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Salokas K, Dashi G, Varjosalo M. Decoding Oncofusions: Unveiling Mechanisms, Clinical Impact, and Prospects for Personalized Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3678. [PMID: 37509339 PMCID: PMC10377698 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated gene fusions, also known as oncofusions, have emerged as influential drivers of oncogenesis across a diverse range of cancer types. These genetic events occur via chromosomal translocations, deletions, and inversions, leading to the fusion of previously separate genes. Due to the drastic nature of these mutations, they often result in profound alterations of cellular behavior. The identification of oncofusions has revolutionized cancer research, with advancements in sequencing technologies facilitating the discovery of novel fusion events at an accelerated pace. Oncofusions exert their effects through the manipulation of critical cellular signaling pathways that regulate processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Extensive investigations have been conducted to understand the roles of oncofusions in solid tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Large-scale initiatives, including the Cancer Genome Atlas, have played a pivotal role in unraveling the landscape of oncofusions by characterizing a vast number of cancer samples across different tumor types. While validating the functional relevance of oncofusions remains a challenge, even non-driver mutations can hold significance in cancer treatment. Oncofusions have demonstrated potential value in the context of immunotherapy through the production of neoantigens. Their clinical importance has been observed in both treatment and diagnostic settings, with specific fusion events serving as therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. However, despite the progress made, there is still considerable untapped potential within the field of oncofusions. Further research and validation efforts are necessary to understand their effects on a functional basis and to exploit the new targeted treatment avenues offered by oncofusions. Through further functional and clinical studies, oncofusions will enable the advancement of precision medicine and the drive towards more effective and specific treatments for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giovanna Dashi
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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52
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Guo G, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li T. Sequence variations of phase-separating proteins and resources for studying biomolecular condensates. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1119-1132. [PMID: 37464880 PMCID: PMC10423696 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023131] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase separation (PS) is an important mechanism underlying the formation of biomolecular condensates. Physiological condensates are associated with numerous biological processes, such as transcription, immunity, signaling, and synaptic transmission. Changes in particular amino acids or segments can disturb the protein's phase behavior and interactions with other biomolecules in condensates. It is thus presumed that variations in the phase-separating-prone domains can significantly impact the properties and functions of condensates. The dysfunction of condensates contributes to a number of pathological processes. Pharmacological perturbation of these condensates is proposed as a promising way to restore physiological states. In this review, we characterize the variations observed in PS proteins that lead to aberrant biomolecular compartmentalization. We also showcase recent advancements in bioinformatics of membraneless organelles (MLOs), focusing on available databases useful for screening PS proteins and describing endogenous condensates, guiding researchers to seek the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaigai Guo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijing100191China
- Key Laboratory for NeuroscienceMinistry of Education/National Health Commission of ChinaPeking UniversityBeijing100191China
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53
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Lee G, Muir TW. Distinct phases of cellular signaling revealed by time-resolved protein synthesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.10.548208. [PMID: 37503273 PMCID: PMC10369872 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.10.548208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The post-translational regulation of protein function is involved in most cellular processes. As such, synthetic biology tools that operate at this level provide opportunities for manipulating cellular states. Here, we deploy a proximity-triggered protein trans-splicing technology to enable the time-resolved synthesis of target proteins from pre-made parts. The modularity of the strategy allows for the addition or removal of various control elements as a function of the splicing reaction, in the process permitting the cellular location and/or activity state of starting materials and products to be differentiated. The approach is applied to a diverse set of proteins, including the kinase oncofusions BCR/ABL and DNAJB1/PRKACA where dynamic cellular phosphorylation events are dissected, revealing distinct phases of signaling and identifying molecular players connecting the oncofusion to cancer transformation as novel therapeutic targets of cancer cells. We envision that the tools and control strategies developed herein will allow the activity of both naturally occurring and designer proteins to be harnessed for basic and applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Tom W. Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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54
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van Belzen IAEM, Cai C, van Tuil M, Badloe S, Strengman E, Janse A, Verwiel ETP, van der Leest DFM, Kester L, Molenaar JJ, Meijerink J, Drost J, Peng WC, Kerstens HHD, Tops BBJ, Holstege FCP, Kemmeren P, Hehir-Kwa JY. Systematic discovery of gene fusions in pediatric cancer by integrating RNA-seq and WGS. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:618. [PMID: 37400763 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11054-3] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene fusions are important cancer drivers in pediatric cancer and their accurate detection is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical decision-making requires high confidence and precision of detection. Recent developments show RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is promising for genome-wide detection of fusion products but hindered by many false positives that require extensive manual curation and impede discovery of pathogenic fusions. METHODS We developed Fusion-sq to overcome existing disadvantages of detecting gene fusions. Fusion-sq integrates and "fuses" evidence from RNA-seq and whole genome sequencing (WGS) using intron-exon gene structure to identify tumor-specific protein coding gene fusions. Fusion-sq was then applied to the data generated from a pediatric pan-cancer cohort of 128 patients by WGS and RNA sequencing. RESULTS In a pediatric pan-cancer cohort of 128 patients, we identified 155 high confidence tumor-specific gene fusions and their underlying structural variants (SVs). This includes all clinically relevant fusions known to be present in this cohort (30 patients). Fusion-sq distinguishes healthy-occurring from tumor-specific fusions and resolves fusions in amplified regions and copy number unstable genomes. A high gene fusion burden is associated with copy number instability. We identified 27 potentially pathogenic fusions involving oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes characterized by underlying SVs, in some cases leading to expression changes indicative of activating or disruptive effects. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate how clinically relevant and potentially pathogenic gene fusions can be identified and their functional effects investigated by combining WGS and RNA-seq. Integrating RNA fusion predictions with underlying SVs advances fusion detection beyond extensive manual filtering. Taken together, we developed a method for identifying candidate gene fusions that is suitable for precision oncology applications. Our method provides multi-omics evidence for assessing the pathogenicity of tumor-specific gene fusions for future clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Casey Cai
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Tuil
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shashi Badloe
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Strengman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Janse
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Lennart Kester
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jules Meijerink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Weng Chuan Peng
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bastiaan B J Tops
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Patrick Kemmeren
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jayne Y Hehir-Kwa
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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55
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Sohn JI, Choi MH, Yi D, Menon VA, Kim YJ, Lee J, Park JW, Kyung S, Shin SH, Na B, Joung JG, Ju YS, Yeom MS, Koh Y, Yoon SS, Baek D, Kim TM, Nam JW. Ultrafast prediction of somatic structural variations by filtering out reads matched to pan-genome k-mer sets. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:853-866. [PMID: 36536253 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Variant callers typically produce massive numbers of false positives for structural variations, such as cancer-relevant copy-number alterations and fusion genes resulting from genome rearrangements. Here we describe an ultrafast and accurate detector of somatic structural variations that reduces read-mapping costs by filtering out reads matched to pan-genome k-mer sets. The detector, which we named ETCHING (for efficient detection of chromosomal rearrangements and fusion genes), reduces the number of false positives by leveraging machine-learning classifiers trained with six breakend-related features (clipped-read count, split-reads count, supporting paired-end read count, average mapping quality, depth difference and total length of clipped bases). When benchmarked against six callers on reference cell-free DNA, validated biomarkers of structural variants, matched tumour and normal whole genomes, and tumour-only targeted sequencing datasets, ETCHING was 11-fold faster than the second-fastest structural-variant caller at comparable performance and memory use. The speed and accuracy of ETCHING may aid large-scale genome projects and facilitate practical implementations in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Il Sohn
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hak Choi
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohun Yi
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Vipin A Menon
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Jeong Kim
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junehawk Lee
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Woo Park
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Byunggook Na
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Gun Joung
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Ju
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Sun Yeom
- Center for Supercomputing Applications, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngil Koh
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Yoon
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehyun Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Min Kim
- Department of Medical Informatics and Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Wu Nam
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Bio-BigData Center, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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56
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Arshadi A, Tolomeo D, Venuto S, Storlazzi CT. Advancements in Focal Amplification Detection in Tumor/Liquid Biopsies and Emerging Clinical Applications. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1304. [PMID: 37372484 PMCID: PMC10298061 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061304] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal amplifications (FAs) are crucial in cancer research due to their significant diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. FAs manifest in various forms, such as episomes, double minute chromosomes, and homogeneously staining regions, arising through different mechanisms and mainly contributing to cancer cell heterogeneity, the leading cause of drug resistance in therapy. Numerous wet-lab, mainly FISH, PCR-based assays, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics approaches have been set up to detect FAs, unravel the internal structure of amplicons, assess their chromatin compaction status, and investigate the transcriptional landscape associated with their occurrence in cancer cells. Most of them are tailored for tumor samples, even at the single-cell level. Conversely, very limited approaches have been set up to detect FAs in liquid biopsies. This evidence suggests the need to improve these non-invasive investigations for early tumor detection, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment response. Despite the potential therapeutic implications of FAs, such as, for example, the use of HER2-specific compounds for patients with ERBB2 amplification, challenges remain, including developing selective and effective FA-targeting agents and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying FA maintenance and replication. This review details a state-of-the-art of FA investigation, with a particular focus on liquid biopsies and single-cell approaches in tumor samples, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize the future diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Clelia Tiziana Storlazzi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.A.); (D.T.); (S.V.)
