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Smith C, Touzart A, Simonin M, Tran-Quang C, Hypolite G, Latiri M, Andrieu GP, Balducci E, Dourthe MÉ, Goyal A, Huguet F, Petit A, Ifrah N, Baruchel A, Dombret H, Macintyre E, Plass C, Ghysdael J, Boissel N, Asnafi V. Harnessing the MYB-dependent TAL1 5'super-enhancer for targeted therapy in T-ALL. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:12. [PMID: 36650499 PMCID: PMC9847025 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01701-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of genetic abnormalities engendering oncogene dysregulation underpins cancer development. Certain proto-oncogenes possess several dysregulation mechanisms, yet how each mechanism impacts clinical outcome is unclear. Using T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) as an example, we show that patients harboring 5'super-enhancer (5'SE) mutations of the TAL1 oncogene identifies a specific patient subgroup with poor prognosis irrespective of the level of oncogene dysregulation. Remarkably, the MYB dependent oncogenic 5'SE can be targeted using Mebendazole to induce MYB protein degradation and T-ALL cell death. Of note Mebendazole treatment demonstrated efficacy in vivo in T-ALL preclinical models. Our work provides proof of concept that within a specific oncogene driven cancer, the mechanism of oncogene dysregulation rather than the oncogene itself can identify clinically distinct patient subgroups and pave the way for future super-enhancer targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Smith
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Aurore Touzart
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Simonin
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Christine Tran-Quang
- grid.418596.70000 0004 0639 6384Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.493838.dCNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.5842.b0000 0001 2171 2558INSERM U1278, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France ,grid.440907.e0000 0004 1784 3645PSL Research University, Paris, France ,grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Guillaume Hypolite
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Mehdi Latiri
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume P. Andrieu
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Balducci
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Émilie Dourthe
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France ,grid.413235.20000 0004 1937 0589Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Robert Debré Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ashish Goyal
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Françoise Huguet
- grid.411175.70000 0001 1457 2980Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Petit
- grid.462844.80000 0001 2308 1657Service d’Hématologie Et d’Oncologie Pédiatrique, AP-HP, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Norbert Ifrah
- grid.7252.20000 0001 2248 3363UFR Santé, Université Angers, PRES LUNAM, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire (CHU) d’Angers, Service Des Maladies du Sang Et INSERM U892, 49933 Angers, France
| | - André Baruchel
- grid.413235.20000 0004 1937 0589Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Robert Debré Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Dombret
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Universitaire d’Hématologie, EA-3518, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Christoph Plass
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- grid.418596.70000 0004 0639 6384Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.493838.dCNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.5842.b0000 0001 2171 2558INSERM U1278, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France ,grid.440907.e0000 0004 1784 3645PSL Research University, Paris, France ,grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Nicolas Boissel
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Universitaire d’Hématologie, EA-3518, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Vahid Asnafi
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
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Tirado-Gonzalez I, Nevmerzhitskaya A, Descot A, Soetopo D, Czlonka E, Weitmann M, Wachtel C, Slotta-Huspenina J, Tran-Quang C, Götze K, Alberto E, Rothlin CV, Ghysdael J, Medyouf H. Abstract A092: TAM receptors targeting unleashes antileukemic immunity and enables checkpoint blockade leading to eradication of leukemic cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.cricimteatiaacr18-a092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: TAM receptor tyrosine kinases—Tyro3, Axl and Mertk—and their ligands, Gas6 and Pros1, have been extensively studied for their cell-intrinsic pro-oncogenic function in cancer cells, including leukemia. However, much less is known about their indirect impact on tumor growth through their function as modulators of the immune system. In particular, no study has yet explored this aspect in the context of hematological malignancies. Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most aggressive human ALL subtype, in particular in adults, where it represents 30% of all ALL cases. The disease responds poorly to standard chemotherapy and has a very high risk of recurrence. Treatment relies on the use of a BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with or without chemotherapy followed by an allogenic-SCT. Despite this intensive regimen a significant fraction (40%) of adult patients fails to achieve long-term disease-free survival, clearly pointing to an unmet clinical need. Methods: To explore the importance of TAM receptors and their ligands in the immune response against leukemia, we developed a very aggressive syngeneic model of Ph+ B-ALL. In this model, leukemia is driven by the expression of the fusion oncoprotein BCR-ABL1 and the loss of the Arf gene, often altered in human Ph+ ALL. Functional studies were carried out using small-molecule inhibitors and genetic mouse models. The latter allowed us to interrogate the importance of specific TAM receptors in defined immune cellular subsets. Lastly, we used pharmacologic inhibitors to explore the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting TAMR signaling alone or in combination with standard of care treatment (TKI) and checkpoint inhibitors. Results: Our study for the first time shows that Gas6, a high-affinity Axl ligand, promotes the establishment of an immune-suppressive milieu that contributes to the aggressive phenotype associated with Ph+ B-ALL. Importantly, Gas6 is not expressed by leukemic cells but rather produced by bone marrow associated stromal cells. Using genetic approaches, we demonstrate that Gas6 primarily acts through its high-affinity receptor, Axl, specifically on myeloid cells, to inhibit the anti-leukemic immune response. This immune-suppressive effect can be effectively blocked using an orally available selective Axl inhibitor or the genetic deletion of Axl in Csf1r expressing myeloid cells, leading to reduced leukemic burden and significantly prolonged survival of leukemia-challenged mice. In a subset of long-term survivors, progressive increase in PD1 expression limited the antileukemic effects associated with Axl deficiency, an effect that can be efficiently reverted by combination treatment with anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor.Mechanistically, the antileukemic effects promoted by Gas6/Axl blockade are mediated by an enhanced inflammatory response, followed by a potent adaptive immune response. This can be further potentiated by combination with standard of care therapy (i.e., TKI and chemotherapy), leading to an unprecedented cure rate of over 70%. This synergistic effect was completely abolished when the combination was evaluated in immune-compromised hosts, further emphasizing the strict immune-dependent nature of this phenotype. Conclusion: Our work uncovers a novel mechanism through which leukemic cells maintain an immune-suppressive environment by co-opting the ability of stromal cells to produce Gas6, a secreted TAM receptor ligand that dampens the ability of innate immune cells to fight leukemia. Therapeutic targeting of the Gas6/Axl axis effectively unleashes the innate immune system by promoting an enhanced proinflammatory response and engagement of a productive adaptive immune response. When combined with TKI or anti-PD1 in vivo, this treatment significantly improves the outcome of leukemia-challenged mice, leading to a remarkable cure rate of over 70%, unprecedented in this agressive model of Ph+ B-ALL.
Citation Format: Irene Tirado-Gonzalez, Aleksandra Nevmerzhitskaya, Arnaud Descot, Devona Soetopo, Ewelina Czlonka, Maresa Weitmann, Carolin Wachtel, Julia Slotta-Huspenina, Christine Tran-Quang, Katharina Götze, Emily Alberto, Carla Vanina Rothlin, Jacques Ghysdael, Hind Medyouf. TAM receptors targeting unleashes antileukemic immunity and enables checkpoint blockade leading to eradication of leukemic cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A092.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tirado-Gonzalez
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Aleksandra Nevmerzhitskaya
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Arnaud Descot
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Devona Soetopo
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Ewelina Czlonka
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Maresa Weitmann
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Carolin Wachtel
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Julia Slotta-Huspenina
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Christine Tran-Quang
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Katharina Götze
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Emily Alberto
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Carla Vanina Rothlin
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Hind Medyouf
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Curie Institute, Orsay, France; Yale School of Medicine, New York, NY
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