Modulation of tumor microenvironment by targeting histone acetylation in bladder cancer.

Alterations in the epigenetic machinery in both tumor and immune cells contribute to bladder cancer (BC) development, constituting a promising target as an alternative therapeutic option. Here, we have explored the effects of a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor CM-1758, alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in BC. We determined the antitumor effects of CM-1758 in various BC cell lines together with the induction of broad transcriptional changes, with focus on the epigenetic regulation of PD-L1. Using an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of metastatic BC, we studied the effects of CM-1758 alone or in combination with anti-PD-L1 not only on tumor cells, but also in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, we found that CM-1758 has cytotoxic and cytostatic effects either by inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest in BC cells at low micromolar levels. PD-L1 is epigenetically regulated by histone acetylation marks and is induced after treatment with CM-1758. We also observed that treatment with CM-1758 led to an important delay in tumor growth and a higher CD8 + T cell tumor infiltration. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 alone or in combination with CM-1758 reprogramed macrophage differentiation towards a M1-like polarization state and increased of pro-inflammatory cytokines systemically, yielding potential further antitumor effects. Our results suggest the possibility of combining HDAC inhibitors with immunotherapies for the management of advanced metastatic BC.

Improved efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells stably expressing CXCR4 and IL-10 in a xenogeneic graft versus host disease mouse model.

Previous clinical trials have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can modulate graft versus host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation, although with variable efficacy. To improve the anti-GvHD effect of these cells, adipose tissue derived-human MSCs (Ad-MSCs) were transduced with a lentiviral vector conferring stable expression of CXCR4, a molecule involved in cell migration to inflamed sites, and IL-10, a cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro experiments showed that the expression of these molecules in Ad-MSCs (named CXCR4-IL10-MSCs) efficiently enhanced their migration towards SDF-1α and also improved their immunomodulatory properties compared to unmodified Ad-MSCs (WT-MSCs). Moreover, using a humanized GvHD mouse model, CXCR4-IL10-MSCs showed improved therapeutic effects, which were confirmed by histopathologic analysis in the target organs. Additionally, compared to WT-MSCs, CXCR4-IL10-MSCs induced a more marked reduction in the number of pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells, a higher polarization towards an anti-inflammatory T cell profile (CD3+-IL10+ cells), and increased the number of regulatory T and B cells. Our in vitro and in vivo studies strongly suggest that CXCR4-IL10-MSCs should constitute an important new generation of MSCs for the treatment of GvHD in patients transplanted with allogeneic hematopoietic grafts.

Analysis of Exosomal Cargo Provides Accurate Clinical, Histologic and Mutational Information in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is a malignant disease with high mortality and poor prognosis, frequently diagnosed at advanced stages. Nowadays, immense progress in treatment has been achieved. However, the present scenario continues to be critical, and a full comprehension of tumor progression mechanisms is required, with exosomes being potentially relevant players. Exosomes are membranous vesicles that contain biological information, which can be transported cell-to-cell and modulate relevant processes in the hallmarks of cancer. The present research aims to characterize the exosomes' cargo and study their role in NSCLC to identify biomarkers. We analyzed exosomes secreted by primary cultures and cell lines, grown in monolayer and tumorsphere formations. Exosomal DNA content showed molecular alterations, whereas RNA high-throughput analysis resulted in a pattern of differentially expressed genes depending on histology. The most significant differences were found in XAGE1B, CABYR, NKX2-1, SEPP1, CAPRIN1, and RIOK3 genes when samples from two independent cohorts of resected NSCLC patients were analyzed. We identified and validated biomarkers for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Our results could represent a relevant contribution concerning exosomes in clinical practice, allowing for the identification of biomarkers that provide information regarding tumor features, prognosis and clinical behavior of the disease.

