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Liu H, Tang L, Li Y, Xie W, Zhang L, Tang H, Xiao T, Yang H, Gu W, Wang H, Chen P. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current views on the tumor microenvironment's impact on drug resistance and clinical outcomes. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:20. [PMID: 38254110 PMCID: PMC10802008 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant variations across different ethnic groups and geographical regions, with Southeast Asia and North Africa being endemic areas. Of note, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with almost all of the undifferentiated NPC cases. Over the past three decades, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of NPC treatment. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy have introduced a range of promising approaches for managing NPC. In light of these developments, it has become evident that a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. The TME serves a dual function, acting as a promoter of tumorigenesis while also orchestrating immunosuppression, thereby facilitating cancer progression and enabling immune evasion. Consequently, a comprehensive comprehension of the TME and its intricate involvement in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of NPC is imperative for the development of effective anticancer drugs. Moreover, given the complexity of TME and the inter-patient heterogeneity, personalized treatment should be designed to maximize therapeutic efficacy and circumvent drug resistance. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the TME within the context of EBV-induced NPC, with a particular emphasis on its pivotal role in regulating intercellular communication and shaping treatment responses. Additionally, the review offers a concise summary of drug resistance mechanisms and potential strategies for their reversal, specifically in relation to chemoradiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, recent advances in clinical trials pertaining to NPC are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Liu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yanxian Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wenji Xie
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tengfei Xiao
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hongmin Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wangning Gu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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2
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Liu SX, Wang C, Lin RB, Ding WY, Roy G, Wang HB, Yang T, Liu Q, Luo YL, Jin SL, Zeng MS, Zhao B, Zhong Q. Super-enhancer driven SOX2 promotes tumor formation by chromatin re-organization in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBioMedicine 2023; 98:104870. [PMID: 37967508 PMCID: PMC10679863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant head and neck cancer with a high incidence in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Patients with remote metastasis and recurrent NPC have poor prognosis. Thus, a better understanding of NPC pathogenesis may identify novel therapies to address the unmet clinical needs. METHODS H3K27ac ChIP-seq and HiChIP was applied to understand the enhancer landscapes and the chromosome interactions. Whole genome sequencing was conducted to analyze the relationship between genomic variations and epigenetic dysregulation. CRISPRi and JQ1 treatment were used to evaluate the transcriptional regulation of SOX2 SEs. Colony formation assay, survival analysis and in vivo subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft assays were applied to explore the function and clinical relevance of SOX2 in NPC. FINDINGS We globally mapped the enhancer landscapes and generated NPC enhancer connectomes, linking NPC specific enhancers and SEs. We found five overlapped genes, including SOX2, among super-enhancer regulated genes, survival related genes and NPC essential genes. The mRNA expression of SOX2 was repressed when applying CRISPRi targeting different SOX2 SEs or JQ1 treatment. Next, we identified a genetic variation (Chr3:181422197, G > A) in SOX2 SE which is correlated with higher expression of SOX2 and poor survival. In addition, SOX2 was highly expressed in NPC and is correlated with short survival in patients with NPC. Knock-down of SOX2 suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. INTERPRETATION Our study demonstrated the super-enhancer landscape with chromosome interactions and identified super-enhancer driven SOX2 promotes tumorigenesis, suggesting that SOX2 is a potential therapeutic target for patients with NPC. FUNDING A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Chong Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ruo-Bin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Wei-Yue Ding
- School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, PR China
| | - Gaurab Roy
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Hong-Bo Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yi-Ling Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Shui-Lin Jin
- School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, PR China
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Bo Zhao
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Qian Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China.
