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Dreier MR, Walia J, de la Serna IL. Targeting SWI/SNF Complexes in Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches and Implications. Epigenomes 2024; 8:7. [PMID: 38390898 PMCID: PMC10885108 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010007] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
SWI/SNF enzymes are heterogeneous multi-subunit complexes that utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to remodel chromatin structure, facilitating transcription, DNA replication, and repair. In mammalian cells, distinct sub-complexes, including cBAF, ncBAF, and PBAF exhibit varying subunit compositions and have different genomic functions. Alterations in the SWI/SNF complex and sub-complex functions are a prominent feature in cancer, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Current strategies in cancer therapeutics involve the use of pharmacological agents designed to bind and disrupt the activity of SWI/SNF complexes or specific sub-complexes. Inhibitors targeting the catalytic subunits, SMARCA4/2, and small molecules binding SWI/SNF bromodomains are the primary approaches for suppressing SWI/SNF function. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) were generated by the covalent linkage of the bromodomain or ATPase-binding ligand to an E3 ligase-binding moiety. This engineered connection promotes the degradation of specific SWI/SNF subunits, enhancing and extending the impact of this pharmacological intervention in some cases. Extensive preclinical studies have underscored the therapeutic potential of these drugs across diverse cancer types. Encouragingly, some of these agents have progressed from preclinical research to clinical trials, indicating a promising stride toward the development of effective cancer therapeutics targeting SWI/SNF complex and sub-complex functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Dreier
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
| | - Jasmine Walia
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
| | - Ivana L de la Serna
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo 43614, OH, USA
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Smalley I, Boire A, Brastianos P, Kluger HM, Hernando-Monge E, Forsyth PA, Ahmed KA, Smalley KSM, Ferguson S, Davies MA, Glitza Oliva IC. Leptomeningeal disease in melanoma: An update on the developments in pathophysiology and clinical care. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:51-67. [PMID: 37622466 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) remains a major challenge in the clinical management of metastatic melanoma patients. Outcomes for patient remain poor, and patients with LMD continue to be excluded from almost all clinical trials. However, recent trials have demonstrated the feasibility of conducting prospective clinical trials in these patients. Further, new insights into the pathophysiology of LMD are identifying rational new therapeutic strategies. Here we present recent advances in the understanding of, and treatment options for, LMD from metastatic melanoma. We also annotate key areas of future focus to accelerate progress for this challenging but emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Smalley
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Priscilla Brastianos
- Department of Medicine, MGH Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harriet M Kluger
- Department of Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eva Hernando-Monge
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Department of Neuro-Oncology and Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kamran A Ahmed
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sherise Ferguson
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Isabella C Glitza Oliva
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Phadke MS, Li J, Chen Z, Rodriguez PC, Mandula JK, Karapetyan L, Forsyth PA, Chen YA, Smalley KSM. Differential requirements for CD4+ T cells in the efficacy of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combinations in melanoma flank and brain metastasis models. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007239. [PMID: 38056899 PMCID: PMC10711842 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007239] [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] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and the anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combinations are effective in advanced melanoma, it remains unclear whether their mechanisms of action overlap. METHODS We used single cell (sc) RNA-seq, flow cytometry and IHC analysis of responding SM1, D4M-UV2 and B16 melanoma flank tumors and SM1 brain metastases to explore the mechanism of action of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and the anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combination. CD4+ and CD8+ T cell depletion, tetramer binding assays and ELISPOT assays were used to demonstrate the unique role of CD4+T cell help in the antitumor effects of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination. RESULTS The anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combination was associated with the infiltration of FOXP3+regulatory CD4+ cells (Tregs), fewer activated CD4+T cells and the accumulation of a subset of IFNγ secreting cytotoxic CD8+T cells, whereas the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination led to the accumulation of CD4+T helper cells that expressed CXCR4, TNFSF8, IL21R and a subset of CD8+T cells with reduced expression of cytotoxic markers. T cell depletion studies showed a requirement for CD4+T cells for the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination, but not the PD-1-CTLA-4 combination at both flank and brain tumor sites. In anti-PD-1+LAG-3 treated tumors, CD4+T cell depletion was associated with fewer activated (CD69+) CD8+T cells and impaired IFNγ release but, conversely, increased numbers of activated CD8+T cells and IFNγ release in anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 treated tumors. CONCLUSIONS Together these studies suggest that these two clinically relevant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combinations have differential effects on CD4+T cell polarization, which in turn, impacted cytotoxic CD8+T cell function. Further insights into the mechanisms of action/resistance of these clinically-relevant ICI combinations will allow therapy to be further personalized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manali S Phadke
