scholarly journals ATRX Alteration Contributes to Tumor Growth and Immune Escape in Pleomorphic Sarcomas

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2151
Author(s):  
Lucie Darmusey ◽  
Gaëlle Pérot ◽  
Noémie Thébault ◽  
Sophie Le Guellec ◽  
Nelly Desplat ◽  
...  

Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of a cohort of 67 leiomyosarcomas has been revealed ATRX to be one of the most frequently mutated genes in leiomyosarcomas after TP53 and RB1. While its function is well described in the alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism, we wondered whether its alteration could have complementary effects on sarcoma oncogenesis. ATRX alteration is associated with the down-expression of genes linked to differentiation in leiomyosarcomas, and to immunity in an additional cohort of 60 poorly differentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. In vitro and in vivo models showed that ATRX down-expression increases tumor growth rate and immune escape by decreasing the immunity load of active mast cells in sarcoma tumors. These data indicate that an alternative to unsuccessful targeting of the adaptive immune system in sarcoma could target the innate system. This might lead to a better outcome for sarcoma patients in terms of ATRX status.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Darmusey ◽  
Gaëlle Pérot ◽  
Noémie Thébault ◽  
Sophie Le Guellec ◽  
Nelly Desplat ◽  
...  

AbstractWhole genome and transcriptome sequencing of a cohort of 67 leiomyosarcomas revealed ATRX to be one of the most frequently mutated genes in leiomyosarcomas after TP53 and RB1. While its function is well described in the alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism, we wondered whether its alteration could have complementary effects on sarcoma oncogenesis. ATRX alteration is associated with the down-expression of genes linked to differentiation in leiomyosarcomas, and to immunity in an additional cohort of 60 poorly differentiated sarcomas. In vitro and in vivo models showed that ATRX loss increases tumor growth rate and immune escape by decreasing the immunity load of active mast cells in sarcoma tumors. These data indicate that an alternative to unsuccessful targeting of the adaptive immune system in sarcoma could be to target the innate system. This might lead to a better outcome for sarcoma patients in terms of ATRX status.


Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 471
Author(s):  
Patrizia Garbati ◽  
Raffaella Barbieri ◽  
Davide Cangelosi ◽  
Carlo Zanon ◽  
Delfina Costa ◽  
...  

To overcome the lack of effective pharmacological treatments for high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB), the development of novel in vitro and in vivo models that better recapitulate the disease is required. Here, we used an in vitro multiclonal cell model encompassing NB cell differentiation stages, to identify potential novel pharmacological targets. This model allowed us to identify, by low-density RT-PCR arrays, two gene sets, one over-expressed during NB cell differentiation, and the other up-regulated in more malignant cells. Challenging two HR-NB gene expression datasets, we found that these two gene sets are related to high and low survival, respectively. Using mouse NB cisplatin-treated xenografts, we identified two genes within the list associated to the malignant stage (MCM2 and carbonic anhydrase 9), whose expression is positively correlated with tumor growth. Thus, we tested their pharmacological targeting as potential therapeutic strategy. We measured mice survival and tumor growth rate after xenografts of human NB treated with cisplatin in the presence of MCM2/carbonic anhydrase 9 inhibitors (ciprofloxacin and acetazolamide). MCM2 or carbonic anhydrase 9 inhibition significantly increased cisplatin activity, supporting their possible testing for NB therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Lima Mota ◽  
Bruna Vitorasso Jardim-Perassi ◽  
Tialfi Bergamin De Castro ◽  
Jucimara Colombo ◽  
Nathália Martins Sonehara ◽  
...  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and has a high mortality rate. Adverse conditions in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis, may exert selective pressure on the tumor, selecting subpopulations of tumor cells with advantages for survival in this environment. In this context, therapeutic agents that can modify these conditions, and consequently the intratumoral heterogeneity need to be explored. Melatonin, in addition to its physiological effects, exhibits important anti-tumor actions which may associate with modification of hypoxia and Warburg effect. In this study, we have evaluated the action of melatonin on tumor growth and tumor metabolism by different markers of hypoxia and glucose metabolism (HIF-1α, glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 and carbonic anhydrases CA-IX and CA-XII) in triple negative breast cancer model. In an in vitro study, gene and protein expressions of these markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The effects of melatonin were also tested in a MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model. Results showed that melatonin treatment reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice (p <0.05). The treatment significantly decreased HIF-1α gene and protein expression concomitantly with the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, CA-IX and CA-XII (p <0.05). These results strongly suggest that melatonin down-regulates HIF-1α expression and regulates glucose metabolism in breast tumor cells, therefore, controlling hypoxia and tumor progression. 


