251
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Gao Q, Wang ZC, Duan M, Lin YH, Zhou XY, Worthley DL, Wang XY, Niu G, Xia Y, Deng M, Liu LZ, Shi JY, Yang LX, Zhang S, Ding ZB, Zhou J, Liang CM, Cao Y, Xiong L, Xi R, Shi YY, Fan J. Cell Culture System for Analysis of Genetic Heterogeneity Within Hepatocellular Carcinomas and Response to Pharmacologic Agents. Gastroenterology 2017; 152:232-242.e4. [PMID: 27639803 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS No targeted therapies have been found to be effective against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), possibly due to the large degree of intratumor heterogeneity. We performed genetic analyses of different regions of HCCs to evaluate levels of intratumor heterogeneity and associate alterations with responses to different pharmacologic agents. METHODS We obtained samples of HCCs (associated with hepatitis B virus infection) from 10 patients undergoing curative resection, before adjuvant therapy, at hospitals in China. We collected 4-9 spatially distinct samples from each tumor (55 regions total), performed histologic analyses, isolated cancer cells, and carried them low-passage culture. We performed whole-exome sequencing, copy-number analysis, and high-throughput screening of the cultured primary cancer cells. We tested responses of an additional 105 liver cancer cell lines to a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 4 inhibitor. RESULTS We identified a total of 3670 non-silent mutations (3192 missense, 94 splice-site variants, and 222 insertions or deletions) in the tumor samples. We observed considerable intratumor heterogeneity and branched evolution in all 10 tumors; the mean percentage of heterogeneous mutations in each tumor was 39.7% (range, 12.9%-68.5%). We found significant mutation shifts toward C>T and C>G substitutions in branches of phylogenetic trees among samples from each tumor (P < .0001). Of note, 14 of the 26 oncogenic alterations (53.8%) varied among subclones that mapped to different branches. Genetic alterations that can be targeted by existing pharmacologic agents (such as those in FGF19, DDR2, PDGFRA, and TOP1) were identified in intratumor subregions from 4 HCCs and were associated with sensitivity to these agents. However, cells from the remaining subregions, which did not have these alterations, were not sensitive to these drugs. High-throughput screening identified pharmacologic agents to which these cells were sensitive, however. Overexpression of FGF19 correlated with sensitivity of cells to an inhibitor of FGFR 4; this observation was validated in 105 liver cancer cell lines (P = .0024). CONCLUSIONS By analyzing genetic alterations in different tumor regions of 10 HCCs, we observed extensive intratumor heterogeneity. Our patient-derived cell line-based model, integrating genetic and pharmacologic data from multiregional cancer samples, provides a platform to elucidate how intratumor heterogeneity affects sensitivity to different therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Gao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Duan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Hui Lin
- Institute of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Xue-Ya Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Daniel L Worthley
- Cancer Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Xiao-Ying Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Niu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchao Xia
- School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Minghua Deng
- School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Long-Zi Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie-Yi Shi
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liu-Xiao Yang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Bin Ding
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Min Liang
- Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Cao
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Xiong
- Institute of Precision Medicine, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Ruibin Xi
- School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Yong Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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252
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David E Jones
- Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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253
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Lee N, Ryu HG, Kwon JH, Kim DK, Kim SR, Wang HJ, Kim KT, Choi KY. SIRT6 Depletion Suppresses Tumor Growth by Promoting Cellular Senescence Induced by DNA Damage in HCC. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165835. [PMID: 27824900 PMCID: PMC5100879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) as a tumor suppressor or oncogene in liver cancer remains controversial. Thus, we identified the specific role of SIRT6 in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SIRT6 expression was significantly higher in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues from 138 patients than in an immortalized hepatocyte cell line, THLE-2 and non-tumor tissues, respectively. SIRT6 knockdown by shRNA suppressed the growth of HCC cells and inhibited HCC tumor growth in vivo. In addition, SIRT6 silencing significantly prevented the growth of HCC cell lines by inducing cellular senescence in the p16/Rb- and p53/p21-pathway independent manners. Microarray analysis revealed that the expression of genes involved in nucleosome assembly was apparently altered in SIRT6-depleted Hep3B cells. SIRT6 knockdown promoted G2/M phase arrest and downregulation of genes encoding histone variants associated with nucleosome assembly, which could be attributed to DNA damage. Taken together, our findings suggest that SIRT6 acts as a tumor promoter by preventing DNA damage and cellular senescence, indicating that SIRT6 represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namgyu Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | - Hye Guk Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | | | - Dae-Kyum Kim
- Donnelly Centre, Departments of Molecular Genetics and Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sae Rom Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Wang
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Yong Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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254
