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Abstract
Overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-A) has been documented in association with primary tumors and metastasis in medulloblastoma. Tumors from our genetically engineered sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma mouse model overexpress PDGFR-A in primary tumors and thus this mouse model is a good platform with which to study the role of PDGFR-A in this central nervous system malignancy. We hypothesized that inhibition of PDGFR-A in medulloblastoma can slow or inhibit tumor progression in living individuals. To test our hypothesis, we targeted PDGFR-A mediated tumor growth in vitro and in vivo using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tandutinib (MLN-518), which strongly inhibits PDGFR-A. Although PDGFR-A inhibition by this agent resulted in reduced mouse tumor cell growth and increased apoptosis in vitro, and reduced tumor cell proliferation in vivo, tandutinib did reduce tumor volume at the doses tested (360 mg/kg) in vivo. Thus, tandutinib may be an agent of interest for sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma if a synergistic drug combination can be identified.
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Jothi M, Nishijo K, Keller C, Mal AK. AKT and PAX3-FKHR cooperation enforces myogenic differentiation blockade in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:895-908. [PMID: 22333587 DOI: 10.4161/cc.11.5.19346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The chimeric PAX3-FKHR transcription factor is present in a majority of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), an aggressive skeletal muscle cancer of childhood. PAX3-FKHR-mediated aberrant myogenic gene expression resulting in escape from terminal differentiation program is believed to contribute in ARMS development. In skeletal muscle differentiation, activation of AKT pathway leads to myogenic gene activation and terminal differentiation. Here, we report that AKT acts, in part, by modulating PAX3-FKHR transcriptional activity via phosphorylation in the maintenance of the myogenic differentiation blockade in established mouse models of ARMS cells. We observed that low levels of AKT activity are associated with elevated levels of PAX3-FKHR transcriptional activity, and AKT hyperactivation results in PAX3-FKHR phosphorylation coupled with decreased activity once cells are under differentiation-permissible conditions. Subsequent data shows that attenuated AKT activity-associated PAX3-FKHR activity is required to suppress the function of MyoD, a key myogenic regulator of muscle differentiation. Conversely, decreased PAX3-FKHR activity results in the eradication of MyoD expression and subsequent suppression of the myogenic differentiation. Thus, AKT regulation of the PAX3- FKHR suppresses myogenic gene expression in ARMS cells, causing a failure in differentiation. Evidence is presented that provides a novel molecular link between AKT and PAX3-FKHR in maintaining myogenic differentiation blockade in ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathivanan Jothi
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
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53
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Dallas J, Imanirad I, Rajani R, Dagan R, Subbiah S, Gaa R, Dwarica WA, Ivey AM, Zlotecki RA, Malyapa R, Indelicato DJ, Scarborough MT, Reith JD, Gibbs CP, Dang LH. Response to sunitinib in combination with proton beam radiation in a patient with chondrosarcoma: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2012; 6:41. [PMID: 22289277 PMCID: PMC3277477 DOI: 10.1186/1752-1947-6-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chondrosarcoma is well-known to be primarily resistant to conventional radiation and chemotherapy. Case presentation We present the case of a 32-year-old Caucasian man with clear cell chondrosarcoma who presented with symptomatic recurrence in his pelvis and metastases to his skull and lungs. Our patient underwent systemic therapy with sunitinib and then consolidation with proton beam radiation to his symptomatic site. He achieved complete symptomatic relief with a significantly improved performance status and had an almost complete and durable metabolic response on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Conclusions Our findings have important clinical implications and suggest novel clinical trials for this difficult to treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Dallas
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Hosoyama T, Aslam MI, Abraham J, Prajapati SI, Nishijo K, Michalek JE, Zarzabal LA, Nelon LD, Guttridge DC, Rubin BP, Keller C. IL-4R drives dedifferentiation, mitogenesis, and metastasis in rhabdomyosarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:2757-66. [PMID: 21536546 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-3445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. The alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a paradigm for refractory and incurable solid tumors because more than half of the children at diagnosis have either regional lymph node or distant metastases. These studies follow our previous observation that Interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) is upregulated in both human and murine ARMS, and that the IL-4R signaling pathway may be a target for abrogating tumor progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN By in vitro biochemical and cell biology studies as well as preclinical studies using a genetically engineered mouse model, we evaluated