Olfactory Receptor Family 7 Subfamily C Member 1 Is a Novel Marker of Colon Cancer-Initiating Cells and Is a Potent Target of Immunotherapy.

PURPOSE: Cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are thought to be essential for tumor maintenance, recurrence, and distant metastasis, and they are therefore reasonable targets for cancer therapy. Cancer immunotherapy is a novel approach to target cancer. In this study, we aimed to establish novel CIC-targeting immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Colorectal cancer (CRC) CICs were isolated as side population (SP) cells. The gene expression profile of CRC CICs was analyzed by cDNA microarray and RT-PCR. Protein expression of olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily C member 1 (OR7C1) were analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The functions of OR7C1 were analyzed by gene overexpression and gene knockdown using siRNAs. OR7C1-positive cells were isolated by a flow cytometer and analyzed. CTLs specific for OR7C1 peptide were generated, and the antitumor effect was addressed by mice adoptive transfer model. RESULTS: OR7C1 has essential roles in the maintenance of colon CICs, and the OR7C1-positive population showed higher tumorigenicity than that of the OR7C1-negative population, indicating that OR7C1 is a novel functional marker for colon CIC. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that OR7C1 high expression was correlated with poorer prognosis in CRC patients. OR7C1-derived antigenic peptide-specific CTLs showed specific cytotoxicity for CICs, and an OR7C1-specific CTL clone showed a greater antitumor effect than did a CTL clone targeting all cancer cells in a CTL adoptive transfer mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: OR7C1 is a novel marker for colon CICs and can be a target of potent CIC-targeting immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3298-309. ©2016 AACR.

Expression and function of FERMT genes in colon carcinoma cells.

Invasion into the matrix is one of hallmarks of malignant diseases and is the first step for tumor metastasis. Thus, analysis of the molecular mechanisms of invasion is essential to overcome tumor cell invasion. In the present study, we screened for colon carcinoma-specific genes using a cDNA microarray database of colon carcinoma tissues and normal colon tissues, and we found that fermitin family member-1 (FERMT1) is overexpressed in colon carcinoma cells. FRRMT1, FERMT2 and FERMT3 expression was investigated in colon carcinoma cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that only FERMT1 had cancer cell-specific expression. Protein expression of FERMT1 was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. To address the molecular functions of FERMT genes in colon carcinoma cells, we established FERMT1-, FERMT2- and FERMT3-overexpressing colon carcinoma cells. FERMT1-overexpressing cells exhibited greater invasive ability than did FERMT2- and FERMT3-overexpressing cells. On the other hand, FERMT1-, FERMT2- and FERMT3-overexpressing cells exhibited enhancement of cell growth. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that FERMT1 is expressed specifically in colon carcinoma cells, and has roles in matrix invasion and cell growth. These findings indicate that FERMT1 is a potential molecular target for cancer therapy.

DNA methyltransferase 1 is essential for initiation of the colon cancers.

DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is essential for the maintenance of hematopoietic and somatic stem cells in mice; however, its roles in human cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are still elusive. In the present study, we investigated DNMT1 functions in the maintenance of human colon CSCs/CICs using the human colon cancer cell line HCT116 (HCT116 w/t) and its DNMT1 knockout cell line (DNMT1(-/-)). The rates of CSCs/CICs were evaluated by side population (SP) analysis, ALDEFLUOR assay and expression of CD44 and CD24. SP, ALDEFLUOR-positive (ALDEFLUOR(+)) and CD44-positive and CD24-positive (CD44(+)CD24(+)) cell rates were lower in DNMT1(-/-) cells than in HCT116 w/t cells. Since CSCs/CICs have higher tumor-initiating ability than that of non-CSCs/CICs, the tumor-initiating abilities were addressed by injecting immune deficient (NOD/SCID) mice. DNMT1(-/-) cells showed less tumor-initiating ability than did HCT116 w/t cells, whereas the growing rate of DNMT1(-/-) cells showed no significant difference from that of HCT116 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Similar results were obtained for cells in which DNMT1 had been transiently knocked-down using gene-specific siRNAs. Taken together, these results indicate that DNMT1 is essential for maintenance of colon CSCs/CICs and that short-term suppression of DNMT1 might be sufficient to disrupt CSCs/CICs.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes: Sniping cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are characterized as a small population of cancer cells that have high tumor-initiating ability. CSCs/CICs are resistant to several cancer therapies, and eradication of CSCs/CICs is essential to cure cancer. How can we eradicate CSCs/CICs? Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) might be a promising answer.

SOX2 is overexpressed in stem-like cells of human lung adenocarcinoma and augments the tumorigenicity.

