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MacKenzie TMG, Cisneros R, Maynard RD, Snyder MP. Reverse-ChIP Techniques for Identifying Locus-Specific Proteomes: A Key Tool in Unlocking the Cancer Regulome. Cells 2023; 12:1860. [PMID: 37508524 PMCID: PMC10377898 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141860] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A phenotypic hallmark of cancer is aberrant transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional regulation is controlled by a complicated array of molecular factors, including the presence of transcription factors, the deposition of histone post-translational modifications, and long-range DNA interactions. Determining the molecular identity and function of these various factors is necessary to understand specific aspects of cancer biology and reveal potential therapeutic targets. Regulation of the genome by specific factors is typically studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) that identifies genome-wide binding interactions through the use of factor-specific antibodies. A long-standing goal in many laboratories has been the development of a 'reverse-ChIP' approach to identify unknown binding partners at loci of interest. A variety of strategies have been employed to enable the selective biochemical purification of sequence-defined chromatin regions, including single-copy loci, and the subsequent analytical detection of associated proteins. This review covers mass spectrometry techniques that enable quantitative proteomics before providing a survey of approaches toward the development of strategies for the purification of sequence-specific chromatin as a 'reverse-ChIP' technique. A fully realized reverse-ChIP technique holds great potential for identifying cancer-specific targets and the development of personalized therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocío Cisneros
- Sarafan ChEM-H/IMA Postbaccalaureate Fellow in Target Discovery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rajan D Maynard
- Genetics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Genetics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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52
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Yuan H, Qin X, Yang Q, Liu L, Fang Z, Fan Y, Xu D. Dyskerin and telomerase RNA component are sex-differentially associated with outcomes and Sunitinib response in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:46. [PMID: 37434223 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) displays sex-biased incidence, outcomes, molecular alterations and treatment efficacy; however, clinical managements are largely identical in male and female patients. Moreover, many biomarkers have been identified as predictors for ccRCC outcomes and response to therapeutic drugs, such as multitargeted tyrosine-kinase receptor (TKR) inhibitors, but little is known about their sex-specificity. Dyskerin (DKC1), encoded by the DKC1 gene within Xq28, is a telomerase co-factor stabilizing telomerase RNA component (TERC) and overexpressed in various cancers. Here, we determined whether DKC1 and/or TERC affect ccRCC sex-differentially. METHODS DKC1 and TERC expression in primary ccRCC tumors was assessed using RNA sequencing and qPCR. DKC1 association with molecular alterations and overall or progression-free survival (OS or PFS) was analyzed in the TCGA cohort of ccRCC. The IMmotion 151 and 150 ccRCC cohorts were analyzed to evaluate impacts of DKC1 and TERC on Sunitinib response and PFS. RESULTS DKC1 and TERC expression was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tumors. High DKC1 expression predicts shorter PFS independently in female but not male patients. Tumors in the female DKC1-high group exhibited more frequent alterations in PIK3CA, MYC and TP53 genes. Analyses of the IMmotion 151 ccRCC cohort treated with the TKR inhibitor Sunitinib showed that female patients in the DKC1-high group was significantly associated with lower response rates (P = 0.021) accompanied by markedly shortened PFS (6.1 vs 14.2 months, P = 0.004). DKC1 and TERC expression correlated positively with each other, and higher TERC expression predicted poor Sunitinib response (P = 0.031) and shorter PFS (P = 0.004), too. However, DKC1 rather than TERC acted as an independent predictor (P < 0.001, HR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.480-2.704). In male patients, DKC1 expression was associated with neither Sunitinib response (P = 0.131) nor PFS (P = 0.184), while higher TERC levels did not predict response rates. Similar results were obtained from the analysis of the Sunitinib-treated IMmotion 150 ccRCC patients. CONCLUSIONS DKC1 serves as an independent female-specific predictor for survival and Sunitinib efficacy in ccRCC, which contribute to better understanding of the sex-biased ccRCC pathogenesis and improve personalized interventions of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyang Yuan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qingya Yang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Fukuda H, Zou T, Fujii S, Sato S, Wakahara D, Higashi S, Tseng TY, Chang TC, Yada N, Matsuo K, Habu M, Tominaga K, Takeuchi H, Takenaka S. Cyclic anthraquinone derivatives, unique G-quadruplex binders, selectively induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad211. [PMID: 37416876 PMCID: PMC10319625 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad211] [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] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic anthraquinone derivatives (cAQs), which link two side chains of 1,5-disubstituted anthraquinone as a threading DNA intercalator, have been developed as G-quartet (G4) DNA-specific ligands. Among the cAQs, cAQ-mBen linked through the 1,3-position of benzene had the strongest affinity for G4 recognition and stabilization in vitro and was confirmed to bind to the G4 structure in vivo, selectively inhibiting cancer cell proliferation in correlation with telomerase expression levels and triggering cell apoptosis. RNA-sequencing analysis further indicated that differentially expressed genes regulated by cAQ-mBen were profiled with more potential quadruplex-forming sequences. In the treatment of the tumor-bearing mouse model, cAQ-mBen could effectively reduce tumor tissue and had less adverse effects on healthy tissue. These results suggest that cAQ-mBen can be a potential cancer therapeutic agent as a G4 binder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daiki Wakahara
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 804-8550, Japan
| | - Sen Higashi
- Division of Applied Pharmacology, Department of Health Promotion, Kyushu Dental University, Fukuoka 803-8580, Japan
| | - Ting-Yuan Tseng
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chau Chang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Naomi Yada
- Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Health Promotion, Kyushu Dental University, Fukuoka 803-8580, Japan
| | - Kou Matsuo
- Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Health Promotion, Kyushu Dental University, Fukuoka 803-8580, Japan
| | - Manabu Habu
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Science of Physical Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Fukuoka 803-8580, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Tominaga
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Science of Physical Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Fukuoka 803-8580, Japan
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Hao J, Liu T, Xiu Y, Yuan H, Xu D. High DNA methylation age deceleration defines an aggressive phenotype with immunoexclusion environments in endometrial carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208223. [PMID: 37388735 PMCID: PMC10303802 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Like telomere shortening, global DNA hypomethylation occurs progressively with cellular divisions or in vivo aging and functions as a mitotic clock to restrain malignant transformation/progression. Several DNA-methylation (DNAm) age clocks have been established to precisely predict chronological age using normal tissues, but show DNAm age drift in tumors, which suggests disruption of this mitotic clock during carcinogenesis. Little is known about DNAm age alterations and biological/clinical implications in endometrial cancer (EC). Here we address these issues by analyzing TCGA and GSE67116 cohorts of ECs. Horvath clock analysis of these tumors unexpectedly revealed that almost 90% of them exhibited DNAm age deceleration (DNAmad) compared to patient chronological age. Combined with an additional clock named Phenoage, we identified a subset of tumors (82/429) with high DNAmad (hDNAmad+) as assessed by both clocks. Clinically, hDNAmad+ tumors were associated with advanced diseases and shorter patient survival, compared to hDNAmad- ones. Genetically, hDNAmad+ tumors were characterized by higher copy number alterations (CNAs) whereas lower tumor mutation burden. Functionally, hDNAmad+ tumors were enriched with cell cycle and DNA mismatch repair pathways. Increased PIK3CA alterations and downregulation of SCGB2A1, the inhibitor of PI3K kinase, in hDNAmad+ tumors, might promote tumor growth/proliferation and stemness. In addition, the inactivation of aging drivers/tumor suppressors (TP53, RB1, and CDKN2A) while enhanced telomere maintenance occurred more frequently in hDNAmad+ tumors, which supports sustained tumor growth. Prominently, hDNAmad+ tumors were featured with immunoexclusion microenvironments, accompanied by significantly higher levels of VTCN1 expression while lower PD-L1 and CTLA4 expression, which indicates their poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based immunotherapy. We further showed significantly higher levels of DNMT3A and 3B expression in hDNAmad+ than in hDNAmad- tumors. Thus, the tumor suppressive function of aging-like DNA hypomethylation is severely impaired in hDNAmad+ tumors, likely due to enhanced expression of DNMT3A/3B and dysregulated aging regulators. Our findings not only enrich biological knowledge of EC pathogenesis but also help improve EC risk stratification and precision ICI immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan, China
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuchen Xiu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huiyang Yuan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Parpounas C, Constantinides V. Advances in Molecular Profiling and Their Potential Influence on the Extent of Surgery in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (WDTC). Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1382. [PMID: 37374164 DOI: 10.3390/life13061382] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer surgery has evolved dramatically with advances in our understanding of the biological behaviour of WDTC. Molecular profiling is shedding light on the subset that may behave aggressively. In an era when thyroid cancer management is becoming increasingly conservative, decision making regarding the extent of surgery must be objectively guided by molecular markers. The aim of the present article is to summarise the current published literature and provide possible practice recommendations. An online search for relevant published articles was performed using several databases. Title, abstract, and full-text screening, along with data extraction, was performed by two independent reviewers after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. A total of 1241 articles were identified, and 82 relevant articles were extracted and scrutinised. BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations were found to be associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence and distant metastases. Several other mutations have been identified that enhance disease aggressiveness (such as RET/PTC, PTEN, and TP53). One of the most important determinants of the outcome in WDTC is the extent of surgical resection. The evolution of molecular testing has reached a stage of personalised incorporation into surgical practice. Guidelines for molecular testing and surgery in WDTC will need to be clearly defined, arguably representing the next chapter in the management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Parpounas
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Evangelistria Medical Centre, 1 Michael Giorgalla Street, 1095 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Vasilis Constantinides
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Evangelistria Medical Centre, 1 Michael Giorgalla Street, 1095 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Medical School, University of Nicosia, 93 Ayiou Nikolaou Street, Engomi, 2408 Nicosia, Cyprus
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56
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Wang F, McCulloh DH, Chan K, Wiltshire A, McCaffrey C, Grifo JA, Keefe DL. The Landscape of Telomere Length and Telomerase in Human Embryos at Blastocyst Stage. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1200. [PMID: 37372380 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061200] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The telomere length of human blastocysts exceeds that of oocytes and telomerase activity increases after zygotic activation, peaking at the blastocyst stage. Yet, it is unknown whether aneuploid human embryos at the blastocyst stage exhibit a different profile of telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity compared to euploid embryos. In present study, 154 cryopreserved human blastocysts, donated by consenting patients, were thawed and assayed for telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity using real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Aneuploid blastocysts showed longer telomeres, higher telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression, and lower telomerase activity compared to euploid blastocysts. The TERT protein was found in all tested embryos via IF staining with anti-hTERT antibody, regardless of ploidy status. Moreover, telomere length or telomerase gene expression did not differ in aneuploid blastocysts between chromosomal gain or loss. Our data demonstrate that telomerase is activated and telomeres are maintained in all human blastocyst stage embryos. The robust telomerase gene expression and telomere maintenance, even in aneuploid human blastocysts, may explain why extended in vitro culture alone is insufficient to cull out aneuploid embryos during in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Kasey Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | | | - James A Grifo
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - David L Keefe
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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57
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Xu Y, Ren X, Jiang T, Lv S, Gao K, Liu Y, Yan Y. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and hTERT gene expression in CTCs for radiotherapy effect with lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:475. [PMID: 37226235 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10979-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important biological indicators of the lung cancer prognosis, and CTC counting and typing may provide helpful biological information for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. METHODS The CTC count in blood before and after radiotherapy was detected by the CanPatrol™ CTC analysis system, and the CTC subtypes and the expression of hTERT before and after radiotherapy were detected by multiple in situ hybridization. The CTC count was calculated as the number of cells per 5 mL of blood. RESULTS The CTC positivity rate in patients with tumors before radiotherapy was 98.44%. Epithelial-mesenchymal CTCs (EMCTCs) were more common in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma than in patients with small cell lung cancer (P = 0.027). The total CTCs (TCTCs), EMCTCs, and mesenchymal CTCs (MCTCs) counts were significantly higher in patients with TNM stage III and IV tumors (P < 0.001, P = 0.005, and P < 0.001, respectively). The TCTCs and MCTCs counts were significantly higher in patients with an ECOG score of > 1 (P = 0.022 and P = 0.024, respectively). The TCTCs and EMCTCs counts before and after radiotherapy affected the overall response rate (ORR) (P < 0.05). TCTCs and ECTCs with positive hTERT expression were associated with the ORR of radiotherapy (P = 0.002 and P = 0.038, respectively), as were TCTCs with high hTERT expression (P = 0.012). ECOG score (P = 0.006) and post-radiation TCTCs count (P = 0.011) were independent factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and TNM stage (P = 0.054) and pre-radiation EMCTCs count (P = 0.009) were independent factors of overall survival (OS). CONCLUSION This study showed a high rate of positive CTC detection in patients with lung cancer, and the number, subtype, and hTERT-positive expression of CTCs were closely related to patients' ORR, PFS, and OS with radiotherapy. EMCTCs, hTERT-positive expression of CTCs are expected to be important biological indicators for predicting radiotherapy efficacy and the prognosis in patients with lung cancer. These results may be useful in improving disease stratification for future clinical trials and may help in clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, l10016, China
| | - Xue Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, l10016, China
| | - Tong Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, l10016, China
| | - Shuang Lv
- Shandong Province Heze Municipal Hospital, Heze, 274000, China
| | - Kuanke Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, l10016, China
| | - Yunen Liu
- Shenyang Medical College, No. 146 Road, Huanghe South Street, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110034, China.
