101
|
Awad O, Yustein JT, Shah P, Gul N, Katuri V, O'Neill A, Kong Y, Brown ML, Toretsky JA, Loeb DM. High ALDH activity identifies chemotherapy-resistant Ewing's sarcoma stem cells that retain sensitivity to EWS-FLI1 inhibition. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13943. [PMID: 21085683 PMCID: PMC2978678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells are a chemotherapy-resistant population capable of self-renewal and of regenerating the bulk tumor, thereby causing relapse and patient death. Ewing's sarcoma, the second most common form of bone tumor in adolescents and young adults, follows a clinical pattern consistent with the Cancer Stem Cell model - remission is easily achieved, even for patients with metastatic disease, but relapse remains frequent and is usually fatal. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We have isolated a subpopulation of Ewing's sarcoma cells, from both human cell lines and human xenografts grown in immune deficient mice, which express high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH(high)) activity and are enriched for clonogenicity, sphere-formation, and tumor initiation. The ALDH(high) cells are resistant to chemotherapy in vitro, but this can be overcome by the ATP binding cassette transport protein inhibitor, verapamil. Importantly, these cells are not resistant to YK-4-279, a small molecule inhibitor of EWS-FLI1 that is selectively toxic to Ewing's sarcoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Ewing's sarcoma contains an ALDH(high) stem-like population of chemotherapy-resistant cells that retain sensitivity to EWS-FLI1 inhibition. Inhibiting the EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein may prove to be an effective means of improving patient outcomes by targeting Ewing's sarcoma stem cells that survive standard chemotherapy.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Doxorubicin/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sarcoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Experimental/pathology
- Spheroids, Cellular/drug effects
- Spheroids, Cellular/metabolism
- Spheroids, Cellular/pathology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Verapamil/pharmacology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola Awad
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jason T. Yustein
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Preeti Shah
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Naheed Gul
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Varalakshmi Katuri
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alison O'Neill
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Yali Kong
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Milton L. Brown
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - David M. Loeb
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Cell Cycle Deregulation in Ewing's Sarcoma Pathogenesis. Sarcoma 2010; 2011:598704. [PMID: 21052502 PMCID: PMC2968116 DOI: 10.1155/2011/598704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of bone that usually contains the characteristic chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12). This translocation encodes the oncogenic fusion protein EWS/FLI, which acts as an aberrant transcription factor to deregulate target genes necessary for oncogenesis. One key feature of oncogenic transformation is dysregulation of cell cycle control. It is therefore likely that EWS/FLI and other cooperating mutations in Ewing's sarcoma modulate the cell cycle to facilitate tumorigenesis. This paper will summarize current published data associated with deregulation of the cell cycle in Ewing's sarcoma and highlight important questions that remain to be answered.
Collapse
|
103
|
Abstract
Cancer is a disease whose progression is driven by a series of accumulating genetic and epigenetic changes influenced by hereditary factors and the somatic environment. These changes result in individual cells acquiring a phenotype that provides those cells with a survival advantage over surrounding normal cells. Our understanding of the processes that occur in malignant transformation is increasing, with many discoveries in cancer cell biology having been made through the study of childhood tumors. The processes involved in oncogenesis and cancer progression will be discussed in this review.
Collapse
|
104
|
Enguita-Germán M, Schiapparelli P, Rey JA, Castresana JS. CD133+ cells from medulloblastoma and PNET cell lines are more resistant to cyclopamine inhibition of the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway than CD133- cells. Tumour Biol 2010; 31:381-90. [PMID: 20480407 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-010-0046-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CD133 has recently been used as a reliable marker for brain tumor stem cells isolation. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is implicated in medulloblastoma and central primitive neuroectodermal tumor (cPNET) formation. It has recently been suggested a role for the EWS/FLI1 fusion protein--typical of pPNET--in the upregulation of GLI1 and PTCH1 genes. Cyclopamine inhibits the SHH pathway in medulloblastoma cell lines, but its effect on cPNET and pPNET cell lines has not been well established yet. Our purpose was to study the effect of cyclopamine on medulloblastoma and PNET cell lines and to analyze whether CD133 expression might be able to modify this effect. We analyzed gene expression, cell viability, apoptosis, and tumorigenic capability before and after cyclopamine treatment in CD133 high-expressing and CD133 low-expressing cell lines. All medulloblastoma and PNET cell lines displayed an inhibitory effect on the expression of SHH pathway genes, on viability, and on tumorigenic potential after treatment. Nevertheless, CD133 expression made the cells more resistant to cyclopamine inhibition. These results open new doors to the understanding of CD133+ cancer stem cells as residual cells that might be responsible for treatment resistance.
Collapse
|
105
|
Jedlicka P. Ewing Sarcoma, an enigmatic malignancy of likely progenitor cell origin, driven by transcription factor oncogenic fusions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2010; 3:338-347. [PMID: 20490326 PMCID: PMC2872742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Since its first description by James Ewing in 1921, Ewing Sarcoma has been a cryptic malignancy. A poorly differentiated tumor of uncertain histogenesis and aggressive biologic behavior, it is the second most common malignancy of bone and soft tissue affecting adolescents and young adults. Some two decades ago, the understanding of Ewing Sarcoma biology took a leap forward with the identification of recurrent EWS/Ets fusions, which drive onco-genesis in this disease. A further leap forward occurred over the last half decade with the application of gene silencing, global expression profiling and primary cell culture technologies to the study of this disease. Resulting work has revealed EWS/Ets fusions to be surprisingly versatile regulators of gene expression, and has narrowed the search for the elusive cell of origin. Improved understanding of EWS/Ets biology and relevant oncogenic pathways has in turn led to the development of targeted therapies, including, recently, small molecules targeting key complexes involving the oncogenic fusion itself. In many respects still remaining an enigma, Ewing Sarcoma is an important model for cancers originating in progenitor-type cells or manifesting progenitor-type cell features, and cancers containing recurrent oncogenic fusions, the latter a surprisingly expanding number.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Rocchi A, Manara MC, Sciandra M, Zambelli D, Nardi F, Nicoletti G, Garofalo C, Meschini S, Astolfi A, Colombo MP, Lessnick SL, Picci P, Scotlandi K. CD99 inhibits neural differentiation of human Ewing sarcoma cells and thereby contributes to oncogenesis. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:668-80. [PMID: 20197622 DOI: 10.1172/jci36667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive bone tumor of uncertain cellular origin. CD99 is a membrane protein that is expressed in most cases of EWS, although its function in the disease is unknown. Here we have shown that endogenous CD99 expression modulates EWS tumor differentiation and malignancy. We determined that knocking down CD99 expression in human EWS cell lines reduced their ability to form tumors and bone metastases when xenografted into immunodeficient mice and diminished their tumorigenic characteristics in vitro. Further, reduction of CD99 expression resulted in neurite outgrowth and increased expression of beta-III tubulin and markers of neural differentiation. Analysis of a panel of human EWS cells revealed an inverse correlation between CD99 and H-neurofilament expression, as well as an inverse correlation between neural differentiation and oncogenic transformation. As knockdown of CD99 also led to an increase in phosphorylation of ERK1/2, we suggest that the CD99-mediated prevention of neural differentiation of EWS occurs through MAPK pathway modulation. Together, these data indicate a new role for CD99 in preventing neural differentiation of EWS cells and suggest that blockade of CD99 or its downstream molecular pathway may be a new therapeutic approach for EWS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rocchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, CRS Development of Biomolecular Therapies, SSN Emilia Romagna Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli IRCCS, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
107
|
Elhamess H, Bertrand JR, Maccario J, Maksimenko A, Malvy C. Antitumor vectorized oligonucleotides in a model of ewing sarcoma: unexpected role of nanoparticles. Oligonucleotides 2009; 19:255-64. [PMID: 19732024 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2009.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) such as antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ON) and siRNAs are used as experimental tools to study gene function and are currently being tested in clinical trials for use as therapeutic anticancer agents. However, their therapeutic use has been limited by their low physiological stability and their slow cellular uptake. The systemic delivery of sequence-specific AS-ON targeting the EWS/FLI1 gene product by a targeted, nonviral delivery system dramatically inhibits tumor growth in a murine model of Ewing's sarcoma. The nonviral delivery system uses a poly-iso-hexyl-cyanoacrylate (PIHCA)-containing polycation (chitosan) to bind and protect the AS-ON. No antitumor effect is observed using a control oligonucleotide sequence. We found here that injection of the free AS-ON stimulates tumor growth independently of its sequence and that this stimulation is abolished in the presence of nanosphere-chitosan, which exerts with the oligonucleotides a specific inhibitory effect on tumor growth. The stimulation of tumor growth is likely to be due to a polyanionic effect; indeed, a similar stimulatory response is observed upon treatment with dextran sulfate and heparin in vivo. These results suggest that ON loaded onto nanosphere-chitosan provides efficient and tumor-specific delivery, and provides protection against a polyanionic secondary effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hind Elhamess
- Laboratoire de Vectorologie et Transfert des Gènes, Institut Gustave Roussy, UMR CNRS 8121, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, Villejuif Cedex 94805, France.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
108
|
Abstract
Small round cell sarcomas are the most aggressive of the tumors morphologically and clinically encountered in children and adults, and in some ways the most leukemia- or lymphoma-like of sarcomas. Small round cell sarcomas often are associated with chromosomal translocations, like hematologic malignancies, and are usually more sensitive to chemotherapy than other sarcoma subtypes. They have a high risk of mortality, but chemotherapy (in addition to surgery and often radiation therapy) provides a good cure rate, although treatment is often long and intensive. The biology of these tumors is very telling in terms of some of the mechanisms of cancer cell survival and proliferation. Although there is some overlap of the discussion below with the section on translocation associated sarcomas, we have highlighted some of the key issues with these sarcomas below, with some ideas that may bear fruit both in terms of the management of these, other sarcomas, and other cancers alike.
