{"title":"Indirect targeting of MYC and direct targeting in combination with chemotherapies are more effective than direct mono-targeting in triple negative breast cancer.","authors":"Negesse Mekonnen, Hobin Yang, Nirmal Rajasekaran, Kyoung Song, Yoon-La Choi, Young Kee Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>MYC amplification is disproportionally elevated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Indeed, MYC has long been considered an undruggable oncogene using conventional drug design strategies or small molecules. We hypothesized that targeting MYC using asymmetric siRNA (asiRNA) alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or indirectly via BRD4 and RRM2, may curb its oncogenic behavior. We developed paclitaxel-, doxorubicin-, and cisplatin-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells to study MYC's role in upregulating DNA repair genes during drug resistance development. Our results showed that the knockdown of either MYC or RRM2 downregulated both RAD51 and PARP1 but increased γH2AX. The cytotoxic effect of RRM2 knockdown was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of direct MYC knockdown. The knockdown of BRD4 was more effective than the direct knockdown of MYC in downregulating MYC protein. The combined use of asiRNA-VP (Vinylphosphonate) with dacomitinib or talazoparib was synthetic lethal in TNBC cell lines. Compared to chemotherapy-sensitive cells, resistant cells showed overexpression of MYC, RRM2, RAD51, and PARP1 proteins upon chemotherapy treatment, but downregulated in cells treated with asiRNA-VP combination. We confirmed that MYC knockdown upregulated cFLIP, BCL2, STAT1, pSTAT1, STAT2, and cleaved saspase-3 in both TNBC and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Finally, we recommend a combination treatment approach that synergizes with MYC inhibition rather than monotherapy or indirect targeting via upstream regulators such as the BRD4 and RRM2 genes or selective modulation at the protein level to suppress anti-apoptotic genes (cFLIP and BCL2) at the same time.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"51 ","pages":"102204"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142780964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Translational OncologyPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2024-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102230
Tinghui Huang, Xudong Ao, Jie Liu, Chuancheng Sun, Yunfei Dong, Xuechen Yin, Yan Zhang, Xinping Wang, Wenying Li, Jiujiu Cao, Feiyan Pan, Zhigang Hu, Zhigang Guo, Lingfeng He
{"title":"m6A methyltransferase METTL3 promotes non-small-cell lung carcinoma progression by inhibiting the RIG-I-MAVS innate immune pathway.","authors":"Tinghui Huang, Xudong Ao, Jie Liu, Chuancheng Sun, Yunfei Dong, Xuechen Yin, Yan Zhang, Xinping Wang, Wenying Li, Jiujiu Cao, Feiyan Pan, Zhigang Hu, Zhigang Guo, Lingfeng He","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our experimental study showed that METTL3 was highly expressed in NSCLC cells and promoted the growth of tumor cells. METTL3 takes N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as the main means of mRNA modification to control the expression and function of RIG-I-MAVS signalling pathway. RIG-I-MAVS constitute the first line frontier in the innate immune defense of human cells. Activation of RIG-I-MAVS signaling can inhibit tumor cell growth and activate the immune microenvironment. Our experimental data reveal that lung cancer cells utilize METTL3-mediated methylation modifications to inhibit the activation of RIG-I-MAVS signaling pathway and immune responses. Our work provides new ideas for biotherapy and immunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"51 ","pages":"102230"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142772676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"4'-Demethylpodophyllotoxin functions as a mechanism-driven therapy by targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway in Colorectal cancer.","authors":"Jun Liu, Dandong Luo, Xiaochuan Chen, Jiaqi Liu, Junxiong Chen, Mengchen Shi, Haiyan Dong, Yucheng Xu, Xinyou Wang, Zhaoliang Yu, Huanliang Liu, Yanchun Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102199","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) poses significant challenges in terms of drug resistance and poor prognosis, necessitating the exploration of effective therapeutic strategies. In this study, high-throughput drug screening was utilized to identify Chinese herbal medicines with notable therapeutic effects on CRC. Among the compounds identified, 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin (DOP), a derivative of podophyllotoxin, emerged as a potent anti-cancer compound. DOP exhibited time- and dose-dependent growth inhibition on CRC cell lines and tumor organoids derived from patients. RNA-seq revealed that DOP activated the PI3K-AKT pathway, leading to tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Additionally, DOP induced DNA damage in CRC cells. To further validate its therapeutic efficacy in CRC, the DLD1-derived xenograft model demonstrated that DOP effectively suppressed CRC growth in vivo. In conclusion, these findings highlight the significant therapeutic potential of DOP as an anti-tumor drug for treating CRC, thereby opening new avenues for investigating Podophyllotoxin derivatives in this specific field.