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57
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Streb P, Kowarz E, Benz T, Reis J, Marschalek R. How chromosomal translocations arise to cause cancer: Gene proximity, trans-splicing, and DNA end joining. iScience 2023; 26:106900. [PMID: 37378346 PMCID: PMC10291325 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106900] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations (CTs) are a genetic hallmark of cancer. They could be identified as recurrent genetic aberrations in hemato-malignancies and solid tumors. More than 40% of all "cancer genes" were identified in recurrent CTs. Most of these CTs result in the production of oncofusion proteins of which many have been studied over the past decades. They influence signaling pathways and/or alter gene expression. However, a precise mechanism for how these CTs arise and occur in a nearly identical fashion in individuals remains to be elucidated. Here, we performed experiments that explain the onset of CTs: (1) proximity of genes able to produce prematurely terminated transcripts, which lead to the production of (2) trans-spliced fusion RNAs, and finally, the induction of (3) DNA double-strand breaks which are subsequently repaired via EJ repair pathways. Under these conditions, balanced chromosomal translocations could be specifically induced. The implications of these findings will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Streb
- Goethe-University, Department Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Max-von-Laue-Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eric Kowarz
- Goethe-University, Department Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Max-von-Laue-Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tamara Benz
- Goethe-University, Department Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Max-von-Laue-Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jennifer Reis
- Goethe-University, Department Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Max-von-Laue-Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Goethe-University, Department Biochemistry, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Max-von-Laue-Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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58
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Vicente-Garcés C, Maynou J, Fernández G, Esperanza-Cebollada E, Torrebadell M, Català A, Rives S, Camós M, Vega-García N. Fusion InPipe, an integrative pipeline for gene fusion detection from RNA-seq data in acute pediatric leukemia. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1141310. [PMID: 37363396 PMCID: PMC10288994 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1141310] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is a reliable tool for detecting gene fusions in acute leukemia. Multiple bioinformatics pipelines have been developed to analyze RNA-seq data, but an agreed gold standard has not been established. This study aimed to compare the applicability of 5 fusion calling pipelines (Arriba, deFuse, CICERO, FusionCatcher, and STAR-Fusion), as well as to define and develop an integrative bioinformatics pipeline (Fusion InPipe) to detect clinically relevant gene fusions in acute pediatric leukemia. We analyzed RNA-seq data by each pipeline individually and by Fusion InPipe. Each algorithm individually called most of the fusions with similar sensitivity and precision. However, not all rearrangements were called, suggesting that choosing a single pipeline might cause missing important fusions. To improve this, we integrated the results of the five algorithms in just one pipeline, Fusion InPipe, comparing the output from the agreement of 5/5, 4/5, and 3/5 algorithms. The maximum sensitivity was achieved with the agreement of 3/5 algorithms, with a global sensitivity of 95%, achieving a 100% in patients' data. Furthermore, we showed the necessity of filtering steps to reduce the false positive detection rate. Here, we demonstrate that Fusion InPipe is an excellent tool for fusion detection in pediatric acute leukemia with the best performance when selecting those fusions called by at least 3/5 pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Vicente-Garcés
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Joan Maynou
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Genetics Medicine Section, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Guerau Fernández
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Genetics Medicine Section, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Neurogenetics and Molecular Medicine, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Elena Esperanza-Cebollada
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Montserrat Torrebadell
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Hematology Laboratory, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red De Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Albert Català
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red De Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan De Déu Barcelona, Leukemia and Lymphoma Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Rives
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red De Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan De Déu Barcelona, Leukemia and Lymphoma Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Camós
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Hematology Laboratory, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red De Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Vega-García
- Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Leukemia and Pediatric Hematology Disorders, Developmental Tumors Biology Group, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Hematology Laboratory, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
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Kong Y, Jiang C, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Qiu T. Small Molecule Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents Targeting Oncogenic Fusion Proteins: Current Status and Clinical. Molecules 2023; 28:4672. [PMID: 37375228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124672] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic fusion proteins, arising from chromosomal rearrangements, have emerged as prominent drivers of tumorigenesis and crucial therapeutic targets in cancer research. In recent years, the potential of small molecular inhibitors in selectively targeting fusion proteins has exhibited significant prospects, offering a novel approach to combat malignancies harboring these aberrant molecular entities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of small molecular inhibitors as therapeutic agents for oncogenic fusion proteins. We discuss the rationale for targeting fusion proteins, elucidate the mechanism of action of inhibitors, assess the challenges associated with their utilization, and provide a summary of the clinical progress achieved thus far. The objective is to provide the medicinal community with current and pertinent information and to expedite the drug discovery programs in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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60
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Nassar R, Thompson L, Fouquerel E. Molecular mechanisms protecting centromeres from self-sabotage and implications for cancer therapy. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad019. [PMID: 37180029 PMCID: PMC10167631 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Centromeres play a crucial role in DNA segregation by mediating the cohesion and separation of sister chromatids during cell division. Centromere dysfunction, breakage or compromised centromeric integrity can generate aneuploidies and chromosomal instability, which are cellular features associated with cancer initiation and progression. Maintaining centromere integrity is thus essential for genome stability. However, the centromere itself is prone to DNA breaks, likely due to its intrinsically fragile nature. Centromeres are complex genomic loci that are composed of highly repetitive DNA sequences and secondary structures and require the recruitment and homeostasis of a centromere-associated protein network. The molecular mechanisms engaged to preserve centromere inherent structure and respond to centromeric damage are not fully understood and remain a subject of ongoing research. In this article, we provide a review of the currently known factors that contribute to centromeric dysfunction and the molecular mechanisms that mitigate the impact of centromere damage on genome stability. Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic strategies that could arise from a deeper understanding of the mechanisms preserving centromere integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim Nassar
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Lily Thompson
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Elise Fouquerel
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Hamada T, Higashi M, Yokoyama S, Akahane T, Hisaoka M, Noguchi H, Furukawa T, Tanimoto A. MALAT1 functions as a transcriptional promoter of MALAT1::GLI1 fusion for truncated GLI1 protein expression in cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:424. [PMID: 37165307 PMCID: PMC10173563 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10867-6] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a cancer biomarker. Furthermore, fusion of the MALAT1 gene with glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI1) is a diagnostic marker of plexiform fibromyxoma and gastroblastoma; however, the function of this fusion gene remains unexplored. METHOD In this study, we elucidate the structure and function of the MALAT1::GLI1 fusion gene. To this end, we determined a transcriptional start site (TSS) and promoter region for truncated GLI1 expression using rapid amplification of the 5' cDNA end and a luciferase reporter assay in cultured cells transfected with a plasmid harboring the MALAT1::GLI1 fusion gene. RESULTS We found that the TATA box, ETS1 motif, and TSS were located in MALAT1 and that MALAT1 exhibited transcriptional activity and induced expression of GLI1 from the MALAT1::GLI1 fusion gene. Truncated GLI1, lacking SUMOylation and SUFU binding sites and located in the nucleus, upregulated mRNA expression of GLI1 target genes in the hedgehog signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate a distinct and alternative function of MALAT1 as a transcriptional promoter for expression of the MALAT1::GLI1 fusion gene. Our findings will aid future research on MALAT1 and its fusion gene partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiji Hamada
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Michiyo Higashi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Kagoshima University Hospital, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Seiya Yokoyama
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Akahane
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
- Center for Human Genome and Gene Analysis, Kagoshima University Hospital, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Masanori Hisaoka
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi, Kitakyushu, 807-8556, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Noguchi
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Furukawa
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Akihide Tanimoto
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
- Center for Human Genome and Gene Analysis, Kagoshima University Hospital, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
- Center for the Research of Advanced Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancer, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
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Nanishi K, Hino H, Hatakeyama K, Shiomi A, Kagawa H, Manabe S, Yamaoka Y, Nagashima T, Ohshima K, Urakami K, Akiyama Y, Yamaguchi K. Incidence and clinical significance of 491 known fusion genes in a large cohort of Japanese patients with colorectal cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 2023; 28:785-793. [PMID: 37022622 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-023-02335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical significance of fusion genes in colorectal cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of fusion genes in colorectal cancer and explore their clinical significance by screening for common fusion genes in a large Japanese cohort. METHODS This study involved 1588 patients. The incidence of 491 fusion genes was examined using a designed fusion panel. In addition, the patients were classified into two groups (RSPO fusion-positive or -negative) according to the presence of RSPO fusions, and the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of both groups were compared. Long-term outcomes were analyzed in patients without distant metastases. RESULTS Fusion genes were detected in 2% (31/1588) of colorectal cancers. The incidence of RSPO fusions (such as PTPRK-RSPO3 and EIF3E-RSPO2) was 1.5% (24/1588), making them the most common fusions, whereas the incidence of other fusion genes was extremely low. The distribution of consensus molecular subtypes and frequency of APC mutations were significantly different between the RSPO fusion-positive and -negative groups. The 3-year cumulative incidence rate of recurrence was higher in the RSPO fusion-positive group than in the RSPO fusion-negative group (positive, 31.2% vs. negative, 13.5%, hazard ratio = 2.357; p = 0.040). CONCLUSION Broad screening for fusion genes showed that RSPO fusions were the most common in colorectal cancer, with an incidence of 1.5%. RSPO fusions may be clinically significant in identifying patients at a high risk of recurrence who would be responsive to specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Nanishi
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hino
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan.
