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Sharma S, Rani H, Mahesh Y, Jolly MK, Dixit J, Mahadevan V. Loss of p53 epigenetically modulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 43:101848. [PMID: 38412660 PMCID: PMC10907866 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101848] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives cancer metastasis and is governed by genetic and epigenetic alterations at multiple levels of regulation. It is well established that loss/mutation of p53 confers oncogenic function to cancer cells and promotes metastasis. Though transcription factors like ZEB1, SLUG, SNAIL and TWIST have been implied in EMT signalling, p53 mediated alterations in the epigenetic machinery accompanying EMT are not clearly understood. This work attempts to explore epigenetic signalling during EMT in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with varying status of p53. Towards this, we have induced EMT using TGFβ on CRC cell lines with wild type, null and mutant p53 and have assayed epigenetic alterations after EMT induction. Transcriptomic profiling of the four CRC cell lines revealed that the loss of p53 confers more mesenchymal phenotype with EMT induction than its mutant counterparts. This was also accompanied by upregulation of epigenetic writer and eraser machinery suggesting an epigenetic signalling cascade triggered by TGFβ signalling in CRC. Significant agonist and antagonistic relationships observed between EMT factor SNAI1 and SNAI2 with epigenetic enzymes KDM6A/6B and the chromatin organiser SATB1 in p53 null CRC cells suggest a crosstalk between epigenetic and EMT factors. The observed epigenetic regulation of EMT factor SNAI1 correlates with poor clinical outcomes in 270 colorectal cancer patients taken from TCGA-COAD. This unique p53 dependent interplay between epigenetic enzymes and EMT factors in CRC cells may be exploited for development of synergistic therapies for CRC patients presenting to the clinic with loss of p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Sharma
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, India
| | - Harsha Rani
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, India
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Baba Y, Hara Y, Toihata T, Kosumi K, Iwatsuki M, Iwagami S, Miyamoto Y, Yoshida N, Komohara Y, Baba H. Relationship between gut microbiome Fusobacterium nucleatum and LINE-1 methylation level in esophageal cancer. Esophagus 2023; 20:704-712. [PMID: 37173453 DOI: 10.1007/s10388-023-01009-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated the relationship of human microbiome Fusobacterium nucleatum with unfavorable clinical outcomes and inferior chemotherapeutic responses in esophageal cancer. Global DNA methylation is associated with the occurrence and development of various cancers. In our previous study, LINE-1 hypomethylation (i.e., global DNA hypomethylation) was associated with a poor prognosis in esophageal cancer. As the gut microbiota may play crucial roles in the DNA methylation of host cells, we hypothesized that F. nucleatum might influence LINE-1 methylation levels in esophageal cancer. METHODS We qualified the F. nucleatum DNA using a quantitative PCR assay and LINE-1 methylation via a pyrosequencing assay using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from 306 esophageal cancer patients. RESULTS Intratumoral F. nucleatum DNA was detected in 65 cases (21.2%). The LINE-1 methylation scores ranged from 26.9 to 91.8 (median = 64.8) in tumors. F. nucleatum DNA was related to the LINE-1 hypomethylation of tumor lesions in esophageal cancer (P < 0.0001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.71 for F. nucleatum positivity. Finally, we found that the impact of F. nucleatum on clinical outcomes was not modified by LINE-1 hypomethylation (P for interaction = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS F. nucleatum alters genome-wide methylation levels in cancer cells, which may be one of the mechanisms by which F. nucleatum affects the malignant behavior of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
- Department of Next-Generation Surgical Therapy Development, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Hara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tasuku Toihata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kosumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Next-Generation Surgical Therapy Development, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Masaaki Iwatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
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Perez S, Lavi-Itzkovitz A, Gidoni M, Domovitz T, Dabour R, Khurana I, Davidovich A, Tobar A, Livoff A, Solomonov E, Maman Y, El-Osta A, Tsai Y, Yu ML, Stemmer SM, Haviv I, Yaari G, Gal-Tanamy M. High-resolution genomic profiling of liver cancer links etiology with mutation and epigenetic signatures. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:63-81. [PMID: 36965814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.03.004] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a model of diverse spectrum of cancers, since it is induced by well-known etiologies, mainly Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Here we aimed to identify HCV-specific mutational signature and explored the link between the HCV-related regional variation in mutations rates and HCV-induced alterations in genome-wide chromatin organization. METHODS To identify an HCV-specific mutational signature in HCC, we performed high-resolution targeted sequencing to detect passenger mutations on 64 HCC samples from three etiology groups - HBV, HCV, or other. To explore the link between genomic signature and genome-wide chromatin organization we performed ChIP-seq for the transcriptionally permissive H3K4me3, H3K9ac and suppressive H3K9me3 modifications following HCV infection. RESULTS Regional variation in mutations rates analysis revealed significant etiology-dependent regional mutations-rate in 12 genes: LRP2, KRT84, TMEM132B, DOCK2, DMD, INADL, JAK2, DNAH6, MTMR9, ATM, SLX4 and ARSD. We found an enrichment of C->T transversion mutations in the HCV-associated HCC cases. Furthermore, these cases exhibited regional variation in mutations rates associated with genomic intervals where HCV infection dictates epigenetic alterations. This signature may be related to the HCV-induced decreased expression of genes encoding key enzymes in the base excision repair pathway. CONCLUSIONS We identified novel distinct HCV etiology-dependent mutation signatures in HCC associated with HCV-induced alterations in histone modification. This study presents a link between cancer-causing mutagenesis, and the increased predisposition to liver cancer in chronic HCV-infected individuals, and unveils novel etiology-specific mechanisms leading to HCC and cancer in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Perez
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Anat Lavi-Itzkovitz
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Moriah Gidoni
- Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Tom Domovitz