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jiannong Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Paulo C Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jessica K Mandula
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lilit Karapetyan
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Department of Neurooncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Y Ann Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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Abdelwahab RM, Liszewski W, Vidal NY, Demer A. Black-white inequities in melanoma surgical outcomes and interventions: an epidemiologic multivariate analysis utilizing the National Cancer Database. Arch Dermatol Res 2023; 316:7. [PMID: 38015247 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-023-02770-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rewan M Abdelwahab
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, 226 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Walter Liszewski
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Department of Preventative Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nahid Y Vidal
- Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Addison Demer
- Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Wei AZ, Chen LN, Orloff M, Ariyan CE, Asgari M, Barker CA, Buchbinder E, Chandra S, Couts K, Frumovitz MM, Futreal A, Gershenwald JE, Hanna EY, Izar B, LeBlanc AK, Leitao MM, Lipson EJ, Liu D, McCarter M, McQuade JL, Najjar Y, Rapisuwon S, Selig S, Shoushtari AN, Yeh I, Schwartz GK, Guo J, Patel SP, Carvajal RD. Proceedings from the Melanoma Research Foundation Mucosal Melanoma Meeting (December 16, 2022, New York, USA). Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:542-556. [PMID: 37804122 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13139] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Mucosal melanoma remains a rare cancer with high mortality and a paucity of therapeutic options. This is due in significant part to its low incidence leading to limited patient access to expert care and downstream clinical/basic science data for research interrogation. Clinical challenges such as delayed and at times inaccurate diagnoses, and lack of consensus tumor staging have added to the suboptimal outcomes for these patients. Clinical trials, while promising, have been difficult to activate and accrue. While individual institutions and investigators have attempted to seek solutions to such problems, international, national, and local partnership may provide the keys to more efficient and innovative paths forward. Furthermore, a mucosal melanoma coalition would provide a potential network for patients and caregivers to seek expert opinion and advice. The Melanoma Research Foundation Mucosal Melanoma Meeting (December 16, 2022, New York, USA) highlighted the current clinical challenges faced by patients, providers, and scientists, identified current and future clinical trial investigations in this rare disease space, and aimed to increase national and international collaboration among the mucosal melanoma community in an effort to improve patient outcomes. The included proceedings highlight the clinical challenges of mucosal melanoma, global clinical trial experience, basic science advances in mucosal melanoma, and future directions, including the creation of shared rare tumor registries and enhanced collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Z Wei
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lanyi N Chen
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marlana Orloff
- Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sunandana Chandra
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kasey Couts
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Andrew Futreal
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ehab Y Hanna
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin Izar
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy K LeBlanc
- National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mario M Leitao
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Evan J Lipson
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martin McCarter
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Yana Najjar
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Sara Selig
- Melanoma Research Foundation, CURE OM, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Iwei Yeh
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jun Guo
- Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Sapna P Patel
