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Williams J, Xu B, Putnam D, Thrasher A, Li C, Yang J, Chen X. MethylationToActivity: a deep-learning framework that reveals promoter activity landscapes from DNA methylomes in individual tumors. Genome Biol 2021; 22:24. [PMID: 33461601 PMCID: PMC7814737 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02220-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although genome-wide DNA methylomes have demonstrated their clinical value as reliable biomarkers for tumor detection, subtyping, and classification, their direct biological impacts at the individual gene level remain elusive. Here we present MethylationToActivity (M2A), a machine learning framework that uses convolutional neural networks to infer promoter activities based on H3K4me3 and H3K27ac enrichment, from DNA methylation patterns for individual genes. Using publicly available datasets in real-world test scenarios, we demonstrate that M2A is highly accurate and robust in revealing promoter activity landscapes in various pediatric and adult cancers, including both solid and hematologic malignant neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Williams
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 1135, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Daniel Putnam
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 1135, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Andrew Thrasher
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 1135, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 1135, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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52
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Thompson EM, Stoker AW. A Review of DUSP26: Structure, Regulation and Relevance in Human Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020776. [PMID: 33466673 PMCID: PMC7828806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) play a crucial role in the regulation of intracellular signalling pathways, which in turn influence a broad range of physiological processes. DUSP malfunction is increasingly observed in a broad range of human diseases due to deregulation of key pathways, most notably the MAP kinase (MAPK) cascades. Dual specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) is an atypical DUSP with a range of physiological substrates including the MAPKs. The residues that govern DUSP26 substrate specificity are yet to be determined; however, recent evidence suggests that interactions with a binding partner may be required for DUSP26 catalytic activity. DUSP26 is heavily implicated in cancer where, akin to other DUSPs, it displays both tumour-suppressive and -promoting properties, depending on the context. Here we review DUSP26 by evaluating its transcriptional patterns, protein crystallographic structure and substrate binding, as well as its physiological role(s) and binding partners, its role in human disease and the development of DUSP26 inhibitors.
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system and one of the most common solid tumors in infancy. Amplification of MYCN, copy number alterations, numerical and segmental chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and rearrangements on a handful of genes, such as ALK, ATRX, TP53, RAS/MAPK pathway genes, and TERT, are attributed as underlying causes that give rise to NB. However, the heterogeneous nature of the disease-along with the relative paucity of recurrent somatic mutations-reinforces the need to understand the interplay of genetic factors and epigenetic alterations in the context of NB. Epigenetic mechanisms tightly control gene expression, embryogenesis, imprinting, chromosomal stability, and tumorigenesis, thereby playing a pivotal role in physio- and pathological settings. The main epigenetic alterations include aberrant DNA methylation, disrupted patterns of posttranslational histone modifications, alterations in chromatin composition and/or architecture, and aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs. DNA methylation and demethylation are mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins, respectively, while histone modifications are coordinated by histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases (HATs, HDACs), and histone methyltransferases and demethylases (HMTs, HDMs). This article focuses predominately on the crosstalk between the epigenome and NB, and the implications it has on disease diagnosis and treatment.
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Brady SW, Liu Y, Ma X, Gout AM, Hagiwara K, Zhou X, Wang J, Macias M, Chen X, Easton J, Mulder HL, Rusch M, Wang L, Nakitandwe J, Lei S, Davis EM, Naranjo A, Cheng C, Maris JM, Downing JR, Cheung NKV, Hogarty MD, Dyer MA, Zhang J. Pan-neuroblastoma analysis reveals age- and signature-associated driver alterations. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5183. [PMID: 33056981 PMCID: PMC7560655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18987-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric malignancy with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. To better understand neuroblastoma pathogenesis, here we analyze whole-genome, whole-exome and/or transcriptome data from 702 neuroblastoma samples. Forty percent of samples harbor at least one recurrent driver gene alteration and most aberrations, including MYCN, ATRX, and TERT alterations, differ in frequency by age. MYCN alterations occur at median 2.3 years of age, TERT at 3.8 years, and ATRX at 5.6 years. COSMIC mutational signature 18, previously associated with reactive oxygen species, is the most common cause of driver point mutations in neuroblastoma, including most ALK and Ras-activating variants. Signature 18 appears early and is continuous throughout disease evolution. Signature 18 is enriched in neuroblastomas with MYCN amplification, 17q gain, and increased expression of mitochondrial ribosome and electron transport-associated genes. Recurrent FGFR1 variants in six patients, and ALK N-terminal structural alterations in five samples, identify additional patients potentially amenable to precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Brady
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yanling Liu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiaotu Ma
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Alexander M Gout
