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Redmer T, Schumann E, Peters K, Weidemeier ME, Nowak S, Schroeder HWS, Vidal A, Radbruch H, Lehmann A, Kreuzer-Redmer S, Jürchott K, Radke J. MET receptor serves as a promising target in melanoma brain metastases. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:44. [PMID: 38386085 PMCID: PMC10884227 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The development of brain metastases hallmarks disease progression in 20-40% of melanoma patients and is a serious obstacle to therapy. Understanding the processes involved in the development and maintenance of melanoma brain metastases (MBM) is critical for the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we generated transcriptome and methylome profiles of MBM showing high or low abundance of infiltrated Iba1high tumor-associated microglia and macrophages (TAMs). Our survey identified potential prognostic markers of favorable disease course and response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICi) therapy, among them APBB1IP and the interferon-responsive gene ITGB7. In MBM with high ITGB7/APBB1IP levels, the accumulation of TAMs correlated significantly with the immune score. Signature-based deconvolution of MBM via single sample GSEA revealed enrichment of interferon-response and immune signatures and revealed inflammation, stress and MET receptor signaling. MET receptor phosphorylation/activation maybe elicited by inflammatory processes in brain metastatic melanoma cells via stroma cell-released HGF. We found phospho-METY1234/1235 in a subset of MBM and observed a marked response of brain metastasis-derived cell lines (BMCs) that lacked druggable BRAF mutations or developed resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) in vivo to MET inhibitors PHA-665752 and ARQ197 (tivantinib). In summary, the activation of MET receptor in brain colonizing melanoma cells by stromal cell-released HGF may promote tumor self-maintenance and expansion and might counteract ICi therapy. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of MET possibly serves as a promising strategy to control intracranial progressive disease and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Redmer
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Pathology, Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Elisa Schumann
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, CCCC (Campus Mitte), Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Peters
- Institute of Pathology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin E Weidemeier
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stephan Nowak
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henry W S Schroeder
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anna Vidal
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helena Radbruch
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Lehmann
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Kreuzer-Redmer
- Nutrigenomics Unit, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karsten Jürchott
- Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josefine Radke
- Institute of Pathology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
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2
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Hoffmann F, Franzen A, de Vos L, Wuest L, Kulcsár Z, Fietz S, Maas AP, Hollick S, Diop MY, Gabrielpillai J, Vogt T, Kuster P, Zarbl R, Dietrich J, Kristiansen G, Brossart P, Landsberg J, Strieth S, Dietrich D. CTLA4 DNA methylation is associated with CTLA-4 expression and predicts response to immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:112. [PMID: 37415208 PMCID: PMC10327338 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of patients with recurrent or metastasized head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not benefit from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) while several patients experience severe and persistent immune-mediated side effects. Therefore, predictive biomarkers are urgently needed to allow for a personalized treatment. In this study, we investigated DNA methylation of the immune checkpoint gene CTLA4 with regard to its predictive value. METHODS We analyzed CTLA4 promoter methylation in tumors of HNSCC patients (N = 29) treated with ICB at the University Medical Center Bonn with regard to response to ICB and progression-free survival. We further analyzed a second cohort (N = 138) of patients that did not receive ICB with regard to CTLA4 promoter methylation, CTLA-4 protein expression, and immune cell infiltrates. Finally, we tested inducibility of CTLA-4 protein expression in HNSCC cells using the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine. RESULTS Lower CTLA4 promoter methylation correlated with response to ICB and prolonged progression-free survival. We could show that not only tumor infiltrating immune cells, but also HNSCC cells harbor cytoplasmic and nuclear CTLA-4 expression. CTLA4 promoter methylation inversely correlated with infiltrates of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45+ immune cells. CTLA4 methylation did not correlate with protein expression in tumors, however, decitabine treatment led to decreased CTLA4 methylation and an induction of CTLA4 mRNA and CTLA-4 protein expression in HNSCC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that CTLA4 DNA hypomethylation is a predictive biomarker for response to ICB in HNSCC. Our study warrants further analyses of the predictive value of CTLA4 DNA methylation in clinical trials of anti-PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy in HNSCC.