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Roba Dabour
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Ishant Khurana
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ateret Davidovich
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Ana Tobar
- Institute of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alejandro Livoff
- Department of Pathology, Barzilay Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Yaakov Maman
- The Lab of Genomic Instability and Cancer, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR; Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, CUHK, Hong Kong SAR; Prince of Wales Hospital, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yishan Tsai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Salomon M Stemmer
- Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Izhak Haviv
- Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; AID Genomics LTD, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Gur Yaari
- Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Bar-Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Meital Gal-Tanamy
- Molecular Virology Lab, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
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Zheng H, Wu L, Xiao Q, Meng X, Hafiz A, Yan Q, Lu R, Cao J. Epigenetically suppressed tumor cell intrinsic STING promotes tumor immune escape. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:114033. [PMID: 36436495 PMCID: PMC9826630 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA sensing through the cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in cancer immunosurveillance. Pharmaceutical activation of STING in the tumor environment is considered an attractive approach to induce anti-tumor immunity, but had limited efficacy in the clinic. Several studies have found that STING is epigenetically silenced in many tumors, including colon cancer. This suggests that STING silencing in tumor cells contributes to immune escape and may limit the application of STING agonists. We previously found that inhibition of the KDM5 family histone demethylases restored STING expression in human breast cancer cells and activated the cGAS-STING pathway. In this study, we used MC38 and CT26 syngeneic mouse colorectal cancer models to show that loss of STING in tumor cells accelerates tumor growth. KDM5 inhibitors activate STING expression in mouse colorectal cancer cells and suppress colon cancer growth in immune competent mice in a STING-dependent manner. This study highlights KDM5 inhibitors as novel immune modulators in cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Lizhen Wu
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Qian Xiao
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Xin Meng
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Alex Hafiz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Qin Yan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Renquan Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jian Cao
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA; Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer refers to a group of some of the worldwide most diagnosed and deadliest pathophysiological conditions that conquered researchers' attention for decades and yet begs for more questions for a full comprehension of its complex cellular and molecular pathology. MAIN BODY The disease conditions are commonly characterized by unrestricted cell proliferation and dysfunctional replicative senescence pathways. In fact, the cell cycle operates under the rigorous control of complex signaling pathways involving cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases assumed to be specific to each phase of the cycle. At each of these checkpoints, the cell is checked essentially for its DNA integrity. Genetic defects observed in these molecules (i.e., cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases) are common features of cancer cells. Nevertheless, each cancer is different concerning its molecular and cellular etiology. These could range from the genetic defects mechanisms and/or the environmental conditions favoring epigenetically harbored homeostasis driving tumorigenesis alongside with the intratumoral heterogeneity with respect to the model that the tumor follows. CONCLUSIONS This review is not meant to be an exhaustive interpretation of carcinogenesis but to summarize some basic features of the molecular etiology of cancer and the intratumoral heterogeneity models that eventually bolster anticancer drug resistance for a more efficient design of drug targeting the pitfalls of the models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Diori Karidio
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, E Block, Ege University, Erzene Mahallesi, Bornova, 35040, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Senay Hamarat Sanlier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, E Block, Ege University, Erzene Mahallesi, Bornova, 35040, Izmir, Turkey.,ARGEFAR, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, Izmir, Turkey
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Pandkar MR, Dhamdhere SG, Shukla S. Oxygen gradient and tumor heterogeneity: The chronicle of a toxic relationship. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188553. [PMID: 33915221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The commencement of cancer is attributed to one or a few cells that become rogue and attain the property of immortality. The inception of distinct cancer cell clones during the hyperplastic and dysplastic stages of cancer progression is the utimate consequence of the dysregulated cellular pathways and the proliferative potential itself. Furthermore, a critical factor that adds a layer of complexity to this pre-existent intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is the foundation of an oxygen gradient, that is established due to the improper architecture of the tumor vasculature. Therefore, as a resultant effect, the poorly oxygenated regions thus formed and characterized as hypoxic, promote the emergence of aggressive and treatment-resistant cancer cell clones. The extraordinary property of the hypoxic cancer cells to exist harmoniously with cancerous and non-cancerous cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) further increases the intricacies of ITH. Here in this review, the pivotal influence of differential oxygen concentrations in shaping the ITH is thoroughly discussed. We also emphasize on the vitality of the interacting networks that govern the overall fate of oxygen gradient-dependent origin of tumor heterogeneity. Additionally, the implications of less-appreciated reverse Warburg effect, a symbiotic metabolic coupling, and the associated epigenetic regulation of rewiring of cancer metabolism in response to oxygen gradients, have been highlighted as critical influencers of ITH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhura R Pandkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Shruti G Dhamdhere
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Sanjeev Shukla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India.