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Yau TCC, Lencioni R, Sukeepaisarnjaroen W, Chao Y, Yen CJ, Lausoontornsiri W, Chen PJ, Sanpajit T, Camp A, Cox DS, Gagnon RC, Liu Y, Raffensperger KE, Kulkarni DA, Kallender H, Ottesen LH, Poon RTP, Bottaro DP. A Phase I/II Multicenter Study of Single-Agent Foretinib as First-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2405-2413. [PMID: 27821605 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: This phase I/II single-arm study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and activity of foretinib, an oral multikinase inhibitor of MET, ROS, RON, AXL, TIE-2, and VEGFR2, in the first-line setting in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients.Experimental Design: In the phase I part, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients were dose escalated on foretinib (30-60 mg) every day using the standard 3+3 design. Once the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined, an additional 32 patients were dosed at the MTD in the phase II expansion cohort for assessment of efficacy and safety. Exploratory analyses were conducted to assess potential biomarkers that might correlate with clinical efficacy and survival.Results: The MTD of foretinib was established as 30 mg every day. The most frequent adverse events were hypertension, decreased appetite, ascites, and pyrexia. When dosed at 30 mg every day in the first-line setting, foretinib demonstrated promising antitumor activity. According to the modified mRECIST, the objective response rate was 22.9%, the disease stabilization rate 82.9%, and the median duration of response 7.6 months. The median time to progression was 4.2 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 15.7 months. Fifteen candidate biomarkers whose levels in the circulation were significantly altered in response to foretinib treatment were elucidated. Multivariate analyses identified IL6 and IL8 as independent predictors of OS.Conclusions: Foretinib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and good tolerability in the first-line setting in Asian advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Baseline plasma levels of IL6 or IL8 might predict the response to foretinib. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2405-13. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C C Yau
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Riccardo Lencioni
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Intervention, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Yee Chao
- Cancer Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Internal Medicine, National Cheng University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wirote Lausoontornsiri
- Clinical Cancer Research Center, National Cancer Institute of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Theeranun Sanpajit
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Donna S Cox
- GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Yuan Liu
- GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | - Ronnie T P Poon
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Donald P Bottaro
- Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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255
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Niu ZS, Niu XJ, Wang WH. Genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9069-9095. [PMID: 27895396 PMCID: PMC5107590 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i41.9069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although recent advances in therapeutic approaches for treating HCC have improved the prognoses of patients with HCC, this cancer is still associated with a poor survival rate mainly due to late diagnosis. Therefore, a diagnosis must be made sufficiently early to perform curative and effective treatments. There is a need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of HCC because these mechanisms are critical for making early diagnoses and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Over the past decade, much progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. In particular, recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have revealed numerous genetic alterations, including recurrently mutated genes and dysregulated signaling pathways in HCC. A better understanding of the genetic alterations in HCC could contribute to identifying potential driver mutations and discovering novel therapeutic targets in the future. In this article, we summarize the current advances in research on the genetic alterations, including genomic instability, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, somatic mutations and deregulated signaling pathways, implicated in the initiation and progression of HCC. We also attempt to elucidate some of the genetic mechanisms that contribute to making early diagnoses of and developing molecularly targeted therapies for HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Genomic Instability
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Mutation
- Patient Selection
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Precision Medicine
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Signal Transduction
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256
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Genetic profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma using next-generation sequencing. J Hepatol 2016; 65:1031-1042. [PMID: 27262756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease, both clinically and from a molecular standpoint. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has provided new opportunities to extensively analyze molecular defects in HCC samples. This has uncovered major cancer driver genes and associated oncogenic pathways operating in HCC. More sophisticated analyses of sequencing data have linked specific nucleotide patterns to external toxic agents and defined so-called 'mutational signatures' in HCC. Molecular signatures, taking into account intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity, and their functional validation could provide useful data to predict treatment response to molecular therapies. In this review we will focus on the current knowledge of deep sequencing in HCC and its foreseeable clinical impact.