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, l10016, China.
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Cui H, Xin Y, Cao F, Gan Z, Tian Y, Liu W, Shi P. The correlation between CpG island methylation of hTERT promoter and human age prediction. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 63:102270. [PMID: 37207612 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102270] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that occurs during the life cycle of individuals. Its degree is closely associated with the methylation status of CpG sites in its promoter region. Based on the previous screening that the hTERT methylation is both related to tumors and age, we suspected that the age inference based on hTERT methylation would be disturbed by the disease of the tested person. Herein, eight CpG sites in the hTERT promoter region were analyzed by real-time methylation-specific PCR, and we found that CpG2, CpG5, and CpG8 were closely related to the tumor (P < 0.05). The remaining five CpG sites had a large error in predicting age alone. Combining them to establish a model yielded better results, with an average age error of 4.35 years. This study provides a reliable and accurate detection method for the DNA methylation status of multiple CpG sites on the hTERT gene promoter, which can be used for the prediction of forensic age and assistant diagnosis of clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyue Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ye Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Fangqi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhongshan North No 1 Road, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Ziye Gan
- Ulink College of Shanghai, 559 Laiting South Road, Shanghai 201615, China
| | - Yuxiang Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Xuhui District Dahua Hospital, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhongshan North No 1 Road, Shanghai 200083, China.
| | - Ping Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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Boutko A, Asadbeigi S, Roth A, Lampley N, Olivares S, Dittmann D, Dittmann D, Jennings L, Gerami P. TERT Promoter Mutational Analysis as an Ancillary Diagnostic Tool for Diagnostically Challenging Melanocytic Neoplasms. Am J Dermatopathol 2023; 45:289-299. [PMID: 36898007 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000002366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations (TPMs) have been shown to be common in melanoma and uncommon in benign nevi. To assess the use of TPMs as an ancillary diagnostic tool, we report the concordance of the TPM status with the final diagnosis in clinical cases with distinct differential diagnostic scenarios: dysplastic nevus versus melanoma, atypical Spitz nevus versus melanoma, atypical deep penetrating nevus (DPN) versus melanoma, and atypical blue nevus versus malignant blue nevus. In a control cohort, we found a positive TPM in 51/70 (73%) of the total melanomas with the highest frequency in vertical growth phase melanoma cases. Conversely, only 2/35 (6%) dysplastic nevi in our control cases were TPM-positive and b were severely atypical dysplastic nevi. Our clinical cohort of 257 cases had a positive TPM in 24% of cases diagnosed as melanoma and in 1% of cases with a benign diagnosis. The overall concordance of the TPM status with the final diagnosis was 86%. The TPM status had the greatest concordance (95%) with the final diagnosis in the atypical DPN versus melanoma group, with the rest of the groups ranging between 50% and 88%. Overall, our results suggest that TPMs are most useful in the differential diagnosis of atypical DPN versus melanoma. It also has some value in the differential diagnosis of atypical Spitz tumor versus melanoma and dysplastic nevus versus melanoma, whereas in our cohort, it did not contribute meaningfully to differentiating malignant blue nevus and atypical blue nevus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya Boutko
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - Sepideh Asadbeigi
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - Andrew Roth
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - Nathaniel Lampley
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - Shantel Olivares
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - David Dittmann
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
| | - David Dittmann
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Lawrence Jennings
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Pedram Gerami
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and
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Abstract
Over the past decade, melanoma has led the field in new cancer treatments, with impressive gains in on-treatment survival but more modest improvements in overall survival. Melanoma presents heterogeneity and transcriptional plasticity that recapitulates distinct melanocyte developmental states and phenotypes, allowing it to adapt to and eventually escape even the most advanced treatments. Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of melanoma biology and genetics, the melanoma cell of origin is still fiercely debated because both melanocyte stem cells and mature melanocytes can be transformed. Animal models and high-throughput single-cell sequencing approaches have opened new opportunities to address this question. Here, we discuss the melanocytic journey from the neural crest, where they emerge as melanoblasts, to the fully mature pigmented melanocytes resident in several tissues. We describe a new understanding of melanocyte biology and the different melanocyte subpopulations and microenvironments they inhabit, and how this provides unique insights into melanoma initiation and progression. We highlight recent findings on melanoma heterogeneity and transcriptional plasticity and their implications for exciting new research areas and treatment opportunities. The lessons from melanocyte biology reveal how cells that are present to protect us from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation reach back to their origins to become a potentially deadly cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P Centeno
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Valeria Pavet
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Richard Marais
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK.
- Oncodrug Ltd, Alderly Park, Macclesfield, UK.
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61
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Magalhães MCSV, Felix FA, Guimarães LM, Dos Santos JN, de Marco LA, Gomez RS, Gomes CC, de Sousa SF. Interrogation of TERT promoter hotspot mutations in ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med 2023; 52:271-275. [PMID: 36169975 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TERT promoter mutations increase telomerase activity, conferring cell immortality. The coexistence of TERT promoter mutations with BRAFV600E is associated with aggressiveness. Ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma are infiltrative neoplasms that harbor BRAFV600E; however, it remains unknown if these odontogenic tumors also show TERT promoter mutations. METHODS Genomic DNA of paraffin-embedded ameloblastomas (n = 6) and ameloblastic carcinomas (n = 3) were Sanger-sequenced to assess the hotspot TERT promoter mutations C228T and C250T. BRAFV600E status was screened by TaqMan allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS None of the samples harbored TERT promoter mutations. The BRAFV600E mutation was positive in 3 of 6 of ameloblastomas and in 1 of 3 of ameloblastic carcinomas. CONCLUSION The absence of TERT promoter mutation in the samples indicates that this molecular event is not relevant to the tumors' pathogenesis. Further studies are necessary to explore undefined genetic or epigenetic mechanisms related to TERT-upregulation in ameloblastoma, and the telomerase activity in ameloblastic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernanda Aragão Felix
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Letícia Martins Guimarães
- Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jean Nunes Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Luiz Armando de Marco
- Department of Surgery, Medical School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Santiago Gomez
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carolina Cavaliéri Gomes
- Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Ferreira de Sousa
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Yeh TJ, Luo CW, Du JS, Huang CT, Wang MH, Chuang TM, Gau YC, Cho SF, Liu YC, Hsiao HH, Chen LT, Pan MR, Wang HC, Moi SH. Deciphering the Functions of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase in Head and Neck Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:691. [PMID: 36979671 PMCID: PMC10044978 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030691] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are among the ten leading malignancies worldwide. Despite significant progress in all therapeutic modalities, predictive biomarkers, and targeted therapies for HNCs are limited and the survival rate is unsatisfactory. The importance of telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation in carcinogenesis has been demonstrated in recent decades. Several mechanisms could activate telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the most common of which is promoter alternation. Two major hotspot TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) have been reported in different malignancies such as melanoma, genitourinary cancers, CNS tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancers, sarcomas, and HNCs. The frequencies of TERT promoter mutations vary widely across tumors and is quite high in HNCs (11.9-64.7%). These mutations have been reported to be more enriched in oral cavity SCCs and HPV-negative tumors. The association between TERT promoter mutations and poor survival has also been demonstrated. Till now, several therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase have been developed although only a few drugs have been used in clinical trials. Here, we briefly review and summarize our current understanding and evidence of TERT promoter mutations in HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Jang Yeh
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wen Luo
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science and Institute of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Shiun Du
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Tzu Huang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hung Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tzer-Ming Chuang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ching Gau
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Feng Cho
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chang Liu
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Hua Hsiao
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ren Pan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Hua Moi
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Moses EJ, Azlan A, Khor KZ, Mot YY, Mohamed S, Seeni A, Barneh F, Heidenreich O, Yusoff N. A RUNX1/ETO-SKP2-CDKN1B axis regulates expression of telomerase in t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:70. [PMID: 36820913 PMCID: PMC11071865 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04713-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The fusion oncoprotein RUNX1/ETO which results from the chromosomal translocation t (8;21) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an essential driver of leukemic maintenance. We have previously shown that RUNX1/ETO knockdown impairs expression of the protein component of telomerase, TERT. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of how RUNX1/ETO controls TERT expression has not been fully elucidated. Here we show that RUNX1/ETO binds to an intergenic region 18 kb upstream of the TERT transcriptional start site and to a site located in intron 6 of TERT. Loss of RUNX1/ETO binding precedes inhibition of TERT expression. Repression of TERT expression is also dependent on the destabilization of the E3 ubiquitin ligase SKP2 and the resultant accumulation of the cell cycle inhibitor CDKN1B, that are both associated with RUNX1/ETO knockdown. Increased CDKN1B protein levels ultimately diminished TERT transcription with E2F1/Rb involvement. Collectively, our results show that RUNX1/ETO controls TERT expression directly by binding to its locus and indirectly via a SKP2-CDKN1B-E2F1/Rb axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel J Moses
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia.