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Grants
- 70113307 Deutsche Krebshilfe
- 2022-1A-08, 2020-1A-13, 2020-2A-06, 2022-4-18, 2023-4-06 University Medical Center Bonn BONFOR program
- 2022-1A-08, 2020-1A-13, 2020-2A-06, 2022-4-18, 2023-4-06 University Medical Center Bonn BONFOR program
- 2022-1A-08, 2020-1A-13, 2020-2A-06, 2022-4-18, 2023-4-06 University Medical Center Bonn BONFOR program
- 2022-1A-08, 2020-1A-13, 2020-2A-06, 2022-4-18, 2023-4-06 University Medical Center Bonn BONFOR program
- 2022-1A-08, 2020-1A-13, 2020-2A-06, 2022-4-18, 2023-4-06 University Medical Center Bonn BONFOR program
- Universitätsklinikum Bonn (8930)
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Hoffmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alina Franzen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lennert Wuest
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Zsófi Kulcsár
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Fietz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Philippe Maas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Hollick
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marie Yatou Diop
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennis Gabrielpillai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Timo Vogt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Kuster
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joern Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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Ralser DJ, Herr E, de Vos L, Kulcsár Z, Zarbl R, Klümper N, Gielen GH, Maas AP, Hoffmann F, Dietrich J, Kuster P, Mustea A, Glodde N, Kristiansen G, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. ICOS DNA methylation regulates melanoma cell-intrinsic ICOS expression, is associated with melanoma differentiation, prognosis, and predicts response to immune checkpoint blockade. Biomark Res 2023; 11:56. [PMID: 37259155 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00508-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inducible T cell costimulator ICOS is an emerging target in immuno-oncology. The aim of this study was to investigate the epigenetic regulation of ICOS in melanoma by DNA methylation. METHODS We comprehensively investigate ICOS DNA methylation of specific CpG sites and expression pattern within the melanoma microenvironment with regard to immune correlates, differentiation, clinical outcomes, and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response. RESULTS Our study revealed a sequence-contextual CpG methylation pattern consistent with an epigenetically regulated gene. We found a cell type-specific methylation pattern and locus-specific correlations and associations of CpG methylation with ICOS mRNA expression, immune infiltration, melanoma differentiation, prognosis, and response to ICB. High ICOS mRNA expression was identified as a surrogate for enriched immune cell infiltration and was associated with favorable overall survival (OS) in non-ICB-treated patients and predicted response and a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) following ICB therapy initiation. ICOS hypomethylation, however, significantly correlated with poor OS in non-ICB patients but predicted higher response and prolonged PFS and OS in ICB-treated patients. Moreover, we observed cytoplasmic and sporadically nuclear tumor cell-intrinsic ICOS protein expression. Tumor cell-intrinsic ICOS protein and mRNA expression was inducible by pharmacological demethylation with decitabine. CONCLUSION Our study identified ICOS DNA methylation and mRNA expression as promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in melanoma and points towards a hitherto undescribed role of ICOS in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian J Ralser
- Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Herr
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Zsófi Kulcsár
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Niklas Klümper
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerrit H Gielen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Philippe Maas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Friederike Hoffmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Kuster
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Mustea
- Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Glodde
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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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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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Wang Y, Du J, Gao Z, Sun H, Mei M, Wang Y, Ren Y, Zhou X. Evolving landscape of PD-L2: bring new light to checkpoint immunotherapy. Br J Cancer 2022; 128:1196-1207. [PMID: 36522474 PMCID: PMC10050415 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractImmune checkpoint blockade therapy targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has revolutionized the landscape of multiple human cancer types, including head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC). Programmed death ligand-2 (PD-L2), a PD-1 ligand, mediates cancer cell immune escape (or tolerance independent of PD-L1) and predicts poor prognosis of patients with HNSCC. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the regulatory process of PD-L2 expression may stratify patients with HNSCC to benefit from anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. In this review, we summarised the PD-L2 expression and its immune-dependent and independent functions in HNSCC and other solid tumours. We focused on recent findings on the mechanisms that regulate PD-L2 at the genomic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels, also in intercellular communication of tumour microenvironment (TME). We also discussed the prospects of using small molecular agents indirectly targeting PD-L2 in cancer therapy. These findings may provide a notable avenue in developing novel and effective PD-L2-targeted therapeutic strategies for immune combination therapy and uncovering biomarkers that improve the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapies.