the role of IL-4 and IL-13 in IL-4R-mediated mitogenesis, myodifferentiation, and tumor progression. RESULTS IL-4 and IL-13 ligands accelerated tumor cell growth and activated STAT6, Akt, or MAPK signaling pathways in the human RMS cell lines, RD and Rh30, as well as in mouse primary ARMS cell cultures. IL-4 and IL-13 treatment also decreased protein expression of myogenic differentiation factors MyoD and Myogenin, indicating a loss of muscle differentiation. Using a genetically engineered mouse model of ARMS, we have shown that inhibition of IL-4R signaling pathway with a neutralizing antibody has a profound effect on the frequency of lymph node and pulmonary metastases, resulting in significant survival extension in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that an IL-4R-dependent signaling pathway regulates tumor cell progression in RMS, and inhibition of this pathway could be a promising adjuvant therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Hosoyama
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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55
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Friedman E. The role of mirk kinase in sarcomas. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:260757. [PMID: 21559261 PMCID: PMC3087898 DOI: 10.1155/2011/260757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting the tyrosine kinase KIT in gastrointestinal stromal tumors has led to improved treatment. Other kinases might serve as therapeutic targets in the more common forms of sarcoma. The kinase Mirk/dyrk1B is highly expressed in the vast majority of osteosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas and mediates their growth, as depletion of Mirk led to tumor cell apoptosis. Mirk is known to increase the expression of a series of antioxidant genes, which scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) within various tumor cells, mediating their survival. As a result, depleting Mirk led to increased levels of damaging ROS. Tumor cells depleted of Mirk were also sensitized to low levels of chemotherapeutic drugs that increase ROS levels. In contrast, Mirk expression is quite low in most normal cells, and Mirk depletion or embryonic knockout of Mirk did not detectably affect cell survival. Thus targeting Mirk for intervention in sarcomas might spare most normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Friedman
- Department of Pathology, Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, 2305 Weiskotten Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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56
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Abraham J, Prajapati SI, Nishijo K, Schaffer BS, Taniguchi E, Kilcoyne A, McCleish AT, Nelon LD, Giles FG, Efstratiadis A, LeGallo RD, Nowak BM, Rubin BP, Malempati S, Keller C. Evasion mechanisms to Igf1r inhibition in rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:697-707. [PMID: 21447712 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (Igf1r) is an approach being taken in clinical trials to overcome the dismal outcome for metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), an aggressive muscle cancer of children and young adults. In our study, we address the potential mechanism(s) of Igf1r inhibitor resistance that might be anticipated for patients. Using a genetically engineered mouse model of ARMS, validated for active Igf1r signaling, we show that the prototypic Igf1r inhibitor NVP-AEW541 can inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in vitro in association with decreased Akt and Mapk phosphorylation. However, drug resistance in vivo is more common and is accompanied by Igf1r overexpression, Mapk reactivation, and Her2 overexpression. Her2 is found to form heterodimers with Igf1r in resistant primary tumor cell cultures, and stimulation with Igf2 leads to Her2 phosphorylation. The Her2 inhibitor lapatinib cooperates with NVP-AEW541 to reduce Igf1r phosphorylation and to inhibit cell growth even though lapatinib alone has little effect on growth. These results point to the potential therapeutic importance of simultaneous targeting of Igf1r and Her2 to abrogate resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinu Abraham
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Zhang Y, Wang C. Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV/CCN3) gene: a paired-domain-specific PAX3-FKHR transcription target that promotes survival and motility in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Oncogene 2011; 30:3549-62. [PMID: 21423212 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The CCN (Cy61, CTGF and NOV) family of proteins is a group of matricellular biomolecules involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Elevated expression of the CCN3 (also known as NOV, Nephroblastoma overexpressed) gene has been detected in clinical samples of the skeletal muscle cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, with the highest expression found in the alveolar subtype (aRMS). Over 80% of aRMSs are characterized by a chromosomal translocation-derived fusion transcription factor PAX3-FKHR. In this study, we linked elevated CCN3 levels in aRMS cells to PAX3-FKHR expression. We found reduced CCN3 levels in aRMS cells following small interfering RNA knockdown of PAX3-FKHR, and increased CCN3 levels in C2 myoblasts following ectopic expression of PAX3-FKHR. Promoter, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses confirmed that the CCN3 gene was a direct target for PAX3-FKHR transcriptional activation through a paired-domain DNA sequence in the first intron of the CCN3 gene. To determine the function of CCN3, we showed that knockdown and ectopic expression of CCN3 decreased survival and increased differentiation in aRMS cells, respectively. In addition, we found that exogenously supplied CCN3 protein promoted aRMS cell adhesion, migration and Matrigel invasion. Taken together, data from this study have (1) provided a mechanistic basis for the CCN3 overexpression in aRMS cells, and (2) identified CCN3 as an autocrine/paracrine factor that contributes to the aggressive behavior of aRMS cells, perhaps through a positive feedback loop. Thus, CCN3 may be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in aRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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58