Collapse
|
109
|
Luo W, Gangwal K, Sankar S, Boucher KM, Thomas D, Lessnick SL. GSTM4 is a microsatellite-containing EWS/FLI target involved in Ewing's sarcoma oncogenesis and therapeutic resistance. Oncogene 2009; 28:4126-32. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2009.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
110
|
|
111
|
Phosphorylation of Ewing's sarcoma protein (EWS) and EWS-Fli1 in response to DNA damage. Biochem J 2009; 418:625-34. [PMID: 19076070 DOI: 10.1042/bj20082097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In Ewing's sarcomas, chromosomal translocations cause the N-terminal domain of the EWS (Ewing's sarcoma protein) to fuse with the DNA-binding domains of the Ets (E26 transformation-specific) family of transcription factors. Here we show that EWS and EWS-Fli1 (Friend leukaemia virus integration 1), the fusion most frequently found in Ewing's sarcomas, become phosphorylated at Thr(79) in response to either mitogens or DNA-damaging agents. The much weaker mitogen-induced phosphorylation of EWS is catalysed by the MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) ERK1 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1) and ERK2, whereas the much stronger phosphorylation of EWS induced by the DNA alkylating agent MMS (methyl methanesulphonate) can be catalysed by JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and at least one other protein kinase distinct from ERK1/ERK2. In contrast, the phosphorylation of EWS-Fli1 induced by MMS was largely mediated by p38alpha/p38beta MAPKs. MMS induced a much stronger phosphorylation of EWS-Fli1 than EWS in heterodimers comprising both proteins.
Collapse
|
112
|
Cui JW, Vecchiarelli-Federico LM, Li YJ, Wang GJ, Ben-David Y. Continuous Fli-1 expression plays an essential role in the proliferation and survival of F-MuLV-induced erythroleukemia and human erythroleukemia. Leukemia 2009; 23:1311-9. [PMID: 19282832 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2009.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Erythroleukemia induced by Friend Murine Leukemia Virus (F-MuLV) serves as a powerful tool for the study of multistage carcinogenesis and hematological malignancies in mice. Fli-1, a proto-oncogene and member of the Ets family, is activated through viral integration in F-MuLV-induced erythroleukemia, and is the most critical event in the induction of this disease. Fli-1 aberrant regulation is also observed in human malignancies, including Ewing's sarcoma, which is often linked to expression of the EWS/Fli-1 fusion oncoprotein. Here we examined the effects of Fli-1 inhibition to further elucidate its role in these pathological occurrences. The constitutive suppression of Fli-1, through RNA interference (RNAi), inhibits growth and induces death in F-MuLV-induced erythroleukemia cells. Expression of a dominant negative protein Engrailed (En)/Fli-1 reduces proliferation of EWS/Fli-1-transformed NIH-3T3 cells, and both F-MuLV-induced and human erythroleukemia cells. F-MuLV-induced erythroleukemia cells also display increased apoptosis, associated with reduced expression of bcl-2, a known fli-1 target gene. Introduction of En/Fli-1 into an F-MuLV-infected erythroblastic cell line induces differentiation, as shown by increased alpha-globin expression. These results suggest, for the first time, an essential role for continuous Fli-1 overexpression in the maintenance and survival of the malignant phenotype in murine and human erythroleukemias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J-W Cui
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
113
|
Proctor A, Brownhill SC, Burchill SA. The promise of telomere length, telomerase activity and its regulation in the translocation-dependent cancer ESFT; clinical challenges and utility. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2009; 1792:260-74. [PMID: 19264125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2009.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Revised: 02/19/2009] [Accepted: 02/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumours (ESFT) are diagnosed by EWS-ETS gene translocations. The resulting fusion proteins play a role in both the initiation and maintenance of these solid aggressive malignant tumours, suppressing cellular senescence and increasing cell proliferation and survival. EWS-ETS fusion proteins have altered transcriptional activity, inducing expression of a number of different target genes including telomerase. Up-regulation of hTERT is most likely responsible for the high levels of telomerase activity in primary ESFT, although telomerase activity and expression of hTERT are not predictive of outcome. However levels of telomerase activity in peripheral blood may be useful to monitor response to some therapeutics. Despite high levels of telomerase activity, telomeres in ESFT are frequently shorter than those of matched normal cells. Uncertainty about the role that telomerase and regulators of its activity play in the maintenance of telomere length in normal and cancer cells, and lack of studies examining the relationship between telomerase activity, regulators of its activity and their clinical significance in patient samples have limited their introduction into clinical practice. Studies in clinical samples using standardised assays are critical to establish how telomerase and regulators of its activity might best be exploited for patient benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Proctor
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
114
|
Braun BS, Lessnick SL. Pediatric malignancies: update on sarcomas and leukemia development in children. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2009; 19:92-6. [PMID: 19186049 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2008.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2008] [Revised: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the rarity of malignancies in children, their study has provided important insights into normal cellular growth regulation and into cancer development. Here we present a few vignettes in pediatric leukemia and sarcoma that highlight a number of trends in basic, translational, and clinical research. These include the application of new methodologies for oncogene discovery, new approaches to study oncogenes, the use of genetically engineered models to identify tumor cell-of-origins, and the use of targeted therapeutics against pathways not thought to be mutant in tumor cells. Through the use of such methodologies, an improved understanding of pediatric malignancy is emerging, and is being applied to the care of children with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Braun
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
115
|
Abstract
ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated), ATR (ATM- and Rad3-related) and DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase), important regulators of genome stability, belong to the PIKK (phosphoinositide 3-kinase-like kinase) family of protein kinases. In the present study, DNA-affinity chromatography was used to identify DNA-binding proteins phosphorylated by these kinases. This resulted in the identification of FUS (fused in sarcoma)/TLS (translocated in liposarcoma) as an in vitro target of the PIKKs. FUS is a member of the Ewing's sarcoma family of proteins that appears to play a role in regulating genome stability, since mice lacking FUS show chromosomal instability and defects in meiosis. The residues in FUS that are phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo were identified, and phospho-specific antibodies were generated to demonstrate that FUS becomes phosphorylated at Ser(42) in vivo, primarily in response to agents that cause DSBs (double-strand breaks). DSB-induced FUS phosphorylation in vivo at Ser(42) requires ATM and not DNA-PK. Although Ser(42) is retained in the oncogenic FUS-CHOP [C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein)-homologous protein 10] fusion generated by a t(12;16)(q13;p11) chromosomal translocation, Ser(42) in FUS-CHOP is not phosphorylated after DNA damage. These results identify FUS as a new target of the ATM-signalling pathway and strengthen the notion that FUS regulates genome stability.