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Identification and Validation of Ferroptosis-Related DNA Methylation Signature for Predicting the Prognosis and Guiding the Treatment in Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415677. [PMID: 36555319 PMCID: PMC9778758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415677] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most aggressive skin tumors with a poor prognosis. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death that is closely associated with cancer development and immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to establish and validate a ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) DNA methylation signature to predict the prognosis of CM patients using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A reliable four-FRG DNA methylation prognostic signature was constructed via Cox regression analysis based on TCGA database. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the high-risk group tended to have a shorter overall survival (OS) than the low-risk group in both training TCGA and validation GEO cohorts. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the areas under the curve (AUC) at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.738, 0.730, and 0.770 in TCGA cohort and 0.773, 0.775, and 0.905 in the validation cohort, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the signature was an independent prognostic indicator of OS in patients with CM. Immunogenomic profiling showed the low-risk group of patients had a higher immunophenoscore, and most immune checkpoints were negatively associated with the risk signature. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that immune response and immune-related pathways were enriched in the low-risk group. In conclusion, we established and validated a four-FRG DNA methylation signature that independently predicts prognosis in CM patients. This signature was strongly correlated with the immune landscape, and may serve as a biomarker to guide clinicians in making more precise and personalized treatment decisions for CM patients.
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8
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de Vos L, Carrillo Cano TM, Zarbl R, Klümper N, Ralser DJ, Franzen A, Herr E, Gabrielpillai J, Vogt TJ, Dietrich J, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. CTLA4 , PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 DNA Methylation Is Associated With BAP1 -Aberrancy, Transcriptional Activity, and Overall Survival in Uveal Melanoma. J Immunother 2022; 45:324-334. [PMID: 35862127 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive disease with poor response to oncological treatment, including immunotherapy. Loss of the epigenetic modifier BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) function drives UM oncogenesis and is associated with an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, poor prognosis, and a distinct DNA methylation and gene expression profile. Our study aimed to analyze comprehensively the DNA methylation status of the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4, TIM-3 ( HAVCR2 ), TIGIT , and LAG3 and its association with mRNA expression, BAP1 -aberrancy, and patients' survival. We analyzed the DNA methylation landscape of immune checkpoint genes at single CpG resolution in N=80 UM samples provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas. We analyzed CpG methylation levels of the immune checkpoints with regard to their transcriptional signatures and patient outcomes.Methylation of specific CpG sites within the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 correlated strongly with mRNA expression levels, indicating a strong regulation of gene expression through DNA methylation. Moreover, immune checkpoint gene methylation was strongly associated with BAP1 -mutation status and associated with overall survival in UM. Our data indicate an epigenetic regulation of immune checkpoints through DNA methylation in UM. Further, our data highlight the prognostic significance of DNA methylation of immune checkpoint genes in UM thereby providing a rationale for methylation testing as predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emmanuelle Herr
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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High IGKC-Expressing Intratumoral Plasma Cells Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169124. [PMID: 36012390 PMCID: PMC9408876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) constitutes the current limiting factor for the optimal implementation of this novel therapy, which otherwise demonstrates durable responses with acceptable toxicity scores. This limitation is exacerbated by a lack of robust biomarkers. In this study, we have dissected the basal TME composition at the gene expression and cellular levels that predict response to Nivolumab and prognosis. BCR, TCR and HLA profiling were employed for further characterization of the molecular variables associated with response. The findings were validated using a single-cell RNA-seq data of metastatic melanoma patients treated with ICB, and by multispectral immunofluorescence. Finally, machine learning was employed to construct a prediction algorithm that was validated across eight metastatic melanoma cohorts treated with ICB. Using this strategy, we have unmasked a major role played by basal intratumoral Plasma cells expressing high levels of IGKC in efficacy. IGKC, differentially expressed in good responders, was also identified within the Top response-related BCR clonotypes, together with IGK variants. These results were validated at gene, cellular and protein levels; CD138+ Plasma-like and Plasma cells were more abundant in good responders and correlated with the same RNA-seq-defined fraction. Finally, we generated a 15-gene prediction model that outperformed the current reference score in eight ICB-treated metastatic melanoma cohorts. The evidenced major contribution of basal intratumoral IGKC and Plasma cells in good response and outcome in ICB in metastatic melanoma is a groundbreaking finding in the field beyond the role of T lymphocytes.