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Tran T, Rousseau MA, Farris DP, Bauer C, Nelson KC, Doan HQ. The social vulnerability index as a risk stratification tool for health disparity research in cancer patients: a scoping review. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:407-420. [PMID: 37027053 PMCID: PMC10080510 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The social vulnerability index (SVI), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a novel composite measure encompassing multiple variables that correspond to key social determinants of health. The objective of this review was to investigate innovative applications of the SVI to oncology research and to employ the framework of the cancer care continuum to elucidate further research opportunities. METHODS A systematic search for relevant articles was performed in five databases from inception to 13 May 2022. Included studies applied the SVI to analyze outcomes in cancer patients. Study characteristics, patent populations, data sources, and outcomes were extracted from each article. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS In total, 31 studies were included. Along the cancer care continuum, five applied the SVI to examine geographic disparities in potentially cancer-causing exposures; seven in cancer diagnosis; fourteen in cancer treatment; nine in treatment recovery; one in survivorship care; and two in end-of-life care. Fifteen examined disparities in mortality. CONCLUSION In highlighting place-based disparities in patient outcomes, the SVI represents a promising tool for future oncology research. As a reliable geocoded dataset, the SVI may inform the development and implementation of targeted interventions to prevent cancer morbidity and mortality at the neighborhood level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffaney Tran
- Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Morgan A Rousseau
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David P Farris
- Research Medical Library, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cici Bauer
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly C Nelson
- Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hung Q Doan
- Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Johnson DB, Atkins MB, Hennessy C, Wise-Draper T, Heilman H, Awosika J, Bakouny Z, Labaki C, Saliby RM, Hwang C, Singh SRK, Balanchivadze N, Friese CR, Fecher LA, Yoon JJ, Hayes-Lattin B, Bilen MA, Castellano CA, Lyman GH, Tachiki L, Shah SA, Glover MJ, Flora DB, Wulff-Burchfield E, Kasi A, Abbasi SH, Farmakiotis D, Viera K, Klein EJ, Weissman LB, Jani C, Puc M, Fahey CC, Reuben DY, Mishra S, Beeghly-Fadiel A, French B, Warner JL. Impact of COVID-19 in patients on active melanoma therapy and with history of melanoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:265. [PMID: 36949413 PMCID: PMC10033295 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 particularly impacted patients with co-morbid conditions, including cancer. Patients with melanoma have not been specifically studied in large numbers. Here, we sought to identify factors that associated with COVID-19 severity among patients with melanoma, particularly assessing outcomes of patients on active targeted or immune therapy. METHODS Using the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) registry, we identified 307 patients with melanoma diagnosed with COVID-19. We used multivariable models to assess demographic, cancer-related, and treatment-related factors associated with COVID-19 severity on a 6-level ordinal severity scale. We assessed whether treatment was associated with increased cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction among hospitalized patients and assessed mortality among patients with a history of melanoma compared with other cancer survivors. RESULTS Of 307 patients, 52 received immunotherapy (17%), and 32 targeted therapy (10%) in the previous 3 months. Using multivariable analyses, these treatments were not associated with COVID-19 severity (immunotherapy OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.19 - 1.39; targeted therapy OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.64 - 5.55). Among hospitalized patients, no signals of increased cardiac or pulmonary organ dysfunction, as measured by troponin, brain natriuretic peptide, and oxygenation were noted. Patients with a history of melanoma had similar 90-day mortality compared with other cancer survivors (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.62 - 2.35). CONCLUSIONS Melanoma therapies did not appear to be associated with increased severity of COVID-19 or worsening organ dysfunction. Patients with history of melanoma had similar 90-day survival following COVID-19 compared with other cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael B Atkins
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joy Awosika
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | | | | | | | - Clara Hwang
- Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sunny R K Singh
- Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Leslie A Fecher
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James J Yoon
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brandon Hayes-Lattin
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Mehmet A Bilen
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sumit A Shah
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Glover
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Anup Kasi
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Saqib H Abbasi
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - Kendra Viera
- Brown University and Lifespan Cancer Institute, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Klein
- Brown University and Lifespan Cancer Institute, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Y Reuben
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sanjay Mishra
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | | | - Benjamin French
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jeremy L Warner
