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Clark O, Schmidt F, Coles CH, Tchetchelnitski V, Stoker AW. Functional Analysis of the Putative Tumor Suppressor PTPRD in Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancer Invest 2012; 30:422-32. [DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2012.675383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. Clark
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London,
London, UK,1
| | - F. Schmidt
- MERCK SERONO S.A.,
Geneve, Switzerland,2
| | - C. H. Coles
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford,
Oxford, UK3
| | - V. Tchetchelnitski
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London,
London, UK,1
| | - A. W. Stoker
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London,
London, UK,1
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52
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Dungwa JV, Hunt LP, Ramani P. HIF-1α up-regulation is associated with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors in neuroblastomas. Histopathology 2012; 61:417-27. [PMID: 22571395 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04227.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To study the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in clinical neuroblastoma (NB) samples and its association with the clinicopathological features, biological features and survival of NB patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemistry indicated that elevated HIF-1α expression was present in 30 of 90 (33%) NBs. This expression was correlated significantly and positively with higher clinical stage (P = 0.002), ≥18 months of age at presentation (P = 0.020), high-risk group (P = 0.005), unfavourable pathology (P = 0.002), MYCN amplification (P < 0.001), 1p deletion (P = 0.004) and 17q gain (P = 0.002). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that total HIF-1α protein was significantly higher in NBs of patients with all examined adverse prognostic factors except for age. Univariate survival analysis revealed that higher-than-median HIF-1α total protein levels were associated significantly with a decrease in event-free survival (EFS) (P = 0.017), but not in overall survival (OS) (P = 0.12). HIF-1α immunoexpression by ≥10% of tumour cells was associated significantly with decreased OS and EFS (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively), but not in multivariate analysis after adjusting for the high-risk group (P = 0.16 and P = 0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS HIF-1α was increased significantly in patients with NB associated with unfavourable characteristics. HIF-1α is a prognostic indicator of poor OS and EFS and defines subgroups of NBs with aggressive clinical behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah V Dungwa
- Department of Histopathology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK
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53
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de Pontual L, Kettaneh D, Gordon CT, Oufadem M, Boddaert N, Lees M, Balu L, Lachassinne E, Petros A, Mollet J, Wilson LC, Munnich A, Brugière L, Delattre O, Vekemans M, Etchevers H, Lyonnet S, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Amiel J. Germline gain-of-function mutations of ALK disrupt central nervous system development. Hum Mutat 2012; 32:272-6. [PMID: 21972109 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a frequent embryonal tumor of sympathetic ganglia and adrenals with extremely variable outcome. Recently, somatic amplification and gain-of-function mutations of the anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK) gene, either somatic or germline, were identified in a significant proportion of NB cases. Here we report a novel syndromic presentation associating congenital NB with severe encephalopathy and abnormal shape of the brainstem on brain MRI in two unrelated sporadic cases harboring de novo, germline, heterozygous ALK gene mutations. Both mutations are gain-of-function mutations that have been reported in NB and NB cell lines. These observations further illustrate the role of oncogenes in both tumour predisposition and normal development, and shed light on the pleiotropic and activity-dependent role of ALK in humans. More generally, missing germline mutations relative to the spectrum of somatic mutations reported for a given oncogene may be a reflection of severe effects during embryonic development, and may prompt mutation screening in patients with extreme phenotypes.
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54
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Zhu S, Lee JS, Guo F, Shin J, Perez-Atayde AR, Kutok JL, Rodig SJ, Neuberg DS, Helman D, Feng H, Stewart RA, Wang W, George RE, Kanki JP, Look AT. Activated ALK collaborates with MYCN in neuroblastoma pathogenesis. Cancer Cell 2012; 21:362-73. [PMID: 22439933 PMCID: PMC3315700 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2012.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Revised: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amplification of the MYCN oncogene in childhood neuroblastoma is often accompanied by mutational activation of ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), suggesting their pathogenic cooperation. We generated a transgenic zebrafish model of neuroblastoma in which MYCN-induced tumors arise from a subpopulation of neuroblasts that migrate into the adrenal medulla analog following organogenesis. Coexpression of activated ALK with MYCN in this model triples the disease penetrance and markedly accelerates tumor onset. MYCN overexpression induces adrenal sympathetic neuroblast hyperplasia, blocks chromaffin cell differentiation, and ultimately triggers a developmentally-timed apoptotic response in the hyperplastic sympathoadrenal cells. Coexpression of activated ALK with MYCN provides prosurvival signals that block this apoptotic response and allow continued expansion and oncogenic transformation of hyperplastic neuroblasts, thus promoting progression to neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeong-Soo Lee
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jimann Shin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Antonio R. Perez-Atayde
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeffery L. Kutok
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Scott J. Rodig
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Donna S. Neuberg
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Daniel Helman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rodney A. Stewart
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rani E. George
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - John P. Kanki
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - A. Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (A.T.L.)