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10
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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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11
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Niebel D, Fröhlich A, Zarbl R, Fietz S, de Vos L, Vogt TJ, Dietrich J, Sirokay J, Kuster P, Saavedra G, Ramírez Valladolid S, Hoffmann F, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. DNA methylation regulates TIGIT expression within the melanoma microenvironment, is prognostic for overall survival, and predicts progression-free survival in patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:50. [PMID: 35410311 PMCID: PMC9004005 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01270-2] [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: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TIGIT is an immune checkpoint under investigation as therapeutic target. Understanding the regulation of TIGIT on an epigenetic level might support the development of companion biomarkers. METHODS We correlated TIGIT DNA methylation of single CpG sites with gene expression, signatures of immune infiltrates and interferon-γ, and survival in melanoma. We further analyzed methylation levels in immune cell subsets, melanocyte and melanoma cell lines. TIGIT expression patterns within components of the melanoma microenvironment were analyzed by single cell sequencing. We used quantitative methylation-specific PCR, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry for correlations between expression and methylation and to assess the effect of pharmacological demethylation of melanoma cells treated with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (decitabine). Finally, we investigated the association of patients' survival with TIGIT mRNA and methylation. RESULTS Depending on the sequence context of the analyzed CpG site, we found a cell type-specific TIGIT gene locus methylation pattern and significant correlations of TIGIT methylation with mRNA expression, an interferon γ signature, and distinct immune cell infiltrates, including TIGIT+ lymphocytes. We detected a melanoma cell-intrinsic TIGIT protein expression. Pharmacological demethylation of the A375 melanoma cell line led to a constitutive TIGIT expression. Low promoter flank methylation and high mRNA expression was associated with patients' prognosis and predicted progression-free survival in patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. A high TIGIT+ lymphocyte score was associated with better progression-free survival under anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate an epigenetic regulation of TIGIT expression via DNA methylation within the melanoma microenvironment. TIGIT DNA methylation and expression may serve as predictive biomarkers in the context of immunotherapies in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Niebel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anne Fröhlich
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Fietz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Timo J Vogt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Judith Sirokay
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Kuster
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Saavedra
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susana Ramírez Valladolid
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Friederike Hoffmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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12
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Wei B, Chen H, Chen X, Guo D, Hong L, Zheng S. Sox15 Methylation Inhibits Cell Proliferation Through Wnt Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:842312. [PMID: 35392235 PMCID: PMC8980349 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.842312] [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: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of the SRY-Box Transcription Factor 15 (Sox15) is reduced by DNA methylation, and its progression is suppressed within numerous tumors. However, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. In the present work, the clinical importance and function of Sox15, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism, were explored within HCC. The expression of Sox15 is reduced and positively correlated with prognosis in HCC as analyzed by GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis) and OncoLnc. Meanwhile, the hypermethylated Sox15 promoter CpG-site predicted a dismal HCC prognosis. Besides, ectopic Sox15 expression within the HCC cells (LM3, HUH7, SK-hep-1) remarkably inhibited in vitro cell growth and inhibited xenograft tumorigenesis in the nude mice. Moreover, Sox15 inactivated the Wnt pathway under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. To summarize, Sox15 played a tumor suppressor role within the HCC via the inactivated Wnt pathway. Sox15 and CpG-site methylation of its promoter are the factors that independently predict the prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bajin Wei
