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Akhavanfard S, Vargas SO, Han M, Nitta M, Chang CB, Le LP, Fazlollahi L, Nguyen Q, Ma Y, Cosper A, Dias-Santagata D, Han JY, Bergethon K, Borger DR, Ellisen LW, Pomeroy SL, Haber DA, Iafrate AJ, Rivera MN. Inactivation of the tumor suppressorWTXin a subset of pediatric tumors. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2013; 53:67-77. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Akhavanfard
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Sara O. Vargas
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
- Department of Pathology; Children's Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Moonjoo Han
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Mai Nitta
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Clarice B. Chang
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Long P. Le
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Ladan Fazlollahi
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | | | | | - Arjola Cosper
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Dora Dias-Santagata
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Jae Y. Han
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
| | | | - Darrell R. Borger
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Leif W. Ellisen
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Scott L. Pomeroy
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
- Department of Neurology; Children's Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Daniel A. Haber
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - A. John Iafrate
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
| | - Miguel N. Rivera
- Department of Pathology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; Cambridge MA
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52
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Zhang L, Marrano P, Kumar S, Leadley M, Elias E, Thorner P, Baruchel S. Nab-paclitaxel is an active drug in preclinical model of pediatric solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:5972-83. [PMID: 23989978 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-1485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the antitumor effect of nab-paclitaxel, an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel, on pediatric solid tumor models. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A panel of three rhabdomyosarcoma, one osteosarcoma and seven neuroblastoma cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of nab-paclitaxel in vitro. Cell viability was evaluated using the Alamar Blue Assay. Antitumor effect was further assessed in vivo in NOD/SCID xenograft and metastatic neuroblastoma mouse models. Tumor sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase-3 and phospho-histone H3. Plasma and intratumoral paclitaxel concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ratio of intratumoral and plasma concentration was compared between nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel treatment groups. RESULTS Nab-paclitaxel displayed significant cytotoxicity against most pediatric solid tumor cell lines in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, nab-paclitaxel showed antitumor activity in both rhabdomyosarcoma (RH4 and RD) and neuroblastoma [SK-N-BE(2) and CHLA-20] xenograft models. In the SK-N-BE(2) metastatic model, nab-paclitaxel treatment significantly extended animal survival compared with control (P < 0.01). Nab-paclitaxel treatment induced tumor cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in vivo. In the RH4 model, increased local relapse-free intervals were observed with nab-paclitaxel treatment (37.7 ± 3.2 days) comparing with paclitaxel (13.6 ± 2.07 days). Local relapsed tumors following paclitaxel treatment proved to be paclitaxel-resistant and remained responsive to nab-paclitaxel. Mechanistically, a higher tumor/plasma paclitaxel drug ratio in favor of nab-paclitaxel was observed. CONCLUSIONS Nab-paclitaxel showed significant antitumor activity against all pediatric solid tumors associated with an enhanced drug intratumor delivery. Furthermore, testing of nab-paclitaxel in pediatric solid-tumor patient population is under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Zhang
- Authors' Affiliations: New Agent and Innovative Therapy Program; Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children; and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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53
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Wilson RA, Teng L, Bachmeyer KM, Bissonnette MLZ, Husain AN, Parham DM, Triche TJ, Wing MR, Gastier-Foster JM, Barr FG, Hawkins DS, Anderson JR, Skapek SX, Volchenboum SL. A novel algorithm for simplification of complex gene classifiers in cancer. Cancer Res 2013; 73:5625-32. [PMID: 23913937 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The clinical application of complex molecular classifiers as diagnostic or prognostic tools has been limited by the time and cost needed to apply them to patients. Using an existing 50-gene expression signature known to separate two molecular subtypes of the pediatric cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, we show that an exhaustive iterative search algorithm can distill this complex classifier down to two or three features with equal discrimination. We validated the two-gene signatures using three separate and distinct datasets, including one that uses degraded RNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material. Finally, to show the generalizability of our algorithm, we applied it to a lung cancer dataset to find minimal gene signatures that can distinguish survival. Our approach can easily be generalized and coupled to existing technical platforms to facilitate the discovery of simplified signatures that are ready for routine clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael A Wilson