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257
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Lu YL, Yao JG, Huang XY, Wang C, Wu XM, Xia Q, Long XD. Prognostic significance of miR-1268a expression and its beneficial effects for post-operative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36104. [PMID: 27796321 PMCID: PMC5086876 DOI: 10.1038/srep36104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our recent investigation has shown that the variables of microRNA-1268a may involve in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumorigenesis. Here, we attempted to identify the prognostic significance of microRNA-1268a expression in tumor tissues by a retrospective analysis in 411 patients with HCC, and analyze its effects on post-operative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) improving HCC prognosis. All cases received tumor resection or tumor resection plus post-operative adjuvant TACE as an initial treatment. Logistical regression analysis exhibited that microRNA-1268a expression was significantly correlated with tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor size, and microvessel density. Cox regression analysis showed that microRNA-1268a expression was an independent prognostic factor for HCC, and TACE treatment had no effects on prognosis of HCC patients with high microRNA-1268a expression. More intriguingly, TACE improved the prognosis of HCC patients with low microRNA-1268a expression. Functionally, overexpression of microRNA-1268a inhibited while its inhibitor enhanced doxorubicin-induced the death of cancer cells. These results suggest that microRNA-1268a may be an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients, and that decreasing microRNA-1268a expression may be beneficial for post-operative adjuvant TACE treatment in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Long Lu
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China
| | - Jin-Guang Yao
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China
| | - Xiao-Ying Huang
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China
| | - Xue-Min Wu
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R.China
| | - Xi-Dai Long
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, P.R.China.,Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R.China
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258
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Rawcopy: Improved copy number analysis with Affymetrix arrays. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36158. [PMID: 27796336 PMCID: PMC5086940 DOI: 10.1038/srep36158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Microarray data is subject to noise and systematic variation that negatively affects the resolution of copy number analysis. We describe Rawcopy, an R package for processing of Affymetrix CytoScan HD, CytoScan 750k and SNP 6.0 microarray raw intensities (CEL files). Noise characteristics of a large number of reference samples are used to estimate log ratio and B-allele frequency for total and allele-specific copy number analysis. Rawcopy achieves better signal-to-noise ratio and higher proportion of validated alterations than commonly used free and proprietary alternatives. In addition, Rawcopy visualizes each microarray sample for assessment of technical quality, patient identity and genome-wide absolute copy number states. Software and instructions are available at http://rawcopy.org.
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259
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Whole-exome sequencing identifies recurrent AKT1 mutations in sclerosing hemangioma of lung. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:10672-7. [PMID: 27601661 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1606946113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (PSH) is a benign tumor with two cell populations (epithelial and stromal cells), for which genomic profiles remain unknown. We conducted exome sequencing of 44 PSHs and identified recurrent somatic mutations of AKT1 (43.2%) and β-catenin (4.5%). We used a second subset of 24 PSHs to confirm the high frequency of AKT1 mutations (overall 31/68, 45.6%; p.E17K, 33.8%) and recurrent β-catenin mutations (overall 3 of 68, 4.4%). Of the PSHs without AKT1 mutations, two exhibited AKT1 copy gain. AKT1 mutations existed in both epithelial and stromal cells. In two separate PSHs from one patient, we observed two different AKT1 mutations, indicating they were not disseminated but independent arising tumors. Because the AKT1 mutations were not found to co-occur with β-catenin mutations (or any other known driver alterations) in any of the PSHs studied, we speculate that this may be the single-most common driver alteration to develop PSHs. Our study revealed genomic differences between PSHs and lung adenocarcinomas, including a high rate of AKT1 mutation in PSHs. These genomic features of PSH identified in the present study provide clues to understanding the biology of PSH and for differential genomic diagnosis of lung tumors.
