Hot off the presses! Oct 18 Cancer Cell

The Oct 18 issue of the Cancer Cell is now up on Pubget (About Cancer Cell): if you're at a subscribing institution, just click the link in the latest link at the home page. (Note you'll only be able to get all the PDFs in the issue if your institution subscribes to Pubget.)

Latest Articles Include:

• Location, Location, Location: FoxM1 Mediates β-Catenin Nuclear Translocation and Promotes Glioma Tumorigenesis
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):415-416 (2011)
  Genetic alterations in the Wnt/β-catenin/TCF-signaling pathway are commonly found in human tumors, but not in glioblastomas. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Zhang et al. report that FoxM1 mediates β-catenin nuclear translocation in glioblastoma, suggesting a novel mechanism for glioblastoma progression in the absence of conventional Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation.
• RAIDDing ER Stress for Oncolytic Viral Therapy
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):416-418 (2011)
  Oncolytic viruses exploit molecular differences between normal and cancer cells to selectively kill the latter. Results of a synthetic lethal screen described in this issue of Cancer Cell demonstrate that components of the unfolded protein response (UPR) limit virus-induced tumor cell killing and identify a strategy to utilize this knowledge.
• Succination of Keap1 and Activation of Nrf2-Dependent Antioxidant Pathways in FH-Deficient Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Type 2
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):418-420 (2011)
  Fumarate hydratase (FH) is a tumor suppressor, but how it acts is unclear. Two reports in this issue of Cancer Cell reveal that FH deficiency leads to succination of Keap1, stabilization of Nrf2, and induction of stress-response genes including HMOX1, which is important for the survival of FH-deficient cells.
• The Spliceosome as an Indicted Conspirator in Myeloid Malignancies
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):420-422 (2011)
  Reports of whole-exome sequencing in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients by Yoshida et al. and Papaemmanuil et al. suggest spliceosome mutations have clinical relevance. Identifying the impact of these mutations on MDS pathogenesis holds promise for therapeutic modulation of mRNA splicing.
• Resistance to EGFR-Targeted Therapy: A Family Affair
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):423-425 (2011)
  The EGFR-directed antibody cetuximab has proven, albeit modest, clinical benefit as monotherapy in head and neck and colorectal cancers. In a recent study, Yonesaka et al. uncovered a new mechanism of cetuximab resistance mediated by increased ERBB2 signaling via amplification of ERBB2 or increased levels of the ERBB3/ERBB4 ligand heregulin.
• FoxM1 Promotes β-Catenin Nuclear Localization and Controls Wnt Target-Gene Expression and Glioma Tumorigenesis
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):427-442 (2011)
  Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for stem cell regulation and tumorigenesis, but its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we report that FoxM1 is a downstream component of Wnt signaling and is critical for β-catenin transcriptional function in tumor cells. Wnt3a increases the level and nuclear translocation of FoxM1, which binds directly to β-catenin and enhances β-catenin nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. Genetic deletion of FoxM1 in immortalized neural stem cells abolishes β-catenin nuclear localization. FoxM1 mutations that disrupt the FoxM1–β-catenin interaction or FoxM1 nuclear import prevent β-catenin nuclear accumulation in tumor cells. FoxM1–β-catenin interaction controls Wnt target gene expression, is required for glioma formation, and represents a mechanism for canonical Wnt signaling during tumorigenesis.
• Virus-Tumor Interactome Screen Reveals ER Stress Response Can Reprogram Resistant Cancers for Oncolytic Virus-Triggered Caspase-2 Cell Death
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):443-456 (2011)
  To identify therapeutic opportunities for oncolytic viral therapy, we conducted genome-wide RNAi screens to search for host factors that modulate rhabdoviral oncolysis. Our screens uncovered the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathways as important modulators of rhabdovirus-mediated cytotoxicity. Further investigation revealed an unconventional mechanism whereby ER stress response inhibition preconditioned cancer cells, which sensitized them to caspase-2-dependent apoptosis induced by a subsequent rhabdovirus infection. Importantly, this mechanism was tumor cell specific, selectively increasing potency of the oncolytic virus by up to 10,000-fold. In vivo studies using a small molecule inhibitor of IRE1α showed dramatically improved oncolytic efficacy in resistant tumor models. Our study demonstrates proof of concept for using functional genomics to improve biotherapeutic agents for cancer.
• Androgen Receptor Gene Expression in Prostate Cancer Is Directly Suppressed by the Androgen Receptor Through Recruitment of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):457-471 (2011)
  Androgen receptor (AR) is reactivated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) through mechanisms including marked increases in AR gene expression. We identify an enhancer in the AR second intron contributing to increased AR expression at low androgen levels in CRPC. Moreover, at increased androgen levels, the AR binds this site and represses AR gene expression through recruitment of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and H3K4me1,2 demethylation. AR similarly represses expression of multiple genes mediating androgen synthesis, DNA synthesis, and proliferation while stimulating genes mediating lipid and protein biosynthesis. Androgen levels in CRPC appear adequate to stimulate AR activity on enhancer elements, but not suppressor elements, resulting in increased expression of AR and AR repressed genes that contribute to cellular proliferation.
• A Two-in-One Antibody against HER3 and EGFR Has Superior Inhibitory Activity Compared with Monospecific Antibodies
