1
|
Sahu P, Donovan C, Paudel KR, Pickles S, Chimankar V, Kim RY, Horvart JC, Dua K, Ieni A, Nucera F, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Mazilli S, Caramori G, Lyons JG, Hansbro PM. Pre-clinical lung squamous cell carcinoma mouse models to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic interventions. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1260411. [PMID: 37817767 PMCID: PMC10560855 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1260411] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary lung carcinoma or lung cancer (LC) is classified into small-cell or non-small-cell (NSCLC) lung carcinoma. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the second most common subtype of NSCLC responsible for 30% of all LCs, and its survival remains low with only 24% of patients living for five years or longer post-diagnosis primarily due to the advanced stage of tumors at the time of diagnosis. The pathogenesis of LSCC is still poorly understood and has hampered the development of effective diagnostics and therapies. This review highlights the known risk factors, genetic and epigenetic alterations, miRNA biomarkers linked to the development and diagnosis of LSCC and the lack of therapeutic strategies to target specifically LSCC. We will also discuss existing animal models of LSCC including carcinogen induced, transgenic and xenograft mouse models, and their advantages and limitations along with the chemopreventive studies and molecular studies conducted using them. The importance of developing new and improved mouse models will also be discussed that will provide further insights into the initiation and progression of LSCC, and enable the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sahu
- Immune Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantal Donovan
- Immune Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Keshav Raj Paudel
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Pickles
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vrushali Chimankar
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Y. Kim
- Immune Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jay C. Horvart
- Immune Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, Section of Anatomic Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Nucera
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Sarah Mazilli
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - J. Guy Lyons
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia, and Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip M. Hansbro
- Immune Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Exposito F, Redrado M, Houry M, Hastings K, Molero-Abraham M, Lozano T, Solorzano JL, Sanz-Ortega J, Adradas V, Amat R, Redin E, Leon S, Legarra N, Garcia J, Serrano D, Valencia K, Robles-Oteiza C, Foggetti G, Otegui N, Felip E, Lasarte JJ, Paz-Ares L, Zugazagoitia J, Politi K, Montuenga L, Calvo A. PTEN Loss Confers Resistance to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Increasing Tumor Infiltration of Regulatory T Cells. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2513-2526. [PMID: 37311042 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may be mediated by an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which can be shaped by the mutational landscape of the tumor. Here, we observed genetic alterations in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and/or loss of PTEN expression in >25% of patients with NSCLC, with higher frequency in lung squamous carcinomas (LUSC). Patients with PTEN-low tumors had higher levels of PD-L1 and PD-L2 and showed worse progression-free survival when treated with immunotherapy. Development of a Pten-null LUSC mouse model revealed that tumors with PTEN loss were refractory to antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1), highly metastatic and fibrotic, and secreted TGFβ/CXCL10 to promote conversion of CD4+ lymphocytes into regulatory T cells (Treg). Human and mouse PTEN-low tumors were enriched in Tregs and expressed higher levels of immunosuppressive genes. Importantly, treatment of mice bearing Pten-null tumors with TLR agonists and anti-TGFβ antibody aimed to alter this immunosuppressive microenvironment and led to tumor rejection and immunologic memory in 100% of mice. These results demonstrate that lack of PTEN causes immunotherapy resistance in LUSCs by establishing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that can be reversed therapeutically. SIGNIFICANCE PTEN loss leads to the development of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in lung cancer that confers resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy, which can be overcome by targeting PTEN loss-mediated immunosuppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Exposito
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miriam Redrado
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maeva Houry
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Katherine Hastings
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Magdalena Molero-Abraham
- Department of Medical Oncology and Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Solorzano
- Anatomic Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julian Sanz-Ortega
- Department of Pathology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Vera Adradas
- Department of Medical Oncology and Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Amat
- Thoracic Cancers Translational Genomics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Redin
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sergio Leon
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Naroa Legarra
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Garcia
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Diego Serrano
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karmele Valencia
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Giorgia Foggetti
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nerea Otegui
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enriqueta Felip
- Thoracic Cancers Translational Genomics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan J Lasarte
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology and Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jon Zugazagoitia
