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BACKGROUND: In an extensive genomic analysis of lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), driver mutations have been recognized as potential targets for molecular therapy. However, there remain cases where target genes are not identified. Super-enhancers and structural variants are frequently identified in several hundred loci per case. Despite this, most cancer research has approached the analysis of these data sets separately, without merging and comparing the data, and there are no examples of integrated analysis in LUAD. METHODS: We performed an integrated analysis of super-enhancers and structural variants in a cohort of 174 LUAD cases that lacked clinically actionable genetic alterations. To achieve this, we conducted both WGS and H3K27Ac ChIP-seq analyses using samples with driver gene mutations and those without, allowing for a comprehensive investigation of the potential roles of super-enhancer in LUAD cases. RESULTS: We demonstrate that most genes situated in these overlapped regions were associated with known and previously unknown driver genes and aberrant expression resulting from the formation of super-enhancers accompanied by genomic structural abnormalities. Hi-C and long-read sequencing data further corroborated this insight. When we employed CRISPR-Cas9 to induce structural abnormalities that mimicked cases with outlier ERBB2 gene expression, we observed an elevation in ERBB2 expression. These abnormalities are associated with a higher risk of recurrence after surgery, irrespective of the presence or absence of driver mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that aberrant gene expression linked to structural polymorphisms can significantly impact personalized cancer treatment by facilitating the identification of driver mutations and prognostic factors, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of LUAD pathogenesis.
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Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón , Elementos de Facilitación Genéticos , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Receptor ErbB-2 , Humanos , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón/genética , Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón/patología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Mutación , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Femenino , Masculino , Variación Estructural del Genoma , Genómica/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , AncianoRESUMEN
Cancer progression is facilitated by distinct mechanisms developed by cancer cells to avoid immune recognition and clearance. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), via monoclonal antibodies blocking PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA4, has achieved promising durable therapeutic response in various cancer types, including recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HNSCC represents a rational target of ICB treatment given its relatively high mutation burden and the presence of immune infiltrates. However, the limited response rates and recent negative clinical trials data identify an urgent need for new strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Preclinical studies have revealed an important contribution of epigenetic regulators in the anti-tumor immune response. Multiple components of the tumor and host immune system interaction are under epigenetic regulation, including the cancer cells themselves, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, regulatory T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and tumor-associated macrophages. Epigenetic targeting drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase, and methyltransferase inhibitors have demonstrated the potential to reverse immune suppression in various cancer models. The aim of this review is to summarize recent preclinical studies focused on investigating the function of epigenetic modulation in the host immune and cancer cell interface. We also provide a perspective on combining epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy in the management of HNSCC to improve outcomes-an area of great interest in future clinical studies.
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Epigénesis Genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/terapia , Humanos , Factores Inmunológicos , Inmunoterapia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y CuelloRESUMEN
TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) is a promising anti-cancer drug target that selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells. However, many cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Therefore, reversing TRAIL resistance is an important step for the development of effective TRAIL-based anti-cancer therapies. We previously reported that knockdown of the TOR signaling pathway regulator-like (TIPRL) protein caused TRAIL-induced apoptosis by activation of the MKK7-c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway through disruption of the MKK7-TIPRL interaction. Here, we identified Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg (TO) as a novel TRAIL sensitizer from a set of 500 natural products using an ELISA system and validated its activity by GST pull-down analysis. Furthermore, combination treatment of Huh7 cells with TRAIL and TO resulted in TRAIL-induced apoptosis mediated through inhibition of the MKK7-TIPRL interaction and subsequent activation of MKK7-JNK phosphorylation. Interestingly, HPLC analysis identified chicoric acid as a major component of the TO extract, and combination treatment with chicoric acid and TRAIL induced TRAIL-induced cell apoptosis via JNK activation due to inhibition of the MKK7-TIPRL interaction. Our results suggest that TO plays an important role in TRAIL-induced apoptosis, and further functional studies are warranted to confirm the importance of TO as a novel TRAIL sensitizer for cancer therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamiento farmacológico , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Ligando Inductor de Apoptosis Relacionado con TNF/farmacología , Taraxacum/química , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/química , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Activación Enzimática/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas JNK Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , MAP Quinasa Quinasa 7/metabolismo , Mapas de Interacción de Proteínas/efectos de los fármacos , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Ligando Inductor de Apoptosis Relacionado con TNF/metabolismoRESUMEN
