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| 2. |
- Ageberg, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Identification of a novel and myeloid specific role of the leukemia-associated fusion protein DEK-NUP214 leading to increased protein synthesis.
- 2008
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In: Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 47, s. 276-287
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The t(6;9)(p22;q34) chromosomal translocation is found in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The translocation results in a fusion between the nuclear phosphoprotein DEK and the nucleoporin NUP214 (previously CAN). The mechanism by which the fusion protein DEK-NUP214 contributes to leukemia development has not been identified, and disruptions of normal cellular functions by DEK-NUP214 have previously not been described. In the present study, a novel effect of the DEK-NUP214 fusion protein is demonstrated. Our findings reveal a substantial increase in global protein synthesis in DEK-NUP214 expressing cells. Furthermore, we conclude that this effect is not the result of dysregulated transcription but merely due to increased translation. Consistent with the association with AML, the increased protein synthesis mediated by DEK-NUP214 is restricted to cells of the myeloid lineage. Analysis of potential mechanisms for regulating protein synthesis shows that expression of DEK-NUP214 correlates to the phosphorylation of the translation initiation protein, EIF4E. The present data provide evidence that increase of translational activity constitutes a mechanism by which the leukemogenic effect of DEK-NUP124 may be mediated. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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| 3. |
- Ageberg, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Inhibition of geranylgeranylation mediates sensitivity to CHOP-induced cell death of DLBCL cell lines.
- 2011
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In: Experimental Cell Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2422 .- 0014-4827. ; 317, s. 1179-1191
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prenylation is a post-translational hydrophobic modification of proteins, important for their membrane localization and biological function. The use of inhibitors of prenylation has proven to be a useful tool in the activation of apoptotic pathways in tumor cell lines. Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (Rab GGT) is responsible for the prenylation of the Rab family. Overexpression of Rab GGTbeta has been identified in CHOP refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Using a cell line- based model for CHOP resistant DLBCL, we show that treatment with simvastatin, which inhibits protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, sensitises DLBCL cells to cytotoxic treatment. Treatment with the farnesyl transferase inhibitor, FTI-277, or the geranylgeranyl transferase I inhibitor, GGTI-298, indicates that the reduction in cell viability was restricted to inhibition of geranylgeranylation. In addition, treatment with BMS1, a combined inhibitor of farnesyl transferase and Rab GGT, resulted in a high cytostatic effect in WSU-NHL cells, demonstrated by reduced cell viability and decreased proliferation. Co-treatment of BMS1 or GGTI-298 with CHOP showed synergistic effects with regard to markers of apoptosis. We propose that inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation together with conventional cytostatic therapy is a potential novel strategy for treating patients with CHOP refractory DLBCL.
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| 4. |
- Ageberg, Malin, et al.
(author)
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The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid sensitizes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines to CHOP-induced cell death.
- 2013
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In: American Journal of Translational Research. - 1943-8141. ; 5:2, s. 170-183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Epigenetic code modifications by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) have recently been proposed as potential new therapies for hematological malignancies. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of aggressive lymphoma. At present, standard first line treatment for DLBCL patients is the antracycline-based chemotherapy regimen CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) combined with the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (R-CHOP). Since only 50-60% of patients reach a long-time cure by this treatment, there is an urgent need for novel treatment strategies to increase the response and long-term remission to initial R-CHOP therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on DLBCL cell lines. To elucidate the effects of VPA on chemo-sensitivity, we used a cell-line based model of CHOP-refractory DLBCL. All five DLBCL cell lines treated with VPA alone or in combination with CHOP showed decreased viability and proliferation. The VPA-induced sensitization of DLBCL cells to cytotoxic treatment resulted in increased number of apoptotic cell as judged by annexin V-positivity and the presence of cleaved caspase-3. In addition, pretreatment with VPA resulted in a significantly increased DNA-damage as compared to CHOP alone. In summary, HDAC inhibitors such as VPA, are promising therapeutic agents in combination with R-CHOP for patients with DLBCL.
