RESUMO
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with a ~50% response rate to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. To identify predictive biomarkers, we integrated bulk and single-cell RNA-seq with spatial transcriptomics from a cohort of 186 samples from 116 patients, including bulk RNA-seq from 14 matched pairs pre- and post-ICB. In non-responders, tumors show evidence of increased tumor proliferation, neuronal stem cell markers, and IL-1. Responders have increased type I/II interferons and pre-existing tissue resident (Trm) CD8 or Vd1 gd T cells that functionally converge with overlapping antigen-specific transcriptional programs and clonal expansion of public TCRs. Spatial transcriptomics demonstrated co-localization of T cells with B and dendritic cells, which supply chemokines and co-stimulation. Lastly, ICB significantly increased clonal expansion or recruitment of Trm and Vd1 cells in tumors specifically in responders, underscoring their therapeutic importance. These data identify potential clinically actionable biomarkers and therapeutic targets for MCC.
RESUMO
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer. Although cSCC contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality in high-risk individuals, deployment of otherwise effective chemoprevention of cSCC is limited by toxicities. Our systematic computational drug repurposing screen predicted that selumetinib, a MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) kinase inhibitor (MEKi), would reverse transcriptional signatures associated with cSCC development, consistent with our genomic analysis implicating MEK as a chemoprevention target. Although systemic MEKi suppresses the formation of cSCC in mice, systemic MEKi can cause severe adverse effects. Here, we report the development of a metabolically labile MEKi, NFX-179, designed to potently and selectively suppress the MAPK pathway in the skin before rapid metabolism in the systemic circulation. NFX-179 was identified on the basis of its biochemical and cellular potency, selectivity, and rapid metabolism upon systemic absorption. In our ultraviolet-induced cSCC mouse model, topical application of NFX-179 gel reduced the formation of new cSCCs by an average of 60% at doses of 0.1% and greater at 28 days. We further confirmed the localized nature of these effects in an additional split-mouse randomized controlled study where suppression of cSCC was observed only in drug-treated areas. No toxicities were observed. NFX-179 inhibits the growth of human SCC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and topical NFX-179 application penetrates human skin and inhibits MAPK signaling in human cSCC explants. Together, our data provide a compelling rationale for using topical MEK inhibition through the application of NFX-179 gel as an effective strategy for cSCC chemoprevention.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Proliferação de Células , Quimioprevenção , Quinases de Proteína Quinase Ativadas por Mitógeno , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/prevenção & controle , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genéticaRESUMO
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States and worldwide. Topical products are effective for treating cancerous skin lesions when surgery is not feasible. However, current topical products induce severe irritation, light-sensitivity, burning, scaling, and inflammation. Using hyaluronic acid (HA), we engineered clinically translatable polymer-drug conjugates of doxorubicin and camptothecin termed, DOxorubicin and Camptothecin Tailored at Optimal Ratios (DOCTOR) for topical treatment of skin cancers. When compared to the clinical standard, Efudex, DOCTOR exhibited high cancer-cell killing specificity with superior safety to healthy skin cells. In vivo studies confirmed its efficacy in treating cancerous lesions without irritation or systemic absorption. When tested on patient-derived primary cells and live-skin explants, DOCTOR killed the cancer with a selectivity as high as 21-fold over healthy skin tissue from the same donor. Collectively, DOCTOR provides a safe and potent option for treating skin cancer in the clinic.
Assuntos
Dermatopatias , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Administração Tópica , Camptotecina/farmacologia , Doxorrubicina/farmacologia , Humanos , Ácido Hialurônico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
The measurement of UV-induced DNA damage as a dosimeter of exposure and predictor of skin cancer risk has been proposed by multiple groups. Although UV-induced mutations and adducts are present in normal-appearing UV-exposed epidermis, sampling normal nonlesional skin requires noninvasive methods to extract epidermal DNA for analysis. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of such an approach, termed surfactant-based tissue acquisition for molecular profiling. Sampling in patients was performed using a felt-tip pen soaked in a mixture of surfactants (Brij-30/N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate). In mice, we show that the epidermis can be selectively removed without scarring, with complete healing within 2 weeks. We exposed hairless mice to low-dose UV radiation over a period of 3 months and serially sampled them through up to 2 months following the cessation of UV exposure, observing a progressive increase in a UV signature mutational burden. To test whether surfactant-based tissue acquisition for molecular profiling could be applied to human patients, samples were collected from sun-exposed and sun-protected areas, which were then subjected to high-depth targeted exome sequencing. Extensive UV-driven mosaicism and substantially increased mutational loads in sun-exposed versus sun-protected areas were observed, suggesting that genomic measures, as an integrated readout of DNA damage, repair, and clonal expansion, may be informative markers of UV exposure.
