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Young AA, Bohlin HE, Pierce JR, Cottrell KA. Suppression of double-stranded RNA sensing in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Biochem Soc Trans 2024:BST20230727. [PMID: 39221819 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a therapeutic option for many cancers. For some tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors show great efficacy in promoting anti-tumor immunity. However, not all tumors respond to immunotherapies. These tumors often exhibit reduced inflammation and are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors. Therapies that turn these 'cold' tumors 'hot' could improve the efficacy and applicability of checkpoint inhibitors, and in some cases may be sufficient on their own to promote anti-tumor immunity. One strategy to accomplish this goal is to activate innate immunity pathways within the tumor. Here we describe how this can be accomplished by activating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sensors. These sensors evolved to detect and respond to dsRNAs arising from viral infection but can also be activated by endogenous dsRNAs. A set of proteins, referred to as suppressors of dsRNA sensing, are responsible for preventing sensing 'self' dsRNA and activating innate immunity pathways. The mechanism of action of these suppressors falls into three categories: (1) Suppressors that affect mature RNAs through editing, degradation, restructuring, or binding. (2) Suppressors that affect RNA processing. (3) Suppressors that affect RNA expression. In this review we highlight suppressors that function through each mechanism, provide examples of the effects of disrupting those suppressors in cancer cell lines and tumors, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting these proteins and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addison A Young
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A
| | - Holly E Bohlin
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A
| | - Jackson R Pierce
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A
| | - Kyle A Cottrell
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A
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2
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Phuna ZX, Kumar PA, Haroun E, Dutta D, Lim SH. Antibody-drug conjugates: Principles and opportunities. Life Sci 2024; 347:122676. [PMID: 38688384 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122676] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are immunoconjugates that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with a cytotoxic agent. The most appealing aspects of ADCs include their potential additive or synergistic effects of the innate backbone antibody and cytotoxic effects of the payload on tumors without the severe toxic side effects often associated with traditional chemotherapy. Recent advances in identifying new targets with tumor-specific expression, along with improved bioactive payloads and novel linkers, have significantly expanded the scope and optimism for ADCs in cancer therapeutics. In this paper, we will first provide a brief overview of antibody specificity and the structure of ADCs. Next, we will discuss the mechanisms of action and the development of resistance to ADCs. Finally, we will explore opportunities for enhancing ADC efficacy, overcoming drug resistance, and offer future perspectives on leveraging ADCs to improve the outcome of ADC therapy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xin Phuna
- Research and Development, Medicovestor, Inc, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Prashanth Ashok Kumar
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - Elio Haroun
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - Dibyendu Dutta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - Seah H Lim
- Research and Development, Medicovestor, Inc, New York City, NY, United States of America; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America.
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3
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Calabrò L, Bronte G, Grosso F, Cerbone L, Delmonte A, Nicolini F, Mazza M, Di Giacomo AM, Covre A, Lofiego MF, Crinò L, Maio M. Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: the evolving change of a long-standing therapeutic dream. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1333661. [PMID: 38259475 PMCID: PMC10800748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1333661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive and rare disease, characterized by a very poor prognosis. For almost two decades, the world standard treatment regimen for unresectable PM has consisted of a platinum-based drug plus pemetrexed, leading to an overall survival of approximately 12 months. The dramatic therapeutic scenario of PM has recently changed with the entry into the clinic of immune checkpoint inhibition, which has proven to be an effective approach to improve the survival of PM patients. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most promising immunotherapeutic-based strategies currently under investigation for advanced PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Calabrò
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bronte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, National Institute of Health and Sciences On Ageing (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Grosso
- Mesothelioma, Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Luigi Cerbone
- Mesothelioma, Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Angelo Delmonte
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Fabio Nicolini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazza
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Fortunata Lofiego
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
| | - Lucio Crinò
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo Per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- EPigenetic Immune-Oncology Consortium Airc (EPICA), Siena, Italy
- Fondazione Network Italiano per la Bioterapia dei Tumori (NIBIT) Onlus, Siena, Italy