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55
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Dungwa JV, Uparkar U, May MT, Ramani P. Angiogenin up-regulation correlates with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors, increased microvascular density and poor patient outcome in neuroblastomas. Histopathology 2012; 60:911-23. [PMID: 22372545 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04176.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS As new biomarkers are urgently needed to identify children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB), we studied the contribution of angiogenin (ANG) to angiogenesis and its association with clinicopathological and biological features and patient outcome in NB. METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety NBs and 12 ganglioneuromas (GNs) were immunostained for ANG and CD31. ANG expression in NB tumoral cells (ANG scores) and vessels [ANG microvascular density (MVD)] and total MVD (CD31 MVD) were determined. The ANG score was significantly greater in NBs than in GNs (P = 0.015) and in NBs from children with stage 4 tumours, high-risk disease, unfavourable pathology (P < 0.001 for each), MYCN amplification (P = 0.003), and 1p deletion (P = 0.002). ANG scores correlated with ANG MVD and CD31 MVD (P < 0.001 for each). Total ANG and CD31 protein levels, measured with a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were highly correlated (P = 0.003). High ANG scores were associated with decreased overall and event-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.025 and P = 0.018, respectively). High ANG MVD was associated with decreased overall and event-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.009 and P = 0.026, respectively). High CD31 MVD was associated with decreased event-free survival (P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS The strong correlation of ANG up-regulation with total MVD and adverse clinicopathological and biological factors indicates that ANG supports growth and progression in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah V Dungwa
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
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Reiff T, Huber L, Kramer M, Delattre O, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Rohrer H. Midkine and Alk signaling in sympathetic neuron proliferation and neuroblastoma predisposition. Development 2011; 138:4699-708. [PMID: 21989914 DOI: 10.1242/dev.072157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and arises from cells of the developing sympathoadrenergic lineage. Activating mutations in the gene encoding the ALK tyrosine kinase receptor predispose for NB. Here, we focus on the normal function of Alk signaling in the control of sympathetic neuron proliferation, as well as on the effects of mutant ALK. Forced expression of wild-type ALK and NB-related constitutively active ALK mutants in cultures of proliferating immature sympathetic neurons results in a strong proliferation increase, whereas Alk knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of Alk activity decrease proliferation. Alk activation upregulates NMyc and trkB and maintains Alk expression by an autoregulatory mechanism involving Hand2. The Alk-ligand Midkine (Mk) is expressed in immature sympathetic neurons and in vivo inhibition of Alk signaling by virus-mediated shRNA knockdown of Alk and Mk leads to strongly reduced sympathetic neuron proliferation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the extent and timing of sympathetic neurogenesis is controlled by Mk/Alk signaling. The predisposition for NB caused by activating ALK mutations may thus be explained by aberrations of normal neurogenesis, i.e. elevated and sustained Alk signaling and increased NMyc expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Reiff
- Research Group Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Deutschordenstr. 46, 60528, Frankfurt/M, Germany
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57
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Segmental chromosomal alterations lead to a higher risk of relapse in infants with MYCN-non-amplified localised unresectable/disseminated neuroblastoma (a SIOPEN collaborative study). Br J Cancer 2011; 105:1940-8. [PMID: 22146831 PMCID: PMC3251887 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In neuroblastoma (NB), the presence of segmental chromosome alterations (SCAs) is associated with a higher risk of relapse. Methods: In order to analyse the role of SCAs in infants with localised unresectable/disseminated NB without MYCN amplification, we have performed an array CGH analysis of tumours from infants enroled in the prospective European INES trials. Results: Tumour samples from 218 out of 300 enroled patients could be analysed. Segmental chromosome alterations were observed in 11%, 20% and 59% of infants enroled in trials INES99.1 (localised unresectable NB), INES99.2 (stage 4s) and INES99.3 (stage 4) (P<0.0001). Progression-free survival was poorer in patients whose tumours harboured SCA, in the whole population and in trials INES99.1 and INES99.2, in the absence of clinical symptoms (log-rank test, P=0.0001, P=0.04 and P=0.0003, respectively). In multivariate analysis, a SCA genomic profile was the strongest predictor of poorer progression-free survival. Conclusion: In infants with stage 4s MYCN-non-amplified NB, a SCA genomic profile identifies patients who will require upfront treatment even in the absence of other clinical indication for therapy, whereas in infants with localised unresectable NB, a genomic profile characterised by the absence of SCA identifies patients in whom treatment reduction might be possible. These findings will be implemented in a future international trial.