| | - Adam Azlan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
| | - Kang Zi Khor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
| | - Yee Yik Mot
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
| | - Saleem Mohamed
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
| | - Azman Seeni
- Department of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
| | - Farnaz Barneh
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Narazah Yusoff
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Malaysia
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Short Telomere Lesions with Dysplastic Metaplasia Histology May Represent Precancerous Lesions of Helicobacter pylori-Positive Gastric Mucosa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043182. [PMID: 36834592 PMCID: PMC9958872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancers are strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, with intestinal metaplasia characterizing the background mucosa in most cases. However, only a subset of intestinal metaplasia cases proceed to carcinogenesis, and the characteristics of high-risk intestinal metaplasia that link it with gastric cancer are still unclear. We examined telomere reduction in five gastrectomy specimens using fluorescence in situ hybridization, and identified areas with localized telomere loss (outside of cancerous lesions), which were designated as short telomere lesions (STLs). Histological analyses indicated that STLs were characteristic of intestinal metaplasia accompanied by nuclear enlargement but lacking structural atypia, which we termed dysplastic metaplasia (DM). A review of gastric biopsy specimens from 587 H. pylori-positive patients revealed 32 cases of DM, 13 of which were classified as high-grade based on the degree of nuclear enlargement. All high-grade DM cases exhibited a telomere volume reduced to less than 60% of that of lymphocytes, increased stemness, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression. Two patients (15%) exhibited low levels of p53 nuclear retention. After a 10-year follow-up, 7 (54%) of the high-grade DM cases had progressed to gastric cancer. These results suggest that DM is characterized by telomere shortening, TERT expression, and stem cell proliferation, and high-grade DM is a high-grade intestinal metaplasia that likely represents a precancerous lesion of gastric cancer. High-grade DM is expected to effectively prevent progression to gastric cancer in H. pylori-positive patients.
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Qin X, Wang J, Wang X, Huang T, Fang Z, Yan L, Fan Y, Xu D. Widespread genomic/molecular alterations of DNA helicases and their clinical/therapeutic implications across human cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114193. [PMID: 36586240 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114193] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA helicases are essential to genomic stability by regulating DNA metabolisms and their loss-of-function mutations lead to genomic instability and predisposition to cancer. Paradoxically, overexpression of DNA helicases is observed in several cancers. Here we analyzed genomic and molecular alterations in 12 important DNA helicases in TCGA pan-cancers to provide an overview of their aberrations. Significant expression heterogeneity of 12 DNA helicases was observed. We calculated DNA helicase score (DHS) based on their expression, and categorized tumors into high, low and intermediate subtypes. High DHS subtypes were robustly associated with stemness, proliferation, hyperactivated oncogenic signaling, longer telomeres, total mutation burden, copy number alterations (CNAs) and shorter survival. Importantly, tumors with high DHSs exhibited stronger expression of alternative end-join (alt-EJ) factors, indicative of sensitivity to chemo- and radio-therapies. High DHSs were also associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), BRCA1/2 mutations and sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Moreover, several drugs are identified to inhibit DNA helicases, with the Auror A kinase inhibitor Danusertib as the strongest candidate that was confirmed experimentally. The aberrant expression of DNA helicases was associated with CNAs, DNA methylation and m6A regulators. Our findings thus reveal widespread dysregulation of DNA helicases and their broad connection with featured oncogenic aberrations across human cancers. The close association of DHS with the alt-EJ pathway and HRD, and identification of Danusertib as a putative DNA helicase inhibitor have translational significance. Taken together, these findings will contribute to DNA helicase-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Urology Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden.
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Inandiklioglu N, Tas A, Agbektas T, Tuncbilek Z, Raheem KY, Cinar G, Silig Y. Anticancer activity, hTERT expression and telomere length analysis in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines applied to docetaxel. J Mol Struct 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Liu T, Li S, Xia C, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and methylation for telomerase activation in urothelial carcinomas: New mechanistic insights and clinical significance. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1071390. [PMID: 36713366 PMCID: PMC9877314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1071390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase synthesizing telomeric TTAGGG sequences, is primarily silent in normal human urothelial cells (NHUCs), but widely activated in urothelial cell-derived carcinomas or urothelial carcinomas (UCs) including UC of the bladder (UCB) and upper track UC (UTUC). Telomerase activation for telomere maintenance is required for the UC development and progression, and the key underlying mechanism is the transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a gene encoding the rate-limiting, telomerase catalytic component. Recent mechanistic explorations have revealed important roles for TERT promoter mutations and aberrant methylation in activation of TERT transcription and telomerase in UCs. Moreover, these TERT-featured genomic and epigenetic alterations have been evaluated for their usefulness in non-invasive UC diagnostics, recurrence monitoring, outcome prediction and response to treatments such as immunotherapy. Importantly, the detection of the mutated TERT promoter and TERT mRNA as urinary biomarkers holds great promise for urine-based UC liquid biopsy. In the present article, we review recent mechanistic insights into altered TERT promoter-mediated telomerase activation in UCs and discuss potential clinical implications. Specifically, we compare differences in senescence and transformation between NHUCs and other types of epithelial cells, address the interaction between TERT promoter mutations and other factors to affect UC progression and outcomes, evaluate the impact of TERT promoter mutations and TERT-mediated activation of human endogenous retrovirus genes on UC immunotherapy including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we suggest the standardization of a TERT assay and evaluation system for UC clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shihong Li
- Department of Pathology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng, China
| | - Chuanyou Xia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
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Xie L, Yin W, Tang F, He M. Pan-Cancer analysis of TERT and Validation in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 639:106-116. [PMID: 36476950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.11.068] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the possible functions of TERT in pan-cancer and OS. METHODS First, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using multi-omics data integrative analyses, including differential expression, prognosis, the correlation between infiltrating inflammatory immune cells, and mutation in pan-cancer. Furthermore, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using mRNA expression profiles related to OS based on the GEO Datasets. Various differentially expressed genes were chosen based on a fitness threshold for further investigations. Finally, the function of the TERT gene was assessed in OS cells, including cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis. RESULTS Pan-cancer research demonstrated that variable expression of TERT was not only associated with numerous types of human cancer but was also intimately linked to DNA methylation. Bioinformatic investigation revealed a link between the differential expression of TERT with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In vitro studies indicated that inhibition of TERT decreased OS cell proliferation, motility, and metastasis. CONCLUSION TERT may serve as a useful genomic biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of pan-cancer and as a prospective therapeutic target for the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Xie
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Trauma Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenhua Yin
- Trauma Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fuxing Tang
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Maolin He
- Division of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
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Coleman N, Marcelo KL, Hopkins JF, Khan NI, Du R, Hong L, Park E, Balsara B, Leoni M, Pickering C, Myers J, Heymach J, Albacker LA, Hong D, Gillison M, Le X. HRAS Mutations Define a Distinct Subgroup in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2200211. [PMID: 36603172 PMCID: PMC9928766 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), HRAS mutation is a new actionable oncogene driver. We aimed to evaluate HRAS mutational variants, comutation profile, and survival outcomes of this molecularly defined population. METHODS We leveraged four deidentified patient data sets with HRAS-mutant HNSCC, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kura Oncology, Inc trial, Foundation Medicine, and American Association for Cancer Research GENIE v.12. Patient demographic information and clinical courses were extracted, when available, in addition to HRAS mutation type and co-occurring mutations. Survival outcomes were analyzed (Kaplan-Meier method). RESULTS Two hundred forty-nine patients with HRAS-mutant HNSCC were identified from the four data sets. Median age ranged from 55 to 65 years, with a higher frequency in male patients (64%); the majority of HRAS-mutant HNSCC occurred in human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC. HRAS mutation patterns were similar across data sets; G12S was the most common (29%). Treatment responses to tipifarnib were not codon-specific. Compared with wild-type, significantly co-occurring mutations with HRAS were Casp8 (Fisher's exact test, P < .00013), TERT (P < .0085), and NOTCH1 (P < .00013). Analysis of clinical courses from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Kura Oncology, Inc data sets demonstrated poor clinical outcomes with a high rate of recurrence following primary definitive treatment (50%-67% relapse < 6 months) and short disease-free survival (4.0 months; 95% CI, 1.0 to 36.0) and overall survival (OS; 15.0 months; 95% CI, 6.0 to 52.0). Use of tipifarnib in this data set demonstrated improved OS (25.5 months; 95% CI, 18.0 to 48.0). CONCLUSION Oncogenic mutations in HRAS occur in 3%-4% of HNSCC, with G12S being the most frequent. Without targeted therapy, patients with HRAS-mutant HNSCC had poor clinic outcomes; observable trend toward improvement in OS has been noted in cohorts receiving treatments such as tipifarnib. The comutation pattern of HRAS-mutant in HNSCC is distinct, which may provide insight to future therapeutic combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Coleman
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kathrina L. Marcelo
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Julia F. Hopkins
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, MA
| | - Nusrat Israr Khan
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Robyn Du
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lingzhi Hong
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Edward Park
- Clinical Development, Kura Oncology Inc, Boston, MA
| | | | - Mollie Leoni
- Clinical Development, Kura Oncology Inc, Boston, MA
| | - Curtis Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jeffrey Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - John Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lee A. Albacker
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, MA
| | - David Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Maura Gillison
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Xiuning Le
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX,Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030; e-mail:
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Wang C, Qin X, Guo W, Wang J, Liu L, Fang Z, Yuan H, Fan Y, Xu D. The chromosomal instability 25 gene signature is identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and serves as a predictor for survival and Sunitinib response. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1133902. [PMID: 37197417 PMCID: PMC10183591 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1133902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a cancer hallmark and it is difficult to directly measure its phenotype, while a CIN25 gene signature was established to do so in several cancer types. However, it is currently unclear whether there exists this signature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and if so, which biological and clinical implications it has. Methods Transcriptomic profiling was performed on 10 ccRCC tumors and matched renal non-tumorous tissues (NTs) for CIN25 signature analyses. TCGA and E-MBAT1980 ccRCC cohorts were analyzed for the presence of CIN25 signature, CIN25 score-based ccRCC classification, and association with molecular alterations and overall or progression-free survival (OS or PFS). IMmotion150 and 151 cohorts of ccRCC patients treated with Sunitinib were analyzed for the CIN25 impact on Sunitinib response and survival. Results The transcriptomic analysis of 10 patient samples showed robustly upregulated expression of the CIN25 signature genes in ccRCC tumors, which were further confirmed in TCGA and E-MBAT1980 ccRCC cohorts. Based on their expression heterogeneity, ccRCC tumors were categorized into CIN25-C1 (low) and C2 (high) subtypes. The CIN25-C2 subtype was associated with significantly shorter patient OS and PFS, and characterized by increased telomerase activity, proliferation, stemness and EMT. The CIN25 signature reflects not only a CIN phenotype, but also levels of the whole genomic instability including mutation burden, microsatellite instability and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). Importantly, the CIN25 score was significantly associated with Sunitinib response and survival. In IMmotion151 cohort, patients in the CIN25-C1 group exhibited 2-fold higher remission rate than those in the CIN25-C2 group (P = 0.0004) and median PFS in these two groups was 11.2 and 5.6 months, respectively (P = 7.78E-08). Similar results were obtained from the IMmotion150 cohort analysis. Higher EZH2 expression and poor angiogenesis, well characterized factors leading to Sunitinib resistance, were enriched in the CIN25-C2 tumors. Conclusion The CIN25 signature identified in ccRCC serves as a biomarker for CIN and other genome instability phenotypes and predicts patient outcomes and response to Sunitinib treatment. A PCR quantification is enough for the CIN25-based ccRCC classification, which holds great promises in clinical routine application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- Department of Emergency, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huiyang Yuan
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