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260
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Perra A, Plateroti M, Columbano A. T3/TRs axis in hepatocellular carcinoma: new concepts for an old pair. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:R353-69. [PMID: 27353037 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and its burden is expected to further increase in the next years. Chronic inflammation, induced by multiple viruses or metabolic alterations, and epigenetic and genetic modifications, cooperate in cancer development via a combination of common and distinct aetiology-specific pathways. In spite of the advances of classical therapies, the prognosis of this neoplasm has not considerably improved over the past few years. The advent of targeted therapies and the approval of the systemic treatment of advanced HCC with the kinase inhibitor sorafenib have provided some hope for the future. However, the benefits obtained from this treatment are still disappointing, as it extends the median life expectancy of patients by only few months. It is thus mandatory to find alternative effective treatments. Although the role played by thyroid hormones (THs) and their nuclear receptors (TRs) in human cancer is still unclear, mounting evidence indicates that they behave as oncosuppressors in HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms by which they exert this effect and the consequence of their activation following ligand binding on HCC progression remain elusive. In this review, we re-evaluate the existing evidence of the role of TH/TRs in HCC development; we will also discuss how TR alterations could affect fundamental biological processes, such as hepatocyte proliferation and differentiation, and consequently HCC progression. Finally, we will discuss if and how TRs can be foreseen as therapeutic targets in HCC and whether selective TR modulation by TH analogues may hold promise for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michelina Plateroti
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon INSERM U1052CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Centre Léon Bérard, Département de la Recherche, Lyon, France
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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261
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Zhu AX, Chen D, He W, Kanai M, Voi M, Chen LT, Daniele B, Furuse J, Kang YK, Poon RTP, Vogel A, Chiang DY. Integrative biomarker analyses indicate etiological variations in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2016; 65:296-304. [PMID: 27130844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine whether biomarkers from baseline plasma and archival tissue specimens collected from patients enrolled in the EVOLVE-1 trial - a randomized phase 3 study of everolimus in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - were associated with prognosis, etiology or ethnicity. METHODS Circulating plasma levels of bFGF, PLGF, VEGF, VEGF-D, c-Kit, collagen IV, sVEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were measured by ELISA (N=503). Protein levels of IGF-1R, c-Met, mTOR, Tsc2 were assayed by immunohistochemistry (N=125). Genomic DNA sequencing was conducted on a panel of 287 cancer-related genes (N=69). RESULTS Patients with baseline plasma concentrations of VEGF or sVEGFR1 above the cohort median had significantly shorter overall survival. These plasma biomarkers retained prognostic significance in a multivariate Cox regression model with geographic region, macroscopic vascular invasion and alpha fetoprotein AFP levels. Membranous c-Met protein levels were significantly lower for Asian patients, as well as for hepatitis B viral etiology. The prevalence of genetic changes were similar to previous reports, along with a trend towards higher PTEN and TSC2 mutations among Asians. CONCLUSIONS The angiogenesis biomarkers VEGF and sVEGFR1 were independent prognostic predictors of survival in patients with advanced HCC. Potential differences in c-Met and mTOR pathway activation between Asian and non-Asian patients should be considered in future clinical trials. LAY SUMMARY Our study demonstrates that circulating angiogenesis biomarkers can predict the survival outcome in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma independent of the clinical variables. There is etiology and ethnicity variation in molecular pathway activation in hepatocellular carcinoma, which should be considered for future clinical trial design of targeted therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01035229.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew X Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David Chen
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Wei He
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Masayuki Kanai
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Maurizio Voi
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Koahsiung, Taiwan
| | - Bruno Daniele
- Department of Medical Oncology, G Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy
| | - Junji Furuse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoon-Koo Kang
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ronnie T P Poon
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Derek Y Chiang
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
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262