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Lung Transplantation and General Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobin Chen
- Department of Lung Transplantation and General Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danjing Guo
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangjie Hong
- Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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13
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Karczmarczyk A, Korpysz M, Bilska S, Purkot J, Hus M, Giannopoulos K. Programmed Cell Death-1 and Its Ligands as Targets for Therapy of Multiple Myeloma Patients. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:1267-1281. [PMID: 35370422 PMCID: PMC8974248 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s351383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Among hematological malignancies, the expression profile of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligands in multiple myeloma (MM) is still debated by numerous research groups. In current study, we characterized the expression of PD-1 and its ligands both on RNA and protein levels in MM patients. We have also attempted to analyze whether daratumumab therapy might overcome CD38-mediated immunosuppression that inhibits in particular CD8+ T-cell function. Patients and Methods This study included 149 newly diagnosed MM patients and 15 relapsed/refractory MM patients before and after daratumumab treatment. The mRNA levels of PDCD1, PDCD1LG1, PDCD1LG2 and their splicing variants was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry was used to characterize the surface expression of PD-1 and its ligands on plasma cells, B and T cells. The surface expression of PD-1 on T cells was assessed by flow cytometry before and after daratumumab treatment. Results The mRNA expression of PDCD1LG1, PDCD1LG2 and their splicing variants were higher in plasma cells as compared to bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs). Our results show that the percentage of plasma cells expressing PD-L1 was significantly higher than plasma cells expressing PD-L2 (p<0.0001) in bone marrow (BM) of MM patients. There was no significant difference between the percentage of plasma cells expressing PD-1 and B cells expressing PD-1 in BM of MM patients (11.19% vs 8.91%). We also found that the percentage of CD8+PD-1+ T cells was significantly higher than CD4+PD-1+T cells in BM (p<0.0001) of MM patients. Here, we observed no change in PD-1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after the daratumumab treatment. Conclusion The PD-1 and its ligands might represent an interesting target for MM immunotherapy, as one would target both malignant plasma cells as well as the immune cells that play a key role in tumor escape mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej Korpysz
- Department of Biochemical Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bilska
- Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Purkot
- Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marek Hus
- Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Giannopoulos
- Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Hematology, St. John’s Cancer Centre, Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: Krzysztof Giannopoulos, Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1, Lublin, 20-093, Poland, Tel + 48 81448 6632, Fax + 48 81448 6634, Email
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14
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Nanamori H, Sawada Y. Epigenetic Modification of PD-1/PD-L1-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy against Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031119. [PMID: 35163049 PMCID: PMC8835029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is one of the representative skin cancers with unfavorable clinical behavior. Immunotherapy is currently used for the treatment, and it dramatically improves clinical outcomes in patients with advanced malignant melanoma. On the other hand, not all these patients can obtain therapeutic efficacy. To overcome this limitation of current immunotherapy, epigenetic modification is a highlighted issue for clinicians. Epigenetic modification is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions in the skin. Recent studies identified that skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma, has advantages in tumor development, indicating that epigenetic manipulation for regulation of gene expression in the tumor can be expected to result in additional therapeutic efficacy during immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on the detailed molecular mechanism of epigenetic modification in immunotherapy, especially anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody treatment for malignant melanoma.
