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Huang X, Qi L, Lu W, Li Z, Li W, Li F. Retracted article: MYCN contributes to the sensitization of acute myelogenous leukemia cells to cisplatin by targeting SRY-box transcription factor 4. Bioengineered 2024; 15:1997697. [PMID: 34709111 PMCID: PMC10841026 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1997697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Xianbao Huang, Ling Qi, Wei Lu, Ziye Li, Wuping Li and Fei Li. MYCN contributes to the sensitization of acute myelogenous leukemia cells to cisplatin by targeting SRY-box transcription factor 4. Bioengineered. 2021 Oct. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1997697.Since publication, significant concerns have been raised about the compliance with ethical policies for human research and the integrity of the data reported in the article.When approached for an explanation, the authors provided some original data but were not able to provide all the necessary supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the scholarly record's integrity, we are retracting the article. All authors listed in this publication have been informed.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbao Huang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ziye Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wuping Li
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Qingshan Lake District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
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2
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Miranda A, Pattnaik S, Hamilton PT, Fuss MA, Kalaria S, Laumont CM, Smazynski J, Mesa M, Banville A, Jiang X, Jenkins R, Cañadas I, Nelson BH. N-MYC impairs innate immune signaling in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj5428. [PMID: 38748789 PMCID: PMC11095474 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj5428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a challenging disease, especially for patients with immunologically "cold" tumors devoid of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We found that HGSC exhibits among the highest levels of MYCN expression and transcriptional signature across human cancers, which is strongly linked to diminished features of antitumor immunity. N-MYC repressed basal and induced IFN type I signaling in HGSC cell lines, leading to decreased chemokine expression and T cell chemoattraction. N-MYC inhibited the induction of IFN type I by suppressing tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling via reduced STING oligomerization, and by blunting RIG-I-like receptor signaling through inhibition of MAVS aggregation and localization in the mitochondria. Single-cell RNA sequencing of human clinical HGSC samples revealed a strong negative association between cancer cell-intrinsic MYCN transcriptional program and type I IFN signaling. Thus, N-MYC inhibits tumor cell-intrinsic innate immune signaling in HGSC, making it a compelling target for immunotherapy of cold tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Miranda
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Swetansu Pattnaik
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 370 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Phineas T. Hamilton
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Shreena Kalaria
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Céline M. Laumont
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Monica Mesa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
| | - Allyson Banville
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xinpei Jiang
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell Jenkins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Israel Cañadas
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brad H. Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
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3
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Oskouian B, Lee JY, Asgharzadeh S, Khan R, Zhang M, Weisbrod JR, Choi YJ, Puri L, Aguilar AE, Zhao P, Saba JD. AF1q is a universal marker of neuroblastoma that sustains N-Myc expression and drives tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2024; 43:1203-1213. [PMID: 38413795 PMCID: PMC11014797 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood, accounting for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite significant advances in our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, five-year survival rates for high-risk disease remain less than 50%, highlighting the importance of identifying novel therapeutic targets to combat the disease. MYCN amplification is the most frequent and predictive molecular aberration correlating with poor outcome in neuroblastoma. N-Myc is a short-lived protein primarily due to its rapid proteasomal degradation, a potentially exploitable vulnerability in neuroblastoma. AF1q is an oncoprotein with established roles in leukemia and solid tumor progression. It is normally expressed in brain and sympathetic neurons and has been postulated to play a part in neural differentiation. However, no role for AF1q in tumors of neural origin has been reported. In this study, we found AF1q to be a universal marker of neuroblastoma tumors. Silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells caused proteasomal degradation of N-Myc through Ras/ERK and AKT/GSK3β pathways, activated p53 and blocked cell cycle progression, culminating in cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, silencing AF1q attenuated neuroblastoma tumorigenicity in vivo signifying AF1q's importance in neuroblastoma oncogenesis. Our findings reveal AF1q to be a novel regulator of N-Myc and potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Oskouian
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna Y Lee
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia R Weisbrod
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Youn-Jeong Choi
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Latika Puri
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Ana E Aguilar
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Piming Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie D Saba
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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4
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d’Amati A, Bargiacchi L, Rossi S, Carai A, Bertero L, Barresi V, Errico ME, Buccoliero AM, Asioli S, Marucci G, Del Baldo G, Mastronuzzi A, Miele E, D’Antonio F, Schiavello E, Biassoni V, Massimino M, Gessi M, Antonelli M, Gianno F. Pediatric CNS tumors and 2021 WHO classification: what do oncologists need from pathologists? Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1268038. [PMID: 38544524 PMCID: PMC10966132 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1268038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS), published in 2021, established new approaches to both CNS tumor nomenclature and grading, emphasizing the importance of integrated diagnoses and layered reports. This edition increased the role of molecular diagnostics in CNS tumor classification while still relying on other established approaches such as histology and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, it introduced new tumor types and subtypes based on novel diagnostic technologies such as DNA methylome profiling. Over the past decade, molecular techniques identified numerous key genetic alterations in CSN tumors, with important implications regarding the understanding of pathogenesis but also for prognosis and the development and application of effective molecularly targeted therapies. This review summarizes the major changes in the 2021 fifth edition classification of pediatric CNS tumors, highlighting for each entity the molecular alterations and other information that are relevant for diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic purposes and that patients' and oncologists' need from a pathology report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio d’Amati
- Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Unit of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Lavinia Bargiacchi
- Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Bertero
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Errico
- Department of Pathology, AORN Santobono Pausilipon, Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sofia Asioli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Marucci
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica D’Antonio
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Gessi
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Manila Antonelli
- Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Unit of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
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5
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Dawber RS, Gimenez D, Batchelor M, Miles JA, Wright MH, Bayliss R, Wilson AJ. Inhibition of Aurora-A/N-Myc Protein-Protein Interaction Using Peptidomimetics: Understanding the Role of Peptide Cyclization. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300649. [PMID: 37907395 PMCID: PMC10962542 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Using N-Myc61-89 as a starting template we showcase the systematic use of truncation and maleimide constraining to develop peptidomimetic inhibitors of the N-Myc/Aurora-A protein-protein interaction (PPI); a potential anticancer drug discovery target. The most promising of these - N-Myc73-94-N85C/G89C-mal - is shown to favour a more Aurora-A compliant binding ensemble in comparison to the linear wild-type sequence as observed through fluorescence anisotropy competition assays, circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Further in silico investigation of this peptide in its Aurora-A bound state, by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, imply (i) the bound conformation is more stable as a consequence of the constraint, which likely suppresses dissociation and (ii) the constraint may make further stabilizing interactions with the Aurora-A surface. Taken together this work unveils the first orthosteric N-Myc/Aurora-A inhibitor and provides useful insights on the biophysical properties and thus design of constrained peptides, an attractive therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S. Dawber
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Diana Gimenez
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Matthew Batchelor
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Jennifer A. Miles
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Megan H. Wright
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Richard Bayliss
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Andrew J. Wilson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbaston, BirminghamB15 2TTUK
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6
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Rao S, Sugur H, Konar S, Arivazhagan A, Santosh V. MYCN amplification in spinal ependymoma: A five-year retrospective study. Neuropathology 2023; 43:457-462. [PMID: 37221449 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Spinal ependymoma with MYCN amplification is a newly recognized type of spinal ependymoma that is known to be associated with poor prognosis. Available studies on this relatively rare tumor type have observed that these tumors tend to disseminate along the spinal cord and behave aggressively with worse overall and progression-free survival compared to the other types of ependymoma. In this study, we describe the clinical and histopathological features of spinal ependymomas in a single institution cohort with emphasis on those with MYCN amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Rao
- Department of Neuropathology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Harsha Sugur
- Department of Neuropathology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Subhas Konar
- Department of Neuropathology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Arimappamagan Arivazhagan
- Department of Neuropathology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Vani Santosh
- Department of Neuropathology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
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7
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Ji Y, Zhang W, Shen K, Su R, Liu X, Ma Z, Liu B, Hu C, Xue Y, Xin Z, Yang Y, Li A, Jiang Z, Jing N, Zhu HH, Dong L, Zhu Y, Dong B, Pan J, Wang Q, Xue W. The ELAVL3/MYCN positive feedback loop provides a therapeutic target for neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7794. [PMID: 38016952 PMCID: PMC10684895 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43676-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer is a rapidly progressive and lethal disease characterized by early visceral metastasis, poor prognosis, and limited treatment options. Uncovering the oncogenic mechanisms could lead to the discovery of potential therapeutic avenues. Here, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein ELAVL3 is specifically upregulated in neuroendocrine prostate cancer and that overexpression of ELAVL3 alone is sufficient to induce the neuroendocrine phenotype in prostate adenocarcinoma. Mechanistically, ELAVL3 is transcriptionally regulated by MYCN and subsequently binds to and stabilizes MYCN and RICTOR mRNA. Moreover, ELAVL3 is shown to be released in extracellular vesicles and induce neuroendocrine differentiation of adenocarcinoma cells via an intercellular mechanism. Pharmacological inhibition of ELAVL3 with pyrvinium pamoate, an FDA-approved drug, effectively suppresses tumor growth, reduces metastatic risk, and improves survival in neuroendocrine prostate cancer mouse models. Our results identify ELAVL3 as a critical regulator of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer and propose a drug repurposing strategy for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Ji
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Kai Shen
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Ruopeng Su
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Zehua Ma
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Cong Hu