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Hasanau TN, Pisarev EP, Kisil OV, Zvereva ME. The TERT Promoter: A Key Player in the Fight for Cancer Cell Immortality. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S21-S38. [PMID: 37069112 DOI: 10.1134/s000629792314002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The review describes the role of telomeres and telomerase in tumor progression, as well as various mechanisms of the activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in CNS tumors and other cancers. The main mechanism of TERT activation involves acquisition of somatic mutations by the TERT gene promoter (TERTp). The article presents information on the TERTp structure and transcription factors directly interacting with TERTp and regulating its transcription. The prospects of using the mutational status of TERTp as a prognostic marker of CNS malignancies and other tumors with a common profile of TERTp mutations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsimur N Hasanau
- Natural Compounds Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Eduard P Pisarev
- Natural Compounds Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Olga V Kisil
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, Moscow, 119021, Russia
| | - Maria E Zvereva
- Natural Compounds Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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72
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Liu J, Zhao S, Li Z, Zhang Z, Zhao B, Guan G, Yin H, Luo J. Activation of telomerase activity and telomere elongation of host cells by Theileria annulata infection. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1128433. [PMID: 36910209 PMCID: PMC9997645 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1128433] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Theileria annulata-transformed cells share many phenotypes with cancer cells, including uncontrolled proliferation, immortalization, and dissemination. Telomeres are DNA-protein complex at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes that function to maintain genome stability and cell replicative capacity. Telomere length maintenance is primarily dependent on telomerase activity. In up to 90% of human cancer cells, telomerase is reactivated through expression of its catalytic subunit TERT. However, the effect of T. annulata infection on telomere and telomerase activity in bovine cells has not yet been described. In the present study, we confirmed that telomere length and telomerase activity are upregulated after T. annulata infection in three types of cell lines. This change depends on the presence of parasites. After eliminating Theileria from cells with antitheilerial drug buparvaquone, telomerase activity and the expression level of bTERT were decreased. In addition, inhibition of bHSP90 by novobiocin led to decreased AKT phosphorylation levels and telomerase activity, indicating that the bHSP90-AKT complex is a potent factor modulates telomerase activity in T. annulata-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shuaiyang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Baocai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Idrees M, Kumar V, Khan AM, Joo MD, Lee KW, Sohn SH, Kong IK. Cycloastragenol activation of telomerase improves β-Klotho protein level and attenuates age-related malfunctioning in ovarian tissues. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 209:111756. [PMID: 36462538 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111756] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Age-related deterioration in the reproductive capacity of women is directly related to the poor developmental potential of ovarian follicles. Although telomerase plays a key role in female fertility, TERT-targeting therapeutic strategies for age-related female infertility have yet to be investigated. This study elucidated the effect of Telomerase activation on mice ovaries and more specifically on Klb (β-Klotho) gene expression, which is linked to ageing, female hormonal regulation, and cyclicity. The homology-based 3D model of hTERT was used to predict its binding mode of Cycloastragenol (CAG) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Based on docking score, simulation behavior, and interaction with hTERT residues it was observed that CAG could bind with the hTERT model. CAG treatment to primary cultured mouse granulosa cells and activation of telomerase was examined via telomerase activity assay (Mouse TE (telomerase) ELISA Kit) and telomere length by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization. CAG mediated telomerase also significantly improved β-Klotho protein level in the aged granulosa cells. To demonstrate that β-Klotho is telomerase dependent, the TERT was knocked down via siRNA in granulosa cells and protein level of β-Klotho was examined. Furthermore, CAG-mediated telomerase activation significantly enhanced the level of Klb and recovered ovarian follicles in the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced ovarian ageing mouse model. Moreover, Doxorubicin-induced ovarian damage, which changes ovarian hormones, and inhibit follicular growth was successfully neutralized by CAG activated telomerase and its recovery of β-Klotho level. In conclusion, TERT dependent β-Klotho regulation in ovarian tissues is one of the mechanisms, which can overcome female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Idrees
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea.
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Division of Life Sciences, Department of Bio & Medical Big Data (BK21 Four), Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Abdul Majid Khan
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea.
| | - Myeong-Don Joo
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea.
| | - Keun-Woo Lee
- Division of Life Sciences, Department of Bio & Medical Big Data (BK21 Four), Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sea-Hwan Sohn
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea.
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea; Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea; The King Kong Corp. Ltd., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Gyeongnam Province, Republic of Korea.
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74
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Genetic Variants in Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Contribute to Solar Lentigines. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 143:1062-1072.e25. [PMID: 36572090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Solar lentigines (SLs) are a hallmark of human skin aging. They result from chronic exposure to sunlight and other environmental stressors. Recent studies also imply genetic factors, but findings are partially conflicting and lack of replication. Through a multi-trait based analysis strategy, we discovered that genetic variants in telomerase reverse transcriptase were significantly associated with non-facial SL in two East Asian (Taizhou longitudinal cohort, n = 2,964 and National Survey of Physical Traits, n = 2,954) and one Caucasian population (SALIA, n = 462), top SNP rs2853672 (P-value for Taizhou longitudinal cohort = 1.32 × 10‒28 and P-value for National Survey of Physical Traits = 3.66 × 10‒17 and P-value for SALIA = 0.0007 and Pmeta = 4.93 × 10‒44). The same variants were nominally associated with facial SL but not with other skin aging or skin pigmentation traits. The SL-enhanced allele/haplotype upregulated the transcription of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene. Of note, well-known telomerase reverse transcriptase‒related aging markers such as leukocyte telomere length and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration were not associated with SL. Our results indicate a previously unrecognized role of telomerase reverse transcriptase in skin aging‒related lentigines formation.
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Tümen D, Heumann P, Gülow K, Demirci CN, Cosma LS, Müller M, Kandulski A. Pathogenesis and Current Treatment Strategies of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:3202. [PMID: 36551958 PMCID: PMC9775527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver cancer with high lethality and low five-year survival rates leading to a substantial worldwide burden for healthcare systems. HCC initiation and progression are favored by different etiological risk factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, non-/and alcoholic fatty liver disease (N/AFLD), and tobacco smoking. In molecular pathogenesis, endogenous alteration in genetics (TP53, TERT, CTNNB1, etc.), epigenetics (DNA-methylation, miRNA, lncRNA, etc.), and dysregulation of key signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, etc.) strongly contribute to the development of HCC. The multitude and complexity of different pathomechanisms also reflect the difficulties in tailored medical therapy of HCC. Treatment options for HCC are strictly dependent on tumor staging and liver function, which are structured by the updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system. Surgical resection, local ablative techniques, and liver transplantation are valid and curative therapeutic options for early tumor stages. For multifocal and metastatic diseases, systemic therapy is recommended. While Sorafenib had been the standalone HCC first-line therapy for decades, recent developments had led to the approval of new treatment options as first-line as well as second-line treatment. Anti-PD-L1 directed combination therapies either with anti-VEGF directed agents or with anti-CTLA-4 active substances have been implemented as the new treatment standard in the first-line setting. However, data from clinical trials indicate different responses on specific therapeutic regimens depending on the underlying pathogenesis of hepatocellular cancer. Therefore, histopathological examinations have been re-emphasized by current international clinical guidelines in addition to the standardized radiological diagnosis using contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging. In this review, we emphasize the current knowledge on molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. On this occasion, the treatment sequences for early and advanced tumor stages according to the recently updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system and the current algorithm of systemic therapy (first-, second-, and third-line treatment) are summarized. Furthermore, we discuss novel precautional and pre-therapeutic approaches including therapeutic vaccination, adoptive cell transfer, locoregional therapy enhancement, and non-coding RNA-based therapy as promising treatment options. These novel treatments may prolong overall survival rates in regard with quality of life and liver function as mainstay of HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arne Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases University Hospital Regensburg Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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76
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Moran JMT, Le LP, Nardi V, Golas J, Farahani AA, Signorelli S, Onozato ML, Foreman RK, Duncan LM, Lawrence DP, Lennerz JK, Dias-Santagata D, Hoang MP. Identification of fusions with potential clinical significance in melanoma. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1837-1847. [PMID: 35871080 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Though uncommon in melanoma, gene fusions may have therapeutic implications. Next generation sequencing-based clinical assays, designed to detect relevant gene fusions, mutations, and copy number changes, were performed on 750 melanomas (375 primary and 375 metastases) at our institution from 2014-2021. These included 599 (80%) cutaneous, 38 (5%) acral, 11 (1.5%) anorectal, 23 (3%) sinonasal, 27 (3.6%) eye (uveal/ conjunctiva), 11 (1.5%) genital (vulva/penile), and 41 (5.5%) melanomas of unknown primary. Sixteen fusions (2%) were detected in samples from 16 patients: 12/599 (2%) cutaneous, 2/38 (5%) acral, 1/9 (11%) vulva, 1/23(4.3%) sinonasal; and 12/16 (75%) fusions were potentially targetable. We identified two novel rearrangements: NAGS::MAST2 and NOTCH1::GNB1; and two fusions that have been reported in other malignancies but not in melanoma: CANT1::ETV4 (prostate cancer) and CCDC6::RET (thyroid cancer). Additional fusions, previously reported in melanoma, included: EML4::ALK, MLPH::ALK, AGAP3::BRAF, AGK::BRAF, CDH3::BRAF, CCT8::BRAF, DIP2B::BRAF, EFNB1::RAF1, LRCH3::RAF1, MAP4::RAF1, RUFY1::RAF1, and ADCY2::TERT. Fusion positive melanomas harbored recurrent alterations in TERT and CDKN2A, among others. Gene fusions were exceedingly rare (0.2%) in BRAF/RAS/NF1-mutant tumors and were detected in 5.6% of triple wild-type melanomas. Interestingly, gene rearrangements were significantly enriched within the subset of triple wild-type melanomas that harbor TERT promoter mutations (18% versus 2%, p < 0.0001). Thirteen (81%) patients were treated with immunotherapy for metastatic disease or in the adjuvant setting. Six of 12 (50%) patients with potentially actionable fusions progressed on immunotherapy, and 3/6 (50%) were treated with targeted agents (ALK and MEK inhibitors), 2 off-label and 1 as part of a clinical trial. One patient with an AGAP3::BRAF fusion positive melanoma experienced a 30-month long response to trametinib. We show that, detecting fusions, especially in triple wild-type melanomas with TERT promoter mutations, may have a clinically significant impact in patients with advanced disease who have failed front-line immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob M T Moran
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Long P Le
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina Nardi
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Josephine Golas
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Farahani
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sylvia Signorelli
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maristela L Onozato
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruth K Foreman
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lyn M Duncan
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald P Lawrence
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jochen K Lennerz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dora Dias-Santagata
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mai P Hoang
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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77
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Zhou J, Xu M, Tan J, Zhou L, Dong F, Huang T. MMP1 acts as a potential regulator of tumor progression and dedifferentiation in papillary thyroid cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1030590. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1030590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is one of the malignancies with an excellent prognosis. However, in PTC, progression or dedifferentiation into poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) or anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) extremely jeopardizes patients’ prognosis. MMP1 is a zinc-dependent endopeptidase, and its role in PTC progression and dedifferentiation is unclear. In this study, transcriptome data of PDTC/ATC and PTC from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases were utilized to perform an integrated analysis of MMP1 as a potential regulator of tumor progression and dedifferentiation in PTC. Both bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing data confirmed the high expression of MMP1 in ATC tissues and cells, and further study verified that MMP1 possessed good diagnostic and prognostic value in PTC and PDTC/ATC. Up-regulated MMP1 was found to be positively related to more aggressive clinical characteristics, worse survival, extracellular matrix-related pathways, oncogenic immune microenvironment, more mutations, higher stemness, and more dedifferentiation of PTC. Meanwhile, in vitro experiments verified the high level of MMP1 in PDTC/ATC cell lines, and MMP1 knockdown and its inhibitor triolein could both inhibit the cell viability of PTC and PDTC/ATC. In conclusion, our findings suggest that MMP1 is a potential regulator of tumor progression and dedifferentiation in PTC, and might become a novel therapeutic target for PTC, especially for more aggressive PDTC and ATC.