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4
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Amaro A, Reggiani F, Fenoglio D, Gangemi R, Tosi A, Parodi A, Banelli B, Rigo V, Mastracci L, Grillo F, Cereghetti A, Tastanova A, Ghosh A, Sallustio F, Emionite L, Daga A, Altosole T, Filaci G, Rosato A, Levesque M, Maio M, Pfeffer U, Croce M. Guadecitabine increases response to combined anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 treatment in mouse melanoma in vivo by controlling T-cells, myeloid derived suppressor and NK cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:67. [PMID: 36934257 PMCID: PMC10024396 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade has dramatically improved the overall survival rate for malignant melanoma. Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) limit the tumor's immune escape yet only for approximately a third of all tumors and, in most cases, for a limited amount of time. Several approaches to overcome resistance to ICBs are being investigated among which the addition of epigenetic drugs that are expected to act on both immune and tumor cells. Guadecitabine, a dinucleotide prodrug of a decitabine linked via phosphodiester bond to a guanosine, showed promising results in the phase-1 clinical trial, NIBIT-M4 (NCT02608437). METHODS We used the syngeneic B16F10 murine melanoma model to study the effects of immune checkpoint blocking antibodies against CTLA-4 and PD-1 in combination, with and without the addition of Guadecitabine. We comprehensively characterized the tumor's and the host's responses under different treatments by flow cytometry, multiplex immunofluorescence and methylation analysis. RESULTS In combination with ICBs, Guadecitabine significantly reduced subcutaneous tumor growth as well as metastases formation compared to ICBs and Guadecitabine treatment. In particular, Guadecitabine greatly enhanced the efficacy of combined ICBs by increasing effector memory CD8+ T cells, inducing effector NK cells in the spleen and reducing tumor infiltrating regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC), in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Guadecitabine in association with ICBs increased serum levels of IFN-γ and IFN-γ-induced chemokines with anti-angiogenic activity. Guadecitabine led to a general DNA-demethylation, in particular of sites of intermediate methylation levels. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate Guadecitabine as a promising epigenetic drug to be added to ICBs therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Amaro
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Reggiani
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Fenoglio
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Rosaria Gangemi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Tosi
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Diagnostics, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Parodi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Barbara Banelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Valentina Rigo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Mastracci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cereghetti
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aizhan Tastanova
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adhideb Ghosh
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Sallustio
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Emionite
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Tiziana Altosole
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Gilberto Filaci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Diagnostics, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mitchell Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Michela Croce
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
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5
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Alexandraki A, Strati K. Decitabine Treatment Induces a Viral Mimicry Response in Cervical Cancer Cells and Further Sensitizes Cells to Chemotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214042. [PMID: 36430521 PMCID: PMC9692951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the anti-cancer, chemosensitizing and/or immunomodulating effects of decitabine (DAC) to be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cervical cancer (CC). METHODS Cervical cancer cell lines were treated with low doses of DAC treatment used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. End-point in vitro assays were developed as indicators of the anti-cancer and/or immunomodulating effects of DAC treatment in CC cells. These assays include cell viability, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis, induction of a viral-mimicry response pathway, expression of MHC-class I and PD-L1 and chemosensitivity. RESULTS High and low doses of DAC treatment induced reduction in cell viability in HeLa (HPV18+), CaSki (HPV16+) and C33A (HPV-) cells. Specifically, a time-dependent reduction in cell viability of HeLa and CaSki cells was observed accompanied by robust cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and alterations in the cell cycle distribution. Decrease in cell viability was also observed in a non-transformed immortal keratinocyte (HaCat) suggesting a non-cancer specific target effect. DAC treatment also triggered a viral mimicry response through long-term induction of cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and activation of downstream IFN-related genes in both HPV+ and HPV- cells. In addition, DAC treatment increased the number of CC cells expressing MHC-class I and PD-L1. Furthermore, DAC significantly increased the proportion of early and late apoptotic CC cells quantified using FACS. Our combination treatments showed that low dose DAC treatment sensitizes cells to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Low doses of DAC treatment promotes robust induction of a viral mimicry response, immunomodulating and chemosensitizing effects in CC, indicating its promising therapeutic role in CC in vitro.