| | - Keiichi Hatakeyama
- Cancer Multiomics Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Akio Shiomi
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Kagawa
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Shoichi Manabe
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamaoka
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nagashima
- Cancer Diagnostics Research Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
- SRL Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Ohshima
- Medical Genetics Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichi Urakami
- Cancer Diagnostics Research Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yasuto Akiyama
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
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Zhong X, Luan J, Yu A, Lee-Hassett A, Miao Y, Yang L. SFyNCS detects oncogenic fusions involving non-coding sequences in cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535462. [PMID: 37066382 PMCID: PMC10104044 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Fusion genes are well-known cancer drivers. However, very few known oncogenic fusions involve non-coding sequences. We develop SFyNCS with superior performance to detect fusions of both protein-coding genes and non-coding sequences from transcriptomic sequencing data. We validate fusions using somatic structural variations detected from the genomes. This allows us to comprehensively evaluate various fusion detection and filtering strategies and parameters. We detect 165,139 fusions in 9,565 tumor samples across 33 tumor types in the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Among them, 72% of the fusions involve non-coding sequences and many are recurrent. We discover two long non-coding RNAs recurrently fused with various partner genes in 32% of dedifferentiated liposarcomas and experimentally validated the oncogenic functions in mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhong
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Jingyun Luan
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Anqi Yu
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Anna Lee-Hassett
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Yuxuan Miao
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
- University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lixing Yang
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
- University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
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64
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Chen D, Liang Y, Wang H, Wang H, Su F, Zhang P, Wang S, Liu W, Li Z. CRISPR-Cas-Driven Single Micromotor (Cas-DSM) Enables Direct Detection of Nucleic Acid Biomarkers at the Single-Molecule Level. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5729-5737. [PMID: 36944919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The target-dependent endonuclease activity (also known as the trans-cleavage activity) of CRISPR-Cas systems has stimulated great interest in the development of nascent sensing strategies for nucleic acid diagnostics. Despite many attempts, the majority of the sensitive CRISPR-Cas diagnostics strategies mainly rely on nucleic acid preamplification, which generally needs complex probes/primers designs, multiple experimental steps, and a longer testing time, as well as introducing the risk of false-positive results. In this work, we propose the CRISPR-Cas-Driven Single Micromotor (Cas-DSM), which can directly detect the nucleic acid targets at a single-molecule level with high specificity. We have demonstrated that the Cas-DSM is a reliable and practical method for the quantitative detection of DNA/RNA in various complex clinical samples as well as in individual cells without any preamplification processes. Due to the excellent features of the CRISPR/Cas system, including constant temperature, simple design, high specificity, and flexible programmability, the Cas-DSM could serve as a simple and universal platform for nucleic acid detection. More importantly, this work will provide a breakthrough for the development of next-generation amplification-free CRISPR/Cas sensing toolboxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desheng Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuanwen Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Honghong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fengxia Su
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pengbo Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Weiliang Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhengping Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
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Teixeira A, Carreira L, Abalde-Cela S, Sampaio-Marques B, Areias AC, Ludovico P, Diéguez L. Current and Emerging Techniques for Diagnosis and MRD Detection in AML: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051362. [PMID: 36900154 PMCID: PMC10000116 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051362] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a group of hematologic neoplasms characterized by abnormal differentiation and proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. AML is associated with poor outcome due to the lack of efficient therapies and early diagnostic tools. The current gold standard diagnostic tools are based on bone marrow biopsy. These biopsies, apart from being very invasive, painful, and costly, have low sensitivity. Despite the progress uncovering the molecular pathogenesis of AML, the development of novel detection strategies is still poorly explored. This is particularly important for patients that check the criteria for complete remission after treatment, since they can relapse through the persistence of some leukemic stem cells. This condition, recently named as measurable residual disease (MRD), has severe consequences for disease progression. Hence, an early and accurate diagnosis of MRD would allow an appropriate therapy to be tailored, improving a patient's prognosis. Many novel techniques with high potential in disease prevention and early detection are being explored. Among them, microfluidics has flourished in recent years due to its ability at processing complex samples as well as its demonstrated capacity to isolate rare cells from biological fluids. In parallel, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has shown outstanding sensitivity and capability for multiplex quantitative detection of disease biomarkers. Together, these technologies can allow early and cost-effective disease detection as well as contribute to monitoring the efficiency of treatments. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of AML disease, the conventional techniques currently used for its diagnosis, classification (recently updated in September 2022), and treatment selection, and we also aim to present how novel technologies can be applied to improve the detection and monitoring of MRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Teixeira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Avda Mestre José Veiga, 4715-310 Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís Carreira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Avda Mestre José Veiga, 4715-310 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Abalde-Cela
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Avda Mestre José Veiga, 4715-310 Braga, Portugal
| | - Belém Sampaio-Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Anabela C. Areias
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (L.D.)
| | - Lorena Diéguez
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Avda Mestre José Veiga, 4715-310 Braga, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (L.D.)
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66
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Vargas AC, Heyer EE, Cheah AL, Bonar F, Jones M, Maclean FM, Gill AJ, Blackburn J. Improving sarcoma classification by using RNA hybridisation capture sequencing in sarcomas of uncertain histogenesis of young individuals. Pathology 2023; 55:478-485. [PMID: 36906400 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.11.012] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Our aim was to utilise a 241-gene RNA hybridisation capture sequencing (CaptureSeq) gene panel to identify unexpected fusions in undifferentiated, unclassified or partly classified sarcomas of young individuals (<40 years). The purpose was to determine the utility and yield of a large, targeted fusion panel as a tool for classifying tumours that do not fit typical diagnostic entities at the time of the original diagnosis. RNA hybridisation capture sequencing was performed on 21 archival resection specimens. Successful sequencing was obtained in 12 of 21 samples (57%), two of which (16.6%) harboured translocations. A novel NEAT1::GLI1 fusion, not previously reported in the literature, presented in a young patient with a tumour in the retroperitoneum, which displayed low grade epithelioid cells. The second case, a localised lung metastasis in a young male, demonstrated a EWSR1::NFATC2 translocation. No targeted fusions were identified in the remaining 83.4% (n=10) of cases. Forty-three per cent of the samples failed sequencing as a result of RNA degradation. RNA-based sequencing is an important tool, which helps to redefine the classification of unclassified or partly classified sarcomas of young adults by identifying pathogenic gene fusions in up to 16.6% of the cases. Unfortunately, 43% of the samples underwent significant RNA degradation, falling below the sequencing threshold. As CaptureSeq is not yet available in routine pathology practice, increasing awareness of the yield, failure rate and possible aetiological factors for RNA degradation is fundamental to maximise laboratory procedures to improve RNA integrity, allowing the potential identification of significant gene alterations in solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Vargas
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sonic Healthcare-Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia; Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Erin E Heyer
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison L Cheah
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sonic Healthcare-Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Bonar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sonic Healthcare-Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin Jones
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sonic Healthcare-Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona M Maclean
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sonic Healthcare-Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia; Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anatomical Pathology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - James Blackburn
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Arshad F, Ali A, Rehman G, Halim SA, Waqas M, Khalid A, Abdalla AN, Khan A, Al-Harrasi A. Comparative Expression Analysis of Breakpoint Cluster Region-Abelson Oncogene in Leukemia Patients. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:5975-5982. [PMID: 36816652 PMCID: PMC9933183 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia is a proliferative disorder of myeloid and lymphoid cells that may lead to death. Different types of leukemia have been reported, and several genetic and environmental factors are involved in their development. The Philadelphia chromosome causes the most common mutation known as breakpoint cluster region-Abelson oncogene (BCR-ABL1), which shows abnormal protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity. Basically, this activity is accountable for activating multiple pathways, including the inhibition of cell differentiation, controlled proliferation, and cell death. As a result of the absence of kinase activity, this mutation leads to the uncontrolled proliferation of leukocytes, causing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This study aimed to evaluate the level of BCR-ABL1 expression in patients with these types of leukemias through qPCR. In brief, PBMCs were isolated from blood samples of patients, RNA was extracted from PBMCs, cDNA was synthesized, and the transcript levels of BCR-ABL1 in patients with each type of leukemia were determined by qPCR. The clinical, demographical, and experimental data were analyzed among CML, AML, and ALL patients. Results: The BCR-ABL1 expression levels are variable in all studied groups and are 90, 30-35, and 1-2.5% in CML, ALL, and AML, respectively. Demographic characteristics such as gender, BMI, age, family history, and clinical parameters along with CBC are also associated with the prevalence and diagnosis of leukemia. In a comparative expression analysis, the expression of BCR-ABL1 is onefold high in AML, but four- and sevenfold high in ALL and CML, respectively, as compared with normal levels. Conclusions: In this study, a significant difference was observed in the expression levels of BCR-ABL1 between CML (p = 0.0043) and ALL (p = 0.0006) and between CML and AML groups, and a high expression of BCR-ABL1 was noted in CML as compared with ALL and AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Arshad
- Molecular
Virology Laboratory Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore54590, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Molecular
Virology Laboratory Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore54590, Pakistan
- Department
of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University, Mansehra21120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Gauhar Rehman
- District
Medical Specialist Category-D Hospital Talash Dir Lower, Lower Dir23120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Ahsan Halim
- Natural
and Medical Sciences Research Center, University
of Nizwa, Birkat-Al-Mouz, 616, P.O. Box 33, Nizwa616, Sultanate of
Oman
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Department
of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University, Mansehra21120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Natural
and Medical Sciences Research Center, University
of Nizwa, Birkat-Al-Mouz, 616, P.O. Box 33, Nizwa616, Sultanate of
Oman
| | - Asaad Khalid
- Substance
Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan
University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan45142, Saudi Arabia
- Medicinal
and Aromatic Plants and Traditional Medicine Research Institute, National Center for Research, P.O. Box 2404, Khartoum11111, Sudan
| | - Ashraf N. Abdalla
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Natural
and Medical Sciences Research Center, University
of Nizwa, Birkat-Al-Mouz, 616, P.O. Box 33, Nizwa616, Sultanate of
Oman
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural
and Medical Sciences Research Center, University
of Nizwa, Birkat-Al-Mouz, 616, P.O. Box 33, Nizwa616, Sultanate of
Oman
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68
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Long-read sequencing identifies novel structural variations in colorectal cancer. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010514. [PMID: 36812239 PMCID: PMC10013895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural variations (SVs) are a key type of cancer genomic alterations, contributing to oncogenesis and progression of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, SVs in CRC remain difficult to be reliably detected due to limited SV-detection capacity of the commonly used short-read sequencing. This study investigated the somatic SVs in 21 pairs of CRC samples by Nanopore whole-genome long-read sequencing. 5200 novel somatic SVs from 21 CRC patients (494 SVs / patient) were identified. A 4.9-Mbp long inversion that silences APC expression (confirmed by RNA-seq) and an 11.2-kbp inversion that structurally alters CFTR were identified. Two novel gene fusions that might functionally impact the oncogene RNF38 and the tumor-suppressor SMAD3 were detected. RNF38 fusion possesses metastasis-promoting ability confirmed by in vitro migration and invasion assay, and in vivo metastasis experiments. This work highlighted the various applications of long-read sequencing in cancer genome analysis, and shed new light on how somatic SVs structurally alter critical genes in CRC. The investigation on somatic SVs via nanopore sequencing revealed the potential of this genomic approach in facilitating precise diagnosis and personalized treatment of CRC.