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Yizheng Xue
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Zhixiang Xin
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Zhou Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Na Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Ren Ji Med-X Stem Cell Research Center, Shanghai Cancer Institute & Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Helen He Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Ren Ji Med-X Stem Cell Research Center, Shanghai Cancer Institute & Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Yinjie Zhu
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Baijun Dong
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Jiahua Pan
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Wei Xue
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
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8
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Altiner P, Çınaroğlu SS, Timucin AC, Timucin E. Computational completion of the Aurora interaction region of N-Myc in the Aurora a kinase complex. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18399. [PMID: 37884585 PMCID: PMC10603048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45272-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting protein-protein interactions of the Myc family is a viable pharmacological strategy for modulation of the levels of Myc oncoproteins in cancer. Aurora A kinase (AurA) and N-Myc interaction is one of the most attractive targets of this strategy because formation of this complex blocks proteasomal degradation of N-Myc in neuroblastoma. Two crystallization studies have captured this complex (PDB IDs: 5g1x, 7ztl), partially resolving the AurA interaction region (AIR) of N-Myc. Prompted by the missing N-Myc fragment in these crystal structures, we modeled the complete structure between AurA and N-Myc, and comprehensively analyzed how the incomplete and complete N-Myc behave in complex by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular dynamics simulations of the incomplete PDB complex (5g1x) repeatedly showed partial dissociation of the short N-Myc fragment (61-89) from the kinase. The missing N-Myc (19-60) fragment was modeled utilizing the N-terminal lobe of AurA as the protein-protein interaction surface, wherein TPX2, a well-known partner of AurA, also binds. Binding free energy calculations along with flexibility analysis confirmed that the complete AIR of N-Myc stabilizes the complex, accentuating the N-terminal lobe of AurA as a binding site for the missing N-Myc fragment (19-60). We further generated additional models consisting of only the missing N-Myc (19-60), and the fused form of TPX2 (7-43) and N-Myc (61-89). These partners also formed more stable interactions with the N-terminal lobe of AurA than did the incomplete N-Myc fragment (61-89) in the 5g1x complex. Altogether, this study provides structural insights into the involvement of the N-terminus of the AIR of N-Myc and the N-terminal lobe of AurA in formation of a stable complex, reflecting its potential for effective targeting of N-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Altiner
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), 31077, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Ahmet Can Timucin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emel Timucin
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
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9
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Beaudry A, Jacques-Ricard S, Darracq A, Sgarioto N, Garcia A, García TR, Lemieux W, Béland K, Haddad E, Cordeiro P, Duval M, McGraw S, Richer C, Caron M, Marois F, St-Onge P, Sinnett D, Banquy X, Raynal NJM. Repurposing disulfiram, an alcohol-abuse drug, in neuroblastoma causes KAT2A downregulation and in vivo activity with a water/oil emulsion. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16443. [PMID: 37777587 PMCID: PMC10543387 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43219-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common type of pediatric extracranial solid tumor, causes 10% of childhood cancer deaths. Despite intensive multimodal treatment, the outcomes of high-risk neuroblastoma remain poor. We urgently need to develop new therapies with safe long-term toxicity profiles for rapid testing in clinical trials. Drug repurposing is a promising approach to meet these needs. Here, we investigated disulfiram, a safe and successful chronic alcoholism treatment with known anticancer and epigenetic effects. Disulfiram efficiently induced cell cycle arrest and decreased the viability of six human neuroblastoma cell lines at half-maximal inhibitory concentrations up to 20 times lower than its peak clinical plasma level in patients treated for chronic alcoholism. Disulfiram shifted neuroblastoma transcriptome, decreasing MYCN levels and activating neuronal differentiation. Consistently, disulfiram significantly reduced the protein level of lysine acetyltransferase 2A (KAT2A), drastically reducing acetylation of its target residues on histone H3. To investigate disulfiram's anticancer effects in an in vivo model of high-risk neuroblastoma, we developed a disulfiram-loaded emulsion to deliver the highly liposoluble drug. Treatment with the emulsion significantly delayed neuroblastoma progression in mice. These results identify KAT2A as a novel target of disulfiram, which directly impacts neuroblastoma epigenetics and is a promising candidate for repurposing to treat pediatric neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Beaudry
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Simon Jacques-Ricard
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anaïs Darracq
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Sgarioto
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Araceli Garcia
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - William Lemieux
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Kathie Béland
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Elie Haddad
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Paulo Cordeiro
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Michel Duval
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Chantal Richer
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Maxime Caron
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - François Marois
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Pascal St-Onge
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xavier Banquy
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Noël J-M Raynal
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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10
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Thammathong J, Chisam KB, Tessmer GE, Womack CB, Sidrak MM, Weissmiller AM, Banerjee S. Fused Imidazopyrazine-Based Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors Inhibit Neuroblastoma Cell Function. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1284-1294. [PMID: 37736192 PMCID: PMC10510670 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting the colchicine binding site on tubulin is a promising approach for cancer treatment to overcome the limitations of current tubulin polymerization inhibitors. New classes of colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSIs) are continually being uncovered; however, balancing metabolic stability and cellular potency remains an issue that needs to be resolved. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a series of novel fused imidazopyridine and -pyrazine CBSIs and evaluated their cellular activity, metabolic stability, and tubulin-binding properties. Evidence shows that the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine series are effective against neuroblastoma cell lines marked by MYCN amplification. Further assessment shows that a combination of an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine core with a trimethoxyphenyl ring D results in the highest cellular activity and binding characteristics compared with a dichloromethoxyphenyl or difluoromethoxyphenyl ring D. However, the metabolic stability of compounds with a dichloromethoxyphenyl or difluoromethoxyphenyl ring D is significantly higher than that of those containing a trimethoxyphenyl ring D, suggesting that improved metabolic stability is achieved with a moderate impact on potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Thammathong
- Department
of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Kaylee B. Chisam
- Department
of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Garrett E. Tessmer
- Department
of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Carl B. Womack
- Department
of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Mario M. Sidrak
- Department
of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - April M. Weissmiller
- Department
of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Souvik Banerjee
- Department
of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
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11
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Luo Y, He M, Yang J, Zhang F, Chen J, Wen X, Fan J, Fan X, Chai P, Jia R. A novel MYCN-YTHDF1 cascade contributes to retinoblastoma tumor growth by eliciting m 6A -dependent activation of multiple oncogenes. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2138-2151. [PMID: 36949231 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2288-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma, the most prevalent primary intraocular tumor in children, leads to vision impairment, disability and even death. In addition to RB1 inactivation, MYCN activation has been documented as another common oncogenic alteration in retinoblastoma and represents one of the high-risk molecular subtypes of retinoblastoma. However, how MYCN contributes to the progression of retinoblastoma is still incompletely understood. Here, we report that MYCN upregulates YTHDF1, which encodes one of the reader proteins for N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification, in retinoblastoma. We further found that this MYCN-upregulated m6A reader functions to promote retinoblastoma cell proliferation and tumor growth in an m6A binding-dependent manner. Mechanistically, YTHDF1 promotes the expression of multiple oncogenes by binding to their mRNAs and enhancing mRNA stability and translation in retinoblastoma cells. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel MYCN-YTHDF1 regulatory cascade in controlling retinoblastoma cell proliferation and tumor growth, pinpointing an unprecedented mechanism for MYCN amplification and/or activation to promote retinoblastoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxiu Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Mengjia He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Feifei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Xuyang Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China.
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China.
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200023, China.
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12
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Bumpous LA, Moe KC, Wang J, Carver LA, Williams AG, Romer AS, Scobee JD, Maxwell JN, Jones CA, Chung DH, Tansey WP, Liu Q, Weissmiller AM. WDR5 facilitates recruitment of N-MYC to conserved WDR5 gene targets in neuroblastoma cell lines. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:32. [PMID: 37336886 PMCID: PMC10279693 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00477-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Collectively, the MYC family of oncoprotein transcription factors is overexpressed in more than half of all malignancies. The ability of MYC proteins to access chromatin is fundamental to their role in promoting oncogenic gene expression programs in cancer and this function depends on MYC-cofactor interactions. One such cofactor is the chromatin regulator WDR5, which in models of Burkitt lymphoma facilitates recruitment of the c-MYC protein to chromatin at genes associated with protein synthesis, allowing for tumor progression and maintenance. However, beyond Burkitt lymphoma, it is unknown whether these observations extend to other cancers or MYC family members, and whether WDR5 can be deemed as a "universal" MYC recruiter. Here, we focus on N-MYC amplified neuroblastoma to determine the extent of colocalization between N-MYC and WDR5 on chromatin while also demonstrating that like c-MYC, WDR5 can facilitate the recruitment of N-MYC to conserved WDR5-bound genes. We conclude based on this analysis that N-MYC and WDR5 colocalize invariantly across cell lines at predicted sites of facilitated recruitment associated with protein synthesis genes. Surprisingly, we also identify N-MYC-WDR5 cobound genes that are associated with DNA repair and cell cycle processes. Dissection of chromatin binding characteristics for N-MYC and WDR5 at all cobound genes reveals that sites of facilitated recruitment are inherently different than most N-MYC-WDR5 cobound sites. Our data reveals that WDR5 acts as a universal MYC recruiter at a small cohort of previously identified genes and highlights novel biological functions that may be coregulated by N-MYC and WDR5 to sustain the neuroblastoma state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh A Bumpous
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Kylie C Moe
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Logan A Carver
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Alexandria G Williams
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Alexander S Romer
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Jesse D Scobee
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Jack N Maxwell
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Cheyenne A Jones
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Dai H Chung
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health, Dallas, TX, 75234, USA
| | - William P Tansey
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Qi Liu
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - April M Weissmiller
- Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA.
