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Santiago-Sánchez GS, Fabian KP, Hodge JW. A landscape of checkpoint blockade resistance in cancer: underlying mechanisms and current strategies to overcome resistance. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2308097. [PMID: 38306161 PMCID: PMC10841019 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2308097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of immune checkpoints and the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have achieved a durable response in advanced-stage cancer patients. However, there is still a high proportion of patients who do not benefit from ICI therapy due to a lack of response when first treated (primary resistance) or detection of disease progression months after objective response is observed (acquired resistance). Here, we review the current FDA-approved ICI for the treatment of certain solid malignancies, evaluate the contrasting responses to checkpoint blockade in different cancer types, explore the known mechanisms associated with checkpoint blockade resistance (CBR), and assess current strategies in the field that seek to overcome these mechanisms. In order to improve current therapies and develop new ones, the immunotherapy field still has an unmet need in identifying other molecules that act as immune checkpoints, and uncovering other mechanisms that promote CBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginette S. Santiago-Sánchez
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kellsye P. Fabian
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James W. Hodge
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Iancu D, Fulga A, Vesa D, Zenovia A, Fulga I, Sarbu MI, Tatu AL. Metastatic patterns and treatment options for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2024; 20:40. [PMID: 38756868 PMCID: PMC11097132 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2024.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
According to current predictions, one-fifth of all Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) most commonly occurs in the head and neck region, which is the area of the body with the highest level of sun exposure. High-risk head and neck cSCC (HNcSCC) is a broad category with numerous high-risk factors that are associated with unfavorable results. In cSCC staging systems, clinical and tumor traits that are likely to result in poor outcomes are identified. Metastasis occurs in ~2.5% of patients with cSCC, most often in the local lymph nodes, and there is some indication that lymph node metastasis has a distinct pattern based on the tumor site. Current findings on tumor molecular targets have suggested the use of systemic treatments, particularly immunotherapy (such as cemiplimab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab), over radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this type of metastasis. However, when used simultaneously with immunotherapy, radiotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of metastatic HNcSCC by improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. The present review aims to assess the existing literature on metastatic HNcSCC pathways and treatment options, in order to define current and future directions. Notably, there is an urgent need to identify patients who may benefit from local or systemic cancer treatments. The treatment of lymph node metastasis presents a therapeutic challenge and requires comprehensive management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doriana Iancu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Ana Fulga
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Doina Vesa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Andrei Zenovia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Cai Ferate’ General Hospital, 800223 Galati, Romania
| | - Iuliu Fulga
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
- Department of Forensic Medicine, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
| | - Mihaela Ionela Sarbu
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Alin Laurentiu Tatu
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, ‘Sfanta Cuvioasa Parascheva’ Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 800179 Galati, Romania
- Multidisciplinary Integrative Center for Dermatologic Interface Research, 800179 Galati, Romania
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Rivera-Peña B, Folawiyo O, Turaga N, Rodríguez-Benítez RJ, Felici ME, Aponte-Ortiz JA, Pirini F, Rodríguez-Torres S, Vázquez R, López R, Sidransky D, Guerrero-Preston R, Báez A. Promoter DNA methylation patterns in oral, laryngeal and oropharyngeal anatomical regions are associated with tumor differentiation, nodal involvement and survival. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:89. [PMID: 38268779 PMCID: PMC10804364 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) can be used as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in precision medicine workflows. DNA from 21 HNSCC and 10 healthy oral tissue samples was hybridized to a genome-wide tiling array to identify DMRs in a discovery cohort. Downstream analyses identified differences in promoter DNA methylation patterns in oral, laryngeal and oropharyngeal anatomical regions associated with tumor differentiation, nodal involvement and survival. Genome-wide DMR analysis showed 2,565 DMRs common to the three subsites. A total of 738 DMRs were unique to laryngeal cancer (n=7), 889 DMRs were unique to oral cavity cancer (n=10) and 363 DMRs were unique to pharyngeal cancer (n=6). Based on the genome-wide analysis and a Gene Ontology analysis, 10 candidate genes were selected to test for prognostic value and association with clinicopathological features. TIMP3 was associated with tumor differentiation in oral cavity cancer (P=0.039), DAPK1 was associated with nodal involvement in pharyngeal cancer (P=0.017) and PAX1 was associated with tumor differentiation in laryngeal cancer (P=0.040). A total of five candidate genes were selected, DAPK1, CDH1, PAX1, CALCA and TIMP3, for a prevalence study in a larger validation cohort: Oral cavity cancer samples (n=42), pharyngeal cancer tissues (n=25) and laryngeal cancer samples (n=52). PAX1 hypermethylation differed across HNSCC anatomic subsites (P=0.029), and was predominantly detected in laryngeal cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P=0.043) and Cox regression analysis of overall survival (P=0.001) showed that DAPK1 methylation is associated with better prognosis in HNSCC. The findings of the present study showed that the HNSCC subsites oral cavity, pharynx and larynx display substantial differences in aberrant DNA methylation patterns, which may serve as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Rivera-Peña
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
| | - Oluwasina Folawiyo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Nitesh Turaga
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Rosa J. Rodríguez-Benítez
- Department of General Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - Marcos E. Felici
- Oral Health Division, Puerto Rico Department of Health, San Juan 00927, Puerto Rico
| | - Jaime A. Aponte-Ortiz
- Department of General Surgery, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
| | - Francesca Pirini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Instituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola I-47014, Italy
| | | | - Roger Vázquez
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - Ricardo López
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - David Sidransky
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Rafael Guerrero-Preston
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Research and Development, LifeGene-Biomarks, San Juan 00909, Puerto Rico
| | - Adriana Báez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
