Background

Introduction to hypomethylating agents (HMAs)

DNA methylation refers to the stable and reversible addition of a methyl group to position 5 of the cytidine ring within cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides in DNA [1]. Methylcytosine has been termed the fifth base [2]. Enzymes that recognize, alter and maintain CpG methylation have been intensively investigated in recent years; and advances in array-based and next-generation sequencing technologies have made it possible to analyze changes in DNA methylation at different stages of disease. Consequently our understanding of CpG methylation and its entanglement with other epigenetic pathways (i.e. histone modifications and short regulatory RNAs), as well as their roles in disease initiation and propagation, has broadened considerably [3, 4].

Global changes in DNA methylation patterns have been linked to the onset and progression of malignant transformation; tumor cells can exhibit aberrant genome-wide hypomethylation and hypermethylation of CpG island promoters [5]. Aberrant hypomethylation supports genome instability and can activate proto-oncogenes [6, 7], whereas hypermethylation of CpG island promoters can silence tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) (Fig. 1) [8]. It has thus been proposed that methylation of genes involved in disease etiopathogenesis may act as biomarkers in several diseases including solid tumors and AML [9–13].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Methylation patterns in MDS/AML and mechanisms of action of AZA and DAC. 1) In normal human cells, CpG islands in the promoter region of tumor suppressor genes are unmethylated (indicated by green dots), allowing transcription of these genes. 2) Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes (indicated as red dots) in the pathogenesis of MDS leads to silencing of tumor suppressor genes and development of a leukemic phenotype. 3) Treatment with AZA nucleosides causes demethylation of the hypermethylated CpG islands in MDS/AML leading to reactivation of tumor suppressor genes and anti-leukemic effects

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Improved understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in cell biology and tumor pathogenesis has fueled the development of therapies with the primary goal of reversing aberrant epigenetic signaturesand undermining tumor cell immunity. Hypomethylating agents, such as the two nucleoside analogs 2′-deoxy-5-azacitidine/decitabine (DAC) and 5-azacitidine/azacitine (AZA), target the aberrant methylation of DNA to reverse epigenetic silencing and reactivate tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). When given at low doses, DAC and AZA (Fig. 2) induce global demethylation in tumor cells (reviewed in [14]). Global demethylation upon HMA exposure is explained by mechanisms that deplete and/or destabilize the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 in cells.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Structure of azanucleosides. Structure of deoxycitidine and the two azanucleosides azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC). DAC is the 2′didesoxy form of AZA, incorporated into DNA upon triphosphorylation. AZA is primarily incorporated into RNA. Upon triphosphorylation and reduction by the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase it is also incorporated into DNA. The red circles highlight structural differences between deoxycytidine and the two azanucleosides AZA and DAC. The purple circle highlights the structural difference between AZA and DAC

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DNMT1 is responsible for the maintenance of established DNA methylation patterns on newly synthesized DNA strands during replication. Blocking this enzyme results in passive DNA-replication-dependent demethylation during cell division. Upon triphosphorylation by cytosolic kinases, DAC is directly incorporated into DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle whereas AZA is mainly integrated into RNA. However, 10 to 20% of AZA is converted by ribonucleotide reductase to its deoxyribose form, thus converting AZA into DAC (Fig. 2). This reduced and triphosphorylated form of AZA is incorporated into genomic DNA and covalently traps DNMT1 at DAC-guanine dinucleotides at the replication fork [15]. Other replication-independent mechanisms have been proposed as well and are reviewed elsewhere [14].

Both AZA and DAC have been thoroughly investigated in clinical trials [16–20] and their clinical efficacy supported through real-world registry data [21–24]. Both are approved for the treatment of MDS, AML and CMML (Table 1). Current National Cancer Center Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend both AZA and DAC as front-line treatment for elderly patients with MDS, CMML or AML who are ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation [25, 26]. Current clinical trials are testing AZA and DAC in various solid tumors, mainly as drug combination partners (Table 2).