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6
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Song Z, Lu L, Gao Z, Zhou Q, Wang Z, Sun L, Zhou Y. Immunotherapy for liposarcoma: emerging opportunities and challenges. Future Oncol 2022; 18:3449-3461. [PMID: 36214331 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Liposarcoma (LPS) is a rare adipocyte-derived malignancy accounting for 20% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Although surgery and chemotherapy are the standard treatment for LPS, the large tumor burden and high recurrence rate make it difficult to treat, especially when the disease progresses. With the progress of immunotherapies in other tumors such as melanoma and lung cancer, interest has been risen in exploring immunotherapy for LPS. This review discusses the understanding of the tumor microenvironment of LPS; the current status of immunotherapy in LPS, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses and combination therapies; and the future directions for exploiting strategies to make the effect of immunotherapy stronger and more durable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqing Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lili Lu
- Biotherapy Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zixu Gao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiwen Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhiming Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuhong Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Biotherapy Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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7
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Papadatos-Pastos D, Yuan W, Pal A, Crespo M, Ferreira A, Gurel B, Prout T, Ameratunga M, Chénard-Poirier M, Curcean A, Bertan C, Baker C, Miranda S, Masrour N, Chen W, Pereira R, Figueiredo I, Morilla R, Jenkins B, Zachariou A, Riisnaes R, Parmar M, Turner A, Carreira S, Yap C, Brown R, Tunariu N, Banerji U, Lopez J, de Bono J, Minchom A. Phase 1, dose-escalation study of guadecitabine (SGI-110) in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004495. [PMID: 35717027 PMCID: PMC9240883 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Data suggest that immunomodulation induced by DNA hypomethylating agents can sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We conducted a phase 1 dose-escalation trial (NCT02998567) of guadecitabine and pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. We hypothesized that guadecitabine will overcome pembrolizumab resistance. Methods Patients received guadecitabine (45 mg/m2 or 30 mg/m2, administered subcutaneously on days 1–4), with pembrolizumab (200 mg administered intravenously starting from cycle 2 onwards) every 3 weeks. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose; secondary and exploratory endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), changes in methylome, transcriptome, immune contextures in pre-treatment and on-treatment tumor biopsies. Results Between January 2017 and January 2020, 34 patients were enrolled. The recommended phase II dose was guadecitabine 30 mg/m2, days 1–4, and pembrolizumab 200 mg on day 1 every 3 weeks. Two dose-limiting toxicities (neutropenia, febrile neutropenia) were reported at guadecitabine 45 mg/m2 with none reported at guadecitabine 30 mg/m2. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were neutropenia (58.8%), fatigue (17.6%), febrile neutropenia (11.8%) and nausea (11.8%). Common, grade 3+ TRAEs were neutropaenia (38.2%) and febrile neutropaenia (11.8%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Overall, 30 patients were evaluable for antitumor activity; ORR was 7% with 37% achieving disease control (progression-free survival) for ≥24 weeks. Of 12 evaluable patients with non-small cell lung cancer, 10 had been previously treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors with 5 (42%) having disease control ≥24 weeks (clinical benefit). Reduction in LINE-1 DNA methylation following treatment in blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and tissue samples was demonstrated and methylation at transcriptional start site and 5’ untranslated region gene regions showed enriched negative correlation with gene expression. Increases in intra-tumoural effector T-cells were seen in some responding patients. Patients having clinical benefit had high baseline inflammatory signature on RNAseq analyses. Conclusions Guadecitabine in combination with pembrolizumab is tolerable with biological and anticancer activity. Reversal of previous resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Yuan
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Abhijit Pal
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Mateus Crespo
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Ana Ferreira
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Bora Gurel
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Toby Prout
- Drug Development Unit - Investigator Initiated Trials Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Malaka Ameratunga
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | | | - Andra Curcean
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Claudia Bertan
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Chloe Baker
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Susana Miranda
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Nahal Masrour
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Wentin Chen
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rita Pereira
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Ines Figueiredo
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Ricardo Morilla
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Ben Jenkins
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Anna Zachariou
- Drug Development Unit - Investigator Initiated Trials Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Ruth Riisnaes
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Mona Parmar
- Drug Development Unit - Investigator Initiated Trials Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Alison Turner
- Drug Development Unit - Investigator Initiated Trials Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Suzanne Carreira
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Christina Yap
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Robert Brown
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nina Tunariu
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Udai Banerji
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Juanita Lopez
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Johann de Bono
- Cancer Biomarkers Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK.,Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Anna Minchom
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
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8