Collapse
|
116
|
Lin PP, Pandey MK, Jin F, Xiong S, Deavers M, Parant JM, Lozano G. EWS-FLI1 induces developmental abnormalities and accelerates sarcoma formation in a transgenic mouse model. Cancer Res 2008; 68:8968-75. [PMID: 18974141 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-0573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is characterized by the t(11;22)(q24:q12) reciprocal translocation. To study the effects of the fusion gene EWS-FLI1 on development and tumor formation, a transgenic mouse model was created. A strategy of conditional expression was used to limit the potentially deleterious effects of EWS-FLI1 to certain tissues. In the absence of Cre recombinase, EWS-FLI1 was not expressed in the EWS-FLI1 transgenic mice, and they had a normal phenotype. When crossed to the Prx1-Cre transgenic mouse, which expresses Cre recombinase in the primitive mesenchymal cells of the embryonic limb bud, the EF mice were noted to have a number of developmental defects of the limbs. These included shortening of the limbs, muscle atrophy, cartilage dysplasia, and immature bone. By itself, EWS-FLI1 did not induce the formation of tumors in the EF transgenic mice. However, in the setting of p53 deletion, EWS-FLI1 accelerated the formation of sarcomas from a median time of 50 to 21 weeks. Furthermore, EWS-FLI1 altered the type of tumor that formed. Conditional deletion of p53 in mesenchymal cells (Prx1-Cre p53(lox/lox)) produced osteosarcomas as the predominant tumor. The presence of EWS-FLI1 shifted the tumor phenotype to a poorly differentiated sarcoma. The results taken together suggest that EWS-FLI1 inhibits normal limb development and accelerates the formation of poorly differentiated sarcomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick P Lin
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
117
|
Ordóñez JL, Martins AS, Osuna D, Madoz–Gúrpide J, de Alava E. Targeting sarcomas: therapeutic targets and their rational. Semin Diagn Pathol 2008; 25:304-16. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
118
|
Magwere T, Myatt SS, Burchill SA. Manipulation of oxidative stress to induce cell death in Ewing’s sarcoma family of tumours. Eur J Cancer 2008; 44:2276-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2008] [Revised: 05/22/2008] [Accepted: 06/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
119
|
Chromosomal translocations in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2008; 1786:139-52. [PMID: 18718509 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2008] [Revised: 07/15/2008] [Accepted: 07/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic alterations in DNA can lead to cancer when it is present in proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair genes etc. Examples of such alterations include deletions, inversions and chromosomal translocations. Among these rearrangements chromosomal translocations are considered as the primary cause for many cancers including lymphoma, leukemia and some solid tumors. Chromosomal translocations in certain cases can result either in the fusion of genes or in bringing genes close to enhancer or promoter elements, hence leading to their altered expression. Moreover, chromosomal translocations are used as diagnostic markers for cancer and its therapeutics. In the first part of this review, we summarize the well-studied chromosomal translocations in cancer. Although the mechanism of formation of most of these translocations is still unclear, in the second part we discuss the recent advances in this area of research.
Collapse
|
120
|
Ewing sarcoma: historical perspectives, current state-of-the-art, and opportunities for targeted therapy in the future. Curr Opin Oncol 2008; 20:412-8. [PMID: 18525337 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0b013e328303ba1d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As the second most common bone malignancy in children and adolescents, Ewing sarcoma family tumors represent almost 3% of pediatric cancers. Multidisciplinary management of patients with Ewing sarcoma has substantially improved the likelihood of survival for patients with localized disease. Yet, the prognosis of those with metastatic or recurrent disease has changed very little over the past three decades. Here, we focus on the current state-of-the-art in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of Ewing's sarcoma and then highlight the most likely biological targets amenable to future therapies. RECENT FINDINGS An improved understanding of the molecular biology of Ewing's sarcoma has led to clinical trials testing novel therapies specifically designed to thwart critical pathways responsible for this malignancy. Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor targeted monoclonal antibodies are just one example that has shown promise in early phase human clinical trials. SUMMARY With an improved understanding of the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and other '-omic' events that promote and sustain Ewing pathogenesis, the use of nascent biologically targeted therapeutics is on the horizon. Understanding how and when to integrate such therapies into clinical practice, although challenging, may lead to a paradigm shift towards more personalized therapy.
Collapse
|
121
|
Coles EG, Lawlor ER, Bronner-Fraser M. EWS-FLI1 causes neuroepithelial defects and abrogates emigration of neural crest stem cells. Stem Cells 2008; 26:2237-44. [PMID: 18556509 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The most frequently occurring chromosomal translocation that gives rise to the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is the chimeric fusion gene EWS-FLI1 that encodes an oncogenic protein composed of the N terminus of EWS and the C terminus of FLI1. Although the genetic basis of ESFT is fairly well understood, its putative cellular origin remains to be determined. Previous work has proposed that neural crest progenitor cells may be the causative cell type responsible for ESFT. However, surprisingly little is known about the expression pattern or role of either wild-type EWS or wild-type FLI1 in this cell population during early embryonic development. Using the developing chick embryo as a model system, we identified EWS expression in emigrating and migratory neural crest stem cells, whereas FLI1 transcripts were found to be absent in these populations and were restricted to developing endothelial cells. By ectopically expressing EWS-FLI1 or wild-type FLI1 in the developing embryo, we have been able to study the cellular transformations that ensue in the context of an in vivo model system. Our results reveal that misexpression of the chimeric EWS-FLI1 fusion gene, or wild-type FLI1, in the developing neural crest stem cell population leads to significant aberrations in neural crest development. An intriguing possibility is that misexpression of the EWS-FLI1 oncogene in neural crest-derived stem cells may be an initiating event in ESFT genesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward G Coles
- Division of Biology M/C 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
122
|
Li H, Smolen GA, Beers LF, Xia L, Gerald W, Wang J, Haber DA, Lee SB. Adenosine transporter ENT4 is a direct target of EWS/WT1 translocation product and is highly expressed in desmoplastic small round cell tumor. PLoS One 2008; 3:e2353. [PMID: 18523561 PMCID: PMC2394657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a highly aggressive malignancy that affects mainly adolescents and young adults. A defining characteristic of DSRCT is a specific chromosomal translocation, t(11;22)(p13;q12), that fuses EWS with WT1, leading to a production of two isoforms of chimeric transcription factor, EWS/WT1(−KTS) and EWS/WT1(+KTS). The chimeric proteins are thought to play critical roles in various stages of oncogenesis through aberrant transcription of different genes, but only a few of these genes have been identified. Methodology/Principal Findings We report the identification of a new target of EWS/WT1, ENT4 (equilibrative nucleoside transporter 4) which encodes a pH-dependent adenosine transporter. ENT4 is transcriptionally activated by both isoforms of EWS/WT1 as evidenced by promoter-reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses. Furthermore, ENT4 is highly and specifically expressed in primary tumors of DSRCT as well as in a DSRCT cell line, JN-DSRCT-1. Treatment of JN-DSRCT-1 cells with adenosine analogs, such as 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (2-CdA), resulted in an increased cytotoxic response in dose- and pH-dependent manner. Conclusions/Significance Our detailed analyses of a novel target of EWS/WT1 in DSRCT reveal an insight into the oncogenic mechanism of EWS-fusion chromosomal translocation gene products and provide a new marker for DSRCT. Furthermore, identification of ENT4 as a highly expressed transcript in DSRCT may represent an attractive pathway for targeting chemotherapeutic drugs into DSRCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Li
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gromoslaw A. Smolen
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lisa F. Beers
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Li Xia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - William Gerald
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Joanne Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Haber
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sean Bong Lee
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
123
|
