Immunotherapy: CAR T cells pursue CLL cells and avoid innocent bystanders

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.153

Author: David Killock

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Intratumoral Heterogeneity of Frameshift Mutations in MECOM Gene is Frequent in Colorectal Cancers with High Microsatellite Instability

Abstract

MECOM gene, also known as EVI, encodes a transcriptional regulator involved in hematopoiesis, apoptosis, development and proliferation. In blood system, MECOM is considered an oncogene, but in solid tumors it has both oncogenic and tumor suppressor activities. Low frequent somatic mutations of MECOM have been detected in many cancers including colorectal cancers (CRC), but the mutation status with respect to the microsatellite instability (MSI) has not been studied. There is an A7 mononucleotide repeat in MECOM coding sequences that could be a mutation target in the cancers with MSI. We analyzed the A7 of MECOM in 79 CRCs with high MSI (MSI-H) and 65 microsatellite stable/low MSI (MSS/MSI-L) CRCs by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Overall, we found MECOM frameshift mutations in 6 (7.6 %) CRCs with MSI-H, but not in MSS/MSI-L cancers (0/65) (p < 0.025). We also analyzed intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) of the MECOM frameshift mutation in 16 CRCs and found that four CRCs (25.0 %) harbored regional ITH of the frameshift mutations. Our data indicate that MECOM gene harbors both somatic frameshift mutations and mutational ITH, which together may be features of CRC with MSI-H.

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Glycated albumin: from biochemistry and laboratory medicine to clinical practice

Abstract

This review summarizes current knowledge about glycated albumin. We review the changes induced by glycation on the properties of albumin, the pathological implications of high glycated albumin levels, glycated albumin quantification methods, and the use of glycated albumin as a complementary biomarker for diabetes mellitus diagnosis and monitoring and for dealing with long-term complications. The advantages and limits of this biomarker in different clinical settings are also discussed.

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Obesity treatment by very low-calorie-ketogenic diet at two years: reduction in visceral fat and on the burden of disease

Abstract

The long-term effect of therapeutic diets in obesity treatment is a challenge at present. The current study aimed to evaluate the long-term effect of a very low-calorie-ketogenic (VLCK) diet on excess adiposity. Especial focus was set on visceral fat mass, and the impact on the individual burden of disease. A group of obese patients (n = 45) were randomly allocated in two groups: either the very low-calorie-ketogenic diet group (n = 22), or a standard low-calorie diet group; (n = 23). Both groups received external support. Adiposity parameters and the cumulative number of months of successful weight loss (5 or 10 %) over a 24-month period were quantified. The very low-calorie-ketogenic diet induced less than 2 months of mild ketosis and significant effects on body weight at 6, 12, and 24 months. At 24 months, a trend to regress to baseline levels was observed; however, the very low-calorie-ketogenic diet induced a greater reduction in body weight (−12.5 kg), waist circumference (−11.6 cm), and body fat mass (−8.8 kg) than the low-calorie diet (−4.4 kg, −4.1 cm, and −3.8 kg, respectively; p < 0.001). Interestingly, a selective reduction in visceral fat measured by a specific software of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)-scan (−600 g vs. −202 g; p < 0.001) was observed. Moreover, the very low-calorie-ketogenic diet group experienced a reduction in the individual burden of obesity because reduction in disease duration. Very low-calorie-ketogenic diet patients were 500 months with 5 % weight lost vs. the low-calorie diet group (350 months; p < 0.001). In conclusion, a very low-calorie-ketogenic diet was effective 24 months later, with a decrease in visceral adipose tissue and a reduction in the individual burden of disease.