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Kawaguchi K, Honda M, Yamashita T, Okada H, Shirasaki T, Nishikawa M, Nio K, Arai K, Sakai Y, Yamashita T, Mizukoshi E, Kaneko S. Jagged1 DNA Copy Number Variation Is Associated with Poor Outcome in Liver Cancer. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:2055-2067. [PMID: 27315779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Notch signaling abnormalities are reported to be involved in the acceleration of malignancy in solid tumors and stem cell formation or regeneration in various organs. We analyzed specific genes for DNA copy number variations in liver cancer cells and investigated whether these factors relate to clinical outcome. Chromosome 20p, which includes the ligand for Notch pathways, Jagged1, was found to be amplified in several types of hepatoma cells, and its mRNA was up-regulated according to α-fetoprotein gene expression levels. Notch inhibition using Jagged1 shRNA and γ-secretase inhibitors produced significant suppression of cell growth in α-fetoprotein-producing cells with suppression of downstream genes. Using in vivo hepatoma models, the administration of γ-secretase inhibitors resulted in reduced tumor sizes and effective Notch inhibition with widespread apoptosis and necrosis of viable tumor cells. The γ-secretase inhibitors suppressed cell growth of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive fraction in hepatoma cells, indicating that Notch inhibitors could suppress the stem cell features of liver cancer cells. Even in clinical liver cancer samples, the expression of α-fetoprotein and Jagged1 showed significant correlation, and amplification of the copy number of Jagged1 was associated with Jagged1 mRNA expression and poor survival after liver cancer surgical resection. In conclusion, amplification of Jagged1 contributed to mRNA expression that activates the Jagged1-Notch signaling pathway in liver cancer and led to poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Kawaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hikari Okada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Shirasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masashi Nishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kouki Nio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yoshio Sakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Eishiro Mizukoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
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263
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Yuan Y, Liu L, Chen H, Wang Y, Xu Y, Mao H, Li J, Mills GB, Shu Y, Li L, Liang H. Comprehensive Characterization of Molecular Differences in Cancer between Male and Female Patients. Cancer Cell 2016; 29:711-722. [PMID: 27165743 PMCID: PMC4864951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An individual's sex has been long recognized as a key factor affecting cancer incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses. However, the molecular basis for sex disparities in cancer remains poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive analysis of molecular differences between male and female patients in 13 cancer types of The Cancer Genome Atlas and revealed two sex-effect groups associated with distinct incidence and mortality profiles. One group contains a small number of sex-affected genes, whereas the other shows much more extensive sex-biased molecular signatures. Importantly, 53% of clinically actionable genes (60/114) show sex-biased signatures. Our study provides a systematic molecular-level understanding of sex effects in diverse cancers and suggests a pressing need to develop sex-specific therapeutic strategies in certain cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lingxiang Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Hu Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Graduate Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yumeng Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Graduate Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanxun Xu
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Huzhang Mao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Graduate Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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264
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Abstract
Fighting Cancer with Immunotherapy. 21st Century Cancer Warfare: A Glimpse into the Operations of a Modern Radiotherapy Unit. Is Colorectal Carcinomas due to ‘Bad Luck’ or Is It Preventable? Asian Point of View on Cancer. Improving Overall Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through a Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity, Immunology and the Promise of Better Outcomes. Cancer of the Cervix – Can It be Prevented?
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265
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Llovet JM, Zucman-Rossi J, Pikarsky E, Sangro B, Schwartz M, Sherman M, Gores G. Hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2016; 2:16018. [PMID: 27158749 DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1666] [Impact Index Per Article: 208.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally and has an incidence of approximately 850,000 new cases per year. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents approximately 90% of all cases of primary liver cancer. The main risk factors for developing HCC are well known and include hepatitis B and C virus infection, alcohol intake and ingestion of the fungal metabolite aflatoxin B1. Additional risk factors such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are also emerging. Advances in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HCC have led to identification of critical driver mutations; however, the most prevalent of these are not yet druggable targets. The molecular classification of HCC is not established, and the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging classification is the main clinical algorithm for the stratification of patients according to prognosis and treatment allocation. Surveillance programmes enable the detection of early-stage tumours that are amenable to curative therapies - resection, liver transplantation or local ablation. At more developed stages, only chemoembolization (for intermediate HCC) and sorafenib (for advanced HCC) have shown survival benefits. There are major unmet needs in HCC management that might be addressed through the discovery of new therapies and their combinations for use in the adjuvant setting and for intermediate- and advanced-stage disease. Moreover, biomarkers for therapy stratification, patient-tailored strategies targeting driver mutations and/or activating signalling cascades, and validated measurements of quality of life are needed. Recent failures in the testing of systemic drugs for intermediate and advanced stages have indicated a need to refine trial designs and to define novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep M Llovet