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69
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Ragusa D, Dijkhuis L, Pina C, Tosi S. Mechanisms associated with t(7;12) acute myeloid leukaemia: from genetics to potential treatment targets. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20220489. [PMID: 36622782 PMCID: PMC9894016 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20220489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), typically a disease of elderly adults, affects 8 children per million each year, with the highest paediatric incidence in infants aged 0-2 of 18 per million. Recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities contribute to leukaemia pathogenesis and are an important determinant of leukaemia classification. The t(7;12)(q36;p13) translocation is a high-risk AML subtype exclusively associated with infants and represents the second most common abnormality in this age group. Mechanisms of t(7;12) leukaemogenesis remain poorly understood. The translocation relocates the entire MNX1 gene within the ETV6 locus, but a fusion transcript is present in only half of the patients and its significance is unclear. Instead, research has focused on ectopic MNX1 expression, a defining feature of t(7;12) leukaemia, which has nevertheless failed to produce transformation in conventional disease models. Recently, advances in genome editing technologies have made it possible to recreate the t(7;12) rearrangement at the chromosomal level. Together with recent studies of MNX1 involvement using murine in vivo, in vitro, and organoid-based leukaemia models, specific investigation on the biology of t(7;12) can provide new insights into this AML subtype. In this review, we provide a comprehensive up-to-date analysis of the biological features of t(7;12), and discuss recent advances in mechanistic understanding of the disease which may deliver much-needed therapeutic opportunities to a leukaemia of notoriously poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Ragusa
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, U.K
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH, U.K
| | - Liza Dijkhuis
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, U.K
| | - Cristina Pina
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, U.K
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH, U.K
| | - Sabrina Tosi
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, U.K
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH, U.K
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70
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Watson S, LaVigne CA, Xu L, Surdez D, Cyrta J, Calderon D, Cannon MV, Kent MR, Silvius KM, Kucinski JP, Harrison EN, Murchison W, Rakheja D, Tirode F, Delattre O, Amatruda JF, Kendall GC. VGLL2-NCOA2 leverages developmental programs for pediatric sarcomagenesis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112013. [PMID: 36656711 PMCID: PMC10054615 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112013] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical sequencing efforts are rapidly identifying sarcoma gene fusions that lack functional validation. An example is the fusion of transcriptional coactivators, VGLL2-NCOA2, found in infantile rhabdomyosarcoma. To delineate VGLL2-NCOA2 tumorigenic mechanisms and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities, we implement a cross-species comparative oncology approach with zebrafish, mouse allograft, and patient samples. We find that VGLL2-NCOA2 is sufficient to generate mesenchymal tumors that display features of immature skeletal muscle and recapitulate the human disease. A subset of VGLL2-NCOA2 zebrafish tumors transcriptionally cluster with embryonic somitogenesis and identify VGLL2-NCOA2 developmental programs, including a RAS family GTPase, ARF6. In VGLL2-NCOA2 zebrafish, mouse, and patient tumors, ARF6 is highly expressed. ARF6 knockout suppresses VGLL2-NCOA2 oncogenic activity in cell culture, and, more broadly, ARF6 is overexpressed in adult and pediatric sarcomas. Our data indicate that VGLL2-NCOA2 is an oncogene that leverages developmental programs for tumorigenesis and that reactivation or persistence of ARF6 could represent a therapeutic opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Watson
- Institut Curie Research Center, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Medical Oncology Department, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Collette A LaVigne
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Didier Surdez
- Institut Curie Research Center, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France; Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich (UZH), 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Cyrta
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Department of Pathology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Delia Calderon
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Ph.D. Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Matthew V Cannon
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Matthew R Kent
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Katherine M Silvius
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Jack P Kucinski
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Ph.D. Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Emma N Harrison
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Whitney Murchison
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Dinesh Rakheja
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Franck Tirode
- University Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre LéonBérard, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie Research Center, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, SIREDO Pediatric Center, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie Hospital Group, Unité de Génétique Somatique, 75005 Paris, France
| | - James F Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Genevieve C Kendall
- Center for Childhood Cancer, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
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71
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Faustini E, Panza A, Longaretti M, Lottersberger F. Quantitative analysis of nuclear deformations and DNA damage foci dynamics by live-cell imaging. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 182:247-263. [PMID: 38359981 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.010] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The correct repair of DNA Double Strand Breaks (DSBs) is fundamental to prevent the loss of genetic information, mutations, and chromosome rearrangements. An emerging determinant of DNA repair is chromatin mobility. However, how chromatin mobility can influence DSBs repair is still poorly understood. While increased mobility is generally associated with the correct repair by Homologous Recombination (HR) of DSBs generated in heterochromatin, it promotes the mis-repair of multiple distal DSBs by Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ). Here we describe a method for detecting and quantifying DSBs mobility by live-cell imaging in the context of multiple DSBs prone to mis-repair by NHEJ. In addition, we discuss a set of parameters that can be used for quantitative and qualitative analysis of nuclear deformations and to discard nuclei where the deformation could affect the analysis of DSBs mobility. While this method is based on the visualization of DSBs with the mCherry-53BP1-2 fusion protein, we believe that it can also be used to analyze the mobility of nuclear foci formed by different fluorescent proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Faustini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andrea Panza
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matteo Longaretti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Francisca Lottersberger
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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72
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Mohapatra S, Winkle M, Ton AN, Nguyen D, Calin GA. The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Chromosomal Instability in Cancer. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:10-19. [PMID: 36167417 PMCID: PMC9827503 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is characterized by an increased frequency of changes in chromosome structure or number and is regarded as a hallmark of cancer. CIN plays a prevalent role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression by assisting the cancer cells' phenotypic adaptation to stress, which have been tightly linked to therapy resistance and metastasis. Both CIN-inducing and CIN-repressing agents are being clinically tested for the treatment of cancer to increase CIN levels to unsustainable levels leading to cell death or to decrease CIN levels to limit the development of drug resistance, respectively. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) have been fundamentally implicated in CIN. The miR-22, miR-26a, miR-28, and miR-186 target important checkpoint proteins involved in mediating chromosomal stability and their expression modulation has been directly related to CIN occurrence. lncRNAs derived from telomeric, centrosomal, and enhancer regions play an important role in mediating genome stability, while specific lncRNA transcripts including genomic instability inducing RNA called Ginir, P53-responsive lncRNA termed as GUARDIN, colon cancer-associated transcript 2, PCAT2, and ncRNA activated by DNA damage called NORAD have been shown to act within CIN-associated pathways. In this review, we discuss how these ncRNAs either maintain or disrupt the stability of chromosomes and how these mechanisms could be exploited for novel therapeutic approaches targeting CIN in cancer patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Chromosomal instability increases tumor heterogeneity and thereby assists the phenotypic adaptation of cancer cells, causing therapy resistance and metastasis. Several microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs that have been causally linked to chromosomal instability could represent novel therapeutic targets. Understanding the role of non-coding RNAs in regulating different genes involved in driving chromosomal instability will give insights into how non-coding RNAs can be utilized toward modifying chemotherapeutic regimens in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Mohapatra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (S.M., M.W., A.N.T., G.A.C.), UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (S.M.), Program in Molecular Genetic Technology, School of Health Professions (A.N.T.), and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs (G.A.C.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (D.N.)
| | - Melanie Winkle
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (S.M., M.W., A.N.T., G.A.C.), UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (S.M.), Program in Molecular Genetic Technology, School of Health Professions (A.N.T.), and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs (G.A.C.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (D.N.)
| | - Anh N Ton
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (S.M., M.W., A.N.T., G.A.C.), UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (S.M.), Program in Molecular Genetic Technology, School of Health Professions (A.N.T.), and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs (G.A.C.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (D.N.)
| | - Dien Nguyen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (S.M., M.W., A.N.T., G.A.C.), UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (S.M.), Program in Molecular Genetic Technology, School of Health Professions (A.N.T.), and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs (G.A.C.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (D.N.)
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (S.M., M.W., A.N.T., G.A.C.), UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (S.M.), Program in Molecular Genetic Technology, School of Health Professions (A.N.T.), and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs (G.A.C.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (D.N.)