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Abstract
Cancer was thought to be caused solely by genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In the last 35 years, however, epigenetic changes have been increasingly recognized as another primary driver of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Epigenetic deregulation in cancer often includes mutations and/or aberrant expression of chromatin-modifying enzymes, their associated proteins, and even non-coding RNAs, which can alter chromatin structure and dynamics. This leads to changes in gene expression that ultimately contribute to the emergence and evolution of cancer cells. Studies of the deregulation of chromatin modifiers in cancer cells have reshaped the way we approach cancer and guided the development of novel anticancer therapeutics that target epigenetic factors. There remain, however, a number of unanswered questions in this field that are the focus of present research. Areas of particular interest include the actions of emerging classes of epigenetic regulators of carcinogenesis and the tumor microenvironment, as well as epigenetic tumor heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss past findings on epigenetic mechanisms of cancer, current trends in the field of cancer epigenetics, and the directions of future research that may lead to the identification of new prognostic markers for cancer and the development of more effective anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Cancer Metastasis Control Center, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Li C, Wang Y, Gong Y, Zhang T, Huang J, Tan Z, Xue L. Finding an easy way to harmonize: a review of advances in clinical research and combination strategies of EZH2 inhibitors. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:62. [PMID: 33761979 PMCID: PMC7992945 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors (EZH2i) have garnered increased attention owing to their anticancer activity by targeting EZH2, a well-known cancer-promoting factor. However, some lymphomas are resistant to EZH2i, and EZH2i treatment alone is ineffective in case of EZH2-overexpressing solid tumors. The anti-cancer efficacy of EZH2i may be improved through safe and effective combinations of these drugs with other treatment modalities. Preclinical evidence indicates that combining EZH2i with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, has complementary or synergistic antitumor effects. Therefore, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the individual constituents of the combination therapies is fundamental for their clinical application. In this review, we have summarized notable clinical trials and preclinical studies using EZH2i, their progress, and combinations of EZH2i with different therapeutic modalities, aiming to provide new insights for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yueqing Gong
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tengrui Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Rahman MM, Tollefsbol TO. Targeting cancer epigenetics with CRISPR-dCAS9: Principles and prospects. Methods 2021; 187:77-91. [PMID: 32315755 PMCID: PMC7572534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics is an ever-evolving field due to incessant demands for effective and precise treatment options. Over the last few decades, cancer treatment strategies have shifted somewhat from surgery to targeted precision medicine. CRISPR-dCas9 is an emerging version of precision cancer therapy that has been adapted from the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas system. Once ligated to epigenetic effectors (EE), CRISPR-dCas9 can function as an epigenetic editing tool and CRISPR-dCas9-EE complexes could be exploited to alter cancerous epigenetic features associated with different cancer hallmarks. In this article, we discuss the rationale of epigenetic editing as a therapeutic strategy against cancer. We also outline how sgRNA-dCas9 was derived from the CRISPR-Cas system. In addition, the current status of sgRNA-dCas9 use (in vivo and in vitro) in cancer is updated with a molecular illustration of CRISPR-dCas9-mediated epigenetic and transcriptional modulation. As sgRNA-dCas9 is still at the developmental phase, challenges are inherent to its use. We evaluate major challenges in targeting cancer with sgRNA-dCas9 such as off-target effects, lack of sgRNA designing rubrics, target site selection dilemmas and deficient sgRNA-dCas9 delivery systems. Finally, we appraise the sgRNA-dCas9 as a prospective cancer therapeutic by summarizing ongoing improvements of sgRNA-dCas9 methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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10
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Li F, Qasim S, Li D, Dou QP. Updated review on green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a cancer epigenetic regulator. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:335-352. [PMID: 33453404 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In-depth insights in cancer biology over the past decades have highlighted the important roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. The cancer epigenome usually experiences multiple alternations, including genome-wide DNA hypomethylation and site-specific DNA hypermethylation, various histone posttranslational modifications, and dysregulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These epigenetic changes are plastic and reversible, and could potentially occur in the early stage of carcinogenesis preceding genetic mutation, offering unique opportunities for intervention therapies. Therefore, targeting the cancer epigenome or cancer epigenetic dysregulation with some selected agents (called epi-drugs) represents an evolving and promising strategy for cancer chemoprevention and therapy. Phytochemicals, as a class of pleiotropic molecules, have manifested great potential in modulating different cancer processes through epigenetic machinery, of which green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is one of the most extensively studied. In this review, we first summarize epigenetic events involved in the pathogenesis of cancer, including DNA/RNA methylations, histone modifications and ncRNAs' dysregulations. We then focus on the recently discovered roles of phytochemicals, with a special emphasis on EGCG, in modulating different cancer processes through regulating epigenetic machinery. We finally discuss limitations of EGCG as an epigenetic modulator for cancer chemoprevention and treatment and offer potential strategies to overcome the shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tainan, 271018, China
| | - Syeda Qasim
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Dapeng Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tainan, 271018, China
| | - Q Ping Dou
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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11
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Mondal P, Natesh J, Penta D, Meeran SM. Progress and promises of epigenetic drugs and epigenetic diets in cancer prevention and therapy: A clinical update. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:503-522. [PMID: 33309850 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are heritable yet reversible, essential for normal physiological functions and biological development. Aberrant epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-mediated gene regulation play a crucial role in cancer progression. In cellular reprogramming, irregular epigenomic modulations alter cell signaling pathways and the expression of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, resulting in cancer growth and metastasis. Therefore, alteration of epigenetic-status in cancer cells can be used as a potential target for cancer therapy. Several synthetic epigenetic inhibitors (epi-drugs) and natural epigenetic modulatory bioactives (epi-diets) have been shown to have the potential to alter the aberrant epigenetic status and inhibit cancer progression. Further, the use of combinatorial approaches with epigenetic drugs and diets has brought promising outcomes in cancer prevention and therapy. In this article, we have summarized the epigenetic modulatory activities of epi-drugs, epi-diets, and their combination against various cancers. We have also compiled the preclinical and clinical status of these epigenetic modulators in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mondal
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Jagadish Natesh
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Dhanamjai Penta
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Syed Musthapa Meeran
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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12
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Fatma H, Maurya SK, Siddique HR. Epigenetic modifications of c-MYC: Role in cancer cell reprogramming, progression and chemoresistance. Semin Cancer Biol 2020:S1044-579X(20)30242-X. [PMID: 33220458 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms intimately regulate cancer development and chemoresistance. Different genetic alterations are observed in multiple genes, and most are irreversible. Aside from genetic alterations, epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in cancer. The reversible nature of epigenetic modifications makes them an attractive target for cancer prevention and therapy. Specific epigenetic alteration is also being investigated as a potential biomarker in multiple cancers. c-MYC is one of the most important transcription factors that are centrally implicated in multiple types of cancer cells reprogramming, proliferation, and chemoresistance. c-MYC shows not only genetic alterations but epigenetic changes in multiple cancers. It has been observed that epigenome aberrations can reversibly alter the expression of c-MYC, both transcriptional and translational levels. Understanding the underlying mechanism of the epigenetic alterations of c-MYC, that has its role in multiple levels of cancer pathogenesis, can give a better understanding of various unresolved questions regarding cancer. Recently, some researchers reported that targeting the epigenetic modifiers of c-MYC can successfully inhibit cancer cell proliferation, sensitize the chemoresistant cells, and increase the patient survival rate. As c-MYC is an important transcription factor, epigenetic therapy might be one of the best alternatives for the conventional therapies that assumes the "one-size-fits-all" role. It can also increase the precision of targeting and enhance the effectiveness of treatments among various cancer subtypes. In this review, we highlighted the role of epigenetically modified c-MYC in cancer cell reprogramming, progression, and chemoresistance. We also summarize the potential therapeutic approaches to target these modifications for the prevention of cancer development and chemoresistant phenotypes.
