101
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Zhang J, Yue W, Zhou Y, Liao M, Chen X, Hua J. Super enhancers-Functional cores under the 3D genome. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e12970. [PMID: 33336467 PMCID: PMC7848964 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex biochemical reactions take place in the nucleus all the time. Transcription machines must follow the rules. The chromatin state, especially the three-dimensional structure of the genome, plays an important role in gene regulation and expression. The super enhancers are important for defining cell identity in mammalian developmental processes and human diseases. It has been shown that the major components of transcriptional activation complexes are recruited by super enhancer to form phase-separated condensates. We summarize the current knowledge about super enhancer in the 3D genome. Furthermore, a new related transcriptional regulation model from super enhancer is outlined to explain its role in the mammalian cell progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juqing Zhang
- College of Veterinary MedicineShaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Wei Yue
- College of Veterinary MedicineShaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- College of Life ScienceNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Mingzhi Liao
- College of Life ScienceNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Xingqi Chen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and PathologyUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary MedicineShaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
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102
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Hennessey RC, Brown KM. Cancer regulatory variation. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 66:41-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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103
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Portals for Exploring Noncoding Variants in Pediatric Cancer. Trends Genet 2021; 37:297-298. [PMID: 33494957 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Zhou et al. present GenomePaint, a dynamic web-based data portal for exploring noncoding somatic alterations in cancer by genomic location. Multiple omics platforms - including whole-genome, whole-exome, transcriptome, and epigenome - can be visualized together. The portal incorporates data from >3800 pediatric tumors, and users may upload their own data.
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104
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Kimura S, Sekiguchi M, Watanabe K, Hiwatarai M, Seki M, Yoshida K, Isobe T, Shiozawa Y, Suzuki H, Hoshino N, Hayashi Y, Oka A, Miyano S, Ogawa S, Takita J. Association of high-risk neuroblastoma classification based on expression profiles with differentiation and metabolism. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245526. [PMID: 33465163 PMCID: PMC7815088 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid malignancy among children, originates from undifferentiated neural crest cells (NCC). Despite recent intensified treatment, high-risk patients still have a high mortality rate. To explore a new therapeutic strategy, we performed an integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis of 30 high-risk neuroblastoma cases. Based on the expression profiling of RNA sequencing, neuroblastoma was classified into Mesenchymal (MES; n = 5) and Noradrenergic (ADRN; n = 25) clusters, as previously reported in the super-enhancer landscape. The expression patterns in MES-cluster cases were similar to normal adrenal glands, with enrichment in secretion-related pathways, suggesting chromaffin cell-like features built from NCC-derived Schwann cell precursors (SCPs). In contrast, neuron-related pathways were enriched in the ADRN-cluster, indicating sympathoblast features reported to originate from NCC but not via SCPs. Thus, MES- and ADRN-clusters were assumed to be corresponding to differentiation pathways through SCP and sympathoblast, respectively. ADRN-cluster cases were further classified into MYCN- and ATRX-clusters, characterized by genetic alterations, MYCN amplifications and ATRX alterations, respectively. MYCN-cluster cases showed high expression of ALDH18A1, encoding P5CS related to proline production. As reported in other cancers, this might cause reprogramming of proline metabolism leading to tumor specific proline vulnerability candidate for a target therapy of metabolic pathway. In ATRX-cluster, SLC18A2 (VMAT2), an enzyme known to prevent cell toxicity due to the oxidation of dopamine, was highly expressed and VMAT2 inhibitor (GZ-793A) represented significant attenuation of cell growth in NB-69 cell line (high SLC18A2 expression, no MYCN amplification) but not in IMR-32 cell line (MYCN amplification). In addition, the correlation of VMAT2 expression with metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) avidity suggested a combination of VMAT2 inhibitor and MIBG radiation for a novel potential therapeutic strategy in ATRX-cluster cases. Thus, targeting the characteristics of unique neuroblastomas may prospectively improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Kimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sekiguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuteru Hiwatarai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Seki
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Yoshida
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoya Isobe
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shiozawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Suzuki
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Hoshino
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Hayashi
- Institute of Physiology and Medicine, Jobu University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Akira Oka
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- Human Genome Center Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seishi Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junko Takita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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105
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Hochheuser C, Windt LJ, Kunze NY, de Vos DL, Tytgat GA, Voermans C, Timmerman I. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Neuroblastoma: Exploring Crosstalk and Therapeutic Implications. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 30:59-78. [PMID: 33287630 PMCID: PMC7826431 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the second most common solid cancer in childhood, accounting for 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. In high-risk NB patients, the majority suffers from metastasis. Despite intensive multimodal treatment, long-term survival remains <40%. The bone marrow (BM) is among the most common sites of distant metastasis in patients with high-risk NB. In this environment, small populations of tumor cells can persist after treatment (minimal residual disease) and induce relapse. Therapy resistance of these residual tumor cells in BM remains a major obstacle for the cure of NB. A detailed understanding of the microenvironment and its role in tumor progression is of utmost importance for improving the treatment efficiency of NB. In BM, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) constitute an important part of the microenvironment, where they support hematopoiesis and modulate immune responses. Their role in tumor progression is not completely understood, especially for NB. Although MSCs have been found to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor growth, and metastasis and to induce chemoresistance, some reports point toward a tumor-suppressive effect of MSCs. In this review, we aim to compile current knowledge about the role of MSCs in NB development and progression. We evaluate arguments that depict tumor-supportive versus -suppressive properties of MSCs in the context of NB and give an overview of factors involved in MSC-NB crosstalk. A focus lies on the BM as a metastatic niche, since that is the predominant site for NB metastasis and relapse. Finally, we will present opportunities and challenges for therapeutic targeting of MSCs in the BM microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Hochheuser
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laurens J. Windt
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nina Y. Kunze
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke L. de Vos
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Carlijn Voermans
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ilse Timmerman
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Hematopoiesis, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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106
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Liu Z, Liang M, Grant CN, Spiegelman VS, Wang HG. Interpretable models for high-risk neuroblastoma stratification with multi-cohort copy number profiles. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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107
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. Telomere-related Markers for Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:410-432. [PMID: 31903880 PMCID: PMC7475940 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200106145340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are structurally nucleoprotein complexes at termini of linear chromosomes and essential to chromosome stability/integrity. In normal human cells, telomere length erodes progressively with each round of cell divisions, which serves as an important barrier to uncontrolled proliferation and malignant transformation. In sharp contrast, telomere maintenance is a key feature of human malignant cells and required for their infinite proliferation and maintenance of other cancer hallmarks as well. Thus, a telomere-based anti-cancer strategy has long been suggested. However, clinically efficient and specific drugs targeting cancer telomere-maintenance have still been in their infancy thus far. To achieve this goal, it is highly necessary to elucidate how exactly cancer cells maintain functional telomeres. In the last two decades, numerous studies have provided profound mechanistic insights, and the identified mechanisms include the aberrant activation of telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomere pathway responsible for telomere elongation, dysregulation and mutation of telomere-associated factors, and other telomere homeostasis-related signaling nodes. In the present review, these various strategies employed by malignant cells to regulate their telomere length, structure and function have been summarized, and potential implications of these findings in the rational development of telomere-based cancer therapy and other clinical applications for precision oncology have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna 171 64, Sweden
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108
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Kumar A, Rocke JPJ, Kumar BN. Evolving treatments in high-risk neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2020.1865918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Kumar
- Division of Medicine, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - John P J Rocke
- ENT Department, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, UK
| | - B Nirmal Kumar
- ENT Department, Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching NHS, Wigan, UK
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109
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Gaonkar KS, Marini F, Rathi KS, Jain P, Zhu Y, Chimicles NA, Brown MA, Naqvi AS, Zhang B, Storm PB, Maris JM, Raman P, Resnick AC, Strauch K, Taroni JN, Rokita JL. annoFuse: an R Package to annotate, prioritize, and interactively explore putative oncogenic RNA fusions. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:577. [PMID: 33317447 PMCID: PMC7737294 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03922-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene fusion events are significant sources of somatic variation across adult and pediatric cancers and are some of the most clinically-effective therapeutic targets, yet low consensus of RNA-Seq fusion prediction algorithms makes therapeutic prioritization difficult. In addition, events such as polymerase read-throughs, mis-mapping due to gene homology, and fusions occurring in healthy normal tissue require informed filtering, making it difficult for researchers and clinicians to rapidly discern gene fusions that might be true underlying oncogenic drivers of a tumor and in some cases, appropriate targets for therapy. RESULTS We developed annoFuse, an R package, and shinyFuse, a companion web application, to annotate, prioritize, and explore biologically-relevant expressed gene fusions, downstream of fusion calling. We validated annoFuse using a random cohort of TCGA RNA-Seq samples (N = 160) and achieved a 96% sensitivity for retention of high-confidence fusions (N = 603). annoFuse uses FusionAnnotator annotations to filter non-oncogenic and/or artifactual fusions. Then, fusions are prioritized if previously reported in TCGA and/or fusions containing gene partners that are known oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, COSMIC genes, and/or transcription factors. We applied annoFuse to fusion calls from pediatric brain tumor RNA-Seq samples (N = 1028) provided as part of the Open Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas (OpenPBTA) Project to determine recurrent fusions and recurrently-fused genes within different brain tumor histologies. annoFuse annotates protein domains using the PFAM database, assesses reciprocality, and annotates gene partners for kinase domain retention. As a standard function, reportFuse enables generation of a reproducible R Markdown report to summarize filtered fusions, visualize breakpoints and protein domains by transcript, and plot recurrent fusions within cohorts. Finally, we created shinyFuse for algorithm-agnostic interactive exploration and plotting of gene fusions. CONCLUSIONS annoFuse provides standardized filtering and annotation for gene fusion calls from STAR-Fusion and Arriba by merging, filtering, and prioritizing putative oncogenic fusions across large cancer datasets, as demonstrated here with data from the OpenPBTA project. We are expanding the package to be widely-applicable to other fusion algorithms and expect annoFuse to provide researchers a method for rapidly evaluating, prioritizing, and translating fusion findings in patient tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika S Gaonkar