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases and RM Transplant Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Madison Avenue 1425, 11F-70, Box 1123, New York, New York 10029, USA.,Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS - Hospital Clinic, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- INSERM, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Haematologie, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, Bobigny, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Eli Pikarsky
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research and Department of Pathology, Hebrew University Hadassah-Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases and RM Transplant Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Madison Avenue 1425, 11F-70, Box 1123, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Morris Sherman
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory Gores
- Mayo Clinic, Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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266
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Levrero M, Zucman-Rossi J. Mechanisms of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S84-S101. [PMID: 27084040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 601] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development through direct and indirect mechanisms. HBV DNA integration into the host genome occurs at early steps of clonal tumor expansion and induces both genomic instability and direct insertional mutagenesis of diverse cancer-related genes. Prolonged expression of the viral regulatory protein HBx and/or altered versions of the preS/S envelope proteins dysregulates cell transcription and proliferation control and sensitizes liver cells to carcinogenic factors. Accumulation of preS1 large envelope proteins and/or preS2/S mutant proteins activates the unfold proteins response, that can contribute to hepatocyte transformation. Epigenetic changes targeting the expression of tumor suppressor genes occur early in the development of HCC. A major role is played by the HBV protein, HBx, which is recruited on cellular chromatin and modulates chromatin dynamics at specific gene loci. Compared with tumors associated with other risk factors, HBV-related tumors have a higher rate of chromosomal alterations, p53 inactivation by mutations and overexpression of fetal liver/hepatic progenitor cells genes. The WNT/β-catenin pathway is also often activated but HBV-related tumors display a low rate of activating β-catenin mutations. HBV-related HCCs may arise on non-cirrhotic livers, further supporting the notion that HBV plays a direct role in liver transformation by triggering both common and etiology specific oncogenic pathways in addition to stimulating the host immune response and driving liver chronic necro-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL) - INSERM U1052, Lyon, France; IIT Centre for Life Nanoscience (CLNS), Rome, Italy; Dept of Internal Medicine (DMISM), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hematologie, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, Bobigny, France; Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.
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267
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Personalized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Where are we now? Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 45:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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268
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Zhou M, Learned RM, Rossi SJ, DePaoli AM, Tian H, Ling L. Engineered fibroblast growth factor 19 reduces liver injury and resolves sclerosing cholangitis in Mdr2-deficient mice. Hepatology 2016; 63:914-29. [PMID: 26418580 PMCID: PMC5063176 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Defects in multidrug resistance 3 gene (MDR3), which encodes the canalicular phospholipid flippase, cause a wide spectrum of cholangiopathy phenotypes in humans. Mice deficient in Mdr2 (murine ortholog of MDR3) develop liver diseases that closely reproduce the biochemical, histological, and clinical features of human cholangiopathies such as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We hypothesized that modulating bile acid metabolism by the gut hormone fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) may represent a novel approach for treating cholangiopathy and comorbidities. We introduced adeno-associated virus carrying the gene for either the endocrine hormone FGF19 or engineered FGF19 variant M70 to 12-week old Mdr2-deficient mice with fully established disease. Effects on serum levels of liver enzymes, liver histology, and bile acid homeostasis were evaluated. FGF19 and M70 rapidly and effectively reversed liver injury, decreased hepatic inflammation, attenuated biliary fibrosis, and reduced cholecystolithiasis in Mdr2-deficient mice. Mechanistically, FGF19 and M70 significantly inhibited hepatic expression of Cyp7a1 and Cyp27a1, which encode enzymes responsible for the rate-limiting steps in the classic and alternate bile acid synthetic pathways, thereby reducing the hepatic bile acid pool and blood levels of bile acids. Importantly, prolonged exposure to FGF19, but not M70, led to the formation of hepatocellular carcinomas in the Mdr2-deficient mice. Furthermore, M70 ameliorated the hepatosplenomegaly and ductular proliferation that are associated with cholangiopathy. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the potential for treating cholangiopathy by safely harnessing FGF19 biology to suppress bile acid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhou
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.South San FranciscoCA
| | | | | | | | - Hui Tian