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Martins AS, Olmos D, Missiaglia E, Shipley J. Targeting the insulin-like growth factor pathway in rhabdomyosarcomas: rationale and future perspectives. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:209736. [PMID: 21437217 PMCID: PMC3061277 DOI: 10.1155/2011/209736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that share features of skeletal myogenesis and represent the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. Even though significant advances have been achieved in RMS treatment, prognosis remains very poor for many patients. Several elements of the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) pathway are involved in sarcomas, including RMS. The IGF2 ligand is highly expressed in most, if not all, RMS, and frequent overexpression of the receptor IGF1R is also found. This is confirmed here through mining expression profiling data of a large series of RMS samples. IGF signaling is implicated in the genesis, growth, proliferation, and metastasis of RMS. Blockade of this pathway is therefore a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RMS. In this paper we examine the biological rationale for targeting the IGF pathway in RMS as well as the current associated preclinical and clinical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Martins
- Molecular Cytogenetics, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
| | - David Olmos
- Molecular Cytogenetics, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Sarcoma Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Edoardo Missiaglia
- Molecular Cytogenetics, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Laussane, Switzerland
| | - Janet Shipley
- Molecular Cytogenetics, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
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59
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Casanova M, Ferrari A. Pharmacotherapy for pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2011; 12:517-31. [DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2011.524926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Receptor tyrosine kinases as therapeutic targets in rhabdomyosarcoma. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:756982. [PMID: 21253475 PMCID: PMC3022188 DOI: 10.1155/2011/756982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) are the most common soft tissue sarcomas of childhood and adolescence. To date, there are no effective treatments that target the genetic abnormalities in RMS, and current treatment options for high-risk groups are not adequate. Over the past two decades, research into the molecular mechanisms of RMS has identified key genes and signaling pathways involved in disease pathogenesis. In these studies, members of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family of cell surface receptors have been characterized as druggable targets for RMS. Through small molecule inhibitors, ligand-neutralizing agents, and monoclonal receptor-blocking antibodies, RTK activity can be manipulated to block oncogenic properties associated with RMS. Herein, we review the members of the RTK family that are implicated in RMS tumorigenesis and discuss both the problems and promise of targeting RTKs in RMS.
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61
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Abstract
Multidrug resistance is a common problem in the treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Therefore, novel treatment regimes such as immunotherapy have to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to detect possible targets on RMS cells and to investigate whether corresponding humanized antibodies could be used to treat RMS. Screening for potential targets common for different subtypes of RMS was carried out with Affymetrix mRNA expression arrays on 12 primary RMS samples. Subsequent pathway analysis revealed the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a potential target for antibody therapy. Expression of EGFR and binding of its specific antibody Cetuximab to embryonal RMS cell lines RD and A-204 and alveolar RMS Rh30 were monitored by flow cytometry. Cetuximab activity was quantified by proliferation assay on RMS cells, and by antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Gene expression analysis revealed a high expression of EGFR in all embryonal RMS compared with alveolar RMS. The EGFR specific antibody, Cetuximab binds to Rh30 and to RD but not to A-204 cells. Proliferation of these cells was influenced neither by Cetuximab nor by the growth factor EGF. However, cell dependent cytotoxicity of PBMCs to RMS cells such as Rh30 and RD was enhanced specifically by Cetuximab. These promising Cetuximab effects justify analysis under in vivo conditions using suitable models.