Hu HM, Zielinska-Kwiatkowska A, Munro K, Wilcox J, Wu DY, Yang L, Chansky HA. EWS/FLI1 suppresses retinoblastoma protein function and senescence in Ewing's sarcoma cells. J Orthop Res 2008; 26:886-93. [PMID: 18271016 DOI: 10.1002/jor.20597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Ewing's Family Tumors (EFTs) most commonly harbor a specific t(11;22) translocation that generates the EWS/FLI1 fusion protein responsible for malignant transformation. Many potential downstream targets of EWS/FLI1 have been identified but a detailed mechanism by which the fusion protein brings about transformation remains unknown. In this report, we show that depletion of EWS/FLI1 in Ewing's cell lines results in a senescence phenotype, a marked increase in expression of the G1/S regulatory proteins p27(kip1) and p57(kip2), and a significant decrease in cyclin D1 and CDK2. We also demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that knockdown of EWS/FLI1 leads to hypophosphorylation and functional activation of the retinoblastoma (pRb) family of proteins. Consistent with activation of the pRb proteins, E2F-responsive genes such as cyclin A are repressed in EWS/FLI1-depleted cells. Together, these results support the role of EWS/LI1 as an inhibitor of cellular senescence and implicate the retinoblastoma family of proteins as key mediators of this inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Ming Hu
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 1660 S. Columbian Way, ORT112, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
124
|
Kim S, Lee HJ, Jun HJ, Kim J. The hTAF II 68-TEC fusion protein functions as a strong transcriptional activator. Int J Cancer 2008; 122:2446-53. [PMID: 18330902 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is caused by a chromosomal translocation that involves TEC (translocated in extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma), and either EWS (Ewing's sarcoma) or hTAF(II)68 (human TATA-binding protein-associated factor II 68), which generates EWS-TEC or hTAF(II)68-TEC fusion proteins, respectively. Although there has been a great deal of progress in characterizing EWS-TEC, there is relatively little known about the biological function of hTAF(II)68-TEC. We have examined the functional consequences of the fusion of the amino terminal domain (NTD) of hTAF(II)68 to TEC in EMC. The chimeric gene encodes a nuclear protein that binds DNA with the same sequence specificity as parental TEC. Nuclear localization of hTAF(II)68-TEC was dependent on the DNA binding domain, and we identified a cluster of basic amino acids in the DNA binding domain, KRRR, that specifically mediate the nuclear localization of hTAF(II)68-TEC. The transactivation activity of hTAF(II)68-TEC was higher than TEC towards a known target promoter that contained several TEC binding sites. Finally, deletion analysis of hTAF(II)68-TEC indicated that the hTAF(II)68 NTD, and the AF1 and AF2 domains of hTAF(II)68-TEC are necessary for full transactivation potential. These results suggest that the oncogenic effect of the t(9;17) translocation may be due to the hTAF(II)68-TEC chimeric protein and that fusion of the hTAF(II)68 NTD to the TEC protein produces a gain of function chimeric product.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sol Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
125
|
EWS/FLI mediates transcriptional repression via NKX2.2 during oncogenic transformation in Ewing's sarcoma. PLoS One 2008; 3:e1965. [PMID: 18414662 PMCID: PMC2291578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2007] [Accepted: 03/08/2008] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI is a master regulator of Ewing's sarcoma formation. Gene expression studies in A673 Ewing's sarcoma cells have demonstrated that EWS/FLI downregulates more genes than it upregulates, suggesting that EWS/FLI, and/or its targets, function as transcriptional repressors. One critical EWS/FLI target, NKX2.2, is a transcription factor that contains both transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression domains, raising the possibility that it mediates portions of the EWS/FLI transcriptional signature. We now report that microarray analysis demonstrated that the transcriptional profile of NKX2.2 consists solely of downregulated genes, and overlaps with the EWS/FLI downregulated signature, suggesting that NKX2.2 mediates oncogenic transformation via transcriptional repression. Structure-function analysis revealed that the DNA binding and repressor domains in NKX2.2 are required for oncogenesis in Ewing's sarcoma cells, while the transcriptional activation domain is completely dispensable. Furthermore, blockade of TLE or HDAC function, two protein families thought to mediate the repressive function of NKX2.2, inhibited the transformed phenotype and reversed the NKX2.2 transcriptional profile in Ewing's sarcoma cells. Whole genome localization studies (ChIP-chip) revealed that a significant portion of the NKX2.2-repressed gene expression signature was directly mediated by NKX2.2 binding. These data demonstrate that the transcriptional repressive function of NKX2.2 is necessary, and sufficient, for the oncogenic phenotype of Ewing's sarcoma, and suggest a therapeutic approach to this disease.
Collapse
|
126
|
Vlychou M, Athanasou N. Radiological and pathological diagnosis of paediatric bone tumours and tumour-like lesions. Pathology 2008; 40:196-216. [DOI: 10.1080/00313020701813784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
127
|
Möller E, Stenman G, Mandahl N, Hamberg H, Mölne L, van den Oord JJ, Brosjö O, Mertens F, Panagopoulos I. POU5F1
, encoding a key regulator of stem cell pluripotency, is fused to EWSR1
in hidradenoma of the skin and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands. J Pathol 2008; 215:78-86. [DOI: 10.1002/path.2327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
128
|
Martins AS, Mackintosh C, Martín DH, Campos M, Hernández T, Ordóñez JL, de Alava E. Insulin-like growth factor I receptor pathway inhibition by ADW742, alone or in combination with imatinib, doxorubicin, or vincristine, is a novel therapeutic approach in Ewing tumor. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 12:3532-40. [PMID: 16740780 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-1778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ewing tumor cell survival and proliferation depends on several autocrine loops. Targeting these loops is a promising therapeutic approach. We recently showed the cytostatic role of imatinib, an inhibitor of the SCF-KIT loop, on Ewing tumor cells, and in this study, we intend to analyze the inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF1R) loop. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed IGF1R blockade by ADW742, a small molecule specific for this receptor, alone and in combination with imatinib, vincristine, and doxorubicin on Ewing tumor cell lines. We studied the effect on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, pathway phosphorylation, soft-agar growth, motility, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression levels. RESULTS Treatment with ADW742 induced down-regulation of IGF1R/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation, which was deeper in cell lines having higher IGF1R activation levels. Treatment also induced dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation (IC50 = 0.55-1.4 micromol/L), inducing a G1 phase blockage and apoptosis. Addition of imatinib to ADW742 synergistically augmented these effects and was especially effective in inhibiting AKT/mTOR phosphorylation and reducing vascular endothelial growth factor expression in cell lines having high IGF1R activation levels. Combination with usual chemotherapeutic agents vincristine and doxorubicin showed synergistic interactions. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of Ewing tumor cell proliferation by ADW742 is mediated through blockade of IGF1R signaling. Combination of ADW742 with imatinib, vincristine, and doxorubicin induces a significant reduction of tumor cell growth, mainly by the increase in apoptosis with a pattern depending on IGF1R activation levels. This study supports a potential role for ADW742 in the treatment of Ewing tumor and AKT/mTOR as a possible surrogate marker of response to therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana S Martins
- Laboratory 20-Molecular Pathology, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
129
|
Honoki K, Stojanovski E, McEvoy M, Fujii H, Tsujiuchi T, Kido A, Takakura Y, Attia J. Prognostic significance of p16 INK4a alteration for Ewing sarcoma: a meta-analysis. Cancer 2007; 110:1351-60. [PMID: 17661343 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite findings from individual studies regarding prognostic factors for Ewing sarcoma, no conclusive results have been produced, partly because of small sample sizes. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether the presence of p16(INK4a) alteration is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with Ewing sarcomas. METHODS A review was conducted of publications that assessed associations between p16(INK4a) status and 2-year survival among patients with Ewing sarcoma. The association between metastatic disease at initial diagnosis and 2-year survival was evaluated by synthesizing data in the form of risk ratios. RESULTS Of 11 studies that were identified in the initial search strategy, 6 studies, representing 188 patients, met the inclusion criteria and, consequently, were pooled for quantitative analyses. The estimated pooled risk ratio of p16(INK4a) aberration was 2.17 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55-3.03; P < .001), whereas the estimated pooled risk ratio of metastasis at diagnosis among the 164 eligible patients was 2.60 (95% CI, 1.71-3.97; P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in the pooled estimated risk ratios of p16(INK4a) aberration for a poor prognosis between patients with and without metastasis at diagnosis (1.86 and 2.21, respectively; P > .59). CONCLUSIONS The presence of p16(INK4a) alteration was a statistically significant predictor of prognosis for patients with Ewing sarcoma. Along with other prognostic factors, such as metastasis, the p16(INK4a) alteration may be a potential candidate for improving the risk-stratifying strategy for patients with these tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanya Honoki