Table 1 Approval status of hypomethylating agents (HMAs)
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Table 2 Current status of clinical trials testing combinations of HMA (epigenetic priming) with strategies targeting checkpoint receptors/ligands
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Demethylation of aberrantly methylated CpG-rich gene promoters was initially the central explanation for the anti-tumor activity of HMAs [27–29]. At high doses HMAs are cytotoxic, whereas at low doses HMAs reactivate silenced genes and cellular differentiation [30]. Clinical trials for the treatment of MDS and AML used high cytotoxic doses (several grams per m2) of HMAs [31], but subsequently, prolonged repetitive exposure schedules at lower-doses (20 mg/m2 for DAC and 75 mg/m2 over 7 days for AZA) were found to improve clinical efficacy, with reduced and usually mild non-hematological toxicities [16, 18, 32–36]. Recent investigations into the concentration-dependent effects of demethylation mediated by HMAs on the immune response will be discussed further on.

Introduction to viral defense mechanisms and interferon (IFN) signaling

Pathogen (e.g. virus) detection in infected cells occurs via pathogen-sensing pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs are proteins expressed by cells of the innate immune system to identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) [37]. They can be classified into membrane-bound PRRs (including Toll-like receptors (TLRs)), cytoplasmic PRRs (including NOD-like receptors (NLRs), RIG-1-like receptors (RLRs)), and secreted PRRs.

Detection of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) within the cell occurs via the endosomal membrane-bound TLR-3 receptor. On binding dsRNA, TLR-3 signals through the signal adaptor protein TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) to activate the transcription factors interferon response factor (IRF)-5 and -7, resulting in the expression of type 1 interferons (IFN), mainly IFNβ (Fig. 3 (4, 5)). In contrast, endosomal membrane-bound TLR-7 and -8 detect GU-rich viral single-stranded RNA and signal via the signal adaptor protein myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 protein to activate the transcription factors nuclear-factor kappa B and IRF-3 and -7, resulting in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-1 and IL-12 [38–40] . The cytosolic RLRs retinoid acid inducible gene 1 (RIG-1) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) detect viral dsRNA in the cytosol and utilize the adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) to activate downstream signaling via the activation of the transcription factors IRF-3 and -7 and NFκB to induce IFN-I and IFN-III [41–44] (Fig. 3 (3)). Thus, viral infection leads to the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines and IFN-I and -III, which in turn alerts both neighboring cells, as well as cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, and also activates intracellular antimicrobial programs via an autocrine feedback loop (Fig. 3 (6)).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Proposed mechanism of HMA-induced IFN response. The figure shows an epithelial tumor cell where the ERV promoters are methylated. Therapy with AZA/DAC leads to demethylation of ERV promoters (1), resulting in transcription of ERV genes, ssRNA and dsRNA (2). In the cytoplasm, ERV dsRNA is sensed by the pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) RIG1 and MDA5, which activate the transcription factors NFκB and IRF3 after binding to the adapter protein MAVS (3). The endosomal membrane-bound TLR-7 and -8 recognize endosomal ssRNA, and activate the transcription factors NFκB and IRF3 after binding to the adapter molecule MyD88 (4). The endosomal membrane-bound TLR-3 recognizes endosomal dsRNA, and activates the transcription factors IRF-5 and -7 after binding to the adapter molecule TRIF (5). These three pathways all drive the expression and secretion of interferon type 1 and 3 (INFI/III) (6). IFNI and III signal back via an autocrine feedback loop and the INF-receptor (IFNR), which signals via JAK/STAT (7). This results in the up-regulation and secretion of the chemokines CXCL9 and 10, which attract tumor-specific CTLs (8). In addition, AIM and ISGs are upregulated, which also aid in reactivation of dormant anti-tumor immunity (9). Furthermore, TAAs are upregulated (10), as are MHC-I molecules (11), which together enhance the immunologic visibility of the tumor cells and enable them to be recognized by the TCR of tumor-specific CTLs. Treatment with HMAs also results in the unwanted up-regulation of inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors (PD-1, CTLA-4) (12) and their ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, CD80, CD86) (13), which can result in secondary resistance to HMAs, but may also be exploited as a sensitizing or priming strategy for targeted treatment with immune checkpoint modulators

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Type I IFNs (eg. IFNα and β that bind to IFNα-receptor (IFNAR)) are expressed as a first line of defense against viral infections, play a central role in the regulation of innate immunity to limit viral spread during the first days of infection, and also activate multifaceted antitumor immunity. Type 2 IFN (IFNγ, binds to the IFNγ-receptor (IFNGR)) also displays some of the anti-viral and anti-tumoral properties of type 1 IFNs and potentiates their effects, but predominantly stimulates the adaptive immune system, primarily T-cells [45]. Type 3 IFNs include IFNλ1, λ2 and λ3 (also known as interleukin (IL) 29, IL-28A, and IL-28B, respectively) which signal through a heterodimeric signaling complex composed of IL10R2 and IL28RA and induce a type 1 IFN-like response, and are likewise induced by viral infections [45, 46].