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Department of Pathology, University of Southern California and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington; Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; The Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Center for Research Informatics, and The Computation Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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54
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Odontoblasts in odontogenic tumors. Med Hypotheses 2013; 81:371-3. [PMID: 23786903 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Odontoblasts are secretory cells displaying epithelial and mesenchymal features, which exist in a monolayer at the interface between the dentin and pulp of a tooth. During embryogenesis, these cells form a dentin shell and throughout life continue to produce dentin while, also acting as sensor cells helping to mediate tooth sensitivity. In this process, odontoblasts are forced to migrate inwards, resulting in an ongoing loss of pulp volume. Correspondingly, there is also a decrease in the surface area of the dentin which supports the odontoblast cell layer. As these events transpire, odontoblasts maintain a tightly controlled monolayer relationship to each other as well as to their dentin substrate. Stability is maintained laterally by epithelial attachment structures and transversely by complex cytoplasmic extensions into the supporting dentin. As a result, it is not possible for the layer to buckle to relieve the mechanical stresses, which develop during the inward migration. A theoretical consequence of this distinctive self-generated niche is the development of long term compressive stresses within the odontoblast population. We present a mechanobiology model, which causally relates the increase in cellular compressive stresses to contact inhibition of proliferation. We link this hypothesis to the observation that there are no reports of pulpal odontoblasts showing neoplasia or acquisition of changes suggestive of a pre-neoplastic phenotype.
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55
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Olanich ME, Barr FG. A call to ARMS: targeting the PAX3-FOXO1 gene in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2013; 17:607-23. [PMID: 23432728 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.772136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Expression of fusion oncoproteins generated by recurrent chromosomal translocations represents a major tumorigenic mechanism characteristic of multiple cancers, including one-third of all sarcomas. Oncogenic fusion genes provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention. The PAX3-FOXO1 oncoprotein in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is presented as a paradigm to examine therapeutic strategies for targeting sarcoma-associated fusion genes. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the role of PAX3-FOXO1 in ARMS tumors. Besides evaluating various approaches to molecularly target PAX3-FOXO1 itself, this review highlights therapeutically attractive downstream genes activated by PAX3-FOXO1. EXPERT OPINION Oncogenic fusion proteins represent desirable therapeutic targets because their expression is specific to tumor cells, but these fusions generally characterize rare malignancies. Full development and testing of potential drugs targeted to these fusions are complicated by the small numbers of patients in these disease categories. Although efforts to develop targeted therapies against fusion proteins should continue, molecular targets that are applicable to a broader tumor landscape should be pursued. A shift of the traditional paradigm to view therapeutic intervention as target-specific rather than tumor-specific will help to circumvent the challenges posed by rare tumors and maximize the possibility of developing successful new treatments for patients with these rare translocation-associated sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Olanich
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Pathology , Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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56
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Simon-Keller K, Barth S, Vincent A, Marx A. Targeting the fetal acetylcholine receptor in rhabdomyosarcoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 17:127-38. [PMID: 23231343 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.734500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence. Recent efforts to enhance overall survival of patients with clinically advanced RMS have failed and there is a demand for conceptually novel treatments. Immune therapeutic options targeting the fetal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), which is broadly expressed on RMS, are novel approaches to overcome the therapeutic resistance of RMS. Expression of the fnAChR is restricted to developing fetal muscles, some apparently dispensable ocular muscle fibers and thymic myoid cells. Therefore, after-birth fnAChR is a tumor-associated and almost tumor-specific antigen on RMS cells. AREAS COVERED This review gives an overview on nAChR function and expression pattern in RMS tumor cells, and deals with the immunological significance of fnAChR-expressing cells, including the risk of anti-nAChR autoimmunity as a potential side effect of fnAChR-directed immunotherapies. The article also addresses the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination strategies, immunotoxins and chimeric T cells targeting the fnAChR. EXPERT OPINION Finally, we suggest technical and biological strategies to improve the available immunotherapeutic tools including increasing the in vivo expression of the target fnAChR on RMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Simon-Keller
- University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Institute of Pathology, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68135 Mannheim, Germany.