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. To date, the profiles of gene mutations and copy number alterations in HGSOC have been well characterized. However, the patterns of epigenetic alterations and transcription factor dysregulation in HGSOC have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we performed integrative omics analyses of a series of stepwise HGSOC model cells originating from human fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (HFTSECs) to investigate early epigenetic alterations in HGSOC tumorigenesis. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) methods were used to analyze HGSOC samples. Additionally, protein expression changes in target genes were confirmed using normal HFTSECs, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), and HGSOC tissues. Transcription factor motif analysis revealed that the DNA-binding activity of the AP-1 complex and GATA family proteins was dysregulated during early tumorigenesis. The protein expression levels of JUN and FOSL2 were increased, and those of GATA6 and DAB2 were decreased in STIC lesions, which were associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proteasome downregulation. The genomic region around the FRA16D site, containing a cadherin cluster region, was epigenetically suppressed by oncogenic signaling. Proteasome inhibition caused the upregulation of chemokine genes, which may facilitate immune evasion during HGSOC tumorigenesis. Importantly, MEK inhibitor treatment reversed these oncogenic alterations, indicating its clinical effectiveness in a subgroup of patients with HGSOC. This result suggests that MEK inhibitor therapy may be an effective treatment option for chemotherapy-resistant HGSOC.
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Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso , Neoplasias Ováricas , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Ováricas/metabolismo , Complejo de la Endopetidasa Proteasomal/metabolismo , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/genética , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/metabolismo , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/patología , Carcinogénesis/genética , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Epigénesis Genética , Quinasas de Proteína Quinasa Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismoRESUMEN
Cancers often display immune escape, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Herein, we identify SMYD3 as a mediator of immune escape in human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), an aggressive disease with poor response to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab. SMYD3 depletion induces upregulation of multiple type I interferon (IFN) response and antigen presentation machinery genes in HNSCC cells. Mechanistically, SMYD3 binds to and regulates the transcription of UHRF1, encoding for a reader of H3K9me3, which binds to H3K9me3-enriched promoters of key immune-related genes, recruits DNMT1, and silences their expression. SMYD3 further maintains the repression of immune-related genes through intragenic deposition of H4K20me3. In vivo, Smyd3 depletion induces influx of CD8+ T cells and increases sensitivity to anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) therapy. SMYD3 overexpression is associated with decreased CD8 T cell infiltration and poor response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab. These data support combining SMYD3 depletion strategies with checkpoint blockade to overcome anti-PD-1 resistance in HPV-negative HNSCC.
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Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina , Interferón Tipo I , Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello , Humanos , Proteínas Potenciadoras de Unión a CCAAT , Linfocitos T CD8-positivos , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína LigasasRESUMEN
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent non-skin cancer in the world. While immunotherapy has revolutionized the standard of care treatment in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, more than 70% of patients do not respond to this treatment, making the identification of novel therapeutic targets urgent. Recently, research endeavors have focused on how epigenetic modifications may affect tumor initiation and progression of HNSCC. The nuclear receptor binding SET domain (NSD) family of protein methyltransferases NSD1-NSD3 is of particular interest for HNSCC, with NSD1 and NSD3 being amongst the most commonly mutated or amplified genes respectively in HNSCC. Preclinical studies have identified both oncogenic and tumor-suppressing properties across NSD1, NSD2, and NSD3 within the context of HNSCC. The purpose of this review is to provide a better understanding of the contribution of the NSD family of protein methyltransferases to the pathogenesis of HNSCC, underscoring their promise as novel therapeutic targets in this devastating disease.