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Sadagopan A, Michelakos T, Boyiadzis G, Ferrone C, Ferrone S. Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigen-Processing Machinery Upregulation by Anticancer Therapies in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:462-473. [PMID: 34940799 PMCID: PMC8930447 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although typically impressive, objective responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) occur in only 12.5% of patients with advanced cancer. The majority of patients do not respond due to cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) defects. The APM defects, which have a negative effect on neoantigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are present in the majority of malignant tumors. These defects are caused by gene variations in less than 25% of cases and by dysregulated signaling and/or epigenetic changes in most of the remaining cases, making them frequently correctable. This narrative review summarizes the growing clinical evidence that chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and, to a lesser extent, radiotherapy can correct HLA class I APM defects in cancer cells and improve responses to ICIs. OBSERVATIONS Most chemotherapeutics enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells, tumor CTL infiltration, and responses to ICIs in preclinical and clinical models. Despite preclinical evidence, radiotherapy does not appear to upregulate HLA class I expression in patients and does not enhance the efficacy of ICIs in clinical settings. The latter findings underscore the need to optimize the dose and schedule of radiation and timing of ICI administration to maximize their immunogenic synergy. By increasing DNA and chromatin accessibility, epigenetic agents (histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, and EZH2 inhibitors) enhance HLA class I APM component expression and function in many cancer types, a crucial contributor to their synergy with ICIs in patients. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors are effective at upregulating HLA class I expression in EGFR- and BRAF-variant tumors, respectively; these changes may contribute to the clinical responses induced by these inhibitors in combination with ICIs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This narrative review summarizes evidence indicating that chemotherapy and targeted therapies are effective at enhancing HLA class I APM component expression and function in cancer cells. The resulting increased immunogenicity and recognition and elimination of cancer cells by cognate CTLs contributes to the antitumor activity of these therapies as well as to their synergy with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Boyiadzis
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Oliveira AF, Tansini A, Toledo T, Balceiro R, Lee MLM, Villela N, Ikeuty P, Metze K, Lopes LF, Lorand-Metze I. Immunophenotypic changes in juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia after treatment with hypomethylating agent: Do they help to evaluate dept of response? Br J Haematol 2022; 197:339-348. [PMID: 35187646 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
5-Azacitidine has been used before stem cell transplantation in juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) patients. Recently, we have described immunophenotypic features in JMML at diagnosis. Here, our aim was to examine the changes in the immunophenotypic features during azacitidine treatment, correlating it with clinical response. Patients treated with 5-azacitidine were evaluated at diagnosis and after three and six cycles of medication. Among 32 patients entering the study, 28 patients were examined after three cycles and 25 patients after six. Patients showed a reduction in CD34/CD117+ cells: median 3.35% at diagnosis, 2.8% after three cycles and 1.63% after six. B-cell progenitors were decreased at diagnosis and decreased after treatment. Monocytes decreased: 11.91% to 6.4% and 4.18% respectively. Complete response was associated with increase in classical monocytes. T lymphocytes, reduced at diagnosis, increased in patients responding to 5-azacitidine. Immunophenotypic aberrancies including expression of CD7 in myeloid progenitors remained after treatment. This feature was associated with a worse response to treatment, as well as presence of NF1. Immunophenotyping was feasible in all patients. Clinical response was associated with a decrease of myeloid progenitors and monocytes and a rise in T lymphocytes although phenotypic aberrancies persisted. The largest effect was observed after three cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Frisanco Oliveira
- Barretos Children´s Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil.,Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Myeloproliferative Diseases Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Aline Tansini
- Barretos Children´s Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil.,Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Morfology and Flow Cytometry Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Thais Toledo
- Barretos Children´s Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil.,Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Morfology and Flow Cytometry Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Lucia Martino Lee
- Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Myeloproliferative Diseases Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Neysimelia Villela
- Barretos Children´s Cancer Hospital, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Barretos, Brazil.,Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), HSCT Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ikeuty
- Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), HSCT Committee, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Konradin Metze
- Department of Pathology, Faculty Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Lopes
- Barretos Children´s Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil.,Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Barretos, Brazil
| | - Irene Lorand-Metze
- Brazilian Co-operative Group of Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (GCB-SMD-PED), Morfology and Flow Cytometry Committee, Barretos, Brazil.,Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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10
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Lofiego MF, Cannito S, Fazio C, Piazzini F, Cutaia O, Solmonese L, Marzani F, Chiarucci C, Di Giacomo AM, Calabrò L, Coral S, Maio M, Covre A. Epigenetic Immune Remodeling of Mesothelioma Cells: A New Strategy to Improve the Efficacy of Immunotherapy. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5040027. [PMID: 34968251 PMCID: PMC8715476 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy with a severe prognosis, and with a long-standing need for more effective therapeutic approaches. However, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is becoming an increasingly effective strategy for MPM patients. In this scenario, epigenetic modifications may negatively regulate the interplay between immune and malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment, thus contributing to the highly immunosuppressive contexture of MPM that may limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Aiming to further improve prospectively the clinical efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches in MPM, we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of different classes of epigenetic drugs (i.e., DNA hypomethylating agent (DHA) guadecitabine, histone deacetylase inhibitors VPA and SAHA, or EZH2 inhibitors EPZ-6438) in epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid MPM cell lines, by cytofluorimetric and real-time PCR analyses. We also characterized the effects of the DHA, guadecitabine, on the gene expression profiles (GEP) of the investigated MPM cell lines by the nCounter platform. Among investigated drugs, exposure of MPM cells to guadecitabine, either alone or in combination with VPA, SAHA and EPZ-6438 demonstrated to be the main driver of the induction/upregulation of immune molecules functionally crucial in host-tumor interaction (i.e., HLA class I, ICAM-1 and cancer testis antigens) in all three MPM subtypes investigated. Additionally, GEP demonstrated that treatment with guadecitabine led to the activation of genes involved in several immune-related functional classes mainly in the sarcomatoid subtype. Furthermore, among investigated MPM subtypes, DHA-induced CDH1 expression that contributes to restoring the epithelial phenotype was highest in sarcomatoid cells. Altogether, our results contribute to providing the rationale to develop new epigenetically-based immunotherapeutic approaches for MPM patients, potentially tailored to the specific histologic subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fortunata Lofiego