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Yue X, Gu M, Jia T. Upregulated miR-125b mitigates inflammation, astrocyte activation, and dysfunction of spinal cord injury by inactivating the MAPK pathway. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:225-237. [PMID: 37166139 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the abnormal expression of miR-125b in spinal cord injury (SCI) and the regulatory effect of miR-125b on the MAPK pathway have been expounded, we attempt to investigate whether miR-125b exerts a regulatory effect on SCI by modulating the MAPK pathway. METHOD A SCI rat model was established. The rats were treated with miR-125b antagomir or agomir, and their motor function affected by miR-125b was further detected by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scoring. The histopathological changes and neuronal loss in the spinal cord were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. Microglia-conditioned medium (MCM) was prepared and further used to treat the astrocytes, the activation of which was evaluated via immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of miR-125b, inflammation-related factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10), and MAPK pathway-related proteins (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2 as well as their phosphorylated (p) forms) in the spinal cord, serum, and MCM-treated astrocytes of rats were determined by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot. RESULT MiR-125b was lowly expressed in SCI-modeled rats. MiR-125b downregulation aggravated the impaired motor function, the disorder within the tissue, astrocyte activation, and neuron loss in the spinal cord tissues of SCI-modeled rats, while miR-125b upregulation did oppositely. MiR-125b downregulation enhanced the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, p38, p-p38, p-ERK1/2, and p-JNK1/2, whilst reducing that of IL-10. Contrarily, miR-125b upregulation exerted the opposite effects in SCI-modeled rats and MCM-treated astrocytes. CONCLUSION Up-regulation of miR-125b mitigates inflammation, astrocyte activation, and dysfunction in SCI by inactivating the MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianhu Yue
- Department of Orthopedics, The 960th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Mingyong Gu
- Department of Orthopedics, The 960th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tanghong Jia
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Jinan Central Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China.
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Novoplansky O, Shnerb AB, Marripati D, Jagadeeshan S, Abu Shareb R, Conde-López C, Zorea J, Prasad M, Ben Lulu T, Yegodayev KM, Benafsha C, Li Y, Kong D, Kuo F, Morris LGT, Kurth I, Hess J, Elkabets M. Activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway limits the efficacy of trametinib treatment in head and neck cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2618-2636. [PMID: 37501404 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway with the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib has produced promising results in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the current study, we showed that trametinib treatment leads to overexpression and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. Knockdown of EGFR improved trametinib treatment efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that trametinib-induced EGFR overexpression hyperactivates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. In vitro, blocking the PI3K pathway with GDC-0941 (pictilisib), or BYL719 (alpelisib), prevented AKT pathway hyperactivation and enhanced the efficacy of trametinib in a synergistic manner. In vivo, a combination of trametinib and BYL719 showed superior antitumor efficacy vs. the single agents, leading to tumor growth arrest. We confirmed our findings in a syngeneic murine head and neck cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings show that trametinib treatment induces hyperactivation of EGFR/PI3K/AKT; thus, blocking of the EGFR/PI3K pathway is required to improve trametinib efficacy in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofra Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Avital B Shnerb
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Divyasree Marripati
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Raghda Abu Shareb
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Cristina Conde-López
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Zorea
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Manu Prasad
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Talal Ben Lulu
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ksenia M Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Chen Benafsha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yushi Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dexin Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengshen Kuo
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luc G T Morris
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ina Kurth
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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An F, Zhang W, Guo Y, Shi F, Kong Y, Tang L, Han C, Wang Q. SETBP1 mutation determines sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and NSCLC. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:7476-7495. [PMID: 37535001 PMCID: PMC10457048 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1) plays crucial roles in various biological processes; however, its involvement in cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments has never been studied. In this study, we collected a total of 631 melanoma and 109 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples treated with ICI agents (i.e., anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1/PD-L1, or combination therapy). Additionally, we obtained their corresponding somatic mutational profiles. We observed that SETBP1 mutated (SETBP1-MUT) melanoma patients exhibited significantly prolonged ICI survival outcomes compared to wild-type patients (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.81, P = 0.002). Consistently, an elevated ICI response rate was also noticed in the SETBP1-MUT group (42.9% vs. 29.1%, P = 0.016). The Association of SETBP1 mutations with favorable immunotherapeutic prognosis and response was further supported by an independent NSCLC cohort (both P < 0.05). Additional immunological analyses revealed that favorable immune infiltration, tumor immunogenicity, and immune response circuits were enriched in SETBP1-MUT patients. Overall, our findings suggest that SETBP1 mutations may serve as a new biomarker for stratifying beneficiaries of ICI treatments in melanoma and NSCLC, which provides possible evidence for tailoring clinical immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxiao An
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Yuxian Guo
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Fuyan Shi
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Yujia Kong
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Liguo Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, Sunshine Union Hospital, Weifang 261061, Shandong, China
| | - Caijing Han
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Wang
- Department of Health Statistics, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China