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62
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Duan Z, Ji D, Weinstein EJ, Liu X, Susa M, Choy E, Yang C, Mankin H, Hornicek FJ. Lentiviral shRNA screen of human kinases identifies PLK1 as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma. Cancer Lett 2010; 293:220-9. [PMID: 20144850 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Revised: 01/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We describe an optimized systematic screen of known kinases using osteosarcoma cell lines (KHOS and U-2OS) and a lentiviral-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) human kinase library. CellTiter 96(R)AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay was used to measure cell growth and survival. We identified several kinases, including human polo-like kinase (PLK1), which inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells when knocked down. cDNA rescue and synthetic siRNA assays confirm that the observed phenotypic changes result from the loss of PLK1 gene expression. Furthermore, a small molecule inhibitor to PLK1 inhibited osteosarcoma cell growth and induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed that PLK1 is highly expressed and activated in several osteosarcoma cell lines as well as in resected tumor samples. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that patients with high PLK1 tumor expression levels correlated with significantly shorter survival than patients with lower levels of tumor PLK1 expression. These results demonstrate the capability and feasibility of a high-throughput screen with a large collection of lentiviral kinases and its effectiveness in identifying potential drug targets. The development of more potent inhibitors that target PLK1 may open doors to a new range of anti-cancer strategies in osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Duan
- Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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63
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the 2008-2009 literature on pediatric genitourinary tumors and highlight the most significant publications. RECENT FINDINGS New techniques such as gene expression profiling, PET, nephron-sparing surgery, and stem cell transplantation are being incorporated into contemporary treatments for pediatric patients with genitourinary tumors. The WTX gene is the most commonly mutated gene in Wilms tumor, and its product enhances Wilms tumor gene 1-mediated transcription. Germline WTX mutations cause an X-linked sclerosing bone dysplasia but do not appear to predispose to Wilms tumor formation. Protocadherin gene clusters on chromosome 5q31 may act as tumor suppressors. In rhabdomyosarcoma, ILK and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-A join the paired box gene 7 and 3-forkhead box O1 fusions as potential therapeutic targets, and muscle-specific microRNAs offer promise as adjuvant therapy. Despite the high cure rate of Wilms tumor, long-term survivors remain at risk of death from various causes. SUMMARY In general, the prognosis for patients with pediatric genitourinary tumors is favorable. The elucidation of the molecular abnormalities in these tumors is determining risk stratification, treatment strategies, and candidates for new drug development.
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64
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Rao PK, Missiaglia E, Shields L, Hyde G, Yuan B, Shepherd CJ, Shipley J, Lodish HF. Distinct roles for miR-1 and miR-133a in the proliferation and differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells. FASEB J 2010; 24:3427-37. [PMID: 20466878 DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-150698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in the pediatric population. As this tumor has an undifferentiated myogenic phenotype, agents that promote differentiation hold particular promise as part of a novel therapeutic approach to combat this type of cancer. In this report, we focus on the contribution of two microRNAs (miRNAs) in rhabdomyosarcomas. Levels of miR-1 and miR-133a are drastically reduced in representative cell lines from each major rhabdomyosarcoma subtype (embryonal and alveolar). Introduction of miR-1 and miR-133a into an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma-derived cell line is cytostatic, thereby suggesting a tumor suppressor-like role for these myogenic miRNAs. Transcriptional profiling of cells after miR-1 and miR-133a expression reveals that miR-1 (but not miR-133a) exerts a strong promyogenic influence on these poorly differentiated tumor cells. We identify mRNAs that are down-regulated by these miRNAs and propose roles for miR-1 and miR-133a in repressing isoforms of genes that are normally not expressed in muscle. Finally, we show that mRNA targets of miR-1 and miR-133a are up-regulated in rhabdomyosarcomas, suggesting a causative role for these miRNAs in the development of rhabdomyosarcomas. More important, these results point to the promise of enhancing rhabdomyosarcoma therapy using miRNAs as agents that mediate cytostasis and promote muscle differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash K Rao
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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65