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Federico Marini
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Mainz, Germany
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Payal Jain
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuankun Zhu
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Chimicles
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Miguel A Brown
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ammar S Naqvi
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Phillip B Storm
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pichai Raman
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam C Resnick
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Konstantin Strauch
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jaclyn N Taroni
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Childhood Cancer Data Lab, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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110
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Chen J, Nelson C, Wong M, Tee AE, Liu PY, La T, Fletcher JI, Kamili A, Mayoh C, Bartenhagen C, Trahair TN, Xu N, Jayatilleke N, Wong M, Peng H, Atmadibrata B, Cheung BB, Lan Q, Bryan TM, Mestdagh P, Vandesompele J, Combaret V, Boeva V, Wang JY, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Cowley MJ, MacKenzie KL, Dolnikov A, Li J, Polly P, Marshall GM, Reddel RR, Norris MD, Haber M, Fischer M, Zhang XD, Pickett HA, Liu T. Targeted Therapy of TERT-Rearranged Neuroblastoma with BET Bromodomain Inhibitor and Proteasome Inhibitor Combination Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 27:1438-1451. [PMID: 33310889 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE TERT gene rearrangement with transcriptional superenhancers leads to TERT overexpression and neuroblastoma. No targeted therapy is available for clinical trials in patients with TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Anticancer agents exerting the best synergistic anticancer effects with BET bromodomain inhibitors were identified by screening an FDA-approved oncology drug library. The synergistic effects of the BET bromodomain inhibitor OTX015 and the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib were examined by immunoblot and flow cytometry analysis. The anticancer efficacy of OTX015 and carfilzomib combination therapy was investigated in mice xenografted with TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma cell lines or patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor cells, and the role of TERT reduction in the anticancer efficacy was examined through rescue experiments in mice. RESULTS The BET bromodomain protein BRD4 promoted TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma cell proliferation through upregulating TERT expression. Screening of an approved oncology drug library identified the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib as the agent exerting the best synergistic anticancer effects with BET bromodomain inhibitors including OTX015. OTX015 and carfilzomib synergistically reduced TERT protein expression, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, and induced TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma cell apoptosis which was blocked by TERT overexpression and endoplasmic reticulum stress antagonists. In mice xenografted with TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma cell lines or PDX tumor cells, OTX015 and carfilzomib synergistically blocked TERT expression, induced tumor cell apoptosis, suppressed tumor progression, and improved mouse survival, which was largely reversed by forced TERT overexpression. CONCLUSIONS OTX015 and carfilzomib combination therapy is likely to be translated into the first clinical trial of a targeted therapy in patients with TERT-rearranged neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Chen
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher Nelson
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Wong
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew E Tee
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pei Y Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ting La
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christoph Bartenhagen
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Toby N Trahair
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ning Xu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nisitha Jayatilleke
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marie Wong
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hui Peng
- Advanced Analytics Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | | | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Qing Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tracy M Bryan
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valerie Combaret
- Centre Léon-Bérard, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle, Lyon, France
| | - Valentina Boeva
- ETH Zürich, Department of Computer Science, Institute for Machine Learning, Swiss Institute of Bioinformaticsics (SIB), Zurich, Switzerland
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université Paris Descartes UMR-S1016, Paris, France
| | - Jenny Y Wang
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Isabelle Janoueix-Lerosey
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, INSERM, U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Mark J Cowley
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen L MacKenzie
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alla Dolnikov
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jinyan Li
- Advanced Analytics Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Patsie Polly
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger R Reddel
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Xu D Zhang
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Randwick, Sydney, Australia.
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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111
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Gupta S, Vanderbilt CM, Lin YT, Benhamida JK, Jungbluth AA, Rana S, Momeni-Boroujeni A, Chang JC, Mcfarlane T, Salazar P, Mullaney K, Middha S, Zehir A, Gopalan A, Bale TA, Ganly I, Arcila ME, Benayed R, Berger MF, Ladanyi M, Dogan S. A Pan-Cancer Study of Somatic TERT Promoter Mutations and Amplification in 30,773 Tumors Profiled by Clinical Genomic Sequencing. J Mol Diagn 2020; 23:253-263. [PMID: 33285287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
TERT gene promoter mutations are known in multiple cancer types. Other TERT alterations remain poorly characterized. Sequencing data from 30,773 tumors analyzed by a hybridization capture next-generation sequencing assay (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets) were analyzed for the presence of TERT alterations. Promoter rearrangements (500 bases upstream of the transcriptional start site), hypermethylation (n = 57), and gene expression (n = 155) were evaluated for a subset of cases. Mutually exclusive and recurrent promoter mutations were identified at three hot spots upstream of the transcriptional start site in 11.3% of cases (-124: 74%; -146: 24%; and -138: <2%). Mutually exclusive amplification events were identified in another 2.3% of cases, whereas mutually exclusive rearrangements proximal to the TERT gene were seen in 24 cases. The highest incidence of TERT promoter mutations was seen in cutaneous melanoma (82%), whereas amplification events significantly outnumbered promoter mutations in well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (14.1% versus 2.4%) and adrenocortical carcinoma (13.6% versus 4.5%). Gene expression analysis suggests that the highest levels of gene expression are seen in cases with amplifications and rearrangements. Hypermethylation events upstream of the TERT coding sequence were not mutually exclusive with known pathogenic alterations. Studies aimed at defining the prevalence and prognostic impact of TERT alterations should incorporate other pathogenic TERT alterations as these may impact telomerase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sounak Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Chad M Vanderbilt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yun-Te Lin
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jamal K Benhamida
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Achim A Jungbluth
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Satshil Rana
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Jason C Chang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Tiffany Mcfarlane
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paulo Salazar
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kerry Mullaney
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sumit Middha
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ahmet Zehir
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anuradha Gopalan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Tejus A Bale
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ian Ganly
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Maria E Arcila
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ryma Benayed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael F Berger
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Snjezana Dogan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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112
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Kastriti ME, Kameneva P, Adameyko I. Stem cells, evolutionary aspects and pathology of the adrenal medulla: A new developmental paradigm. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110998. [PMID: 32818585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian adrenal gland is composed of two main components; the catecholaminergic neural crest-derived medulla, found in the center of the gland, and the mesoderm-derived cortex producing steroidogenic hormones. The medulla is composed of neuroendocrine chromaffin cells with oxygen-sensing properties and is dependent on tissue interactions with the overlying cortex, both during development and in adulthood. Other relevant organs include the Zuckerkandl organ containing extra-adrenal chromaffin cells, and carotid oxygen-sensing bodies containing glomus cells. Chromaffin and glomus cells reveal a number of important similarities and are derived from the multipotent nerve-associated descendants of the neural crest, or Schwann cell precursors. Abnormalities in complex developmental processes during differentiation of nerve-associated and other progenitors into chromaffin and oxygen-sensing populations may result in different subtypes of paraganglioma, neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma. Here, we summarize recent findings explaining the development of chromaffin and oxygen-sensing cells, as well as the potential mechanisms driving neuroendocrine tumor initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eleni Kastriti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Polina Kameneva
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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113
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Alidousty C, Duerbaum N, Wagener-Ryczek S, Baar T, Martelotto LG, Heydt C, Siemanowski J, Holz B, Binot E, Fassunke J, Merkelbach-Bruse S, Wolf J, Kron A, Buettner R, Schultheis AM. Prevalence and potential biological role of TERT amplifications in ALK translocated adenocarcinoma of the lung. Histopathology 2020; 78:578-585. [PMID: 32946634 DOI: 10.1111/his.14256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The advent of specific ALK-targeting drugs has radically changed the outcome of patients with ALK translocated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, emerging resistance to treatment with ALK inhibitors in these patients remains a major concern. In previous studies, we analysed two ALK+ patient cohorts (TP53 wild-type/TP53 mutated) in terms of copy number alterations. All patients belonging to the TP53 wild-type group had mainly genetically stable genomes, with one exception showing chromosomal instability and amplifications of several gene loci, including TERT. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence of TERT amplifications in these ALK+ lung cancer patients by analysing an independent cohort of 109 ALK translocated cases. We further analysed the copy numbers of numerous cancer-relevant genes and other genetic aberrations. METHODS AND RESULTS The prevalence of TERT amplifications was determined by means of FISH analyses. Copy numbers of 87 cancer-relevant genes were determined by NanoString nCounter® technology, FoundationOne® and lung-specific NGS panels in some of these TERT-amplified samples, and clinical data on patients with TERT-amplified tumours were collected. Our data revealed that five (4.6%) of all 109 analysed ALK+ patients harboured amplification of TERT and that these patients had genetically unstable genomes. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary study shows that ALK+ adenocarcinomas should be evaluated in the context of their genomic background in order to more clearly understand and predict patients' individual course of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolai Duerbaum