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Multiaxial Polarity Determines Individual Cellular and Nuclear Chirality

Abstract

Intrinsic cell chirality has been implicated in the left–right (LR) asymmetry of embryonic development. Impaired cell chirality could lead to severe birth defects in laterality. Previously, we detected cell chirality with an in vitro micropatterning system. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that chirality can be quantified as the coordination of multiaxial polarization of individual cells and nuclei. Using an object labeling, connected component based method, we characterized cell chirality based on cell and nuclear shape polarization and nuclear positioning of each cell in multicellular patterns of epithelial cells. We found that the cells adopted a LR bias the boundaries by positioning the sharp end towards the leading edge and leaving the nucleus at the rear. This behavior is consistent with the directional migration observed previously on the boundary of micropatterns. Although the nucleus is chirally aligned, it is not strongly biased towards or away from the boundary. As the result of the rear positioning of nuclei, the nuclear positioning has an opposite chirality to that of cell alignment. Overall, our results have revealed deep insights of chiral morphogenesis as the coordination of multiaxial polarization at the cellular and subcellular levels.

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Co-targeting of Adenosine Signaling Pathways for Immunotherapy: Potentiation by Fc Receptor Engagement

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Rony Dahan, Jeffrey V. Ravetch
Targeting the signaling pathway of the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine is an emerging approach for cancer immunotherapy. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Young et al. describe that co-inhibition of the adenosingenic pathway through blockade of both CD73 and A2AR enhances antitumor efficacy through distinct mechanisms.

Teaser

Targeting the signaling pathway of the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine is an emerging approach for cancer immunotherapy. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Young et al. describe that co-inhibition of the adenosingenic pathway through blockade of both CD73 and A2AR enhances antitumor efficacy through distinct mechanisms.


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Modeling SF3B1 Mutations in Cancer: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Daichi Inoue, Omar Abdel-Wahab
In this issue of Cancer Cell, Obeng et al. identify the consequences of expressing the most common mutation in the spliceosomal gene SF3B1 on hematopoiesis. The knockin mouse model described represents a valuable tool to dissect the effects of SF3B1 mutations on transformation, splicing, and less well-characterized functions of SF3B1.

Teaser

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Obeng et al. identify the consequences of expressing the most common mutation in the spliceosomal gene SF3B1 on hematopoiesis. The knockin mouse model described represents a valuable tool to dissect the effects of SF3B1 mutations on transformation, splicing, and less well-characterized functions of SF3B1.


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Powering Tumor Metastasis with Recycled Fuel

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Mien-Chie Hung, Riyao Yang, Yutong Sun
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) recycling is of critical importance for RTK signaling and cancer, yet the process is poorly understood. In this issue, Ye et al. identify GOLM1 as a cargo adaptor that drives hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by promoting EGFR recycling and provide insights into how this process is regulated.

Teaser

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) recycling is of critical importance for RTK signaling and cancer, yet the process is poorly understood. In this issue, Ye et al. identify GOLM1 as a cargo adaptor that drives hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by promoting EGFR recycling and provide insights into how this process is regulated.


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T Cell Cancer Therapy Requires CD40-CD40L Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor and Inducible Nitric-Oxide-Synthase-Producing Dendritic Cells

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Ilaria Marigo, Serena Zilio, Giacomo Desantis, Bernhard Mlecnik, Andrielly H.R. Agnellini, Stefano Ugel, Maria Stella Sasso, Joseph E. Qualls, Franz Kratochvill, Paola Zanovello, Barbara Molon, Carola H. Ries, Valeria Runza, Sabine Hoves, Amélie M. Bilocq, Gabriela Bindea, Emilia M.C. Mazza, Silvio Bicciato, Jérôme Galon, Peter J. Murray, Vincenzo Bronte
Effective cancer immunotherapy requires overcoming immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. We found that local nitric oxide (NO) production by tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells is important for adoptively transferred CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells to destroy tumors. These myeloid cells are phenotypically similar to inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2)- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-producing dendritic cells (DC), or Tip-DCs. Depletion of immunosuppressive, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R)-dependent arginase 1⁺ myeloid cells enhanced NO-dependent tumor killing. Tumor elimination via NOS2 required the CD40-CD40L pathway. We also uncovered a strong correlation between survival of colorectal cancer patients and NOS2, CD40, and TNF expression in their tumors. Our results identify a network of pro-tumor factors that can be targeted to boost cancer immunotherapies.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Marigo et al. show that nitric oxide produced by Tip-DCs, a subset of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, is important for tumor control by adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Tip-DCs require the CD40-CD40L pathway but not CSF-1R; CSF-1R blockade reduces immunosuppressive macrophages and improves tumor control by ACT.