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology and Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Katerina Politi
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Luis Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Calvo
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Valencia K, Echepare M, Teijeira Á, Pasquier A, Bértolo C, Sainz C, Tamayo I, Picabea B, Bosco G, Thomas R, Agorreta J, López-Picazo JM, Frigola J, Amat R, Calvo A, Felip E, Melero I, Montuenga LM. DSTYK inhibition increases the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213507. [PMID: 36169652 PMCID: PMC9524203 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. We identify DSTYK, a dual serine/threonine and tyrosine non-receptor protein kinase, as a novel actionable target altered in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We also show DSTYK's association with a lower overall survival (OS) and poorer progression-free survival (PFS) in multiple patient cohorts. Abrogation of DSTYK in lung cancer experimental systems prevents mTOR-dependent cytoprotective autophagy, impairs lysosomal biogenesis and maturation, and induces accumulation of autophagosomes. Moreover, DSTYK inhibition severely affects mitochondrial fitness. We demonstrate in vivo that inhibition of DSTYK sensitizes lung cancer cells to TNF-α-mediated CD8+-killing and immune-resistant lung tumors to anti-PD-1 treatment. Finally, in a series of lung cancer patients, DSTYK copy number gain predicts lack of response to the immunotherapy. In summary, we have uncovered DSTYK as new therapeutic target in lung cancer. Prioritization of this novel target for drug development and clinical testing may expand the percentage of NSCLC patients benefiting from immune-based treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karmele Valencia
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirari Echepare
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Teijeira
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Andrea Pasquier
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Bértolo
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Sainz
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ibon Tamayo
- Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Computational Biology program, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Beñat Picabea
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Graziella Bosco
- Department of Translational Genomics, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Roman Thomas
- Department of Translational Genomics, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jackeline Agorreta
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Health Sciences, Biochemistry Area, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Joan Frigola
- Thoracic Cancers Translational Genomics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Amat
- Thoracic Cancers Translational Genomics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Calvo
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enriqueta Felip
- Thoracic Cancers Translational Genomics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.,Oncology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis M Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Navarra Health Research Institute (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huang M, Xiong D, Pan J, Zhang Q, Sei S, Shoemaker RH, Lubet RA, Montuenga LM, Wang Y, Slusher BS, You M. Targeting Glutamine Metabolism to Enhance Immunoprevention of EGFR-Driven Lung Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105885. [PMID: 35861366 PMCID: PMC9475521 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Vaccination against EGFR can be one of the venues to prevent lung cancer. Blocking glutamine metabolism has been shown to improve anticancer immunity. Here, the authors report that JHU083, an orally active glutamine antagonist prodrug designed to be preferentially activated in the tumor microenvironment, has potent anticancer effects on EGFR-driven mouse lung tumorigenesis. Lung tumor development is significantly suppressed when treatment with JHU083 is combined with an EGFR peptide vaccine (EVax) than either single treatment. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of the lung tumors reveal that JHU083 increases CD8+ T cell and CD4+ Th1 cell infiltration, while EVax elicits robust Th1 cell-mediated immune responses and protects mice against EGFRL858R mutation-driven lung tumorigenesis. JHU083 treatment decreases immune suppressive cells, including both monocytic- and granulocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, and pro-tumor CD4+ Th17 cells in mouse models. Interestingly, Th1 cells are found to robustly upregulate oxidative metabolism and adopt a highly activated and memory-like phenotype upon glutamine inhibition. These results suggest that JHU083 is highly effective against EGFR-driven lung tumorigenesis and promotes an adaptive T cell-mediated tumor-specific immune response that enhances the efficacy of EVax.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mofei Huang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Donghai Xiong
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Jing Pan
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Shizuko Sei
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Robert H. Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Ronald A. Lubet
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research GroupDivision of Cancer PreventionNational Cancer InstituteBethesdaMD20850USA
| | - Luis M. Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors and BiomarkersCenter for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)University of NavarraPamplona31009Spain
- Department of Histology and PathologyUniversity of NavarraPamplona31009Spain
- Respiratory Tract Tumors GroupIdisnaPamplona31000Spain
- Respiratory Tract Tumors ProgramCIBERONCMadrid28013Spain
| | - Yian Wang
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug DiscoveryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of NeurologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD2128USA
| | - Ming You
- Center for Cancer PreventionHouston Methodist Cancer CenterHouston Methodist Research InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| |
Collapse
|