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Till Baar
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Carina Heydt
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janna Siemanowski
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Barbara Holz
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elke Binot
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jana Fassunke
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Wolf
- Network Genomic Medicine, Cologne, Germany.,Lung Cancer Group Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Koeln Bonn, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna Kron
- Network Genomic Medicine, Cologne, Germany.,Lung Cancer Group Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Koeln Bonn, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Buettner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Network Genomic Medicine, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Koeln Bonn, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne M Schultheis
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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114
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Giwa A, Fatai A, Gamieldien J, Christoffels A, Bendou H. Identification of novel prognostic markers of survival time in high-risk neuroblastoma using gene expression profiles. Oncotarget 2020; 11:4293-4305. [PMID: 33245713 PMCID: PMC7679032 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Patients in high-risk group often have poor outcomes with low survival rates despite several treatment options. This study aimed to identify a genetic signature from gene expression profiles that can serve as prognostic indicators of survival time in patients of high-risk neuroblastoma, and that could be potential therapeutic targets. RNA-seq count data was downloaded from UCSC Xena browser and samples grouped into Short Survival (SS) and Long Survival (LS) groups. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis, enrichment analyses, regulatory network analysis and machine learning (ML) prediction of survival group were performed. Forty differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified including genes involved in molecular function activities essential for tumor proliferation. DEGs used as features for prediction of survival groups included EVX2, NHLH2, PRSS12, POU6F2, HOXD10, MAPK15, RTL1, LGR5, CYP17A1, OR10AB1P, MYH14, LRRTM3, GRIN3A, HS3ST5, CRYAB and NXPH3. An accuracy score of 82% was obtained by the ML classification models. SMIM28 was revealed to possibly have a role in tumor proliferation and aggressiveness. Our results indicate that these DEGs can serve as prognostic indicators of survival in high-risk neuroblastoma patients and will assist clinicians in making better therapeutic and patient management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulazeez Giwa
- SAMRC Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Azeez Fatai
- Department of Biochemistry, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Junaid Gamieldien
- SAMRC Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Alan Christoffels
- SAMRC Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Hocine Bendou
- SAMRC Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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115
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Enhancer hijacking determines extrachromosomal circular MYCN amplicon architecture in neuroblastoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5823. [PMID: 33199677 PMCID: PMC7669906 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19452-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification drives one in six cases of neuroblastoma. The supernumerary gene copies are commonly found on highly rearranged, extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA). The exact amplicon structure has not been described thus far and the functional relevance of its rearrangements is unknown. Here, we analyze the MYCN amplicon structure using short-read and Nanopore sequencing and its chromatin landscape using ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and Hi-C. This reveals two distinct classes of amplicons which explain the regulatory requirements for MYCN overexpression. The first class always co-amplifies a proximal enhancer driven by the noradrenergic core regulatory circuit (CRC). The second class of MYCN amplicons is characterized by high structural complexity, lacks key local enhancers, and instead contains distal chromosomal fragments harboring CRC-driven enhancers. Thus, ectopic enhancer hijacking can compensate for the loss of local gene regulatory elements and explains a large component of the structural diversity observed in MYCN amplification. MYCN amplification is common in neuroblastomas. Here the authors analyse the MYCN amplicon structure and its epigenetic regulation by integrating short- and longread genomic and epigenomic data and find two classes of MYCN amplicons in neuroblastomas, one driven by local enhancers and the other by hijacking of distal regulatory elements.
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116
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Fernández-Blanco B, Berbegall AP, Martin-Vañó S, Castel V, Navarro S, Noguera R. Imbalance between genomic gain and loss identifies high-risk neuroblastoma patients with worse outcomes. Neoplasia 2020; 23:12-20. [PMID: 33190090 PMCID: PMC7674617 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) patients remains poor despite multimodal treatment. We aimed to identify HR-NB patients with worse outcomes by analyzing the genomic instability derived from segmental chromosomal aberrations. We calculated 3 genomic instability indexes for primary tumor SNP array profiles from 127 HR-NB patients: (1) Copy number aberration burden (%gainslength+%losseslength), (2) copy number load (CNL) (%gainslength-%losseslength) and (3) net genomic load (NGL) (%gainsamount-%lossesamount). Tumors were classified according to positive or negative CNL and NGL genomic subtypes. The impact of the genomic instability indexes on overall survival (OS) was assessed with Cox regression. We identified 38% of HR-NB patients with poor 5-year OS. A negative CNL genomic background was related to poor prognosis in patients ≥18 months showing tumors with homogeneous MYCN amplification (9.5% survival probability, P < 0.05) and patients with non-MYCN amplified NB (18.8% survival probability related to >2.4% CNL, P < 0.01). A positive CNL genomic background was associated with worse outcome in patients with heterogeneous MYCN amplification (22.5% survival probability, P < 0.05). We conclude that characterizing a tumor genomic background according to predominance of genome gained or lost contributes toward improved outcome prediction and brings greater insight into the tumor biology of HR-NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Pilar Berbegall
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Martin-Vañó
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Castel
- Clinical and Translational Oncology Research Group, Investigation Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Navarro
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
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117
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Lee E, Lee JW, Lee B, Park K, Shim J, Yoo KH, Koo HH, Sung KW, Park WY. Genomic profile of MYCN non-amplified neuroblastoma and potential for immunotherapeutic strategies in neuroblastoma. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:171. [PMID: 33172452 PMCID: PMC7653769 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00819-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MYCN amplification is the most important genomic feature in neuroblastoma (NB). However, limited studies have been conducted on the MYCN non-amplified NB including low- and intermediate-risk NB. Here, the genomic characteristics of MYCN non-amplified NB were studied to allow for the identification of biomarkers for molecular stratification. Methods Fifty-eight whole exome sequencing (WES) and forty-eight whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) samples of MYCN non-amplified NB were analysed. Forty-one patients harboured WES and WTS pairs. Results In the MYCN non-amplified NB WES data, maximum recurrent mutations were found in MUC4 (26%), followed by RBMXL3 (19%), ALB (17%), and MUC16 and SEPD8 (14% each). Two gene fusions, CCDC32-CBX3 (10%) and SAMD5-SASH1 (6%), were recurrent in WTS analysis, and these fusions were detected mostly in non-high-risk patients with ganglioneuroblastoma histology. Analysis of risk-group-specific biomarkers showed that several genes and gene sets were differentially expressed between the risk groups, and some immune-related pathways tended to be activated in the high-risk group. Mutational signatures 6 and 18, which represent DNA mismatch repair associated mutations, were commonly detected in 60% of the patients. In the tumour mutation burden (TMB) analysis, four patients showed high TMB (> 3 mutations/Mb), and had mutations in genes related to either MMR or homologous recombination. Excluding four outlier samples with TMB > 3 Mb, high-risk patients had significantly higher levels of TMB compared with the non-high-risk patients. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the genomic background of MYCN non-amplified NB. Activation of immune-related pathways in the high-risk group and the results of TMB and mutational signature analyses collectively suggest the need for further investigation to discover potential immunotherapeutic strategies for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunjin Lee
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Won Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Lee
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.,Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghee Park
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonho Shim
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.,Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keon Hee Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Hoe Koo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Woong Sung
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea. .,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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118
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Kong N, Jung I. Long-range chromatin interactions in pathogenic gene expression control. Transcription 2020; 11:211-216. [PMID: 33151112 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2020.1843958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of distal cis-regulatory elements (cREs) have been annotated in the human genome, which plays a central role in orchestrating spatiotemporal gene expression. Since many cREs regulate non-adjacent genes, long-range cRE-promoter interactions are an important factor in the functional characterization of the engaged cREs. In this regard, recent studies have demonstrated that identification of long-range target genes can decipher the effect of genetic mutations residing within cREs on abnormal gene expression. In addition, investigation of altered long-range cREs-promoter interactions induced by chromosomal rearrangements has revealed their critical roles in pathogenic gene expression. In this review, we briefly discuss how the analysis of 3D chromatin structure can help us understand the functional impact of cREs harboring disease-associated genetic variants and how chromosomal rearrangements disrupting topologically associating domains can lead to pathogenic gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahyun Kong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) , Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Inkyung Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) , Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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119
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Shimada H, Sano H, Hazard FK. Pathology of Peripheral Neuroblastic Tumors. CLINICAL PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.15264/cpho.2020.27.2.73] [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] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hideki Sano
- Department of Pathology Oncology, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Florette K. Hazard
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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120