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73
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Ditercalinium chloride: A potential inhibitor targeting recurrent in frame COMMD10-AP3S1 fusions in CRCs. GENE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2023.101739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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74
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Wu W, Yu S, Yu X. Transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) as a potential target for cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188842. [PMID: 36460141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), a transcription-related cyclin dependent kinase (CDK), plays a momentous part in multitudinous biological functions, such as replication, transcription initiation to elongation and termination, precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing, intron polyadenylation (IPA), and translation. CDK12 can act as a tumour suppressor or oncogene in disparate cellular environments, and its dysregulation likely provokes tumorigenesis. A comprehensive understanding of CDK12 will tremendously facilitate the exploitation of novel tactics for the treatment and precaution of cancer. Currently, CDK12 inhibitors are nonspecific and nonselective, which profoundly hinders the pharmacological target validation and drug exploitation process. Herein, we summarize the newly comprehension of the biological functions of CDK12 with a focus on recently emerged advancements of CDK12-associated therapeutic approaches in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wence Wu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shengji Yu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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75
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Viushkov VS, Lomov NA, Rubtsov MA, Vassetzky YS. Visualizing the Genome: Experimental Approaches for Live-Cell Chromatin Imaging. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244086. [PMID: 36552850 PMCID: PMC9776900 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, our vision of the genome has changed from a linear molecule to that of a complex 3D structure that follows specific patterns and possesses a hierarchical organization. Currently, genomics is becoming "four-dimensional": our attention is increasingly focused on the study of chromatin dynamics over time, in the fourth dimension. Recent methods for visualizing the movements of chromatin loci in living cells by targeting fluorescent proteins can be divided into two groups. The first group requires the insertion of a special sequence into the locus of interest, to which proteins that recognize the sequence are recruited (e.g., FROS and ParB-INT methods). In the methods of the second approach, "programmed" proteins are targeted to the locus of interest (i.e., systems based on CRISPR/Cas, TALE, and zinc finger proteins). In the present review, we discuss these approaches, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and identify the key scientific problems that can be studied using these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir S. Viushkov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolai A. Lomov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail A. Rubtsov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Industrial Technologies and Entrepreneurship, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yegor S. Vassetzky
- CNRS UMR9018, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
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76
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Pokrovac I, Pezer Ž. Recent advances and current challenges in population genomics of structural variation in animals and plants. Front Genet 2022; 13:1060898. [PMID: 36523759 PMCID: PMC9745067 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1060898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of population genomics has seen a surge of studies on genomic structural variation over the past two decades. These studies witnessed that structural variation is taxonomically ubiquitous and represent a dominant form of genetic variation within species. Recent advances in technology, especially the development of long-read sequencing platforms, have enabled the discovery of structural variants (SVs) in previously inaccessible genomic regions which unlocked additional structural variation for population studies and revealed that more SVs contribute to evolution than previously perceived. An increasing number of studies suggest that SVs of all types and sizes may have a large effect on phenotype and consequently major impact on rapid adaptation, population divergence, and speciation. However, the functional effect of the vast majority of SVs is unknown and the field generally lacks evidence on the phenotypic consequences of most SVs that are suggested to have adaptive potential. Non-human genomes are heavily under-represented in population-scale studies of SVs. We argue that more research on other species is needed to objectively estimate the contribution of SVs to evolution. We discuss technical challenges associated with SV detection and outline the most recent advances towards more representative reference genomes, which opens a new era in population-scale studies of structural variation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Željka Pezer
- Laboratory for Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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77
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Lavia P, Sciamanna I, Spadafora C. An Epigenetic LINE-1-Based Mechanism in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314610. [PMID: 36498938 PMCID: PMC9738484 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last fifty years, large efforts have been deployed in basic research, clinical oncology, and clinical trials, yielding an enormous amount of information regarding the molecular mechanisms of cancer and the design of effective therapies. The knowledge that has accumulated underpins the complexity, multifactoriality, and heterogeneity of cancer, disclosing novel landscapes in cancer biology with a key role of genome plasticity. Here, we propose that cancer onset and progression are determined by a stress-responsive epigenetic mechanism, resulting from the convergence of upregulation of LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear element 1), the largest family of human retrotransposons, genome damage, nuclear lamina fragmentation, chromatin remodeling, genome reprogramming, and autophagy activation. The upregulated expression of LINE-1 retrotransposons and their protein products plays a key role in these processes, yielding an increased plasticity of the nuclear architecture with the ensuing reprogramming of global gene expression, including the reactivation of embryonic transcription profiles. Cancer phenotypes would thus emerge as a consequence of the unscheduled reactivation of embryonic gene expression patterns in an inappropriate context, triggering de-differentiation and aberrant proliferation in differentiated cells. Depending on the intensity of the stressing stimuli and the level of LINE-1 response, diverse degrees of malignity would be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Lavia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ilaria Sciamanna
- Center for Animal Research and Welfare (BENA), ISS Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133 Rome, Italy
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78
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Wang T, Wei L, Lu Q, Shao Y, You S, Yin JC, Wang S, Shao Y, Chen Z, Wang Z. Landscape of potentially targetable receptor tyrosine kinase fusions in diverse cancers by DNA-based profiling. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:84. [DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRecurrent fusions of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are often driving events in tumorigenesis that carry important diagnostic value and are potentially targetable by the increasing number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Here, we characterized the spectrum of 1324 RTK fusions with intact kinase domains in solid tumors by DNA-based high-throughput sequencing. Overall, the prevalence of RTK fusions were 4.7%, with variable frequencies and diverse genomic structures and fusion partners across cancer types. Cancer types, such as thyroid cancers, urological cancers and neuroendocrine tumors are selective in the RTK fusions they carry, while others exhibit highly complex spectra of fusion events. Notably, most RTKs were promiscuous in terms of the partner genes they recombine with. A large proportion of RTK fusions had one of the breakpoints localized to intergenic regions. Comprehensive genomic profiling revealed differences in co-mutational patterns pre- and post-TKI treatments across various RTK fusions. At baseline, multiple cases were detected with co-occurring RTK fusions or concomitant oncogenic mutations in driver genes, such as KRAS and EGFR. Following TKI resistance, we observed differences in potential on- and off-target resistance mutations among fusion variants. For example, the EML4-ALK v3 variant displayed more complex on-target resistance mechanisms, which might explain the reduced survival outcome compared with the v1 variant. Finally, we identified two lung cancer patients with MET+ and NTRK1+ tumors, respectively, who responded well to crizotinib treatment. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the diagnostic and prognostic values of screening for RTK fusions using DNA-based sequencing in solid tumors.
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79
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Ewing Sarcoma Meets Epigenetics, Immunology and Nanomedicine: Moving Forward into Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215473. [PMID: 36358891 PMCID: PMC9658520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing Sarcoma treatment is traditionally based on chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Although these standard of care regimens are efficient at early disease stages, many patients fail to respond appropriately, which has prompted the search for more efficacious and specific treatments. A deeper understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, as well as advances in drug delivery, has led to the development of different approaches to improve the treatment in Ewing Sarcoma patients. Thus, epigenetic, and immunotherapy-based drugs, along with nanotechnology delivery strategies, represent novel preclinical and clinical studies in the treatment of Ewing Sarcoma. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of these emerging therapeutic strategies and summarize the potential of the latest preclinical and clinical trials in Ewing Sarcoma research. Finally, we underline the value and future directions of these new treatments. Abstract Ewing Sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive bone and soft tissue tumor that mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. The standard therapy, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, has substantially improved the survival of EWS patients with localized disease. Unfortunately, this multimodal treatment remains elusive in clinics for those patients with recurrent or metastatic disease who have an unfavorable prognosis. Consistently, there is an urgent need to find new strategies for patients that fail to respond to standard therapies. In this regard, in the last decade, treatments targeting epigenetic dependencies in tumor cells and the immune system have emerged into the clinical scenario. Additionally, recent advances in nanomedicine provide novel delivery drug systems, which may address challenges such as side effects and toxicity. Therefore, therapeutic strategies stemming from epigenetics, immunology, and nanomedicine yield promising alternatives for treating these patients. In this review, we highlight the most relevant EWS preclinical and clinical studies in epigenetics, immunotherapy, and nanotherapy conducted in the last five years.