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57
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Abstract
The national investment that was made in oncology research with the passage of the National Cancer Act in 1971 is now coming to fruition. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the exciting prospects for genetically informed precision medicine as applied to the treatment of children with cancer. The wealth of information gleaned from intensive genetic analyses and NexGen sequencing studies has identified a number of viable targets in leukemias and solid tumors. Our rapidly evolving understanding of the enzymatic controls that regulate chromatin dynamics during normal differentiation of stem cells and their mutation or dysregulation in tumor cells is leading to a new library of therapeutically tractable tumor targets. The recent identification of germline variants associated with toxicity and/or response to therapy has further enhanced our ability to deliver individualized treatments for pediatric cancer patients. Our challenge today is to determine how best to use genomic data and integrate it into evolving clinical protocols to provide more efficacious therapies and a better quality of life for children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J. Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892
| | - Susan L Cohn MD
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
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58
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Salman M, Tamim H, Medlej F, El-Ariss T, Saad F, Boulos F, Eid T, Muwakkit S, Khoury N, Abboud M, Saab R. Rhabdomyosarcoma treatment and outcome at a multidisciplinary pediatric cancer center in Lebanon. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2012; 29:322-34. [PMID: 22568795 DOI: 10.3109/08880018.2012.676721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Outcome of patients treated on standard protocols, in a multidisciplinary cancer center setting outside of clinical trials, is not well reported. We reviewed characteristics and outcome of 23 pediatric patients treated at a single, multidisciplinary cancer center in Lebanon, between April 2002 and December 2010. Median follow-up was 41 months. The most commonly affected primary site was the head and neck (48%, n = 11). Nineteen tumors (82.6%) were of embryonal histology. Tumor size was ≥5 cm in eight (34.8%) patients. Sixteen patients (69.6%) had localized disease, and one (4.4%) had metastatic disease. Fifteen (65.2%) had Group III tumors. All patients received chemotherapy, for a duration ranging 21-51 weeks. Upfront surgical resection was performed in 10 patients (43.5%). Eighteen patients (78.3%) received radiation therapy. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 83% and 64%, respectively. Relapse correlated with absence of surgery. Treatment of childhood RMS in a multidisciplinary cancer center in Lebanon results in similar survival to that in developed countries when similar protocols are applied. There was a higher incidence of local relapse, but those were salvageable with further therapy and surgical local control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysaa Salman
- Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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59
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Belyea B, Kephart JG, Blum J, Kirsch DG, Linardic CM. Embryonic signaling pathways and rhabdomyosarcoma: contributions to cancer development and opportunities for therapeutic targeting. Sarcoma 2012; 2012:406239. [PMID: 22619564 PMCID: PMC3350847 DOI: 10.1155/2012/406239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence, accounting for approximately 7% of childhood cancers. Current therapies include nonspecific cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, radiation therapy, and surgery; however, these multimodality strategies are unsuccessful in the majority of patients with high-risk disease. It is generally believed that these tumors represent arrested or aberrant skeletal muscle development, and, accordingly, developmental signaling pathways critical to myogenesis such as Notch, WNT, and Hedgehog may represent new therapeutic targets. In this paper, we summarize the current preclinical studies linking these embryonic pathways to rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis and provide support for the investigation of targeted therapies in this embryonic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Belyea
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Julie Grondin Kephart
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jordan Blum
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David G. Kirsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Corinne M. Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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60