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58
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Chesler L, Weiss WA. Genetically engineered murine models--contribution to our understanding of the genetics, molecular pathology and therapeutic targeting of neuroblastoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2011; 21:245-55. [PMID: 21958944 PMCID: PMC3504935 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2011.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) have made major contributions to a molecular understanding of several adult cancers and these results are increasingly being translated into the pre-clinical setting where GEMM will very likely make a major impact on the development of targeted therapeutics in the near future. The relationship of pediatric cancers to altered developmental programs, and their genetic simplicity relative to adult cancers provides unique opportunities for the application of new advances in GEMM technology. In neuroblastoma the well-characterized TH-MYCN GEMM is increasingly used for a variety of molecular-genetic, developmental and pre-clinical therapeutics applications. We discuss: the present and historical application of GEMM to neuroblastoma research, future opportunities, and relevant targets suitable for new GEMM strategies in neuroblastoma. We review the potential of these models to contribute both to an understanding of the developmental nature of neuroblastoma and to improved therapy for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research & The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom.
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59
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Kwon MJ, Choi YL, Sung KW, Kang SY, Park SM, Choi SY, Kim JS, Suh YL. Oncogenic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation in neuroblastomas and other pediatric tumors. Pathol Res Pract 2011; 207:634-9. [PMID: 21940108 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common malignant pediatric tumors that show aggressive behavior. Most advanced-stage NBs have proven refractory to many treatment modalities, and a fundamental alternative therapy, such as inhibition of biological pathways, is now being explored. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has recently been identified as an activation mutation in familial or high-risk sporadic NBs. We examined the prevalence of the ALK mutation in 54 NB cases (23 pre-treatment cases and 31 cases for which specimens were available before and after treatment) and the presence of the ALK mutation in various pediatric tumors. We detected the ALK mutation (F1174C and R1275Q) in 2 (3.7%) of the 54 NB specimens. Both cases showed poorly differentiated and advanced-stage NBs. No ALK mutations were detected in other pediatric tumors. The frequency of the ALK mutation was somewhat lower than that expected in Korean patients with NBs. The mutation detected in the present study was one of the hotspot mutations, including positions of F1174 and R1275 reported previously. The results of the present study suggest the possibility of potential roles of ALK inhibitors in the therapeutics of a small population of neuroblastoma carrying mutated ALK kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Jung Kwon
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Republic of Korea
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60
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Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits sphere formation of neuroblastoma BE(2)-C cells. Environ Health Prev Med 2011; 17:246-51. [PMID: 21909813 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-011-0239-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A growing number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the consumption of green tea inhibits the growth of a variety of cancers. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea, has been shown to have an anti-cancer effect against many cancers. Most cancers are believed to be initiated from and maintained by a small population of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) that are responsible for chemotherapeutic resistance and tumor relapse. In neuroblastoma, an aggressive pediatric tumor that often relapses and has a poor prognosis, TICs were recently identified as spheres grown in a serum-free non-adherent culture used for neural crest stem cell growth. Although EGCG has been reported to induce growth arrest and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, its effect on neuroblastoma TICs remains to be defined. METHODS Gene expression was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of EGCG on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and sphere formation were determined by cell counting, propidium iodide staining, and sphere (>100 μm in diameter) counting, respectively. RESULTS Neuroblastoma BE(2)-C cells showed increased expression of stem cell markers (nanog homeobox [NANOG] and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 [OCT4]), as well as decreased expression of neuronal differentiation markers (Cu(2+)-transporting ATPase alpha polypeptide [ATP7A] and dickkopf homolog 2 [DKK2]) in spheres grown in serum-free non-adherent culture, compared to parental cells grown in conventional culture. Although EGCG induced growth arrest and apoptosis in the parental cells in a dose-dependent manner, it was not effective against spheres. However, EGCG potently inhibited sphere formation in the BE(2)-C cells. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that EGCG may inhibit the development of TICs in BE(2)-C cells.