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):472-486 (2011)
  Extensive crosstalk among ErbB/HER receptors suggests that blocking signaling from more than one family member may be essential to effectively treat cancer and limit drug resistance. We generated a conventional IgG molecule MEHD7945A with dual HER3/EGFR specificity by phage display engineering and used structural and mutational studies to understand how a single antigen recognition surface binds two epitopes with high affinity. As a human IgG1, MEHD7945A exhibited dual action by inhibiting EGFR- and HER3-mediated signaling in vitro and in vivo and the ability to engage immune effector functions. Compared with monospecific anti-HER antibodies, MEHD7945A was more broadly efficacious in multiple tumor models, showing that combined inhibition of EGFR and HER3 with a single antibody is beneficial.
• SIRT2 Maintains Genome Integrity and Suppresses Tumorigenesis through Regulating APC/C Activity
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):487-499 (2011)
  Members of sirtuin family regulate multiple critical biological processes, yet their role in carcinogenesis remains controversial. To investigate the physiological functions of SIRT2 in development and tumorigenesis, we disrupted Sirt2 in mice. We demonstrated that SIRT2 regulates the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome activity through deacetylation of its coactivators, APCCDH1 and CDC20. SIRT2 deficiency caused increased levels of mitotic regulators, including Aurora-A and -B that direct centrosome amplification, aneuploidy, and mitotic cell death. Sirt2-deficient mice develop gender-specific tumorigenesis, with females primarily developing mammary tumors, and males developing more hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Human breast cancers and HCC samples exhibited reduced SIRT2 levels compared with normal tissues. These data demonstrate that SIRT2 is a tumor suppressor through its role in regulating mitosis and genome integrity.
• The Metabolic Regulator ERRα, a Downstream Target of HER2/IGF-1R, as a Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):500-510 (2011)
  A genomic signature designed to assess the activity of the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) was used to profile more than 800 breast tumors, revealing a shorter disease-free survival in patients with tumors exhibiting elevated receptor activity. Importantly, this signature also predicted the ability of an ERRα antagonist, XCT790, to inhibit proliferation in cellular models of breast cancer. Using a chemical genomic approach, it was determined that activation of the Her2/IGF-1R signaling pathways and subsequent C-MYC stabilization upregulate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 beta (PGC-1β), an obligate cofactor for ERRα activity. PGC-1β knockdown in breast cancer cells impaired ERRα signaling and reduced cell proliferation, implicating a functional role for PGC-1β/ERRα in the pathogenesis of breast cancers.
• An Antioxidant Response Phenotype Shared between Hereditary and Sporadic Type 2 Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):511-523 (2011)
  Fumarate hydratase (FH) mutation causes hereditary type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC2). The main effect of FH mutation is fumarate accumulation. The current paradigm posits that the main consequence of fumarate accumulation is HIF-α stabilization. Paradoxically, FH mutation differs from other HIF-α stabilizing mutations, such as VHL and SDH mutations, in its associated tumor types. We identified that fumarate can directly up-regulate antioxidant response element (ARE)–controlled genes. We demonstrated that aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is an ARE-controlled gene and is up-regulated upon FH knockdown as well as in FH null cell lines. AKR1B10 overexpression is also a prominent feature in both hereditary and sporadic PRCC2. This phenotype better explains the similarities between hereditary and sporadic PRCC2.
• Renal Cyst Formation in Fh1-Deficient Mice Is Independent of the Hif/Phd Pathway: Roles for Fumarate in KEAP1 Succination and Nrf2 Signaling
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):524-537 (2011)
  The Krebs cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase (FH) is a human tumor suppressor whose inactivation is associated with the development of leiomyomata, renal cysts, and tumors. It has been proposed that activation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) by fumarate-mediated inhibition of HIF prolyl hydroxylases drives oncogenesis. Using a mouse model, we provide genetic evidence that Fh1-associated cyst formation is Hif independent, as is striking upregulation of antioxidant signaling pathways revealed by gene expression profiling. Mechanistic analysis revealed that fumarate modifies cysteine residues within the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), abrogating its ability to repress the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant response pathway, suggesting a role for Nrf2 dysregulation in FH-associated cysts and tumors.
• Macrophage Binding to Receptor VCAM-1 Transmits Survival Signals in Breast Cancer Cells that Invade the Lungs
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):538-549 (2011)
  Aberrant expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in breast cancer cells is associated with lung relapse, but the role of VCAM-1 as a mediator of metastasis has remained unknown. We report that VCAM-1 provides a survival advantage to breast cancer cells that infiltrate leukocyte-rich microenvironments such as the lungs. VCAM-1 tethers metastasis-associated macrophages to cancer cells via counter-receptor α4-integrins. Clustering of cell surface VCAM-1, acting through Ezrin, triggers Akt activation and protects cancer cells from proapoptotic cytokines such as TRAIL. This prosurvival function of VCAM-1 can be blocked by antibodies against α4-integrins. Thus, newly disseminated cancer cells expressing VCAM-1 can thrive in leukocyte-rich microenvironments through juxtacrine activation of a VCAM-1–Ezrin-PI3K/Akt survival pathway.
• LKB1 and Src: Antagonistic Regulators of Tumor Growth and Metastasis
  - Cancer Cell 20(4):550 (2011)