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Xin Z, You L, Na F, Li J, Chen M, Song J, Bai L, Chen J, Zhou J, Ying B. Immunogenetic variations predict immune-related adverse events for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Eur J Cancer 2023; 184:124-136. [PMID: 36917924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have brought remarkable benefits but can cause profound immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The host immunogenetic background is likely to play a role in irAE susceptibility. In this study, we aimed to identify potential immunogenetic biomarkers to predict irAEs. METHODS Patients with solid tumours receiving PD-1/PD-L1 blockade were recruited and followed up. Genes considered pivotal contributors to tumour-immunity and autoimmune diseases were screened out via protein-protein interaction network and Cytoscape. Consequently, thirty-nine variants in eighteen genes were genotyped using the multiplex genotyping assay. Association analysis between genetic variants and irAEs as well as irAEs-free survival was performed. RESULTS Four immunogenetic variants as predictive biomarkers of irAEs were identified. The C allele of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 (MAPK1) rs3810610 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.495, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.093-2.044, P = 0.012) was a risk predictor while the A allele of PTPRC rs6428474 (OR = 0.717, 95% CI = 0.521-0.987, P = 0.041) was a protective factor for all-grade irAEs. The A allele of ADAD1 rs17388568 (OR = 2.599, 95% CI = 1.355-4.983, P = 0.003) increased the risk while the G allele of IL6 rs1800796 (OR = 0.425, 95% CI = 0.205-0.881, P = 0.018) protected patients from high-grade irAEs. Significant immunogenetic variants reached a similar tendency in PD-1 blockade or lung cancer subgroups. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the MAPK1 rs3810610 was an independent factor regarding all-grade irAEs-free survival (CC versus CT or TT: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.52-0.99, P = 0.042). ADAD1 rs17388568 (AA versus AG or GG: HR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.025-0.49, P = 0.004) and IL6 rs1800796 (GG or GC versus CC: HR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.315-7.29, P = 0.01) were independent variables for high-grade irAEs-free survival. CONCLUSION We first identified several immunogenetic polymorphisms associated with irAEs and irAEs-free survival in PD-1/PD-L1 blockade-treated tumour patients, and they may serve as potential predictive biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaodan Xin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Liting You
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Feifei Na
- Department of Thoracic Cancer, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan Province 570100, PR China
| | - Jiajia Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Ling Bai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Juan Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
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Li Q, Tie Y, Alu A, Ma X, Shi H. Targeted therapy for head and neck cancer: signaling pathways and clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:31. [PMID: 36646686 PMCID: PMC9842704 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is malignant, genetically complex and difficult to treat and is the sixth most frequent cancer, with tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus being major risk factors. Based on epigenetic data, HNC is remarkably heterogeneous, and treatment remains challenging. There is a lack of significant improvement in survival and quality of life in patients with HNC. Over half of HNC patients experience locoregional recurrence or distal metastasis despite the current multiple traditional therapeutic strategies and immunotherapy. In addition, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some targeted therapies is common. Therefore, it is urgent to explore more effective and tolerable targeted therapies to improve the clinical outcomes of HNC patients. Recent targeted therapy studies have focused on identifying promising biomarkers and developing more effective targeted therapies. A well understanding of the pathogenesis of HNC contributes to learning more about its inner association, which provides novel insight into the development of small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the vital signaling pathways and discussed the current potential therapeutic targets against critical molecules in HNC, as well as presenting preclinical animal models and ongoing or completed clinical studies about targeted therapy, which may contribute to a more favorable prognosis of HNC. Targeted therapy in combination with other therapies and its limitations were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Li
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aqu Alu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Huashan Shi
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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9
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Chen H, Liu X, Yao F, Yin M, Cheng B, Yang S. Identification of metabolic signatures related to metastasis and immunotherapy resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:373-391. [PMID: 36777871 PMCID: PMC9908494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to identify the metabolic genes associated with the metastasis and immunotherapy resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to construct a metabolic gene-related predictive model for the prognosis of OSCC. METHODS RNA-seq data were download from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify the modules related to EMT, stemness, and checkpoint signatures in OSCC. Univariate Cox and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) methods were used to construct the metabolic gene signature. Furthermore, the scRNA-seq data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed using "Seurat" and "CopyKAT" packages. RESULTS The risk prediction model was constructed using the 12 metabolic-related gene signature. Based on this model, risk score of each sample was calculated and used to divide the samples into low- and high-risk groups. Our model was effective as the risk score was significantly associated with clinical features and genetic mutations. Meanwhile, we found that lipid metabolism, glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, and drug metabolism differed between high- and low-risk groups. Pathways associated with malignant tumor and immunosuppression were enriched in high-risk group. Furthermore, low-risk group showed a more activated immune status and was predicted to have better response to immunotherapy. Finally, through single-cell transcriptome analysis, we assessed the expression of these 12 genes in tumor and non-tumor cells and verified the existence of two clusters of tumor cells with different degrees of malignancy at the cellular level. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates the clinical significance of metabolic related gene signature for the treatment of OSCC and suggests potential therapeutic targets and pathways for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan, Hubei, China,Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research InstituteBeijing, China
| | - Feng Yao
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Miao Yin
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sisi Yang
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan, Hubei, China
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10