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| 5. |
- Alzrigat, Mohammad
(author)
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Targeted Inhibition of Polycomb Repressive Complexes in Multiple Myeloma : Implications for Biology and Therapy
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy of antibody producing plasmablasts/plasma cells. MM is characterized by extensive genetic and clonal heterogeneity, which have hampered the attempts to identify a common underlying mechanism for disease establishment and development of appropriate treatment regimes. This thesis is focused on understanding the role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression mediated by the polycomb repressive complexes 1 and 2 (PRC1 and 2) in MM and their impact on disease biology and therapy.In paper I the genome-wide distribution of two histone methylation marks; H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 were studied in plasma cells isolated from newly diagnosed MM patients or age-matched normal donors. We were able to define targets of H3K27me3, H3K4me3 and bivalent (carry both marks) which are, when compared to normal individuals, unique to MM patients. The presence of H3K27me3 correlated with silencing of MM unique H3K27me3 targets in MM patients at advanced stages of the disease. Notably, the expression pattern of H3K27me3-marked genes correlated with poor patient survival. We also showed that inhibition of the PRC2 enzymatic subunit EZH2 using highly selective inhibitors (GSK343 and UNC1999) demonstrated anti-myeloma activity using relevant in vitro models of MM. These data suggest an important role for gene repression mediated by PRC2 in MM, and highlights the PRC2 component EZH2 as a potential therapeutic target in MM.In paper II we further explored the therapeutic potential of UNC1999, a highly selective inhibitor of EZH2 in MM. We showed that EZH2 inhibition by UNC1999 downregulated important MM oncogenes; IRF-4, XBP-1, BLIMP-1and c-MYC. These oncogenes have been previously shown to be crucial for disease establishment, growth and progression. We found that EZH2 inhibition reactivated the expression of microRNAs genes previously found to be underexpressed in MM and which possess potential tumor suppressor functions. Among the reactivated microRNAs we identified miR-125a-3p and miR-320c as predicted negative regulators of the MM-associated oncogenes. Notably, we defined miR-125a-3p and miR-320c as targets of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in MM cell lines and patients samples. These findings described for the first time PRC2/EZH2/H3K27me3 as regulators of microRNA with tumor suppressor functions in MM. This further strengthens the oncogenic features of EZH2 and its potential as a therapeutic target in MM.In paper III we evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting PRC1 in MM using the recently developed chemical PTC-209; an inhibitor targeting the BMI-1 subunit of PRC1. Using MM cell lines and primary cells isolated from newly diagnosed or relapsed MM patients, we found that PTC-209 has a potent anti-MM activity. We showed, for the first time in MM, that PTC-209 anti-MM effects were mediated by on-target effects i.e. downregulation of BMI-1 protein and the associated repressive histone mark H2AK119ub, but that other subunits of the PRC1 complex were not affected. We showed that PTC-209 reduced MM cell viability via significant induction of apoptosis. More importantly, we demonstrated that PTC-209 shows synergistic anti-MM activity with other epigenetic inhibitors targeting EZH2 (UNC1999) and BET-bromodomains (JQ1). This work highlights the potential use of BMI-1 and PRC1 as potential therapeutic targets in MM alone or in combination with other anti-MM agents including epigenetic inhibitors.
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| 6. |
- Belfrage, Emma, et al.
(author)
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Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients With Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome (BIO-MUSE) : Protocol for a Translational Study
- 2024
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In: JMIR Research Protocols. - 1929-0748. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare group of lymphomas that primarily affects the skin. Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of CTCL and Sézary syndrome (SS) is more infrequent. Early stages (IA-IIA) have a favorable prognosis, while advanced stages (IIB-IVB) have a worse prognosis. Around 25% of patients with early stages of the disease will progress to advanced stages. Malignant skin-infiltrating T-cells in CTCL are accompanied by infiltrates of nonmalignant T-cells and other immune cells that produce cytokines that modulate the inflammation. Skin infection, often with Staphylococcus aureus, is frequent in advanced stages and can lead to sepsis and death. S. aureus has also been reported to contribute to the progression of the disease. Previous reports indicate a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine production and dysfunction of the skin barrier in CTCL. Treatment response is highly variable and often unpredictable, and there is a need for new predictive and prognostic biomarkers.OBJECTIVE: This prospective translational study aims to identify prognostic biomarkers in the blood and skin of patients with MF and SS.METHODS: The Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients With MF and SS (BIO-MUSE) study aims to recruit 120 adult patients with MF or SS and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers. The treatments will be given according to clinical routine. The sampling of each patient will be performed every 3 months for 3 years. The blood samples will be analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase, immunoglobulin E, interleukins, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, and lymphocyte subpopulations. The lymphoma microenvironment will be investigated through digital spatial profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing. Microbiological sampling and analysis of skin barrier function will be performed. The life quality parameters will be evaluated. The results will be evaluated by the stage of the disease.RESULTS: Patient inclusion started in 2021 and is still ongoing in 2023, with 18 patients and 20 healthy controls enrolled. The publication of selected translational findings before the publication of the main results of the trial is accepted.CONCLUSIONS: This study aims to investigate blood and skin with a focus on immune cells and the microbiological environment to identify potential new prognostic biomarkers in MF and SS.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04904146; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04904146.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55723.