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13
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Xu T, Gao H. Hydroxymethylation and tumors: can 5-hydroxymethylation be used as a marker for tumor diagnosis and treatment? Hum Genomics 2020; 14:15. [PMID: 32375881 PMCID: PMC7201531 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-020-00265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is considered as a common epigenetic modification that plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. At the same time, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has been found as an emerging modification of cytosine bases of recent years. Unlike 5mC, global 5hmC levels vary from tissues that have differential distribution both in mammalian tissues and in the genome. DNA hydroxymethylation is the process that 5mC oxidates into 5hmC with the catalysis of TET (ten-eleven translocation) enzymes. It is an essential option of DNA demethylation, which modulates gene expression by adjusting the DNA methylation level. Various factors can regulate the demethylation of DNA, such as environmental toxins and mental stress. In this review, we summarize the progress in the formation of 5hmC, and obtaining 5hmC in a cell-free DNA sample presents multiple advantages and challenges for the subject. Furthermore, the clinical potential for 5hmC modification in dealing with cancer early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and prediction of therapeutic effect is also mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmin Xu
- The Second HospitaI of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Haoyue Gao
- The Second HospitaI of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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14
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Coyne GO'S, Wang L, Zlott J, Juwara L, Covey JM, Beumer JH, Cristea MC, Newman EM, Koehler S, Nieva JJ, Garcia AA, Gandara DR, Miller B, Khin S, Miller SB, Steinberg SM, Rubinstein L, Parchment RE, Kinders RJ, Piekarz RL, Kummar S, Chen AP, Doroshow JH. Intravenous 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine administered with tetrahydrouridine increases the proportion of p16-expressing circulating tumor cells in patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 85:979-993. [PMID: 32314030 PMCID: PMC7188725 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04073-5] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Following promising responses to the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (FdCyd) combined with tetrahydrouridine (THU) in phase 1 testing, we initiated a non-randomized phase 2 study to assess response to this combination in patients with advanced solid tumor types for which tumor suppressor gene methylation is potentially prognostic. To obtain pharmacodynamic evidence for DNMT inhibition by FdCyd, we developed a novel method for detecting expression of tumor suppressor protein p16/INK4A in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). METHODS Patients in histology-specific strata (breast, head and neck [H&N], or non-small cell lung cancers [NSCLC] or urothelial transitional cell carcinoma) were administered FdCyd (100 mg/m2) and THU (350 mg/m2) intravenously 5 days/week for 2 weeks, in 28-day cycles, and progression-free survival (PFS) rate and objective response rate (ORR) were evaluated. Blood specimens were collected for CTC analysis. RESULTS Ninety-three eligible patients were enrolled (29 breast, 21 H&N, 25 NSCLC, and 18 urothelial). There were three partial responses. All strata were terminated early due to insufficient responses (H&N, NSCLC) or slow accrual (breast, urothelial). However, the preliminary 4-month PFS rate (42%) in the urothelial stratum exceeded the predefined goal-though the ORR (5.6%) did not. An increase in the proportion of p16-expressing cytokeratin-positive CTCs was detected in 69% of patients evaluable for clinical and CTC response, but was not significantly associated with clinical response. CONCLUSION Further study of FdCyd + THU is potentially warranted in urothelial carcinoma but not NSCLC or breast or H&N cancer. Increase in the proportion of p16-expressing cytokeratin-positive CTCs is a pharmacodynamic marker of FdCyd target engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine O 'Sullivan Coyne
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Zlott
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lamin Juwara
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program, Clinical Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Joseph M Covey
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jan H Beumer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mihaela C Cristea
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Edward M Newman
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Jorge J Nieva
- University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Agustin A Garcia
- University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - David R Gandara
- University of California Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Miller
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sonny Khin
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sarah B Miller
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Larry Rubinstein
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ralph E Parchment
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Robert J Kinders
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Richard L Piekarz
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shivaani Kummar
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alice P Chen
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - James H Doroshow
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31 Room 3A-44, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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15
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Ikeda T, Fujinaka H, Goto K, Nakajima T, Ozawa T. Becker muscular dystrophy caused by exon 2-truncating mutation of DMD. Hum Genome Var 2019; 6:52. [PMID: 31754439 PMCID: PMC6859157 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-019-0083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsense and frameshift mutations of the dystrophin (DMD) gene usually cause severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Interestingly, however, premature stop codons in exons 1 and 2 result in relatively mild Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Herein, we report the clinical course of a patient with a very mild phenotype of BMD caused by a frameshift mutation, NM_004006.2: c.40_41del GA/p.(Glu14ArgfsX17), in exon 2 of the DMD gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuhiko Ikeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan.,2Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata Japan
| | - Hidehiko Fujinaka
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan.,Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan
| | - Kiyoe Goto
- Deprtment of Genetic Counseling, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan
| | - Takashi Nakajima
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ozawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital, Kashiwazaki, Niigata Japan
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16
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Felts SJ, Tang X, Willett B, Van Keulen VP, Hansen MJ, Kalari KR, Pease LR. Stochastic changes in gene expression promote chaotic dysregulation of homeostasis in clonal breast tumors. Commun Biol 2019; 2:206. [PMID: 31240244 PMCID: PMC6570763 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells within tumors vary in phenotype as a result of changes in gene expression caused by a variety of mechanisms, permitting cancers to evolve under selective pressures from immune and other homeostatic processes. Earlier, we traced apparent losses in heterozygosity (LOH) of spontaneous breast tumors from first generation (F1) intercrossed mice to atypical epigenetic modifications in the structure of DNA across the tumor genomes. Here, we describe a parallel pattern of LOH in gene expression, revealed through quantitation of parental alleles across a population of clonal tumors. We found variegated patterns of LOH, based on allelic ratio outliers in hundreds of genes, enriched in regulatory pathways typically co-opted by tumors. The frequency of outliers was correlated with transcriptional repression of a large set of homozygous genes. These findings suggest stochastic losses in gene expression across the genome of tumors generate phenotypic variation among cells, allowing clonal selection during tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J. Felts