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13
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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14
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Choi S, Hong SP, Bae JH, Suh SH, Bae H, Kang KP, Lee HJ, Koh GY. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ Drives Alterations in Mesangial Cells through Stabilization of N-Myc in Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:809-828. [PMID: 36724799 PMCID: PMC10125647 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mesangial cells (MCs) in the kidney are essential to maintaining glomerular integrity, and their impairment leads to major glomerular diseases including diabetic nephropathy (DN). Although high blood glucose elicits abnormal alterations in MCs, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We show that YAP/TAZ are increased in MCs of patients with DN and two animal models of DN. High glucose directly induces activation of YAP/TAZ through the canonical Hippo pathway in cultured MCs. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ in mouse MCs recapitulates the hallmarks of DN. Activated YAP/TAZ bind and stabilize N-Myc, one of the Myc family. N-Myc stabilization leads to aberrant enhancement of its transcriptional activity and to MC impairments. Our findings shed light on how high blood glucose in diabetes mellitus leads to DN and support a rationale that lowering blood glucose in diabetes mellitus could delay DN pathogenesis. BACKGROUND Mesangial cells (MCs) in the kidney are central to maintaining glomerular integrity, and their impairment leads to major glomerular diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). Although high blood glucose elicits abnormal alterations in MCs, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. METHODS Immunolocalization of YAP/TAZ and pathological features of PDGFRβ + MCs were analyzed in the glomeruli of patients with DN, in Zucker diabetic fatty rats, and in Lats1/2i ΔPβ mice. RiboTag bulk-RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis of gene expression profiles of the isolated MCs from control and Lats1/2iΔPβ mice were performed. Immunoprecipitation analysis and protein stability of N-Myc were performed by the standard protocols. RESULTS YAP and TAZ, the final effectors of the Hippo pathway, are highly increased in MCs of patients with DN and in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Moreover, high glucose directly induces activation of YAP/TAZ through the canonical Hippo pathway in cultured MCs. Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ in mouse model MCs recapitulates the hallmarks of DN, including excessive proliferation of MCs and extracellular matrix deposition, endothelial cell impairment, glomerular sclerosis, albuminuria, and reduced glomerular filtration rate. Mechanistically, activated YAP/TAZ bind and stabilize N-Myc protein, one of the Myc family of oncogenes. N-Myc stabilization leads to aberrant enhancement of its transcriptional activity and eventually to MC impairments and DN pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings shed light on how high blood glucose in diabetes mellitus leads to DN and support a rationale that lowering blood glucose in diabetes mellitus could delay DN pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyeok Choi
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Pyo Hong
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Bae
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Heon Suh
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosung Bae
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Pyo Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuek Jong Lee
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gou Young Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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15
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Talapatra J, Reddy MM. Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming in Embryonal Neoplasms with MYCN Amplification. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072144. [PMID: 37046804 PMCID: PMC10093342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells reprogram their metabolism, including glucose, glutamine, nucleotide, lipid, and amino acids to meet their enhanced energy demands, redox balance, and requirement of biosynthetic substrates for uncontrolled cell proliferation. Altered lipid metabolism in cancer provides lipids for rapid membrane biogenesis, generates the energy required for unrestricted cell proliferation, and some of the lipids act as signaling pathway mediators. In this review, we focus on the role of lipid metabolism in embryonal neoplasms with MYCN dysregulation. We specifically review lipid metabolic reactions in neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, medulloblastoma, Wilms tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma and the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism. Additionally, the regulation of lipid metabolism by the MYCN oncogene is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmayee Talapatra
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
| | - Mamatha M Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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16
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Molteni E, Baldan F, Damante G, Allegri L. GSK2801 Reverses Paclitaxel Resistance in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines through MYCN Downregulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065993. [PMID: 36983070 PMCID: PMC10054879 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a very rare, but extremely aggressive form of thyroid malignancy, responsible for the highest mortality rate registered for thyroid cancer. Treatment with taxanes (such as paclitaxel) is an important approach in counteracting ATC or slowing its progression in tumors without known genetic aberrations or those which are unresponsive to other treatments. Unfortunately, resistance often develops and, for this reason, new therapies that overcome taxane resistance are needed. In this study, effects of inhibition of several bromodomain proteins in paclitaxel-resistant ATC cell lines were investigated. GSK2801, a specific inhibitor of BAZ2A, BAZ2B and BRD9, was effective in resensitizing cells to paclitaxel. In fact, when used in combination with paclitaxel, it was able to reduce cell viability, block the ability to form colonies in an anchor-independent manner, and strongly decrease cell motility. After RNA-seq following treatment with GSK2801, we focused our attention on MYCN. Based on the hypothesis that MYCN was a major downstream player in the biological effects of GSK2801, we tested a specific inhibitor, VPC-70619, which showed effective biological effects when used in association with paclitaxel. This suggests that the functional deficiency of MYCN determines a partial resensitization of the cells examined and, ultimately, that a substantial part of the effect of GSK2801 results from inhibition of MYCN expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Molteni
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Via Chiusaforte, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Federica Baldan
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Via Chiusaforte, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Academic Hospital of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Via Chiusaforte, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Academic Hospital of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Allegri
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Via Chiusaforte, 33100 Udine, Italy
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17
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Evaluating the RIST Molecular-Targeted Regimen in a Three-Dimensional Neuroblastoma Spheroid Cell Culture Model. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061749. [PMID: 36980635 PMCID: PMC10046822 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The outcome for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma remains poor and novel treatment strategies are urgently needed. The RIST protocol represents a novel metronomic and multimodal treatment strategy for high-risk neuroblastoma combining molecular-targeted drugs as ‘pre-treatment’ with a conventional chemotherapy backbone, currently evaluated in a phase II clinical trial. For preclinical drug testing, cancer cell growth as spheroid compared to mo-nolayer cultures is of advantage since it reproduces a wide range of tumor characteristics, including the three-dimensional architecture and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. The objective of this study was to establish a neuroblastoma spheroid model for the rigorous assessment of the RIST treatment protocol. Methods: Evaluation of CSC marker expression was performed by mRNA and protein analysis and spheroid viability by luminescence-based assays. Aberrant expression of RNA-binding protein La in neuroblastoma was assessed by tissue microarray analysis and patients’ data mining. Results: Spheroid cultures showed increased expression of a subgroup of CSC-like markers (CXCR4, NANOG and BMI) and higher Thr389 phosphorylation of the neuroblastoma-associated RNA-binding protein La when compared to monolayer cultures. Molecular-targeted ‘pre-treatment’ of spheroids decreased neoplastic signaling and CSC marker expression. Conclusions: The RIST treatment protocol efficiently reduced the viability of neuroblastoma spheroids characterized by advanced CSC properties.
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18
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Antigene MYCN Silencing by BGA002 Inhibits SCLC Progression Blocking mTOR Pathway and Overcomes Multidrug Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030990. [PMID: 36765949 PMCID: PMC9913109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung cancer type, and is associated with smoking, low survival rate due to high vascularization, metastasis and drug resistance. Alterations in MYC family members are biomarkers of poor prognosis for a large number of SCLC. In particular, MYCN alterations define SCLC cases with immunotherapy failure. MYCN has a highly restricted pattern of expression in normal cells and is an ideal target for cancer therapy but is undruggable by traditional approaches. We propose an innovative approach to MYCN inhibition by an MYCN-specific antigene-PNA oligonucleotide (BGA002)-as a new precision medicine for MYCN-related SCLC. We found that BGA002 profoundly and specifically inhibited MYCN expression in SCLC cells, leading to cell-growth inhibition and apoptosis, while also overcoming multidrug resistance. These effects are driven by mTOR pathway block in concomitance with autophagy reactivation, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in healthy cells. Moreover, we identified an MYCN-related SCLC gene signature comprehending CNTFR, DLX5 and TNFAIP3, that was reverted by BGA002. Finally, systemic treatment with BGA002 significantly increased survival in MYCN-amplified SCLC mouse models, including in a multidrug-resistant model in which tumor vascularization was also eliminated. These findings warrant the clinical testing of BGA002 in MYCN-related SCLC.