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80
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PANAGOPOULOS IOANNIS, HEIM SVERRE. Neoplasia-associated Chromosome Translocations Resulting in Gene Truncation. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2022; 19:647-672. [PMID: 36316036 PMCID: PMC9620447 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations in cancer as well as benign neoplasias typically lead to the formation of fusion genes. Such genes may encode chimeric proteins when two protein-coding regions fuse in-frame, or they may result in deregulation of genes via promoter swapping or translocation of the gene into the vicinity of a highly active regulatory element. A less studied consequence of chromosomal translocations is the fusion of two breakpoint genes resulting in an out-of-frame chimera. The breaks then occur in one or both protein-coding regions forming a stop codon in the chimeric transcript shortly after the fusion point. Though the latter genetic events and mechanisms at first awoke little research interest, careful investigations have established them as neither rare nor inconsequential. In the present work, we review and discuss the truncation of genes in neoplastic cells resulting from chromosomal rearrangements, especially from seemingly balanced translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- IOANNIS PANAGOPOULOS
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - SVERRE HEIM
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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81
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Paranjape AM, Desai SS, Nishana M, Roy U, Nilavar NM, Mondal A, Kumari R, Radha G, Katapadi VK, Choudhary B, Raghavan SC. Nonamer dependent RAG cleavage at CpGs can explain mechanism of chromosomal translocations associated to lymphoid cancers. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010421. [PMID: 36228010 PMCID: PMC9595545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations are considered as one of the major causes of lymphoid cancers. RAG complex, which is responsible for V(D)J recombination, can also cleave non-B DNA structures and cryptic RSSs in the genome leading to chromosomal translocations. The mechanism and factors regulating the illegitimate function of RAGs resulting in oncogenesis are largely unknown. Upon in silico analysis of 3760 chromosomal translocations from lymphoid cancer patients, we find that 93% of the translocation breakpoints possess adjacent cryptic nonamers (RAG binding sequences), of which 77% had CpGs in proximity. As a proof of principle, we show that RAGs can efficiently bind to cryptic nonamers present at multiple fragile regions and cleave at adjacent mismatches generated to mimic the deamination of CpGs. ChIP studies reveal that RAGs can indeed recognize these fragile sites on a chromatin context inside the cell. Finally, we show that AID, the cytidine deaminase, plays a significant role during the generation of mismatches at CpGs and reconstitute the process of RAG-dependent generation of DNA breaks both in vitro and inside the cells. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism for generation of chromosomal translocation, where RAGs bind to the cryptic nonamer sequences and direct cleavage at adjacent mismatch generated due to deamination of meCpGs or cytosines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita M. Paranjape
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sagar S. Desai
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Electronics City, Bangalore, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Mayilaadumveettil Nishana
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Urbi Roy
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Namrata M. Nilavar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Amrita Mondal
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Rupa Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gudapureddy Radha
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Bibha Choudhary
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Electronics City, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail: (BC); (SCR)
| | - Sathees C. Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail: (BC); (SCR)
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82
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mRNA Capture Sequencing and RT-qPCR for the Detection of Pathognomonic, Novel, and Secondary Fusion Transcripts in FFPE Tissue: A Sarcoma Showcase. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911007. [PMID: 36232302 PMCID: PMC9569610 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We assess the performance of mRNA capture sequencing to identify fusion transcripts in FFPE tissue of different sarcoma types, followed by RT-qPCR confirmation. To validate our workflow, six positive control tumors with a specific chromosomal rearrangement were analyzed using the TruSight RNA Pan-Cancer Panel. Fusion transcript calling by FusionCatcher confirmed these aberrations and enabled the identification of both fusion gene partners and breakpoints. Next, whole-transcriptome TruSeq RNA Exome sequencing was applied to 17 fusion gene-negative alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) or undifferentiated round cell sarcoma (URCS) tumors, for whom fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) did not identify the classical pathognomonic rearrangements. For six patients, a pathognomonic fusion transcript was readily detected, i.e., PAX3-FOXO1 in two ARMS patients, and EWSR1-FLI1, EWSR1-ERG, or EWSR1-NFATC2 in four URCS patients. For the 11 remaining patients, 11 newly identified fusion transcripts were confirmed by RT-qPCR, including COPS3-TOM1L2, NCOA1-DTNB, WWTR1-LINC01986, PLAA-MOB3B, AP1B1-CHEK2, and BRD4-LEUTX fusion transcripts in ARMS patients. Additionally, recurrently detected secondary fusion transcripts in patients diagnosed with EWSR1-NFATC2-positive sarcoma were confirmed (COPS4-TBC1D9, PICALM-SYTL2, SMG6-VPS53, and UBE2F-ALS2). In conclusion, this study shows that mRNA capture sequencing enhances the detection rate of pathognomonic fusions and enables the identification of novel and secondary fusion transcripts in sarcomas.
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83
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Sources of Cancer Neoantigens beyond Single-Nucleotide Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710131. [PMID: 36077528 PMCID: PMC9455963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of checkpoint blockade therapy against cancer has unequivocally shown that cancer cells can be effectively recognized by the immune system and eliminated. However, the identity of the cancer antigens that elicit protective immunity remains to be fully explored. Over the last decade, most of the focus has been on somatic mutations derived from non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertion/deletion mutations (indels) that accumulate during cancer progression. Mutated peptides can be presented on MHC molecules and give rise to novel antigens or neoantigens, which have been shown to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses. A limitation with SNV-neoantigens is that they are patient-specific and their accurate prediction is critical for the development of effective immunotherapies. In addition, cancer types with low mutation burden may not display sufficient high-quality [SNV/small indels] neoantigens to alone stimulate effective T cell responses. Accumulating evidence suggests the existence of alternative sources of cancer neoantigens, such as gene fusions, alternative splicing variants, post-translational modifications, and transposable elements, which may be attractive novel targets for immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the recent technological advances in the identification of these novel sources of neoantigens, the experimental evidence for their presentation on MHC molecules and their immunogenicity, as well as the current clinical development stage of immunotherapy targeting these neoantigens.
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84
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Velaga R, Koo KM, Mainwaring PN. Harnessing gene fusion-derived neoantigens for 'cold' breast and prostate tumor immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2022; 14:1165-1179. [PMID: 36043380 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast and prostate cancers are generally considered immunologically 'cold' tumors due to multiple mechanisms rendering them unresponsive to immune checkpoint blockade therapies. With little success in garnering positive outcomes in modern immunotherapeutic clinical trials, it is prudent to re-examine the role of immunogenic neoantigens in these cold tumors. Gene fusions are driver mutations in hormone-driven cancers that can result in alternative mutation-specific neoantigens to promote immunotherapy sensitivity. This review focuses on 1) gene fusion formation mechanisms in neoantigen generation; 2) gene fusion neoantigens in cancer immunotherapeutic strategies and associated clinical trials; and 3) challenges and opportunities in computational and liquid biopsy technologies. This review is anticipated to initiate further research into gene fusion neoantigens of cold tumors for further experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Velaga
- Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kevin M Koo
- XING Technologies Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4073, Australia.,The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
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85
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Tanaka K, Suzuki K, Miyashita K, Wakasa K, Kawano M, Nakatsu Y, Tsumura H, Yoshida MA, Oda S. Activation of recombinational repair in Ewing sarcoma cells carrying EWS-FLI1 fusion gene by chromosome translocation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14764. [PMID: 36042341 PMCID: PMC9427769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome translocation (TL) is an important mode of genomic changes underlying human tumorigenesis, the detailed mechanisms of which are, however, still not well understood. The two major modalities of DNA double strand break repair, i.e. homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), have been hypothesized. In a typical TL+ human neoplasm, Ewing sarcoma, which is frequently associated with t(11;22) TL encoding the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene, NHEJ has been regarded as a model to explain the disease-specific TL. Using comprehensive microarray approaches, we observed that expression of the HR genes, particularly of RAD51, is upregulated in TL+ Ewing sarcoma cell lines, WE-68 and SK-N-MC, as in the other TL+ tumor cell lines and one defective in DNA mismatch repair (MMR). The upregulated RAD51 expression indeed lead to frequent focus formation, which may suggest an activation of the HR pathway in these cells. Furthermore, sister chromatid exchange was frequently observed in the TL+ and MMR-defective cells. Intriguingly, ionizing irradiation revealed that the decrease of 53BP1 foci was significantly retarded in the Ewing sarcoma cell lines, suggesting that the NHEJ pathway may be less active in the cells. These observations may support an HR involvement, at least in part, to explain TL in Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Tanaka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oita University, Yufu, 879-5593, Japan.
| | - Keiji Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kaname Miyashita
- Clinical Research Institute, Cancer Genetics Laboratory, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan
| | - Kentaro Wakasa
- Clinical Research Institute, Cancer Genetics Laboratory, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan
| | - Masanori Kawano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oita University, Yufu, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Yoshimichi Nakatsu
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsumura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oita University, Yufu, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki A Yoshida
- Clinical Research Institute, Cancer Genetics Laboratory, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan.,Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Aomori, 036-8560, Japan
| | - Shinya Oda
- Clinical Research Institute, Cancer Genetics Laboratory, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan.
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86
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In silico validation of RNA-Seq results can identify gene fusions with oncogenic potential in glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14439. [PMID: 36002559 PMCID: PMC9402576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) can identify gene fusions in tumors, but not all these fusions have functional consequences. Using multiple data bases, we have performed an in silico analysis of fusions detected by RNA-Seq in tumor samples from 139 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients to identify in-frame fusions with predictable oncogenic potential. Among 61 samples with fusions, there were 103 different fusions, involving 167 different genes, including 20 known oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), 16 associated with cancer but not oncogenes or TSGs, and 32 not associated with cancer but previously shown to be involved in fusions in gliomas. After selecting in-frame fusions able to produce a protein product and running Oncofuse, we identified 30 fusions with predictable oncogenic potential and classified them into four non-overlapping categories: six previously described in cancer; six involving an oncogene or TSG; four predicted by Oncofuse to have oncogenic potential; and 14 other in-frame fusions. Only 24 patients harbored one or more of these 30 fusions, and only two fusions were present in more than one patient: FGFR3::TACC3 and EGFR::SEPTIN14. This in silico study provides a good starting point for the identification of gene fusions with functional consequences in the pathogenesis or treatment of glioblastoma.
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87
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Cheng Z, Wang Y, Guo L, Li J, Zhang W, Zhang C, Liu Y, Huang Y, Xu K. Ku70 affects the frequency of chromosome translocation in human lymphocytes after radiation and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Radiat Oncol 2022; 17:144. [PMID: 35986335 PMCID: PMC9389784 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-022-02113-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As one of the most common chromosomal causes, chromosome translocation leads to T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Ku70 is one of the key factors of error-prone DNA repair and it may end in translocation. So far, the direct correlation between Ku70 and translocation has not been assessed. This study aimed to investigate the association between Ku70 and translocation in human lymphocytes after radiation and T-ALL. Methods Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from volunteers and human lymphocyte cell line AHH-1 were irradiated with X-rays to form the chromosome translocations. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was used to stimulate lymphocytes. The frequency of translocation was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Meanwhile, the expression of Ku70 was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. Furthermore, Ku70 interference, overexpression and chemical inhibition were used in AHH-1 cell lines to confirm the correlation. Finally, the expression of Ku70 in T-ALL samples with or without translocation was detected. Results The expression of Ku70 and frequencies of translocation were both significantly increased in PBLs after being irradiated by X-rays, and a positive correlation between the expression (both mRNA and protein level) of Ku70 and the frequency of translocation was detected (r = 0.4877, P = 0.004; r = 0.3038, P = 0.0358 respectively). Moreover, Ku70 interference decreased the frequency of translocations, while the frequency of translocations was not significantly affected after Ku70 overexpression. The expression of Ku70 and frequencies of translocation were both significantly increased in cells after irradiation, combined with chemical inhibition (P < 0.01). The protein level and mRNA level of Ku70 in T-ALL with translocation were obviously higher than T-ALL with normal karyotype (P = 0.009, P = 0.049 respectively). Conclusions Ku70 is closely associated with the frequency of chromosome translocation in human lymphocytes after radiation and T-ALL. Ku70 might be a radiation damage biomarker and a potential tumor therapy target. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-022-02113-3.