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Xiaojia Tang
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | | | | | | | - Krishna R. Kalari
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Larry R. Pease
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
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17
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Siebenthall KT, Miller CP, Vierstra JD, Mathieu J, Tretiakova M, Reynolds A, Sandstrom R, Rynes E, Haugen E, Johnson A, Nelson J, Bates D, Diegel M, Dunn D, Frerker M, Buckley M, Kaul R, Zheng Y, Himmelfarb J, Ruohola-Baker H, Akilesh S. Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals endogenous retrovirus reactivation in renal cell carcinoma. EBioMedicine 2019; 41:427-42. [PMID: 30827930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcriptional dysregulation drives cancer formation but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant kidney tumor which canonically activates the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) pathway. Despite intensive study, novel therapeutic strategies to target RCC have been difficult to develop. Since the RCC epigenome is relatively understudied, we sought to elucidate key mechanisms underpinning the tumor phenotype and its clinical behavior. Methods We performed genome-wide chromatin accessibility (DNase-seq) and transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) on paired tumor/normal samples from 3 patients undergoing nephrectomy for removal of RCC. We incorporated publicly available data on HIF binding (ChIP-seq) in a RCC cell line. We performed integrated analyses of these high-resolution, genome-scale datasets together with larger transcriptomic data available through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Findings Though HIF transcription factors play a cardinal role in RCC oncogenesis, we found that numerous transcription factors with a RCC-selective expression pattern also demonstrated evidence of HIF binding near their gene body. Examination of chromatin accessibility profiles revealed that some of these transcription factors influenced the tumor's regulatory landscape, notably the stem cell transcription factor POU5F1 (OCT4). Elevated POU5F1 transcript levels were correlated with advanced tumor stage and poorer overall survival in RCC patients. Unexpectedly, we discovered a HIF-pathway-responsive promoter embedded within a endogenous retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) element at the transcriptional start site of the PSOR1C3 long non-coding RNA gene upstream of POU5F1. RNA transcripts are induced from this promoter and read through PSOR1C3 into POU5F1 producing a novel POU5F1 transcript isoform. Rather than being unique to the POU5F1 locus, we found that HIF binds to several other transcriptionally active LTR elements genome-wide correlating with broad gene expression changes in RCC. Interpretation Integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis of matched tumor and normal tissues from even a small number of primary patient samples revealed remarkably convergent shared regulatory landscapes. Several transcription factors appear to act downstream of HIF including the potent stem cell transcription factor POU5F1. Dysregulated expression of POU5F1 is part of a larger pattern of gene expression changes in RCC that may be induced by HIF-dependent reactivation of dormant promoters embedded within endogenous retroviral LTRs.
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Abstract
Cancer can be identified as a chaotic cell state, which breaks the rules that govern growth and reproduction, with main characteristics such as uncontrolled division, invading other tissues, usurping resources, and eventually killing its host. It was once believed that cancer is caused by a progressive series of genetic aberrations, and certain mutations of genes, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, have been identified as the cause of cancer. However, piling evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications working in concert with genetic mechanisms to regulate transcriptional activity are dysregulated in many diseases, including cancer. Cancer epigenetics explain a wide range of heritable changes in gene expression, which do not come from any alteration in DNA sequences. Aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications, and expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key epigenetic mechanisms associated with tumor initiation, cancer progression, and metastasis. Within the past decade, cancer epigenetics have enabled us to develop novel biomarkers and therapeutic target for many types of cancers. In this review, we will summarize the major epigenetic changes involved in cancer biology along with clinical and preclinical results developed as novel cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Woo Park
- Research Center for Epigenome Regulation, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeung-Whan Han
- Research Center for Epigenome Regulation, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Van Neste C, Laird A, O'Mahony F, Van Criekinge W, Deforce D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Powles T, Harrison DJ, Stewart GD, De Meyer T. Epigenetic sampling effects: nephrectomy modifies the clear cell renal cell cancer methylome. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2017; 40:293-297. [PMID: 28074387 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-016-0313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Currently, it is unclear to what extent sampling procedures affect the epigenome. Here, this phenomenon was evaluated by studying the impact of artery ligation on DNA methylation in clear cell renal cancer. METHODS DNA methylation profiles between vascularised tumour biopsy samples and devascularised nephrectomy samples from two individuals were compared. The relevance of significantly altered methylation profiles was validated in an independent clinical trial cohort. RESULTS We found that six genes were differentially methylated in the test samples, of which four were linked to ischaemia or hypoxia (REXO1L1, TLR4, hsa-mir-1299, ANKRD2). Three of these genes were also found to be significantly differentially methylated in the validation cohort, indicating that the observed effects are genuine. CONCLUSION Tissue ischaemia during normal surgical removal of tumour can cause epigenetic changes. Based on these results, we conclude that the impact of sampling procedures in clinical epigenetic studies should be considered and discussed, particularly after inducing hypoxia/ischaemia, which occurs in most oncological surgery procedures through which tissues are collected for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Van Neste
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander Laird
- Edinburgh Urological Cancer Group, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- Scottish Collaboration On Translational Research into Renal Cell Cancer (SCOTRRCC), Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Fiach O'Mahony
- Edinburgh Urological Cancer Group, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- Scottish Collaboration On Translational Research into Renal Cell Cancer (SCOTRRCC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Wim Van Criekinge
- Biobix: Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Department of Mathematical Modeling, Statistics and Bioninformatics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Powles
- Renal Cancer Unit, The Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, UK
- Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Bart's Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1A 7BE, UK
| | - David J Harrison
- Edinburgh Urological Cancer Group, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
- Scottish Collaboration On Translational Research into Renal Cell Cancer (SCOTRRCC), Edinburgh, UK.