Toward Tumor Fight and Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling: PBA Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Reduces Tumor Hybrid Cells' Pluripotency in Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most frequent cancer of the genitourinary system. The most successful therapy since the 1970s has consisted of intravesical instillations of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in which the tumor microenvironment (TME), including macrophages, plays an important role. However, some patients cannot be treated with this therapy due to comorbidities and severe inflammatory side effects. The overexpression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in BC has been correlated with macrophage polarization together with higher tumor grades and poor prognosis. Herein we demonstrated that phenylbutyrate acid (PBA), a HDAC inhibitor, acts as an antitumoral compound and immunomodulator. In BC cell lines, PBA induced significant cell cycle arrest in G1, reduced stemness markers and increased PD-L1 expression with a corresponding reduction in histone 3 and 4 acetylation patterns. Concerning its role as an immunomodulator, we found that PBA reduced macrophage IL-6 and IL-10 production as well as CD14 downregulation and the upregulation of both PD-L1 and IL-1ß. Along this line, PBA showed a reduction in IL-4-induced M2 polarization in human macrophages. In co-cultures of BC cell lines with human macrophages, a double-positive myeloid-tumoral hybrid population (CD11b+EPCAM+) was detected after 48 h, which indicates BC cell-macrophage fusions known as tumor hybrid cells (THC). These THC were characterized by high PD-L1 and stemness markers (SOX2, NANOG, miR-302) as compared with non-fused (CD11b-EPCAM+) cancer cells. Eventually, PBA reduced stemness markers along with BMP4 and IL-10. Our data indicate that PBA could have beneficial properties for BC management, affecting not only tumor cells but also the TME.

Genomic Landscape of Vinflunine Response in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) remains an incurable disease with limited treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Vinflunine has shown a modest increase in overall survival and remains a therapeutic option for chemo- and immunotherapy refractory tumours. However, biomarkers that could identify responding patients to vinflunine and possible alternative therapies after failure to treatment are still missing. In this study, we aimed to identify potential genomic biomarkers of vinflunine response in mUC patient samples and potential management alternatives. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of mUC patients (n = 23) from three university hospitals in Spain were used for genomic targeted-sequencing and transcriptome (using the Immune Profile panel by NanoString) analyses. Patients who received vinflunine after platinum-based chemotherapy failure were classified in non-responders (NR: progressive disease ≤ 3 months; n= 11) or responders (R: response ≥ 6 months; n = 12). RESULTS: Genomic characterization revealed that the most common alteration, TP53 mutations, had comparable frequency in R (6/12; 50%) and NR (4/11; 36%). Non-synonymous mutations in KTM2C (4/12; 33.3%), PIK3CA (3/12; 25%) and ARID2 (3/12; 25%) were predominantly associated with response. No significant difference was observed in tumour mutational burden (TMB) between R and NR patients. The NR tumours showed increased expression of diverse immune-related genes and pathways, including various interferon gamma-related genes. We also identified increased MAGEA4 expression as a potential biomarker of non-responding tumours to vinflunine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data may help to identify potential genomic biomarkers of response to vinflunine. Moreover, tumours refractory to vinflunine showed immune signatures potentially associated with response to ICB. Extensive validation studies, including longitudinal series, are needed to corroborate these findings.

ERAS, a Member of the Ras Superfamily, Acts as an Oncoprotein in the Mammary Gland.

ERAS is a relatively uncharacterized gene of the Ras superfamily. It is expressed in ES cells and in the first stages of embryonic development; later on, it is silenced in the majority of cell types and tissues. Although there are several reports showing ERAS expression in tumoral cell lines and human tumor samples, it is unknown if ERAS deregulated expression is enough to drive tumor development. In this report, we have generated transgenic mice expressing ERAS in myoepithelial basal cells of the mammary gland and in basal cells of stratified epithelia. In spite of the low level of ERAS expression, these transgenic mice showed phenotypic alterations resembling overgrowth syndromes caused by the activation of the AKT-PI3K pathway. In addition, their mammary glands present developmental and functional disabilities accompanied by morphological and biochemical alterations in the myoepithelial cells. These mice suffer from tumoral transformation in the mammary glands with high incidence. These mammary tumors resemble, both histologically and by the expression of differentiation markers, malignant adenomyoepitheliomas. In sum, our results highlight the importance of ERAS silencing in adult tissues and define a truly oncogenic role for ERAS in mammary gland cells when inappropriately expressed.