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Newell F, Wilmott JS, Johansson PA, Nones K, Addala V, Mukhopadhyay P, Broit N, Amato CM, Van Gulick R, Kazakoff SH, Patch AM, Koufariotis LT, Lakis V, Leonard C, Wood S, Holmes O, Xu Q, Lewis K, Medina T, Gonzalez R, Saw RPM, Spillane AJ, Stretch JR, Rawson RV, Ferguson PM, Dodds TJ, Thompson JF, Long GV, Levesque MP, Robinson WA, Pearson JV, Mann GJ, Scolyer RA, Waddell N, Hayward NK. Whole-genome sequencing of acral melanoma reveals genomic complexity and diversity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5259. [PMID: 33067454 PMCID: PMC7567804 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To increase understanding of the genomic landscape of acral melanoma, a rare form of melanoma occurring on palms, soles or nail beds, whole genome sequencing of 87 tumors with matching transcriptome sequencing for 63 tumors was performed. Here we report that mutational signature analysis reveals a subset of tumors, mostly subungual, with an ultraviolet radiation signature. Significantly mutated genes are BRAF, NRAS, NF1, NOTCH2, PTEN and TYRP1. Mutations and amplification of KIT are also common. Structural rearrangement and copy number signatures show that whole genome duplication, aneuploidy and complex rearrangements are common. Complex rearrangements occur recurrently and are associated with amplification of TERT, CDK4, MDM2, CCND1, PAK1 and GAB2, indicating potential therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Newell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Katia Nones
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Venkateswar Addala
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Natasa Broit
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Carol M Amato
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert Van Gulick
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Ann-Marie Patch
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Vanessa Lakis
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Conrad Leonard
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott Wood
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Oliver Holmes
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Qinying Xu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karl Lewis
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Theresa Medina
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rene Gonzalez
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robyn P M Saw
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J Spillane
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Stretch
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert V Rawson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter M Ferguson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tristan J Dodds
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John F Thompson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Dermatology Clinic, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - William A Robinson
- Center for Rare Melanomas, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - John V Pearson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Graham J Mann
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola Waddell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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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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122
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Jarzembowski JA. New Prognostic Indicators in Pediatric Adrenal Tumors: Neuroblastoma and Adrenal Cortical Tumors, Can We Predict When These Will Behave Badly? Surg Pathol Clin 2020; 13:625-641. [PMID: 33183724 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2020.08.002] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric adrenal tumors are unique entities with specific diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic challenges. The adrenal medulla gives rise to peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNTs), pathologically defined by their architecture, stromal content, degree of differentiation, and mitotic-karyorrhectic index. Successful risk stratification of pNTs uses patient age, stage, tumor histology, and molecular/genetic aberrations. The adrenal cortex gives rise to adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), which present diagnostic and prognostic challenges. Histologic features that signify poor prognosis in adults can be meaningless in children, who have superior outcomes. The key clinical, pathologic, and molecular findings of pediatric ACTs have yet to be completely identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Jarzembowski
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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123
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Ramani NS, Aung PP, Gu J, Sfamenos S, Sdringola-Maranga C, Nagarajan P, Tetzlaff MT, Curry JL, Ivan D, Diab A, Prieto VG, Hwu WJ, Torres-Cabala CA. TERT amplification but not activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in acral lentiginous melanoma progression to metastasis. Mod Pathol 2020; 33:2067-2074. [PMID: 32404956 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-0565-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare tumor that occurs on non-sun exposed skin areas of the hands and feet. Reports suggest that ALM exhibits poor prognosis, although mechanisms driving this remain poorly understood. Alterations in TERT and the Wnt/β-catenin (Wnt) pathway have been suggested to correlate with prognosis of ALM. Thus, immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin and LEF1 along with TERT amplification by FISH was investigated in 34 primary ALMs, 20 metastatic ALMs, 10 primary non-ALMs, and 15 acral nevi. Foot/toe was the most common primary tumor location (85%) for ALM. TERT amplification was detected in 6 of 28 (21.4%) primary ALM, 2 of 8 (25%) primary non-ALM, and 8 of 18 (44.4%) metastatic ALM, the latter showing significantly higher frequency compared with primary melanomas (P = 0.043). Most metastatic ALMs positive for TERT amplification lacked BRAF V600E (87.5%). Cytoplasmic and nonnuclear expression of β-catenin was variably detected in all cases. Metastatic ALM revealed lower expression of β-catenin compared with primary ALM (P = 0.017). No differences in LEF1 expression were detected among the groups; however, acral nevi showed decreased labeling with dermal descent, in contrast to melanoma. No molecular-genetic alteration correlated with prognosis. TERT amplification by FISH is a frequent finding in primary ALM and appears to increase in metastatic tumors, suggesting a role in tumor progression to metastasis. Although TERT amplification has been reported to be infrequent in primary non-ALM, it showed comparable frequency with ALM in our series. Our immunohistochemical findings are not fully supportive of activation of either canonical or noncanonical Wnt cascades in ALM. TERT amplification by FISH and LEF1 immunohistochemistry may help in the differential diagnosis between primary ALM and acral nevus. TERT amplification appears to be a promising target for therapy in patients with metastatic ALM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha S Ramani
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Phyu P Aung
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jun Gu
- Cytogenetics Training Laboratory, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Sfamenos
- Cytogenetics Training Laboratory, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chiara Sdringola-Maranga
- Cytogenetics Training Laboratory, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Priyardhisini Nagarajan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael T Tetzlaff
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular Translational Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan L Curry
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Doina Ivan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Adi Diab
- Department of Melanoma Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Victor G Prieto
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wen-Jen Hwu
- Department of Melanoma Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carlos A Torres-Cabala
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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124
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TERT promotor region rearrangements analyzed in high-risk neuroblastomas by FISH method and whole genome sequencing. Int J Clin Oncol 2020; 25:2166-2174. [DOI: 10.1007/s10147-020-01773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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125
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Yang L. A Practical Guide for Structural Variation Detection in the Human Genome. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN HUMAN GENETICS 2020; 107:e103. [PMID: 32813322 PMCID: PMC7738216 DOI: 10.1002/cphg.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Profiling genetic variants-including single nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, copy number variations, and structural variations (SVs)-from both healthy individuals and individuals with disease is a key component of genetic and biomedical research. SVs are large-scale changes in the genome and involve breakage and rejoining of DNA fragments. They may affect thousands to millions of nucleotides and can lead to loss, gain, and reshuffling of genes and regulatory elements. SVs are known to impact gene expression and potentially result in altered phenotypes and diseases. Therefore, identifying SVs from the human genomes is particularly important. In this review, I describe advantages and disadvantages of the available high-throughput assays for the discovery of SVs, which are the most challenging genetic alterations to detect. A practical guide is offered to suggest the most suitable strategies for discovering different types of SVs including common germline, rare, somatic, and complex variants. I also discuss factors to be considered, such as cost and performance, for different strategies when designing experiments. Last, I present several approaches to identify potential SV artifacts caused by samples, experimental procedures, and computational analysis. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixing Yang
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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126
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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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127
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Moreno L, Barone G, DuBois SG, Molenaar J, Fischer M, Schulte J, Eggert A, Schleiermacher G, Speleman F, Chesler L, Geoerger B, Hogarty MD, Irwin MS, Bird N, Blanchard GB, Buckland S, Caron H, Davis S, De Wilde B, Deubzer HE, Dolman E, Eilers M, George RE, George S, Jaroslav Š, Maris JM, Marshall L, Merchant M, Mortimer P, Owens C, Philpott A, Poon E, Shay JW, Tonelli R, Valteau-Couanet D, Vassal G, Park JR, Pearson ADJ. Accelerating drug development for neuroblastoma: Summary of the Second Neuroblastoma Drug Development Strategy forum from Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer and International Society of Paediatric Oncology Europe Neuroblastoma. Eur J Cancer 2020; 136:52-68. [PMID: 32653773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Only one class of targeted agents (anti-GD2 antibodies) has been incorporated into front-line therapy for neuroblastoma since the 1980s. The Neuroblastoma New Drug Development Strategy (NDDS) initiative commenced in 2012 to accelerate the development of new drugs for neuroblastoma. Advances have occurred, with eight of nine high-priority targets being evaluated in paediatric trials including anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors being investigated in front-line, but significant challenges remain. This article reports the conclusions of the second NDDS forum, which expanded across the Atlantic to further develop the initiative. Pre-clinical and clinical data for 40 genetic targets and mechanisms of action were prioritised and drugs were identified for early-phase trials. Strategies to develop drugs targeting TERT, telomere maintenance, ATRX, alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), BRIP1 and RRM2 as well as direct targeting of MYCN are high priority and should be championed for drug discovery. Promising pre-clinical data suggest that targeting of ALT by ATM or PARP inhibition may be potential strategies. Drugs targeting CDK2/9, CDK7, ATR and telomere maintenance should enter paediatric clinical development rapidly. Optimising the response to anti-GD2 by combinations with chemotherapy, targeted agents and other immunological targets are crucial. Delivering this strategy in the face of small patient cohorts, genomically defined subpopulations and a large number of permutations of combination trials, demands even greater international collaboration. In conclusion, the NDDS provides an internationally agreed, biologically driven selection of prioritised genetic targets and drugs. Improvements in the strategy for conducting trials in neuroblastoma will accelerate bringing these new drugs more rapidly to front-line therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Moreno
- Paediatric Haematology & Oncology Division, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Giuseppe Barone
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Berlin), Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- SIREDO, Department of Paediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology and INSERM U830, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Belgium