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Sara Cannito
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Fazio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Francesca Piazzini
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Ornella Cutaia
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Laura Solmonese
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Marzani
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Carla Chiarucci
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luana Calabrò
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Sandra Coral
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Epigen Therapeutics S.R.L., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.F.L.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.P.); (O.C.); (F.M.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.G.); (L.C.); (S.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence:
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11
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Ureshino H, Kurahashi Y, Watanabe T, Yamashita S, Kamachi K, Yamamoto Y, Fukuda-Kurahashi Y, Yoshida-Sakai N, Hattori N, Hayashi Y, Kawaguchi A, Tohyama K, Okada S, Harada H, Ushijima T, Kimura S. Silylation of Deoxynucleotide Analog Yields an Orally Available Drug with Antileukemia Effects. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1412-1421. [PMID: 34045225 PMCID: PMC9398096 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-1125] [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: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have improved the prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, because these agents are easily degraded by cytidine deaminase (CDA), they must be administered intravenously or subcutaneously. Recently, two orally bioavailable DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, CC-486 and ASTX727, were approved. In previous work, we developed 5-O-trialkylsilylated decitabines that resist degradation by CDA. However, the effects of silylation of a deoxynucleotide analog and enzymatic cleavage of silylation have not been fully elucidated. Enteric administration of OR21 in a cynomolgus monkey model led to high plasma concentrations and hypomethylation, and in a mouse model, oral administration of enteric-coated OR21 led to high plasma concentrations. The drug became biologically active after release of decitabine (DAC) from OR21 following removal of the 5'-O-trisilylate substituent. Toxicities were tolerable and lower than those of DAC. Transcriptome and methylome analysis of MDS and AML cell lines revealed that OR21 increased expression of genes associated with tumor suppression, cell differentiation, and immune system processes by altering regional promoter methylation, indicating that these pathways play pivotal roles in the action of hypomethylating agents. OR21 induced cell differentiation via upregulation of the late cell differentiation drivers CEBPE and GATA-1 Thus, silylation of a deoxynucleotide analog can confer oral bioavailability without new toxicities. Both in vivo and in vitro, OR21 exerted antileukemia effects, and had a better safety profile than DAC. Together, our findings indicate that OR21 is a promising candidate drug for phase I study as an alternative to azacitidine or decitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ureshino
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Watanabe
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamashita
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Kamachi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukuda-Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Nao Yoshida-Sakai
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Naoko Hattori
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hayashi
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawaguchi
- Center for Comprehensive Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Kaoru Tohyama
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Kimura
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Corresponding Author: Shinya Kimura, Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saga University School of Medicine, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. Phone: 81-952-34-2366; Fax: 81-952-34-2017; E-mail:
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12
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Maio M, Lahn M, Di Giacomo AM, Covre A, Calabrò L, Ibrahim R, Fox B. A vision of immuno-oncology: the Siena think tank of the Italian network for tumor biotherapy (NIBIT) foundation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:240. [PMID: 34301276 PMCID: PMC8298945 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02023-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The yearly Think Tank Meeting of the Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (NIBIT) Foundation, brings together in Siena, Tuscany (Italy), experts in immuno-oncology to review the learnings from current immunotherapy treatments, and to propose new pre-clinical and clinical investigations in selected research areas. MAIN: While immunotherapies in non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma led to practice changing therapies, the same therapies had only modest benefit for patients with other malignancies, such as mesothelioma and glioblastoma. One way to improve on current immunotherapies is to alter the sequence of each combination agent. Matching the immunotherapy to the host's immune response may thus improve the activity of the current treatments. A second approach is to combine current immunotherapies with novel agents targeting complementary mechanisms. Identifying the appropriate novel agents may require different approaches than the traditional laboratory-based discovery work. For example, artificial intelligence-based research may help focusing the search for innovative and most promising combination partners. CONCLUSION Novel immunotherapies are needed in cancer patients with resistance to or relapse after current immunotherapeutic drugs. Such new treatments may include targeted agents or monoclonal antibodies to overcome the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. The mode of combining the novel treatments, including vaccines, needs to be matched to the patient's immune status for achieving the maximum benefit. In this scenario, specific attention should be also paid nowadays to the immune intersection between COVID-19 and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, Siena, Italy.