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15
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Aleotti V, Catoni C, Poggiana C, Rosato A, Facchinetti A, Scaini MC. Methylation Markers in Cutaneous Melanoma: Unravelling the Potential Utility of Their Tracking by Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6217. [PMID: 34944843 PMCID: PMC8699653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most serious, life-threatening form of all dermatologic diseases, with a poor prognosis in the presence of metastases and advanced disease. Despite recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, there is still a critical need for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms behind melanoma progression and resistance onset. Recent advances in genome-wide methylation methods have revealed that aberrant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation play an important role in many aspects of cancer progression, including cell proliferation and migration, evasion of cell death, invasion, and metastasization. The purpose of the current review was to gather evidence regarding the usefulness of DNA methylation tracking in liquid biopsy as a potential biomarker in melanoma. We investigated the key genes and signal transduction pathways that have been found to be altered epigenetically in melanoma. We then highlighted the circulating tumor components present in blood, including circulating melanoma cells (CMC), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a valuable source for identifying relevant aberrations in DNA methylation. Finally, we focused on DNA methylation signatures as a marker for tracking response to therapy and resistance, thus facilitating personalized medicine and decision-making in the treatment of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Aleotti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Catoni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Cristina Poggiana
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Facchinetti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Scaini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy; (V.A.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.C.S.)
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16
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Long Q, Huang C, Huang J, Meng Q, Cheng Y, Li Y, He L, Chen M, Zhang C, Wang X, Zhu W, Peng J, Shi D, Zheng F, Dong P, Deng W. Prognostic value of JAK3 promoter methylation and mRNA expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. J Adv Res 2021; 40:153-166. [PMID: 36100323 PMCID: PMC9481962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Long
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyu Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinsheng Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Meng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Cheng
- Reproductive Center, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, China
| | - Yilin Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liru He
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao Chen
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changlin Zhang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wancui Zhu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Peng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dingbo Shi
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fufu Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Pei Dong
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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17
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Mayer K, Briese W, Blieninger J, Brossart P, Bisht S, Feldmann G. Development of Skin Rash Predicts Outcome of Anti-PD-1- and Anti-CTLA4-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Single-Center Analysis. Oncol Res Treat 2021; 44:538-546. [PMID: 34515189 DOI: 10.1159/000518449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We report the spectrum of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) and outcome observed in a single-center cohort of 100 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in a routine clinical setting. METHODS Tumor entities included non-small cell lung cancer (n = 28), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (n = 28), urothelial carcinoma (n = 7), and others (n = 37). RESULTS irAEs were documented in 49% of cases analyzed, and the most frequent manifestation consisted of immune-mediated skin rash (28%), colitis (9%), pneumonitis (8%), hypothyroidism (7%), or hepatitis (6%). Skin rash correlated with improved progression-free survival. CONCLUSION Development of immune-related skin rash was found to correlate with favorable outcome, suggesting its practical feasibility as a potential predictive surrogate marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wibke Briese
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Blieninger
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Savita Bisht
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Feldmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center of Integrated Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Duesseldorf, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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18
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Dobre EG, Constantin C, Costache M, Neagu M. Interrogating Epigenome toward Personalized Approach in Cutaneous Melanoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:901. [PMID: 34575678 PMCID: PMC8467841 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have emerged as essential contributors in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cutaneous melanoma (CM). Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic modifications are highly dynamic and reversible and thus easy to regulate. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the latest research findings on the role of genetic and epigenetic alterations in CM initiation and development. We believe that a better understanding of how aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, along with other molecular processes, affect the genesis and clinical behavior of CM can provide the clinical management of this disease a wide range of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets that can be used to prevent or abrogate drug resistance. We will also approach the modalities by which these epigenetic alterations can be used to customize the therapeutic algorithms in CM, the current status of epi-therapies, and the preliminary results of epigenetic and traditional combinatorial pharmacological approaches in this fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Georgiana Dobre
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marieta Costache
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Monica Neagu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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19
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Wang Y, Tang L, Yang L, Lv P, Mai S, Xu L, Wang Z. DNA Methylation-Mediated Low Expression of CFTR Stimulates the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma. Biochem Genet 2021; 60:807-821. [PMID: 34498165 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-021-10128-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the mortality rate of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is persistently increasing, which has already caused a huge impact on human living standards. Hence, there is an urgent need to probe the molecular mechanism of LUAD progression, so as to disclose prognostic and diagnostic markers for patients with LUAD. Methylation 450 K data and mRNA expression data of LUAD were obtained via bioinformatics analysis to screen methylation-driven genes. The expression of the target gene was detected through qRT-PCR, while the methylation level was evaluated via methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The impact of the gene on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and cell cycle was measured through CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry. CFTR was defined by bioinformatics analysis as the target gene for this study. qRT-PCR revealed that CFTR was lowly expressed in LUAD cells. MSP displayed that the CFTR promoter region in LUAD cells was hypermethylated, and demethylation could pronouncedly increase the level of CFTR mRNA in LUAD cells. Cell biological functional experiments exhibited that CFTR hindered cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, fostered cell apoptosis of LUAD, and blocked the cell cycle in G2-M phase. CFTR was hypermethylated in LUAD, which mediated the low expression of CFTR in LUAD to stimulate the progression of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Peiyun Lv
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Shixiong Mai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126 Xiantai Street, Erdao District, Changchun, 130033, China.