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88
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An integrative pan cancer analysis of RET aberrations and their potential clinical implications. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13913. [PMID: 35978072 PMCID: PMC9386015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17791-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RET (rearranged during transfection), encoding a tyrosine kinase receptor, is a novel therapeutic target for cancers. The aberrations of RET are commonly found in cancers. Here, we profiled a comprehensive genomic landscape of RET mutations, copy number variants (CNVs), co-occurrence of RET and its mRNA expression and methylation levels in pan cancer, paving the way to the development of new RET-targeted therapies in clinic. Analysis of RET somatic mutations, CNVs, co-occurrence, mRNA expression and methylation were performed among 32 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset covering a total of 10,953 patients with 10,967 samples. RET aberrations were found in 3.0% of diverse cancers. The top two RET-altered tumors were skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) with dominant mutations in the other and PKinase_Tyr domains. RET-G823E and RET-S891L were most commonly found in SKCM and UCEC. Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) demonstrated the highest rate of coiled-coil domain containing 6 (CCDC6)-RET fusions, which constitutively activate RET kinase. Two FDA-approved RET inhibitors—pralsetinib and selpercatinib have been implied for the treatment of patients with RET S891L mutant UCEC and the treatment of patients with metastatic RET-fusion positive THCA and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at therapeutic level 1. We also identified four RET M918T-altered cases in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PCPG), which may induce drug resistance against multikinase inhibitors. Next, 273 co-occurring aberrations, most frequently in Notch signaling, TGF-β pathway, cell cycle, and Ras-Raf-MEK-Erk/JNK signaling, were uncovered among 311 RET altered cases. TP53 mutations (162 patients) leads to the most significant co-occurrence associated with RET aberrations. Furthermore, the RET expression was found most significantly increased in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), as compared to their corresponding normal tissues. At last, patients with higher expression and sequence variant frequency have a worse prognosis, such as sarcoma patients. This work provided a profound and comprehensive analysis of RET and co-occurred alterations, RET mRNA expression and the clinical significance in pan cancer, offering new insights into targeted therapy for patients with RET anomalies.
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89
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Liu ZH, Zhu BW, Shi M, Qu YR, He XJ, Yuan HL, Ma J, Li W, Zhao DD, Liu ZC, Wang BM, Wang CY, Tao HQ, Ma TH. Profiling of gene fusion involving targetable genes in Chinese gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1528-1539. [PMID: 36160735 PMCID: PMC9412921 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i8.1528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately half of all new cases of gastric cancer (GC) and related deaths occur in China. More than 80% of patients with GC are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which results in poor prognosis. Although HER2-directed therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been somewhat successful, new drugs are still needed for the treatment of GC. Notably, several gene fusion-targeted drugs have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for solid tumors, including GC, such as larotrectinib for NTRK fusion-positive cancers and zenocutuzumab for NRG1 fusion-positive cancers. However, gene fusions involving targetable genes have not been well characterized in Chinese patients with GC.
AIM To identify the profile of fusions involving targetable genes in Chinese patients with GC using clinical specimens and determine the distribution of patients with gene fusion variants among the molecular subtypes of GC.
METHODS We retrospectively analyzed gene fusion events in tumor tissue samples from 954 Chinese patients with GC. Clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from their medical records. Genetic alterations, such as single nucleotide variants, indels, amplifications, and gene fusions, were identified using a targeted sequencing panel containing 825 genes. Fusions were validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using break-apart probes. The microsatellite instability (MSI) status was evaluated using MSIsensor from the targeted sequencing panel data. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated using the total number of nonsynonymous mutations divided by the total genomic targeted region. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the enrichment of gene fusions associated with the molecular subtypes of GC.
RESULTS We found that 1.68% (16/954) of patients harbored 20 fusion events involving targetable genes. RARA fusions (n = 5) were the most common, followed by FGFR2, BRAF, MET, FGFR3, RET, ALK, EGFR, NTRK2, and NRG1 fusions. Two of the RARA fusions, EML4-ALK (E6:E20) and EGFR-SEPTIN14 (E7:E10), have been identified in other tumors but not in GC. Surprisingly, 18 gene fusion events were previously not reported in any cancer types. Twelve of the eighteen novel gene fusions included complete exons encoding functional domains of targetable genes, such as the tyrosine kinase domain of receptor tyrosine kinases and the DNA- and ligand-binding domains of RARA. Consistent with the results of detection using the targeted sequencing fusion panel, the results of FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) confirmed the rearrangement of FGFR2 and BRAF in tumors from patients 04 and 09, respectively. Genetic analysis indicated that the fusion genes were significantly enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification (P = 0.02); however, there were no significant differences between fusion-positive and fusion-negative patients in age, sex, MSI status, and TMB.
CONCLUSION We characterized the landscape of fusions involving targetable genes in a Chinese GC cohort and found that 1.68% of patients with GC harbor potential targetable gene fusions, which were enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification. Gene fusion detection may provide a potential treatment strategy for patients with GC with disease progression following standard therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Hua Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zhu
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Min Shi
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Yu-Rong Qu
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Xun-Jun He
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hong-Ling Yuan
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Dan-Dan Zhao
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Zheng-Chuang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bao-Ming Wang
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Chun-Yang Wang
- Medical Center, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Hou-Quan Tao
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tong-Hui Ma
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
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90
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An S, Koh HH, Chang ES, Choi J, Song JY, Lee MS, Choi YL. Unearthing novel fusions as therapeutic targets in solid tumors using targeted RNA sequencing. Front Oncol 2022; 12:892918. [PMID: 36033527 PMCID: PMC9399837 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.892918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of oncogenic fusion genes in cancers, particularly in the diagnosis of uncertain tumors, is crucial for determining effective therapeutic strategies. Although novel fusion genes have been discovered through sequencing, verifying their oncogenic potential remain difficult. Therefore, we evaluated the utility of targeted RNA sequencing in 165 tumor samples by identifying known and unknown fusions. Additionally, by applying additional criteria, we discovered eight novel fusion genes that are expected to process oncogenicity. Among the novel fusion genes, RAF1 fusion genes were detected in two cases. PTPRG-RAF1 fusion led to an increase in cell growth; while dabrafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, reduced the growth of cells expressing RAF1. This study demonstrated the utility of RNA panel sequencing as a theragnostic tool and established criteria for identifying oncogenic fusion genes during post-sequencing analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungbin An
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Hee Koh
- Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Sol Chang
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Juyoung Choi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Young Song
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mi-Sook Lee
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Mi-Sook Lee, ; Yoon-La Choi,
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Theranotics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Mi-Sook Lee, ; Yoon-La Choi,
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91
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The spectrum of chromosomal translocations in the Arab world: ethnic-specific chromosomal translocations and their relevance to diseases. Chromosoma 2022; 131:127-146. [PMID: 35907041 PMCID: PMC9470631 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-022-00775-2] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations (CTs) are the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities in humans. CTs have been reported in several studies in the Arab world, but the frequency and spectrum of these translocations are not well characterized. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review to estimate the frequency and spectrum of CTs in the 22 Arab countries. Four literature databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science, from the time of inception until July 2021. A combination of broad search terms was used to collect all possible CTs reported in the Arab world. In addition to the literature databases, all captured CTs were searched in three chromosomal rearrangement databases (Mitelman Database, CytoD 1.0 Database, and the Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Hematology), along with PubMed and Google Scholar, to check whether the CTs are unique to the Arabs or shared between Arabs and non-Arabs. A total of 9,053 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 168 studies met our inclusion criteria, and 378 CTs were identified in 15 Arab countries, of which 57 CTs were unique to Arab patients. Approximately 89% of the identified CTs involved autosomal chromosomes. Three CTs, t(9;22), t(13;14), and t(14;18), showed the highest frequency, which were associated with hematological malignancies, recurrent pregnancy loss, and follicular lymphoma, respectively. Complex CTs were commonly reported among Arabs, with a total of 44 CTs, of which 12 were unique to Arabs. This is the first study to focus on the spectrum of CTs in the Arab world and compressively map the ethnic-specific CTs relevant to cancer. It seems that there is a distinctive genotype of Arabs with CTs, of which some manifested with unique clinical phenotypes. Although ethnic-specific CTs are highly relevant to disease mechanism, they are understudied and need to be thoroughly addressed.
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92
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Zhang L, Wang D, Han X, Guo X, Cao Y, Xia Y, Gao D. Novel read-through fusion transcript Bcl2l2-Pabpn1 in glioblastoma cells. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:4686-4697. [PMID: 35894779 PMCID: PMC9443946 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Read‐through fusion transcripts have recently been identified as chimeric RNAs and have since been linked to tumour growth in some cases. Many fusion genes generated by chromosomal rearrangements have been described in glioblastoma. However, read‐through fusion transcripts between neighbouring genes in glioblastoma remain unexplored. We performed paired‐end RNA‐seq of rat C6 glioma cells and normal cells and discovered a read‐through fusion transcript Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 in which exon 3 of Bcl‐2‐like protein 2 (Bcl2l2) fused to exon 2 of Polyadenylate‐binding protein 1 (Pabpn1). This fusion transcript was found in both human glioblastoma and normal cells. Unlike other fusions reported in glioblastoma, Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 appeared to result from RNA processing rather than genomic rearrangement. Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 fusion transcript encoded a fusion protein with BH4, BCL and RRM domains. Functionally, Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 knockdown by targeting its fusion junction decreased its expression, and suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 blocked Bax activity and activated PI3K/AKT pathway to promote glioblastoma progression. Together, our work characterized a glioblastoma‐associated Bcl2l2‐Pabpn1 fusion transcript shared by humans and rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,School of Nursing, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Medical Information and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Guo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dianshuai Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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93
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Oncogenic Signalling of Growth Factor Receptors in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137376. [PMID: 35806381 PMCID: PMC9266644 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a common name for several distinct diseases caused by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation [...]