- Italian Network for Tumor Bio-Immunotherapy Foundation Onlus, Siena, Italy.
| | - Michael Lahn
- iOnctura SA, Avenue Secheron 15, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, Siena, Italy
- Italian Network for Tumor Bio-Immunotherapy Foundation Onlus, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, Siena, Italy
| | - Luana Calabrò
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, Siena, Italy
| | - Ramy Ibrahim
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, 1 Letterman Drive, San Francisco, 94012, USA
| | - Bernard Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan St. Suite 2N35, Portland, OR, 97213, USA
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13
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Piotrowska M, Gliwiński M, Trzonkowski P, Iwaszkiewicz-Grzes D. Regulatory T Cells-Related Genes Are under DNA Methylation Influence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7144. [PMID: 34281195 PMCID: PMC8267835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert a highly suppressive function in the immune system. Disturbances in their function predispose an individual to autoimmune dysregulation, with a predominance of the pro-inflammatory environment. Besides Foxp3, which is a master regulator of these cells, other genes (e.g., Il2ra, Ctla4, Tnfrsf18, Ikzf2, and Ikzf4) are also involved in Tregs development and function. Multidimensional Tregs suppression is determined by factors that are believed to be crucial in the action of Tregs-related genes. Among them, epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, tend to be widely studied over the past few years. DNA methylation acts as a repressive mark, leading to diminished gene expression. Given the role of increased CpG methylation upon Tregs imprinting and functional stability, alterations in the methylation pattern can cause an imbalance in the immune response. Due to the fact that epigenetic changes can be reversible, so-called epigenetic modifiers are broadly used in order to improve Tregs performance. In this review, we place emphasis on the role of DNA methylation of the genes that are key regulators of Tregs function. We also discuss disease settings that have an impact on the methylation status of Tregs and systematize the usefulness of epigenetic drugs as factors able to influence Tregs functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dorota Iwaszkiewicz-Grzes
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.P.); (M.G.); (P.T.)
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14
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Maio M, Blank C, Necchi A, Di Giacomo AM, Ibrahim R, Lahn M, Fox BA, Bell RB, Tortora G, Eggermont AMM. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is reshaping cancer management across multiple tumour types: The future is now! Eur J Cancer 2021; 152:155-164. [PMID: 34107449 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (Network Italiano per la Bioterapia dei Tumori [NIBIT]) Foundation hosted its annual 2020 Think Tank meeting virtually, at which representatives from academic, clinical, industry, philanthropic, and regulatory organisations discussed the role of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Although the number of neoadjuvant immunotherapeutic trials is increasing across all malignancies, the Think Tank focused its discussion on the status of neoadjuvant trials in cutaneous melanoma (CM), muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (MIBC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Neoadjuvant developments in CM are nothing short of trailblazing. Pathologic Complete Response (pCR), pathologic near Complete Response, and partial Pathologic Responses reduce 90-100% of recurrences. This is in sharp contrast to targeted therapies in neoadjuvant CM trials, where only a pCR seems to reduce recurrence. The pCR rate after neoadjuvant immunotherapy varies among the different malignancies of CM, MIBC, HNSCC, and PDAC and may be associated with different reductions of recurrence rates. In CM, emerging evidence suggests that neoadjuvant immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 plus anti-PD1 is a game changer in patients with palpable nodal Stage III or resectable Stage IV disease by curing more patients, reducing recurrences and the need for surgical interventions, such as lymph node dissections and metastasectomies. The Think Tank panel discussed future approaches on how to optimise results across different tumour types. Future approaches should include reducing monocyte-mediated (tumour-associated macrophages) and fibroblast-mediated (cancer-associated fibroblasts) barriers in the tumour microenvironment to facilitate the recruitment of immune cells to the tumour site, to reduce immune-suppressive mediators, and to increase antigen presentation at the site of the tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci 16, Siena, Italy; Italian Network for Tumor Bio-Immunotherapy Foundation, Siena, Italy.
| | - Christian Blank
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Andrea Necchi
- Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci 16, Siena, Italy; Italian Network for Tumor Bio-Immunotherapy Foundation, Siena, Italy.
| | - Ramy Ibrahim
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Lahn
- IOnctura SA, Avenue Secheron 15, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Providence Cancer Institute, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97213, USA.
| | - R Bryan Bell
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Providence Cancer Institute, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97213, USA.
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS e Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Roma, Italy.