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19
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A Review of the Regulatory Mechanisms of N-Myc on Cell Cycle. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031141. [PMID: 36770809 PMCID: PMC9920120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma has obvious heterogeneity. It is one of the few undifferentiated malignant tumors that can spontaneously degenerate into completely benign tumors. However, for its high-risk type, even with various intensive treatment options, the prognosis is still unsatisfactory. At the same time, a large number of research data show that the abnormal amplification and high-level expression of the MYCN gene are positively correlated with the malignant progression, poor prognosis, and mortality of neuroblastoma. In this context, this article explores the role of the N-Myc, MYCN gene expression product on its target genes related to the cell cycle and reveals its regulatory network in promoting tumor proliferation and malignant progression. We hope it can provide ideas and direction for the research and development of drugs targeting N-Myc and its downstream target genes.
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20
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GINS2 Promotes Osteosarcoma Tumorigenesis via STAT3/MYC Axis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:8454142. [PMID: 36873736 PMCID: PMC9981285 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8454142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
GINS2 is overexpressed in several cancers, but little is known about its role in osteosarcoma (OS). A series of in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to explore the role of GINS2 in OS. In this study, we demonstrated that GINS2 was found to be highly expressed in OS tissues and cell lines, which was associated with poor outcomes in OS patients. GINS2 knockdown hindered the growth and induced apoptosis in OS cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, GINS2 knockdown effectively inhibited the growth of a xenograft tumor in vivo. By using an Affymetrix gene chip and intelligent pathway analysis, it was demonstrated that the GINS2 knockdown could reduce the expression of several targeted genes and reduce the activity of the MYC signaling pathway. Mechanically, LC-MS, CoIP, and rescue experiments revealed that GINS2 promoted tumor progression through the STAT3/MYC axis in the OS. Moreover, GINS2 was associated with tumor immunity and may be a potential immunotherapeutic target for OS.
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21
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Li YF, Cheng T, Zhang YJ, Fu XX, Mo J, Zhao GQ, Xue MG, Zhuo DH, Xing YY, Huang Y, Sun XZ, Wang D, Liu X, Dong Y, Zhu XS, He F, Ma J, Chen D, Jin X, Xu PF. Mycn regulates intestinal development through ribosomal biogenesis in a zebrafish model of Feingold syndrome 1. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001856. [PMID: 36318514 PMCID: PMC9624419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Feingold syndrome type 1, caused by loss-of-function of MYCN, is characterized by varied phenotypes including esophageal and duodenal atresia. However, no adequate model exists for studying the syndrome's pathological or molecular mechanisms, nor is there a treatment strategy. Here, we developed a zebrafish Feingold syndrome type 1 model with nonfunctional mycn, which had severe intestinal atresia. Single-cell RNA-seq identified a subcluster of intestinal cells that were highly sensitive to Mycn, and impaired cell proliferation decreased the overall number of intestinal cells in the mycn mutant fish. Bulk RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis showed that expression of ribosomal genes was down-regulated and that amino acid metabolism was abnormal. Northern blot and ribosomal profiling analysis showed abnormal rRNA processing and decreases in free 40S, 60S, and 80S ribosome particles, which led to impaired translation in the mutant. Besides, both Ribo-seq and western blot analysis showed that mTOR pathway was impaired in mycn mutant, and blocking mTOR pathway by rapamycin treatment can mimic the intestinal defect, and both L-leucine and Rheb, which can elevate translation via activating TOR pathway, could rescue the intestinal phenotype of mycn mutant. In summary, by this zebrafish Feingold syndrome type 1 model, we found that disturbance of ribosomal biogenesis and blockage of protein synthesis during development are primary causes of the intestinal defect in Feingold syndrome type 1. Importantly, our work suggests that leucine supplementation may be a feasible and easy treatment option for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Fei Li
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhang
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Xin Fu
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Mo
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guo-Qin Zhao
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Mao-Guang Xue
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ding-Hao Zhuo
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Yi Xing
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Zhi Sun
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Dong
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Sheng Zhu
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng He
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (XJ); (P-FX)
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Human Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (XJ); (P-FX)
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22
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Ye G, Wang Y. Construction of a Prognostic Nomogram Based on Autophagy-Related Genes for Children With Neuroblastoma. Evol Bioinform Online 2022; 18:11769343221120960. [PMID: 36046056 PMCID: PMC9421005 DOI: 10.1177/11769343221120960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid malignancy in children. MYCN gene amplification is the most relevant genetic alteration in patients with NB and is associated with poor prognosis. Autophagy plays specific roles in the occurrence, development, and progression of NB. Here, we aimed to identify and assess the prognostic effects of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in patients with NB and MYCN gene amplification. Differentially expressed ARGs were identified in patients with NB with and without MYCN gene amplification, and the ARG expression patterns and related clinical data from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments database were used as the training cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analyses were used to identify prognostic ARGs associated with event-free survival (EFS), and a prognostic risk score model was developed. Model performance was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The prognostic ARG mode l was verified using the validation cohort dataset, GSE49710. Finally, a nomogram was constructed by combining the ARGbased risk score with clinicopathological factors. Three ARGs (GABARAPL1, NBR1, and PINK1) were selected to build a prognostic risk score model. The EFS in the low-risk group was significantly better than that in the high-risk group in both the training and validation cohorts. A nomogram incorporating the prognostic risk score, age, and International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage showed a favorable predictive ability for EFS rates according to the area under the ROC curve at 3 years (AUC = 0.787) and 5 years (AUC = 0.787). The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination and calibration. Our risk score model for the 3 ARGs can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients with NB and MYCN gene amplification. The model can accurately predict the 3- and 5-year survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guogang Ye
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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23
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An improved CUT&RUN method for regulation network reconstruction of low abundance transcription factor. Cell Signal 2022; 96:110361. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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24
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Baranowska-Kortylewicz J, Kortylewicz ZP, McIntyre EM, Sharp JG, Coulter DW. Multifarious Functions of Butyrylcholinesterase in Neuroblastoma: Impact of BCHE Deletion on the Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:293-304. [PMID: 34486544 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The physiological functions of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its role in malignancy remain unexplained. Our studies in children newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma indicated that BChE expressions is proportional to MYCN amplification suggesting that pathogenesis of high-risk disease may be related to the persistent expression of abnormally high levels of tumor-associated BChE. BChE-deficient neuroblastoma cells (KO [knockout]) were produced from MYCN -amplified BE(2)-C cells (WT [wild-type]) by the CRISPR-Cas9 targeted disruption of the BCHE locus. KO cells have no detectable BChE activity. The compensatory acetylcholinesterase activity was not detected. The average population doubling time of KO cells is 47.0±2.4 hours, >2× longer than WT cells. Reduced proliferation rates of KO cells were accompanied by the loss of N-Myc protein and a significant deactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors associated with the aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype including Ros1, TrkB, and Ltk. Tumorigenicity of WT and KO cells in male mice was essentially identical. In contrast, KO xenografts in female mice were very small (0.37±0.10 g), ~3× smaller compared with WT xenografts (1.11±0.30 g). Unexpectedly, KO xenografts produced changes in plasma BChE similarly to WT tumors but lesser in magnitude. The disruption of BCHE locus in MYCN -amplified neuroblastoma cells decelerates proliferation and produces neuroblastoma cells that are less aggressive in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John G Sharp
- Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Don W Coulter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Pediatrics
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25
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A Drug Repurposing Screen Identifies Fludarabine Phosphate as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for N-MYC Overexpressing Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142246. [PMID: 35883689 PMCID: PMC9317991 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a highly aggressive form of prostate tumors. NEPC results from trans-differentiated castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with increasing evidence indicating that the incidence of NEPC often results from the adaptive response to androgen deprivation therapy. Recent studies have shown that a subset of NEPC exhibits overexpression of the MYCN oncogene along with the loss of tumor suppressing TP53 and RB1 activities. N-MYC is structurally disordered with no binding pockets available on its surface and so far, no clinically approved drug is available. We adopted a drug-repurposing strategy, screened ~1800 drug molecules, and identified fludarabine phosphate to preferentially inhibit the proliferation of N-MYC overexpressing NEPC cells by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also show that fludarabine phosphate affects N-MYC protein levels and N-MYC transcriptional targets in NEPC cells. Moreover, enhanced ROS production destabilizes N-MYC protein by inhibiting AKT signaling and is responsible for the reduced survival of NEPC cells and tumors. Our results indicate that increasing ROS production by the administration of fludarabine phosphate may represent an effective treatment option for patients with N-MYC overexpressing NEPC tumors.