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Betzler AC, Strobel H, Abou Kors T, Ezić J, Lesakova K, Pscheid R, Azoitei N, Sporleder J, Staufenberg AR, Drees R, Weissinger SE, Greve J, Doescher J, Theodoraki MN, Schuler PJ, Laban S, Kibe T, Kishida M, Kishida S, Idel C, Hoffmann TK, Lavitrano M, Grassilli E, Brunner C. BTK Isoforms p80 and p65 Are Expressed in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) and Involved in Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15010310. [PMID: 36612306 PMCID: PMC9818583 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe the expression of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines as well as in primary HNSCC samples. BTK is a kinase initially thought to be expressed exclusively in cells of hematopoietic origin. Apart from the 77 kDa BTK isoform expressed in immune cells, particularly in B cells, we identified the 80 kDa and 65 kDa BTK isoforms in HNSCC, recently described as oncogenic. Importantly, we revealed that both isoforms are products of the same mRNA. By investigating the mechanism regulating oncogenic BTK-p80/p65 expression in HNSSC versus healthy or benign tissues, our data suggests that the epigenetic process of methylation might be responsible for the initiation of BTK-p80/p65 expression in HNSCC. Our findings demonstrate that chemical or genetic abrogation of BTK activity leads to inhibition of tumor progression in terms of proliferation and vascularization in vitro and in vivo. These observations were associated with cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis and autophagy. Together, these data indicate BTK-p80 and BTK-p65 as novel HNSCC-associated oncogenes. Owing to the fact that abundant BTK expression is a characteristic feature of primary and metastatic HNSCC, targeting BTK activity appears as a promising therapeutic option for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika C. Betzler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Hannah Strobel
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kristina Lesakova
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ronja Pscheid
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ninel Azoitei
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Sporleder
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Robert Drees
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jens Greve
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Doescher
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Patrick J. Schuler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Toshiro Kibe
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Michiko Kishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Shosei Kishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Christian Idel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Luebeck, Campus Luebeck, 23538 Luebeck, Germany
| | - Thomas K. Hoffmann
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Emanuela Grassilli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-500-59714; Fax: +49-731-500-59565
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11
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Vigoda M, Mathieson C, Evans N, Hale C, Jennings J, Lucero O, Jeng S, Bottomly D, Clayburgh D, Andersen P, Li R, Petrisor D, Tyner JW, McWeeney S, Kulesz-Martin M. Functional proteomics of patient derived head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells reveal novel applications of trametinib. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:310-318. [PMID: 35343367 PMCID: PMC8966983 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2055420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report a differential response of mitogen-activated protein kinase–kinase (MEK) inhibitor trametinib in 20 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients’ tumor-derived cell cultures. Relatively sensitive and resistant cases to trametinib were identified using high throughput metabolic assays and validated in extended dose response studies in vitro. High throughput metabolic assays exploring combination therapies with trametinib were subjected to synergy models and maximal synergistic dose analyses. These yielded several candidates, including axtinib, GDC-0032, GSK-690693, and SGX-523. The combination regimen of trametinib and AXL/MET/VEGFR inhibitor glesatinib showed initial efficacy both in vitro and in vivo (92% reduction in tumor volume). Sensitivity was validated in vivo in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model in which trametinib as a single agent effected reduction in tumor volume up to 72%. Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) demonstrated differentially expressed proteins and phosphoproteins upon trametinib treatment. Furthermore, resistant cell lines showed a compensatory mechanism via increases in MAPK and non-MAPK pathway proteins that may represent targets for future combination regimens. Intrinsic-targeted options have potential to address paucity of medical treatment options for HNSCC cancer patients, enhance response to extrinsic targeted agents, and/or reduce morbidity as neoadjuvant to surgical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myles Vigoda
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Chase Mathieson
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nathaniel Evans
- Division of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiolog, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Carolyn Hale
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer Jennings
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Olivia Lucero
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sophia Jeng
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Daniel Bottomly
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Daniel Clayburgh
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Operative Care Division, Portland VA Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Operative Care Division, Portland VA Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ryan Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Operative Care Division, Portland VA Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Daniel Petrisor
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Operative Care Division, Portland VA Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Shannon McWeeney
- Division of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiolog, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Molly Kulesz-Martin
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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12
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Scarini JF, Lavareze L, Lima-Souza RAD, Emerick C, Gonçalves MT, Figueiredo-Maciel T, Vieira GDS, Kimura TDC, de Sá RS, Aquino IG, Fernandes PM, Kowalski LP, Altemani A, Mariano FV, Egal ESA. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Exploring frontiers of combinatorial approaches with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 180:103863. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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13
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Cheng Y, Chen J, Shi Y, Fang X, Tang Z. MAPK Signaling Pathway in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Biological Function and Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194625. [PMID: 36230547 PMCID: PMC9563402 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 95% of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases. It is highly malignant and aggressive, with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate of <50%. In recent years, basic and clinical studies have been performed on the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in oral cancer. The MAPK signaling pathway is activated in over 50% of human oral cancer cases. Herein, we review research progress on the MAPK signaling pathway and its potential therapeutic mechanisms and discuss its molecular targeting to explore its potential as a therapeutic strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Cheng
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yuxin Shi
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xiaodan Fang
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Correspondence: (X.F.); (Z.T.)
| | - Zhangui Tang
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Correspondence: (X.F.); (Z.T.)