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, University Paris-Saclay & Inserm U1015, Villejuif, France
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Meredith S Irwin
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Biophysics and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, The Hospital for Sick Kids, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nick Bird
- Solving Kids' Cancer, UK and National Cancer Research Institute Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Clinical Studies Group, UK
| | - Guy B Blanchard
- Neuroblastoma UK & Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Bram De Wilde
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Belgium
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Emmy Dolman
- Department of Translational Research, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rani E George
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sally George
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Štěrba Jaroslav
- Pediatric Oncology Department, University Hospital Brno, School of Medicine Masaryk University Brno, Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, ICRC Brno, St Anna University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lynley Marshall
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Melinda Merchant
- Astrazeneca, Early Clinical Projects, Oncology Translation Medicines Unit, Innovative Medicines Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Mortimer
- Astrazeneca, Early Clinical Projects, Oncology Translation Medicines Unit, Innovative Medicines Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cormac Owens
- Department of Paediatric Haemaology/Oncology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dominique Valteau-Couanet
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, University Paris-Saclay & Inserm U1015, Villejuif, France
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Department of Clinical Research, Gustave Roussy, Paris-Sud University, Paris, France
| | - Julie R Park
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine and Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Hospital, USA
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Paediatric Drug Development, Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
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Song YS, Park YJ. Mechanisms of TERT Reactivation and Its Interaction with BRAFV600E. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2020; 35:515-525. [PMID: 32981294 PMCID: PMC7520576 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2020.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene, which is repressed in most differentiated human cells, can be reactivated by somatic TERT alterations and epigenetic modulations. Moreover, the recruitment, accessibility, and binding of transcription factors also affect the regulation of TERT expression. Reactivated TERT contributes to the development and progression of cancer through telomere lengthening-dependent and independent ways. In particular, because of recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, studies on genomic alterations in various cancers that cause increased TERT transcriptional activity have been actively conducted. TERT reactivation has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in several cancers, and TERT promoter mutations are among the most potent prognostic markers in thyroid cancer. In particular, when a TERT promoter mutation coexists with the BRAFV600E mutation, these mutations exert synergistic effects on a poor prognosis. Efforts have been made to uncover the mechanisms of these synergistic interactions. In this review, we discuss the role of TERT reactivation in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of TERT reactivation across all human cancers and in thyroid cancer, and the mechanisms of interactions between BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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129
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Lopez G, Conkrite KL, Doepner M, Rathi KS, Modi A, Vaksman Z, Farra LM, Hyson E, Noureddine M, Wei JS, Smith MA, Asgharzadeh S, Seeger RC, Khan J, Auvil JG, Gerhard DS, Maris JM, Diskin SJ. Somatic structural variation targets neurodevelopmental genes and identifies SHANK2 as a tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma. Genome Res 2020; 30:1228-1242. [PMID: 32796005 PMCID: PMC7545140 DOI: 10.1101/gr.252106.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a malignancy of the developing sympathetic nervous system that accounts for 12% of childhood cancer deaths. Like many childhood cancers, neuroblastoma shows a relative paucity of somatic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions and deletions (indels) compared to adult cancers. Here, we assessed the contribution of somatic structural variation (SV) in neuroblastoma using a combination of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of tumor-normal pairs (n = 135) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of primary tumors (n = 914). Our study design allowed for orthogonal validation and replication across platforms. SV frequency, type, and localization varied significantly among high-risk tumors. MYCN nonamplified high-risk tumors harbored an increased SV burden overall, including a significant excess of tandem duplication events across the genome. Genes disrupted by SV breakpoints were enriched in neuronal lineages and associated with phenotypes such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The postsynaptic adapter protein-coding gene, SHANK2, located on Chromosome 11q13, was disrupted by SVs in 14% of MYCN nonamplified high-risk tumors based on WGS and 10% in the SNP array cohort. Expression of SHANK2 was low across human-derived neuroblastoma cell lines and high-risk neuroblastoma tumors. Forced expression of SHANK2 in neuroblastoma cells resulted in significant growth inhibition (P = 2.6 × 10-2 to 3.4 × 10-5) and accelerated neuronal differentiation following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (P = 3.1 × 10-13 to 2.4 × 10-30). These data further define the complex landscape of somatic structural variation in neuroblastoma and suggest that events leading to deregulation of neurodevelopmental processes, such as inactivation of SHANK2, are key mediators of tumorigenesis in this childhood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Lopez
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Karina L Conkrite
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Miriam Doepner
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Apexa Modi
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Genomics and Computational Biology, Biomedical Graduate Studies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Zalman Vaksman
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Lance M Farra
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Eric Hyson
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Moataz Noureddine
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Jun S Wei
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Malcolm A Smith
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA
| | - Robert C Seeger
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jaime Guidry Auvil
- Office of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Daniela S Gerhard
- Office of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Sharon J Diskin
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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130
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Li H, Li J, Zhang C, Zhang C, Wang H. TERT mutations correlate with higher TMB value and unique tumor microenvironment and may be a potential biomarker for anti-CTLA4 treatment. Cancer Med 2020; 9:7151-7160. [PMID: 32810393 PMCID: PMC7541140 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently changed therapeutic paradigms for patients across multiple cancer types. However, current biomarkers cannot accurately predict responses to ICIs. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mutations lead to an aberrant upregulation of TERT expression, and ultimately allow telomere maintenance, thus supporting immortalization of cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate whether the TERT mutation is a potential predictor of ICI treatment across all cancer types. TERT mutations positively correlated with a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) value, neoantigen load, and tumor purity. Lymphocyte infiltration, macrophage regulation, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) response, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) response which was representative immune‐expression signatures, all had higher signature scores in the TERT mutation group. Activated CD4 T cell, naïve B cell, activated dendritic cell, M0 macrophage, M1 macrophage, neutrophil, resting NK cell, and plasma cells all had relatively higher immune scores in the TERT mutation group, whereas Th series cells, memory B cell, resting mast cells, monocytes, and activated NK cells had lower immune scores. Notably, in the subgroup analysis of monotherapy and combination ICI treatment, only in the anti‐cytotoxic‐T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (anti‐CTLA4) group, patients with TERT mutations had a better prognosis, especially for melanoma. Therefore, TERT mutations were closely related to a higher TMB value and unique tumor microenvironment, which may be the reason that TERT mutations may be a potential biomarker for anti‐CTLA4 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahua Li
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenyue Zhang
- Department of Integrated Therapy, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxing Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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131
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in der Stroth L, Tharehalli U, Günes C, Lechel A. Telomeres and Telomerase in the Development of Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2048. [PMID: 32722302 PMCID: PMC7464754 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Liver carcinoma is distinguished by a high heterogeneity in pathogenesis, histopathology and biological behavior. Dysregulated signaling pathways and various gene mutations are frequent in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), which represent the two most common types of liver tumors. Both tumor types are characterized by telomere shortening and reactivation of telomerase during carcinogenesis. Continuous cell proliferation, e.g., by oncogenic mutations, can cause extensive telomere shortening in the absence of sufficient telomerase activity, leading to dysfunctional telomeres and genome instability by breakage-fusion-bridge cycles, which induce senescence or apoptosis as a tumor suppressor mechanism. Telomerase reactivation is required to stabilize telomere functionality and for tumor cell survival, representing a genetic risk factor for the development of liver cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. Therefore, telomeres and telomerase could be useful targets in hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we review similarities and differences between HCC and iCCA in telomere biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena in der Stroth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Umesh Tharehalli
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Cagatay Günes
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - André Lechel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.i.d.S.); (U.T.)
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132
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Identification of RNA-Binding Proteins as Targetable Putative Oncogenes in Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145098. [PMID: 32707690 PMCID: PMC7403987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common childhood cancer with almost a third of those affected still dying, thus new therapeutic strategies need to be explored. Current experimental therapies focus mostly on inhibiting oncogenic transcription factor signalling. Although LIN28B, DICER and other RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have reported roles in neuroblastoma development and patient outcome, the role of RBPs in neuroblastoma is relatively unstudied. In order to elucidate novel RBPs involved in MYCN-amplified and other high-risk neuroblastoma subtypes, we performed differential mRNA expression analysis of RBPs in a large primary tumour cohort (n = 498). Additionally, we found via Kaplan–Meier scanning analysis that 685 of the 1483 tested RBPs have prognostic value in neuroblastoma. For the top putative oncogenic candidates, we analysed their expression in neuroblastoma cell lines, as well as summarised their characteristics and existence of chemical inhibitors. Moreover, to help explain their association with neuroblastoma subtypes, we reviewed candidate RBPs’ potential as biomarkers, and their mechanistic roles in neuronal and cancer contexts. We found several highly significant RBPs including RPL22L1, RNASEH2A, PTRH2, MRPL11 and AFF2, which remain uncharacterised in neuroblastoma. Although not all RBPs appear suitable for drug design, or carry prognostic significance, we show that several RBPs have strong rationale for inhibition and mechanistic studies, representing an alternative, but nonetheless promising therapeutic strategy in neuroblastoma treatment.