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
130
|
Wang L, Bhargava R, Zheng T, Wexler L, Collins MH, Roulston D, Ladanyi M. Undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas with rare EWS gene fusions: identification of a novel EWS-SP3 fusion and of additional cases with the EWS-ETV1 and EWS-FEV fusions. J Mol Diagn 2007; 9:498-509. [PMID: 17690209 PMCID: PMC1975108 DOI: 10.2353/jmoldx.2007.070053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing family tumors (EFTs) are prototypical primitive small round blue cell sarcomas arising in bone or extraskeletal soft tissues in children or adolescents. EFTs show fusions of EWS with a gene of the ETS family of transcription factors, either EWS-FLI1 (90 to 95%) or EWS-ERG (5 to 10%). Rare cases with fusions of EWS to other ETS family genes, such as ETV1, E1AF, and FEV, have been identified, but their clinicopathological similarity to classic EFTs remains unclear. We report four new cases of EFT-like tumors with rare EWS fusions, including two with EWS-ETV1, one with EWS-FEV, and a fourth case in which we cloned a novel EWS-SP3 fusion, the first known cancer gene fusion involving a gene of the Sp zinc finger family. Analysis of these three new cases along with data on nine previously reported cases with fusions of EWS to ETV1, E1AF, or FEV suggest a strong predilection for extraskeletal primary sites. EFT-like cases with fusions of EWS to non-ETS translocation partners are also uncommon but involve the same amino-terminal portion of EWS, which in our novel EWS-SP3 fusion is joined to the SP3 zinc-finger DNA-binding domain. As these data further support, these types of EWS fusions are associated with primitive extraskeletal small round cell sarcomas of uncertain lineage arising mainly in the pediatric population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
131
|
Baliko F, Bright T, Poon R, Cohen B, Egan SE, Alman BA. Inhibition of notch signaling induces neural differentiation in Ewing sarcoma. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2007; 170:1686-94. [PMID: 17456774 PMCID: PMC1854963 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.060971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cells from Ewing sarcoma exhibit cellular features and express markers, suggesting that the tumor is of neuroectodermal origin. Because Notch signaling regulates the differentiation of neuroectodermal cells during development, we examined the role of Notch signaling in Ewing sarcomas. We found that Ewing sarcomas express Notch receptors, ligands, and the Notch target gene HES1. To determine the functional implications of Notch signaling, we expressed tetracycline-regulated constitutively active, dominant-negative (DN), or wild-type Notch-1 receptors in two Ewing sarcoma cell lines, or we treated the cell lines with a gamma-secretase inhibitor. Expression of the constitutively active Notch-1 reduced proliferation and expression of the DN Notch-1 reduced apoptosis in vitro. However, there was only a small difference in the volume of tumors that formed when the cell lines expressing these constructs were implanted in nude mice. Xenograft tumors derived from the cell lines expressing DN Notch-1 exhibited a neural phenotype. Treatment with a gamma-secretase inhibitor caused similar changes as expression of the DN construct. Notch signaling plays a role in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in Ewing sarcoma, but its inhibition is only associated with a small change in tumor growth potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Baliko
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
132
|
Jin W, Yun C, Hobbie A, Martin MJ, Sorensen PHB, Kim SJ. Cellular transformation and activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-Akt cascade by the ETV6-NTRK3 chimeric tyrosine kinase requires c-Src. Cancer Res 2007; 67:3192-200. [PMID: 17409427 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The ETV6-NTRK3 (EN) chimeric tyrosine kinase, a potent oncoprotein expressed in tumors derived from multiple cell lineages, functions as a constitutively active protein-tyrosine kinase. ETV6-NTRK expression leads to the constitutive activation of two major effector pathways of wild-type NTRK3, namely, the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mitogenic pathway and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway mediating cell survival, and both are required for EN transformation. However, it remains unclear how ETV6-NTRK3 activates Ras-Erk1/2 and/or PI3K-Akt cascades. Here, we define some aspects of the molecular mechanisms regulating ETV6-NTRK-dependent Ras-Erk1/2 and PI3K-Akt activation. We show that ETV6-NTRK3 associates with c-Src, and that treatment with SU6656, a c-Src inhibitor, completely blocks ETV6-NTRK-transforming activity. Treatment of NIH3T3 cells expressing ETV6-NTRK3 with SU6656 attenuated the activation of Ras-Erk1/2 and PI3K-Akt. Suppression of c-Src by RNA interference in NIH3T3-ETV6-NTRK3 cells resulted in markedly decreased expression of cyclin D1 and suppression of activation of Ras-Erk1/2 and PI3K-Akt. However, in Src-deficient cells, the ETV6-NTRK3 failed to activate the PI3K-Atk pathway, but not the Ras-Erk1/2 pathway. Therefore, these data indicate that ETV6-NTRK3 induces the PI3K-Akt cascade through the activation of c-Src.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wook Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
133
|
Li H, Watford W, Li C, Parmelee A, Bryant MA, Deng C, O’Shea J, Lee SB. Ewing sarcoma gene EWS is essential for meiosis and B lymphocyte development. J Clin Invest 2007; 117:1314-23. [PMID: 17415412 PMCID: PMC1838927 DOI: 10.1172/jci31222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 02/06/2007] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma gene EWS encodes a putative RNA-binding protein with proposed roles in transcription and splicing, but its physiological role in vivo remains undefined. Here, we have generated Ews-deficient mice and demonstrated that EWS is required for the completion of B cell development and meiosis. Analysis of Ews(-/-) lymphocytes revealed a cell-autonomous defect in precursor B lymphocyte (pre-B lymphocyte) development. During meiosis, Ews-null spermatocytes were deficient in XY bivalent formation and showed reduced meiotic recombination, resulting in massive apoptosis and complete arrest in gamete maturation. Inactivation of Ews in mouse embryonic fibroblasts resulted in premature cellular senescence, and the mutant animals showed hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. Finally, we showed that EWS interacts with lamin A/C and that loss of EWS results in a reduced lamin A/C expression. Our findings reveal essential functions for EWS in pre-B cell development and meiosis, with proposed roles in DNA pairing and recombination/repair mechanisms. Furthermore, we demonstrate a novel role of EWS in cellular senescence, possibly through its interaction and modulation of lamin A/C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Li
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy Watford
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Cuiling Li
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alissa Parmelee
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark A. Bryant
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuxia Deng
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John O’Shea
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean Bong Lee
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, NIDDK,
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and
Pathology Section, Diagnostic and Research Services Branch, Division of Veterinary Resources, and Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
134
|
Detection and molecular cytogenetic characterization of a novel ring chromosome in a histological variant of Ewing sarcoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 172:12-22. [PMID: 17175374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2006.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2006] [Revised: 06/23/2006] [Accepted: 07/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor (PNET) is a round-cell sarcoma that may show varying degrees of neuro-ectodermal differentiation. These tumors are identified by a characteristic round-cell morphology and immunohistochemical profile, as well as by specific translocations involving the EWS gene on chromosome 22 and the 3' portion of the E26 transformation-specific family of transcription factors. These translocations result in fusion proteins that act as aberrant transcription factors. The majority of Ewing sarcoma cases are characterized by a balanced t(11;22). Specific chromosomal abnormalities often correlate with distinct morphologic or phenotypic subtypes of tumors and play an important role in prognosis. Here we describe the molecular cytogenetic investigation of a case of Ewing sarcoma in the proximal humerus of a 39-year-old male using COBRA (combined binary ratio labelling) fluorescent in situ hybridization karyotyping, array comparative genomic hybridization, and EWS-gene specific fluorescence in situ hybridization. Multiple chromosomal aberrations were identified, including a der(22)r(20;22), resulting in an amplification of the proximal region of the EWS gene. This is the first time that both translocation and amplification involving the EWS gene and an unidentified gene are described. This case adds to the spectrum of both morphology and genetic rearrangements in Ewing sarcoma, and shows the importance of combined molecular cytogenetic approaches in identifying uncommon rearrangements in sarcomas.