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14
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Hofmann L, Medyany V, Ezić J, Lotfi R, Niesler B, Röth R, Engelhardt D, Laban S, Schuler PJ, Hoffmann TK, Brunner C, Jackson EK, Theodoraki MN. Cargo and Functional Profile of Saliva-Derived Exosomes Reveal Biomarkers Specific for Head and Neck Cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:904295. [PMID: 35899209 PMCID: PMC9309685 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.904295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exosomes contribute to immunosuppression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a tumor entity which lacks specific tumor biomarkers. Plasma-derived exosomes from HNSCC patients correlate with clinical parameters and have potential as liquid biopsy. Here, we investigate the cargo and functional profile of saliva-derived exosomes from HNSCC patients and their potential as non-invasive biomarkers for disease detection and immunomodulation. Methods Exosomes were isolated from saliva of HNSCC patients (n = 21) and healthy donors (HD, n = 12) by differential ultracentrifugation. Surface values of immune checkpoints and tumor associated antigens on saliva-derived exosomes were analyzed by bead-based flow cytometry using CD63 capture. Upon co-incubation with saliva-derived exosomes, activity and proliferation of T cells were assessed by flow cytometry (CD69 expression, CFSE assay). Adenosine levels were measured by mass spectrometry after incubation of saliva-derived exosomes with exogenous ATP. miRNA profiling of saliva-derived exosomes was performed using the nCounter® SPRINT system. Results Saliva-derived, CD63-captured exosomes from HNSCC patients carried high amounts of CD44v3, PDL1 and CD39. Compared to plasma, saliva was rich in tumor-derived, CD44v3+ exosomes and poor in hematopoietic cell-derived, CD45+ exosomes. CD8+ T cell activity was attenuated by saliva-derived exosomes from HNSCC patients, while proliferation of CD4+ T cells was not affected. Further, saliva-derived exosomes produced high levels of immunosuppressive adenosine. 62 HD- and 31 HNSCC-exclusive miRNAs were identified. Samples were grouped in "Healthy" and "Cancer" based on their saliva-derived exosomal miRNA profile, which was further found to be involved in RAS/MAPK, NF-κB complex, Smad2/3, and IFN-α signaling. Conclusions Saliva-derived exosomes from HNSCC patients were enriched in tumor-derived exosomes whose cargo and functional profile reflected an immunosuppressive TME. Surface values of CD44v3, PDL1 and CD39 on CD63-captured exosomes, adenosine production and the miRNA cargo of saliva-derived exosomes emerged as discriminators of disease and emphasized their potential as liquid biomarkers specific for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hofmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Valentin Medyany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ramin Lotfi
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Services Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Ulm, Germany.,Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Beate Niesler
- nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Röth
- nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daphne Engelhardt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick J Schuler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Edwin K Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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15
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Affolter A, Kern J, Bieback K, Scherl C, Rotter N, Lammert A. Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:88. [PMID: 35642667 PMCID: PMC9183766 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14-32% in second-line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify subgroups of patients most likely to respond to CPI and ii) to define new combinatorial treatment regimens. Particularly in a heterogeneous disease such as HNSCC, thoroughly studying the interactions and crosstalking between tumor and TME cells is one of the biggest challenges. Sophisticated 3D models are therefore urgently needed to be able to validate such basic science hypotheses and to test novel immuno-oncologic treatment regimens in consideration of the individual biology of each tumor. The present review will first summarize recent findings on immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, the role of the TME and signaling cascades eliciting during CPI. Second, it will highlight the significance of current promising approaches to establish HNSCC 3D models for new immunotherapies. The results are encouraging and indicate that data obtained from patient-specific tumors in a dish might be finally translated into personalized immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden‑Württemberg‑Hessen, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Song S, Shu P. Expression of ferroptosis-related gene correlates with immune microenvironment and predicts prognosis in gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8785. [PMID: 35610340 PMCID: PMC9129902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12800-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The study is to explore the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer (GC), and to construct a new prognosis signature to predict the prognosis in GC. Clinical information and corresponding RNA data of GC patients were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. Consensus clustering was performed to identify new molecular subgroups. ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, McpCounter and TIMER algorithm were used to analyze the infiltration of immune cells in two molecular subgroups. LASSO algorithm and multivariate Cox analysis were used to construct a prognostic risk signature. Functional analysis was conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Finally, the FRPGs were verified by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. We obtained 16 FRGs and divided GC patients into two subgroups by consistent clustering. Cluster C1 with a higher abundance of immune cell infiltration but lower probability in response to immunotherapy, it was reasonable to speculate that Cluster C1 was in accordance with the immune rejection type. Functional analysis showed that the biological process of DEGs in training cohort mainly included immune globulin, and human immune response mediated by circulating immune globulin. GSEA analysis showed that compared with Cluster C2, Cluster C1 showed lower expression in lipid metabolism. The nomogram combined with risk signature and clinical features can accurately predict the prognosis of GC patients. We identified two molecular subtypes, Clusters C1 and C2. In Cluster C1, patients with poor prognosis present with a hyperimmune status and low lipid metabolism, and we speculate that Cluster C1 was in accordance with the immune rejection type. The risk model based on FRPGs can accurately predict the prognosis of GC. These results indicated that ferroptosis is associated with TIME, and deserved considerable attention in determining immunotherapy treatment strategy for GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng Shu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China. .,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China. .,Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
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17
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Chai AWY, Yee PS, Cheong SC. Rational Combinations of Targeted Therapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancers. Front Oncol 2022; 12:837835. [PMID: 35372020 PMCID: PMC8968950 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.837835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, especially the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as the pembrolizumab and nivolumab have contributed to significant improvements in treatment outcomes and survival of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Still, only a subset of patients benefits from ICIs and hence the race is on to identify combination therapies that could improve response rates. Increasingly, genetic alterations that occur within cancer cells have been shown to modulate the tumor microenvironment resulting in immune evasion, and these have led to the emergence of trials that rationalize a combination of targeted therapy with immunotherapy. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the biological rationale and current strategies of combining targeted therapy with the approved ICIs in HNC. We summarize the ongoing combinatorial clinical trials and discuss emerging immunomodulatory targets. We also discuss the challenges and gaps that have yet to be addressed, as well as future perspectives in combining these different drug classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Wai Yeeng Chai
