivery and administration systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Tao Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Villa-Morales M, Fernández-Piqueras J. Targeting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway in cancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16:85-101. [PMID: 22239437 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2011.628937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Fas/FasL system plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. Research has shown that its impairment in cancer cells may lead to apoptosis resistance and contribute to tumor progression. Thus, the development of effective therapies targeting the Fas/FasL system may play an important role in the fight against cancer. AREAS COVERED In this review the recent literature on targeting the Fas/FasL system for therapeutic exploitation at different levels is reviewed. Promising pre-clinical approaches and various exceptions are highlighted. The potential of combined therapies is also explored, whereby tumor sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is restored, before an effective targeted therapy is employed. EXPERT OPINION The success of the Fas/FasL system targeting for therapeutics will require a better understanding of the alterations conferring resistance, in order to use the most appropriate sensitizing chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic agents in combination with effective targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Villa-Morales
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
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Jerusalinsky D, Baez MV, Epstein AL. Herpes simplex virus type 1-based amplicon vectors for fundamental research in neurosciences and gene therapy of neurological diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 106:2-11. [PMID: 22108428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2011.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Somatic manipulation of the nervous system without the involvement of the germinal line appears as a powerful counterpart of the transgenic strategy. The use of viral vectors to produce specific, transient and localized knockout, knockdown, ectopic expression or overexpression of a gene, leads to the possibility of analyzing both in vitro and in vivo molecular basis of neural function. In this approach, viral particles engineered to carry transgenic sequences are delivered into discrete brain regions, to transduce cells that will express the transgenic products. Amplicons are replication-incompetent helper-dependent vectors derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), with several advantages that potentiate their use in neurosciences: (1) minimal toxicity: amplicons do not encode any virus proteins, are neither toxic for the infected cells nor pathogenic for the inoculated animals and elicit low levels of adaptive immune responses; (2) extensive transgene capacity to carry up to 150-kb of foreign DNA; i.e., entire genes with regulatory sequences could be delivered; (3) widespread cellular tropism: amplicons can experimentally infect several cell types including glial cells, though naturally the virus infects mainly neurons and epithelial cells; (4) since the viral genome does not integrate into cellular chromosomes there is low probability to induce insertional mutagenesis. Recent investigations on gene transfer into the brain using these vectors, have focused on gene therapy of inherited genetic diseases affecting the nervous system, such as ataxias, or on neurodegenerative disorders using experimental models of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Another group of studies used amplicons to investigate complex neural functions such as neuroplasticity, anxiety, learning and memory. In this short review, we summarize recent data supporting the potential of HSV-1 based amplicon vector model for gene delivery and modulation of gene expression in primary cultures of neuronal cells and into the brain of living animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Jerusalinsky
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), CONICET-UBA. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Sia KC, Huynh H, Chinnasamy N, Hui KM, Lam PYP. Suicidal gene therapy in the effective control of primary human hepatocellular carcinoma as monitored by noninvasive bioimaging. Gene Ther 2011; 19:532-42. [PMID: 21918545 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually refractory to the available treatments. For cancer gene therapy purposes, real-time imaging of therapeutic gene expression is of great importance because there are multiple factors that modulate the therapeutic gene expression in a complex tumor microenvironment. As a consequence, multiple doses of therapeutic viral vectors may be required for improved efficacy. In the present study, the luciferase reporter gene and the yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) genes were bicistronically expressed using the foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A peptide under the regulation of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The effectiveness of the yCD/5-FC (5-fluorocytosine) killing efficacy mediated by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon viral vector was shown using HCC and non-HCC cell lines in vitro. In addition, in vivo experiment also showed tumor regression of a primary HCC 26-1004 tumor xenograft in tumor expressing high levels of the yCD gene (as determined by noninvasive imaging) after intratumoral injection of 1.5 × 10(6) TU HGCX-L2C HSV-1 amplicon viral vector and 5-FC administration. The HSV-1 amplicon viral vector coupled with the yCD/5-FC prodrug activated suicide gene could potentially be of use in clinical gene therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Sia
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
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