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Yang C, Ji D, Weinstein EJ, Choy E, Hornicek FJ, Wood KB, Liu X, Mankin H, Duan Z. The kinase Mirk is a potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma. Carcinogenesis 2010; 31:552-8. [PMID: 20042639 PMCID: PMC2847087 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgp330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2009] [Revised: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor affecting children and adolescents. The majority of patients are treated by surgery and chemotherapy but have limited alternative therapeutic options. Kinases play an important role in the growth and survival of tumor cells. We aim to identify specific kinases to be vital in the survival of osteosarcoma cells and thus may be a key target in creating novel anticancer therapies. A lentiviral short hairpin RNA kinase library, screened osteosarcoma cells, identified kinase minibrain-related kinase (Mirk) (Dyrk1B) as a potential target. Knockdown Mirk expression could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis. Chemically synthetic small interfering RNA knockdown and complementary DNA rescue assay further confirmed the results from the decrease of Mirk gene expression. The relationship between Mirk gene expression and the clinical characteristics of patients with osteosarcoma was investigated using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry analysis. The data indicate that the overall survival rate of patients with Mirk high staining (high levels of Mirk protein expression) is significantly shorter than those with Mirk low staining and moderate staining. This highlights Mirk's potential to serve as a promising target for molecular therapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Diana Ji
- Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering Labs, Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology, St Louis, MO 63146, USA
| | - Edward J. Weinstein
- Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering Labs, Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology, St Louis, MO 63146, USA
| | - Edwin Choy
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Francis J. Hornicek
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kirkham B. Wood
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xianzhe Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Henry Mankin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Abstract
Development of chemotherapeutic treatment modalities resulted in a dramatic increase in the survival of children with many types of cancer. Still, in case of some pediatric cancer entities including rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, survival of patients remains dismal and novel treatment approaches are urgently needed. Therefore, based on the concept of targeted therapy, numerous potential targets for the treatment of these cancers have been evaluated pre-clinically or in some cases even clinically during the last decade. This review gives an overview over many different potential therapeutic targets for treatment of these childhood sarcomas, including receptor tyrosine kinases, intracellular signaling molecules, cell cycle and apoptosis regulators, proteasome, hsp90, histone deacetylases, angiogenesis regulators and sarcoma specific fusion proteins. The large number of potential therapeutic targets suggests that improved comparability of pre-clinical models might be necessary to prioritize the most effective ones for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Wachtel
- University Children's Hospital, Department of Oncology, Zürich, Switzerland
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Aguiar S, da Cunha IW, Lopes A. Genomic expression, chemotherapy response, and molecular targets in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: promising strategies for treatment selection. J Surg Oncol 2010; 101:92-6. [PMID: 19834919 DOI: 10.1002/jso.21422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy in soft tissue sarcomas is still controversial, especially in regards to the use of chemotherapy. The identification of predictive factors is crucial to avoid the use of chemotherapy in patients with tumors that carry genetic characteristics associated with resistance. Focusing on gene expression data, we performed a review of the actual state of knowledge in molecular predictive factors for chemotherapy response and new targets of therapy in extremity sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Aguiar
- Department of Pelvic Surgery, A.C. Camargo Cancer Hospital, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Fernandez K, Serinagaoglu Y, Hammond S, Martin LT, Martin PT. Mice lacking dystrophin or alpha sarcoglycan spontaneously develop embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with cancer-associated p53 mutations and alternatively spliced or mutant Mdm2 transcripts. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 176:416-34. [PMID: 20019182 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Altered expression of proteins in the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex results in muscular dystrophy and has more recently been implicated in a number of forms of cancer. Here we show that loss of either of two members of this complex, dystrophin in mdx mice or alpha sarcoglycan in Sgca(-/-) mice, results in the spontaneous development of muscle-derived embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) after 1 year of age. Many mdx and Sgca(-/-) tumors showed increased expression of insulin-like growth factor 2, retinoblastoma protein, and phosphorylated Akt and decreased expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog gene, much as is found in a human RMS. Further, all mdx and Sgca(-/-) RMS analyzed had increased expression of p53 and murine double minute (mdm)2 protein and contained missense p53 mutations previously identified in human cancers. The mdx RMS also contained missense mutations in Mdm2 or alternatively spliced Mdm2 transcripts that lacked an exon encoding a portion of the p53-binding domain. No Pax3:Fkhr or Pax7:Fkhr translocation mRNA products were evident in any tumor. Expression of natively glycosylated alpha dystroglycan and alpha sarcoglycan was reduced in mdx RMS, whereas dystrophin expression was absent in almost all human RMS, both for embryonal and alveolar RMS subtypes. These studies show that absence of members of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex constitutes a permissive environment for spontaneous development of embryonal RMS associated with mutation of p53 and mutation or altered splicing of Mdm2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Fernandez