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2747-2747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Zhao ◽  
Narendiran Rajasekaran ◽  
Uwe Reusch ◽  
Jens-Peter Marschner ◽  
Martin Treder ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: AFM13 is a CD30/CD16A bispecific tetravalent TandAb antibody that recruits and activates NK-cells by specific binding to CD16A for targeted lysis of CD30+ tumor cells. Given promising clinical activity and safety profile of AFM13 and proof-of-mechanism demonstrating dependence on the immune response, potential synergy of AFM13 and checkpoint modulators was evaluated. Methods: Efficacy of AFM13 alone or in combination with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, or anti-CD137 antibodies was assessed by in vitro cytotoxicity assays with human PBMCs or enriched NK-cells and CD30+ target cells as well as patient-derived xenograft in vivo models with autologous PBMC. To evaluate NK-cell-mediated lysis of CD30+ lymphoma cell lines, 4 hour cytotoxicity assays were performed with PBMCs or enriched NK-cells as effector cells in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of AFM13 alone, and in combination with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, or anti-CD137 antibodies. For the in vivo model tumor fragments derived from surgical specimens of newly diagnosed patients with CD30+ Hodgkin Lymphoma were xenografted (PDX) in immuno-deficient mice. After 28 days mice were reconstituted with autologous patient-derived PBMC and treated with AFM13 alone and in combination with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, or anti-CD137 antibodies weekly for a total of three weeks. Tumor size, tumor-infiltrating human lymphocytes and intra-tumoral cytokines were evaluated on day 58. Results: AFM13 as a single agent at suboptimal concentrations induced effector-to-target cell-dependent lysis of CD30+ lymphoma cells up to 40% using enriched NK-cells as effector cells in a 4 hour in vitro assay. Immune-modulating antibodies alone mediated substantially lower lysis (<25%). However, the addition of anti-PD-1 or anti-CD137 to AFM13 strongly enhanced specific lysis up to 70%, whereas the addition of anti-CTLA-4 to AFM13 showed no beneficial effect. The most impressive increase of efficacy was observed when AFM13 was applied together with a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CD137. In vivo, reduction of tumor growth was observed when AFM13 and anti-PD-1 were used as single agents or when AFM13 was combined with anti-CD137. Synergy was most impressive in these PDX models for the combination of AFM13 and anti-PD-1 which led to a very strong reduction of tumor size. Of note, reduction of tumor growth was strongly correlated with infiltrating NK- and T-cells and intra-tumoral cytokines. Conclusions: The combination trials performed with companion intra-tumoral assessment of lymphocytes and cytokines may enhance the efficacy of AFM13 in patients. This may be explained by a potential cross-talk between NK-cells and T-cell which was enhanced when AFM13 was used in combination with checkpoint modulators. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Angiogenesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Ollauri-Ibáñez ◽  
Elena Núñez-Gómez ◽  
Cristina Egido-Turrión ◽  
Laura Silva-Sousa ◽  
Elena Díaz-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

AbstractEndoglin (CD105) is an auxiliary receptor for members of the TFG-β superfamily. Whereas it has been demonstrated that the deficiency of endoglin leads to minor and defective angiogenesis, little is known about the effect of its increased expression, characteristic of several types of cancer. Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth, so high levels of proangiogenic molecules, such as endoglin, are supposed to be related to greater tumor growth leading to a poor cancer prognosis. However, we demonstrate here that endoglin overexpression do not stimulate sprouting or vascularization in several in vitro and in vivo models. Instead, steady endoglin overexpression keep endothelial cells in an active phenotype that results in an impairment of the correct stabilization of the endothelium and the recruitment of mural cells. In a context of continuous enhanced angiogenesis, such as in tumors, endoglin overexpression gives rise to altered vessels with an incomplete mural coverage that permit the extravasation of blood. Moreover, these alterations allow the intravasation of tumor cells, the subsequent development of metastases and, thus, a worse cancer prognosis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 194-194
Author(s):  
M. R. Porembka ◽  
J. B. Mitchem ◽  
P. S. Goedegebuure ◽  
D. Linehan