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3
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Singh DR, Nelson SE, Pawelski AS, Kansra AS, Fogarty SA, Bristol JA, Ohashi M, Johannsen EC, Kenney SC. Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 protein promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of epithelial cells via activation of YAP and TAZ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219755120. [PMID: 37155846 PMCID: PMC10193989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219755120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection promotes undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) in humans, but the mechanism(s) for this effect has been difficult to study because EBV cannot transform normal epithelial cells in vitro and the EBV genome is often lost when NPC cells are grown in culture. Here we show that the latent EBV protein, LMP1 (Latent membrane protein 1), induces cellular proliferation and inhibits spontaneous differentiation of telomerase-immortalized normal oral keratinocytes (NOKs) in growth factor-deficient conditions by increasing the activity of the Hippo pathway effectors, YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif). We demonstrate that LMP1 enhances YAP and TAZ activity in NOKs both by decreasing Hippo pathway-mediated serine phosphorylation of YAP and TAZ and increasing Src kinase-mediated Y357 phosphorylation of YAP. Furthermore, knockdown of YAP and TAZ is sufficient to reduce proliferation and promote differentiation in EBV-infected NOKs. We find that YAP and TAZ are also required for LMP1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Importantly, we demonstrate that ibrutinib (an FDA-approved BTK inhibitor that blocks YAP and TAZ activity through an off-target effect) restores spontaneous differentiation and inhibits proliferation of EBV-infected NOKs at clinically relevant doses. These results suggest that LMP1-induced YAP and TAZ activity contributes to the development of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deo R. Singh
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Scott E. Nelson
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Abigail S. Pawelski
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Alisha S. Kansra
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Stuart A. Fogarty
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Jillian A. Bristol
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Makoto Ohashi
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Eric C. Johannsen
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Shannon C. Kenney
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
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4
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Gong L, Luo J, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Li S, Fang X, Zhang B, Huang J, Chow LKY, Chung D, Huang J, Huang C, Liu Q, Bai L, Tiu YC, Wu P, Wang Y, Tsao GSW, Kwong DLW, Lee AWM, Dai W, Guan XY. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells promote regulatory T cell development and suppressive activity via CD70-CD27 interaction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1912. [PMID: 37024479 PMCID: PMC10079957 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37614-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the intense CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, anti-PD-1 immunotherapy shows an unsatisfactory response rate in clinical trials, hindered by immunosuppressive signals. To understand how microenvironmental characteristics alter immune homeostasis and limit immunotherapy efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, here we establish a multi-center single-cell cohort based on public data, containing 357,206 cells from 50 patient samples. We reveal that nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells enhance development and suppressive activity of regulatory T cells via CD70-CD27 interaction. CD70 blocking reverts Treg-mediated suppression and thus reinvigorate CD8+ T-cell immunity. Anti-CD70+ anti-PD-1 therapy is evaluated in xenograft-derived organoids and humanized mice, exhibiting an improved tumor-killing efficacy. Mechanistically, CD70 knockout inhibits a collective lipid signaling network in CD4+ naïve and regulatory T cells involving mitochondrial integrity, cholesterol homeostasis, and fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, ATAC-Seq delineates that CD70 is transcriptionally upregulated by NFKB2 via an Epstein-Barr virus-dependent epigenetic modification. Our findings identify CD70+ nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells as a metabolic switch that enforces the lipid-driven development, functional specialization and homeostasis of Tregs, leading to immune evasion. This study also demonstrates that CD70 blockade can act synergistically with anti-PD-1 treatment to reinvigorate T-cell immunity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuma Yang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaona Fang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Baifeng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiao Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Larry Ka-Yue Chow
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dittman Chung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cuicui Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuen Chak Tiu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pingan Wu
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - George Sai-Wah Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anne Wing-Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China.
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5
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Bruce JP, To KF, Lui VWY, Chung GTY, Chan YY, Tsang CM, Yip KY, Ma BBY, Woo JKS, Hui EP, Mak MKF, Lee SD, Chow C, Velapasamy S, Or YYY, Siu PK, El Ghamrasni S, Prokopec S, Wu M, Kwan JSH, Liu Y, Chan JYK, van Hasselt CA, Young LS, Dawson CW, Paterson IC, Yap LF, Tsao SW, Liu FF, Chan ATC, Pugh TJ, Lo KW. Whole-genome profiling of nasopharyngeal carcinoma reveals viral-host co-operation in inflammatory NF-κB activation and immune escape. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4193. [PMID: 34234122 PMCID: PMC8263564 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24348-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interplay between EBV infection and acquired genetic alterations during nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development remains vague. Here we report a comprehensive genomic analysis of 70 NPCs, combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of microdissected tumor cells with EBV oncogene expression to reveal multiple aspects of cellular-viral co-operation in tumorigenesis. Genomic aberrations along with EBV-encoded LMP1 expression underpin constitutive NF-κB activation in 90% of NPCs. A similar spectrum of somatic aberrations and viral gene expression undermine innate immunity in 79% of cases and adaptive immunity in 47% of cases; mechanisms by which NPC may evade immune surveillance despite its pro-inflammatory phenotype. Additionally, genomic changes impairing TGFBR2 promote oncogenesis and stabilize EBV infection in tumor cells. Fine-mapping of CDKN2A/CDKN2B deletion breakpoints reveals homozygous MTAP deletions in 32-34% of NPCs that confer marked sensitivity to MAT2A inhibition. Our work concludes that NPC is a homogeneously NF-κB-driven and immune-protected, yet potentially druggable, cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff P Bruce