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Co-inhibition of CD73 and A2AR Adenosine Signaling Improves Anti-tumor Immune Responses

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Arabella Young, Shin Foong Ngiow, Deborah S. Barkauskas, Erin Sult, Carl Hay, Stephen J. Blake, Qihui Huang, Jing Liu, Kazuyoshi Takeda, Michele W.L. Teng, Kris Sachsenmeier, Mark J. Smyth
Preclinical studies targeting the adenosinergic pathway have gained much attention for their clinical potential in overcoming tumor-induced immunosuppression. Here, we have identified that co-blockade of the ectonucleotidase that generates adenosine CD73 and the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) that mediates adenosine signaling in leuokocytes, by using compound gene-targeted mice or therapeutics that target these molecules, limits tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. This tumor control requires effector lymphocytes and interferon-γ, while antibodies targeting CD73 promote an optimal therapeutic response in vivo when engaging activating Fc receptors. In a two-way mixed leukocyte reaction using a fully human anti-CD73, we demonstrated that Fc receptor binding augmented the production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Young et al. show that blockade of CD73 and A2AR, two components of the adenosinergic pathway, has more potent anti-tumor activity than blockade of either, partly due to increased CD73 expression in the absence of A2AR. Moreover, anti-CD73 antibodies require the FcR binding domain for optimal anti-tumor activity.


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Tipping the Balancing ACT

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Shari Pilon-Thomas, Brian Ruffell
Adoptive cell transfer therapy has emerged as a powerful treatment for metastatic melanoma, but efficacy is limited by an inhospitable tumor microenvironment. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Marigo et al. demonstrate that therapy requires induced expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Teaser

Adoptive cell transfer therapy has emerged as a powerful treatment for metastatic melanoma, but efficacy is limited by an inhospitable tumor microenvironment. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Marigo et al. demonstrate that therapy requires induced expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells.


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Physiologic Expression of Sf3b1K700E Causes Impaired Erythropoiesis, Aberrant Splicing, and Sensitivity to Therapeutic Spliceosome Modulation

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Esther A. Obeng, Ryan J. Chappell, Michael Seiler, Michelle C. Chen, Dean R. Campagna, Paul J. Schmidt, Rebekka K. Schneider, Allegra M. Lord, Lili Wang, Rutendo G. Gambe, Marie E. McConkey, Abdullah M. Ali, Azra Raza, Lihua Yu, Silvia Buonamici, Peter G. Smith, Ann Mullally, Catherine J. Wu, Mark D. Fleming, Benjamin L. Ebert
More than 80% of patients with the refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) have mutations in Splicing Factor 3B, Subunit 1 (SF3B1). We generated a conditional knockin mouse model of the most common SF3B1 mutation, Sf3b1^K700E. Sf3b1^K700E mice develop macrocytic anemia due to a terminal erythroid maturation defect, erythroid dysplasia, and long-term hematopoietic stem cell (LT-HSC) expansion. Sf3b1^K700E myeloid progenitors and SF3B1-mutant MDS patient samples demonstrate aberrant 3′ splice-site selection associated with increased nonsense-mediated decay. Tet2 loss cooperates with Sf3b1^K700E to cause a more severe erythroid and LT-HSC phenotype. Furthermore, the spliceosome modulator, E7017, selectively kills SF3B1^K700E-expressing cells. Thus, SF3B1^K700E expression reflects the phenotype of the mutation in MDS and may be a therapeutic target in MDS.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Obeng et al. generate knockin mice with Sf3b1^K700E, a prevalent mutation in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Sf3b1^+/K700E mice display characteristics of MDS. Mouse and human MDS cells expressing SF3B1^K700E exhibit aberrant 3′ splice-site selection, and SF3B1^K700E sensitizes cells to a spliceosome modulator.