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20
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Epigenetic Regulation in Melanoma: Facts and Hopes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082048. [PMID: 34440824 PMCID: PMC8392422 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a lethal disease, even when diagnosed in advanced stages. Although recent progress in biology and treatment has dramatically improved survival rates, new therapeutic approaches are still needed. Deregulation of epigenetics, which mainly controls DNA methylation status and chromatin remodeling, is implied not only in cancer initiation and progression, but also in resistance to antitumor drugs. Epigenetics in melanoma has been studied recently in both melanoma preclinical models and patient samples, highlighting its potential role in different phases of melanomagenesis, as well as in resistance to approved drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and MAPK inhibitors. This review summarizes what is currently known about epigenetics in melanoma and dwells on the recognized and potential new targets for testing epigenetic drugs, alone or together with other agents, in advanced melanoma patients.
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21
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Saputro RD, Rinonce HT, Iramawasita Y, Ridho MR, Pudjohartono MF, Anwar SL, Setiaji K, Aryandono T. Potential prognostic value of PD-L1 and NKG2A expression in Indonesian patients with skin nodular melanoma. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:206. [PMID: 34049578 PMCID: PMC8161664 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05623-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Biomarker mRNA levels have been suggested to be predictors of patient survival and therapy response in melanoma cases. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between the mRNA expression levels of PD-L1 and NKG2A in melanoma tissue with clinicopathologic characteristics and survival in Indonesian primary nodular melanoma patients. RESULTS Thirty-one tissue samples were obtained; two were excluded from survival analysis due to Breslow depth of less than 4 mm. The median survival of upregulated and normoregulated PD-L1-patients were 15.800 ± 2.345 and 28.945 ± 4.126 months, respectively. However, this difference was not significant statistically (p = 0.086). Upregulated and normoregulated NKG2A patients differed very little in median survival time (25.943 ± 7.415 vs 26.470 ± 3.854 months; p = 0.981). Expression of PD-L1 and NKG2A were strongly correlated (rs: 0.787, p < 0.001). No clinicopathologic associations with PD-L1 and NKG2A mRNA levels were observed. These results suggest that PD-L1 may have potential as a prognostic factor. Although an unlikely prognostic factor, NKG2A may become an adjunct target for therapy. The strong correlation between PD-L1 and NKG2A suggests that anti-PD-1 and anti-NKG2A agents could be effective in patients with PD-L1 upregulation. The mRNA levels of these two genes may help direct choice of immunotherapy and predict patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridwan Dwi Saputro
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Hanggoro Tri Rinonce
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman , Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Yayuk Iramawasita
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman , Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Rasyid Ridho
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman , Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Maria Fransiska Pudjohartono
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman , Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sumadi Lukman Anwar
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Kunto Setiaji
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Aryandono
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito Hospital , Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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22
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Garutti M, Bonin S, Buriolla S, Bertoli E, Pizzichetta MA, Zalaudek I, Puglisi F. Find the Flame: Predictive Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081819. [PMID: 33920288 PMCID: PMC8070445 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of melanoma. In particular, checkpoint inhibition has shown to increase long-term outcome, and, in some cases, it can be virtually curative. However, the absence of clinically validated predictive biomarkers is one of the major causes of unpredictable efficacy of immunotherapy. Indeed, the availability of predictive biomarkers could allow a better stratification of patients, suggesting which type of drugs should be used in a certain clinical context and guiding clinicians in escalating or de-escalating therapy. However, the difficulty in obtaining clinically useful predictive biomarkers reflects the deep complexity of tumor biology. Biomarkers can be classified as tumor-intrinsic biomarkers, microenvironment biomarkers, and systemic biomarkers. Herein we review the available literature to classify and describe predictive biomarkers for checkpoint inhibition in melanoma with the aim of helping clinicians in the decision-making process. We also performed a meta-analysis on the predictive value of PDL-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Garutti
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (M.A.P.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Serena Bonin
- DSM—Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34123 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Silvia Buriolla
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Elisa Bertoli
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (M.A.P.); (F.P.)