| | - Alexander M M Eggermont
- Princess Máxima Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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15
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Wong KK, Hassan R, Yaacob NS. Hypomethylating Agents and Immunotherapy: Therapeutic Synergism in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:624742. [PMID: 33718188 PMCID: PMC7947882 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.624742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Decitabine and guadecitabine are hypomethylating agents (HMAs) that exert inhibitory effects against cancer cells. This includes stimulation of anti-tumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Treatment of AML and MDS patients with the HMAs confers upregulation of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) expression including the highly immunogenic CTA NY-ESO-1. This leads to activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for elimination of cancer cells, and it establishes the feasibility to combine cancer vaccine with HMAs to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Moreover, decitabine and guadecitabine induce the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in AML cells. In this review, the accumulating knowledge on the immunopotentiating properties of decitabine and guadecitabine in AML and MDS patients are presented and discussed. In summary, combination of decitabine or guadecitabine with NY-ESO-1 vaccine enhances vaccine immunogenicity in AML patients. T cells from AML patients stimulated with dendritic cell (DC)/AML fusion vaccine and guadecitabine display increased capacity to lyse AML cells. Moreover, decitabine enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity or CD123-specific chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells antileukemic activities against AML. Furthermore, combination of either HMAs with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may circumvent their resistance. Finally, clinical trials of either HMAs combined with cancer vaccines, NK cell infusion or ICB therapy in relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk MDS patients are currently underway, highlighting the promising efficacy of HMAs and immunotherapy synergy against these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Keng Wong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rosline Hassan
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nik Soriani Yaacob
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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16
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Neuwelt A, Al-Juhaishi T, Davila E, Haverkos B. Enhancing antitumor immunity through checkpoint blockade as a therapeutic strategy in T-cell lymphomas. Blood Adv 2020; 4:4256-4266. [PMID: 32898250 PMCID: PMC7479955 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of historical therapies for managing T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) have consisted of T-cell-depleting strategies. Unfortunately, these forms of therapies can hamper the ability to mount effective antitumor immune responses. Recently, the use of checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the therapy of solid and hematologic malignancies. The development of immunotherapies for the management of TCL has lagged behind other malignancies given 2 central reasons: (1) the competing balance of depleting malignant T cells while simultaneously enhancing an antitumor T-cell response and (2) concern for tumor hyperprogression by blocking inhibitory signals on the surface of the malignant T cell, thereby leading to further proliferation of the malignant cells. These challenges were highlighted with the discovery that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) functions paradoxically as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in preclinical TCL models. In contrast, some preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that PD-1/programmed death ligand 1 may become an important therapeutic tool in the management of patients with TCL. Improved understanding of the immune landscape of TCL is necessary in order to identify subsets of patients most likely to benefit from checkpoint-inhibitor therapy. With increased preclinical research focus on the tumor microenvironment, substantial strides are being made in understanding how to harness the power of the immune system to treat TCLs. In this review, designed to be a "call to action," we discuss the challenges and opportunities of using immune-modulating therapies, with a focus on checkpoint inhibitors, for the treatment of patients with TCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neuwelt
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; and
| | - Taha Al-Juhaishi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; and
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Darwiche N. Epigenetic mechanisms and the hallmarks of cancer: an intimate affair. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:1954-1978. [PMID: 32774995 PMCID: PMC7407342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms comprising DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs affect chromatin structure and regulate gene expression. These mechanisms control normal embryonic development and adult life and their deregulation contributes to several diseases including cancer. The process of tumorigenesis is complex and results from the evolution of different "hallmarks of cancer". Hanahan and Weinberg presented in 2000 and 2011 seminal contributions in the cancer field, first the six hallmarks of cancer and a decade later two additional hallmarks and two enabling characteristics were added. Here, we surmise that epigenetic mechanisms regulate and contribute to every single hallmark in cancer, and thus represent the hallmark of hallmarks in tumorigenesis. Focusing on epigenetics as a major hallmark in cancer formation has profound preventive, therapeutic, and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
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18
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Dan H, Zhang S, Zhou Y, Guan Q. DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Catalysts For Antitumour Immune Responses. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10903-10916. [PMID: 31849494 PMCID: PMC6913319 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s217767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a kind of heritable change that involves the unaltered DNA sequence and can have effects on gene expression. The regulatory mechanism mainly includes DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA regulation. DNA methylation is currently the most studied aspect of epigenetics. It is widely present in eukaryotic cells and is the most important epigenetic mark in the regulation of gene expression in the cell. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) have been increasingly recognized in the field of cancer immunotherapy, have been approved for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and are widely being used in clinical trials of cancer immunotherapies. DNMTi promote the reactivation of tumour suppressor genes, enhance tumour immunogenicity, and stimulate a variety of immune cells to secrete cytokines that exert cytotoxic effects, promote tumour cell death, including macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells, and upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression levels. Here, we mainly summarize the epigenetics related to DNMTi and their regulation of the antitumour immune response and DNMTi combined with immuno-therapeutics or histone deacetylase inhibitors to demonstrate the great development potential and clinical application value of DNMTi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Dan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongning Zhou