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Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina , Humanos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/genética , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/metabolismo , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Epigénesis GenéticaRESUMEN
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most aggressive gynecological malignancy, resulting in approximately 70% of ovarian cancer deaths. However, it is still unclear how genetic dysregulations and biological processes generate the malignant subtype of HGSOC. Here we show that expression levels of microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 3 (MARK3) are downregulated in HGSOC, and that its downregulation significantly correlates with poor prognosis in HGSOC patients. MARK3 overexpression suppresses cell proliferation and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer cells. The LKB1-MARK3 axis is activated by metabolic stress, which leads to the phosphorylation of CDC25B and CDC25C, followed by induction of G2/M phase arrest. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyses indicate that MARK3 attenuates cell cycle progression and angiogenesis partly through downregulation of AP-1 and Hippo signaling target genes. The synthetic lethal therapy using metabolic stress inducers may be a promising therapeutic choice to treat the LKB1-MARK3 axis-dysregulated HGSOCs.
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Quinasas de la Proteína-Quinasa Activada por el AMP/genética , Genes Supresores de Tumor , Neoplasias Ováricas , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/genética , Estrés Fisiológico/genética , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/genética , Regulación hacia Abajo/genética , Epigénesis Genética/genética , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Ováricas/genética , Neoplasias Ováricas/patologíaRESUMEN
Drugs that can rapidly inhibit respiratory infection from influenza or other respiratory pathogens are needed. One approach is to engage primary innate immune defenses against viral infection, such as activating the IFN pathway. In this study, we report that a small, cell-permeable compound called 5,6-di-methylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) can induce protection against vesicular stomatitis virus in vitro and H1N1 influenza A virus in vitro and in vivo through innate immune activation. Using the mouse C10 bronchial epithelial cell line and primary cultures of nasal epithelial cells, we demonstrate DMXAA activates the IFN regulatory factor-3 pathway leading to production of IFN-ß and subsequent high-level induction of IFN-ß-dependent proteins, such as myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1). Mice treated with DMXAA intranasally elevate mRNA/protein expression of Mx1 and OAS1 in the nasal mucosa, trachea, and lung. When challenged intranasally with a lethal dose of H1N1 influenza A virus, DMXAA reduced viral titers in the lungs and protected 80% of mice from death, even when given at 24 hours before infection. These data show that agents, like DMXAA, that can directly activate innate immune pathways, such as the IFN regulatory factor-3/IFN-ß system, in respiratory epithelial cells can be used to protect from influenza pneumonia and potentially in other respiratory viral infections. Development of this approach in humans could be valuable for protecting health care professionals and "first responders" in the early stages of viral pandemics or bioterror attacks.
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Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/prevención & control , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/virología , Virosis/prevención & control , Animales , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Bronquios/virología , Células Epiteliales/virología , Femenino , Humanos , Sistema Inmunológico , Inmunidad Innata , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/inmunología , Gripe Humana/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/inmunología , Virosis/inmunología , Xantonas/farmacologíaRESUMEN
The survival rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with the current standard of care therapy is suboptimal and is associated with long-term side effects. Novel therapeutics that will improve survival rates while minimizing treatment-related side effects are the focus of active investigation. Epigenetic modifications have been recognized as potential therapeutic targets in various cancer types, including head and neck cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of important epigenetic modifiers in head and neck cancer, their clinical implications and discusses results of clinical trials evaluating epigenetic interventions in past and ongoing clinical trials as monotherapy or combination therapy with either chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy. Understanding the function of epigenetic modifiers in both preclinical and clinical settings will provide insight into a more rational design of clinical trials using epigenetic interventions and the patient subgroups that may benefit from such interventions.
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Chromatin modifiers and their implications in oncogenesis have been an exciting area of cancer research. These are enzymes that modify chromatin via post-translational modifications such as methylation, acetylation, sumoylation, phosphorylation, in addition to others. Depending on the modification, chromatin modifiers can either promote or repress transcription. SET and MYN-domain containing 3 (SMYD3) is a chromatin modifier that has been implicated in the development and progression of various cancer types. It was first reported to tri-methylate Histone 3 Lysine 4 (H3K4), a methylation mark known to promote transcription. However, since this discovery, other histone (H4K5 and H4K20, for example) and non-histone (VEGFR, HER2, MAP3K2, ER, and others) substrates of SMYD3 have been described, primarily in the context of cancer. This review aims to provide a background on basic characteristics of SMYD3, such as its protein structure and tissue expression profiles, discuss reported histone and non-histone substrates of SMYD3, and underscore prognostic and functional implications of SMYD3 in cancer. Finally, we briefly discuss ongoing efforts to develop inhibitors of SMYD3 for future therapeutic use. It is our hope that this review will help synthesize existing research on SMYD3 in an effort to propel future discovery.