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26
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Role of MicroRNAs in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8020025. [PMID: 35447888 PMCID: PMC9029336 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC/NEPC) is an aggressive variant of prostate cancer (PCa) that frequently emerges in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) under the selective pressure of androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies. This variant is extremely aggressive, metastasizes to visceral organs, tissues, and bones despite low serum PSA, and is associated with poor survival rates. It arises via a reversible trans-differentiation process, referred to as ‘neuroendocrine differentiation’ (NED), wherein PCa cells undergo a lineage switch and exhibit neuroendocrine features, characterized by the expression of neuronal markers such as enolase 2 (ENO2), chromogranin A (CHGA), and synaptophysin (SYP). The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying NED in PCa are complex and not clearly understood, which contributes to a lack of effective molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy of this variant. NEPC is thought to derive from prostate adenocarcinomas by clonal evolution. A characteristic set of genetic alterations, such as dual loss of retinoblastoma (RB1) and tumor protein (TP53) tumor suppressor genes and amplifications of Aurora kinase A (AURKA), NMYC, and EZH2, has been reported to drive NEPC. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important epigenetic players in driving NED in advanced PCa. In this review, we highlight the role of miRNAs in NEPC. These studies emphasize the diverse role that miRNAs play as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in driving NEPC. These studies have unveiled the important role of cellular processes such as the EMT and cancer stemness in determining NED in PCa. Furthermore, miRNAs are involved in intercellular communication between tumor cells and stromal cells via extracellular vesicles/exosomes that contribute to lineage switching. Recent studies support the promising potential of miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NEPC.
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27
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BRD4 inhibitor MZ1 exerts anti-cancer effects by targeting MYCN and MAPK signaling in neuroblastoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 604:63-69. [PMID: 35299072 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma(NB) is a common childhood solid tumor, and most patients in the high-risk group with MYCN gene amplification have a poor prognosis. Inhibition of bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) proteins has shown considerable promise in the investigation of MYCN-driven malignancies in recent years. MZ1 is a novel BET inhibitor that employs proteolytic-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology for proteasomal degradation of target proteins and has shown excellent effects in some tumors, but its role in neuroblastoma remains poorly understood. Herein, we observed that MZ1 suppressed MYC-amplified NB cell proliferation and normal cell cycle, while simultaneously boosting cell apoptosis. MZ1 also provides a significant therapeutic impact in vivo. Mechanistically, MZ1 exhibits anti-tumor effect in NB cells by suppressing the expression of N-Myc or C-Myc as well as the MAPK signaling pathway. Overall, our data imply that MZ1 might be exploited as a possible therapeutic method for NB therapy.
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Merkens L, Sailer V, Lessel D, Janzen E, Greimeier S, Kirfel J, Perner S, Pantel K, Werner S, von Amsberg G. Aggressive variants of prostate cancer: underlying mechanisms of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:46. [PMID: 35109899 PMCID: PMC8808994 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02255-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a hormone-driven disease and its tumor cell growth highly relies on increased androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Therefore, targeted therapy directed against androgen synthesis or AR activation is broadly used and continually improved. However, a subset of patients eventually progresses to castration-resistant disease. To date, various mechanisms of resistance have been identified including the development of AR-independent aggressive variant prostate cancer based on neuroendocrine transdifferentiation (NED). Here, we review the highly complex processes contributing to NED. Genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional aberrations and posttranscriptional modifications are highlighted and the potential interplay of the different factors is discussed. Background Aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC) with traits of neuroendocrine differentiation emerges in a rising number of patients in recent years. Among others, advanced therapies targeting the androgen receptor axis have been considered causative for this development. Cell growth of AVPC often occurs completely independent of the androgen receptor signal transduction pathway and cells have mostly lost the typical cellular features of prostate adenocarcinoma. This complicates both diagnosis and treatment of this very aggressive disease. We believe that a deeper understanding of the complex molecular pathological mechanisms contributing to transdifferentiation will help to improve diagnostic procedures and develop effective treatment strategies. Indeed, in recent years, many scientists have made important contributions to unravel possible causes and mechanisms in the context of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. However, the complexity of the diverse molecular pathways has not been captured completely, yet. This narrative review comprehensively highlights the individual steps of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation and makes an important contribution in bringing together the results found so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Merkens
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Verena Sailer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Davor Lessel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ella Janzen
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Greimeier
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany.,Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Werner
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center Hamburg HaTRiCs4, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Martini-Klinik, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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29
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Macsek P, Skoda J, Krchniakova M, Neradil J, Veselska R. Iron-Chelation Treatment by Novel Thiosemicarbazone Targets Major Signaling Pathways in Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010376. [PMID: 35008802 PMCID: PMC8745636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite constant advances in the field of pediatric oncology, the survival rate of high-risk neuroblastoma patients remains poor. The molecular and genetic features of neuroblastoma, such as MYCN amplification and stemness status, have established themselves not only as potent prognostic and predictive factors but also as intriguing targets for personalized therapy. Novel thiosemicarbazones target both total level and activity of a number of proteins involved in some of the most important signaling pathways in neuroblastoma. In this study, we found that di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC) potently decreases N-MYC in MYCN-amplified and c-MYC in MYCN-nonamplified neuroblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, DpC succeeded in downregulating total EGFR and phosphorylation of its most prominent tyrosine residues through the involvement of NDRG1, a positive prognostic marker in neuroblastoma, which was markedly upregulated after thiosemicarbazone treatment. These findings could provide useful knowledge for the treatment of MYC-driven neuroblastomas that are unresponsive to conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Macsek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (R.V.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Skoda
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (R.V.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Krchniakova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (R.V.)
| | - Jakub Neradil
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (R.V.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, 662 63 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-549-49-6003
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (R.V.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, 662 63 Brno, Czech Republic
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30
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MYCN in Neuroblastoma: "Old Wine into New Wineskins". Diseases 2021; 9:diseases9040078. [PMID: 34842635 PMCID: PMC8628738 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (MYCN) has been one of the most studied genes in neuroblastoma. It is known for its oncogenetic mechanisms, as well as its role in the prognosis of the disease and it is considered one of the prominent targets for neuroblastoma therapy. In the present work, we attempted to review the literature, on the relation between MYCN and neuroblastoma from all possible mechanistic sites. We have searched the literature for the role of MYCN in neuroblastoma based on the following topics: the references of MYCN in the literature, the gene's anatomy, along with its transcripts, the protein's anatomy, the epigenetic mechanisms regulating MYCN expression and function, as well as MYCN amplification. MYCN plays a significant role in neuroblastoma biology. Its functions and properties range from the forming of G-quadraplexes, to the interaction with miRNAs, as well as the regulation of gene methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. Although MYCN is one of the most primary genes studied in neuroblastoma, there is still a lot to be learned. Our knowledge on the exact mechanisms of MYCN amplification, etiology and potential interventions is still limited. The knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of MYCN in neuroblastoma, could have potential prognostic and therapeutic advantages.