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanlin Guan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
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19
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Di Giacomo AM, Covre A, Finotello F, Rieder D, Danielli R, Sigalotti L, Giannarelli D, Petitprez F, Lacroix L, Valente M, Cutaia O, Fazio C, Amato G, Lazzeri A, Monterisi S, Miracco C, Coral S, Anichini A, Bock C, Nemc A, Oganesian A, Lowder J, Azab M, Fridman WH, Sautès-Fridman C, Trajanoski Z, Maio M. Guadecitabine Plus Ipilimumab in Unresectable Melanoma: The NIBIT-M4 Clinical Trial. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:7351-7362. [PMID: 31530631 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The immunomodulatory activity of DNA hypomethylating agents (DHAs) suggests they may improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The phase Ib NIBIT-M4 trial tested this hypothesis using the next-generation DHA guadecitabine combined with ipilimumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with unresectable stage III/IV melanoma received escalating doses of guadecitabine 30, 45, or 60 mg/m2/day subcutaneously on days 1 to 5 every 3 weeks, and ipilimumab 3 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks, starting 1 week after guadecitabine, for four cycles. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability, and MTD of treatment; secondary were immune-related (ir) disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR); and exploratory were changes in methylome, transcriptome, and immune contextures in sequential tumor biopsies, and pharmacokinetics. RESULTS Nineteen patients were treated; 84% had grade 3/4 adverse events, and neither dose-limiting toxicities per protocol nor overlapping toxicities were observed. Ir-DCR and ir-ORR were 42% and 26%, respectively. Median CpG site methylation of tumor samples (n = 8) at week 4 (74.5%) and week 12 (75.5%) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than at baseline (80.3%), with a median of 2,454 (week 4) and 4,131 (week 12) differentially expressed genes. Among the 136 pathways significantly (P < 0.05; Z score >2 or ←2) modulated by treatment, the most frequently activated were immune-related. Tumor immune contexture analysis (n = 11) demonstrated upregulation of HLA class I on melanoma cells, an increase in CD8+, PD-1+ T cells and in CD20+ B cells in posttreatment tumor cores. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of guadecitabine combined with ipilimumab is safe and tolerable in advanced melanoma and has promising immunomodulatory and antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Finotello
- Biocenter, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Biocenter, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Riccardo Danielli
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | | | - Florent Petitprez
- INSERM, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Team Cancer, Immune Control and Escape, Paris, France
- University Paris Descartes Paris 5, Sorbonne Paris Cite, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Programme Cartes d'Identitié des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Lacroix
- INSERM, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Team Cancer, Immune Control and Escape, Paris, France
- University Paris Descartes Paris 5, Sorbonne Paris Cite, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Monica Valente
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ornella Cutaia
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Fazio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Amato
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Lazzeri
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Santa Monterisi
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Clelia Miracco
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science, University of Siena, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Coral
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- HumanTumors Immunobiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Amelie Nemc
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - James Lowder
- Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | | | - Wolf H Fridman
- INSERM, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Team Cancer, Immune Control and Escape, Paris, France
- University Paris Descartes Paris 5, Sorbonne Paris Cite, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Sautès-Fridman
- INSERM, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Team Cancer, Immune Control and Escape, Paris, France
- University Paris Descartes Paris 5, Sorbonne Paris Cite, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, UMR_S 1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Biocenter, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Ghazi T, Nagiah S, Naidoo P, Chuturgoon AA. Fusaric acid-induced promoter methylation of DNA methyltransferases triggers DNA hypomethylation in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Epigenetics 2019; 14:804-817. [PMID: 31060424 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1615358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusaric acid (FA), a mycotoxin contaminant of maize, displays toxicity in plants and animals; however, its epigenetic mechanism is unknown. DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, is mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs; DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) and demethylases (MBD2). The expression of DNMTs and demethylases are regulated by promoter methylation, microRNAs (miR-29b) and post-translational modifications (ubiquitination). Alterations in these DNA methylation modifying enzymes affect DNA methylation patterns and offer novel mechanisms of FA toxicity. We determined the effect of FA on global DNA methylation as well as a mechanism of FA-induced changes in DNA methylation by transcriptional (promoter methylation), post-transcriptional (miR-29b) and post-translational (ubiquitination) regulation of DNMTs and MBD2 in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. FA induced global DNA hypomethylation (p < 0.0001) in HepG2 cells. FA decreased the mRNA and protein expression of DNMT1 (p < 0.0001), DNMT3A (p < 0.0001), and DNMT3B (p < 0.0001) by upregulating miR-29b (p < 0.0001) and inducing promoter hypermethylation of DNMT1 (p < 0.0001) and DNMT3B (p < 0.0001). FA decreased the ubiquitination of DNMT1 (p = 0.0753), DNMT3A (p = 0.0008), and DNMT3B (p < 0.0001) by decreasing UHRF1 (p < 0.0001) and USP7 (p < 0.0001). FA also induced MBD2 promoter hypomethylation (p < 0.0001) and increased MBD2 expression (p < 0.0001). Together these results indicate that FA induces global DNA hypomethylation by altering DNMT promoter methylation, upregulating miR-29b, and increasing MBD2 in HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terisha Ghazi
- a Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences , Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Savania Nagiah
- a Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences , Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Pragalathan Naidoo
- a Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences , Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Anil A Chuturgoon
- a Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences , Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal , Durban , South Africa
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