Recently, the SOX2 gene has been reported to be amplified in human lung squamous cell carcinomas. However, its roles in human lung adenocarcinomas are still elusive. In this study, we analyzed the functions of SOX2 in cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) derived from human lung adenocarcinoma. Human lung CSCs/CICs were isolated as higher tumorigenic side population (SP) cells using Hoechst 33342 dye from several lung cancer cell lines. Four of nine lung cancer cell lines were positive for SP cells (LHK2, 1-87, A549, Lc817). The ratios of SP cells ranged from 0.4% for Lc817 to 2.8% for LHK2. To analyze the molecular aspects of SP cells, we performed microarray screening and RT-PCR analysis, and isolated SOX2 as one of a SP cell-specific gene. SOX2 was expressed predominantly in LHK2 and 1-87 SP cells, and was also expressed in several other cancer cell lines. The expression of SOX2 protein in primary human lung cancer tissues were also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining, and SOX2 was detected in more than 80% of primary lung cancer tissues. To address SOX2 molecular functions, we established a SOX2-overexpressed LHK2 and A549 cell line (LHK2-SOX2 and A549-SOX2). LHK2-SOX2 cells showed higher rates of SP cells and higher expression of POU5F1 compared with control cells. LHK2-SOX2 and A549-SOX2 cells showed relatively higher tumorigenicity than control cells. On the other hand, SOX2 mRNA knockdown of LHK2 SP cells by gene-specific siRNA completely abrogated tumorigenicity in vivo. These observations indicate that SOX2 has a role in maintenance of stemness and tumorigenicity of human lung adenocarcinoma CSCs/CICs and is a potential target for treatment.

Comparison of speedy PCR-ssp method and serological typing of HLA-A24 for Japanese cancer patients.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing is essential to carry out HLA-class I restricted antigenic peptide-based cancer immunotherapy. To establish a one-step polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method, we designed two novel HLA-A24-specific primer sets and determined the optimal conditions for specific amplification. Then, we performed HLA-A24 typing of two healthy donors' and 17 cancer patients' peripheral blood with serological typing and PCR-SSP typing. Eleven of the 19 cases were determined HLA-A24-positive by the PCR-SSP method precisely; however, five cases showed false positive with serological analysis. Thus, for HLA-A24 typing in the Japanese population, the PCR-SSP method is faster and more accurate than serological typing.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes efficiently recognize human colon cancer stem-like cells.

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a small population of cancer cells that share three properties: tumor initiating ability, self-renewal, and differentiation. These properties suggest that CSCs/TICs are essential for tumor maintenance, recurrence, and distant metastasis. Here, we show that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for the tumor-associated antigen CEP55 can efficiently recognize colon CSCs/TICs both in vitro and in vivo. Using Hoechst 33342 dye staining, we isolated CSCs/TICs as side population (SP) cells from colon cancer cell lines SW480, HT29, and HCT15. The SP cells expressed high levels of the stem cell markers SOX2, POU5F1, LGR5, and ALDH1A1 and showed resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan or etoposide.To evaluate the susceptibility of SP cells to CTLs, we used CTL clone 41, which is specific for the CEP55-derived antigenic peptide Cep55/c10orf3_193 (10) (VYVKGLLAKI). The SP cells expressed HLA class I and CEP55 at the same level as the main population cells. The SP cells were susceptible to CTL clone 41 at the same level as main population cells. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of CTL clone 41 inhibited tumor growth of SW480 SP cells in vivo. These observations suggest that Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) peptide-based cancer vaccine therapy or adoptive cell transfer of the CTL clone is a possible approach for targeting chemotherapy-resistant colon CSCs/TICs.

The feasibility of Cep55/c10orf3 derived peptide vaccine therapy for colorectal carcinoma.

In our previous study, we demonstrated that a peptide derived from the novel centrosome residing protein Cep55/c10orf3 can be targeted by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast carcinoma patients. In this report, we evaluated the feasibility of cancer immunotherapy using Cep55/c10orf3 peptide for colorectal carcinoma (CRC). To evaluate the expression of Cep55/c10orf3 in CRC tissues, we performed immunohistochemical staining of using anti-Cep55/c10orf3 monoclonal antibody. Sixty-three percent cases showed weak positive for Cep55/c10orf3 in total 70 CRC cases. The Cep55/c10orf3 expression intention was collated with high histological grade of CRC. Thus, we hypothesized that Cep55/c10orf3 can also be the target of CTLs in CRC cases. We generated CTLs from PBMCs of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24-positive colorectal carcinoma patients using HLA-A24-restricted Cep55/c10orf3 peptides. Two of 6 colorectal cancer patients were reactive for the Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) peptide, which was the only immunogenic peptide in breast carcinoma patients. CTL clone specific for Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) recognized and lysed HLA-A24 (+) and Cep55/c10orf3 (+) colorectal carcinoma cell lines. In addition, 1 of 6 colorectal carcinoma patients was reactive for the Cep55/c10orf3_402(11) and Cep55/c10orf3_283(12) peptides, but not for Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) with the ELISPOT assay. These observations suggest that the antigenic peptide repertoire presented by HLA-A24 in colorectal carcinoma might be different from that in breast carcinoma. Thus, these peptide vaccination peptide mixture of Cep55/c10orf3_193(10), Cep55/c10orf3_402(11) and Cep55/c10orf3_283(12) might be more effective than a single peptide in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma patients.