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Brown University and Lifespan Cancer Institute, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Joseph AK, Walker AM, Irek M, Berry E, Argenbright K, Jacobe H. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nail technicians in detecting acral lentiginous melanoma. J Cosmet Dermatol 2022; 21:6449-6452. [PMID: 35531786 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne K Joseph
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Amanda M Walker
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa Irek
- Moncrief Cancer Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Emily Berry
- Moncrief Cancer Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Keith Argenbright
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Moncrief Cancer Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Heidi Jacobe
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Abstract
An innovative strategy for cancer therapy is to combine the inhibition of cancer cell-intrinsic oncogenic signaling with cancer cell-extrinsic immunological activation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In general, such approaches will focus on two or more distinct molecular targets in the malignant cells and in cells of the surrounding TME. In contrast, the protease Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue protein 1 (MALT1) represents a candidate to enable such a dual approach by engaging only a single target. Originally identified and now in clinical trials as a lymphoma drug target based on its role in the survival and proliferation of malignant lymphomas addicted to chronic B cell receptor signaling, MALT1 proteolytic activity has recently gained additional attention through reports describing its tumor-promoting roles in several types of non-hematological solid cancer, such as breast cancer and glioblastoma. Besides cancer cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells in the TME are particularly dependent on MALT1 to sustain their immune-suppressive functions, and MALT1 inhibition can selectively reprogram tumor-infiltrating Treg cells into Foxp3-expressing proinflammatory antitumor effector cells. Thereby, MALT1 inhibition induces local inflammation in the TME and synergizes with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade to induce antitumor immunity and facilitate tumor control or rejection. This new concept of boosting tumor immunotherapy in solid cancer by MALT1 precision targeting in the TME has now entered clinical evaluation. The dual effects of MALT1 inhibitors on cancer cells and immune cells therefore offer a unique opportunity for combining precision oncology and immunotherapy to simultaneously impair cancer cell growth and neutralize immunosuppression in the TME. Further, MALT1 targeting may provide a proof of concept that modulation of Treg cell function in the TME represents a feasible strategy to augment the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the role of MALT1 protease in physiological and oncogenic signaling, summarize the landscape of tumor indications for which MALT1 is emerging as a therapeutic target, and consider strategies to increase the chances for safe and successful use of MALT1 inhibitors in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten R Mempel
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel Krappmann
- Research Unit Cellular Signal Integration, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Center Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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Trivedi A, Mehrotra A, Baum CE, Lewis B, Basuroy T, Blomquist T, Trumbly R, Filipp FV, Setaluri V, de la Serna IL. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins regulate melanocyte differentiation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:14. [PMID: 32151278 PMCID: PMC7063807 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00333-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacologic inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins is currently being explored as a new therapeutic approach in cancer. Some studies have also implicated BET proteins as regulators of cell identity and differentiation through their interactions with lineage-specific factors. However, the role of BET proteins has not yet been investigated in melanocyte differentiation. Melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF) is the master regulator of melanocyte differentiation, essential for pigmentation and melanocyte survival. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that BET proteins regulate melanocyte differentiation through interactions with MITF. RESULTS Here we show that chemical inhibition of BET proteins prevents differentiation of unpigmented melanoblasts into pigmented melanocytes and results in de-pigmentation of differentiated melanocytes. BET inhibition also slowed cell growth, without causing cell death, increasing the number of cells in G1. Transcriptional profiling revealed that BET inhibition resulted in decreased expression of pigment-specific genes, including many MITF targets. The expression of pigment-specific genes was also down-regulated in melanoma cells, but to a lesser extent. We found that RNAi depletion of the BET family members, bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and bromodomain-containing protein 2 (BRD2) inhibited expression of two melanin synthesis enzymes, TYR and TYRP1. Both BRD4 and BRD2 were detected on melanocyte promoters surrounding MITF-binding sites, were associated with open chromatin structure, and promoted MITF binding to these sites. Furthermore, BRD4 and BRD2 physically interacted with MITF. CONCLUSION These findings indicate a requirement for BET proteins in the regulation of pigmentation and melanocyte differentiation. We identified changes in pigmentation specific gene expression that occur upon BET inhibition in melanoblasts, melanocytes, and melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archit Trivedi