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Edinburgh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Grant D Stewart
- Edinburgh Urological Cancer Group, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- Scottish Collaboration On Translational Research into Renal Cell Cancer (SCOTRRCC), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tim De Meyer
- Biobix: Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Department of Mathematical Modeling, Statistics and Bioninformatics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a complex process that involves a persistent dismantling of cellular safeguards and checkpoints. These molecular and cellular changes that accumulate over months or decades lead to a change in the fundamental identity of a cell as it transitions from normal to malignant. In this chapter, we will examine some of the molecular changes in the evolving relationship between the genome and epigenome and highlight some of the key changes that occur as normal cells progress to tumor cells. For many years tumorigenesis was almost exclusively attributed to mutations in protein-coding genes. This notion that mutations in protein-coding genes were a fundamental driver of tumorigenesis enabled the development of several novel therapeutics that targeted the mutant protein or overactive pathway responsible for driving a significant portion of the tumor growth. However, because many therapeutic challenges remained in the face of these advances, it was clear that other pieces to the puzzle had yet to be discovered. Advances in molecular and genomics techniques continued and the study of epigenetics began to expand and helped reshape the view that drivers of tumorigenesis extended beyond mutations in protein-coding genes. Studies in the field of epigenetics began to identify aberrant epigenetic marks which created altered chromatin structures and enabled protein expression in tissues that defied rules governing tissue-specificity. Not only were epigenetic alterations found to enable overexpression of proto-oncogenes, they also led to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes. With these discoveries, it became clear that tumor growth could be stimulated by much more than mutations in protein-coding genes. In fact, it became increasingly clear that much of the human genome, while transcribed, did not lead to proteins. This discovery further led to studies that began to uncover the role of noncoding RNAs in regulating chromatin structure, gene transcription, and tumor biology. In this chapter, some of the key alterations in the genome and epigenome will be explored, and some of the cancer therapies that were developed as a result of these discoveries will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Pruitt
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.
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21
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Agarwal P, Jackson SP. G9a inhibition potentiates the anti-tumour activity of DNA double-strand break inducing agents by impairing DNA repair independent of p53 status. Cancer Lett 2016; 380:467-475. [PMID: 27431310 PMCID: PMC5011428 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells often exhibit altered epigenetic signatures that can misregulate genes involved in processes such as transcription, proliferation, apoptosis and DNA repair. As regulation of chromatin structure is crucial for DNA repair processes, and both DNA repair and epigenetic controls are deregulated in many cancers, we speculated that simultaneously targeting both might provide new opportunities for cancer therapy. Here, we describe a focused screen that profiled small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators in combination with DNA double-strand break (DSB) inducing agents. We identify UNC0638, a catalytic inhibitor of histone lysine N-methyl-transferase G9a, as hypersensitising tumour cells to low doses of DSB-inducing agents without affecting the growth of the non-tumorigenic cells tested. Similar effects are also observed with another, structurally distinct, G9a inhibitor A-366. We also show that small-molecule inhibition of G9a or siRNA-mediated G9a depletion induces tumour cell death under low DNA damage conditions by impairing DSB repair in a p53 independent manner. Furthermore, we establish that G9a promotes DNA non-homologous end-joining in response to DSB-inducing genotoxic stress. This study thus highlights the potential for using G9a inhibitors as anti-cancer therapeutic agents in combination with DSB-inducing chemotherapeutic drugs such as etoposide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Agarwal
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Stephen P Jackson
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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22
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Bitzer M, Horger M, Giannini EG, Ganten TM, Wörns MA, Siveke JT, Dollinger MM, Gerken G, Scheulen ME, Wege H, Zagonel V, Cillo U, Trevisani F, Santoro A, Montesarchio V, Malek NP, Holzapfel J, Herz T, Ammendola AS, Pegoraro S, Hauns B, Mais A, Lauer UM, Henning SW, Hentsch B. Resminostat plus sorafenib as second-line therapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma - The SHELTER study. J Hepatol 2016; 65:280-8. [PMID: 26952006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS No established therapies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and progression on first-line sorafenib treatment currently exist. This phase I/II trial investigated safety, pharmacokinetics and potential biomarkers of the histone deacetylase inhibitor resminostat and a combination therapy with resminostat and sorafenib. METHODS Patients with HCC and radiologically confirmed progression on sorafenib were treated in an exploratory, multi-center, open-label, uncontrolled, non-randomized, parallel group phase I/II study. In the combination group (n=38) four dose levels ranged from daily 200 to 600mg resminostat plus 400 to 800mg sorafenib. The monotherapy group (n=19) received 600mg resminostat. RESULTS 57 patients received treatment. Most common adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders, thrombocytopenia and fatigue. Median maximal histone deacetylase inhibition and highest increase in H4-acetylation matched Tmax of resminostat. Sorafenib or the Child-Pugh score did not affect typical pharmacokinetics characteristics of resminostat. Efficacy assessment as progression-free survival-rate after 6 treatment cycles (12weeks, primary endpoint) was 12.5% for resminostat and 62.5% for resminostat plus sorafenib. Median time to