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. It accounts for 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Children with high-risk disease have a 3-year event-free survival rate of only 20%. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in children with advanced neuroblastoma. The aim of this article was to review and critically evaluate the pharmacotherapy of neuroblastoma, using peer reviewed and review literature from 2000-11. All peer reviewed, published human subject studies of therapy for neuroblastoma in children were included. Animal model and in vitro studies were included only if they added to the understanding of the mechanism of a proposed or existing human neuroblastoma therapy. Current therapeutic options for neuroblastoma involve insufficient differentiation of normal from neoplastic tissue. Critically needed new approaches will increasingly exploit targeting of therapy for unique characteristics of the neuroblastoma cell. Pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma still suffers from an inadequate therapeutic window. Enhancement of toxicity for tumor and safety for normal tissues will entail innovation in targeting neuroblastoma cells and rescuing or protecting normal tissue elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena R Ganeshan
- Center for Neural Development and Disease, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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62
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Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor response in neuroblastoma is highly correlated with ALK mutation status, ALK mRNA and protein levels. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2011; 34:409-17. [PMID: 21625996 PMCID: PMC3219872 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-011-0048-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In pediatric neuroblastoma (NBL), high anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) levels appear to be correlated with an unfavorable prognosis, regardless of ALK mutation status. This suggests a therapeutic role for ALK inhibitors in NBL patients. We examined the correlation between levels of ALK, phosphorylated ALK (pALK) and downstream signaling proteins and response to ALK inhibition in a large panel of both ALK mutated and wild type (WT) NBL cell lines. METHODS We measured protein levels by western blot and ALK inhibitor sensitivity (TAE684) by viability assays in 19 NBL cell lines of which 6 had a point mutation and 4 an amplification of the ALK gene. RESULTS ALK 220 kDa (p = 0.01) and ALK 140 kDa (p = 0.03) protein levels were higher in ALK mutant than WT cell lines. Response to ALK inhibition was significantly correlated with ALK protein levels (p < 0.01). ALK mutant cell lines (n = 4) were 14,9 fold (p < 0,01) more sensitive to ALK inhibition than eight WT cell lines. CONCLUSION NBL cell lines often express ALK at high levels and are responsive to ALK inhibitors. Mutated cell lines express ALK at higher levels, which may define their superior response to ALK inhibition.
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63
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Les altérations génétiques dans le neuroblastome et leur apport pour la prise en charge thérapeutique. Bull Cancer 2011; 98:477-88. [DOI: 10.1684/bdc.2011.1364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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64
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Teitz T, Stanke JJ, Federico S, Bradley CL, Brennan R, Zhang J, Johnson MD, Sedlacik J, Inoue M, Zhang ZM, Frase S, Rehg JE, Hillenbrand CM, Finkelstein D, Calabrese C, Dyer MA, Lahti JM. Preclinical models for neuroblastoma: establishing a baseline for treatment. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19133. [PMID: 21559450 PMCID: PMC3084749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical models of pediatric cancers are essential for testing new chemotherapeutic combinations for clinical trials. The most widely used genetic model for preclinical testing of neuroblastoma is the TH-MYCN mouse. This neuroblastoma-prone mouse recapitulates many of the features of human neuroblastoma. Limitations of this model include the low frequency of bone marrow metastasis, the lack of information on whether the gene expression patterns in this system parallels human neuroblastomas, the relatively slow rate of tumor formation and variability in tumor penetrance on different genetic backgrounds. As an alternative, preclinical studies are frequently performed using human cell lines xenografted into immunocompromised mice, either as flank implant or orthtotopically. Drawbacks of this system include the use of cell lines that have been in culture for years, the inappropriate microenvironment of the flank or difficult, time consuming surgery for orthotopic transplants and the absence of an intact immune system. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we characterize and optimize both systems to increase their utility for preclinical studies. We show that TH-MYCN mice develop tumors in the paraspinal ganglia, but not in the adrenal, with cellular and gene expression patterns similar to human NB. In addition, we present a new ultrasound guided, minimally invasive orthotopic xenograft method. This injection technique is rapid, provides accurate targeting of the injected cells and leads to efficient engraftment. We also demonstrate that tumors can be detected, monitored and quantified prior to visualization using ultrasound, MRI and bioluminescence. Finally we develop and test a "standard of care" chemotherapy regimen. This protocol, which is based on current treatments for neuroblastoma, provides a baseline for comparison of new therapeutic agents. SIGNIFICANCE The studies suggest that use of both the TH-NMYC model of neuroblastoma and the orthotopic xenograft model provide the optimal combination for testing new chemotherapies for this devastating childhood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Teitz