194 Background: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immunosuppressive cells that are upregulated in cancer. Little is known about the prevalence and importance of MDSC in pancreas adenocarcinoma (PA). Here, we quantify MDSC prevalence in patients with PA and assess the efficacy of MDSC depletion in a murine model of PA. Methods: Peripheral blood and tumor samples were collected from patients with PA, analyzed for MDSC (CD15+11b+) by flow cytometry (FC) and compared to cancer-free controls (CFC). The suppressive capacity of MDSC and the effectiveness of MDSC depletion were assessed in C57BL/6 mice inoculated with Pan02, a murine PA, and treated with placebo or zoledronic acid (ZA), a potent aminobisphosphonate previously shown to target MDSC. Endpoints included tumor size, survival, and MDSC prevalence. Tumor cell infiltrate was analyzed by FC for MDSC (Gr1+CD11b+) and effector T cells; tumor cytokine levels were measured by Luminex assay. Results: Patients with PA demonstrated increased circulating MDSC compared to CFC, which correlated with disease stage (metastatic PA: 68%±3.6% of CD45+ cells, resectable PA: 57%±3.5%, CFC: 37%±3.6%; p<0.0001). Normal pancreas tissue showed no MDSC infiltrate while PA avidly recruited CD11b+15+ cells to the primary tumor. Murine tumors similarly recruited MDSC that actively suppressed CD8+ T cells in vitro measured by CFSE dilution and accelerated tumor growth in vivo by adoptive transfer with Pan02 cells (p<0.001). Treatment with ZA impaired MDSC accumulation in the tumor (Placebo: 78%, ZA: 51%, p<0.05) resulting in delayed tumor growth rate (p<0.0001) and prolonged median survival (Placebo: 59 days, ZA: 73 days, p<0.05). MDSC blockade increased recruitment of T cells to the tumor (CD4: 4.4%±1.1% vs 12.2%±2.0%, p<0.05; CD8: 3.9%±1.3% vs 10.6%±2.2%, p<0.05) and a more robust type 1 response with increased levels of IFN-g (p<0.05) and decreased levels of IL-10 (p<0.05). Conclusions: MDSC are an important mediator of tumor-induced immunosuppression in PA. Treatment with ZA effectively blocks MDSC accumulation improving anti-tumor response in animal studies. Efforts to block MDSC may represent a novel treatment strategy for PA. [Table: see text]


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 3263-3275 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. Giang Ho ◽  
Audrey Stultiens ◽  
Johanne Dubail ◽  
Charles M. Lapière ◽  
Betty V. Nusgens ◽  
...  

RhoGTPases are key signaling molecules regulating main cellular functions such as migration, proliferation, survival, and gene expression through interactions with various effectors. Within the RhoA-related subclass, RhoA and RhoC contribute to several steps of tumor growth, and the regulation of their expression affects cancer progression. Our aim is to investigate their respective contributions to the acquisition of an invasive phenotype by using models of reduced or forced expression. The silencing of RhoC, but not of RhoA, increased the expression of genes encoding tumor suppressors, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug–activated gene 1 (NAG-1), and decreased migration and the anchorage-independent growth in vitro. In vivo, RhoC small interfering RNA (siRhoC) impaired tumor growth. Of interest, the simultaneous knockdown of RhoC and NAG-1 repressed most of the siRhoC-related effects, demonstrating the central role of NAG-1. In addition of being induced by RhoC silencing, NAG-1 was also largely up-regulated in cells overexpressing RhoA. The silencing of RhoGDP dissociation inhibitor α (RhoGDIα) and the overexpression of a RhoA mutant unable to bind RhoGDIα suggested that the effect of RhoC silencing is indirect and results from the up-regulation of the RhoA level through competition for RhoGDIα. This study demonstrates the dynamic balance inside the RhoGTPase network and illustrates its biological relevance in cancer progression.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choong-Hwan Kwak ◽  
Jung-Hee Lee ◽  
Eun-Yeong Kim ◽  
Chang Woo Han ◽  
Keuk-Jun Kim ◽  
...  