Phenotypic Analysis of Urothelial Exfoliated Cells in Bladder Cancer via Microfluidic Immunoassays: Sialyl-Tn as a Novel Biomarker in Liquid Biopsies.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract, having one of the highest recurrence rates and progression from non-muscle to muscle invasive bladder cancer that commonly leads to metastasis. Cystoscopy and urine cytology are the standard procedures for its detection but have limited clinical sensitivity and specificity. Herein, a microfluidic device, the UriChip, was developed for the enrichment of urothelial exfoliated cells from fresh and frozen urine, based on deformability and size, and the cancer-associated glycan Sialyl-Tn explored as a putative bladder cancer urinary biomarker. Spiking experiments with bladder cancer cell lines showed an isolation efficiency of 53%, while clinical sample analyses revealed retention of cells with various morphologies and sizes. in situ immunoassays demonstrated significantly higher number of Sialyl-Tn-positive cells in fresh and frozen voided urine from bladder cancer patients, compared to healthy individuals. Of note, urothelial exfoliated cells from cryopreserved urine sediments were also successfully isolated by the UriChip, and found to express significantly high levels of Sialyl-Tn. Remarkably, Sialyl-Tn expression is correlated with tumor stage and grade. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of UriChip and Sialyl-Tn to detect urothelial bladder cancer cells in follow-up and long-term retrospective studies.

Genetic manipulation of LKB1 elicits lethal metastatic prostate cancer.

Gene dosage is a key defining factor to understand cancer pathogenesis and progression, which requires the development of experimental models that aid better deconstruction of the disease. Here, we model an aggressive form of prostate cancer and show the unconventional association of LKB1 dosage to prostate tumorigenesis. Whereas loss of Lkb1 alone in the murine prostate epithelium was inconsequential for tumorigenesis, its combination with an oncogenic insult, illustrated by Pten heterozygosity, elicited lethal metastatic prostate cancer. Despite the low frequency of LKB1 deletion in patients, this event was significantly enriched in lung metastasis. Modeling the role of LKB1 in cellular systems revealed that the residual activity retained in a reported kinase-dead form, LKB1K78I, was sufficient to hamper tumor aggressiveness and metastatic dissemination. Our data suggest that prostate cells can function normally with low activity of LKB1, whereas its complete absence influences prostate cancer pathogenesis and dissemination.

IKKß overexpression together with a lack of tumour suppressor genes causes ameloblastic odontomas in mice.

Odontogenic tumours are a heterogeneous group of lesions that develop in the oral cavity region and are characterized by the formation of tumoural structures that differentiate as teeth. Due to the diversity of their histopathological characteristics and clinical behaviour, the classification of these tumours is still under debate. Alterations in morphogenesis pathways such as the Hedgehog, MAPK and WNT/ß-catenin pathways are implicated in the formation of odontogenic lesions, but the molecular bases of many of these lesions are still unknown. In this study, we used genetically modified mice to study the role of IKKß (a fundamental regulator of NF-κB activity and many other proteins) in oral epithelial cells and odontogenic tissues. Transgenic mice overexpressing IKKß in oral epithelial cells show a significant increase in immune cells in both the oral epithelia and oral submucosa. They also show changes in the expression of several proteins and miRNAs that are important for cancer development. Interestingly, we found that overactivity of IKKß in oral epithelia and odontogenic tissues, in conjunction with the loss of tumour suppressor proteins (p53, or p16 and p19), leads to the appearance of odontogenic tumours that can be classified as ameloblastic odontomas, sometimes accompanied by foci of secondary ameloblastic carcinomas. These tumours show NF-κB activation and increased ß-catenin activity. These findings may help to elucidate the molecular determinants of odontogenic tumourigenesis and the role of IKKß in the homoeostasis and tumoural transformation of oral and odontogenic epithelia.

Thyroid Hormone Receptor ß Inhibits Self-Renewal Capacity of Breast Cancer Stem Cells.

Background: A subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) with capacity for self-renewal is believed to drive initiation, progression, and relapse of breast tumors. Methods: Since the thyroid hormone receptor ß (TRß) appears to suppress breast tumor growth and metastasis, we have analyzed the possibility that TRß could affect the CSC population using MCF-7 cells grown under adherent conditions or as mammospheres, as well as inoculation into immunodeficient mice. Results: Treatment of TRß-expressing MCF-7 cells (MCF7-TRß cells) with the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) decreased significantly CD44+/CD24- and ALDH+ cell subpopulations, the efficiency of mammosphere formation, the self-renewal capacity of CSCs in limiting dilution assays, the expression of the pluripotency factors in the mammospheres, and tumor initiating capacity in immunodeficient mice, indicating that the hormone reduces the CSC population present within the bulk MCF7-TRß cultures. T3 also decreased migration and invasion, a hallmark of CSCs. Transcriptome analysis showed downregulation of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ER-responsive genes by T3. Furthermore, among the T3-repressed genes, there was an enrichment in genes containing binding sites for transcription factors that are key determinants of luminal-type breast cancers and are required for ER binding to chromatin. Conclusion: We demonstrate a novel role of TRß in the biology of CSCs that may be related to its action as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.