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kohei Hagiwara
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael Macias
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John Easton
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Heather L Mulder
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael Rusch
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Joy Nakitandwe
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shaohua Lei
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Eric M Davis
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Arlene Naranjo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Children's Oncology Group Statistics & Data Center, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James R Downing
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Michael A Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Jinghui Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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55
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Ye M, Lu H, Tang W, Jing T, Chen S, Wei M, Zhang J, Wang J, Ma J, Ma D, Dong K. Downregulation of MEG3 promotes neuroblastoma development through FOXO1-mediated autophagy and mTOR-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:3050-3061. [PMID: 33061817 PMCID: PMC7545718 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.48126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies demonstrated that MEG3 was significantly downregulated in neuroblastoma (NB) and its expression was negatively associated with the INSS stage. Overexpression of MEG3 promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in NB cells. In this study, we discovered more potential functions and molecular mechanisms of MEG3 in NB. According to the database, MEG3 positively correlated with the NB survival rate and was negatively associated with malignant clinical features. Moreover, we determined that MEG3 was mainly located in the nucleus by nuclear-cytoplasmic separation and RNA fish assays. Upregulation of MEG3 in stably transfected cell lines was accomplished, and CCK8, colony formation, and EDU assays were performed, which indicated that MEG3 significantly suppressed cell proliferation. Both wound healing and transwell experiments demonstrated that MEG3 decreased cell migration and invasion. CHIRP enrichments showed the anticancer effects of MEG3 were probably linked to autophagy and the mTOR signaling pathway. LC3 fluorescence dots and western blots showed that MEG3 attenuated autophagy by inhibiting FOXO1, but not the mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, MEG3 inhibited metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the mTOR signaling pathway. Consistent with the above results, downregulation of MEG3 facilitated NB malignant phenotypes. Mechanistically, MEG3 and EZH2 regulated each other via a negative feedback loop and promoted NB progression together. In conclusion, our findings suggested that MEG3 was a tumor suppressor in NB and could be a potential target for NB treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujie Ye
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Ministry of Health, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Weitao Tang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Ministry of Health, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianrui Jing
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Meng Wei
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Ministry of Health, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210001, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Ministry of Health, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ma
- ENT institute, Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Duan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Kuiran Dong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.,Key Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Ministry of Health, 201102, Shanghai, China
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56
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George SL, Lorenzi F, King D, Hartlieb S, Campbell J, Pemberton H, Toprak UH, Barker K, Tall J, da Costa BM, van den Boogaard ML, Dolman MEM, Molenaar JJ, Bryant HE, Westermann F, Lord CJ, Chesler L. Therapeutic vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response for the treatment of ATRX mutant neuroblastoma. EBioMedicine 2020; 59:102971. [PMID: 32846370 PMCID: PMC7452577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In neuroblastoma, genetic alterations in ATRX, define a distinct poor outcome patient subgroup. Despite the need for new therapies, there is a lack of available models and a dearth of pre-clinical research. METHODS To evaluate the impact of ATRX loss of function (LoF) in neuroblastoma, we utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to generate neuroblastoma cell lines isogenic for ATRX. We used these and other models to identify therapeutically exploitable synthetic lethal vulnerabilities associated with ATRX LoF. FINDINGS In isogenic cell lines, we found that ATRX inactivation results in increased DNA damage, homologous recombination repair (HRR) defects and impaired replication fork processivity. In keeping with this, high-throughput compound screening showed selective sensitivity in ATRX mutant cells to multiple PARP inhibitors and the ATM inhibitor KU60019. ATRX mutant cells also showed selective sensitivity to the DNA damaging agents, sapacitabine and irinotecan. HRR deficiency was also seen in the ATRX deleted CHLA-90 cell line, and significant sensitivity demonstrated to olaparib/irinotecan combination therapy in all ATRX LoF models. In-vivo sensitivity to olaparib/irinotecan was seen in ATRX mutant but not wild-type xenografts. Finally, sustained responses to olaparib/irinotecan therapy were seen in an ATRX deleted neuroblastoma patient derived xenograft. INTERPRETATION ATRX LoF results in specific DNA damage repair defects that can be therapeutically exploited. In ATRX LoF models, preclinical sensitivity is demonstrated to olaparib and irinotecan, a combination that can be rapidly translated into the clinic. FUNDING This work was supported by Christopher's Smile, Neuroblastoma UK, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal Marsden Hospital NIHR BRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT United Kingdom.