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133
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Fernandes SG, Dsouza R, Pandya G, Kirtonia A, Tergaonkar V, Lee SY, Garg M, Khattar E. Role of Telomeres and Telomeric Proteins in Human Malignancies and Their Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1901. [PMID: 32674474 PMCID: PMC7409176 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are the ends of linear chromosomes comprised of repetitive nucleotide sequences in humans. Telomeres preserve chromosomal stability and genomic integrity. Telomere length shortens with every cell division in somatic cells, eventually resulting in replicative senescence once telomere length becomes critically short. Telomere shortening can be overcome by telomerase enzyme activity that is undetectable in somatic cells, while being active in germline cells, stem cells, and immune cells. Telomeres are bound by a shelterin complex that regulates telomere lengthening as well as protects them from being identified as DNA damage sites. Telomeres are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, and generate a long noncoding RNA called telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), which plays a key role in regulating subtelomeric gene expression. Replicative immortality and genome instability are hallmarks of cancer and to attain them cancer cells exploit telomere maintenance and telomere protection mechanisms. Thus, understanding the role of telomeres and their associated proteins in cancer initiation, progression and treatment is very important. The present review highlights the critical role of various telomeric components with recently established functions in cancer. Further, current strategies to target various telomeric components including human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) as a therapeutic approach in human malignancies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina George Fernandes
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
| | - Rebecca Dsouza
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
| | - Gouri Pandya
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anuradha Kirtonia
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (V.T.); (S.Y.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Sook Y. Lee
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (V.T.); (S.Y.L.)
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ekta Khattar
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
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134
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Liu Y, Li C, Shen S, Chen X, Szlachta K, Edmonson MN, Shao Y, Ma X, Hyle J, Wright S, Ju B, Rusch MC, Liu Y, Li B, Macias M, Tian L, Easton J, Qian M, Yang JJ, Hu S, Look AT, Zhang J. Discovery of regulatory noncoding variants in individual cancer genomes by using cis-X. Nat Genet 2020; 52:811-818. [PMID: 32632335 PMCID: PMC7679232 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-020-0659-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We developed cis-X, a computational method for discovering regulatory noncoding variants in cancer by integrating whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing data from a single cancer sample. cis-X first finds aberrantly cis-activated genes that exhibit allele-specific expression accompanied by an elevated outlier expression. It then searches for causal noncoding variants that may introduce aberrant transcription factor binding motifs or enhancer hijacking by structural variations. Analysis of 13 T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemias identified a recurrent intronic variant predicted to cis-activate the TAL1 oncogene, a finding validated in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing of a patient-derived xenograft. Candidate oncogenes include the prolactin receptor PRLR activated by a focal deletion that removes a CTCF-insulated neighborhood boundary. cis-X may be applied to pediatric and adult solid tumors that are aneuploid and heterogeneous. In contrast to existing approaches, which require large sample cohorts, cis-X enables the discovery of regulatory noncoding variants in individual cancer genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shuhong Shen
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Karol Szlachta
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael N Edmonson
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ying Shao
- 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
| | - Judith Hyle
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shaela Wright
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bensheng Ju
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael C Rusch
- 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
| | - Benshang Li
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Macias
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Liqing Tian
- 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
| | - Maoxiang Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jun J Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Hematological Malignancies Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinghui Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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135
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Valencia-Sama I, Ladumor Y, Kee L, Adderley T, Christopher G, Robinson CM, Kano Y, Ohh M, Irwin MS. NRAS Status Determines Sensitivity to SHP2 Inhibitor Combination Therapies Targeting the RAS-MAPK Pathway in Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3413-3423. [PMID: 32586982 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Survival for high-risk neuroblastoma remains poor and treatment for relapsed disease rarely leads to long-term cures. Large sequencing studies of neuroblastoma tumors from diagnosis have not identified common targetable driver mutations other than the 10% of tumors that harbor mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. However, at neuroblastoma recurrence, more frequent mutations in genes in the RAS-MAPK pathway have been detected. The PTPN11-encoded tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is an activator of the RAS pathway, and we and others have shown that pharmacologic inhibition of SHP2 suppresses the growth of various tumor types harboring KRAS mutations such as pancreatic and lung cancers. Here we report inhibition of growth and downstream RAS-MAPK signaling in neuroblastoma cells in response to treatment with the SHP2 inhibitors SHP099, II-B08, and RMC-4550. However, neuroblastoma cell lines harboring endogenous NRAS Q61K mutation (which is commonly detected at relapse) or isogenic neuroblastoma cells engineered to overexpress NRASQ61K were distinctly resistant to SHP2 inhibitors. Combinations of SHP2 inhibitors with other RAS pathway inhibitors such as trametinib, vemurafenib, and ulixertinib were synergistic and reversed resistance to SHP2 inhibition in neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest for the first time that combination therapies targeting SHP2 and other components of the RAS-MAPK pathway may be effective against conventional therapy-resistant relapsed neuroblastoma, including those that have acquired NRAS mutations. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that conventional therapy-resistant, relapsed neuroblastoma may be effectively treated via combined inhibition of SHP2 and MEK or ERK of the RAS-MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivette Valencia-Sama
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yagnesh Ladumor
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lynn Kee
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Teresa Adderley
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Claire M Robinson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yoshihito Kano
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Ohh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Meredith S Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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136
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Koneru B, Lopez G, Farooqi A, Conkrite KL, Nguyen TH, Macha SJ, Modi A, Rokita JL, Urias E, Hindle A, Davidson H, Mccoy K, Nance J, Yazdani V, Irwin MS, Yang S, Wheeler DA, Maris JM, Diskin SJ, Reynolds CP. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms Define Clinical Outcome in High-Risk Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2663-2675. [PMID: 32291317 PMCID: PMC7313726 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. To comprehensively assess the impact of telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) on clinical outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma, we integrated the C-circle assay [a marker for alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)], TERT mRNA expression by RNA-sequencing, whole-genome/exome sequencing, and clinical covariates in 134 neuroblastoma patient samples at diagnosis. In addition, we assessed TMM in neuroblastoma cell lines (n = 104) and patient-derived xenografts (n = 28). ALT was identified in 23.4% of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors and genomic alterations in ATRX were detected in 60% of ALT tumors; 40% of ALT tumors lacked genomic alterations in known ALT-associated genes. Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were classified into three subgroups (TERT-high, ALT+, and TERT-low/non-ALT) based on presence of C-circles and TERT mRNA expression (above or below median TERT expression). Event-free survival was similar among TERT-high, ALT+, or TERT-low/non-ALT patients. However, overall survival (OS) for TERT-low/non-ALT patients was significantly higher relative to TERT-high or ALT patients (log-rank test; P < 0.01) independent of current clinical and molecular prognostic markers. Consistent with the observed higher OS in patients with TERT-low/non-ALT tumors, continuous shortening of telomeres and decreasing viability occurred in low TERT-expressing, non-ALT patient-derived high-risk neuroblastoma cell lines. These findings demonstrate that assaying TMM with TERT mRNA expression and C-circles provides precise stratification of high-risk neuroblastoma into three subgroups with substantially different OS: a previously undescribed TERT-low/non-ALT cohort with superior OS (even after relapse) and two cohorts of patients with poor survival that have distinct molecular therapeutic targets. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings assess telomere maintenance mechanisms with TERT mRNA and the ALT DNA biomarker C-circles to stratify neuroblastoma into three groups, with distinct overall survival independent of currently used clinical risk classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Gonzalo Lopez
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ahsan Farooqi
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Karina L Conkrite
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Thinh H Nguyen
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Shawn J Macha
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Apexa Modi
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eduardo Urias
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Ashly Hindle
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Heather Davidson
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Kristyn Mccoy
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Jonas Nance
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Vanda Yazdani
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - Meredith S Irwin
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shengping Yang
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas
| | - David A Wheeler
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sharon J Diskin
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas.