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Tornesello ML, Tornesello AL, Starita N, Cerasuolo A, Izzo F, Buonaguro L, Buonaguro FM. Telomerase: a good target in hepatocellular carcinoma? An overview of relevant preclinical data. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:767-780. [PMID: 36369706 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2147062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Lucia Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Noemy Starita
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Cerasuolo
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale-IRCCS di Napoli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Franco Maria Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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79
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Hofmeister RJ, Rubinacci S, Ribeiro DM, Buil A, Kutalik Z, Delaneau O. Parent-of-Origin inference for biobanks. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6668. [PMID: 36335127 PMCID: PMC9637181 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Identical genetic variations can have different phenotypic effects depending on their parent of origin. Yet, studies focusing on parent-of-origin effects have been limited in terms of sample size due to the lack of parental genomes or known genealogies. We propose a probabilistic approach to infer the parent-of-origin of individual alleles that does not require parental genomes nor prior knowledge of genealogy. Our model uses Identity-By-Descent sharing with second- and third-degree relatives to assign alleles to parental groups and leverages chromosome X data in males to distinguish maternal from paternal groups. We combine this with robust haplotype inference and haploid imputation to infer the parent-of-origin for 26,393 UK Biobank individuals. We screen 99 phenotypes for parent-of-origin effects and replicate the discoveries of 6 GWAS studies, confirming signals on body mass index, type 2 diabetes, standing height and multiple blood biomarkers, including the known maternal effect at the MEG3/DLK1 locus on platelet phenotypes. We also report a novel maternal effect at the TERT gene on telomere length, thereby providing new insights on the heritability of this phenotype. All our summary statistics are publicly available to help the community to better characterize the molecular mechanisms leading to parent-of-origin effects and their implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Hofmeister
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Simone Rubinacci
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diogo M Ribeiro
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alfonso Buil
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Services, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zoltán Kutalik
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.,University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Delaneau
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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80
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Yuan X, Yuan H, Zhang N, Liu T, Xu D. Thyroid carcinoma-featured telomerase activation and telomere maintenance: Biology and translational/clinical significance. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1111. [PMID: 36394204 PMCID: PMC9670192 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of a catalytic component telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), internal RNA template and other co-factors, and its essential function is to synthesize telomeric DNA, repetitive TTAGGG sequences at the termini of linear chromosomes. Telomerase is silent in normal human follicular thyroid cells, primarily due to the TERT gene being tightly repressed. During the development and progression of thyroid carcinomas (TCs), TERT induction and telomerase activation is in general required to maintain telomere length, thereby conferring TC cells with immortal and aggressive phenotypes. METHODS The genomic alterations of the TERT loci including TERT promoter's gain-of-function mutations, copy number gain, fusion and rearrangements, have recently been identified in TCs as mechanisms to induce TERT expression and to activate telomerase. Importantly, numerous studies have consistently shown that TERT promoter mutations and TERT expression occur in all TC subtypes, and are robustly associated with TC malignancy, aggressiveness, treatment failure and poor outcomes. Therefore, the assessment of TERT promoter mutations and TERT expression is highly valuable in TC diagnostics, prognosis, treatment decision, and follow-up design. In addition, the TERT promoter is frequently hypermethylated in TC cells and tumors, which is required to activate TERT transcription and telomerase. Dysregulation of other components in the telomerase complex similarly upregulate telomerase. Moreover, shortened telomeres lead to altered gene expression and metabolism, thereby actively promoting TC aggressiveness. Here we summarize recent findings in TCs to provide the landscape of TC-featured telomere/telomerase biology and discuss underlying implications in TC precision medicine. CONCLUSION Mechanistic insights into telomerase activation and TERT induction in TCs are important both biologically and clinically. The TERT gene aberration and expression-based molecular classification of TCs is proposed, and for such a purpose, the standardization of the assay and evaluation system is required. Moreover, the TERT-based system and 2022 WHO TC classification may be combined to improve TC care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Laboratory Animal CenterShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Huiyang Yuan
- Department of UrologyQilu HospitalCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Breast SurgeryGeneral Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of PathologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of MedicineDivision of HematologyBioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM)Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
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81
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Chłopek M, Lasota J, Thompson LDR, Szczepaniak M, Kuźniacka A, Hińcza K, Kubicka K, Kaczorowski M, Newford M, Liu Y, Agaimy A, Biernat W, Durzyńska M, Dziuba I, Hartmann A, Inaguma S, Iżycka-Świeszewska E, Kato H, Kopczyński J, Michal M, Michal M, Pęksa R, Prochorec-Sobieszek M, Starzyńska A, Takahashi S, Wasąg B, Kowalik A, Miettinen M. Alterations in key signaling pathways in sinonasal tract melanoma. A molecular genetics and immunohistochemical study of 90 cases and comprehensive review of the literature. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1609-1617. [PMID: 35978013 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01122-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sinonasal mucosal melanoma is a rare tumor arising within the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or nasopharynx (sinonasal tract). This study evaluated 90 cases diagnosed in 29 males and 61 females with median age 68 years. Most tumors involved the nasal cavity and had an epithelioid morphology. Spectrum of research techniques used in this analysis includes targeted-DNA and -RNA next-generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Sinonasal melanomas were commonly driven by RAS (38/90, 42%), especially NRAS (n = 36) mutations and rarely (4/90, 4%) displayed BRAF pathogenic variants. BRAF/RAS mutants were more frequent among paranasal sinuses (10/14, 71%) than nasal (26/64, 41%) tumors. BRAF/RAS-wild type tumors occasionally harbored alterations of the key components and regulators of Ras-MAPK signaling pathway: NF1 mutations (1/17, 6%) or NF1 locus deletions (1/25, 4%), SPRED1 (3/25, 12%), PIK3CA (3/50, 6%), PTEN (4/50, 8%) and mTOR (1/50, 2%) mutations. These mutations often occurred in a mutually exclusive manner. In several tumors some of which were NRAS mutants, TP53 was deleted (6/48, 13%) and/or mutated (5/90, 6%). Variable nuclear accumulation of TP53, mirrored by elevated nuclear MDM2 expression was seen in >50% of cases. Furthermore, sinonasal melanomas (n = 7) including RAS/BRAF-wild type tumors (n = 5) harbored alterations of the key components and regulators of canonical WNT-pathway: APC (4/90, 4%), CTNNB1 (3/90, 3%) and AMER1 (1/90, 1%). Both, TERT promoter mutations (5/53, 9%) and fusions (2/40, 5%) were identified. The latter occurred in BRAF/RAS-wild type tumors. No oncogenic fusion gene transcripts previously reported in cutaneous melanomas were detected. Eight tumors including 7 BRAF/RAS-wild type cases expressed ADCK4::NUMBL cis-fusion transcripts. In summary, this study documented mutational activation of NRAS and other key components and regulators of Ras-MAPK signaling pathway such as SPRED1 in a majority of sinonasal melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Chłopek
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Jerzy Lasota
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | | | | - Alina Kuźniacka
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kinga Hińcza
- Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Kamila Kubicka
- Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Maciej Kaczorowski
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michael Newford
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yalan Liu
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wojciech Biernat
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Monika Durzyńska
- Department of Pathology, The Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Dziuba
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Katowice, Poland
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shingo Inaguma
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Janusz Kopczyński
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Michal Michal
- Sikl's Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, Medical Faculty in Plzeň, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Michal
- Sikl's Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, Medical Faculty in Plzeň, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Rafał Pęksa
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
- Department of Pathology, The Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Starzyńska
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Bartosz Wasąg
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Artur Kowalik
- Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland.,Division of Medical Biology, Institute of Biology Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Markku Miettinen
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Tornesello ML, Cerasuolo A, Starita N, Tornesello AL, Bonelli P, Tuccillo FM, Buonaguro L, Isaguliants MG, Buonaguro FM. The Molecular Interplay between Human Oncoviruses and Telomerase in Cancer Development. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5257. [PMID: 36358677 PMCID: PMC9659228 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human oncoviruses are able to subvert telomerase function in cancer cells through multiple strategies. The activity of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (TERT) is universally enhanced in virus-related cancers. Viral oncoproteins, such as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) E6, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) LMP1, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (HHV-8) LANA, hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBVx, hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein and human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) Tax protein, interact with regulatory elements in the infected cells and contribute to the transcriptional activation of TERT gene. Specifically, viral oncoproteins have been shown to bind TERT promoter, to induce post-transcriptional alterations of TERT mRNA and to cause epigenetic modifications, which have important effects on the regulation of telomeric and extra-telomeric functions of the telomerase. Other viruses, such as herpesviruses, operate by integrating their genomes within the telomeres or by inducing alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in non-ALT cells. In this review, we recapitulate on recent findings on virus-telomerase/telomeres interplay and the importance of TERT-related oncogenic pathways activated by cancer-causing viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Cerasuolo
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Noemy Starita
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Lucia Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bonelli
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Franca Maria Tuccillo
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Franco M. Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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83
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Ogawa E, Oguma Y, Kushida Y, Wakao S, Okawa K, Dezawa M. Naïve pluripotent-like characteristics of non-tumorigenic Muse cells isolated from human amniotic membrane. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17222. [PMID: 36241699 PMCID: PMC9568515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22282-1] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are non-tumorigenic pluripotent-like stem cells that exhibit triploblastic differentiation and self-renewability at the single-cell level, and are collectable as pluripotent surface marker SSEA-3(+) from the bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood, and organ connective tissues. SSEA-3(+) cells from human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) were compared with hBM-Muse cells. Similar to hBM-Muse cells, hAMSC-SSEA-3(+) cells expressed pluripotency genes (OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2), differentiated into triploblastic cells from a single cell, self-renewed, and exhibited non-tumorigenicity. Notably, however, they exhibited unique characteristics not seen in hBM-Muse cells, including higher expression of genes related to germline- and extraembryonic cell-lineages compared with those in hBM-Muse cells in single-cell RNA-sequencing; and enhanced expression of markers relevant to germline- (PRDM14, TFAP2C, and NANOS3) and extraembryonic cell- (CDX2, GCM1, and ID2) lineages when induced by cytokine subsets, suggesting a broader differentiation potential similar to naïve pluripotent stem cells. t-SNE dimensionality reduction and Gene ontology analysis visualized hAMSC-SSEA-3(+) cells comprised a large undifferentiated subpopulation between epithelial- and mesenchymal-cell states and a small mesenchymal subpopulation expressing genes relevant to the placental formation. The AM is easily accessible by noninvasive approaches. These unique cells are a potentially interesting target naïve pluripotent stem cell-like resource without tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Ogawa
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
| | - Yo Oguma
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kushida
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
| | - Shohei Wakao
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
| | - Kana Okawa
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
| | - Mari Dezawa
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan
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84
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Chang GA, Robinson E, Wiggins JM, Zhang Y, Tadepalli JS, Schafer CN, Darvishian F, Berman RS, Shapiro R, Shao Y, Osman I, Polsky D. Associations between TERT Promoter Mutations and Survival in Superficial Spreading and Nodular Melanomas in a Large Prospective Patient Cohort. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2733-2743.e9. [PMID: 35469904 PMCID: PMC9509439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Survival outcomes in melanoma and their association with mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene TERT promoter remain uncertain. In addition, few studies have examined whether these associations are affected by a nearby common germline polymorphism or vary on the basis of melanoma histopathological subtype. We analyzed 408 primary tumors from a prospective melanoma cohort for somatic TERT-124[C>T] and TERT-146[C>T] mutations, the germline polymorphism rs2853669, and BRAFV600 and NRASQ61 mutations. We tested the associations between these variants and clinicopathologic factors and survival outcomes. TERT-124[C>T] was associated with thicker tumors, ulceration, mitoses (>0/mm2), nodular histotype, and CNS involvement. In a multivariable model controlling for the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, TERT-124[C>T] was an independent predictor of shorter recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio = 2.58, P = 0.001) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.47, P = 0.029). Patients with the germline variant and TERT-124[C>T]-mutant melanomas had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival than those lacking either or both sequence variants (P < 0.04). The impact of the germline variant appeared to be more pronounced in superficial spreading than in nodular melanoma. No associations were found between survival and TERT-146[C>T], BRAF, or NRAS mutations. These findings strongly suggest that TERT-124[C>T] mutation is a biomarker of aggressive primary melanomas, an effect that may be modulated by rs2853669.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Chang
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eric Robinson
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer M Wiggins
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yilong Zhang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Merck, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christine N Schafer
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Farbod Darvishian
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Russell S Berman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard Shapiro
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Iman Osman
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Polsky
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
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85
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Shi Q, Zhang XX, Shi XQ, Chen Y, Sun C. Identification of rs2736099 as a novel cis-regulatory variation for TERT and implications for tumorigenesis and cell proliferation. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04372-9. [PMID: 36131156 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04372-9] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with obvious genetic predisposition. Association studies have proposed that rs2853677, a SNP localizing at intron region of TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), is significantly associated with TERT expression, telomere length and eventually lung cancer risk. However, functional genomics work indicates that rs2853677 is not with the ability to alter gene expression. All these facts make us hypothesize that some other genetic variation(s) are in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs2853677 and influence TERT expression. METHODS LD pattern in rs2853677 nearby region was analyzed based on 1000 genomes data for three representative populations in the world and functional genomics research was performed for this locus. RESULTS Only one SNP, rs2736099, is in strong LD with rs2853677 in East Asian. Dual-luciferase reporter assay verifies that rs2736099 can regulate gene expression and should be the causal SNP for this disease. Through chromosome conformation capture assay, it is disclosed that the enhancer surrounding rs2736099 can interact with TERT promoter. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation, the transcription factor SP1 (Sp1 transcription factor) is recognized for the chromatin segment spanning rs2736099. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the missing piece between genetic variation at this locus and lung cancer risk, which is also applied to tumorigenesis in other tissues and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin-Xin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Qian Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Martínez-Puente DH, Pérez-Trujillo JJ, Zavala-Flores LM, García-García A, Villanueva-Olivo A, Rodríguez-Rocha H, Valdés J, Saucedo-Cárdenas O, Montes de Oca-Luna R, Loera-Arias MDJ. Plasmid DNA for Therapeutic Applications in Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091861. [PMID: 36145609 PMCID: PMC9503848 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the interest in using nucleic acids for therapeutic applications has been increasing. DNA molecules can be manipulated to express a gene of interest for gene therapy applications or vaccine development. Plasmid DNA can be developed to treat different diseases, such as infections and cancer. In most cancers, the immune system is limited or suppressed, allowing cancer cells to grow. DNA vaccination has demonstrated its capacity to stimulate the immune system to fight against cancer cells. Furthermore, plasmids for cancer gene therapy can direct the expression of proteins with different functions, such as enzymes, toxins, and cytotoxic or proapoptotic proteins, to directly kill cancer cells. The progress and promising results reported in animal models in recent years have led to interesting clinical results. These DNA strategies are expected to be approved for cancer treatment in the near future. This review discusses the main strategies, challenges, and future perspectives of using plasmid DNA for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Juan Pérez-Trujillo
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Laura Mireya Zavala-Flores
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Northeast Biomedical Research Center (CIBIN) of IMSS, Nuevo Leon Delegation, Monterrey 64720, Mexico
| | - Aracely García-García
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Arnulfo Villanueva-Olivo
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Humberto Rodríguez-Rocha
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Jesús Valdés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, CINVESTAV-México, Av. IPN 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Odila Saucedo-Cárdenas
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Roberto Montes de Oca-Luna
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.d.O.-L.); (M.d.J.L.-A.); Tel.: +52-81-8329-4195 (R.M.d.O.-L. & M.d.J.L.-A.)
| | - María de Jesús Loera-Arias
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.d.O.-L.); (M.d.J.L.-A.); Tel.: +52-81-8329-4195 (R.M.d.O.-L. & M.d.J.L.-A.)