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Carcinogénesis/genética , Cromatina/enzimología , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/genética , Cromatina/metabolismo , Metilación de ADN , Epigénesis Genética , Epigenómica , Femenino , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/metabolismo , Histonas/metabolismo , Humanos , Lisina/metabolismo , Pronóstico , Procesamiento Proteico-Postraduccional/genética , Transducción de Señal/genéticaRESUMEN
Although chromatin immunoprecipitation and next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) has been reported, it remained elusive whether they retained accurate transcription factor binding. Here, we developed a method to identify the binding sites of the insulator transcription factor CTCF and the genome-wide distribution of histone modifications involved in transcriptional activation. Importantly, we provide evidence that the ChIP-seq datasets obtained from FFPE samples are similar to or even better than the data for corresponding fresh-frozen samples, indicating that FFPE samples are compatible with ChIP-seq analysis. H3K27ac ChIP-seq analyses of 69 FFPE samples using a dual-arm robot revealed that driver mutations in EGFR were distinguishable from pan-negative cases and were relatively homogeneous as a group in lung adenocarcinomas. Thus, our results demonstrate that FFPE samples are an important source for epigenomic research, enabling the study of histone modifications, nuclear chromatin structure, and clinical data.
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Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) constitute a large family of approximately 50 chromatin modifiers that mono-, di- and/or tri-methylate lysine residues on histone and non-histone substrates. With the advent of The Cancer Genome Atlas, it became apparent that this family of chromatin modifiers harbors frequent genetic and expression alterations in multiple types of cancer. In this regard, past and ongoing preclinical studies have provided insight into the mechanisms of action of some of these enzymes, laying the ground for the ongoing development of PKMT inhibitors as novel anticancer therapeutics. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing data obtained by different research groups through immunohistochemical analysis of the protein expression levels of PKMTs, and their respective clinicopathologic associations. We focused on studies that used immunohistochemistry to associate protein expression levels of specific PKMTs, as well as several established histone methylation marks, with clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes in various cancer types. We also review ongoing clinical trials of PKMT inhibitors in cancer treatment. This review underscores the clinical relevance and potential of targeting the family of PKMT enzymes as the next generation of cancer therapy.
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Metilación de ADN/genética , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/genética , Histonas/química , Neoplasias/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Proteína Potenciadora del Homólogo Zeste 2/genética , Epigenómica/métodos , Femenino , Histonas/metabolismo , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica/métodos , Lisina/metabolismo , Estadificación de Neoplasias/métodos , Neoplasias/patología , Análisis de Supervivencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a malignancy with poor outcomes, thus novel therapies are urgently needed. We recently showed that WHSC1 is necessary for the viability of SCCHN cells through H3K36 di-methylation. Here, we report the identification of its novel substrate, histone H1, and that WHSC1-mediated H1.4K85 mono-methylation may enhance stemness features in SCCHN cells. To identify proteins interacting with WHSC1 in SCCHN cells, WHSC1 immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry identified H1 as a WHSC1-interacting candidate. In vitro methyltransferase assays showed that WHSC1 mono-methylates H1 at K85. We generated an H1K85 mono-methylation-specific antibody and confirmed that this methylation occurs in vivo. Sphere formation assays using SCC-35 cells stably expressing either wild-type (FLAG-H1.4-WT) or mutated (FLAG-H1.4K85A) vector with lysine 85 to alanine substitution which is not methylated, indicated a higher number of spheres in SCC-35 cells expressing the wild type than those with the mutant vector. SCC-35 cells expressing the wild type H1.4 proliferated faster than those expressing the mutated vector. RNA sequencing, RT-PCR and Western blotting of the FLAG-H1.4-WT or FLAG-H1.4K85A SCC-35 cells revealed that OCT4 levels were higher in wild type compared to mutant cells. These results were reproduced in SCC-35 cells genetically modified with CRISPR to express H1.4K85R. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that FLAG-H1.4K85A had decreased occupancy in the OCT4 gene compared to FLAG-H1.4-WT. This study supports that WHSC1 mono-methylates H1.4 at K85, it induces transcriptional activation of OCT4 and stemness features in SCCHN cells, providing rationale to target H1.4K85 mono-methylation through WHSC1 in SCCHN.