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Pei San Yee
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Sok Ching Cheong
- Translational Cancer Biology Research Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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18
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Prasad M, Zorea J, Jagadeeshan S, Shnerb AB, Mathukkada S, Bouaoud J, Michon L, Novoplansky O, Badarni M, Cohen L, Yegodayev KM, Tzadok S, Rotblat B, Brezina L, Mock A, Karabajakian A, Fayette J, Cohen I, Cooks T, Allon I, Dimitstein O, Joshua B, Kong D, Voronov E, Scaltriti M, Carmi Y, Conde-Lopez C, Hess J, Kurth I, Morris LGT, Saintigny P, Elkabets M. MEK1/2 inhibition transiently alters the tumor immune microenvironment to enhance immunotherapy efficacy against head and neck cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003917. [PMID: 35292516 PMCID: PMC8928405 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway is hyperactive in head and neck cancer (HNC), inhibition of MEK1/2 in HNC patients has not shown clinically meaningful activity. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the effect of MEK1/2 inhibition on the tumor microenvironment (TME) of MAPK-driven HNC, elucidate tumor-host interaction mechanisms facilitating immune escape on treatment, and apply rationale-based therapy combination immunotherapy and MEK1/2 inhibitor to induce tumor clearance. Methods Mouse syngeneic tumors and xenografts experiments were used to analyze tumor growth in vivo. Single-cell cytometry by time of flight, flow cytometry, and tissue stainings were used to profile the TME in response to trametinib (MEK1/2 inhibitor). Co-culture of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) with CD8+ T cells was used to measure immune suppression. Overexpression of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) in tumor cells was used to show the effect of tumor-derived CSF-1 on sensitivity to trametinib and anti-programmed death- 1 (αPD-1) in mice. In HNC patients, the ratio between CSF-1 and CD8A was measured to test the association with clinical benefit to αPD-1 and αPD-L1 treatment. Results Using preclinical HNC models, we demonstrated that treatment with trametinib delays HNC initiation and progression by reducing tumor cell proliferation and enhancing the antitumor immunity of CD8+ T cells. Activation of CD8+ T cells by supplementation with αPD-1 antibody eliminated tumors and induced an immune memory in the cured mice. Mechanistically, an early response to trametinib treatment sensitized tumors to αPD-1-supplementation by attenuating the expression of tumor-derived CSF-1, which reduced the abundance of two CSF-1R+CD11c+ MDSC populations in the TME. In contrast, prolonged treatment with trametinib abolished the antitumor activity of αPD-1, because tumor cells undergoing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in response to trametinib restored CSF-1 expression and recreated an immune-suppressive TME. Conclusion Our findings provide the rationale for testing the trametinib/αPD-1 combination in HNC and highlight the importance of sensitizing tumors to αPD-1 by using MEK1/2 to interfere with the tumor–host interaction. Moreover, we describe the concept that treatment of cancer with a targeted therapy transiently induces an immune-active microenvironment, and supplementation of immunotherapy during this time further activates the antitumor machinery to cause tumor elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Prasad
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jonathan Zorea
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Avital B Shnerb
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sooraj Mathukkada
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jebrane Bouaoud
- Department of Translational Medicine Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69373, France
| | - Lucas Michon
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69373, France
| | - Ofra Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Mai Badarni
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Limor Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ksenia M Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sapir Tzadok
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Barak Rotblat
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Libor Brezina
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Andreas Mock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Medical Oncology, NCT Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andy Karabajakian
- Department of Translational Medicine Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69373, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France
| | - Jérôme Fayette
- Department of Translational Medicine Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69373, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France
| | - Idan Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tomer Cooks
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Irit Allon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Institute of Pathology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel
| | - Orr Dimitstein
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Benzion Joshua
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel
| | - Dexin Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Elena Voronov
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Maurizio Scaltriti
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Yaron Carmi
- Department of Pathology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Cristina Conde-Lopez
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Kurth
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luc G T Morris
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Department of Translational Medicine Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69373, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69373, France
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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19
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Ngan HL, Law CH, Choi YCY, Chan JYS, Lui VWY. Precision drugging of the MAPK pathway in head and neck cancer. NPJ Genom Med 2022; 7:20. [PMID: 35296678 PMCID: PMC8927572 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-022-00293-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is central for cell proliferation, differentiation, and senescence. In human, germline defects of the pathway contribute to developmental and congenital head and neck disorders. Nearly 1/5 of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) harbors MAPK pathway mutations, which are largely activating mutations. Yet, previous approaches targeting the MAPK pathway in HNSCC were futile. Most recent clinical evidences reveal remarkable, or even exceptional pharmacologic vulnerabilities of MAPK1-mutated, HRAS-mutated, KRAS-germline altered, as well as BRAF-mutated HNSCC patients with various targeted therapies, uncovering diverse opportunities for precision drugging this pathway at multiple “genetically condemned” nodes. Further, recent patient tumor omics unveil novel effects of MAPK aberrations on direct induction of CD8+ T cell recruitment into the HNSCC microenvironment, providing evidences for future investigation of precision immunotherapy for this large subset of patients. MAPK pathway-mutated HNSCC should warrant precision therapy assessments in vigorous manners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Lam Ngan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Chun-Ho Law
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | | | - Jenny Yu-Sum Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong. .,Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia, GA, 30912, USA.