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Sradhanjali S, Rout P, Tripathy D, Kaliki S, Rath S, Modak R, Mittal R, Chowdary TK, Reddy MM. The Oncogene MYCN Modulates Glycolytic and Invasive Genes to Enhance Cell Viability and Migration in Human Retinoblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205248. [PMID: 34680394 PMCID: PMC8533785 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is usually initiated by biallelic RB1 gene inactivation. In addition, MYCN copy number alterations also contribute to RB pathogenesis. However, MYCN expression, its role in disease progression and correlation with RB histological risk factors are not well understood. We studied the expression of MYCN in enucleated RB patient specimens by immunohistochemistry. MYCN is overexpressed in RB compared to control retina. Our microarray gene expression analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation revealed that genes involved in glucose metabolism and migration are significantly downregulated in MYCN knockdown cells. Further, targeting MYCN in RB cells using small molecule compounds or shRNAs led to decreased cell survival and migration, increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, suggesting that MYCN inhibition can be a potential therapeutic strategy. We also noted that MYCN inhibition results in reduction in glucose uptake, lactate production, ROS levels and gelatinolytic activity of active-MMP9, explaining a possible mechanism of MYCN in RB. Taking clues from our findings, we tested a combination treatment of RB cells with carboplatin and MYCN inhibitors to find enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to single drug treatment. Thus, MYCN inhibition can be a potential therapeutic strategy in combination with existing chemotherapy drugs to restrict tumor cell growth in RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swatishree Sradhanjali
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
| | - Padmalochan Rout
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- Novo Nordisk, Bangalore 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Devjyoti Tripathy
- Ophthalmic Plastics, Orbit and Ocular Oncology Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (D.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Swathi Kaliki
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, Telangana, India;
| | - Suryasnata Rath
- Ophthalmic Plastics, Orbit and Ocular Oncology Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (D.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Rahul Modak
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
| | - Ruchi Mittal
- Kanupriya Dalmia Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
- Department of Pathology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Tirumala Kumar Chowdary
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar 752050, Odisha, India;
| | - Mamatha M. Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +91-674-3987175
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32
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Delhase M. Identification of genes differentially expressed between a somatotrope and a lactotrope pituitary cell lines by representational difference analysis. ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.endmts.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Kawano A, Hazard FK, Chiu B, Naranjo A, LaBarre B, London WB, Hogarty MD, Cohn SL, Maris JM, Park JR, Gastier-Foster JM, Ikegaki N, Shimada H. Stage 4S Neuroblastoma: Molecular, Histologic, and Immunohistochemical Characteristics and Presence of 2 Distinct Patterns of MYCN Protein Overexpression-A Report From the Children's Oncology Group. Am J Surg Pathol 2021; 45:1075-1081. [PMID: 33739795 PMCID: PMC8217390 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stage 4S neuroblastoma (4SNB) is associated with spontaneous tumor regression and an excellent prognosis. However, a small group of the patients have a poor prognosis. One hundred eighty-five stage 4SNB cases filed at the Children's Oncology Group Neuroblastoma Pathology Reference Laboratory were studied. MYCN oncogene status [non-amplified (NA) vs. Amplified (A)] determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization, MYC-family (MYCN/MYC) protein expression [no-overexpression(-)/(+/-) vs. overexpression(+)] by immunohistochemistry and histopathology by International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification [Favorable Histology (FH) vs. Unfavorable Histology (UH)] with particular attention to nucleolar hypertrophy [NH(-) vs. (+)] were assessed with patient survival. One hundred forty-seven (79.5%) tumors were MYCN-NA, FH, MYC-family protein(-)/(+/-), and NH(-) with a good prognosis [88.5±3.1% 3-y event-free survival (EFS); 94.1±2.3% 3-y overall survival (OS)]. Among MYCN-NA tumors, 11 demonstrated MYCN protein(+) with a moderate and uniform (M/U) staining pattern: they were FH(10/11), NH(-), 1 showed MYC protein(+) simultaneously, and all patients are alive. Also found were 5 MYC protein(+) and MYCN(-)/(+/-) tumors; they were FH without NH (4/5), and all patients are alive. Among MYCN-A tumors, 18 had MYCN protein(+) with a strong and heterogeneous (S/H) staining pattern, 9 had UH (44.4±23.4% EFS/OS) and 9 had FH (68.6±19.2% EFS/OS), and 15 showed NH(+). Two tumors had MYCN protein(-)/(+/-) despite MYCN-A; both were FH and NH(-), and 1 patient died. S/H staining pattern of MYCN protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry was associated with MYCN amplification, NH(+) and a poor prognosis. In contrast, the M/U staining pattern was associated with MYCN nonamplification and NH(-), and had no adverse prognostic effects for the stage 4SNB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Kawano
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Chiba, Japan
| | - Florette K. Hazard
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Bill Chiu
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Arlene Naranjo
- Department of Biostatistics, Children’s Oncology Group Statistics and Data Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Brian LaBarre
- Department of Biostatistics, Children’s Oncology Group Statistics and Data Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Wendy B. London
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael D. Hogarty
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Susan L. Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - John M. Maris
- Division of Oncology and Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julie R. Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | | | - Naohiko Ikegaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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Shrestha S, Morcavallo A, Gorrini C, Chesler L. Biological Role of MYCN in Medulloblastoma: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities and Challenges Ahead. Front Oncol 2021; 11:694320. [PMID: 34195095 PMCID: PMC8236857 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.694320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The constitutive and dysregulated expression of the transcription factor MYCN has a central role in the pathogenesis of the paediatric brain tumour medulloblastoma, with an increased expression of this oncogene correlating with a worse prognosis. Consequently, the genomic and functional alterations of MYCN represent a major therapeutic target to attenuate tumour growth in medulloblastoma. This review will provide a comprehensive synopsis of the biological role of MYCN and its family components, their interaction with distinct signalling pathways, and the implications of this network in medulloblastoma development. We will then summarise the current toolbox for targeting MYCN and highlight novel therapeutic avenues that have the potential to results in better-tailored clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Shrestha
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Alaide Morcavallo
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Gorrini
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
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Huq S, Kannapadi NV, Casaos J, Lott T, Felder R, Serra R, Gorelick NL, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Ding AS, Cecia A, Medikonda R, Ehresman J, Brem H, Skuli N, Tyler BM. Preclinical efficacy of ribavirin in SHH and group 3 medulloblastoma. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2021; 27:482-488. [PMID: 33545678 DOI: 10.3171/2020.8.peds20561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain malignancy, has Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and group 3 (Myc driven) subtypes that are associated with the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a critical mediator of translation, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase and master regulator of transcription. Recent drug repurposing efforts in multiple solid and hematologic malignancies have demonstrated that eIF4E and EZH2 are both pharmacologically inhibited by the FDA-approved antiviral drug ribavirin. Given the molecular overlap between medulloblastoma biology and known ribavirin activity, the authors investigated the preclinical efficacy of repurposing ribavirin as a targeted therapeutic in cell and animal models of medulloblastoma. METHODS Multiple in vitro assays were performed using human ONS-76 (a primitive SHH model) and D425 (an aggressive group 3 model) cells. The impacts of ribavirin on cellular growth, death, migration, and invasion were quantified using proliferation and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, flow cytometry with annexin V (AnnV) staining, scratch wound assays, and Matrigel invasion chambers, respectively. Survival following daily ribavirin treatment (100 mg/kg) was assessed in vivo in immunodeficient mice intracranially implanted with D425 cells. RESULTS Compared to controls, ribavirin treatment led to a significant reduction in medulloblastoma cell growth (ONS-76 proliferation assay, p = 0.0001; D425 CCK-8 assay, p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in cell death (flow cytometry for AnnV, ONS-76, p = 0.0010; D425, p = 0.0284). In ONS-76 cells, compared to controls, ribavirin significantly decreased cell migration and invasion (Matrigel invasion chamber assay, p = 0.0012). In vivo, ribavirin significantly extended survival in an aggressive group 3 medulloblastoma mouse model compared to vehicle-treated controls (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS The authors demonstrate that ribavirin, a clinically used drug known to inhibit eIF4E and EZH2, has significant antitumor effects in multiple preclinical models of medulloblastoma, including an aggressive group 3 animal model. Ribavirin may represent a promising targeted therapeutic in medulloblastoma.
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Putra V, Hulme AJ, Tee AE, Sun JQ, Atmadibrata B, Ho N, Chen J, Gao J, Norris MD, Haber M, Kavallaris M, Henderson MJ, McCarroll J, Trahair T, Liu T, Liu PY. The RNA-helicase DDX21 upregulates CEP55 expression and promotes neuroblastoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1162-1179. [PMID: 33497018 PMCID: PMC8024731 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 25% of human neuroblastoma is caused by amplification of the MYCN oncogene, which leads to overexpression of N-Myc oncoprotein. The survival rate for this patient subtype is <50%. Here, we show that N-Myc protein bound to the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX21 gene promoter and upregulated DDX21 mRNA and protein expression. Genome-wide differential gene expression studies identified centrosomal protein CEP55 as one of the genes most dramatically downregulated after DDX21 knockdown in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Knocking down DDX21 or CEP55 reduced neuroblastoma cell cytoskeleton stability and cell proliferation and all but abolished clonogenic capacity. Importantly, DDX21 knockdown initially induced tumor regression in neuroblastoma-bearing mice and suppressed tumor progression. In human neuroblastoma tissues, a high level of DDX21 expression correlated with a high level of N-Myc expression and with CEP55 expression, and independently predicted poor patient prognosis. Taken together, our data show that DDX21 induces CEP55 expression, MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis, and that DDX21 and CEP55 are valid therapeutic targets for the treatment of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vina Putra
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Amy J. Hulme
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Andrew E. Tee
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Jane Q.J. Sun
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Bernard Atmadibrata
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Nicholas Ho
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Jingwei Chen
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Jixuan Gao
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Murray D. Norris
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
- University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer ResearchSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyAustralian Centre for NanomedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
- School of Women’s and Children’s HealthFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Michelle J. Henderson
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Joshua McCarroll
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Toby Trahair
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
| | - Pei Y. Liu
- Children’s Cancer InstituteLowy Cancer Research CentreUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSWAustralia
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Liu Z, Chen SS, Clarke S, Veschi V, Thiele CJ. Targeting MYCN in Pediatric and Adult Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 10:623679. [PMID: 33628735 PMCID: PMC7898977 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.623679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of the MYC family of oncogenes, including c-MYC, MYCN and MYCL occurs in many types of cancers, and is frequently associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of functional studies have focused on c-MYC due to its broad expression profile in human cancers. The existence of highly conserved functional domains between MYCN and c-MYC suggests that MYCN participates in similar activities. MYC encodes a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) transcription factor (TF) whose central oncogenic role in many human cancers makes it a highly desirable therapeutic target. Historically, as a TF, MYC has been regarded as “undruggable”. Thus, recent efforts focus on investigating methods to indirectly target MYC to achieve anti-tumor effects. This review will primarily summarize the recent progress in understanding the function of MYCN. It will explore efforts at targeting MYCN, including strategies aimed at suppression of MYCN transcription, destabilization of MYCN protein, inhibition of MYCN transcriptional activity, repression of MYCN targets and utilization of MYCN overexpression dependent synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Samuel S Chen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Saki Clarke
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive histologic subtype of prostate cancer that most commonly arises in later stages of prostate cancer as a mechanism of treatment resistance. The poor prognosis of NEPC is attributed in part to late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic agents. Here, we review the clinical and molecular features of NEPC based on recent studies and outline future strategies and directions. RECENT FINDINGS NEPC can arise "de novo" but most commonly develops as a result of lineage plasticity whereby prostate cancer cells adopt alternative lineage programs as a means to bypass therapy. Dependence on androgen receptor (AR) signaling is lost as tumors progress from a prostate adenocarcinoma to a NEPC histology, typically manifested by the downregulation of AR, PSA, and PSMA expression in tumors. Genomic analyses from patient biopsies combined with preclinical modeling have pointed to loss of tumor suppressors RB1 and TP53 as key facilitators of lineage plasticity. Activation of oncogenic drivers combined with significant epigenetic changes (e.g., EZH2 overexpression, DNA methylation) further drives tumor proliferation and expression of downstream neuronal and neuroendocrine lineage pathways controlled in part by pioneer and lineage determinant transcription factors (e.g., SOX2, ASCL1, BRN2). These biologic insights have provided a framework for the study of this subgroup of advanced prostate cancers and have started to provide rationale for the development of biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies. Further study of the dynamic process that leads to NEPC is required for the development of effective strategies to identify and treat patients developing lineage plasticity as a mechanism of treatment resistance.
