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SWI/SNF Complex Alterations in Tumors with Rhabdoid Features: Novel Therapeutic Approaches and Opportunities for

Juan José Soto-Castillo1, Lucía Llavata-Marti2, Roser Fort-Culillas2

  • 1Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 14, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Mutations in the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex drive aggressive cancers. Immunotherapy shows promise for treating these tumors, offering new hope where targeted therapies have failed.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • The SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex is a key epigenetic regulator frequently altered in various cancers.
  • Mutations in SWI/SNF components are prevalent in rare, aggressive rhabdoid tumors lacking effective treatments for advanced disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of SWI/SNF complex dysfunction in rhabdoid tumor oncogenesis.
  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies for SWI/SNF-altered cancers, focusing on immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of SWI/SNF complex function in cancer.
  • Analysis of preclinical data linking SWI/SNF alterations to immunotherapy response.
  • Overview of emerging therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • SWI/SNF complex dysfunction is a significant driver of rhabdoid tumor development.
  • Targeted therapies aimed at restoring SWI/SNF function have yielded limited clinical success.
  • Preclinical evidence suggests a strong rationale for immunotherapy in SWI/SNF-altered tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulation of the SWI/SNF complex contributes to cancer, particularly rhabdoid tumors.
  • Immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibition and adoptive cell therapy, represents a promising therapeutic avenue for these malignancies.
Keywords:
ARID1ASMARCA4SMARCB1SWI/SNF complexadoptive cell therapyepigenetic drugsimmunotherapyrhabdoid tumors

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