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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137
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Tanimoto T, Tazawa H, Ieda T, Nouso H, Tani M, Oyama T, Urata Y, Kagawa S, Noda T, Fujiwara T. Elimination of MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells by Telomerase-Targeted Oncolytic Virus via MYCN Suppression. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:14-23. [PMID: 32637577 PMCID: PMC7321810 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a primary malignant tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. High-risk NB is characterized by MYCN amplification and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) rearrangement, contributing to hTERT activation and a poor outcome. For targeting hTERT-activated tumors, we developed two oncolytic adenoviruses, OBP-301 and tumor suppressor p53-armed OBP-702, in which the hTERT promoter drives expression of the viral E1 gene for tumor-specific virus replication. In this study, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the hTERT-driven oncolytic adenoviruses OBP-301 and OBP-702 using four human MYCN-amplified NB cell lines (IMR-32, CHP-134, NB-1, LA-N-5) exhibiting high hTERT expression. OBP-301 and OBP-702 exhibited a strong antitumor effect in association with autophagy in NB cells. Virus-mediated activation of E2F1 protein suppressed MYCN expression. OBP-301 and OBP-702 significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous CHP-134 tumors. Thus, these hTERT-driven oncolytic adenoviruses are promising antitumor agents for eliminating MYCN-amplified NB cells via E2F1-mediated suppression of MYCN protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terutaka Tanimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tazawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ieda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nouso
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Morimichi Tani
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takanori Oyama
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yasuo Urata
- Oncolys BioPharma, Inc., Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kagawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.,Minimally Invasive Therapy Center, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takuo Noda
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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138
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Ooi WF, Nargund AM, Lim KJ, Zhang S, Xing M, Mandoli A, Lim JQ, Ho SWT, Guo Y, Yao X, Lin SJ, Nandi T, Xu C, Ong X, Lee M, Tan ALK, Lam YN, Teo JX, Kaneda A, White KP, Lim WK, Rozen SG, Teh BT, Li S, Skanderup AJ, Tan P. Integrated paired-end enhancer profiling and whole-genome sequencing reveals recurrent CCNE1 and IGF2 enhancer hijacking in primary gastric adenocarcinoma. Gut 2020; 69:1039-1052. [PMID: 31542774 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genomic structural variations (SVs) causing rewiring of cis-regulatory elements remain largely unexplored in gastric cancer (GC). To identify SVs affecting enhancer elements in GC (enhancer-based SVs), we integrated epigenomic enhancer profiles revealed by paired-end H3K27ac ChIP-sequencing from primary GCs with tumour whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data (PeNChIP-seq/WGS). DESIGN We applied PeNChIP-seq to 11 primary GCs and matched normal tissues combined with WGS profiles of >200 GCs. Epigenome profiles were analysed alongside matched RNA-seq data to identify tumour-associated enhancer-based SVs with altered cancer transcription. Functional validation of candidate enhancer-based SVs was performed using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, chromosome conformation capture assays (4C-seq, Capture-C) and Hi-C analysis of primary GCs. RESULTS PeNChIP-seq/WGS revealed ~150 enhancer-based SVs in GC. The majority (63%) of SVs linked to target gene deregulation were associated with increased tumour expression. Enhancer-based SVs targeting CCNE1, a key driver of therapy resistance, occurred in 8% of patients frequently juxtaposing diverse distal enhancers to CCNE1 proximal regions. CCNE1-rearranged GCs were associated with high CCNE1 expression, disrupted CCNE1 topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries, and novel TAD interactions in CCNE1-rearranged primary tumours. We also observed IGF2 enhancer-based SVs, previously noted in colorectal cancer, highlighting a common non-coding genetic driver alteration in gastric and colorectal malignancies. CONCLUSION Integrated paired-end NanoChIP-seq and WGS of gastric tumours reveals tumour-associated regulatory SV in regions associated with both simple and complex genomic rearrangements. Genomic rearrangements may thus exploit enhancer-hijacking as a common mechanism to drive oncogene expression in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Fong Ooi
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amrita M Nargund
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kevin Junliang Lim
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Shenli Zhang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Manjie Xing
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amit Mandoli
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jing Quan Lim
- Lymphoma Genomic Translational Laboratory, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shamaine Wei Ting Ho
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu Guo
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaosai Yao
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suling Joyce Lin
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tannistha Nandi
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chang Xu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xuewen Ong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Minghui Lee
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Angie Lay-Keng Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Yue Ning Lam
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Xian Teo
- SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore
| | - Atsushi Kaneda
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kevin P White
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Tempus Labs, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weng Khong Lim
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore
| | - Steven G Rozen
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore.,Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shang Li
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Anders J Skanderup
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore .,Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre, Singapore
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139
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Raghavan SS, Peternel S, Mully TW, North JP, Pincus LB, LeBoit PE, McCalmont TH, Bastian BC, Yeh I. Spitz melanoma is a distinct subset of spitzoid melanoma. Mod Pathol 2020; 33:1122-1134. [PMID: 31900433 PMCID: PMC7286778 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-019-0445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Melanomas that have histopathologic features that overlap with those of Spitz nevus are referred to as spitzoid melanomas. However, the diagnostic concept is used inconsistently and genomic analyses suggest it is a heterogeneous category. Spitz tumors, the spectrum of melanocytic neoplasms extending from Spitz nevi to their malignant counterpart Spitz melanoma, are defined in the 2018 WHO classification of skin tumors by the presence of specific genetic alterations, such as kinase fusions or HRAS mutations. It is unclear what fraction of "spitzoid melanomas" defined solely by their histopathologic features belong to the category of Spitz melanoma or to other melanoma subtypes. We assembled a cohort of 25 spitzoid melanomas diagnosed at a single institution over an 8-year period and performed high-coverage DNA sequencing of 480 cancer related genes. Transcriptome wide RNA sequencing was performed for select cases. Only nine cases (36%) had genetic alterations characteristic of Spitz melanoma, including HRAS mutation or fusion involving BRAF, ALK, NTRK1, or MAP3K8. The remaining cases were divided into those with an MAPK activating mutation and those without an MAPK activating mutation. Both Spitz melanoma and spitzoid melanomas in which an MAPK-activating mutation could not be identified tended to occur in younger patients on skin with little solar elastosis, infrequently harbored TERT promoter mutations, and had a lower burden of pathogenic mutations than spitzoid melanomas with non-Spitz MAPK-activating mutations. The MAPK-activating mutations identified affected non-V600 residues of BRAF as well as NRAS, MAP2K1/2, NF1, and KIT, while BRAF V600 mutations, the most common mutations in melanomas of the WHO low-CSD category, were entirely absent. While the "spitzoid melanomas" comprising our cohort were enriched for bona fide Spitz melanomas, the majority of melanomas fell outside of the genetically defined category of Spitz melanomas, indicating that histomorphology is an unreliable predictor of Spitz lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Peternel
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Thaddeus W Mully
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey P North
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura B Pincus
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philip E LeBoit
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Timothy H McCalmont
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Boris C Bastian
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Iwei Yeh
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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140
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Jia Q, Chen S, Tan Y, Li Y, Tang F. Oncogenic super-enhancer formation in tumorigenesis and its molecular mechanisms. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:713-723. [PMID: 32382065 PMCID: PMC7272638 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Super-enhancers (SEs) consist of a cluster of many enhancers bound to a great number of transcription factors. They are critical cis-regulatory elements that determine the identity of various human cell types. During tumorigenesis, DNA mutations and indels, chromosomal rearrangements, three-dimensional chromatin structural changes, and viral infections mediate oncogenic SE activation, and activated SEs have been found to regulate the expression of oncogenic genes. Inhibition specifically targeted to oncogenic SE assembly and activation provides a novel powerful therapeutic strategy for various cancers. In this paper, we first introduce the current understanding of oncogenic SE assembly and activation and then summarize the pathogenic factors and mechanism of oncogenic SE activation. Next, we elaborate on the oncogenic functions of SEs in cancers and the application of SEs as therapeutic targets. Finally, we turn our focus to the use of SEs in basic research and clinical trials. Drugs that block the assembly and activation of large DNA segments involved in enhancing gene expression could help in the treatment of cancer. Faqing Tang of Hunan Cancer Hospital in Changsha, China, and colleagues review the ways in which cancer cells hijack clusters of gene-regulating sequences known as super-enhancers, regulatory gene regions that normally help determine a cell’s unique identity, to drive the aberrant gene activity that fuels tumor growth. The researchers describe how numerous factors, ranging from internal DNA alterations, both large and small, to viral infections and other external assaults, can spur the formation of cancer-causing super-enhancers, leading to out-of-control gene expression. Therapies that selectively target these super-enhancers are now in early clinical testing. However, more studies of super-enhancers and their role in cancer development are needed to inform future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunying Jia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Shuhua Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Tan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Yuejin Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Faqing Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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141
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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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142
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Andolfo I, Lasorsa VA, Manna F, Rosato BE, Formicola D, Iolascon A, Capasso M. Kinome multigenic panel identified novel druggable EPHB4-V871I somatic variant in high-risk neuroblastoma. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:6459-6471. [PMID: 32336043 PMCID: PMC7294133 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial neoplasm in children. The overall outcome for high‐risk NB patients is still unacceptable, therefore, it is critical to deeply understand molecular mechanisms associated with NB, which in turn can be utilized for developing drugs towards the treatment of NB. Protein kinases (TKs) play an essential role in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation. Different kinases, such as anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), Aurora kinase, RET receptor tyrosine kinase, are potential therapeutic targets in various cancers, including NB. We analysed a cohort of 45 high‐risk NB patients and 9 NB cell lines by a targeted—(t)NGS custom gene panel (genes codifying for the kinase domains of 90 TKs). We identified somatic variants in four TK genes (ALK, EPHB4, LMTK3 and EPHB6) in NB patients and we functionally characterized an interesting somatic variant, V871I, in EPHB4 gene. EPHB4 plays a crucial role in cardiovascular development and regulates vascularization in cancer‐promoting angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis. Several EPHB4 mutations have previously been identified in solid and haematological tumour specimens but EPHB4 mutations were not described until now in NB. Interestingly, a re‐analysis of public CGH‐array showed that the EPHB4 gain is associated with advanced diseases in NB. We further demonstrated that higher EPHB4 expression is correlated to stage 4 of NB and with poor overall survival. Additionally, we also revealed that the EPHB4‐V871I accounts for increased proliferation, migration and invasion properties in two NB cell lines by acting on VEGF, c‐RAF and CDK4 target genes and by increasing the phosphorylation of ERK1‐2 pathway. The use of two EPHB4 inhibitors, JI‐101 and NVP‐BHG712, was able to rescue the phenotype driven by the variant. Our study suggested that EPHB4 is a promising therapeutic target in high‐risk NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immacolata Andolfo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Vito A Lasorsa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Manna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara E Rosato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.,IRCCS SDN, Naples, Italy
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143
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood with a median age of presentation of 17 months. A common theme in high-risk neuroblastoma is maintenance of telomeres, one mechanism for which involves alternate lengthening of telomeres (ALT) associated with ATRX gene mutations. Mutations are believed to result in loss of ATRX protein, and therefore immunohistochemistry is used to detect mutations. We screened 133 cases of neuroblastoma by ATRX immunohistochemistry, and found 9 cases with partial to total absence of ATRX. Sequencing for ATRX mutations detected a mutation in 1 of 9 cases, suggesting immunostaining was not reliable for detecting mutations. To correlate immunostaining with ALT, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for ALT was performed in 6 of these cases and 5 (from 4 patients) showed ALT, implying impaired ATRX protein function, despite the failure to identify a mutation. Two other cases with large deletions in the ATRX gene showed diffusely positive staining for ATRX protein but showed ALT by FISH. Four of the 6 patients with ALT-positive tumors were over 5 years old. Therefore, 29 additional patients 5 years old and above with ATRX-positive tumors were screened for ALT by FISH and 6 additional cases with ALT were detected, bringing the total to 29% (10/34) of children 5 years old and above, 70% of which showed positive ATRX immunohistochemistry. Patients with ATRX mutations in neuroblastoma tend to have a more chronic and progressive course of disease. Screening neuroblastoma tumors at diagnosis for ATRX mutations may help identify patients who might benefit from personalized therapy directed against ALT. However, relaying on negative immunohistochemistry for ATRX protein to identify ALT in neuroblastoma may miss a significant proportion of patients. The addition of FISH for ALT as part of the diagnostic workup, especially for older children (5 y old and above), would help ensure that patients are correctly identified for anti-ALT therapy.