Collapse
|
135
|
Friedrichs N, Kriegl L, Poremba C, Schaefer KL, Gabbert HE, Shimomura A, Paggen E, Merkelbach-Bruse S, Buettner R. Pitfalls in the detection of t(11;22) translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization and RT-PCR: a single-blinded study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 15:83-9. [PMID: 16778588 DOI: 10.1097/00019606-200606000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The t(11;22) translocation is a diagnostic hallmark of various small round-cell tumors. This study correlates the performance of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the detection of this translocation analyzing paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. As negative control samples, 10 cases of normal colon mucosa and 10 cases of colon carcinoma tissue were analyzed by FISH to determine a valid cutoff value for the diagnosis of a t(11;22) translocation. The mean number of false-positive nuclei differed significantly between disomic and polysomic control group cases (P=0.002). Therefore, the cutoff value was determined considering the pitfall polysomy. The analysis group consisted of 20 cases from the University of Düsseldorf and 10 cases from the University of Bonn. These cases were analyzed using PCR (Düsseldorf) and FISH (Bonn) using a single-blinded approach. Twenty-two cases (73.3%) were concordant in both methods. Five cases (16.7%) were discrepant, showing a positive result in FISH whereas PCR was negative. Three cases (10.0%) were analyzed by FISH, and PCR failed for nonoptimized tissue preparation. In conclusion, the detection of t(11;22) translocation is critically dependent on a thoroughly defined cutoff value for FISH and on appropriate tissue preparation for both methods. We recommend FISH as a sensitive screening tool in the detection of t(11;22) followed by subsequent PCR amplification of the specific chimeric transcript.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Base Sequence
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/genetics
- Case-Control Studies
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22/genetics
- Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Colonic Neoplasms/genetics
- DNA Primers/genetics
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/methods
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/statistics & numerical data
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/statistics & numerical data
- Sarcoma, Small Cell/diagnosis
- Sarcoma, Small Cell/genetics
- Single-Blind Method
- Translocation, Genetic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaus Friedrichs
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, D-53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
136
|
Bridges EM, Bibby MC, Burchill SA. The hollow fiber assay for drug responsiveness in the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors. J Pediatr 2006; 149:103-11. [PMID: 16860137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2005] [Revised: 12/29/2005] [Accepted: 02/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of the National Cancer Institute's hollow fiber assay (HFA) to evaluate and prioritize novel treatment strategies for clinical trials in the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT). STUDY DESIGN The growth and morphology of ESFT cell lines in hollow fibers (HFs) was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Reliability and reproducibility were evaluated using doxorubicin. RESULTS The numbers of viable cells in all 6 ESFT cell lines increased with time in vitro (0 to 96 hours). The SKES-1 and A673 cell lines grew exponentially after implantation of HFs in nude mice at subcutaneous and intraperitoneal sites. ESFT cells formed highly organized distinctive morphology within the HFs in vitro and in vivo. The number of viable ESFT cells within the HFs decreased in a time-dependent (24 to 96 hours) and dose-dependent (1 to 10 mg/kg) manner after treatment with doxorubicin in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The HFA is a versatile short-term in vivo model that may be exploited to predict efficacy of potential anticancer agents in ESFT cells. Tumor markers and pharmacodynamic endpoints may be quantified in the pure population of ESFT cells from within the HFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Marie Bridges
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
137
|
Pérez-Mancera PA, Sánchez-García I. Understanding mesenchymal cancer: the liposarcoma-associated FUS-DDIT3 fusion gene as a model. Semin Cancer Biol 2006; 15:206-14. [PMID: 15826835 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2005.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations entail the generation of gene fusions in mesenchymal tumors. Despite the successful identification of these specific and consistent genetic events, the nature of the intimate association between the gene fusion and the resulting phenotype still remains to be elucidated. Here these studies are reviewed, using FUS-DDIT3 as a model to illustrate how they have contributed to current understanding in unique and unexpected ways. FUS-DDIT3 is a chimeric oncogene generated by the most common chromosomal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) associated with liposarcomas. The application of transgenic methods to the study of this sarcoma-associated FUS-DDIT3 gene fusion has provided insights into their functions in vivo, and suggested mechanisms by which lineage selection may be achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P A Pérez-Mancera
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular del Cancer (IBMCC), CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, 37007-Salamanca, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
138
|
Szuhai K, Ijszenga M, Tanke HJ, Rosenberg C, Hogendoorn PCW. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of four previously established and two newly established Ewing sarcoma cell lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 166:173-9. [PMID: 16631476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2005.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2005] [Revised: 10/26/2005] [Accepted: 11/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Most Ewing family tumors are identified by the characteristic translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12), resulting in a fusion protein EWS/FLI1 that acts as an aberrant transcription factor. In a minority of cases, the EWS gene is fused to another member of the ETS gene (ERG, ETV1, E1AF, and FEV). Though the oncogenic transforming capability of the EWS/FLI1 protein is highly suggestive, the exact pathway behind remains to be elucidated. The availability of cell lines may help in the understanding of underlying cellular processes. In this study, we have established two new Ewing sarcoma cell lines and characterized them with molecular cytogenetic tools. This technology was also applied on four other previously published Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Our findings in relation to previous data on similar tumors are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Károly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
139
|
Mobley BC, Roulston D, Shah GV, Bijwaard KE, McKeever PE. Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing's sarcoma of the craniospinal vault: case reports and review. Hum Pathol 2006; 37:845-53. [PMID: 16784984 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2006.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2005] [Revised: 02/04/2006] [Accepted: 02/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing's sarcoma family tumor (pPNET/ESFT) group includes small round cell tumors of the bone, soft tissue, and nerve with morphological attributes of the germinal neuroepithelium. Peripheral PNETs/ESFTs also occur within the craniospinal vault, a region including the central nervous system, the meninges, and the cranial and spinal nerve roots. Gene rearrangements between the EWS gene on chromosome 22q12 and members of the ETS gene family are common in and specific to pPNETs/ESFTs. Another defining characteristic of pPNETs/ESFTs is their membranous expression of the MIC2 gene product. We describe 2 cases of pPNETs within the craniospinal vault. An intradural tumor arising from the nerve roots of the cauda equina was discovered in a 32-year-old man presenting with radiculopathic back pain and lower-extremity weakness. An intracranial pPNET that mimicked a meningioma was found in a 21-year-old man presenting with headache and visual disturbances. MIC2 gene product expression and EWS/ETS gene rearrangement were detected in both case patients. The literature with regard to pPNETs/ESFTs arising within the craniospinal vault is reviewed.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- 12E7 Antigen
- Adult
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Back Pain/etiology
- Blotting, Southern
- Brain Neoplasms/genetics
- Brain Neoplasms/pathology
- Brain Neoplasms/physiopathology
- Cauda Equina/pathology
- Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22/genetics
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Headache/etiology
- Humans
- Male
- Meningioma/pathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/genetics
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/pathology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/physiopathology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms/genetics
- Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology
- Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms/physiopathology
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/physiopathology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bret C Mobley
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94035, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
140
|