On binding to their respective membrane-bound receptor, IFNs induce the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling, activating transcription of so-called IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) (Fig. 3 (6,8)). This process is also regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs that suppress STAT1 expression or chromatin remodeling processes required to initiate transcription of ISGs [45, 47]. ISGs activate intracellular antimicrobial programs, stall the expression of viral genes, can degrade viral nucleic acids, and importantly inhibit cellular proliferation. These events contribute to the containment of viral spread [48] and are also associated with anticancer immunity [49] (Fig. 3 (7-10)).

Introduction to retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs)

Around 45% of the human genome is composed of sequences derived from transposable elements [50]. Transposons are DNA sequences able to change their position within the genome (i.e. move from one part to another). There are two categories: Class I transposons (~42% of genome) are referred to as retrotransposons and require RNA intermediates and reverse transcription,whereas Class II transposons (~2–3% of the genome) move via DNA intermediates. In brief, class I retrotransposons can be grouped into long terminal repeat (LTR) and non-LTR retrotransposons (Fig. 4). Non-LTR retrotransposons consist of two subtypes, long interspersed elements (LINEs) [51] and short interspersed elements (SINEs) [52] (Fig. 4). The most common LINEs are LINE-1 and LINE-2, and the most common SINEs are Alu-elements and mammalian wide interspersed repeats (MIR) Fig. 4). The largest group of LTR-containing retrotransposons are endogenous retrovirus transposons (ERVs) and constitute ~8% of the human genome [53] Fig. 4). Full-length ERVs contain LTRs that flank non-repetitive sequences. The non-repetitive sequences contain several protein-coding sequences necessary for transcription, reverse transcription, and integration of the viral genome as well as sequences coding for viral envelope proteins (Gag, Pol and Env). ERVs together with LINEs are autonomously capable of retrotransposition, whereas SINEs do not encode a functional reverse transcriptase and require the LINE machinery, thus functioning as non-autonomous retro-elements (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Taxonomy of retrotransposons. The so-called retrotransposons or class I transposons as opposed to class II (DNA) transposons (not depicted) can be grouped into long terminal repeat (LTR) containing and non-LTR transposons. The best investigated LTR retrotransposons are the human endogenous retroviral elements (ERV). Together with the non-LTR retrotransposons LINE (long interspersed nuclear elements), human ERVs are capable of retrotransposition in an autonomous manner. In contrast, short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) like ALU or MIR (mammalian-wide interspersed repeats) sequences cannot perform autonomous retrotransposition. Nevertheless, ALU sequences may be able to move with the help of active LINE elements

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The abundance of endogenous ERVs in the human genome can be explained by the integration of exogenous retroviruses that have infected germ-line cells and integrated viral DNA into the human genome [54–56] [57]. Most of these retroviral insertions are evolutionarily ancient, and have been inactivated by mutation and disintegration of the viral genome, so are considered to be ‘junk’ DNA with no function. Some ERVs are, however, able to be transcribed and reintegrated into the host genome [58]. These elements play relevant roles in shaping the genome, gene expression and regulation [59], and cell fusion processes during placentogenesis and embryogenesis [60–62]. Furthermore, LTR-containing ERVs may act as alternate promoters or enhancers that result in tissue-specific gene expression [53, 63]. This observation is of particular interest with respect to the recent discovery that gene regulatory networks have evolved through co-option of endogenous ERV regulatory sequences [64–66]. ERV-derived regulatory sequences within a network share common tissue-specific epigenetic makeups [67] and this might explain concerted reactivation upon epigenetic modulation. It has also been shown that non-LTR retrotransposons can be incorporated into novel genes and evolve new functionality [68, 69]. Interestingly, it was recently found that specific LINE-1 retrotransposons in the human genome are actively transcribed and that the associated LINE-1 RNAs are tightly bound to nucleosomes and are essential in the establishment of the local chromatin environment [70]. However, during adulthood such mobile elements are silenced primarily via CpG methylation [71]. For example, LINE-1 retrotransposons retain ~80–100 copies throughout the human genome that remain capable of retrotransposition, but are epigenetically silenced in normal cells. LINE-1 demethylation has thus been used as a control measure for the induction of global hypomethylation by HMAs in a given experimental setting [72–74].