Immune response against tumor antigens expressed on human cancer stem-like cells/tumor-initiating cells.

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a small population of cancer cells that have the properties of tumor-initiating ability, self-renewal and differentiation. These properties suggest that CSCs/TICs are essential for tumor maintenance, recurrence and distant metastasis. Thus, elimination of CSCs/TICs is essential to cure malignant diseases. However, there are several studies reporting that CSCs/TICs are more resistant to standard cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, than non-CSC/TIC populations. How then, can we eliminate CSCs/TICs? Immunotherapy might be the possible answer. In recent analysis, innate immunity (natural killer cells and gammadeltaT cells) and also adaptive immunity (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-based cellular immunity and antibody-based humoral immunity) can recognize CSCs/TICs in vitro efficiently. Furthermore, CSC/TIC-specific monoclonal antibody therapies are also efficient in vivo. In this article, we describe the potency, possibilities and problems of CSC/TIC-targeting immunotherapy.

Cep55/c10orf3, a tumor antigen derived from a centrosome residing protein in breast carcinoma.

Identification of tumor-associated antigens may facilitate vaccination strategies to treat patients with malignant diseases. We have found that the centrosomal protein, Cep55/c10orf3 acts as a novel breast carcinoma-associated tumor-associated antigen. Cep55/c10orf3 mRNA was detectable in a wide variety of tumor cell lines. Expression was barely detectable in normal tissues except for testis and thymus. Moreover, Cep55/c10orf3 protein could be detected by a monoclonal anti-Cep55/c10orf3 antibody (# 11-55) in 69.8% of breast carcinoma, 25% of colorectal carcinoma, and 57.8% of lung carcinoma tissues. The expression of Cep55/c10orf3 protein did not show any relationship with the hormone receptors such as estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor or expression patterns of p185 HER2/neu. We designed 11 peptides which displayed a human leukocyte antigen-A24 binding motif. One Cep55/c10orf3-peptide, Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) (VYVKGLLAKI), induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in 3 of 3 patients with Cep55/c10orf3 (# 11-55)-positive breast carcinoma. A Cep55/c10orf3_193(10)-specific CTL clone could also recognize Cep55/c10orf3 (+) displayed on human leukocyte antigen-A24 (+) cancer cell lines. These data indicate that Cep55/c10orf3 peptides were naturally presented by breast cancer cells and can cause CTL clonal expansion in vivo. Monoclonal antibody # 11-55 and the Cep55/c10orf3_193(10) peptides may be useful as part of a therapeutic strategy for hormonal therapy or anti-p185 HER2/neu monoclonal antibody therapy-resistant breast carcinoma patients.

The functioning antigens: beyond just as the immunological targets.

Antigenic peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) facilitate peptide cancer vaccine therapies. With the recent progress in cancer immunity research, huge amounts of antigenic peptides have already been reported. Clinical trials using such peptides are underway now all over the world. Some reports have shown the efficacy of peptide vaccine therapies. However, others ended with unfavorable results, suggesting fundamental underlying problems. One major mechanism that negates the peptide vaccine therapy is tumor escape from immunological systems caused by loss of antigens. TAAs that are used in cancer vaccine therapies may be divided into two major groups: functioning antigens and nonfunctioning antigens. A 'functioning antigen' could be defined as a TAA that is essential for tumor growth, is expressed in several kinds of malignancies and shows homogenous expression in cancerous tissues. It is not difficult to imagine that antigen loss will occur easily with non-functioning antigens as a target of cancer vaccine therapy. Thus, it is essential to use functioning antigens for successful cancer vaccine therapy. In this review, we discuss the functioning antigens and their categorization in detail.

Novel spliced form of a lens protein as a novel lung cancer antigen, Lengsin splicing variant 4.

A glutamine synthetase I family protein, Lengsin, was previously identified as a novel lens-specific transcript in the vertebrate eye. In this report, we show for the first time that Lengsin is a novel tumor-associated antigen expressed ectopically in lung cancer. Interestingly, a novel spliced form of human Lengsin termed 'splicing variant 4', gaining exon 3 that codes extra 63 amino acids, is the dominant transcript form in lung cancer cells. Lengsin mRNA could be detected in 7 of 12 (58%) lung cancer cell lines and 7 of 7 (100%) surgically resected lung cancer tissues. On the other hand, Lengsin transcripts could not be detected in normal major tissues or in other cancer cell lines, including melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, breast carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, knockdown of Lengsin mRNA with RNAi caused cell death and a decrease of cell viability, suggesting that Lengsin has some essential role in cell survival. Since the lens is an immune-privileged site, we regard Lengsin as a highly immunogenic cancer antigen. Anti-Lengsin autoantibodies were detectable in sera of lung cancer patients, although these patients did not show any lens-related disturbances. Hence, Lengsin splicing variant 4 might be an immunogenic lung cancer-specific antigen that is suitable as a diagnostic marker and for molecular targeting therapy, including immunotherapy.