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94
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Histologically resolved multiomics enables precise molecular profiling of human intratumor heterogeneity. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001699. [PMID: 35776767 PMCID: PMC9282480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the composition of cell types and their spatial distribution in a tissue play a critical role in cellular function, organ development, and disease progression. For example, intratumor heterogeneity and the distribution of transcriptional and genetic events in single cells drive the genesis and development of cancer. However, it can be challenging to fully characterize the molecular profile of cells in a tissue with high spatial resolution because microscopy has limited ability to extract comprehensive genomic information, and the spatial resolution of genomic techniques tends to be limited by dissection. There is a growing need for tools that can be used to explore the relationship between histological features, gene expression patterns, and spatially correlated genomic alterations in healthy and diseased tissue samples. Here, we present a technique that combines label-free histology with spatially resolved multiomics in unfixed and unstained tissue sections. This approach leverages stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to provide chemical contrast that reveals histological tissue architecture, allowing for high-resolution in situ laser microdissection of regions of interests. These microtissue samples are then processed for DNA and RNA sequencing to identify unique genetic profiles that correspond to distinct anatomical regions. We demonstrate the capabilities of this technique by mapping gene expression and copy number alterations to histologically defined regions in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our approach provides complementary insights in tumorigenesis and offers an integrative tool for macroscale cancer tissues with spatial multiomics assessments.
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95
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Biswas A, Rajesh Y, Das S, Banerjee I, Kapoor N, Mitra P, Mandal M. Therapeutic targeting of RBPJ, an upstream regulator of ETV6 gene, abrogates ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene transformations in glioblastoma. Cancer Lett 2022; 544:215811. [PMID: 35787922 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fusion genes are abnormal genes resulting from chromosomal translocation, insertion, deletion, inversion, etc. ETV6, a rather promiscuous partner forms fusions with several other genes, most commonly, the NTRK3 gene. This fusion leads to the formation of a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase which activates the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/AKT/MAPK pathways, leading the cells through cycles of uncontrolled division and ultimately resulting in cancer. Targeted therapies against this ETV6-NTRK3 fusion protein are much needed. Therefore, to find a targeted approach, a transcription factor RBPJ regulating the ETV6 gene was established and since the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene is downstream of the ETV6 promoter/enhancer, this fusion protein is also regulated. The regulation of the ETV6 gene via RBPJ was validated by ChIP analysis in human glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines and patient tissue samples. This study was further followed by the identification of an inhibitor, Furamidine, against transcription factor RBPJ. It was found to be binding with the DNA binding domain of RBPJ with antitumorigenic properties and minimal organ toxicity. Hence, a new target RBPJ, regulating the production of ETV6 and ETV6-NTRK3 fusion protein was found along with a potent RBPJ inhibitor Furamidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angana Biswas
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Yetirajam Rajesh
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Subhayan Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Indranil Banerjee
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Neelkamal Kapoor
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Pralay Mitra
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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96
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Xie X, Bian Y, Li H, Yin J, Tian L, Jiang R, Zeng Z, Shi X, Lei Z, Hou C, Qu Y, Wang L, Shen J. A Comprehensive Understanding of the Genomic Bone Tumor Landscape: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:835004. [PMID: 35756627 PMCID: PMC9213736 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.835004] [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: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Complexity and heterogeneity increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment of bone tumors. We aimed to identify the mutational characterization and potential biomarkers of bone tumors. In this study, a total of 357 bone tumor patients were recruited and the next generation sequencing (NGS)-based YuanSu450 panel, that includes both DNA and RNA sequencing, was performed for genomic alteration identification. The most common mutated genes in bone tumors included TP53, NCOR1, VEGFA, RB1, CCND3, CDKN2A, GID4, CCNE1, TERT, and MAP2K4. The amplification of genes such as NCOR1, VEGFA, and CCND3 mainly occurred in osteosarcoma. Germline mutation analysis reveal a high frequency of HRD related mutations (46.4%, 13/28) in this cohort. With the assistance of RNA sequencing, 16.8% (19/113) gene fusions were independently detected in 20% (16/79) of patients. Nearly 34.2% of patients harbored actionable targeted mutations, of which the most common mutation is CDKN2A deletion. The different mutational characterizations between juvenile patients and adult patients indicated the potential effect of age in bone tumor treatment. According to the genomic alterations, the diagnosis of 26 (7.28%) bone tumors were corrected. The most easily misdiagnosed bone tumor included malignant giant cell tumors of bone (2.8%, 10/357) and fibrous dysplasia of bone (1.7%, 6/357). Meanwhile, we found that the mutations of MUC16 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcomas. Our results indicated that RNA sequencing effectively complements DNA sequencing and increased the detection rate of gene fusions, supporting that NGS technology can effectively assist the diagnosis of bone tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbiao Xie
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiying Bian
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haomiao Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junqiang Yin
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lantian Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Renbing Jiang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ziliang Zeng
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoliang Shi
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai OrigiMed Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixiong Lei
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changhe Hou
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yueting Qu
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai OrigiMed Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai OrigiMed Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingnan Shen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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97
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Wang X, Luan Y, Yue F. EagleC: A deep-learning framework for detecting a full range of structural variations from bulk and single-cell contact maps. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn9215. [PMID: 35704579 PMCID: PMC9200291 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn9215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The Hi-C technique has been shown to be a promising method to detect structural variations (SVs) in human genomes. However, algorithms that can use Hi-C data for a full-range SV detection have been severely lacking. Current methods can only identify interchromosomal translocations and long-range intrachromosomal SVs (>1 Mb) at less-than-optimal resolution. Therefore, we develop EagleC, a framework that combines deep-learning and ensemble-learning strategies to predict a full range of SVs at high resolution. We show that EagleC can uniquely capture a set of fusion genes that are missed by whole-genome sequencing or nanopore. Furthermore, EagleC also effectively captures SVs in other chromatin interaction platforms, such as HiChIP, Chromatin interaction analysis with paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET), and capture Hi-C. We apply EagleC in more than 100 cancer cell lines and primary tumors and identify a valuable set of high-quality SVs. Last, we demonstrate that EagleC can be applied to single-cell Hi-C and used to study the SV heterogeneity in primary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yu Luan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Feng Yue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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98
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Espejo Valle-Inclan J, Besselink NJ, de Bruijn E, Cameron DL, Ebler J, Kutzera J, van Lieshout S, Marschall T, Nelen M, Priestley P, Renkens I, Roemer MG, van Roosmalen MJ, Wenger AM, Ylstra B, Fijneman RJ, Kloosterman WP, Cuppen E. A multi-platform reference for somatic structural variation detection. CELL GENOMICS 2022; 2:100139. [PMID: 36778136 PMCID: PMC9903816 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Accurate detection of somatic structural variation (SV) in cancer genomes remains a challenging problem. This is in part due to the lack of high-quality, gold-standard datasets that enable the benchmarking of experimental approaches and bioinformatic analysis pipelines. Here, we performed somatic SV analysis of the paired melanoma and normal lymphoblastoid COLO829 cell lines using four different sequencing technologies. Based on the evidence from multiple technologies combined with extensive experimental validation, we compiled a comprehensive set of carefully curated and validated somatic SVs, comprising all SV types. We demonstrate the utility of this resource by determining the SV detection performance as a function of tumor purity and sequence depth, highlighting the importance of assessing these parameters in cancer genomics projects. The truth somatic SV dataset as well as the underlying raw multi-platform sequencing data are freely available and are an important resource for community somatic benchmarking efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolle J.M. Besselink
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel L. Cameron
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands,Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jana Ebler
- Institute for Medical Biometry and Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Kutzera
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Tobias Marschall
- Institute for Medical Biometry and Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcel Nelen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ivo Renkens
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Margaretha G.M. Roemer
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bauke Ylstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Remond J.A. Fijneman
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wigard P. Kloosterman
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands,Corresponding author
| | - Edwin Cuppen
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands,Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands,Corresponding author
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99
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Complex Elucidation of Cells-of-Origin in Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma: From Concepts to Real Life, Hide-and-Seek through Epigenetic and Transcriptional Reprogramming. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116310. [PMID: 35682989 PMCID: PMC9181261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116310] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) comprise a large group of mesenchymal malignant tumors with heterogeneous cellular morphology, proliferative index, genetic lesions and, more importantly, clinical features. Full elucidation of this wide diversity remains a central question to improve their therapeutic management and the identity of cell(s)-of-origin from which these tumors arise is part of this enigma. Cellular reprogramming allows transitions of a mature cell between phenotypes, or identities, and represents one key driver of tumoral heterogeneity. Here, we discuss how cellular reprogramming mediated by driver genes in STS can profoundly reshape the molecular and morphological features of a transformed cell and lead to erroneous interpretation of its cell-of-origin. This review questions the fact that the epigenetic context in which a genetic alteration arises has to be taken into account as a key determinant of STS tumor initiation and progression. Retracing the cancer-initiating cell and its clonal evolution, notably via epigenetic approach, appears as a key lever for understanding the origin of these tumors and improving their clinical management.
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100
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Li Z, Sun Q, Shi Y. Somatic structural variations in pediatric brain tumors. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2022; 74:358-364. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.17.04830-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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