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Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/metabolismo , Histonas/metabolismo , Células Madre Neoplásicas/patología , Proteínas Represoras/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Apoptosis , Proliferación Celular , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/metabolismo , N-Metiltransferasa de Histona-Lisina/genética , Histonas/química , Histonas/genética , Humanos , Células Madre Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Proteínas Represoras/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/metabolismo , Células Tumorales CultivadasRESUMEN
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been reported to serve critical roles in the maintenance of stemness of cancer cells, although its mechanism remains unclear. Since SRYbox 2 (SOX2) was demonstrated to be involved in selfrenewal and tumorigenicity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is aberrantly expressed in HNSCC tumors, the association between MELK and SOX2 was examined. Firstly, MELK inhibition was performed by small interfering RNA or MELK inhibitor OTS167, and it was determined that MELK inhibition by these approaches could decrease the SOX2 expression in HNSCC cells and OTS167 could suppress the SOX2 expression in a dosedependent manner. The present results indicated that MELK inhibition may target cancer stem cells (CSCs) through downregulation of the SOX2 gene. To further confirm the transcriptional regulation of SOX2, the transcription factors (TFs) were screened for SOX2 using a promoterbinding TF assay followed by reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction and a decrease of the majority of the SOX2 TFs following MELK knockdown was observed. The present results provide evidence that MELK serves a key role in CSCs through the regulation of SOX2 and further indicates that MELK inhibition may also be promising for clinical applications in the treatment of HNSCC.
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Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Células Madre Neoplásicas/patología , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción SOXB1/genética , Apoptosis/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/genética , Regulación hacia Abajo , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Humanos , Naftiridinas/farmacología , Células Madre Neoplásicas/efectos de los fármacos , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción SOXB1/metabolismoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study assessed the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the PI3K inhibitor buparlisib given concurrently with cetuximab in recurrent and metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Twelve patients with R/M HNSCC were enrolled. Patients were given oral buparlisib starting day 7 and daily thereafter. The dose of buparlisib was escalated in a 3 + 3 design followed by a dose expansion cohort of 6 patients. The MTD of buparlisib per protocol was 100 mg daily with cetuximab given intravenously every 14 days starting day 0. RESULTS: Ten patients had ≥2 previous treatment regimens (11 with prior cetuximab). There were no dose limiting toxicities observed during dose escalation. One patient achieved a partial response and 4 achieved stable disease. CONCLUSION: Based on this pilot study, buparlisib at 100 mg daily plus cetuximab proved to be well-tolerated. Patients previously treated with cetuximab monotherapy showed benefit from this combination.
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Aminopiridinas/administración & dosificación , Antineoplásicos Inmunológicos/administración & dosificación , Cetuximab/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Morfolinas/administración & dosificación , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Anciano , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/mortalidad , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/mortalidad , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/patología , Proyectos Piloto , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
To develop a practically applicable method for T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell immunotherapy targeting neoantigens, we have been attempting to identify neoantigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) and establish TCR-engineered T cells in a 3-4-month period. In this study, we report the characterization of T cell repertoires in tumor microenvironment (TME) and identification of neoantigen-specific TCRs after stimulation of patient-derived T cells. We screened 15 potential neoantigen peptides and successfully identified two CD8+HLA-dextramer+ T cells, which recognized MAGOHBG17A and ZCCHC14P368L. All three dominant TCR clonotypes from MAGOHBG17A-HLA dextramer-sorted CD8+ T cells were also found in T cells in TME, while none of dominant TCR clonotypes from ZCCHC14P368L-HLA dextramer-sorted CD8+ T cells was found in the corresponding TME. The most dominant TCRA/TCRB pairs for these two neoantigens were cloned into HLA-matched healthy donors' T lymphocytes to generate TCR-engineered T cells. The functional assay showed MAGOHBG17A TCR-engineered T cells could be significantly activated in a mutation-specific, HLA-restricted and peptide-dose-dependent manner while ZCCHC14P368L TCR-engineered T cells could not. Our data showed neoantigen-reactive T cell clonotypes that were identified in the patient's peripheral blood could be present in the corresponding TME and might be good TCRs targeting neoantigens.