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144
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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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145
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Roake CM, Artandi SE. Regulation of human telomerase in homeostasis and disease. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:384-397. [PMID: 32242127 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0234-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex, the catalytic core of which includes the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the non-coding human telomerase RNA (hTR), which serves as a template for the addition of telomeric repeats to chromosome ends. Telomerase expression is restricted in humans to certain cell types, and telomerase levels are tightly controlled in normal conditions. Increased levels of telomerase are found in the vast majority of human cancers, and we have recently begun to understand the mechanisms by which cancer cells increase telomerase activity. Conversely, germline mutations in telomerase-relevant genes that decrease telomerase function cause a range of genetic disorders, including dyskeratosis congenita, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bone marrow failure. In this Review, we discuss the transcriptional regulation of human TERT, hTR processing, assembly of the telomerase complex, the cellular localization of telomerase and its recruitment to telomeres, and the regulation of telomerase activity. We also discuss the disease relevance of each of these steps of telomerase biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Roake
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Steven E Artandi
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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146
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Applebaum MA, Barr EK, Karpus J, West-Szymanski DC, Oliva M, Sokol EA, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Zhang W, Chlenski A, Salwen HR, Wilkinson E, Dobratic M, Grossman RL, Godley LA, Stranger BE, He C, Cohn SL. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Profiles in Circulating Cell-Free DNA Associate with Disease Burden in Children with Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:1309-1317. [PMID: 31852832 PMCID: PMC7073281 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is an epigenetic marker of open chromatin and active gene expression. We profiled 5-hmC with Nano-hmC-Seal technology using 10 ng of plasma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood samples from patients with neuroblastoma to determine its utility as a biomarker. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN For the Discovery cohort, 100 5-hmC profiles were generated from 34 well children and 32 patients (27 high-risk, 2 intermediate-risk, and 3 low-risk) at various time points during the course of their disease. An independent Validation cohort encompassed 5-hmC cfDNA profiles (n = 29) generated from 21 patients (20 high-risk and 1 intermediate-risk). Metastatic burden was classified as high, moderate, low, or none per Curie metaiodobenzylguanidine scores and percentage of tumor cells in bone marrow. Genes with differential 5-hmC levels between samples according to metastatic burden were identified using DESeq2. RESULTS Hierarchical clustering using 5-hmC levels of 347 genes identified from the Discovery cohort defined four clusters of samples that were confirmed in the Validation cohort and corresponded to high, high-moderate, moderate, and low/no metastatic burden. Samples from patients with increased metastatic burden had increased 5-hmC deposition on genes in neuronal stem cell maintenance and epigenetic regulatory pathways. Further, 5-hmC cfDNA profiles generated with 1,242 neuronal pathway genes were associated with subsequent relapse in the cluster of patients with predominantly low or no metastatic burden (sensitivity 65%, specificity 75.6%). CONCLUSIONS cfDNA 5-hmC profiles in children with neuroblastoma correlate with metastatic burden and warrants development as a biomarker of treatment response and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Applebaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Erin K Barr
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Jason Karpus
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Meritxell Oliva
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elizabeth A Sokol
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Helen R Salwen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emma Wilkinson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marija Dobratic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert L Grossman
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, Center for Translational Data Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lucy A Godley
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Susan L Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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147
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Lorbeer FK, Hockemeyer D. TERT promoter mutations and telomeres during tumorigenesis. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 60:56-62. [PMID: 32163830 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase regulation and telomere shortening act as a strong tumor suppressor mechanism in human somatic cells. Point mutations in the promoter of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) are the most frequent non-coding mutation in cancer. These TERT promoter mutations (TPMs) create de novo ETS factor binding sites upstream of the start codon of the gene, which can be bound by different ETS factors. TPMs can occur early during tumorigenesis and are thought to be among the first mutations in melanoma, glioblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite their association with increased TERT levels, TPMs do not prohibit telomere shortening and TPM-harboring cancers present with short telomeres. Their short telomere length combined with their high prevalence and specificity for cancer makes TPMs an attractive target for future therapeutic exploitation of telomerase inhibition and telomere deprotection-induced cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska K Lorbeer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dirk Hockemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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148
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Bhargava R, Fischer M, O'Sullivan RJ. Genome rearrangements associated with aberrant telomere maintenance. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 60:31-40. [PMID: 32145504 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
There is unequivocal evidence that telomeres are crucial for cellular homeostasis and that telomere dysfunction can elicit genome instability and potentially initiate events that culminate in cancer. Mounting evidence points to telomeres having a crucial role in driving local and systemic structural rearrangements that drive cancer. These include the classical 'breakage-fusion-bridge' (BFB) cycles and more recently identified genome re-shaping events like kataegis and chromothripsis. In this brief review, we outline the established and most recent advances describing the roles that telomere dysfunction has in the origin of these catastrophic genome rearrangements. We discuss how local and systemic structural rearrangements enable telomere length maintenance, by either telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres, that is essential to sustain cancer cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragini Bhargava
- University of Pittsburgh UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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149
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Yoo SK, Song YS, Park YJ, Seo JS. Recent Improvements in Genomic and Transcriptomic Understanding of Anaplastic and Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancers. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2020; 35:44-54. [PMID: 32207263 PMCID: PMC7090308 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2020.35.1.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a lethal human cancer with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Recently, its genomic and transcriptomic characteristics have been extensively elucidated over 5 years owing to advance in high throughput sequencing. These efforts have extended molecular understandings into the progression mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities of aggressive thyroid cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of genomic and transcriptomic alterations in ATC and poorly-differentiated thyroid cancer, which are distinguished from differentiated thyroid cancers. Clinically relevant genomic alterations and deregulated signaling pathways will be able to shed light on more effective prevention and stratified therapeutic interventions for affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Keun Yoo
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Jeong Sun Seo
- Precision Medicine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Gong-Wu Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Macrogen Inc., Seoul, Korea.
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150
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Pudela C, Balyasny S, Applebaum MA. Nervous system: Embryonal tumors: Neuroblastoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24:284-290. [PMID: 32296467 DOI: 10.4267/2042/70771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a clinically heterogenous pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that originates from neural crest cells. It is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and prognosis ranges from spontaneous tumor regression to aggressive disease resistant to multimodal therapy. Prognosis depends on patient characteristics and tumor biology that determine risk classification. Advancements in therapy reductions are merited for low- and intermediate-risk neuroblastoma patients, who generally have excellent outcomes. Of the patients with high-risk disease, only 50% achieve long-term survival, and therapeutic advancements are needed. Over the past several decades, genomic features such as germline mutations, somatic genetic aberrations, chromosome copy number, transcriptomics, and epigenetics have proven to contribute to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. The primary predisposition genes in familial neuroblastoma are ALK and PHOX2B. Sporadic neuroblastoma arises with complex pathogenesis, but chromosomal abnormalities and single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified to cooperatively lead to oncogenesis. These advances have led to new therapeutic approaches with the potential to improve outcomes for children with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caileigh Pudela
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Skye Balyasny
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mark A Applebaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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