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"51 ","pages":"102199"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142780960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ANGPTL3 overcomes sorafenib resistance via suppression of SNAI1 and CPT1A in liver cancer.","authors":"Yang-Hsiang Lin, Cheng-Yi Chen, Hsiang-Cheng Chi, Meng-Han Wu, Ming-Wei Lai, Chau-Ting Yeh","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102250","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102250","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Liver cancer, encompassing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoblastoma, the latter of which primarily occurs in early childhood, is the most common malignant tumor arising from liver and is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Targeted drugs have been used for anti-liver cancer treatment in the advanced stage, while their efficacy is greatly compromised by development of drug resistance. Drug resistance is a complicated process regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic signals and has been associated with poorer prognosis in cancer patients. In the current study, online available dataset analysis uncovered that angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) manifested lower expression in sorafenib-resistant liver cancer cell lines. Additionally, ANGPTL3 was downregulated in HCC tissues, with its expression positively correlated with good prognosis. Functionally, ectopic expression of ANGPTL3 re-sensitized sorafenib-resistant cells, enhancing the sorafenib-induced reduction in cell viability and migration by suppressing zinc finger protein SNAI1 (SNAI1) expression and the protein stability of carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase 1, liver isoform (CPT1A). Clinical correlation analysis revealed that ANGPTL3 was negatively associated with SNAI1 expression. In conclusion, we identify a novel association between ANGPTL3, SNAI1 and CPT1A on sorafenib therapeutic response. Targeting ANGPTL3/SNAI1/CPT1A axis may serve as a therapeutic approach to improve prognosis of liver cancer patients with sorafenib resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"52 ","pages":"102250"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142872836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yasmin F Melzer, Nadine L Fergen, Christian Mess, Julia-Christina Stadler, Glenn Geidel, Ysabel A Schwietzer, Julian Kött, Klaus Pantel, Stefan W Schneider, Jochen Utikal, Ewa Wladykowski, Sabine Vidal-Y-Sy, Alexander T Bauer, Christoffer Gebhardt
{"title":"Evaluation of S100A8/A9 and neutrophils as prognostic markers in metastatic melanoma patients under immune-checkpoint inhibition.","authors":"Yasmin F Melzer, Nadine L Fergen, Christian Mess, Julia-Christina Stadler, Glenn Geidel, Ysabel A Schwietzer, Julian Kött, Klaus Pantel, Stefan W Schneider, Jochen Utikal, Ewa Wladykowski, Sabine Vidal-Y-Sy, Alexander T Bauer, Christoffer Gebhardt","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized melanoma treatment, yet approximately half of patients do not respond to these therapies. Identifying prognostic biomarkers is crucial for treatment decisions. Our retrospective study assessed liquid biopsies and tumor tissue analyses for two potential biomarkers: danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) S100A8/A9 and its source, neutrophils. In 43 metastatic unresected stage III/IV melanoma patients, elevated serum levels of S100A8/A9 and neutrophils before and during ICI treatment correlated with worse outcomes. Furthermore, in 113 melanoma patients, neutrophil expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) was associated with relapse and reduced survival. Measuring S100A8/A9 and neutrophils could enhance immunotherapy monitoring by predicting impaired clinical outcomes and non-response to ICIs. Serum S100A8/A9 levels and neutrophil counts at baseline (T0) and during treatment (T3) correlated with reduced progression-free survival (PFS). Elevated S100A8/A9 levels at T0 and T3 negatively impacted overall survival (OS). Notably, neutrophil infiltration was more prevalent in primary melanomas than in nevi and metastases, and its presence in primary melanomas was linked to poorer survival. S100A8/A9 serum levels, neutrophil counts, and tumor-associated neutrophil infiltration represent promising biomarkers for predicting treatment response and clinical outcomes in melanoma patients receiving ICIs. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings underscore the critical need for reliable biomarkers in melanoma research, particularly for predicting responses to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Identifying S100A8/A9 levels and neutrophil infiltration as potential indicators of treatment outcomes offers valuable insights for personalized therapy decisions. By enhancing monitoring and prognosis assessment, these biomarkers contribute to refining treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. This research bridges gaps in understanding melanoma response mechanisms and highlights avenues for further investigation into immune-related markers, fostering advancements in precision medicine for melanoma patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"52 ","pages":"102224"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142865251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design of a humanized CD40 agonist antibody with specific properties using AlphaFold2 and development of an anti-PD-L1/CD40 bispecific antibody for cancer immunotherapy.","authors":"Kun Du, He Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Challenges in immunotherapy include inefficient early events in the immune response cycle, such as antigen presentation and T cell priming. Background stimulation of CD40 with agonistic antibodies is a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Assisted by Alphafold2(AlphaFold-Multimer), we developed a humanized CD40 agonistic antibody that exhibits activation only in the presence of cross-linking. It also demonstrates that the current AlphaFold2(AlphaFold2-Multimer) can predict antibody-antigen complexes. Due to the unique epitope, it demonstrates superior activation compared to APX005M (S267E). Building upon this, we created a novel bispecific antibody (anti-PD-L1/CD40 bispecific antibody, referred to as \"BA4415\") designed to activate CD40 signaling specifically in the context of PD-L1 while simultaneously blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling. Results from functional evaluations using effector cells revealed the superior biological activity of BA4415 compared to the combination of each monoclonal antibody. BA4415 demonstrated the ability to enhance T-cell cytokine release in vitro assays, exhibiting superior functional attributes compared to the anti-PD-L1 antibody. Furthermore, in humanized transgenic mice challenged with huPD-L1-expressing tumor cells, BA4415 induced superior anti-tumor activity. This novel anti-PD-L1/CD40 bispecific antibody holds potential for strong anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy by selectively restricting CD40 stimulation in tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"52 ","pages":"102247"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142855563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jinxia Cao, Bin Hu, Tianqi Li, Dan Fang, Ling Jiang, Jun Wang
{"title":"Cellular heterogeneity and cytokine signatures in acute myeloid leukemia: A novel prognostic model.","authors":"Jinxia Cao, Bin Hu, Tianqi Li, Dan Fang, Ling Jiang, Jun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a complex hematological malignancy distinguished by its heterogeneity in genetic aberrations, cellular composition, and clinical outcomes. This diversity complicates the development of effective, universally applicable therapeutic strategies and highlights the necessity for personalized approaches to treatment. In our study, we utilized high-resolution single-cell RNA sequencing from publicly available datasets to dissect the complex cellular landscape of AML. This approach uncovered a diverse array of cellular subpopulations within the bone marrow samples of AML patients. Through meticulous analysis, we identified 156 differentially expressed cytokine-related genes that underscore the nuanced interplay between AML cells and their microenvironment. Leveraging this comprehensive dataset, we constructed a prognostic risk score model based on seven pivotal cytokine-related genes: CCL23, IL2RA, IL3RA, IL6R, INHBA, TNFSF15, and TNFSF18. The mRNA levels of 7 genes in the risk score model have significant different. This model was rigorously validated across several independent AML patient cohorts, showcasing its robust prognostic capability to stratify patients into distinct risk categories. Patients classified under the high-risk category exhibited significantly poorer survival outcomes compared to their low-risk counterparts, underscoring the model's clinical relevance. Additionally, our in-depth investigation into the immune landscape revealed marked differences in immune cell infiltration and cytokine signaling between the identified risk groups, shedding light on potential immune-mediated mechanisms driving disease progression and treatment resistance. This comprehensive analysis not only advances our understanding of the cellular and molecular underpinnings of AML but also introduces a novel, clinically applicable risk score model. This tool holds significant promise for enhancing the precision of prognostic assessments in AML, thereby paving the way for more tailored and effective therapeutic interventions. Our findings represent a pivotal step toward the realization of personalized medicine in the management of AML, offering new avenues for research and treatment optimization in this challenging disease landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":23244,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"52 ","pages":"102194"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142847623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}