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mRNA and miRNA Expression Analyses of the MYC/ E2F/miR-17-92 Network in the Most Common Pediatric Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020543. [PMID: 33430425 PMCID: PMC7827072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous molecular factors disrupt the correctness of the cell cycle process leading to the development of cancer due to increased cell proliferation. Among known causative factors of such process is abnormal gene expression. Nowadays in the light of current knowledge such alterations are frequently considered in the context of mRNA–miRNA correlation. One of the molecular factors with potential value in tumorigenesis is the feedback loop between MYC and E2F genes in which miR-17-5p and miR-20a from the miR-17-92 cluster are involved. The current literature shows that overexpression of the members of the OncomiR-1 are involved in the development of many solid tumors. In the present work, we investigated the expression of components of the MYC/E2F/miR-17-92 network and their closely related elements including members of MYC and E2F families and miRNAs from two paralogs of miR-17-92: miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363, in the most common brain tumors of childhood, pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), WHO grade 1; ependymoma (EP), WHO grade 2; and medulloblastoma (MB), WHO grade 4. We showed that the highest gene expression was observed in the MYC family for MYCN and in the E2F family for E2F2. Positive correlation was observed between the gene expression and tumor grade and type, with the highest expression being noted for medulloblastomas, followed by ependymomas, and the lowest for pilocytic astrocytomas. Most members of miR-17-92, miR-106a-363 and miR-106b-25 clusters were upregulated and the highest expression was noted for miR-18a and miR-18b. The rest of the miRNAs, including miR-19a, miR-92a, miR-106a, miR-93, or miR-25 also showed high values. miR-17-5p, miR-20a obtained a high level of expression in medulloblastomas and ependymomas, while close to the control in the pilocytic astrocytoma samples. miRNA expression also depended on tumor grade and histology.
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The Molecular 'Myc-anisms' Behind Myc-Driven Tumorigenesis and the Relevant Myc-Directed Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249486. [PMID: 33322239 PMCID: PMC7764474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC, a well-studied proto-oncogene that is overexpressed in >20% of tumors across all cancers, is classically known as “undruggable” due to its crucial roles in cell processes and its lack of a drug binding pocket. Four decades of research and creativity led to the discovery of a myriad of indirect (and now some direct!) therapeutic strategies targeting Myc. This review explores the various mechanisms in which Myc promotes cancer and highlights five key therapeutic approaches to disrupt Myc, including transcription, Myc-Max dimerization, protein stability, cell cycle regulation, and metabolism, in order to develop more specific Myc-directed therapies.
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Montalto AS, Currò M, Russo T, Ferlazzo N, Caccamo D, Ientile R, Romeo C, Impellizzeri P. CO2 Pneumoperitoneum Effects on Molecular Markers of Tumor Invasiveness in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2020; 30:524-528. [PMID: 31707727 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1700547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CO2 pneumoperitoneum can influence the biological behavior of neuroblastoma (NB). Angiogenesis and genetic features are responsible for malignant phenotype of this tumor. We examined the CO2 effects on N-Myc, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression as critical biomarkers of tumor invasiveness, in NB cells without N-Myc amplification. MATERIALS AND METHODS SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to CO2 (100%) at 15 mm Hg pressure for 4 hours and then moved to normal condition for 24 hours. Control cells were incubated with 5% CO2 for the same time. In control and CO2-exposed cells, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, HIF-2α, VEGF-A, and MMP-2 were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. N-Myc expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS The exposure to 15 mm Hg CO2 (100%) for 4 hours induced an increase in HIF-1α, but not in HIF-2α, mRNA levels. No differences were observed in N-Myc expression between exposed and control cells at each incubation time. Similarly, no significant differences were found for VEGF-A and MMP-2 transcript levels. In CO2 exposed cells, we observed only a slight increase in both VEGF-A and MMP-2 mRNA levels after 4 and 24 hours in comparison to controls. CONCLUSION In our study, the hypoxic environment induced by CO2 exposure does not affect the expression of critical biomarkers of NB aggressiveness, such as N-Myc, VEGF, and MMP-2, in human SH-SY5Y NB cells without N-Myc amplification. These data suggest that CO2 pneumoperitoneum might not adversely impact NB cell invasiveness; however, it is necessary to evaluate these effects in others in vitro and in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Simona Montalto
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi," University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Monica Currò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Tiziana Russo
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi," University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nadia Ferlazzo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Caccamo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ientile
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Romeo
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi," University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Impellizzeri
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi," University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Turnock S, Turton DR, Martins CD, Chesler L, Wilson TC, Gouverneur V, Smith G, Kramer-Marek G. 18F-meta-fluorobenzylguanidine ( 18F-mFBG) to monitor changes in norepinephrine transporter expression in response to therapeutic intervention in neuroblastoma models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20918. [PMID: 33262374 PMCID: PMC7708446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted radiotherapy with 131I-mIBG, a substrate of the human norepinephrine transporter (NET-1), shows promising responses in heavily pre-treated neuroblastoma (NB) patients. Combinatorial approaches that enhance 131I-mIBG tumour uptake are of substantial clinical interest but biomarkers of response are needed. Here, we investigate the potential of 18F-mFBG, a positron emission tomography (PET) analogue of the 123I-mIBG radiotracer, to quantify NET-1 expression levels in mouse models of NB following treatment with AZD2014, a dual mTOR inhibitor. The response to AZD2014 treatment was evaluated in MYCN amplified NB cell lines (Kelly and SK-N-BE(2)C) by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry. PET quantification of 18F-mFBG uptake post-treatment in vivo was performed, and data correlated with NET-1 protein levels measured ex vivo. Following 72 h AZD2014 treatment, in vitro WB analysis indicated decreased mTOR signalling and enhanced NET-1 expression in both cell lines, and 18F-mFBG revealed a concentration-dependent increase in NET-1 function. AZD2014 treatment failed however to inhibit mTOR signalling in vivo and did not significantly modulate intratumoural NET-1 activity. Image analysis of 18F-mFBG PET data showed correlation to tumour NET-1 protein expression, while further studies are needed to elucidate whether NET-1 upregulation induced by blocking mTOR might be a useful adjunct to 131I-mIBG therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Turnock
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - David R Turton
- PET Radiochemistry, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Carlos Daniel Martins
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Thomas C Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Véronique Gouverneur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Graham Smith
- PET Radiochemistry, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Gabriela Kramer-Marek
- Preclinical Molecular Imaging, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP, UK.