Epigenetics of Bladder Cancer: Where Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets Meet.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia of the urothelial tract. Due to its high incidence, prevalence, recurrence and mortality, it remains an unsolved clinical and social problem. The treatment of BC is challenging and, although immunotherapies have revealed potential benefit in a percentage of patients, it remains mostly an incurable disease at its advanced state. Epigenetic alterations, including aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin remodeling and deregulated expression of non-coding RNAs are common events in BC and can be driver events in BC pathogenesis. Accordingly, these epigenetic alterations are now being used as potential biomarkers for these disorders and are being envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for the future management of BC. In this review, we summarize the recent findings in these emerging and exciting new aspects paving the way for future clinical treatment of this disease.

Gene Expression Analyses in Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Reveals a Role for Alternative Splicing and Tp53 Status.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) represents a crucial problem for the national health care systems due to its high rates of recurrence and the consequent need of frequent follow-ups. Here, gene expression analyses in patients diagnosed as NMIBC were performed to determine those molecular pathways involved in tumor initiation, finding that both MYC and E2F are up regulated and helps to tumor initiation and progression. Our results also support an important involvement of alternative splicing events, modifying key pathways to favour bladder tumor evolution. Finally, since MDM2 showed differential exon usage, mutations in TP53 and its protein expression have been also studied in the same patients. Our data support that recurrence is epigenetically mediated and favoured by an increase protein expression of TP53, which appears more frequently mutated in advanced stages and grades, being associated to a worse prognosis. Therefore, TP53 mutational status could be used as a potential biomarker in the first stages of NMIBC to predict recurrence and prognosis.

Inhibition of a G9a/DNMT network triggers immune-mediated bladder cancer regression.

Bladder cancer is lethal in its advanced, muscle-invasive phase with very limited therapeutic advances1,2. Recent molecular characterization has defined new (epi)genetic drivers and potential targets for bladder cancer3,4. The immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy but only in a limited fraction of bladder cancer patients5-8. Here, we show that high G9a (EHMT2) expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in bladder cancer and that targeting G9a/DNMT methyltransferase activity with a novel inhibitor (CM-272) induces apoptosis and immunogenic cell death. Using an immunocompetent quadruple-knockout (PtenloxP/loxP; Trp53loxP/loxP; Rb1loxP/loxP; Rbl1-/-) transgenic mouse model of aggressive metastatic, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, we demonstrate that CM-272 + cisplatin treatment results in statistically significant regression of established tumors and metastases. The antitumor effect is significantly improved when CM-272 is combined with anti-programmed cell death ligand 1, even in the absence of cisplatin. These effects are associated with an endogenous antitumor immune response and immunogenic cell death with the conversion of a cold immune tumor into a hot tumor. Finally, increased G9a expression was associated with resistance to programmed cell death protein 1 inhibition in a cohort of patients with bladder cancer. In summary, these findings support new and promising opportunities for the treatment of bladder cancer using a combination of epigenetic inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade.

Integrative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis for the Study of Bladder Cancer.

Metabolism reprogramming is considered a hallmark of cancer. The study of bladder cancer (BC) metabolism could be the key to developing new strategies for diagnosis and therapy. This work aimed to identify tissue and urinary metabolic signatures as biomarkers of BC and get further insight into BC tumor biology through the study of gene-metabolite networks and the integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics data. BC and control tissue samples (n = 44) from the same patients were analyzed by High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and microarrays techniques. Besides, urinary profiling study (n = 35) was performed in the same patients to identify a metabolomic profile, linked with BC tissue hallmarks, as a potential non-invasive approach for BC diagnosis. The metabolic profile allowed for the classification of BC tissue samples with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The most discriminant metabolites for BC tissue samples reflected alterations in amino acids, glutathione, and taurine metabolic pathways. Transcriptomic data supported metabolomic results and revealed a predominant downregulation of metabolic genes belonging to phosphorylative oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and amino acid metabolism. The urinary profiling study showed a relation with taurine and other amino acids perturbed pathways observed in BC tissue samples, and classified BC from non-tumor urine samples with good sensitivities (91%) and specificities (77%). This urinary profile could be used as a non-invasive tool for BC diagnosis and follow-up.