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20
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Uncovering drug repurposing candidates for head and neck cancers: insights from systematic pharmacogenomics data analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23933. [PMID: 34907286 PMCID: PMC8671460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are currently lacking. We exploited the drug response and genomic data of the 28 HNSCC cell lines, screened with 4,518 compounds, from the PRISM repurposing dataset to uncover repurposing drug candidates for HNSCC. A total of 886 active compounds, comprising of 418 targeted cancer, 404 non-oncology, and 64 chemotherapy compounds were identified for HNSCC. Top classes of mechanism of action amongst targeted cancer compounds included PI3K/AKT/MTOR, EGFR, and HDAC inhibitors. We have shortlisted 36 compounds with enriched killing activities for repurposing in HNSCC. The integrative analysis confirmed that the average expression of EGFR ligands (AREG, EREG, HBEGF, TGFA, and EPGN) is associated with osimertinib sensitivity. Novel putative biomarkers of response including those involved in immune signalling and cell cycle were found to be associated with sensitivity and resistance to MEK inhibitors respectively. We have also developed an RShiny webpage facilitating interactive visualization to fuel further hypothesis generation for drug repurposing in HNSCC. Our study provides a rich reference database of HNSCC drug sensitivity profiles, affording an opportunity to explore potential biomarkers of response in prioritized drug candidates. Our approach could also reveal insights for drug repurposing in other cancers.
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21
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Prognostic Gene Signature for Squamous Cell Carcinoma with a Higher Risk for Treatment Failure and Accelerated MEK-ERK Pathway Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205182. [PMID: 34680330 PMCID: PMC8534038 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent type of human cancer worldwide and represents the majority of head and neck tumors. As SCC from aerodigestive or genitourinary tracts share not only common etiology and histological features but also molecular patterns, the major objectives of this study were the establishment of a pan-SCC-related prognostic gene signature by an integrative analysis of multi-omics data and the elucidation of underlying oncogenic pathway activities as potential vulnerabilities for a more efficient and less toxic therapy. Our approach delivers a reliable molecular classifier to identify HNSCC and other SCC patients at higher risk for treatment failure with tumors characterized by a more prominent MAPK activity, who might benefit from a targeted treatment with MEK inhibitors. Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent histological type of human cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, reliable prognostic gene signatures for SCC and underlying genetic and/or epigenetic principles are still unclear. We identified 37 prognostic candidate genes by best cutoff computation based on survival in a pan-SCC cohort (n = 1334) of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), whose expression stratified not only the pan-SCC cohort but also independent HNSCC validation cohorts into three distinct prognostic subgroups. The most relevant prognostic genes were prioritized by a Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Cox regression model and were used to identify subgroups with high or low risks for unfavorable survival. An integrative analysis of multi-omics data identified FN1, SEMA3A, CDH2, FBN1, COL5A1, and ADAM12 as key nodes in a regulatory network related to the prognostic phenotype. An in-silico drug screen predicted two MEK inhibitors (Trametinib and Selumetinib) as effective compounds for high-risk SCC based on the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, which is supported by a higher p-MEK1/2 immunohistochemical staining of high-risk HNSCC. In conclusion, our data identified a molecular classifier for high-risk HNSCC as well as other SCC patients, who might benefit from treatment with MEK inhibitors.
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22
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Kim Y, Kang JW, Kang J, Kwon EJ, Ha M, Kim YK, Lee H, Rhee JK, Kim YH. Novel deep learning-based survival prediction for oral cancer by analyzing tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte profiles through CIBERSORT. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1904573. [PMID: 33854823 PMCID: PMC8018482 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1904573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) within mucosal neoplastic tissue in oral cancer (ORCA) is greatly influenced by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Here, a clustering method was performed using CIBERSORT profiles of ORCA data that were filtered from the publicly accessible data of patients with head and neck cancer in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using hierarchical clustering where patients were regrouped into binary risk groups based on the clustering-measuring scores and survival patterns associated with individual groups. Based on this analysis, clinically reasonable differences were identified in 16 out of 22 TIL fractions between groups. A deep neural network classifier was trained using the TIL fraction patterns. This internally validated classifier was used on another individual ORCA dataset from the International Cancer Genome Consortium data portal, and patient survival patterns were precisely predicted. Seven common differentially expressed genes between the two risk groups were obtained. This new approach confirms the importance of TILs in the TME and provides a direction for the use of a novel deep-learning approach for cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeongjoo Kim
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Wan Kang
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Kang
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jung Kwon
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihyang Ha
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyeong Kim
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansong Lee
- Interdisplinary Program of Genomic Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Keun Rhee
- School of Systems Biomedical Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hak Kim
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
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23