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
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Zeng FY, Dong H, Cui J, Liu L, Chen T. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 regulates PAX3-FKHR-mediated cell proliferation in human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 391:1049-55. [PMID: 19995556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) have poorer response to conventional chemotherapy and lower survival rates than those with embryonal RMS (ERMS). To identify compounds that preferentially block the growth of ARMS, we conducted a small-scale screen of 160 kinase inhibitors against the ARMS cell line Rh30 and ERMS cell line RD and identified inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), including TWS119 as ARMS-selective inhibitors. GSK3 inhibitors inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis more effectively in Rh30 than RD cells. Ectopic expression of fusion protein PAX3-FKHR in RD cells significantly increased their sensitivity to TWS119. Down-regulation of GSK3 by GSK3 inhibitors or siRNA significantly reduced the transcriptional activity of PAX3-FKHR. These results suggest that GSK3 is directly involved in regulating the transcriptional activity of PAX3-FKHR. Also, GSK3 phosphorylated PAX3-FKHR in vitro, suggesting that GSK3 might regulate PAX3-FKHR activity via phosphorylation. These findings support a novel mechanism of PAX3-FKHR regulation by GSK3 and provide a novel strategy to develop GSK inhibitors as anti-ARMS therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Yue Zeng
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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70
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De Giovanni C, Landuzzi L, Nicoletti G, Lollini PL, Nanni P. Molecular and cellular biology of rhabdomyosarcoma. Future Oncol 2009; 5:1449-75. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a group of soft-tissue sarcomas that share features of skeletal myogenesis, but show extensive heterogeneity in histology, age and site of onset, and prognosis. This review matches recent molecular data with biological features of rhabdomyosarcoma. Alterations in molecular pathways, animal models, cell of origin and potential new therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla De Giovanni
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Research Section, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giordano Nicoletti
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Hematology and Oncological Sciences ‘L. e A. Seragnoli’, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Research Section, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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71
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Hu K, Lee C, Qiu D, Fotovati A, Davies A, Abu-Ali S, Wai D, Lawlor ER, Triche TJ, Pallen CJ, Dunn SE. Small interfering RNA library screen of human kinases and phosphatases identifies polo-like kinase 1 as a promising new target for the treatment of pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas. Mol Cancer Ther 2009; 8:3024-35. [PMID: 19887553 PMCID: PMC2783569 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-09-0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma, consisting of alveolar (aRMS) and embryonal (eRMS) subtypes, is the most common type of sarcoma in children. Currently, there are no targeted drug therapies available for rhabdomyosarcoma. In searching for new molecular therapeutic targets, we carried out genome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) library screens targeting human phosphatases (n = 206) and kinases (n = 691) initially against an aRMS cell line, RH30. Sixteen phosphatases and 50 kinases were identified based on growth inhibition after 72 hours. Inhibiting polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) had the most remarkable impact on growth inhibition (approximately 80%) and apoptosis on all three rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines tested, namely, RH30, CW9019 (aRMS), and RD (eRMS), whereas there was no effect on normal muscle cells. The loss of PLK1 expression and subsequent growth inhibition correlated with decreased p-CDC25C and Cyclin B1. Increased expression of WEE 1 was also noted. The induction of apoptosis after PLK1 silencing was confirmed by increased p-H2AX, propidium iodide uptake, and chromatin condensation, as well as caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Pediatric Ewing's sarcoma (TC-32), neuroblastoma (IMR32 and KCNR), and glioblastoma (SF188) models were also highly sensitive to PLK1 inhibition. Finally, based on cDNA microarray analyses, PLK1 mRNA was overexpressed (>1.5 fold) in 10 of 10 rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines and in 47% and 51% of primary aRMS (17 of 36 samples) and eRMS (21 of 41 samples) tumors, respectively, compared with normal muscles. Similarly, pediatric Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and osteosarcoma tumors expressed high PLK1. We conclude that PLK1 could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of a wide range of pediatric solid tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiji Hu