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87
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Rashid S, Gupta S, McCormick SR, Tsao H. New Insights into Melanoma Tumor Syndromes. JID INNOVATIONS 2022; 2:100152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2022.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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Tan KT, Slevin MK, Meyerson M, Li H. Identifying and correcting repeat-calling errors in nanopore sequencing of telomeres. Genome Biol 2022; 23:180. [PMID: 36028900 PMCID: PMC9414165 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02751-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanopore long-read sequencing is an emerging approach for studying genomes, including long repetitive elements like telomeres. Here, we report extensive basecalling induced errors at telomere repeats across nanopore datasets, sequencing platforms, basecallers, and basecalling models. We find that telomeres in many organisms are frequently miscalled. We demonstrate that tuning of nanopore basecalling models leads to improved recovery and analysis of telomeric regions, with minimal negative impact on other genomic regions. We highlight the importance of verifying nanopore basecalls in long, repetitive, and poorly defined regions, and showcase how artefacts can be resolved by improvements in nanopore basecalling models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kar-Tong Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael K Slevin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Genomics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Meyerson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for Cancer Genomics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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89
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Li X, Tian B, Liu M, Miao C, Wang D. Adult-type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:3495-3511. [PMID: 36119817 PMCID: PMC9442026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult-type Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary (AGCT) is a relatively rare subtype of ovarian cancer, accounting for 2-4% of all ovarian cancer. AGCT originates from proliferating normal preovulatory granulosa cells (GCs) and retains several features of those GCs. The hormonal features of AGCT explain the clinical manifestations and provide reliable markers for early diagnosis and recurrence prediction of the disease. Most AGCT patients are diagnosed at an early stage and usually demonstrate a better prognosis than patients with other types of ovarian cancer. Surgery is crucial for both initial and post-relapse treatments, whereas adjuvant therapy is still in the exploratory stage. In 2009, a population-based screening makes an exciting step, about 97% of AGCT has somatic missense mutations in the transcription factor FOXL2 gene and the FOXL2 mutation is considered to be a molecular characteristic of AGCT. Unfortunately, the FOXL2 mutation does not fully explain the development of AGCT. Ongoing research is focusing on signalling pathways in the molecular pathogenesis of AGCT to identify the possible pathogenetic factors and signal transduction pathways and provide a theoretical basis for targeted treatment. Postoperative recurrence of ovarian AGCT is common and is associated with a high mortality rate, which necessitates regular follow-up. The life management of postoperative patients is also crucial, which requires multidisciplinary experts to design recurrence treatment from the perspective of patients and implement meaningful treatment measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwen Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bo Tian
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Mengyan Liu
- Taoyuan People’s HospitalChangde 425700, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Chunlei Miao
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical UniversityWeifang 261053, Shandong, P. R. China
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90
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Becklin KL, Draper GM, Madden RA, Kluesner MG, Koga T, Huang M, Weiss WA, Spector LG, Largaespada DA, Moriarity BS, Webber BR. Developing Bottom-Up Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Solid Tumor Models Using Precision Genome Editing Technologies. CRISPR J 2022; 5:517-535. [PMID: 35972367 PMCID: PMC9529369 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genome and tissue engineering have spurred significant progress and opportunity for innovation in cancer modeling. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an established and powerful tool to study cellular processes in the context of disease-specific genetic backgrounds; however, their application to cancer has been limited by the resistance of many transformed cells to undergo successful reprogramming. Here, we review the status of human iPSC modeling of solid tumors in the context of genetic engineering, including how base and prime editing can be incorporated into "bottom-up" cancer modeling, a term we coined for iPSC-based cancer models using genetic engineering to induce transformation. This approach circumvents the need to reprogram cancer cells while allowing for dissection of the genetic mechanisms underlying transformation, progression, and metastasis with a high degree of precision and control. We also discuss the strengths and limitations of respective engineering approaches and outline experimental considerations for establishing future models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie L. Becklin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Garrett M. Draper
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Madden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mitchell G. Kluesner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tomoyuki Koga
- Ludwig Cancer Research San Diego Branch, La Jolla, California, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Miller Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - William A. Weiss
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Research Center, and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; and Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Logan G. Spector
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David A. Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Branden S. Moriarity
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Beau R. Webber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Neurosurgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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91
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Venuti A, Romero-Medina MC, Melita G, Ceraolo MG, Brancaccio RN, Sirand C, Taverniti V, Steenbergen R, Gheit T, Tommasino M. Lyon IARC Polyomavirus Displays Transforming Activities in Primary Human Cells. J Virol 2022; 96:e0206121. [PMID: 35770990 PMCID: PMC9327700 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02061-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies reported the presence of a recently discovered polyomavirus (PyV), Lyon IARC PyV (LIPyV), in human and domestic animal specimens. LIPyV has some structural similarities to well-established animal and human oncogenic PyVs, such as raccoon PyV and Merkel cell PyV (MCPyV), respectively. In this study, we demonstrate that LIPyV early proteins immortalize human foreskin keratinocytes. LIPyV LT binds pRb, accordingly cell cycle checkpoints are altered in primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes expressing LIPyV early genes. Mutation of the pRb binding site in LT strongly affected the ability of LIPyV ER to induced HFK immortalization. LIPyV LT also binds p53 and alters p53 functions activated by cellular stresses. Finally, LIPyV early proteins activate telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression, via accumulation of the Sp1 transcription factor. Sp1 recruitment to the hTERT promoter is controlled by its phosphorylation, which is mediated by ERK1 and CDK2. Together, these data highlight the transforming properties of LIPyV in in vitro experimental models, supporting its possible oncogenic nature. IMPORTANCE Lyon IARC PyV is a recently discovered polyomavirus that shows some structural similarities to well-established animal and human oncogenic PyVs, such as raccoon PyV and Merkel cell PyV, respectively. Here, we show the capability of LIPyV to efficiently promote cellular transformation of primary human cells, suggesting a possible oncogenic role of this virus in domestic animals and/or humans. Our study identified a novel virus-mediated mechanism of activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase gene expression, via accumulation of the Sp1 transcription factor. In addition, because the persistence of infection is a key event in virus-mediated carcinogenesis, it will be important to determine whether LIPyV can deregulate immune-related pathways, similarly to the well-established oncogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Venuti
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
| | | | - Giusi Melita
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
| | - Maria Grazia Ceraolo
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
| | | | - Cecilia Sirand
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
| | - Valerio Taverniti
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
| | - Renske Steenbergen
- VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tarik Gheit
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization, Lyon Cedex, France
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92
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Böldicke T. Therapeutic Potential of Intrabodies for Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11030049. [PMID: 35892709 PMCID: PMC9326752 DOI: 10.3390/antib11030049] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are characterized by overexpressed tumor-associated antigens or mutated neoantigens, which are expressed on the cell surface or intracellularly. One strategy of cancer immunotherapy is to target cell-surface-expressed tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) with therapeutic antibodies. For targeting TAAs or neoantigens, adoptive T-cell therapies with activated autologous T cells from cancer patients transduced with novel recombinant TCRs or chimeric antigen receptors have been successfully applied. Many TAAs and most neoantigens are expressed in the cytoplasm or nucleus of tumor cells. As alternative to adoptive T-cell therapy, the mRNA of intracellular tumor antigens can be depleted by RNAi, the corresponding genes or proteins deleted by CRISPR-Cas or inactivated by kinase inhibitors or by intrabodies, respectively. Intrabodies are suitable to knockdown TAAs and neoantigens without off-target effects. RNA sequencing and proteome analysis of single tumor cells combined with computational methods is bringing forward the identification of new neoantigens for the selection of anti-cancer intrabodies, which can be easily performed using phage display antibody repertoires. For specifically delivering intrabodies into tumor cells, the usage of new capsid-modified adeno-associated viruses and lipid nanoparticles coupled with specific ligands to cell surface receptors can be used and might bring cancer intrabodies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Böldicke
- Department Structure and Function of Proteins, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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93