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Cao H, Quan S, Zhang L, Chen Y, Jiao G. BMPR2 expression level is correlated with low immune infiltration and predicts metastasis and poor survival in osteosarcoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:391. [PMID: 33777214 PMCID: PMC7988701 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in adolescents and young adults, and identifying biomarkers for prognosis and therapy is necessary. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) is involved in various cellular functions, including cell adhesion, proliferation and invasion, inflammation, apoptosis and metastatic spread. However, the correlation between BMPR2 expression levels and prognosis and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in osteosarcoma is not well understood. In the present study, the expression level of BMPR2 was investigated using the Oncomine and R2 databases. The association between the expression level of BMPR2 and the clinical prognosis of patients with cancer was analyzed using the R2 database. The relationship between the expression level of BMPR2 and immune cell infiltration in the stroma of osteosarcoma was assessed using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and CIBERSORT. The correlations between BMPR2 expression level and infiltrated immune cell gene marker sets in osteosarcoma were validated in the TIMER and R2 databases. Analysis of a cohort of patients with osteosarcoma revealed that BMPR2 expression was significantly higher in osteosarcoma compared with in normal tissue and was correlated with poor prognosis. M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, resting mast, γ δ T and CD8+ T cells were the top five immune cells with the highest degrees of infiltration in osteosarcoma. In addition, BMPR2 expression level showed a significant negative correlation with the gene markers of CD8+ T cells, monocytes and M2 macrophages. Low levels of infiltrating CD8+ T cells, monocytes or M2 macrophages in osteosarcoma was significantly associated with poor survival. These data suggested that CD8+ T cells, monocytes and M2 macrophages play significant roles in the establishment of the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma. High BMPR2 expression was associated with poor prognosis and low infiltration of CD8+ T cells, monocytes and M2 macrophages in osteosarcoma. Hence, BMPR2 can be considered a biomarker of the immune infiltration, metastasis and prognosis of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Quan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Spine and Spinal Cord Disease Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yunzhen Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Spine and Spinal Cord Disease Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Guangjun Jiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Spine and Spinal Cord Disease Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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24
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Usman S, Jamal A, Teh MT, Waseem A. Major Molecular Signaling Pathways in Oral Cancer Associated With Therapeutic Resistance. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2021; 1:603160. [PMID: 35047986 PMCID: PMC8757854 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2020.603160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer is a sub-category of head and neck cancers that primarily initiates in the oral cavity. The primary treatment option for oral cancer remains surgery but it is associated with massive disfigurement, inability to carry out normal oral functions, psycho-social stress and exhaustive rehabilitation. Other treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have their own limitations in terms of toxicity, intolerance and therapeutic resistance. Immunological treatments to enhance the body's ability to recognize cancer tissue as a foreign entity are also being used but they are new and underdeveloped. Although substantial progress has been made in the treatment of oral cancer, its complex heterogeneous nature still needs to be explored, to elucidate the molecular basis for developing resistance to therapeutic agents and how to overcome it, with the aim of improving the chances of patients' survival and their quality of life. This review provides an overview of up-to-date information on the complex role of the major molecules and associated signaling, epigenetic changes, DNA damage repair systems, cancer stem cells and micro RNAs in the development of therapeutic resistance and treatment failure in oral cancer. We have also summarized the current strategies being developed to overcome these therapeutic challenges. This review will help not only researchers but also oral oncologists in the management of the disease and in developing new therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ahmad Waseem
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Li H, Ngan HL, Liu Y, Chan HHY, Poon PHY, Yeung CK, Peng Y, Lam WY, Li BX, He Y, Lui VWY. Comprehensive Exome Analysis of Immunocompetent Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Models Reveals Patient Relevant Landscapes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102935. [PMID: 33053752 PMCID: PMC7601118 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunocompetent metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC) models, although scarce, can help understanding cancer progression and therapy responses in vivo. Their comprehensive genome characterizations are essential for translational research. We first exome-sequenced the two most widely used spontaneous metastatic immunocompetent models, namely AT-84 and SCC VII, followed by comprehensive genomic analyses with three prior-sequenced models (MOC2, MOC2-10, and 4MOSC2), together with patient tumors for utility assessment. AT-84 and SCC VII bear high HNC tumor resemblance regarding mutational signatures-Trp53, Fanconi anemia, and MAPK and PI3K pathway defects. Collectively, the five models harbor genetic aberrations across 10 cancer hallmarks and 14 signaling pathways and machineries (metabolic, epigenetic, immune evasion), to extents similar in patients. Immune defects in HLA-A (H2-Q10, H2-Q4, H2-Q7, and H2-K1), Pdcd1, Tgfb1, Il2ra, Il12a, Cd40, and Tnfrsf14 are identified. Invasion/metastatic genome analyses first highlight potential druggable ERBB4 and KRAS mutations, for advanced/metastatic oral cavity cancer, as well as known metastasis players (Muc5ac, Trem3, Trp53, and Ttn) frequently captured by all models. Notable immunotherapy and precision druggable targets (Pdcd1, Erbb4, Fgfr1, H/Kras, Jak1, and Map2k2) and three druggable hubs (RTK family, MAPK, and DNA repair pathways) are frequently represented by these models. Immunocompetent metastatic HNC models are worth developing to address therapy- and invasion/metastasis-related questions in host immunity contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Hoi-Lam Ngan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Yuchen Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Helen Hoi Yin Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Peony Hiu Yan Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Chun Kit Yeung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Yibing Peng
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (Y.P.); (Y.H.)
| | - Wai Yip Lam
- Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; (W.Y.L.); (B.X.L.)
| | - Benjamin Xiaoyi Li
- Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; (W.Y.L.); (B.X.L.)
| | - Yukai He
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (Y.P.); (Y.H.)
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3943-5388; Fax: +852-2603-5123
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