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
| | - Aanchal Mehrotra
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
- Present Address: Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Caitlin E. Baum
- Department of Pathology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
| | - Brandon Lewis
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
| | - Tupa Basuroy
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
- Present Address: Cancer Center Division, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, 7th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129 USA
| | - Thomas Blomquist
- Department of Pathology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
| | - Robert Trumbly
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
| | - Fabian V. Filipp
- Cancer Systems Biology, Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, München, 85764 Germany
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 3, Freising, 85354 Germany
| | - Vijayasaradhi Setaluri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, The School of Medicine and Public Health, 1 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715 USA
| | - Ivana L. de la Serna
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3035 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 USA
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Eroglu Z, Holmen SL, Chen Q, Khushalani NI, Amaravadi R, Thomas R, Ahmed KA, Tawbi H, Chandra S, Markowitz J, Smalley I, Liu JK, Chen YA, Najjar YG, Karreth FA, Abate-Daga D, Glitza IC, Sosman JA, Sondak VK, Bosenberg M, Herlyn M, Atkins MB, Kluger H, Margolin K, Forsyth PA, Davies MA, Smalley KSM. Melanoma central nervous system metastases: An update to approaches, challenges, and opportunities. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2019; 32:458-469. [PMID: 30712316 PMCID: PMC7771318 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In February 2018, the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Moffitt Cancer Center hosted the Second Summit on Melanoma Central Nervous System (CNS) Metastases in Tampa, Florida. In this white paper, we outline the current status of basic science, translational, and clinical research into melanoma brain metastasis development and therapeutic management. We further outline the important challenges that remain for the field and the critical barriers that need to be overcome for continued progress to be made in this clinically difficult area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sheri L. Holmen
- University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Qing Chen
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Ravi Amaravadi
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yana G. Najjar
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael B. Atkins
- Georgetown University Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 50% of metastatic melanoma patients have a specific mutation in the serine/threonine kinase BRAF. This results in constitutive activation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK-MAP kinase pathway, which causes uncontrolled cell growth. Vemurafenib (PLX4032) is an oral chemotherapeutic agent that targets the specific mutation V600E in the BRAF protein. Initial response rates are high in patients with BRAF mutant melanoma treated with a BRAF inhibitor such as vemurafenib, but resistance nearly always develops and disease progression ensues. There are several different mechanisms by which melanoma develops BRAF inhibitor resistance. One potential component of resistance is increased drug efflux. Overexpressed ABCB5 (ATP-binding cassette transporter, subfamily B, member 5) has been shown to efflux anti-cancer drugs from cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ABCB5 is highly expressed in BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells and to evaluate whether ABCB5 is involved in the development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors in cutaneous melanoma. METHODS We established three BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma cell lines with BRAF mutation. The expression level of ABCB5 in PLX-resistant cell lines was checked by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. SK-MEL-2 melanoma cells with wild-type BRAF were used for comparison. The association of different levels of ABCB5 with the changes of ERK, p-ERK, Akt and p-Akt was also assessed by Western blotting. Re-sensitization of melanoma cells to PLX was tested by p-ERK inhibitor PD58059 and ABCB5 knockdown by ABCB5 siRNA, respectively. RESULTS We showed that ABCB5 was overexpressed in SK-MEL-28PLXr and A2058PLXr cells but not in A375PLXr cells. ABCB5 overexpression is associated with activation of p-ERK status but not Akt. Inhibition of p-ERK re-sensitized SK-MEL-28PLXr and A2058PLXr cells to PLX treatment, but knockdown of ABCB5 did not re-sensitize A2058 PLXr and SK-MEL-28 PLXr cells to PLX treatment. CONCLUSION These results confirm that, even though ABCB5 was overexpressed in SK-MEL-28 and A2058 melanoma cells that develop resistance to BRAF inhibitors, ABCB5 may not be a major targetable contributor to BRAF resistance. p-ERK inhibition may play important roles in BRAF resistance in these two melanoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Xiao
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Michael E. Egger
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Kelly M. McMasters
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Hongying Hao
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292 USA
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