progression and overall survival were 1.8 and 4.1months for resminostat and 6.5 and 8.0months for the combination, respectively. Zinc finger protein 64 (ZFP64) baseline expression in blood cells was found to correlate with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS The combination of sorafenib and resminostat in HCC patients was safe and showed early signs of efficacy. Sorafenib did not alter the pharmacokinetic profile of resminostat or its histone deacetylase inhibitory activity in vivo. A prognostic and potentially predictive role of ZFP64 for treatment with resminostat should be further investigated in HCC and possibly other cancer indications. LAY SUMMARY No established therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and progression under first-line systemic treatment with sorafenib currently exists. Epigenetic modulation by inhibition of histone deacetylases might be able to overcome therapy resistance. This exploratory phase I/II clinical study in patients with radiologically confirmed progression under first-line treatment with sorafenib investigated the histone deacetylases inhibitor resminostat as single agent or in combination with continued application of sorafenib. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The clinical trial has been registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00943449.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bitzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Marius Horger
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Edoardo G Giannini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tom M Ganten
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcus A Wörns
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens T Siveke
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Guido Gerken
- Center for Internal Medicine, University Clinic, Essen, Germany
| | - Max E Scheulen
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, Essen, Germany
| | - Henning Wege
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vittorina Zagonel
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Oncology, Humanitas Cancer Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Nisar P Malek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Mais
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ulrich M Lauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
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23
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Abstract
Epigenetics plays a key role in cancer development. Genetics alone cannot explain sporadic cancer and cancer development in individuals with no family history or a weak family history of cancer. Epigenetics provides a mechanism to explain the development of cancer in such situations. Alterations in epigenetic profiling may provide important insights into the etiology and natural history of cancer. Because several epigenetic changes occur before histopathological changes, they can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and risk assessment. Many cancers may remain asymptomatic until relatively late stages; in managing the disease, efforts should be focused on early detection, accurate prediction of disease progression, and frequent monitoring. This chapter describes epigenetic biomarkers as they are expressed during cancer development and their potential use in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Based on epigenomic information, biomarkers have been identified that may serve as diagnostic tools; some such biomarkers also may be useful in identifying individuals who will respond to therapy and survive longer. The importance of analytical and clinical validation of biomarkers is discussed, along with challenges and opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Verma
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Suite# 4E102. 9609 Medical Center Drive, MSC 9763, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9726, USA.
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24
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Ricciuti B, Mencaroni C, Paglialunga L, Paciullo F, Crinò L, Chiari R, Metro G. Long noncoding RNAs: new insights into non-small cell lung cancer biology, diagnosis and therapy. Med Oncol 2016; 33:18. [PMID: 26786153 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-016-0731-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in tiling array and high throughput analyses revealed that at least 87.3 % of the human genome is actively transcribed, though <3 % of the human genome encodes proteins. This unexpected truth suggests that most of the transcriptome is constituted by noncoding RNA. Among them, high-resolution microarray and massively parallel sequencing analyses identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as nonprotein-coding transcripts. lncRNAs are largely polyadenylated and >200 nucleotides in length transcripts, involved in gene expression through epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, splicing, imprinting and subcellular transport. Although lncRNAs functions are largely uncharacterized, accumulating data indicate that they are involved in fundamental biological functions. Conversely, their dysregulation has increasingly been recognized to contribute to the development and progression of several human malignancies, especially lung cancer, which represents the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. We conducted a comprehensive review of the published literature focusing on lncRNAs function and disruption in nonsmall cell lung cancer biology, also highlighting their value as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. lncRNAs are involved in NSCLC pathogenesis, modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, cell growth, apoptosis, migration, stem cell maintenance and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, also serving as signaling transducers, molecular decoys and scaffolds. Also, lncRNAs represent very promising biomarkers in early-stage NSCLC patients and may become particularly useful in noninvasive screening protocols. lncRNAs may be used as predictive biomarkers for chemotherapy and targeted therapies sensitivity. Furthermore, selectively targeting oncogenic lncRNAs could provide a new therapeutic tool in treating NSCLC patients. lncRNAs disruption plays a pivotal role in NSCLC development and progression. These molecules also serve as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Characterization of lncRNA genes and their mechanisms of action will enable us to develop a more comprehensive clinical approach, with the final goal to benefit our patients.