Aerobic glycolysis is one of the important metabolic characteristics of many malignant tumors. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) plays a key role in aerobic glycolysis by phosphorylating the E1α subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Hence, PDHK has been recognized as a molecular target for cancer treatment. Here, we report that huzhangoside A (Hu.A), a triterpenoid glycoside compound isolated from several plants of the Anemone genus, acts as a novel PDHK inhibitor. Hu.A was found to decrease the cell viability of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B, colon cancer HT-29, DLD-1, and murine lewis lung carcinoma LLC cell lines. The activity of PDHK1 was decreased by Hu.A in both in vitro assays and in vivo assays in DLD-1 cells. Hu.A significantly increased the oxygen consumption and decreased the secretory lactate levels in DLD-1 cells. In addition, Hu.A interacted with the ATP-binding pocket of PDHK1 without affecting the interaction of PDHK1 and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) subunits. Furthermore, Hu.A significantly induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential in DLD-1 cells. Consistently, when Hu.A was intraperitoneally injected into LLC allograft mice, the tumor growth was significantly decreased. In conclusion, Hu.A suppressed the growth of tumors in both in vitro and in vivo models via inhibition of PDHK activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii71-ii71
Author(s):  
Pushan Dasgupta ◽  
Joy Gumin ◽  
Piergiorgio Pettazzoni ◽  
Floris Barthel ◽  
Angela Deem ◽  
...  

Abstract There is a tremendous need to identify new genetic drivers of glioblastoma which can serve as potential therapeutic targets. In order to find new drivers, we leveraged genomic datasets to conduct a context specific in vivo functional genomic screen of overexpressed and/or amplified genes in GBM. We identified WISP1, a secreted extracellular matrix protein, to be an overexpressed driver in GBM. Overexpression of WISP1 was able to drive tumor growth in various in vivo models. Knockdown of WISP1 with shRNAs resulted in reduced colony formation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. Rescue experiments validated that the shRNAs were on target. Functional characterization of the protein revealed that the TSP module is necessary for the phenotype. Intriguingly, overexpression of WISP1 lacking the signal peptide module for secretion resulted in a strong phenotype. Co-culture and conditioned medium experiments further supported a secretion independent intracellular role of WISP1 in GBM. Though WISP1 is a secreted protein we have found some basal localization in the cytosol. Overall, we have revealed WISP1 to be a driver of GBM with possible therapeutic potential as a target. This study has expanded our understanding of WISP1 by supporting a new role as a driver in GBM which can function in a non-canonical manner in the cytosol. Overall, we have revealed WISP1 to be a driver of GBM with possible therapeutic potential as a target.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1369
Author(s):  
Mikhail S. Chesnokov ◽  
Imran Khan ◽  
Yeonjung Park ◽  
Jessica Ezell ◽  
Geeta Mehta ◽  
...  

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the deadliest of gynecological cancers due to its high recurrence rate and acquired chemoresistance. RAS/MEK/ERK pathway activation is linked to cell proliferation and therapeutic resistance, but the role of MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway in HGSOC is poorly investigated. We evaluated MEK1/2 pathway activity in clinical HGSOC samples and ovarian cancer cell lines using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and RT-qPCR. HGSOC cell lines were used to assess immediate and lasting effects of MEK1/2 inhibition with trametinib in vitro. Trametinib effect on tumor growth in vivo was investigated using mouse xenografts. MEK1/2 pathway is hyperactivated in HGSOC and is further stimulated by cisplatin treatment. Trametinib treatment causes cell cycle arrest in G1/0-phase and reduces tumor growth rate in vivo but does not induce cell death or reduce fraction of CD133+ stem-like cells, while increasing expression of stemness-associated genes instead. Transient trametinib treatment causes long-term increase in a subpopulation of cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)1 activity that can survive and grow in non-adherent conditions. We conclude that MEK1/2 inhibition may be a promising approach to suppress ovarian cancer growth as a maintenance therapy. Promotion of stem-like properties upon MEK1/2 inhibition suggests a possible mechanism of resistance, so a combination with CSC-targeting drugs should be considered.


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