Mangham DC, Williams A, McMullan DJ, McClure J, Sumathi VP, Grimer RJ, Davies AM. Ewing's sarcoma of bone: the detection of specific transcripts in a large, consecutive series of formalin-fixed, decalcified, paraffin-embedded tissue samples using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Histopathology 2006; 48:363-76. [PMID: 16487358 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2006.02318.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS (i) To report on the routine use of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique on decalcified or non-decalcified, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) for translocation detection, with particular emphasis on improved RNA extraction methodology and the use of PCR primers designed to generate small amplicons. (ii) To report on the relative incidences of translocation types and transcript variants in a large, single institution series of Ewing's sarcoma of bone. METHODS AND RESULTS Using RT-PCR to detect specific transcript variants, we analysed FFPET from 54 consecutive cases of Ewing's sarcoma of bone. We used 'gold standard' detection methods on corresponding fresh and fresh frozen tissue to validate the technique. We have demonstrated the effective use of RT-PCR on decalcified and non-decalcified FFPET samples for sarcoma-specific translocation detection (96% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Tissue decalcification did not affect the detection rate. The relative incidence of Ewing's sarcoma-specific translocation types and transcript variants was entirely consistent with previously published data. CONCLUSIONS With equal effectiveness, RT-PCR can be applied to both acid decalcified and non-decalcified FFPET for (Ewing's sarcoma) translocation detection and the technique can be introduced into routine practice in histopathology departments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D C Mangham
- Department of Musculoskeletal Pathology, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
141
|
Toub N, Bertrand JR, Tamaddon A, Elhamess H, Hillaireau H, Maksimenko A, Maccario J, Malvy C, Fattal E, Couvreur P. Efficacy of siRNA nanocapsules targeted against the EWS-Fli1 oncogene in Ewing sarcoma. Pharm Res 2006; 23:892-900. [PMID: 16715379 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-006-9901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2005] [Accepted: 01/06/2006] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The EWS-Fli1 fusion gene encodes for a chimeric oncogenic transcription factor considered to be the cause of the Ewing sarcoma. The efficiency of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeted toward the EWS-Fli1 transcript (at the junction point type 1) was studied, free or encapsulated into recently developed polyisobutylcyanoacrylate aqueous core nanocapsules. Because this mRNA sequence is only present in cancer cells, it therefore constituted a relevant target. Studies of the intracellular penetration by confocal microscopy in NIH/3T3 EWS-Fli1 cells showed that nanocapsules improved the intracellular penetration of siRNA with mainly a cytoplasmic localization. These biodegradable siRNA-loaded nanocapsules were then tested in vivo on a mice xenografted EWS-Fli1-expressing tumor; they were found to trigger a dose-dependant inhibition of tumor growth after intratumoral injection. A specific inhibition of EWS-Fli1 was observed, too. These findings now open new prospects for the treatment of experimental cancers with junction oncogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nedjma Toub
- Laboratoire de Physicochimie, Pharmacotechnie et Biopharmacie, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR CNRS 8612, 92286, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
142
|
Smith R, Owen LA, Trem DJ, Wong JS, Whangbo JS, Golub TR, Lessnick SL. Expression profiling of EWS/FLI identifies NKX2.2 as a critical target gene in Ewing's sarcoma. Cancer Cell 2006; 9:405-16. [PMID: 16697960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2006.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2005] [Revised: 02/07/2006] [Accepted: 04/06/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of Ewing's sarcoma development mediated by the EWS/FLI fusion protein has been limited by a lack of knowledge regarding the tumor cell of origin. To circumvent this, we analyzed the function of EWS/FLI in Ewing's sarcoma itself. By combining retroviral-mediated RNA interference with reexpression studies, we show that ongoing EWS/FLI expression is required for the tumorigenic phenotype of Ewing's sarcoma. We used this system to define the full complement of EWS/FLI-regulated genes in Ewing's sarcoma. Functional analysis revealed that NKX2.2 is an EWS/FLI-regulated gene that is necessary for oncogenic transformation in this tumor. Thus, we developed a highly validated transcriptional profile for the EWS/FLI fusion protein and identified a critical target gene in Ewing's sarcoma development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- The Center for Children, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
143
|
Riggi N, Cironi L, Provero P, Suvà ML, Kaloulis K, Garcia-Echeverria C, Hoffmann F, Trumpp A, Stamenkovic I. Development of Ewing's sarcoma from primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells. Cancer Res 2006; 65:11459-68. [PMID: 16357154 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-1696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is a member of Ewing's family tumors (EFTs) and the second most common solid bone and soft tissue malignancy of children and young adults. It is associated in 85% of cases with the t(11;22)(q24:q12) chromosomal translocation that generates fusion of the 5' segment of the EWS gene with the 3' segment of the ETS family gene FLI-1. The EWS-FLI-1 fusion protein behaves as an aberrant transcriptional activator and is believed to contribute to EFT development. However, EWS-FLI-1 induces growth arrest and apoptosis in normal fibroblasts, and primary cells that are permissive for its putative oncogenic properties have not been discovered, hampering basic understanding of EFT biology. Here, we show that EWS-FLI-1 alone can transform primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells and generate tumors that display hallmarks of Ewing's sarcoma, including a small round cell phenotype, expression of EFT-associated markers, insulin like growth factor-I dependence, and induction or repression of numerous EWS-FLI-1 target genes. These observations provide the first identification of candidate primary cells from which EFTs originate and suggest that EWS-FLI-1 expression may constitute the initiating event in EFT pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Riggi
- Experimental Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
144
|
Abstract
Ewing tumors, which comprise Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors, are highly aggressive and mostly affect children and adolescents. Their molecular signature is a chromosomal translocation leading to the generation of EWS-ETS (or very rarely FUS-ETS) fusion proteins that are capable of transforming cells. These oncoproteins act as aberrant transcription factors due to the fusion of an ETS DNA binding domain to a highly potent EWS (or FUS) transactivation domain. Accordingly, many EWS-ETS target genes have been identified whose dysregulation could contribute to the development of tumor formation. Furthermore, EWS-ETS oncoproteins may impact on RNA splicing or affect other proteins through disturbing their ability to form functional complexes. The molecular knowledge gained so far from studying EWS-ETS oncoproteins has not only broadened our understanding of Ewing tumors but also improved the diagnosis of these highly undifferentiated tumors. In addition, several potential prognostic markers have been uncovered and novel therapies are suggested that may improve the still dismal survival rate of Ewing tumor patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Janknecht
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
145
|
Corveleyn A, Janssen H, Martini A, Somers R, Cools J, Marynen P. Cellular transformation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts by CIZ/NMP4 fusions. J Cell Biochem 2005; 94:1112-25. [PMID: 15669012 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.20369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecular cloning of the translocations t(12;22)(p13;q12) and t(12;17)(p13;q11) in acute leukaemia showed that either EWSR1 or its homologue TAF15 are fused to the transcription factor CIZ. EWSR1 and TAF15 belong to the TET family (TLS/FUS, EWSR1 and TAF15) of proteins. TET fusions have been identified in both solid tumours and acute myeloid leukaemia. The novel 12p translocations directly implicated TET fusions in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as well, and demonstrated the involvement of CIZ in haematopoietic malignancies. In addition, a new fusion E2A-CIZ was recently cloned as a result of a t(12;19)(p13;p13) in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. NIH3T3 cells stably expressing TET-CIZ fusions display a transformed phenotype in a focus formation assay. We show here that E2A-CIZ also transforms 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting that the addition of a transactivation domain to the CIZ protein is involved in this phenotype. An artificial VP16-CIZ construct reveals similar transforming properties, supporting this. We have then analysed the domains within TAF15-CIZ that are necessary for 3T3 fibroblast transformation. Deletion of the zinc fingers of CIZ resulted in loss of both DNA-binding and transforming properties of TAF15-CIZ, whereas deletion of the other functional domains of CIZ had no effect. Fusion of a transactivation domain to CIZ is suggestive for a transactivating function in transformation. Luciferase experiments indeed showed that E2A-CIZ as well as VP16-CIZ transactivates the MMP7 promoter. Taken together, our results reported here suggest that transformation of 3T3 fibroblasts by CIZ fusions is dependent on DNA-binding and might involve transactivation of CIZ target genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anniek Corveleyn