Assuntos
Epiderme/metabolismo , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Genômica/métodos , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Raios Ultravioleta/efeitos adversos , Animais , Dano ao DNA , Epiderme/patologia , Epiderme/efeitos da radiação , Humanos , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologiaRESUMO
The advent of fluorescent proteins (FPs) for genetic labeling of molecules and cells has revolutionized fluorescence microscopy. Genetic manipulations have created a vast array of bright and stable FPs spanning blue to red spectral regions. Common to autofluorescent FPs is their tight ß-barrel structure, which provides the rigidity and chemical environment needed for effectual fluorescence. Despite the common structure, each FP has unique properties. Thus, there is no single 'best' FP for every circumstance, and each FP has advantages and disadvantages. To guide decisions about which FP is right for a given application, we have quantitatively characterized the brightness, photostability, pH stability and monomeric properties of more than 40 FPs to enable straightforward and direct comparison between them. We focus on popular and/or top-performing FPs in each spectral region.
Assuntos
Proteínas Luminescentes/análise , Microscopia de Fluorescência/métodos , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/análise , Espectrometria de Fluorescência/métodos , Fluorescência , Células HeLa , HumanosRESUMO
Fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors have revolutionized the ability of researchers to monitor enzyme activities in live cells. While the basic design principles for FP-based biosensors are well established, first-generation biosensor constructs typically suffer from relatively low fluorescence responses that limit their general applicability. The protein engineering efforts required to substantially improve the biosensor responses are often both labour and time intensive. Here we report the application of a high throughput bacterial colony screen for improving the response of kinase biosensors. This effort led to the development of a second-generation cyclin B1-CDK1 biosensor with a 4.5-fold greater response than the first-generation biosensor.
Assuntos
Técnicas Biossensoriais , Proteína Quinase CDC2/metabolismo , Ciclina B1/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase CDC2/genética , Ciclina B1/genética , Escherichia coli/genética , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Células HeLa , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , Humanos , Proteínas Luminescentes/química , Proteínas Luminescentes/genética , Proteínas Luminescentes/metabolismo , Mitose , Engenharia de ProteínasRESUMO
Protein engineering has created a palette of monomeric fluorescent proteins (FPs), but there remains an ~30 nm spectral gap between the most red-shifted useful Aequorea victoria green FP (GFP) variants and the most blue-shifted useful Discosoma sp. red FP (RFP) variants. To fill this gap, we have engineered a monomeric version of the yellow FP (YFP) from Zoanthus sp. coral. Our preferred variant, designated as mPapaya1, displays excellent fluorescent brightness, good photostability, and retains its monomeric character both in vitro and in living cells in the context of protein chimeras. We demonstrate that mPapaya1 can serve as a good Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) acceptor when paired with an mTFP1 donor. mPapaya1 is a valuable addition to the palette of FP variants that are useful for multicolor imaging and FRET-based biosensing.
Assuntos
Antozoários/enzimologia , Proteínas Luminescentes/química , Proteínas Luminescentes/genética , Engenharia de Proteínas , Animais , Códon/genética , Evolução Molecular Direcionada , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Luz , Proteínas Luminescentes/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Multimerização Proteica , Estabilidade Proteica , Estrutura Quaternária de Proteína , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
We report a monomeric yellow-green fluorescent protein, mNeonGreen, derived from a tetrameric fluorescent protein from the cephalochordate Branchiostoma lanceolatum. mNeonGreen is the brightest monomeric green or yellow fluorescent protein yet described to our knowledge, performs exceptionally well as a fusion tag for traditional imaging as well as stochastic single-molecule superresolution imaging and is an excellent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) acceptor for the newest cyan fluorescent proteins.