http://ift.tt/2ckunw0

Lactate Dehydrogenase B Controls Lysosome Activity and Autophagy in Cancer

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Lucie Brisson, Piotr Bański, Martina Sboarina, Coralie Dethier, Pierre Danhier, Marie-Joséphine Fontenille, Vincent F. Van Hée, Thibaut Vazeille, Morgane Tardy, Jorge Falces, Caroline Bouzin, Paolo E. Porporato, Raphaël Frédérick, Carine Michiels, Tamara Copetti, Pierre Sonveaux
Metabolic adaptability is essential for tumor progression and includes cooperation between cancer cells with different metabolic phenotypes. Optimal glucose supply to glycolytic cancer cells occurs when oxidative cancer cells use lactate preferentially to glucose. However, using lactate instead of glucose mimics glucose deprivation, and glucose starvation induces autophagy. We report that lactate sustains autophagy in cancer. In cancer cells preferentially to normal cells, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), catalyzing the conversion of lactate and NAD⁺ to pyruvate, NADH and H⁺, controls lysosomal acidification, vesicle maturation, and intracellular proteolysis. LDHB activity is necessary for basal autophagy and cancer cell proliferation not only in oxidative cancer cells but also in glycolytic cancer cells.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Brisson et al. show that lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is critical for lysosomal activity and autophagy in cancer cells. Silencing LDHB selectively inhibits the proliferation of both oxidative and glycolytic cancer cells over normal cells, suggesting inhibition of LDHB as a promising anticancer approach.


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Feedback Activation of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Limits Response to Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Breast Cancer

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Hanlin Zeng, Jia Qu, Nan Jin, Jun Xu, Chenchu Lin, Yi Chen, Xinying Yang, Xiang He, Shuai Tang, Xiaojing Lan, Xiaotong Yang, Ziqi Chen, Min Huang, Jian Ding, Meiyu Geng
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefits in subtypes of hematological malignancies. However, the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in solid tumors remains uncertain. This study takes breast cancer as a model to understand mechanisms accounting for limited response of HDAC inhibitors in solid tumors and to seek combination solutions. We discover that feedback activation of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) signaling in breast cancer limits the response to HDAC inhibition. Mechanistically, HDAC inhibition increases histone acetylation at the LIFR gene promoter, which recruits bromodomain protein BRD4, upregulates LIFR expression, and activates JAK1-STAT3 signaling. Importantly, JAK1 or BRD4 inhibition sensitizes breast cancer to HDAC inhibitors, implicating combination inhibition of HDAC with JAK1 or BRD4 as potential therapies for breast cancer.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Zeng et al. show that HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) promote BRD4-mediated activation of LIFR, which in turn activates JAK1-STAT3 signaling and restrains the efficacy of HDACi in breast cancer. Concurrent inhibition of BRD4 or JAK sensitizes breast cancer, in particular the triple-negative subset, to HDACi.


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Small-Molecule Targeting of E3 Ligase Adaptor SPOP in Kidney Cancer

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Zhong-Qiang Guo, Tong Zheng, Baoen Chen, Cheng Luo, Sisheng Ouyang, Shouzhe Gong, Jiafei Li, Liu-Liang Mao, Fulin Lian, Yong Yang, Yue Huang, Li Li, Jing Lu, Bidong Zhang, Luming Zhou, Hong Ding, Zhiwei Gao, Liqun Zhou, Guoqiang Li, Ran Zhou, Ke Chen, Jingqiu Liu, Yi Wen, Likun Gong, Yuwen Ke, Shang-Dong Yang, Xiao-Bo Qiu, Naixia Zhang, Jin Ren, Dafang Zhong, Cai-Guang Yang, Jiang Liu, Hualiang Jiang
In the cytoplasm of virtually all clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) is overexpressed and misallocated, which may induce proliferation and promote kidney tumorigenesis. In normal cells, however, SPOP is located in the nucleus and induces apoptosis. Here we show that a structure-based design and subsequent hit optimization yield small molecules that can inhibit the SPOP-substrate protein interaction and can suppress oncogenic SPOP-signaling pathways. These inhibitors kill human ccRCC cells that are dependent on oncogenic cytoplasmic SPOP. Notably, these inhibitors minimally affect the viability of other cells in which SPOP is not accumulated in the cytoplasm. Our findings validate the SPOP-substrate protein interaction as an attractive target specific to ccRCC that may yield novel drug discovery efforts.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Using a structure-based design followed by hit optimization, Guo et al. report small-molecule inhibitors that disrupt oncogenic SPOP-mediated pathways by blocking SPOP-substrate interactions and suppress human clear-cell renal cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the potential of SPOP-targeted therapy.