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Mushtaq I, Bhat GR, Rah B, Besina S, Zahoor S, Wani MA, Shah MA, Bashir S, Farooq M, Rather RA, Afroze D. Telomere Attrition With Concomitant hTERT Overexpression Involved in the Progression of Gastric Cancer May Have Prognostic and Clinical Implications in High-Risk Population Group From North India. Front Oncol 2022; 12:919351. [PMID: 35912187 PMCID: PMC9326504 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.919351] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic instabilities exacerbated by the dysfunction of telomeres can lead to the development of cancer. Nearly 90% of all human malignancies are linked with telomere dysregulation and overexpression of telomerase, an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of telomeric DNA repeats at the ends of chromosomes. The burden of gastric cancer continues to inflict a deterring impact on the global health scenario, accounting for over one million new cases in 2020. The disease is asymptomatic in its early stages of progression, which is attributed to the poor prognosis and overall surge in mortality rate worldwide. Exploiting telomere physiology can provide extensive mechanistic insight into telomere-associated gastric cancer progression and its use as a target in a variety of therapeutic interventions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of c-Myc, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression, and telomere length in patients with gastric cancer. A total of 57 gastric cancer cases and adjacent controls were included in the study. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression levels of c-Myc and hTERT. The relative telomere length was measured by MMQPCR using the Cawthon method. Our results indicated that the shorter telomere and increased hTERT expression were associated with gastric cancer progression. The study also highlighted the role of short telomeres and increased expression of hTERT in gastric cancer progression and its association with various etiological risk factors, transcriptional activators, and overall survival among the ethnic Kashmiri population of North India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifra Mushtaq
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Bilal Rah
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Syed Besina
- Department of Pathology, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Sheikh Zahoor
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Muneer A. Wani
- Department of General Surgery, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Mubashir A. Shah
- Department of General Surgery, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Sadaf Bashir
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Muzamil Farooq
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Rafiq A. Rather
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
| | - Dil Afroze
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
- *Correspondence: Dil Afroze,
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94
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Liu EM, Shi ZF, Li KKW, Malta TM, Chung NYF, Chen H, Chan JYT, Poon MFM, Kwan JSH, Chan DTM, Noushmehr H, Mao Y, Ng HK. Molecular landscape of IDH-wild type, pTERT-wild type adult glioblastomas. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13107. [PMID: 35815721 PMCID: PMC9616088 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter (pTERT) mutation has often been described as a late event in gliomagenesis and it has been suggested as a prognostic biomarker in gliomas other than 1p19q codeleted tumors. However, the characteristics of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild type (wt) (IDHwt), pTERTwt glioblastomas are not well known. We recruited 72 adult IDHwt, pTERTwt glioblastomas and performed methylation profiling, targeted sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for TERT structural rearrangement and ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres). There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between our cohort and a the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of IDHwt, pTERT mutant (mut) glioblastomas, suggesting that pTERT mutation on its own is not a prognostic factor among IDHwt glioblastomas. Epigenetically, the tumors clustered into classic‐like (11%), mesenchymal‐like (32%), and LGm6‐glioblastoma (GBM) (57%), the latter far exceeding the corresponding proportion seen in the TCGA cohort of IDHwt, pTERTmut glioblastomas. LGm6‐GBM‐clustered tumors were enriched for platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) amplification or mutation (p = 0.008), and contained far fewer epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification (p < 0.01), 10p loss (p = 0.001) and 10q loss (p < 0.001) compared with cases not clustered to this group. LGm6‐GBM cases predominantly showed ALT (p = 0.038). In the whole cohort, only 35% cases showed EGFR amplification and no case showed combined chromosome +7/−10. Since the cases were already pTERTwt, so the three molecular properties of EGFR amplification, +7/−10, and pTERT mutation may not cover all IDHwt glioblastomas. Instead, EGFR and PDGFRA amplifications covered 67% and together with their mutations covered 71% of cases of this cohort. Homozygous deletion of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A)/B was associated with a worse OS (p = 0.031) and was an independent prognosticator in multivariate analysis (p = 0.032). In conclusion, adult IDHwt, pTERTwt glioblastomas show epigenetic clustering different from IDHwt, pTERTmut glioblastomas, and IDHwt glioblastomas which are pTERTwt may however not show EGFR amplification or +7/−10 in a significant proportion of cases. CDKN2A/B deletion is a poor prognostic biomarker in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Munan Liu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Zhi-Feng Shi
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Brain Consortium (HSBC), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kay Ka-Wai Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong and Shanghai Brain Consortium (HSBC), Hong Kong, China
| | - Tathiane M Malta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nellie Yuk-Fei Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Janice Yuen-Tung Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Manix Fung-Man Poon
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Johnny Sheung-Him Kwan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Danny Tat-Ming Chan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Houtan Noushmehr
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ying Mao
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Brain Consortium (HSBC), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ho-Keung Ng
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong and Shanghai Brain Consortium (HSBC), Hong Kong, China
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95
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Zanotti S, Boot GF, Coto-Llerena M, Gallon J, Hess GF, Soysal SD, Kollmar O, Ng CKY, Piscuoglio S. The Role of Chronic Liver Diseases in the Emergence and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Omics Perspective. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:888850. [PMID: 35814741 PMCID: PMC9263082 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.888850] [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: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically develops from a background of cirrhosis resulting from chronic inflammation. This inflammation is frequently associated with chronic liver diseases (CLD). The advent of next generation sequencing has enabled extensive analyses of molecular aberrations in HCC. However, less attention has been directed to the chronically inflamed background of the liver, prior to HCC emergence and during recurrence following surgery. Hepatocytes within chronically inflamed liver tissues present highly activated inflammatory signaling pathways and accumulation of a complex mutational landscape. In this altered environment, cells may transform in a stepwise manner toward tumorigenesis. Similarly, the chronically inflamed environment which persists after resection may impact the timing of HCC recurrence. Advances in research are allowing an extensive epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of CLD which define the emergence of HCC or its recurrence. The amount of data generated will enable the understanding of oncogenic mechanisms in HCC from the CLD perspective and provide the possibility to identify robust biomarkers or novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of primary and recurrent HCC. Importantly, biomarkers defined by the analysis of CLD tissue may permit the early detection or prevention of HCC emergence and recurrence. In this review, we compile the current omics based evidence of the contribution of CLD tissues to the emergence and recurrence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Zanotti
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas University Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Gina F. Boot
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mairene Coto-Llerena
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Gallon
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel F. Hess
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Savas D. Soysal
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Otto Kollmar
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte K. Y. Ng
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Salvatore Piscuoglio
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96
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Song Y, Baxter SS, Dai L, Sanders C, Burkett S, Baugher RN, Mellott SD, Young TB, Lawhorn HE, Difilippantonio S, Karim B, Kadariya Y, Pinto LA, Testa JR, Shoemaker RH. Mesothelioma Mouse Models with Mixed Genomic States of Chromosome and Microsatellite Instability. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3108. [PMID: 35804881 PMCID: PMC9264972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is a rare malignancy originating from the linings of the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. The best-defined risk factor is exposure to carcinogenic mineral fibers (e.g., asbestos). Genomic studies have revealed that the most frequent genetic lesions in human MMe are mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Several genetically engineered mouse models have been generated by introducing the same genetic lesions found in human MMe. However, most of these models require specialized breeding facilities and long-term exposure of mice to asbestos for MMe development. Thus, an alternative model with high tumor penetrance without asbestos is urgently needed. We characterized an orthotopic model using MMe cells derived from Cdkn2a+/-;Nf2+/- mice chronically injected with asbestos. These MMe cells were tumorigenic upon intraperitoneal injection. Moreover, MMe cells showed mixed chromosome and microsatellite instability, supporting the notion that genomic instability is relevant in MMe pathogenesis. In addition, microsatellite markers were detectable in the plasma of tumor-bearing mice, indicating a potential use for early cancer detection and monitoring the effects of interventions. This orthotopic model with rapid development of MMe without asbestos exposure represents genomic instability and specific molecular targets for therapeutic or preventive interventions to enable preclinical proof of concept for the intervention in an immunocompetent setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Song
- Cancer ImmunoPrevention Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.S.B.); (L.D.); (L.A.P.)