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jennifer J. Stanke
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sara Federico
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Cori L. Bradley
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rachel Brennan
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jiakun Zhang
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Melissa D. Johnson
- Animal Imaging Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jan Sedlacik
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Madoka Inoue
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Ziwei M. Zhang
- Animal Imaging Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sharon Frase
- Cell and Tissue Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jerold E. Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Claudia M. Hillenbrand
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - David Finkelstein
- Information Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Christopher Calabrese
- Animal Imaging Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science
Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of
America
| | - Jill M. Lahti
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science
Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
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Parodi F, Passoni L, Massimo L, Luksch R, Gambini C, Rossi E, Zuffardi O, Pistoia V, Pezzolo A. Identification of novel prognostic markers in relapsing localized resectable neuroblastoma. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2011; 15:113-21. [PMID: 21319993 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2010.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Patients with localized resectable neuroblastoma (NB) generally have an excellent prognosis and can be treated by surgery alone, but approximately 10% of them develop local recurrences or metastatic progression. The known predictive risk factors are important for the identification of localized resectable NB patients at risk of relapse and/or progression, who may benefit from early and aggressive treatment. These factors, however, identify only a subset of patients at risk, and the search for novel prognostic markers is warranted. This review focuses on the recent advances in the identification of new prognostic markers. Recently we addressed the search of novel genetic prognostic markers in a selected cohort of patients with stroma-poor localized resectable NB who underwent disease relapse or progression (group 1) or complete remission (group 2). High-resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) DNA copy-number analysis technology was used. Chromosome 1p36.22p36.32 loss and 1q22qter gain, detected almost exclusively in group 1 patients, were significantly associated with poor event-free survival (EFS). Increasing evidence points to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as a fundamental oncogene associated with NB. The immunohistochemical analysis of sporadic NB localized resectable primary tumors (stage 1-2) showed a correlation between aberrant ALK level of expression and tumor progression and clinical outcome. Moreover, other factors that might influence the clinical behavior of these tumors will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Parodi
- Laboratory of Oncology, IRCCS G.Gaslini Hospital, Genova, Italy
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Mazot P, Cazes A, Boutterin MC, Figueiredo A, Raynal V, Combaret V, Hallberg B, Palmer RH, Delattre O, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Vigny M. The constitutive activity of the ALK mutated at positions F1174 or R1275 impairs receptor trafficking. Oncogene 2011; 30:2017-25. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Peiris-Pagès M, Harper SJ, Bates DO, Ramani P. Balance of pro- versus anti-angiogenic splice isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor as a regulator of neuroblastoma growth. J Pathol 2010; 222:138-47. [PMID: 20662003 DOI: 10.1002/path.2746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the second most common extracranial tumour of childhood. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the growth and development of NB and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most potent stimuli of angiogenesis, has been studied extensively in vitro. VEGF(165) has been shown to be the predominant angiogenic isoform expressed in NB cell lines and tumours. In this study, we investigated the anti-angiogenic isoform of VEGF-A, generated from distal splice site selection in the terminal exon of VEGF (VEGF(165)b) and shown to be down-regulated in epithelial malignancies. The expression of both the pro- (VEGF(xxx)) and the anti-angiogenic (VEGF(xxx)b) isoforms was compared in a range of NB and ganglioneuroma (GN) tumours. Whereas VEGF(xxx)b and VEGF(xxx) were both expressed in GN, specific up-regulation of the VEGF(xxx) isoforms was seen in NB at RNA and protein levels. Highly tumourigenic NB cell lines also showed up-regulation of the angiogenic isoforms relative to VEGF(xxx)b compared to less tumourigenic cell lines, and the isoforms were differentially secreted. These results indicate that VEGF(165) is up-regulated in NB and that there is a difference in the balance of isoform expression from anti-angiogenic VEGF(165)b to angiogenic VEGF(165). Treatment with recombinant human VEGF(165)b significantly reduced the growth rate of established xenografts of SK-N-BE(2)-C cells (4.24 +/- 1.01 fold increase in volume) compared with those treated with saline (9.76 +/- 3.58, p < 0.01). Microvascular density (MVD) was significantly decreased in rhVEGF(165)b-treated tumours (19.4 +/- 1.9 vessels/mm(3)) in contrast to the saline-treated tumours (45.5 +/- 8.6 vessels/mm(3)). VEGF(165)b had no significant effect on the proliferative or apoptotic activity, viability or cytotoxicity of SK-N-BE(2)-C cells after 48 h. In conclusion, VEGF(165)b is an effective inhibitor of NB growth. These findings provide the rationale for further investigation of VEGF(165)b in NB and other paediatric malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Peiris-Pagès
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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69
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Bettayeb K, Baunbæk D, Delehouze C, Loaëc N, Hole AJ, Baumli S, Endicott JA, Douc-Rasy S, Bénard J, Oumata N, Galons H, Meijer L. CDK Inhibitors Roscovitine and CR8 Trigger Mcl-1 Down-Regulation and Apoptotic Cell Death in Neuroblastoma Cells. Genes Cancer 2010; 1:369-80. [PMID: 21779453 PMCID: PMC3092200 DOI: 10.1177/1947601910369817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most frequent extracranial solid tumor of children accounting for nearly 15% of all childhood cancer mortality, displays overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in aggressive forms of the disease. The clinical phase 2 drug roscovitine (CYC202, seliciclib), a relatively selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and CR8, a recently developed and more potent analog, induce concentration-dependent apoptotic cell death of NB cells (average IC(50) values: 24.2 µM and 0.4 µM for roscovitine and CR8, respectively). Both roscovitine and CR8 trigger rapid down-regulation of the short-lived survival factor Mcl-1 in the 9 investigated human NB cell lines. This effect was further analyzed in the human SH-SY5Y NB cell line. Down-regulation of Mcl-1 appears to depend on inhibition of CDKs rather than on interaction of roscovitine and CR8 with their secondary targets. CR8 is an adenosine triphosphate-competitive inhibitor of CDK9, and the structure of a CDK9/cyclin T/CR8 complex is described. Mcl-1 down-regulation occurs both at the mRNA and protein levels. This effect can be accounted for by a reduction in Mcl-1 protein synthesis, under stable Mcl-1 degradation conditions. Mcl-1 down-regulation is accompanied by a transient increase in free Noxa, a proapoptotic factor. Mcl-1 down-regulation occurs independently of the presence or up-regulation of p53 and of the MYCN status. Taken together, these results suggest that the clinical drug roscovitine and its novel analog CR8 induce apoptotic tumor cell death by down-regulating Mcl-1, a key survival factor expressed in all NB cell lines. CDK inhibition may thus constitute a new approach to treat refractory high-risk NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Bettayeb
- C.N.R.S. USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’ Group, Station Biologique, Bretagne, France
- Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience (Prof. Paul Greengard), The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dianne Baunbæk
- C.N.R.S. USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’ Group, Station Biologique, Bretagne, France
| | - Claire Delehouze
- C.N.R.S. USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’ Group, Station Biologique, Bretagne, France
- ManRos Therapeutics, Hôtel de Recherche, Centre de Perharidy, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Nadège Loaëc
- C.N.R.S. USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’ Group, Station Biologique, Bretagne, France
| | - Alison J. Hole
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Oxford, UK
| | - Sonja Baumli
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane A. Endicott
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Oxford, UK
| | - Setha Douc-Rasy
- C.N.R.S. UMR8126, Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean Bénard
- C.N.R.S. UMR8126, Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Nassima Oumata
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique 2, CNRS UMR8601, INSERM U 648, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience (Prof. Paul Greengard), The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hervé Galons
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique 2, CNRS UMR8601, INSERM U 648, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Meijer
- C.N.R.S. USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’ Group, Station Biologique, Bretagne, France
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