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Targeting p38 or MK2 Enhances the Anti-Leukemic Activity of Smac-Mimetics

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Najoua Lalaoui, Kay Hänggi, Gabriela Brumatti, Diep Chau, Nhu-Y.N. Nguyen, Lazaros Vasilikos, Lisanne M. Spilgies, Denise A. Heckmann, Chunyan Ma, Margherita Ghisi, Jessica M. Salmon, Geoffrey M. Matthews, Elisha de Valle, Donia M. Moujalled, Manoj B. Menon, Sukhdeep Kaur Spall, Stefan P. Glaser, Jennifer Richmond, Richard B. Lock, Stephen M. Condon, Raffi Gugasyan, Matthias Gaestel, Mark Guthridge, Ricky W. Johnstone, Lenka Munoz, Andrew Wei, Paul G. Ekert, David L. Vaux, W. Wei-Lynn Wong, John Silke




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Facilitating T Cell Infiltration in Tumor Microenvironment Overcomes Resistance to PD-L1 Blockade

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Haidong Tang, Yang Wang, Lukasz K. Chlewicki, Yuan Zhang, Jingya Guo, Wei Liang, Jieyi Wang, Xiaoxiao Wang, Yang-Xin Fu




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IDH1, Histone Methylation, and So Forth

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Virginie Penard-Lacronique, Olivier A. Bernard




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An Integrated Model of RAF Inhibitor Action Predicts Inhibitor Activity against Oncogenic BRAF Signaling

Publication date: 12 September 2016
Source:Cancer Cell, Volume 30, Issue 3
Author(s): Zoi Karoulia, Yang Wu, Tamer A. Ahmed, Qisheng Xin, Julien Bollard, Clemens Krepler, Xuewei Wu, Chao Zhang, Gideon Bollag, Meenhard Herlyn, James A. Fagin, Amaia Lujambio, Evripidis Gavathiotis, Poulikos I. Poulikakos




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Clustered double-strand breaks in heterochromatin perturb DNA repair after high linear energy transfer irradiation

Publication date: Available online 13 September 2016
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Yvonne Lorat, Sara Timm, Burkhard Jakob, Gisela Taucher-Scholz, Claudia E. Rübe
Background and purposeHigh linear energy transfer (LET) radiotherapy offers superior dose conformity and biological effectiveness compared with low-LET radiotherapy, representing a promising alternative for radioresistant tumours. A prevailing hypothesis is that energy deposition along the high-LET particle trajectories induces DNA lesions that are more complex and clustered and therefore more challenging to repair. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in radiobiological effects between high-LET and low-LET radiotherapies remain unclear.Material and MethodsHuman fibroblasts were irradiated with high-LET carbon ions or low-LET photons. At 0.5h and 5h post exposure, the DNA-damage pattern in the chromatin ultrastructure was visualised using gold-labelled DNA-repair factors. The induction and repair of single-strand breaks, double-strand breaks (DSBs), and clustered lesions were analysed in combination with terminal dUTP nick-end labelling of DNA breaks.ResultsHigh-LET irradiation induced clustered lesions with multiple DSBs along ion trajectories predominantly in heterochromatic regions. The cluster size increased over time, suggesting inefficient DSB repair. Low-LET irradiation induced many isolated DSBs throughout the nucleus, most of which were efficiently rejoined.ConclusionsThe clustering of DSBs in heterochromatin following high-LET irradiation perturbs efficient DNA repair, leading to greater biological effectiveness of high-LET irradiation versus that of low-LET irradiation.



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