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25
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Abstract
Cancer arises through the accumulation of both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Although the causal role of genetic mutations on cancer development has been established in vivo, similar evidence for epigenetic alterations is limited. Moreover, mutual interactions between genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations remain unclear. Cellular reprogramming technology can be used to actively modify the epigenome without affecting the underlying genomic sequences. Here we introduce recent studies that have utilized this property for cancer research. We propose that just as it has potential for regenerative medicine and disease modeling, cell reprogramming could also be a powerful tool for dissecting the role of the cancer epigenome in the development and maintenance of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsunori Semi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Oncology, Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yamada
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Oncology, Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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26
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Harada K, Baba Y, Ishimoto T, Kosumi K, Tokunaga R, Izumi D, Ohuchi M, Nakamura K, Kiyozumi Y, Kurashige J, Iwagami S, Miyamoto Y, Sakamoto Y, Yoshida N, Oki E, Watanabe M, Baba H. Suppressor microRNA-145 Is Epigenetically Regulated by Promoter Hypermethylation in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Anticancer Res 2015; 35:4617-4624. [PMID: 26254350] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM DNA methylation is a common epigenetic change in cancer. However, microRNA (miRNA) regulation by epigenetic alteration, especially CpG island hypermethylation, remains poorly understood in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS miRNAs which were up-regulated after de-methylation with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA) were analyzed using the Human miFinder 384HC miScript miRNA PCR Array. The DNA methylation level was evaluated by bisulfite-pyrosequencing assay. RESULTS In two of the cell lines, 20 miRNAs, including miR-145-5p, were found to be up-regulated by more than three-fold after 5-AZA treatment. The miRNA-145 promoter was significantly more hypermethylated in the cancer tissues than in matched normal adjacent esophageal epithelial mucosa (p=0.0042; paired t-test). Moreover, the miRNA-145-5p expression levels were significantly lower in cancerous tissues (p=0.0024). CONCLUSION miRNA-145 expression in ESCC seems to be regulated by hypermethylation of the miRNA-145 promoter region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuto Harada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kosumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryuma Tokunaga
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Mayuko Ohuchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Kiyozumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Junji Kurashige
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasuo Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Eiji Oki
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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27
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Yao Y, Des Marais TL, Costa M. Chromatin Memory in the Development of Human Cancers. Gene Technol 2014; 3:114. [PMID: 25606572 PMCID: PMC4297643] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease with acquired genomic and epigenomic alterations that affect cell proliferation, viability and invasiveness. Almost all the epigenetic mechanisms including cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNAs have been found associate with carcinogenesis and cancer specific expression profile. Altered histone modification as an epigenetic hallmark is frequently found in tumors. Understanding the epigenetic alterations induced by carcinogens or infectious agents may help us understand early epigenetic changes prior to the development of cancer. In this review, we focus on chromatin remodeling and the associated histone modifiers in the development of cancer; the application of these modifiers as a cancer therapy target in different clinical trial phases is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Yao
- Department of Environmental Medicine New York University, New York, USA,Corresponding author: Yixin Yao, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, USA; Tel: 845-731-3517;
| | | | - Max Costa
- Department of Environmental Medicine New York University, New York, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Center, Tuxedo, New York, USA
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28
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Loriot A, Van Tongelen A, Blanco J, Klaessens S, Cannuyer J, van Baren N, Decottignies A, De Smet C. A novel cancer-germline transcript carrying pro-metastatic miR-105 and TET-targeting miR-767 induced by DNA hypomethylation in tumors. Epigenetics 2014; 9:1163-71. [PMID: 25089631 PMCID: PMC4164501 DOI: 10.4161/epi.29628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome hypomethylation is a common epigenetic alteration in human tumors, where it often leads to aberrant activation of a group of germline-specific genes, commonly referred to as “cancer-germline” genes. The cellular functions and tumor promoting potential of these genes remain, however, largely uncertain. Here, we report identification of a novel cancer-germline transcript (CT-GABRA3) displaying DNA hypomethylation-dependent activation in various tumors, including melanoma and lung carcinoma. Importantly, CT-GABRA3 harbors a microRNA (miR-105), which has recently been identified as a promoter of cancer metastasis by its ability to weaken vascular endothelial barriers following exosomal secretion. CT-GABRA3 also carries a microRNA (miR-767) with predicted target sites in TET1 and TET3, two members of the ten-eleven-translocation family of tumor suppressor genes, which are involved in the conversion of 5-methylcytosines to 5-hydroxymethylcytosines (5hmC) in DNA. Decreased TET activity is a hallmark of cancer; here, we provide evidence that aberrant activation of miR-767 contributes to this phenomenon. We demonstrate that miR-767 represses TET1/3 mRNA and protein expression and regulates genomic 5hmC levels. Additionally, we show that high CT-GABRA3 transcription correlates with reduced TET1 mRNA levels in vivo in lung tumors. Together, our study identified a cancer-germline gene that produces microRNAs with oncogenic potential. Moreover, our data indicate that DNA hypomethylation in tumors can contribute to reduced 5hmC levels via activation of a TET-targeting microRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Loriot
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Van Tongelen
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jordi Blanco
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Klaessens
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Cannuyer
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas van Baren
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd; Centre du Cancer des Cliniques; Universitaires Saint-Luc; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles De Smet
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics; de Duve Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain; Brussels, Belgium
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29
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Keeley B, Stark A, Pisanic TR, Kwak R, Zhang Y, Wrangle J, Baylin S, Herman J, Ahuja N, Wang J. Extraction and processing of circulating DNA from large sample volumes using methylation on beads for the detection of rare epigenetic events. Clin Chim Acta 2013; 425:169-75. [PMID: 23911908 PMCID: PMC3963364 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2013.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The use of methylated tumor-specific circulating DNA has shown great promise as a potential cancer biomarker. Nonetheless, the relative scarcity of tumor-specific circulating DNA presents a challenge for traditional DNA extraction and processing techniques. Here we demonstrate a single tube extraction and processing technique dubbed "methylation on beads" that allows for DNA extraction and bisulfite conversion for up to 2 ml of plasma or serum. In comparison to traditional techniques including phenol chloroform and alcohol extraction, methylation on beads yields a 1.5- to 5-fold improvement in extraction efficiency. The technique results in far less carryover of PCR inhibitors yielding analytical sensitivity improvements of over 25-fold. The combination of improved recovery and sensitivity make possible the detection of rare epigenetic events and the development of high sensitivity epigenetic diagnostic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Keeley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Alejandro Stark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | | | - Ruby Kwak
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - John Wrangle
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Stephen Baylin
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - James Herman
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Nita Ahuja
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Jeff Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
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