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cathy Lee
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dexin Qiu
- Cell Phosphosignaling Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Experimental Medicine, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Abbas Fotovati
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alastair Davies
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samah Abu-Ali
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Wai
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Timothy J. Triche
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Catherine J. Pallen
- Cell Phosphosignaling Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Experimental Medicine, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sandra E. Dunn
- Laboratory for Oncogenomic Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Experimental Medicine, and Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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72
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Nishijo K, Chen QR, Zhang L, McCleish AT, Rodriguez A, Cho MJ, Prajapati SI, Gelfond JAL, Chisholm GB, Michalek JE, Aronow BJ, Barr FG, Randall RL, Ladanyi M, Qualman SJ, Rubin BP, LeGallo RD, Wang C, Khan J, Keller C. Credentialing a preclinical mouse model of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2902-11. [PMID: 19339268 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The highly aggressive muscle cancer alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood, yet the outcome for the unresectable and metastatic disease is dismal and unchanged for nearly three decades. To better understand the pathogenesis of this disease and to facilitate novel preclinical approaches, we previously developed a conditional mouse model of ARMS by faithfully recapitulating the genetic mutations observed in the human disease, i.e., activation of Pax3:Fkhr fusion gene with either p53 or Cdkn2a inactivation. In this report, we show that this model recapitulates the immunohistochemical profile and the rapid progression of the human disease. We show that Pax3:Fkhr expression increases during late preneoplasia but tumor cells undergoing metastasis are under apparent selection for Pax3:Fkhr expression. At a whole-genome level, a cross-species gene set enrichment analysis and metagene projection study showed that our mouse model is most similar to human ARMS when compared with other pediatric cancers. We have defined an expression profile conserved between mouse and human ARMS, as well as a Pax3:Fkhr signature, including the target gene, SKP2. We further identified 7 "druggable" kinases overexpressed across species. The data affirm the accuracy of this genetically engineered mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Nishijo
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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73
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PAX3-FKHR sensitizes human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells to camptothecin-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis. Cancer Lett 2009; 284:157-64. [PMID: 19442434 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2009] [Revised: 03/25/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) have poorer response to conventional chemotherapy and lower survival rates than those with embryonal RMS (ERMS). By high-throughput screening, we identified camptothecin as an ARMS-selective inhibitor. Camptothecin more efficiently inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in Rh30 (ARMS) than RD (ERMS) cells. Ectopic expression of the PAX3-FKHR (PF) fusion protein in RD cells significantly increased sensitivity, whereas siRNA knockdown of PF decreased sensitivity of Rh30 cells to camptothecin. The sensitization required a transcriptionally active PF, and camptothecin downregulated levels of PF protein. These findings suggest that it is feasible to develop agents that preferentially block the growth of ARMS.
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74
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We will review the 2007/2008 literature on pediatric genitourinary tumors. RECENT FINDINGS Newly identified constitutional epigenetic defects in Wilms tumor genes extend the understanding of Wilms tumor risk in children lacking syndromic features, and add to the complexity of the pathogenesis of these tumor suppressor genes. Pediatric renal cell carcinoma has distinct molecular characteristics and clinical associations from the adult counterpart. The pathway from PAX3-FKHR translocation to the development of rhabdomyosarcoma tumors has been further elucidated. SUMMARY Therapeutic strategies continue to be driven by developments in molecular diagnostics in pediatric genitourinary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M Castellino
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
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75
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Reis LO, Pereira TC, Favaro WJ, Cagnon VHA, Lopes-Cendes I, Ferreira U. Experimental animal model and RNA interference: a promising association for bladder cancer research. World J Urol 2009; 27:353-61. [PMID: 19214530 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-009-0374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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