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vivian W Y Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace T Y Chung
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuk-Yu Chan
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kevin Y Yip
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brigette B Y Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - John K S Woo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Edwin P Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Michael K F Mak
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sau-Dan Lee
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chit Chow
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sharmila Velapasamy
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yvonne Y Y Or
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pui Kei Siu
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Samah El Ghamrasni
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephenie Prokopec
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Man Wu
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Johnny S H Kwan
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason Y K Chan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - C Andrew van Hasselt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | | | - Ian C Paterson
- Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences and Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lee-Fah Yap
- Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences and Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sai-Wah Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fei-Fei Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony T C Chan
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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6
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Jiang T, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Soto-Feliciano YM, Yang Q, Song CQ, Bhuatkar A, Haynes CM, Hemann MT, Xue W. Targeting the De Novo Purine Synthesis Pathway Through Adenylosuccinate Lyase Depletion Impairs Liver Cancer Growth by Perturbing Mitochondrial Function. Hepatology 2021; 74:233-247. [PMID: 33336367 PMCID: PMC8209110 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common cancer types worldwide, yet patients with HCC have limited treatment options. There is an urgent need to identify drug targets that specifically inhibit the growth of HCC cells. APPROACH AND RESULTS We used a CRISPR library targeting ~2,000 druggable genes to perform a high-throughput screen and identified adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), a key enzyme involved in the de novo purine synthesis pathway, as a potential drug target for HCC. ADSL has been implicated as a potential oncogenic driver in some cancers, but its role in liver cancer progression remains unknown. CRISPR-mediated knockout of ADSL impaired colony formation of liver cancer cells by affecting AMP production. In the absence of ADSL, the growth of liver tumors is retarded in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that ADSL knockout caused S-phase cell cycle arrest not by inducing DNA damage but by impairing mitochondrial function. Using data from patients with HCC, we also revealed that high ADSL expression occurs during tumorigenesis and is linked to poor survival rate. CONCLUSIONS Our findings uncover the role of ADSL-mediated de novo purine synthesis in fueling mitochondrial ATP production to promote liver cancer cell growth. Targeting ADSL may be a therapeutic approach for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Jiang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Francisco J. Sánchez-Rivera
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065
| | - Yadira M. Soto-Feliciano
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Qiyuan Yang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chun-Qing Song
- Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310024, China
| | - Arjun Bhuatkar
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Cole M Haynes
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael T. Hemann
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Wen Xue
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605
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Liew K, Yu GQS, Wei Pua LJ, Wong LZ, Tham SY, Hii LW, Lim WM, OuYong BM, Looi CK, Mai CW, Fei-Lei Chung F, Tan LP, Ahmad M, Soo-Beng Khoo A, Leong CO. Parallel genome-wide RNAi screens identify lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) as a targetable vulnerability of cell proliferation and chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2021; 504:81-90. [PMID: 33587980 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent in advances in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), development of targeted therapy remains challenging particularly in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. To search for clinically relevant targets for the treatment of NPC, we carried out parallel genome-wide functional screens to identified essential genes that are required for NPC cells proliferation and cisplatin resistance. We identified lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) as a key vulnerability of both proliferation and cisplatin resistance. Depletion of endogenous LCK or treatment of cells with LCK inhibitor induced tumor-specific cell death and synergized cisplatin sensitivity in EBV-positive C666-1 and EBV-negative SUNE1 cells. Further analyses demonstrated that LCK is regulating the proliferation and cisplatin resistance through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). Taken together, our study provides a molecular basis for targeting LCK and STAT5 signaling as potential druggable targets for the management of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitson Liew
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Gibson Qi Sheng Yu
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lesley Jia Wei Pua