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Maria Antonietta Pizzichetta
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (M.A.P.); (F.P.)
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, 34123 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Iris Zalaudek
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, 34123 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Fabio Puglisi
- CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (E.B.); (M.A.P.); (F.P.)
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
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23
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NLRC5/CITA expression correlates with efficient response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3258. [PMID: 33547395 PMCID: PMC7865024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade-mediated immunotherapy is emerging as an effective treatment modality for multiple cancer types. However, cancer cells frequently evade the immune system, compromising the effectiveness of immunotherapy. It is crucial to develop screening methods to identify the patients who would most benefit from these therapies because of the risk of the side effects and the high cost of treatment. Here we show that expression of the MHC class I transactivator (CITA), NLRC5, is important for efficient responses to anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade therapies. Melanoma tumors derived from patients responding to immunotherapy exhibited significantly higher expression of NLRC5 and MHC class I-related genes compared to non-responding patients. In addition, multivariate analysis that included the number of tumor-associated non-synonymous mutations, predicted neo-antigen load and PD-L2 expression was capable of further stratifying responders and non-responders to anti-CTLA4 therapy. Moreover, expression or methylation of NLRC5 together with total somatic mutation number were significantly correlated with increased patient survival. These results suggest that NLRC5 tumor expression, alone or together with tumor mutation load constitutes a valuable predictive biomarker for both prognosis and response to anti-CTLA-4 and potentially anti-PD1 blockade immunotherapy in melanoma patients.
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24
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Fietz S, Zarbl R, Niebel D, Posch C, Brossart P, Gielen GH, Strieth S, Pietsch T, Kristiansen G, Bootz F, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. CTLA4 promoter methylation predicts response and progression-free survival in stage IV melanoma treated with anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy (ipilimumab). Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:1781-1788. [PMID: 33196890 PMCID: PMC8139923 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02777-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anti-CTLA-4-antibodies can induce long-lasting tumor remissions. However, only a few patients respond, necessitating the development of predictive companion biomarkers. Increasing evidence suggests a major role of epigenetics, including DNA methylation, in immunology and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we tested CTLA4 promoter methylation and CTLA-4 protein expression as predictive biomarkers for response to anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy. We identified retrospectively N = 30 stage IV melanoma patients treated with single-agent anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy (ipilimumab). We used quantitative methylation-specific PCR and immunohistochemistry to quantify CTLA4 methylation and protein expression in pre-treatment samples. CTLA4 methylation was significantly higher in progressive as compared to responding tumors and significantly associated with progression-free survival. A subset of infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor cells highly expressed CTLA-4. However, CTLA-4 protein expression did not predict response to treatment. We conclude that CTLA4 methylation is a predictive biomarker for response to anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Fietz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, Bonn, 53127, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dennis Niebel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - Christian Posch
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerrit H Gielen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Friedrich Bootz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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