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| 7. |
- Drott, Kristina
(author)
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How can p53 induce differentiation of leukemic cells?
- 2001
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The terminal differentiation of leukemic cells is closely connected to their death. The concept of differentiation therapy originates from the idea that forced maturation of leukemic cells could induce cell death without the side-effects that are provoked by ordinary chemotherapy. The tumour suppressor protein p53 is a transcription factor, and can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of malignant cells. Importantly, p53 is also known to induce differentiation in many different tissues including leukemic cells. Thus, to restore p53-dependent pathways for differentiation is an attractive approach in the development of a functional differentiation therapy. However, further knowledge is necessary in order to realise such a concept. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to better understand the pathways for p53-mediated differentiation of leukemic cells. To that end, a temperature inducible p53 mutant (ptsp53) was overexpressed in erythroleukemic K562 cells and monoblastic U-937-4 cells. We show that induced expression of p53 facilitates erythroid but not megakaryocytoid differentiation. Moreover, p53 can induce differentiation of U-937-4 cells in spite of inhibition of p53-mediated apoptosis as mediated by bcl-2. Also, the amount of active p53 seems to determine whether p53 will induce apoptosis or differentiation. In addition, p53-mediated differentiation depends on the transcription regulatory capacity of p53, but the p53 target gene p21 does not seem to be the key molecule mediating p53-induced differentiation. The Wilms tumour protein WT1 binds to p53, modulating its functions. Our data demonstrate that WT1 interferes with the differentiation of monoblastic U-937-4 cells, suggesting that WT1 could have a role in the differentiation block of acute leukemia. In conclusion, our data speak in favour of development of differentiation therapy based on p53-dependent differentiation pathways.
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| 8. |
- Drott, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Valproate in combination with rituximab and CHOP as first-line therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (VALFRID)
- 2018
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In: Blood Advances. - : American Society of Hematology. - 2473-9529 .- 2473-9537. ; 2:12, s. 1386-1392
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims of the present study were to establish the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproate together with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A phase 1 dose escalation study of valproate together with R-CHOP followed by a dose expansion study using the established MTD of valproate was performed. MTD of valproate together with R-CHOP was established at 60 mg/kg per day, as higher doses resulted in auditory adverse events (AEs). In the study population, 2-year progression-free survival was 84.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.2%-98%). The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 96.8% (n = 31; 95% CI, 90.8%-100%). These data were compared with 2 risk-factor matched populations of R-CHOP-treated patients from the Swedish Lymphoma Registry (cohort A, n = 330 and B, n = 165). As compared with the matched cohorts, we observed a statistically significant (P = .034 and 0.028, respectively) beneficial effect of the addition of valproate to R-CHOP on the OS in the studied population. In conclusion, addition of valproate to R-CHOP is a feasible strategy in first-line treatment of DLBCL. The proposed phase 2 dose is 60 mg/kg per day together with prednisone. Auditory AEs were unexpected and warrant close monitoring. Our findings suggest that drugs that target histone deacetylation may add benefit and are tolerable when combined with standard R-CHOP in DLBCL. The phase 1 trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01622439.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Kalliara, Eirini, et al.
(author)
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Spatially Guided and Single Cell Tools to Map the Microenvironment in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
- 2023
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In: Cancers. - 2072-6694. ; 15:8, s. 1-15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are two closely related clinical variants of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Previously demonstrated large patient-to-patient and intra-patient disease heterogeneity underpins the importance of personalized medicine in CTCL. Advanced stages of CTCL are characterized by dismal prognosis, and the early identification of patients who will progress remains a clinical unmet need. While the exact molecular events underlying disease progression are poorly resolved, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as an important driver. In particular, the Th1-to-Th2 shift in the immune response is now commonly identified across advanced-stage CTCL patients. Herein, we summarize the role of the TME in CTCL evolution and the latest studies in deciphering inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity. We introduce spatially resolved omics as a promising technology to advance immune-oncology efforts in CTCL. We propose the combined implementation of spatially guided and single-cell omics technologies in paired skin and blood samples. Such an approach will mediate in-depth profiling of phenotypic and molecular changes in reactive immune subpopulations and malignant T cells preceding the Th1-to-Th2 shift and reveal mechanisms underlying disease progression from skin-limited to systemic disease that collectively will lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers to improve patient prognostication and the design of personalized treatment strategies.
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