Both LINE-1 and ERVs have been associated with tumorigenesis, and somatic insertions of these transposons have been found to confer a selective growth advantage to tumor cells [75, 76]. It has also been suggested that younger ERVs (i.e. more recently integrated ERVs) may play a role in human diseases including neurologic diseases (reviewed in [77]) and cancer [78]. ERVs may not only be directly disease causing, but may also modulate immunity, and evidence exists indicating a general role for ERVs in the regulation of interferon (gamma) responses [79].

HMAs (RE)Induce expression of genes associated with antitumor immune responses

Tumor associated antigens (TAAs)

Several reports have described an upregulation of TAAs by AZA in MDS and AML cells, such as the cancer-testis antigen (CTA) and New York Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-1 antigen [80, 81]. This is in-line with observations of AZA effects in other malignancies [82–84] and is attributable to demethylation of hypermethylated CpG islands located at gene promoters [85]. The upregulation of TAA expression resulted in an increased induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in 15 MDS and AML patients treated with AZA and the HDAC-inhibitor valproate sodium [86]. Of clinical interest, 8/11 patients with a documented TAA-specific CTL response achieved a major clinical response to AZA, including 4 patients with complete remission. Induction of TAA-specific CTL response also correlated temporally with a reduction in the percentage of bone marrow blasts [86].

Increased TAA expression induced by AZA might also be partly supported by improved TAA presentation on the cell surface to CTLs, as data from solid malignancies suggest that AZA can lead to increased HLA class I expression [87]. Treatment of AML cell lines in vitro with DAC in combination with the HDAC-inhibitor chidamide increased the expression of preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME), a known TAA in AML. Pretreatment of AML cells with DAC and/or chidamide led to increased killing by PRAME-specific CTLs in vitro [88].

The AZA immune gene set (AIM)

A series of recent studies have aimed to investigate the effects of low-dose HMAs (<500nM) on immune regulation and alterations in the immune response in the setting of (mainly) epithelial tumors [89–93]. Initial transient exposure of cancer cell lines to HMAs (24 h or 72 h), followed by cultivation in the absence of HMAs has given new insights into the mechanisms of HMA-mediated anti-tumor effects. Tsai et al. demonstrated that transient exposure of AML and breast cancer cell lines to DAC and AZA induces delayed (with respect to drug removal from cell culture), prolonged gene promoter demethylation; and sustained changes in gene expression [89]. Transcriptional changes included the up regulation of several central TSGs (such as cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, 1C, 2A, 2B; and alternate reading frame protein p14) [89]. These transcriptome and methylome changes were accompanied by reduced tumorigenicity and self-renewal capacities in both cell lines and primary samples from AML and breast cancer patients [89]. Such time-delayed, sustained responses to HMAs at the molecular level provides a possible explanation for why most patients require 3–6 treatment cycles before achieving a clinical response, and why continuous treatment every 4 weeks is necessary to sustain these responses [16–21, 23, 24].

Other groups have analyzed mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiles upon low-dose AZA treatment of several solid tumor cell lines, including breast-, colorectal-, ovarian- and non-small cell lung cancer [90, 91]. Li et al. defined an ‘AZA immune gene set’ that is comprised of 317 genes that were at least two-fold upregulated after AZA treatment [91]. This ‘AZA immune gene set’ includes genes associated with IFN and cytokine signaling, antigen presentation, and inflammation [91]. Furthermore, analyzing gene expression data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the gene expression omnibus revealed that the ‘AZA immune gene set’ can cluster several solid tumor types including ovarian, breast, colorectal, non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma – into low and high expressing cancer subtypes [91]. These in vitro observations could also be recapitulated in primary tumor samples from patients with triple -negative breast cancer (NCT01349959) or colorectal cancer (NCT01105377). In these studies, combination treatment with AZA and the HDAC-inhibitor entinostat led to an upregulation of the ‘AZA immune gene set’. This upregulation could still be observed in a biopsy taken 6 months after initiation of therapy in one breast cancer patient [91, 94].

The expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligands (CXCL) 9 and 10 in ovarian and colon cancer cell lines has been shown to be regulated by epigenetic enzymes, including the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 and DNMT1 [95, 96]. Both chemokines are within the AZA immune gene set and are upregulated in response to AZA treatment. DAC has also been shown to induce expression of CXCL9 and 10 in several epithelial cancer cell lines and in primary ovarian cancer cells [91, 95]. CXCL9 and −10 have also been reported to attract tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immunological infiltrates, positively linked with better clinical outcomes in human serous ovarian cancer [95, 97–99].

Taken together these in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrate that upregulation of immunomodulatory pathways induced by low-dose AZA treatment, may reverse an immune-evasion phenotype and subsequently may (re)sensitize the tumor for immunotherapy [90, 91].

Endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs)

As discussed, the ‘AZA immune gene set’ includes genes that are associated with interferon signaling and that participate in immune responses to viral infections. These include viral response genes (such as TLR-3, MDA5, RIG-1, MAVS, IRFs, NFκB and ISGs), with important roles in the detection and abrogation of viral infections and establishing effective antitumor immunity [47, 100]. Interestingly, some human tumors have been reported to exhibit elevated ERV transcript levels [101–103]. In one study, primary ovarian tumor samples from 19 patients showed a high correlation between ERV transcript levels and the expression of viral defense genes (p < 0.0001) [92], indicating that ERV transcript upregulation was accompanied by a viral defense gene expression signature.

Recently, Chiappinelli et al. and Roulois et al. uncovered a new molecular mechanism of action of transient low-dose treatment of tumor cell lines with HMAs. The authors showed that global hypomethylation was accompanied by the demethylation of ERV sequences [92, 93]. The observed increase (up to several thousand-fold over control cells) of dsRNA viral transcripts in the cytoplasm of the cancer cells activated innate PRRs, as well as transcription factor IRF-7, resulting in the induction and secretion of IFN-I/III [92, 93]. As discussed above, these IFNs signal back (in an auto- and paracrine manner) and via activation of STATs induce the transcription of ISGs that mediate anti-tumor effects. This HMA-induced upregulation of ERV transcripts has been termed ‘viral mimicry’ and may result in the induction of effective anti-tumor immunity.

Chiappinelli et al. reported that low-dose AZA treatment of human ovarian cancer cell lines led to demethylation of the ERV-Fc2 gene promoter, with subsequent upregulation of intracellular dsRNA transcripts of the viral envelope genes Fc2 and syncytin-1 [92]. Furthermore, the authors showed that both AZA and DAC increased the expression of several other ERV transcripts [92]. Following HMA withdrawal, activation of ERVs peaked at day 7 and resulted in the upregulation of several viral defense genes including IFNγ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), IFN-induced protein 44 (IFI44) and IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L), in an IFNβ- and JAK/STAT-dependent manner. This confirmed that AZA induces an IFN type 1 response with subsequent upregulation of ISGs [92].

Similar observations were made in colorectal cancer cell lines by Roulois et al. The authors showed that transient low-dose treatment (0.3 μM) with DAC, followed by cultivation for 42 days without the drug, resulted in two distinct groups of gene expression-change patterns: early and late response genes. Early response genes were defined as genes whose expression level changed within 5 days of DAC treatment [93], and subsequently returned to baseline levels after 37 days. In contrast, late-response genes showed significant upregulation that peaked 24 days after DAC treatment and was sustained for a further 18 days. The late-response group was enriched in genes required for the innate RNA-sensing pathway and IFN response signaling components [93]. Furthermore, the IFN type 3 receptor genes IL29 and IL28a and several ISGs were induced by low-dose DAC treatment in a JAK/STAT dependent manner [93]. Further analysis of the late-response genes revealed that the majority were direct targets of the IRF7 transcription factor. Knock-down of IRF7 and/or targeting of the cytosolic RNA sensing pathway (RIG-1, MDA5 and MAVS) by short hairpin (sh)RNAs was sufficient to block DAC-induced upregulation of IFN response genes. Furthermore, knock-down of MAVS also abolished the observed DAC-mediated reduction in frequency of cancer-initiating cells in colorectal cancer cell lines and in primary colorectal cancer cells [93].