Premature aging and cancer development in transgenic mice lacking functional CYLD.

CYLD is a deubiquitinating enzyme known for its role as a tumor suppressor whose mutation leads to skin appendages tumors and other cancers. In this manuscript we report that the tumor suppressor CYLD, similarly to other renowned tumor suppressor genes, protects from premature aging and cancer. We have generated transgenic mice expressing the mutant CYLDC/S protein, lacking its deubiquitinase function, under the control of the keratin 5 promoter, the K5-CYLDC/S mice. These mice express the transgene in different organs, including those considered to be more susceptible to aging, such as skin and thymus. Our results show that K5-CYLDC/S mice exhibit epidermal, hair follicle, and sebaceous gland alterations; and, importantly, they show signs of premature aging from an early age. Typically, 3-month-old K5-CYLDC/S mice exhibit a phenotype characterized by alopecia and kyphosis, and, the histological examination reveals that transgenic mice show signs of accelerated aging in numerous organs such as skin, thymus, pancreas, liver and lung. Additionally, they spontaneously develop tumors of diverse origin. Over-activation of the NF-κB pathway, along with hyperactivation of Akt, JNK and c-Myc, and chronic inflammation, appear as the mechanisms responsible for the premature aging of the K5-CYLDC/S mice.

CDK4/6 Inhibitor as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Advanced Bladder Cancer Independently of RB1 Status.

PURPOSE: Bladder cancer is a clinical and social problem due to its high incidence and recurrence rates. It frequently appears in elderly patients showing other medical comorbidities that hamper the use of standard chemotherapy. We evaluated the activity of CDK4/6 inhibitor as a new therapy for patients unfit for cisplatin (CDDP). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Bladder cancer cell lines were tested for in vitro sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition. A novel metastatic bladder cancer mouse model was developed and used to test its in vivo activity. RESULTS: Cell lines tested were sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition, independent on RB1 gene status. Transcriptome analyses and knockdown experiments revealed a major role for FOXM1 in this response. CDK4/6 inhibition resulted in reduced FOXM1 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo and showed synergy with CDDP, allowing a significant tumor regression. FOXM1 exerted important oncogenic roles in bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: CDK4/6 inhibitors, alone or in combination, are a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced bladder cancer previously classified as unfit for current treatment options.

The Ras-related gene ERAS is involved in human and murine breast cancer.

Although Ras genes are frequently mutated in human tumors, these mutations are uncommon in breast cancer. However, many breast tumors show evidences of Ras pathway activation. In this manuscript, we have analyzed and characterized mouse mammary tumors generated by random Sleeping Beauty transposon mutagenesis and identify ERAS -a member of the RAS family silenced in adult tissues- as a new gene involved in progression and malignancy of breast cancer. Forced expression of ERAS in human non-transformed mammary gland cells induces a process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and an increase in stem cells markers; these changes are mediated by miR-200c downregulation. ERAS expression in human tumorigenic mammary cells leads to the generation of larger and less differentiated tumors in xenotransplant experiments. Immunohistochemical, RT-qPCR and bioinformatics analysis of human samples show that ERAS is aberrantly expressed in 8-10% of breast tumors and this expression is associated with distant metastasis and reduced metastasis-free survival. In summary, our results reveal that inappropriate activation of ERAS may be important in the development of a subset of breast tumors. These findings open the possibility of new specific treatments for this subset of ERAS-expressing tumors.

Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer: A Current Need for Patient Diagnosis and Monitoring.

Bladder Cancer (BC) represents a clinical and social challenge due to its high incidence and recurrence rates, as well as the limited advances in effective disease management. Currently, a combination of cytology and cystoscopy is the routinely used methodology for diagnosis, prognosis and disease surveillance. However, both the poor sensitivity of cytology tests as well as the high invasiveness and big variation in tumour stage and grade interpretation using cystoscopy, emphasizes the urgent need for improvements in BC clinical guidance. Liquid biopsy represents a new non-invasive approach that has been extensively studied over the last decade and holds great promise. Even though its clinical use is still compromised, multiple studies have recently focused on the potential application of biomarkers in liquid biopsies for BC, including circulating tumour cells and DNA, RNAs, proteins and peptides, metabolites and extracellular vesicles. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on the different types of biomarkers, their potential use in liquid biopsy and clinical applications in BC.

Correction: Deciphering the role of nuclear and cytoplasmic IKKα in skin cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8792.].