| | - Shaneen S. Baxter
- Cancer ImmunoPrevention Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.S.B.); (L.D.); (L.A.P.)
| | - Lisheng Dai
- Cancer ImmunoPrevention Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.S.B.); (L.D.); (L.A.P.)
| | - Chelsea Sanders
- Animal Research Technical Support of Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (C.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Sandra Burkett
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Ryan N. Baugher
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (R.N.B.); (S.D.M.); (T.B.Y.); (H.E.L.)
| | - Stephanie D. Mellott
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (R.N.B.); (S.D.M.); (T.B.Y.); (H.E.L.)
| | - Todd B. Young
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (R.N.B.); (S.D.M.); (T.B.Y.); (H.E.L.)
| | - Heidi E. Lawhorn
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (R.N.B.); (S.D.M.); (T.B.Y.); (H.E.L.)
| | - Simone Difilippantonio
- Animal Research Technical Support of Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (C.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Baktiar Karim
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Yuwaraj Kadariya
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (Y.K.); (J.R.T.)
| | - Ligia A. Pinto
- Cancer ImmunoPrevention Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.S.B.); (L.D.); (L.A.P.)
| | - Joseph R. Testa
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (Y.K.); (J.R.T.)
| | - Robert H. Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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The Effect of Dual Bioactive Compounds Artemisinin and Metformin Co-loaded in PLGA-PEG Nano-particles on Breast Cancer Cell lines: Potential Apoptotic and Anti-proliferative Action. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 194:4930-4945. [PMID: 35674922 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04000-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The most prevalent malignancy among women is breast cancer. Phytochemicals and their derivatives are rapidly being recognized as possible cancer complementary therapies because they can modify signaling pathways that lead to cell cycle control or directly alter cell cycle regulatory molecules. The phytochemicals' poor bioavailability and short half-life make them unsuitable as anticancer drugs. Applying PLGA-PEG NPs improves their solubility and tolerance while also reducing drug adverse effects. According to the findings, combining anti-tumor phytochemicals can be more effective in regulating several signaling pathways linked to tumor cell development. The point of the study was to compare the anti-proliferative impacts of combined artemisinin and metformin on cell cycle arrest and expression of cyclin D1 and apoptotic genes (bcl-2, Bax, survivin, caspase-7, and caspase-3), and also hTERT genes in breast cancer cells. T-47D breast cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of metformin (MET) and artemisinin (ART) co-loaded in PLGA-PEG NPs and free form. The MTT test was applied to assess drug cytotoxicity in T47D cells. The cell cycle distribution was investigated using flow cytometry and the expression levels of cyclin D1, hTERT, Bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-7, and survivin genes were then determined using real-time PCR. The findings of the MTT test and flow cytometry revealed that each state was cytotoxic to T47D cells in a time and dose-dependent pattern. Compared to various state of drugs (free and nano state, pure and combination state) Met-Art-PLGA/PEG NPs demonstrated the strongest anti-proliferative impact and considerably inhibited the development of T-47D cells; also, treatment with nano-formulated forms of Met-Art combination resulted in substantial downregulation of hTERT, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, survivin, and upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-7, and Bax, in the cells, as compared to the free forms, as indicated by real-time PCR findings. The findings suggested that combining an ART/MET-loaded PLGA-PEG NP-based therapy for breast cancer could significantly improve treatment effectiveness.
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98
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Yan Y, Dai W, Mei Q. Multicentric Glioma: An Ideal Model to Reveal the Mechanism of Glioma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:798018. [PMID: 35747806 PMCID: PMC9209746 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.798018] [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: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a special type of glioma, multicentric glioma provides an ideal pathological model for glioma research. According to the stem-cell-origin theory, multiple lesions of multicentric glioma share the same neuro-oncological origin, both in gene level and in cell level. Although the number of studies focusing on genetic evolution in gliomas with the model of multicentric gliomas were limited, some mutations, including IDH1 mutations, TERTp mutations and PTEN deletions, are found to be at an early stage in the process of genetic aberrance during glioma evolution based on the results of these studies. This article reviews the clinical reports and genetic studies of multicentric glioma, and intends to explain the various clinical phenomena of multicentric glioma from the perspective of genetic aberrance accumulation and tumor cell evolution. The malignant degree of a glioma is determined by both the tumorigenicity of early mutant genes, and the stemness of early suffered cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yan
- Departmentof Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Departmentof Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiyong Mei
- Departmentof Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Dika E, de Biase D, Lambertini M, Alessandrini AM, Acquaviva G, De Leo A, Tallini G, Ricci C, Starace M, Misciali C, Piraccini BM. Mutational landscape in squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:854-861. [PMID: 34951714 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignancy of the nail unit. Pathogenetic mechanisms are yet to be determined, and a deeper molecular characterization of this disease is still necessary. The aim was to obtain a molecular characterization of NU SCC samples using an NGS approach to identify the genetic drivers involved in this tumor. The presence of HPV infection was also assessed. Furthermore, the mutational status was correlated with specific clinical-pathological features for a better insight into the carcinogenesis of this uncommon tumor. We analysed twenty paraffin-embedded nail unit SCC samples from patients diagnosed with primary SCC of the nail unit by next genome sequencing. In the 20 tested samples, the neoplastic cells enrichment ranged from 10% to 50% (mean value: 25.7%). In 14/20 cases (70.0%), at least one mutation was detected; whereas in the other six cases (30.0%), no alterations were observed ('wild-type/WT cases'). Overall, a total of 23 mutations were identified in the 20 specimens. TP53 was the most mutated gene (6/20 cases, 30.0%), while cKit, GNAS, EGFR, DICER1 and CTNNB1 were observed in one sample each (5.0%). No clinical-pathological parameters (age, sex, depth of invasion-DOI, histological subtype, grading and HPV) were significantly associated with the mutational status. The nail unit SCC mutational landscape appeared to be heterogeneous, favouring the hypothesis of a complex pathogenesis and an interaction of multiple elements, including HPV infections. This wealth of information undoubtedly improves our understanding of SCC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Dika
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aurora Maria Alessandrini
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Acquaviva
- Department of Medicine, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio De Leo
- Department of Medicine, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tallini
- Department of Medicine, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Costantino Ricci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Starace
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cosimo Misciali
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Piraccini
- Dermatology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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The HIF-1α as a Potent Inducer of the Hallmarks in Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112711. [PMID: 35681691 PMCID: PMC9179860 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors in the clinic that is resistant to chemotherapy. Gastric tumors are rich in hypoxic niches, and high expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, strategies that target hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling may be highly effective in gastric cancer treatment. However, the precise mechanisms by which hypoxia-inducible factor-1α induces tumor hallmarks in gastric cancer are yet unrevealed. Here, we review the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α as a potent inducer of the cancer hallmarks in gastric cancer to provide a broad perspective and reveal missing links investigating which may offer new strategies to target hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling in gastric cancer. Abstract Hypoxia is the principal architect of the topographic heterogeneity in tumors. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) reinforces all hallmarks of cancer and donates cancer cells with more aggressive characteristics at hypoxic niches. HIF-1α potently induces sustained growth factor signaling, angiogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and replicative immortality. Hypoxia leads to the selection of cancer cells that evade growth suppressors or apoptotic triggers and deregulates cellular energetics. HIF-1α is also associated with genetic instability, tumor-promoting inflammation, and escape from immunity. Therefore, HIF-1α may be an important therapeutic target in cancer. Despite that, the drug market lacks safe and efficacious anti-HIF-1α molecules, raising the quest for fully unveiling the complex interactome of HIF-1α in cancer to discover more effective strategies. The knowledge gap is even wider in gastric cancer, where the number of studies on hypoxia is relatively low compared to other well-dissected cancers. A comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms by which HIF-1α induces gastric cancer hallmarks could provide a broad perspective to the investigators and reveal missing links to explore in future studies. Thus, here we review the impact of HIF-1α on the cancer hallmarks with a specific focus on gastric cancer.
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