scholarly journals How to Better Understand the Influence of Host Genetics on Developing an Effective Immune Response to Thoracic Cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiarash Behrouzfar ◽  
Kimberley Burton ◽  
Steve E. Mutsaers ◽  
Grant Morahan ◽  
Richard A. Lake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Host Genetics ◽  
Rational Development ◽  
Effective Immune Response

Thoracic cancers pose a significant global health burden. Immune checkpoint blockade therapies have improved treatment outcomes, but durable responses remain limited. Understanding how the host immune system interacts with a developing tumor is essential for the rational development of improved treatments for thoracic malignancies. Recent technical advances have improved our understanding of the mutational burden of cancer cells and changes in cancer-specific gene expression, providing a detailed understanding of the complex biology underpinning tumor-host interactions. While there has been much focus on the genetic alterations associated with cancer cells and how they may impact treatment outcomes, how host genetics affects cancer development is also critical and will greatly determine treatment response. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with cancer predisposition. This approach has successfully identified host genetic risk factors associated with common thoracic cancers like lung cancer, but is less effective for rare cancers like malignant mesothelioma. To assess how host genetics impacts rare thoracic cancers, we used the Collaborative Cross (CC); a powerful murine genetic resource designed to maximize genetic diversity and rapidly identify genes associated with any biological trait. We are using the CC in conjunction with our asbestos-induced MexTAg mouse model, to identify host genes associated with mesothelioma development. Once genes that moderate tumor development and progression are known, human homologues can be identified and human datasets interrogated to validate their association with disease outcome. Furthermore, our CC−MexTAg animal model enables in-depth study of the tumor microenvironment, allowing the correlation of immune cell infiltration and gene expression signatures with disease development. This strategy provides a detailed picture of the underlying biological pathways associated with mesothelioma susceptibility and progression; knowledge that is crucial for the rational development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Here we discuss the influence of host genetics on developing an effective immune response to thoracic cancers. We highlight current knowledge gaps, and with a focus on mesothelioma, describe the development and application of the CC-MexTAg to overcome limitations and illustrate how the knowledge gained from this unique study will inform the rational design of future treatments of mesothelioma.

scholarly journals Controversial T1G3 bladder cancer is the key to revealing the changes in the biological functions of bladder cancer cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen Pan ◽  
Yunhong Zhan ◽  
Xiaonan Chen ◽  
Bin Wu ◽  
Bitian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Functional Enrichment ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Bladder Cancer Cells

Abstract Background T1G3 shows a higher chance of recurrence and progression among early bladder cancer types and the available treatment option is controversial. High recurrence and progression are the problems that need to be explored and solved. Changes in the internal signals of bladder cancer cells and differential genes may be the root cause of these problems. Methods GSE120736, GSE19915, GSE19423, GSE32548 and GSE37815 datasets were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO ) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Bladder cancer transcript data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were clustered into different cell-specific gene sets according to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Multiple sets of databases were used for gene expression comparison, functional enrichment, and protein interaction analysis, including The Human Protein Atlas, Cancer Dependency Map, Metascape, Gene set enrichment analysis, and DisNor. Results DEGs were obtained through GEO data comparison and intersection. After WGCNA was proven to recognise cell-specific gene sets, candidate DEGs were selected and shown to be specifically expressed in cancer cells. Candidate DEGs were related to mitosis and cell cycle. Further, 12 functional candidate markers were identified from the sequencing data of 30 bladder cancer cell lines. These genes were all up-regulated and previously shown to be closely related to bladder cancer progression. Conclusions Twelve functional genes with specific differential expression in bladder cancer cells were identified. WGCNA can identify the relatively specific expression sets of different cells in bladder cancer with greater tumour heterogeneity, which provides new perspectives for future cancer research.

scholarly journals Specific Secondary Genetic Alterations in Mantle Cell Lymphoma Provide Prognostic Information Independent of the Gene Expression–Based Proliferation Signature

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1216-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itziar Salaverria ◽  
Andreas Zettl ◽  
Sílvia Beà ◽  
Victor Moreno ◽  
Joan Valls ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cyclin D1 ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Survival Prediction ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Mantle Cell