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Zapletalova D, André N, Deak L, Kyr M, Bajciova V, Mudry P, Dubska L, Demlova R, Pavelka Z, Zitterbart K, Skotakova J, Husek K, Martincekova A, Mazanek P, Kepak T, Doubek M, Kutnikova L, Valik D, Sterba J. Metronomic chemotherapy with the COMBAT regimen in advanced pediatric malignancies: a multicenter experience. Oncology 2012; 82:249-60. [PMID: 22538363 DOI: 10.1159/000336483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcome of children with refractory/relapsed malignancies remains poor and novel therapies are urgently required. One of the promising approaches is metronomic chemotherapy. We present the clinical results of 74 children with advanced solid tumors treated according to treatment recommendation with data registry in three European pediatric centers. METHODS COMBAT (Combined Oral Metronomic Biodifferentiating Antiangiogenic Treatment) included low-dose daily temozolomide, etoposide, celecoxib, vitamin D, fenofibrate and retinoic acid. From 2004 to 2010, 74 children were enrolled. RESULTS The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 43.1% (median 15.4, range 1.3-69.9 months). Of the 74 patients, 50 patients (68%) died and 24 are alive: 6 (8%) with progressive disease, 7 (9%) with stable disease/partial response and 11 (15%) in complete response. Median time to response was 6 months. Of 62 patients with initially measurable disease, 25 (40%) had radiological response or stable disease. Fourteen of 25 showing clinical benefit responded within the first 6 months. The treatment was well tolerated on an outpatient basis. Regarding non-hematological toxicity of grade ≥2, hepatotoxicity of grade 3 occurred in 8 children and grade 3 cheilitis in 16 children. CONCLUSION COMBAT is a feasible and effective treatment option for patients with relapsing/refractory malignancies. The treatment is well tolerated with a low acute toxicity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zapletalova
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno, School of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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61
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Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant childhood tumor of mesenchymal origin that currently has a greater than 70% overall 5-year survival. Multimodality treatment is determined by risk stratification according to pretreatment stage, postoperative group, histology, and site of the primary tumor. Pretreatment staging is dependent on primary tumor site, size, regional lymph node status, and presence of metastases. Unique to RMS is the concept of postoperative clinical grouping that assesses the completeness of disease resection and takes into account lymph node evaluation. At all tumor sites, the clinical grouping, and therefore completeness of resection, is an independent predictor of outcome. Overall, the prognosis for RMS is dependent on primary tumor site, patient age, completeness of resection, extent of disease, including the presence and number of metastatic sites and histology and biology of the tumor cells. Therefore, the surgeon plays a vital role in RMS by contributing to risk stratification for treatment, local control of the primary tumor, and outcome. The current state-of-the-art treatment is determined by treatment protocols developed by the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the children's Oncology Group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshni Dasgupta
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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62
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Avirneni-Vadlamudi U, Galindo KA, Endicott TR, Paulson V, Cameron S, Galindo RL. Drosophila and mammalian models uncover a role for the myoblast fusion gene TANC1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. J Clin Invest 2011; 122:403-7. [PMID: 22182840 DOI: 10.1172/jci59877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignancy of muscle myoblasts, which fail to exit the cell cycle, resist terminal differentiation, and are blocked from fusing into syncytial skeletal muscle. In some patients, RMS is caused by a translocation that generates the fusion oncoprotein PAX-FOXO1, but the underlying RMS pathogenetic mechanisms that impede differentiation and promote neoplastic transformation remain unclear. Using a Drosophila model of PAX-FOXO1-mediated transformation, we show here that mutation in the myoblast fusion gene rolling pebbles (rols) dominantly suppresses PAX-FOXO1 lethality. Further analysis indicated that PAX-FOXO1 expression caused upregulation of rols, which suggests that Rols acts downstream of PAX-FOXO1. In mammalian myoblasts, gene silencing of Tanc1, an ortholog of rols, revealed that it is essential for myoblast fusion, but is dispensable for terminal differentiation. Misexpression of PAX-FOXO1 in myoblasts upregulated Tanc1 and blocked differentiation, whereas subsequent reduction of Tanc1 expression to native levels by RNAi restored both fusion and differentiation. Furthermore, decreasing human TANC1 gene expression caused RMS cancer cells to lose their neoplastic state, undergo fusion, and form differentiated syncytial muscle. Taken together, these findings identify misregulated myoblast fusion caused by ectopic TANC1 expression as a RMS neoplasia mechanism and suggest fusion molecules as candidates for targeted RMS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Avirneni-Vadlamudi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9072, USA
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63