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OBJECTIVES: In this study we describe the tumor microenvironment, the signaling pathways and genetic alterations associated with the presence or absence of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two SCCHN multi-analyte cohorts were utilized, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chicago Head and Neck Genomics (CHGC) cohort. A well-established chemokine signature classified SCCHN tumors into high and low CD8+ T-cell inflamed phenotypes (TCIP-H, TCIP-L respectively). Gene set enrichment and iPANDA analyses were conducted to dissect differences in signaling pathways, somatic mutations and copy number aberrations for TCIP-H versus TCIP-L tumors, stratified by HPV status. RESULTS: TCIP-H SCCHN tumors were enriched in multiple immune checkpoints irrespective of HPV-status. HPV-positive tumors were enriched in markers of T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and HPV-negative tumors in protumorigenic M2 macrophages. TCIP-L SCCHN tumors were enriched for the ß-catenin/WNT and Hedgehog signaling pathways, had frequent mutations in NSD1, amplifications in EGFR and YAP1, as well as CDKN2A deletions. TCIP-H SCCHN tumors were associated with the MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT and mTOR/AKT signaling pathways, and were enriched in CASP8, EP300, EPHA2, HRAS mutations, CD274, PDCD1LG2, JAK2 amplifications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support that combinatorial immune checkpoint blockade and depletion strategies targeting Tregs in HPV-positive and M2 macrophages in HPV-negative tumors may lead to improved antitumor immune responses in patients with TCIP-H SCCHN. We highlight novel pathways and genetic events that may serve as candidate biomarkers and novel targeted therapies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in SCCHN patients.
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Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Microambiente TumoralRESUMEN
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a lethal disease with suboptimal survival outcomes and standard therapies with significant comorbidities. Whole exome sequencing data recently revealed an abundance of genetic and expression alterations in a family of enzymes known as protein methyltransferases in a variety of cancer types, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. These enzymes are mostly known for their chromatin-modifying functions through methylation of various histone substrates, though evidence supports their function also through methylation of non-histone substrates. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of protein methyltransferases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and highlights their promising potential as the next generation of therapeutic targets in this disease.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteína Metiltransferasas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/uso terapéutico , Epigénesis Genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/enzimología , Humanos , Metilación , Mutación , Proteína Metiltransferasas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/enzimologíaRESUMEN
Protein methyltransferase SUV39H2 was reported to methylate histone H2AX at lysine 134 and enhance the formation of phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX), which causes chemoresistance of cancer cells. We found that a series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine compounds that we synthesized could inhibit SUV39H2 methyltransferase activity. One of the potent compounds, OTS193320, was further analyzed in in vitro studies. The compound decreased global histone H3 lysine 9 tri-methylation levels in breast cancer cells and triggered apoptotic cell death. Combination of OTS193320 with doxorubicin (DOX) resulted in reduction of γ-H2AX levels as well as cancer cell viability compared to a single agent OTS193320 or DOX. Further optimization of inhibitors and their in vivo analysis identified a compound, OTS186935, which revealed significant inhibition of tumor growth in mouse xenograft models using MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells without any detectable toxicity. Our results suggest that the SUV39H2 inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to DOX by reduction of γ-H2AX levels in cancer cells, and collectively demonstrate that SUV39H2 inhibition warrants further investigation as a novel anti-cancer therapy.