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Jarzembowski JA. New Prognostic Indicators in Pediatric Adrenal Tumors: Neuroblastoma and Adrenal Cortical Tumors, Can We Predict When These Will Behave Badly? Surg Pathol Clin 2020; 13:625-641. [PMID: 33183724 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric adrenal tumors are unique entities with specific diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic challenges. The adrenal medulla gives rise to peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNTs), pathologically defined by their architecture, stromal content, degree of differentiation, and mitotic-karyorrhectic index. Successful risk stratification of pNTs uses patient age, stage, tumor histology, and molecular/genetic aberrations. The adrenal cortex gives rise to adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), which present diagnostic and prognostic challenges. Histologic features that signify poor prognosis in adults can be meaningless in children, who have superior outcomes. The key clinical, pathologic, and molecular findings of pediatric ACTs have yet to be completely identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Jarzembowski
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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44
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Grunblatt E, Wu N, Zhang H, Liu X, Norton JP, Ohol Y, Leger P, Hiatt JB, Eastwood EC, Thomas R, Ibrahim AH, Jia D, Basom R, Eaton KD, Martins R, Houghton AM, MacPherson D. MYCN drives chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer while USP7 inhibition can restore chemosensitivity. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1210-1226. [PMID: 32820040 PMCID: PMC7462062 DOI: 10.1101/gad.340133.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer characterized by initial chemosensitivity followed by emergence of chemoresistant disease. To study roles for MYCN amplification in SCLC progression and chemoresistance, we developed a genetically engineered mouse model of MYCN-overexpressing SCLC. In treatment-naïve mice, MYCN overexpression promoted cell cycle progression, suppressed infiltration of cytotoxic T cells, and accelerated SCLC. MYCN overexpression also suppressed response to cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy, with similar findings made upon MYCL overexpression. We extended these data to genetically perturb chemosensitive patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of SCLC. In chemosensitive PDX models, overexpression of either MYCN or MYCL also conferred a switch to chemoresistance. To identify therapeutic strategies for MYCN-overexpressing SCLC, we performed a genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA screen. We identified the deubiquitinase USP7 as a MYCN-associated synthetic vulnerability. Pharmacological inhibition of USP7 resensitized chemoresistant MYCN-overexpressing PDX models to chemotherapy in vivo. Our findings show that MYCN overexpression drives SCLC chemoresistance and provide a therapeutic strategy to restore chemosensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Grunblatt
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Nan Wu
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Huajia Zhang
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Justin P Norton
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Yamini Ohol
- RAPT Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
| | - Paul Leger
- RAPT Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
| | - Joseph B Hiatt
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Emily C Eastwood
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Rhiana Thomas
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Ali H Ibrahim
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Deshui Jia
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Ryan Basom
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Keith D Eaton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Renato Martins
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - A McGarry Houghton
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - David MacPherson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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45
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Maeshima R, Moulding D, Stoker AW, Hart SL. MYCN Silencing by RNAi Induces Neurogenesis and Suppresses Proliferation in Models of Neuroblastoma with Resistance to Retinoic Acid. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 30:237-248. [PMID: 32240058 PMCID: PMC7415885 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2019.0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor in childhood. Twenty percent of patients display MYCN amplification, which indicates a very poor prognosis. MYCN is a highly specific target for an NB tumor therapy as MYCN expression is absent or very low in most normal cells, while, as a transcription factor, it regulates many essential cell activities in tumor cells. We aim to develop a therapy for NB based on MYCN silencing by short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules, which can silence target genes by RNA interference (RNAi), a naturally occurring method of gene silencing. It has been shown previously that MYCN silencing can induce apoptosis and differentiation in MYCN amplified NB. In this article, we have demonstrated that siRNA-mediated silencing of MYCN in MYCN-amplified NB cells induced neurogenesis in NB cells, whereas retinoic acid (RA) treatment did not. RA can differentiate NB cells and is used for treatment of residual disease after surgery or chemotherapy, but resistance can develop. In addition, MYCN siRNA treatment suppressed growth in a MYCN-amplified NB cell line more than that by RA. Our result suggests that gene therapy using RNAi targeting MYCN can be a novel therapy toward MYCN-amplified NB that have complete or partial resistance toward RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhina Maeshima
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dale Moulding
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W. Stoker
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen L. Hart
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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46
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Schafer JM, Pietenpol JA. Tyramide Signal-Amplified Immunofluorescence of MYCN and MYC in Human Tissue Specimens and Cell Line Cultures. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3677. [PMID: 33659347 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC family members, MYC, MYCN, and MYCL, are oncogenic transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes involved in normal development, cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. While MYC is amplified and/or overexpressed across a variety of tissue types, MYCN is often overexpressed in tumors of the nervous system (neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma) or with neuroendocrine features (neuroendocrine prostate cancer). Given recent reports that MYCN expression is also deregulated in a variety of non-neuronal tissue types, we investigated whether MYCN was also deregulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In contrast to previous individual immuno-fluorescence (IF) stains against higher expressing MYC family isoform protein, we developed an IF stain to simultaneously detect both MYCN- and MYC-expressing cells within the same tumor cell population. Our methodology allows for the detection of low level MYCN and MYC expression and can be multiplexed with additional protein probes. Herein, using tyramide signal amplification (TSA), we present two protocols for the IF detection of MYCN and MYC on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor sections and in cell lines fixed in situ after growth as adherent cultures on chambered microscope slides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer A Pietenpol
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA.,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
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47
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Swanson AA, Raghunathan A, Jenkins RB, Messing-Jünger M, Pietsch T, Clarke MJ, Kaufmann TJ, Giannini C. Spinal Cord Ependymomas With MYCN Amplification Show Aggressive Clinical Behavior. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2020; 78:791-797. [PMID: 31373367 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult spinal cord ependymomas are typically low grade and have a relatively favorable clinical course following gross total resection. We report 4 cases of anaplastic spinal cord ependymoma with MYCN amplification, an exceptionally rare finding. All cases occurred in the spinal cord of adolescent and young adult women and had morphological and immunohistochemical features of anaplastic ependymomas (World Health Organization grade III). Chromosomal microarray analysis demonstrated amplification of 2p24 (including MYCN) in all cases. One patient died 6 months after surgery. Another patient recently had removal of metastatic nodules in the thoracic region, following gross total resection and adjuvant radiation therapy of a lumbar ependymoma 1 year previously. One patient responded well after chemotherapy but died after multiple relapses 82 months after diagnosis. We found MYCN amplification reported in 2 other ependymomas, both anaplastic and arising in the spinal cord of adult females (Brain Pathol 2001;11:133-43). One patient had multiple recurrences in the spinal cord and an intracranial metastasis. Although MYCN amplification is rare in ependymomas, the current and previously reported cases suggest that this is associated with higher-grade histology, spinal location, and often unfavorable prognosis. The clinical significance and therapeutic implications of MYCN amplification in ependymomas require further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Swanson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Aditya Raghunathan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robert B Jenkins
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Martina Messing-Jünger
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Asklepios Children's Hospital, St. Augustin, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Caterina Giannini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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48
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Tanimoto T, Tazawa H, Ieda T, Nouso H, Tani M, Oyama T, Urata Y, Kagawa S, Noda T, Fujiwara T. Elimination of MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells by Telomerase-Targeted Oncolytic Virus via MYCN Suppression. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:14-23. [PMID: 32637577 PMCID: PMC7321810 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a primary malignant tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. High-risk NB is characterized by MYCN amplification and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) rearrangement, contributing to hTERT activation and a poor outcome. For targeting hTERT-activated tumors, we developed two oncolytic adenoviruses, OBP-301 and tumor suppressor p53-armed OBP-702, in which the hTERT promoter drives expression of the viral E1 gene for tumor-specific virus replication. In this study, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the hTERT-driven oncolytic adenoviruses OBP-301 and OBP-702 using four human MYCN-amplified NB cell lines (IMR-32, CHP-134, NB-1, LA-N-5) exhibiting high hTERT expression. OBP-301 and OBP-702 exhibited a strong antitumor effect in association with autophagy in NB cells. Virus-mediated activation of E2F1 protein suppressed MYCN expression. OBP-301 and OBP-702 significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous CHP-134 tumors. Thus, these hTERT-driven oncolytic adenoviruses are promising antitumor agents for eliminating MYCN-amplified NB cells via E2F1-mediated suppression of MYCN protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terutaka Tanimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tazawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ieda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nouso
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Morimichi Tani
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takanori Oyama
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yasuo Urata
- Oncolys BioPharma, Inc., Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kagawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Minimally Invasive Therapy Center, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takuo Noda
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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49
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Hanan EJ, Liang J, Wang X, Blake RA, Blaquiere N, Staben ST. Monomeric Targeted Protein Degraders. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11330-11361. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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50
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Tee AE, Ciampa OC, Wong M, Fletcher JI, Kamili A, Chen J, Ho N, Sun Y, Carter DR, Cheung BB, Marshall GM, Liu PY, Liu T. Combination therapy with the CDK7 inhibitor and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor exerts synergistic anticancer effects against MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:1928-1938. [PMID: 32086952 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Patients with neuroblastoma due to MYCN oncogene amplification and consequent N-Myc oncoprotein overexpression have very poor prognosis. The cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7)/super-enhancer inhibitor THZ1 suppresses MYCN gene transcription, reduces neuroblastoma cell proliferation, but does not cause significant cell death. The protein kinase phosphatase 1 nuclear targeting subunit (PNUTS) has recently been shown to interact with c-Myc protein and suppresses c-Myc protein degradation. Here we screened the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Approved Oncology Drugs Set V from the National Cancer Institute, and identified tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including ponatinib and lapatinib, as the Approved Oncology Drugs exerting the best synergistic anticancer effects with THZ1 in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Combination therapy with THZ1 and ponatinib or lapatinib synergistically induced neuroblastoma cell apoptosis, while having little effects in normal nonmalignant cells. Differential gene expression analysis identified PNUTS as one of the genes most synergistically reduced by the combination therapy. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analyses confirmed that THZ1 and the TKIs synergistically downregulated PNUTS mRNA and protein expression and reduced N-Myc protein but not N-Myc mRNA expression. In addition, PNUTS knockdown resulted in decreased N-Myc protein but not mRNA expression and decreased MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell proliferation and survival. As CDK7 inhibitors are currently under clinical evaluation in patients, our data suggest the addition of the TKI ponatinib or lapatinib in CDK7 inhibitor clinical trials in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Tee
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Olivia C Ciampa
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Wong
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jingwei Chen
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ho
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yuting Sun
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pei Y Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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