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Li Zhe Wong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiau Ying Tham
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wei-Meng Lim
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian Ming OuYong
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chin King Looi
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Section (MCA), Epigenetics Group (EGE), International Agency for Research on Cancer World Health Organization, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Lu Ping Tan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Munirah Ahmad
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alan Soo-Beng Khoo
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exploring the function of every gene is a challenging task. There is a paradigm shift of RNA interference with the introduction of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based genome-wide screening. CRISPR-based screening can detect the loss-of-function and gain-of-function targets. Many DNA-binding proteins are engineered as effective tools for modulating gene expression and for investigating therapeutic targets for a spectrum of diseases. Among them, CRISPR-Cas9 has received extensive attention with its potential for screening cancer treatment targets. AREAS COVERED This article reviews CRISPR toolkit and its applications in screening cancer therapeutic targets, especially genome-wide screens using different CRISPR-Cas9 systems. We compare and summarize the characteristics of CRISPR systems, which would be helpful for understanding and optimizing current CRISPR toolkits, as well as reflecting on the potential future development and clinical applications of CRISPR screens. EXPERT OPINION The application of CRISPR-based therapeutic target screening is broadly used in cancer drug development. Its application in cancer immunotherapy and precision oncology is blooming. Nevertheless, more effective methods of Cas protein delivery and the development of more accurate and efficient genome-editing tools are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Weiwen Xue
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, China
| | - Sze Chuen Cesar Wong
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong, China
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Baloche V, Ferrand FR, Makowska A, Even C, Kontny U, Busson P. Emerging therapeutic targets for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: opportunities and challenges. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:545-558. [PMID: 32249657 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1751820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major public health problem in several countries, especially those in Southeast Asia and North Africa. In its typical poorly differentiated form, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is present in the nuclei of all malignant cells with restricted expression of a few viral genes. The malignant phenotype of NPC cells results from the influence of these viral products in combination with cellular genetic, epigenetic and functional alterations. With regard to host/tumor interactions, NPC is a remarkable example of immune escape in the context of a hot tumor.Areas covered: This article has an emphasis on emerging therapeutic targets that are considered upstream or at an early stage of clinical application. It examines targets related to cellular oncogenic alterations, latent EBV infection and tumor interactions with the immune system.Expert opinion: There is a remarkable emergence of new agents that target EBV products. The clinical application of these agents would benefit from a systematic and comprehensive molecular classification of NPCs and from easy access to pre-clinical models in public repositories. There is a strong rationale for more investigations on the potential of immune modulators, especially those related to NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Baloche
- CNRS, UMR 9018, Gustave Roussy and Uuniversité Paris-Saclay, 39, rue Camille Desmoulins, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Anna Makowska
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Caroline Even
- Département de cancérologie cervico-faciale, Gustave Roussy and université Paris-Saclay, 39, rue Camille Desmoulins, F-94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Udo Kontny
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Pierre Busson
- CNRS, UMR 9018, Gustave Roussy and Uuniversité Paris-Saclay, 39, rue Camille Desmoulins, Villejuif, France
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Tsang CM, Lui VWY, Bruce JP, Pugh TJ, Lo KW. Translational genomics of nasopharyngeal cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 61:84-100. [PMID: 31521748 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), also named the Cantonese cancer, is a unique cancer with strong etiological association with infection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). With particularly high prevalence in Southeast Asia, the involvement of EBV and genetic aberrations contributive to NPC tumorigenesis have remained unclear for decades. Recently, genomic analysis of NPC has defined it as a genetically homogeneous cancer, driven largely by NF-κB signaling caused by either somatic aberrations of NF-κB negative regulators or by overexpression of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), an EBV viral oncoprotein. This represents a landmark finding of the NPC genome. Exome and RNA sequencing data from new EBV-positive NPC models also highlight the importance of PI3K pathway aberrations in NPC. We also realize for the first time that NPC mutational burden, mutational signatures, MAPK/PI3K aberrations, and MHC Class I gene aberrations, are prognostic for patient outcome. Together, these multiple genomic discoveries begin to shape the focus of NPC therapy development. Given the challenge of NF-κB targeting in human cancers, more innovative drug discovery approaches should be explored to target the unique atypical NF-κB activation feature of NPC. Our next decade of NPC research should focus on further identification of the -omic landscapes of recurrent and metastatic NPC, development of gene-based precision medicines, as well as large-scale drug screening with the newly developed and well-characterized EBV-positive NPC models. Focused preclinical and clinical investigations on these major directions may identify new and effective targeting strategies to further improve survival of NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jeffrey P Bruce
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada; Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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