- Human Genome Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
146
|
Mendiola M, Carrillo J, García E, Lalli E, Hernández T, de Alava E, Tirode F, Delattre O, García-Miguel P, López-Barea F, Pestaña A, Alonso J. The orphan nuclear receptor DAX1 is up-regulated by the EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein and is highly expressed in Ewing tumors. Int J Cancer 2005; 118:1381-9. [PMID: 16206264 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Ewing family of tumors harbors chromosomal translocations that join the N-terminal region of the EWS gene with the C-terminal region of several transcription factors of the ETS family, mainly FLI1, resulting in chimeric transcription factors that play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Ewing tumors. To identify downstream targets of the EWS/FLI1 fusion protein, we established 293 cells expressing constitutively either the chimeric EWS/FLI1 or wild type FLI1 proteins and used cDNA arrays to identify genes differentially regulated by EWS/FLI1. DAX1 (NR0B1), an unusual orphan nuclear receptor involved in gonadal development, sex determination and steroidogenesis, showed a consistent up-regulation by EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein, but not by wild type FLI1. Specific induction of DAX1 by EWS/FLI1 was confirmed in two independent cell systems with inducible expression of EWS/FLI1. We also analyzed the expression of DAX1 in Ewing tumors and derived cell lines, as well as in other nonrelated small round cell tumors. DAX1 was expressed in all Ewing tumor specimens analyzed, and in seven out of eight Ewing tumor cell lines, but not in any neuroblastoma or embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Furthermore, silencing of EWS/FLI1 by RNA interference in a Ewing tumor cell line markedly reduced the levels of DAX1 mRNA and protein, confirming that DAX1 up-regulation is dependent upon EWS/FLI1 expression. The high levels of DAX1 found in Ewing tumors and its potent transcriptional repressor activity suggest that the oncogenic effect of EWS/FLI1 may be mediated, at least in part, by the up-regulation of DAX1 expression.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Cell Line
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cluster Analysis
- DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor
- DNA-Binding Proteins/analysis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/analysis
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/analysis
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Transfection
- Up-Regulation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mendiola
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas A. Sols CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
147
|
Li X, Tanaka K, Nakatani F, Matsunobu T, Sakimura R, Hanada M, Okada T, Nakamura T, Iwamoto Y. Transactivation of cyclin E gene by EWS-Fli1 and antitumor effects of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor on Ewing's family tumor cells. Int J Cancer 2005; 116:385-94. [PMID: 15818598 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocation t(11; 22)(q24; q12) is detected in approximately 90% of Ewing's family tumors (EFTs) including Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor. This results in the formation of the EWS-Fli1 fusion gene, which produces EWS-Fli1 fusion protein. This chimerical gene product acts as an aberrant transcriptional activator, which may be responsible for the tumorigenesis of EFTs. We have previously reported that cyclin E expression was upregulated in EFT cells and in EWS-Fli1 transformed fibroblastic cells. However, the mechanism of the overexpression of cyclin E by EWS-Fli1 is still unknown. In our study, we investigated the mechanism of transactivation of the cyclin E gene in EFT cells. We found that EWS-Fli1 enhanced the activity of the cyclin E gene promoter partially through E2F binding sites in the promoter. In addition, the basic transcriptional factor, Sp1, might also be involved in the transactivation of the cyclin E gene by EWS-Fli1. To study the biological significance of cyclin E overexpression in EFT cells, we used flavopiridol, a pan-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor and found that flavopiridol efficiently suppressed the growth of EFT cells in vitro and in vivo by the inhibition of cyclinE/CDK2 kinase activity and the induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that targeting of the cyclin/CDK complex may provide new insight into treatment of EFTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
148
|
Abstract
The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) comprises morphologically heterogeneous tumors that are characterized by nonrandom chromosomal translocations involving the EWS gene and one of several members of the ETS family of transcription factors. The translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12) is the most common and leads to the formation of the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein, which contributes to ESFT pathogenesis by modulating the expression of target genes. Tumors may be composed of small uniform cells with minimal morphologic evidence of differentiation, or they may be composed of larger, less uniform cells with varying degrees of neuroectodermal differentiation. CD99 expression is identified in nearly all ESFT and constitutes a useful positive marker when used as part of a panel of immunostains that can help rule out other differential diagnostic considerations. Molecular diagnostic tests commonly used to detect the presence of ESFT-specific translocations include RT-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Current therapy for patients with ESFT includes chemotherapy and surgery with or without radiation therapy. At present, the most significant prognostic factor for patients with ESFT is whether the disease is localized or metastatic.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- 12E7 Antigen
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/analysis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/metabolism
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Bone Neoplasms/therapy
- Cell Adhesion Molecules/analysis
- Child
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Gelsolin/analysis
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Incidence
- Microfilament Proteins
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/analysis
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/therapy
- Survival Analysis
- Trans-Activators
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Translocation, Genetic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
149
|
Messahel B, Hing S, Nash R, Jeffrey I, Pritchard-Jones K. Clinical features of molecular pathology of solid tumours in childhood. Lancet Oncol 2005; 6:421-30. [PMID: 15925820 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(05)70209-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The outlook for children with cancer has improved substantially over the past 20 years, with over three-quarters of children now surviving in the long term. Better use of existing cytotoxic drugs and supportive care have made large contributions, but some of the improvement in survival is due to a greater knowledge of childhood cancer at the cellular and molecular levels. As in leukaemias, several childhood solid tumours carry balanced chromosomal translocations, resulting in fusion genes that encode chimeric proteins with new oncogenic properties. Many of these fusion genes, and other genetic aberrations are tumour specific and are related to outcome. Tumour biology now plays an important part in identifying appropriate treatment through more accurate diagnoses and new risk stratifications based on molecular markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boo Messahel
- Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
150
|
Smith PG, Burchill SA, Brooke D, Coletta PL, Whitehouse A. Efficient infection and persistence of a herpesvirus saimiri-based gene delivery vector into human tumor xenografts and multicellular spheroid cultures. Cancer Gene Ther 2005; 12:248-56. [PMID: 15540115 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) has the ability to infect a variety of human cell lines and establish a persistent infection by virtue of episomal maintenance. Moreover, the viral episome provides sustained expression of a heterologous transgene. HVS-based vectors can also persist for a long term in tumor xenografts generated from HVS-infected human carcinoma cell lines. The viral episome remains latent within the xenograft allowing long-term transgene expression. These properties, in addition to its ability to incorporate large amounts of heterologous DNA, make HVS an attractive potential gene delivery vector. Here we report on the further evaluation of such HVS-based vectors. We demonstrate for the first time that HVS can efficiently infect solid tumor xenografts derived from a variety of human carcinoma cells via direct intratumoral injections. Furthermore, HVS can efficiently infect spheroid cultures, a three-dimensional cell culture system that closely resembles a tumor. Upon infection of both the tumor xenografts and spheroid cultures, HVS-based vectors can establish a persistent episomal infection within the tumor xenograft allowing expression of a heterologous transgene. These results suggest that HVS-based vectors may be suitable for cancer gene therapy applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Smith
- School of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|