Since MDA5 recognizes dsRNAs of viral origin [39], the authors investigated whether DAC upregulates dsRNA expression. The colorectal cancer cell line LIM1215 showed an increase in cytosolic dsRNA expression upon treatment with DAC, and RT-PCR revealed a strong increase in 10 selected ERV transcripts [93]. These experiments showed for the first time that transient low-dose DAC treatment of colorectal cancer cells induces a type 3 IFN response via the induction of dsERV transcripts [93], which in turn induces apoptosis and reduces cellular proliferative capacity. In this seminal work the authors showed that the diminishing effect of DAC on the growth and self-renewal capacity of colorectal cancer cells is very much dependent on DAC-induced upregulation of viral dsRNAs. This upregulation activates the MDA5/MAVS/IRF7 pathway and subsequently induces an interferon response [93]. All the above indicates that the MDA5/MAVS/IRF7 signaling pathway is a novel therapeutic target in (colorectal) cancer.

As discussed above (section B: The AZA immune gene set (AIM)), cancer samples from the TCGA (melanoma, ovarian, colorectal, breast and lung) could be clustered into high and low immune groups according to the levels of AZA-induced expression of IFN viral defense genes (IRF7, IFI27, RIG-1, IFI44, IFI44L, IFI16, STAT1, IFNB1, DDX41, MX1, OASL, TMEM173, MB21D1, IFI6) [91, 92]. This is compelling when considering other studies showing that high expression of the viral defense gene signature appears to correlate with improved response and long-term benefit in patients with melanoma when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab or tremelimumab. Both ipilimumab and tremelimumab target cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated molecule 4 (CTLA-4) and activate CTLs [92, 104]. Therefore, as HMAs have been shown to induce both ERVs and viral defense genes, we hypothesize that these drugs may be able to alter oncogenic signaling circuitry in several ways that may render tumor cells more susceptible to immune therapy .

The discussed work on new molecular mechanisms of HMA demonstrates the induction of ERV transcripts, the upregulation of genes involved in effective antitumor immunity, and the induction of IFNI/III responses in a wide variety of solid and hematologic cancers. This greatly extends the possible therapeutic rationale for the use of HMAs in solid tumors. However, it has to be mentioned that the reactivation of ERVs by HMA treatment might increase genomic instability, resulting in acquisition of new mutations, disease progression, immune evasion, and development of drug resistance [105].

HMAs (RE)Induce expression of genes associated with tumor immune evasion

Inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has gained considerable attention in recent years. Different monoclonal antibodies targeting CTLA-4, programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have been FDA approved in metastatic melanoma, advanced metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma [106]. Although these therapies have been very successful in a large proportion of patients, there remain a number of patients who do not respond to immune checkpoint blockade therapy [107–109].

There is an increasing body of evidence explaining resistance mechanisms, with the tumor microenvironment thought to be key to primary and/or secondary resistance to therapeutic immune checkpoint modulators [106]. Factors that contribute to primary resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy are: low numbers of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes; epigenetic silencing of chemokines; type one immunity (T-helper 1 mediated-immunity); and low expression of specific immune signaling molecules like PD-L1, type 1 IFN, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) 1 molecules [106].

It has been noted that successful anti-tumor T-cell priming requires a critical number of tumor infiltrating type 1 IFN-producing dendritic cells [110, 111]. It was recently shown that facilitating T-cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, by targeting the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member LIGHT (also known as TNFSF14, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14), can overcome resistance to PD-L1 blockade therapy in a xenograft mouse model of colon cancer and fibrosarcoma [112]. Furthermore, activation of type 1 IFN responses in murine melanomas with low numbers of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was associated with prolonged survival in PD-L1 immune-checkpoint blockade therapy [113].

Yang et al. investigated the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, PD-1 and CTLA-4 after HMA treatment in 124 patients with MDS, AML and CMML [114]. An increase in HMA-induced expression of these checkpoint molecules was observed and correlated with dose-dependent (partial) promoter demethylation. The authors therefore proposed that checkpoint gene reactivation may be more dependent on demethylation level than on baseline methylation level [114]. Upregulation of molecules of the PD/PD-L axis as well as CTLA-4 was associated with resistance to HMA treatment, disease progression, and shorter overall survival (OS). This observation is likely due to T-cell exhaustion and resulting tumor immune evasion [114]. Similar results were also reported in another study by Orskov et al. AZA treatment of 27 patients with MDS, AML and CMML resulted in the upregulation of PD-1 in peripheral blood T-cells of patients with MDS; and this occurred via PD-1 promoter demethylation [115]. Of note, patients that did not show PD-1 promoter demethylation after HMA treatment had a better objective response rate and OS [115].