Purpose To compare the genetic relationship between cyclin D1–positive and cyclin D1–negative mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs) and to determine whether specific genetic alterations may add prognostic information to survival prediction based on the proliferation signature of MCLs. Patients and Methods Seventy-one cyclin D1–positive and six cyclin D1–negative MCLs previously characterized by gene expression profiling were examined by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Results Cyclin D1–negative MCLs were genetically characterized by gains of 3q, 8q, and 15q, and losses of 1p, 8p23-pter, 9p21-pter, 11q21-q23, and 13q that were also the most common alterations in conventional MCLs. Parallel analysis of CGH aberrations and locus-specific gene expression profiles in cyclin D1–positive patients showed that chromosomal imbalances had a substantial impact on the expression levels of the genes located in the altered regions. The analysis of prognostic factors revealed that the proliferation signature, the number of chromosomal aberrations, gains of 3q, and losses of 8p, 9p, and 9q predicted survival of MCL patients. A multivariate analysis showed that the gene expression-based proliferation signature was the strongest predictor for shorter survival. However, 3q gains and 9q losses provided prognostic information that was independent of the proliferative activity. Conclusion Cyclin D1–positive and –negative MCLs share the same secondary genetic aberrations, supporting the concept that they correspond to the same genetic entity. The integration of genetic information on chromosome 3q and 9q alterations into a proliferation signature-based model may improve the ability to predict survival in patients with MCL.

scholarly journals Core regulatory circuitries in defining cancer cell identity across the malignant spectrum

Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 200121
Author(s):  
Leila Jahangiri ◽  
Loukia Tsaprouni ◽  
Ricky M. Trigg ◽  
John A. Williams ◽  
Georgios V. Gkoutos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Molecular Dissection ◽  
Cell Identity ◽  
Lineage Specific Gene

Gene expression programmes driving cell identity are established by tightly regulated transcription factors that auto- and cross-regulate in a feed-forward manner, forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). CRC transcription factors create and engage super-enhancers by recruiting acetylation writers depositing permissive H3K27ac chromatin marks. These super-enhancers are largely associated with BET proteins, including BRD4, that influence higher-order chromatin structure. The orchestration of these events triggers accessibility of RNA polymerase machinery and the imposition of lineage-specific gene expression. In cancers, CRCs drive cell identity by superimposing developmental programmes on a background of genetic alterations. Further, the establishment and maintenance of oncogenic states are reliant on CRCs that drive factors involved in tumour development. Hence, the molecular dissection of CRC components driving cell identity and cancer state can contribute to elucidating mechanisms of diversion from pre-determined developmental programmes and highlight cancer dependencies. These insights can provide valuable opportunities for identifying and re-purposing drug targets. In this article, we review the current understanding of CRCs across solid and liquid malignancies and avenues of investigation for drug development efforts. We also review techniques used to understand CRCs and elaborate the indication of discussed CRC transcription factors in the wider context of cancer CRC models.

Association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation with increased immune checkpoint expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 653-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maliha Nusrat ◽  
Jason Roszik ◽  
Riham Katkhuda ◽  
David Menter ◽  
Kanwal Pratap Singh Raghav ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Pi3k Pathway ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Immune Checkpoints ◽  
Pik3ca Mutations ◽  
The Impact

653 Background: PI3K pathway is a known modulator of anti-tumor immune response and is frequently activated in CRC through genetic alterations such as PTEN loss (PTENloss) and PIK3CA mutations (PIK3CAmut). This study aims to determine the impact of these alterations on immune cell infiltration, priming and activation in early stage CRC patients (pts). Methods: Immune infiltrates and checkpoints were evaluated using quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) on primary CRC (N = 59) for both center of tumor (CT) and invasive margin (IM). Pts were evaluated by presence or absence of either PTENloss or PIK3CAmut (collectively termed PI3K pathway alterations). Microsatellite unstable (MSI) and stable (MSS) tumors were analyzed separately. Clinicopathologic data was examined for potential associations with PI3K pathway alterations. Separately, mRNA data (Agilent) was obtained for immune related genes from an internal cohort with PTEN and PIK3CA annotation (N = 73). Results: 59 pts comprised IHC cohort (40 MSS, 19 MSI); 23 pts (39%) had PTENloss or PIK3CAmut. In Agilent cohort, 16 of 73 pts (22%) had PI3K pathway alterations. In MSS CRC, these alterations were more common in CMS1 (p = 0.03), on right side (p = 0.048) and with peritumoral lymphocytes (p = 0.031). MSS pts with PI3K pathway alterations had higher PD1 protein expression (p = 0.04), 2.1 and 2.3 times increased density of CD3+ (p = 0.01) and CD8+ (p = 0.04) cells respectively, and higher Granzyme B protein expression (p = 0.04) in the CT. These pts also had higher PDL1 gene expression (p = 0.046). MSS CRC pts with PIK3CAmut similarly had 2 times more PDL1 protein expression in epithelial cells of the IM (p = 0.01). Alternate checkpoints were also increased in pts with PI3K pathway alterations, including higher protein expression of LAG3 in CT (P = 0.046) and higher gene expression of CTLA4, TIM3, and TIGIT (P < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: PI3K pathway activated MSS CRC is associated with increased immune engagement, but also upregulation of key immune checkpoints in early stage tumors resulting in an ineffective immune response. Combination of PI3K pathway inhibition with immunotherapy merits investigation in this subset of pts.

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