| | - Federica Lorenzi
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - David King
- Academic Unit of Molecular Oncology, Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Hartlieb
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James Campbell
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Pemberton
- CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research London, SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Umut H Toprak
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karen Barker
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Tall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Martins da Costa
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | | | - M Emmy M Dolman
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Cancer, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Cancer, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Helen E Bryant
- Academic Unit of Molecular Oncology, Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Westermann
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher J Lord
- CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research London, SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT United Kingdom
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57
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Chen B, Hua Z, Gong B, Tan X, Zhang S, Li Q, Chen Y, Zhang J, Li Z. Downregulation of PIF1, a potential new target of MYCN, induces apoptosis and inhibits cell migration in neuroblastoma cells. Life Sci 2020; 256:117820. [PMID: 32512012 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common malignant tumors in children. Chemotherapy resistance is one of the significant challenges in the treatment of high-risk NB patients, and it is necessary to search for new valid targets for NB treatment. This study aims to explore the possible role of PIF1 in NB by using bioinformatic analysis and downregulation of PIF1 with specific siRNA. Kyoto genome encyclopedia and R language based gene ontology was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (including PIF1) when MYCN expression was silenced in NB cells. Analysis based on the R2 database showed a lower expression of PIF1 correlated with good prognosis in NB patients. Downregulation of MYCN expression by transfecting MYCN siRNA (#1, #2) into NB cells decreased the PIF1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, while upregulation of MYCN expression by transfecting MYCN overexpressed plasmid increased the PIF1 expression. We further found that downregulation of PIF1 expression by transfecting PIF1 siRNA (#1, #2) into NB cells, increased the number of apoptotic cells, inhibited the cell survival, decreased the ability of cell migration and induced a cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. These data indicated that PIF1, as a potential new target of MYCN, maybe a novel target for NB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongyan Hua
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Baocheng Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaolin Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Simeng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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58
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Applications of probability and statistics in cancer genomics. QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40484-020-0203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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59
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George SL, Parmar V, Lorenzi F, Marshall LV, Jamin Y, Poon E, Angelini P, Chesler L. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting telomere maintenance mechanisms in high-risk neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:78. [PMID: 32375866 PMCID: PMC7201617 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of high-risk neuroblastomas can be divided into three distinct molecular subgroups defined by the presence of MYCN amplification, upstream TERT rearrangements or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The common defining feature of all three subgroups is altered telomere maintenance; MYCN amplification and upstream TERT rearrangements drive high levels of telomerase expression whereas ALT is a telomerase independent telomere maintenance mechanism. As all three telomere maintenance mechanisms are independently associated with poor outcomes, the development of strategies to selectively target either telomerase expressing or ALT cells holds great promise as a therapeutic approach that is applicable to the majority of children with aggressive disease.Here we summarise the biology of telomere maintenance and the molecular drivers of aggressive neuroblastoma before describing the most promising therapeutic strategies to target both telomerase expressing and ALT cancers. For telomerase-expressing neuroblastoma the most promising targeted agent to date is 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine, however clinical development of this agent is required. In osteosarcoma cell lines with ALT, selective sensitivity to ATR inhibition has been reported. However, we present data showing that in fact ALT neuroblastoma cells are more resistant to the clinical ATR inhibitor AZD6738 compared to other neuroblastoma subtypes. More recently a number of additional candidate compounds have been shown to show selectivity for ALT cancers, such as Tetra-Pt (bpy), a compound targeting the telomeric G-quadruplex and pifithrin-α, a putative p53 inhibitor. Further pre-clinical evaluation of these compounds in neuroblastoma models is warranted.In summary, telomere maintenance targeting strategies offer a significant opportunity to develop effective new therapies, applicable to a large proportion of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. In parallel to clinical development, more pre-clinical research specifically for neuroblastoma is urgently needed, if we are to improve survival for this common poor outcome tumour of childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - V Parmar
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - F Lorenzi
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - L V Marshall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Y Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - E Poon
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - P Angelini
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - L Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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60
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Southgate HED, Chen L, Curtin NJ, Tweddle DA. Targeting the DNA Damage Response for the Treatment of High Risk Neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:371. [PMID: 32309213 PMCID: PMC7145987 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite intensive multimodal therapy, the survival rate for high risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) remains <50%. Most cases initially respond to treatment but almost half will subsequently relapse with aggressive treatment resistant disease. Novel treatments exploiting the molecular pathology of NB and/or overcoming resistance to current genotoxic therapies are needed before survival rates can significantly improve. DNA damage response (DDR) defects are frequently observed in HR-NB including allelic deletion and loss of function mutations in key DDR genes, oncogene induced replication stress and cell cycle checkpoint dysfunction. Exploiting defects in the DDR has been a successful treatment strategy in some adult cancers. Here we review the genetic features of HR-NB which lead to DDR defects and the emerging molecular targeting agents to exploit them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet E D Southgate
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Lindi Chen
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J Curtin
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah A Tweddle
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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