Upregulation of inhibitory checkpoint molecules due to HMA-induced demethylation is an unwanted side-effect that can result in drug resistance and loss of response. However, this could be therapeutically exploited, as it may render tumor cells susceptible to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. This is an interesting and promising therapeutic strategy that is currently being tested in clinical trials (Table 2). Further details on this topic are reviewed by Greil et al. [116].

Ligands for inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors

CD80 and CD86 are usually present on antigen presenting cells and act as ligands for both the activating immune checkpoint receptor CD28 and inhibitory checkpoint receptor CTLA-4. The affinity and avidity are greater for CTLA-4 enabling it to outcompete CD28 for its ligands [117].

DAC has been shown to induce tumor-specific CTLs in a murine tumor model via upregulation of CD80 on the thymoma cell line EL4 [118], resulting in enhanced immunological co-stimulation via CD80, increased CTL infiltration of tumors, and ultimately tumor rejection after DAC treatment of mice [118]. HMAs have also been shown to induce the expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 on AML cells, which was assumed to be responsible for increased CTL-mediated killing of AML cells [88]. Therefore HMAs not only increase the ‘immunologic visibility’ of the target cells for CTLs, leading to more effective CTL killing, but also activate more tumor-specific CTLs.

HMAs as sensitizers of immune checkpoint modulators

HMA-induced upregulation of inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules on malignant cells and T-cells could be exploited to prime or (re)sensitize cancer cells with primary resistance to immune checkpoint blocking therapies. Recent work has demonstrated that combinatorial treatment with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies and low-dose AZA or DAC results in significantly decreased tumor growth of melanoma cells in a murine xenograft setting, compared with CTLA-4 therapy alone [92]. This preclinical rationale supports exploring HMAs as combination partners to prime or sensitize patients to immune-checkpoint blockade therapy in clinical trials.

Several clinical trials testing various combinations of HMAs with checkpoint modulators are currently being planned or are under way (summarized in Table 2). Within these trials it will be of important to define predictive biomarkers to identify patients who will benefit the most from such combination regimens and to further define the role of HMAs as ‘checkpoint-inhibitor sensitizers’. It should also be addressed whether, and to what extent, HMAs may induce ERV expression in non-malignant cells and whether this influences side-effects and/or toxicity. Additionally, it will be of considerable interest to investigate whether LINEs also contribute to the HMA-induced increase of dsRNA species in the cytosol of malignant and/or non-malignant cells. Future genome/epigenome-wide investigations into the molecular mechanism of epigenetic therapies should consider viral repetitive sequences in their analysis.

Another line of investigation is the effect of vitamin C administration on the efficacy of HMAs. Recently, vitamin C was reported to augment the induction of ERVs and the induction of viral defense pathways by DAC in in vitro models of human colon, breast, and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as AML [119]. In immune checkpoint therapy, many cancer patients are deficient in vitamin C; therefore, incorporation of vitamin C into treatment protocols may further increase the clinical efficacy of HMAs.

Conclusions

HMAs were initially synthesized in the 1960s, and since then their effects on mammalian cells as well as their clinical applicability have been explored considerably [120]. The main mechanism of action thought to be central to the anti-tumor effects of AZA and DAC is the reactivation of aberrantly silenced TSGs and subsequent induction of apoptosis or differentiation, both hindering tumor cell viability. This review has discussed new evidence that suggests a novel mode of action, where HMAs influence tumor interaction with the host immune system. However, HMAs represent a double-edged sword because HMA-induced up-regulation of immune checkpoint molecules during therapy could reduce immunogenicity of the tumor and can also explain resistance arising during therapy.

HMAs exert several immunological effects: (a) HMA-induced IFN signaling blocks proliferation and lowers the apoptotic threshold of cancer cells [92]; (b) low-dose treatment with HMAs promotes expression of genes that are deregulated in tumors allowing immune evasion (MHC class I, cancer testis antigens, IFN type 1 and 3, ISGs) [90–93]; (c) HMAs induce secretion of CXCL-9 and -10 with subsequent recruitment of lymphocytes to the tumor site and thus increase the immunological visibility of the tumor [95, 121].

Finally, the data discussed in this review strongly imply that HMAs may have the potential to counteract factors that contribute to primary resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy, and thus may (re)sensitize tumors with (a) low numbers of tumor infiltrating T-cells, (b) low expression of the IFN-response gene expression signature, and/or (c) high expression levels of inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules to targeted immune checkpoint modulation.