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Athar M, Kopelovich L. Rapamycin and mTORC1 inhibition in the mouse: skin cancer prevention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011; 4:957-61. [PMID: 21733819 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-11-0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic and preventive effects of rapamycin include reduced risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In this issue of the journal (beginning on page 1011), Checkley and colleagues report that rapamycin inhibits mTOR complex 1 in murine epidermis, thereby inhibiting tumor promotion mediated by tetradecanoyl phorbol-13 acetate in association with a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug for preventing graft rejection in organ transplant recipients and reduces the risk of NMSC and Kaposi's sarcoma in this population, albeit by mechanisms distinct from immunosuppression. Important future directions include identifying molecular predictors of rapamycin/rapalog sensitivity or resistance (potentially, for example, PI3K pathway alterations and KRAS mutations) and combined non-rapalog, mTOR-targeting approaches, all of which should increase efficacy and minimize toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Athar
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases Research Center and UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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64
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Italiano A, Sung YS, Zhang L, Singer S, Maki RG, Coindre JM, Antonescu CR. High prevalence of CIC fusion with double-homeobox (DUX4) transcription factors in EWSR1-negative undifferentiated small blue round cell sarcomas. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2011; 51:207-18. [PMID: 22072439 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Primitive round cell sarcomas of childhood and young adults have been problematic to diagnose and classify. Our goal was to investigate the pathologic and molecular characteristics of small blue round cell tumors (SBRCT) that remained unclassified after exhaustive immunohistochemistry and molecular screening to exclude known sarcoma-related translocations. As rare examples of EWSR1-negative SBRCT have been shown to carry rearrangements for FUS and CIC genes, we undertook a systematic screening for these two genes. CIC rearrangements by FISH were detected in 15/22 (68%), while none showed FUS abnormalities. RACE, RT-PCR, and/or long-range DNA PCR performed in two cases with frozen material showed that CIC was fused to copies of the DUX4 gene on either 4q35 or 10q26.3. Subsequent FISH analysis confirmed fused signals of CIC with either 4q35 or 10q26.3 region in six cases each. Tumors positive for CIC-DUX4 fusion occurred mainly in male young adult patients (median age: 29 years), with the extremities being the most frequent location. Microscopically, tumors displayed a primitive, round to oval cell morphology with prominent nucleoli, high mitotic count, and areas of necrosis. O13 expression was variable, being either diffuse or patchy and tumors mostly lacked other markers of differentiation. Although CIC-DUX4 resulting in a t(4;19) translocation has been previously described in primitive sarcomas, this is the first report implicating the related DUX4 on 10q26 in oncogenesis. These results suggest the possibility of a newly defined subgroup of primitive round cell sarcomas characterized by CIC rearrangements, distinct from Ewing sarcoma family of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Italiano
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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65
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Sáinz-Jaspeado M, Martin-Liberal J, Lagares-Tena L, Mateo-Lozano S, Garcia del Muro X, Tirado OM. Caveolin-1 in sarcomas: friend or foe? Oncotarget 2011; 2:305-12. [PMID: 21471610 PMCID: PMC3248165 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of tumors with a complex and difficult reproducible classification. Their pathogenesis is poorly understood and there are few effective treatment options for advanced disease. Caveolin-1 is a multifunctional scaffolding protein with multiple binding partners that regulates multiple cancer-associated processes including cellular transformation, tumor growth, cell death and survival, multidrug resistance, angiogenesis, cell migration and metastasis. However, ambiguous roles have been ascribed to caveolin-1 in signal transduction and cancer, including sarcomas. In particular, evidence indicating that caveolin-1 function is cell context dependent has been repeatedly reported. Caveolin-1 appears to act as a tumor suppressor protein at early stages of cancer progression. In contrast, a growing body of evidence indicates that caveolin-1 is up-regulated in several multidrug-resistant and metastatic cancer cell lines and human tumor specimens. This review is focused on the role of caveolin-1 in several soft tissue and bone sarcomas and discusses the use of this protein as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker and as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Sáinz-Jaspeado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Belyea BC, Naini S, Bentley RC, Linardic CM. Inhibition of the Notch-Hey1 axis blocks embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:7324-36. [PMID: 21948088 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and remains refractory to combined-modality therapy in patients with high risk disease. In skeletal myogenesis, Notch signaling prevents muscle differentiation and promotes proliferation of satellite cell progeny. Given its physiologic role in myogenesis and oncogenic role in other human cancers, we hypothesized that aberrant Notch signaling may contribute to RMS tumorigenesis and present novel therapeutic opportunities. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Human RMS cell lines and tumors were evaluated by immunoblot, IHC, and RT-PCR to measure Notch ligand, receptor, and target gene expression. Manipulation of Notch signaling was accomplished using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. In vitro cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation were assessed using colorimetric MTT and BrdU assays, and biochemical/morphologic changes after incubation in differentiation-promoting media, respectively. In vivo tumorigenesis was assessed using xenograft formation in SCID/beige mice. RESULTS Notch signaling is upregulated in human RMS cell lines and tumors compared with primary skeletal muscle, especially in the embryonal (eRMS) subtype. Inhibition of Notch signaling using Notch1 RNAi or γ-secretase inhibitors reduced eRMS cell proliferation in vitro. Hey1 RNAi phenocopied Notch1 loss and permitted modest myogenic differentiation, while overexpression of an activated Notch moiety, ICN1, promoted eRMS cell proliferation and rescued pharmacologic inhibition. Finally, Notch inhibition using RNAi or γ-secretase inhibitors blocked tumorigenesis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Aberrant Notch-Hey1 signaling contributes to eRMS by impeding differentiation and promoting proliferation. The efficacy of Notch pathway inhibition in vivo supports the development of Notch-Hey1 axis inhibitors in the treatment of eRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Belyea
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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Rengaswamy V, Kontny U, Rössler J. New approaches for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma drug discovery: targeting combinatorial signaling. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:1103-25. [PMID: 22646865 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.611498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are rare heterogeneous pediatric tumors that are treated by surgery, chemotherapy and irradiation. New therapeutic approaches are needed, especially in the advanced stages to target the pro-oncogenic signals. Exploring the molecular interactions of the regulatory signals and their roles in the developmental aspects of different subtypes of RMS is essential to identify potential targets and develop new therapeutic drugs. AREAS COVERED Insights into different drug discovery approaches are discussed with specific emphasis on gene expression profiling, fusion protein, role of small interfering RNA (siRNA)- and microRNA (miRNA)-based discovery approaches, targeting cancer stem cells, and in vitro and in vivo model systems. Targeting some overexpressed signals along with the possibilities of combination therapy of validated drug targets is discussed. Additionally, methods to overcome the limitations of discovery-based research are briefly discussed. EXPERT OPINION Due to drug resistance, ineffective therapy in advanced stages and relapse, there is a demand to explore new drug targets and discovery approaches. Implementing miRNA-based profiling would reveal the extent of miR-based regulation, various biomarkers and potential targets in RMS. A suitable combination of innovative techniques and the use of model systems might assist the identification and validation of novel targets and drug discovery methods. Combining specific drugs along with type-specific target inhibition of overexpressed mRNAs through siRNA approaches would enable the development of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Rengaswamy
- University Hospital Freiburg, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Clinic IV: Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg , Germany +49 761 270 43000 ; +49 761 270 45180 ;
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Many types of cancer can cause lesions to appear on the skin. Cutaneous manifestations may be primary or secondary to an underlying malignancy. Skin lesions may appear prior to the onset of systemic malignancy or they may occur concurrently or following an established diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to educate medical providers about several types of pediatric malignancies that can present with cutaneous findings. The primary focus of this review will be cutaneous features of leukemias, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, some sarcomas, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. RECENT FINDINGS A wide range of cutaneous manifestations have been reported in systemic malignancies of children. In addition to providing a description of more typical features of skin lesions associated with these conditions, this review will summarize a few recent case reports of pediatric malignancies with unusual cutaneous presentations. SUMMARY Systemic malignancy can present with a variety of cutaneous manifestations. Given that accurate, prompt diagnosis of malignancy can have tremendous prognostic significance, it is imperative that clinicians are familiar with features of skin lesions that may be seen in this setting.
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Peterson JM, Bakkar N, Guttridge DC. NF-κB Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Health and Disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2011; 96:85-119. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385940-2.00004-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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