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.South San FranciscoCA
| | - Lei Ling
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.South San FranciscoCA
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269
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Zhao Y, Meng C, Wang Y, Huang H, Liu W, Zhang JF, Zhao H, Feng B, Leung PS, Xia Y. IL-1β inhibits β-Klotho expression and FGF19 signaling in hepatocytes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2016; 310:E289-300. [PMID: 26670488 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00356.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 is a member of the FGF15/19 subfamily of FGFs that includes FGF15/19, FGF21, and FGF23. FGF19 has been shown to have profound effects on liver metabolism and regeneration. FGF19 binds to FGFR4 and its coreceptor β-Klotho to activate intracellular kinases, including Erk1/2. Studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα impair FGF21 signaling in adipose cells by repressing β-Klotho expression. However, little is known about the effects of inflammation on the FGF19 pathway in the liver. In the present study, we found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibited β-Klotho and Fgfr4 expression in livers in mice, whereas LPS had no effects on the two FGF19 receptors in Huh-7 and HepG2 cells. Of the three inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, IL-1β drastically inhibited β-Klotho expression, whereas TNFα and IL-6 had no or minor effects. None of the three cytokines had any effects on FGFR4 expression. IL-1β directly inhibited β-Klotho transcription, and this inhibition required both the JNK and NF-κB pathways. In addition, IL-1β inhibited FGF19-induced Erk1/2 activation and cell proliferation. These results suggest that inflammation and IL-1β play an important role in regulating FGF19 signaling and function in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueshui Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chenling Meng
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huihui Huang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jin-Fang Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; and
| | - Bo Feng
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; and
| | - Po Sing Leung
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin Xia
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; and
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270
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Hsu C, Lin LI, Cheng YC, Feng ZR, Shao YY, Cheng AL, Ou DL. Cyclin E1 Inhibition can Overcome Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Through Mcl-1 Suppression. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 22:2555-64. [PMID: 26603262 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To clarify the effects of cyclin E1 suppression on antitumor efficacy of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to explore the potential of combining sorafenib with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibition in therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of cyclin E1 suppression on sorafenib-induced apoptosis were tested in both sorafenib-sensitive (Huh-7 and HepG2, IC50 5-6 μmol/L) and sorafenib-resistant (Huh-7R and HepG2R, IC50 14-15 μmol/L) hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The activity of pertinent signaling pathways and the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins were measured using Western blotting. Efficacy of sorafenib combined with the pan-CDK inhibitor flavopiridol was tested both in vitro and in xenograft experiments. The pertinent downstream mediators of antitumor efficacy were tested in transient transfection and RNA interference experiments. RESULTS Cyclin E1 mRNA and protein expressions were suppressed after sorafenib treatment in sorafenib-sensitive but not in sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Changes in cyclin E2 or D1 were not correlated with sorafenib sensitivity. The knockdown of cyclin E1 expression reversed the resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib in terms of cell growth and apoptosis induction, whereas the overexpression of cyclin E1 increased the resistance to sorafenib. The growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of sorafenib were enhanced by flavopiridol, and Mcl-1 suppression was determined to play a critical role in mediating this enhancing effect. CONCLUSIONS The cyclin E1 suppression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells may serve as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for predicting sorafenib efficacy. The combination of sorafenib and CDK inhibitors may improve the efficacy of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2555-64. ©2015 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiun Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-In Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Che Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zi-Rui Feng
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yun Shao
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ann-Lii Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Graduate Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Da-Liang Ou
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. National Center of Excellence for Clinical Trial and Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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271
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Trivedi PJ, Hirschfield GM, Gershwin ME. Obeticholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2015; 9:13-26. [PMID: 26549695 DOI: 10.1586/17512433.2015.1092381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by progressive nonsuppurative destruction of small bile ducts, resulting in intrahepatic cholestasis, fibrosis and ultimately end-stage liver disease. Timely intervention with ursodeoxycholic acid is associated with excellent survival, although approximately one-third of all patients fail to achieve biochemical response, signifying a critical need for additional therapeutic strategies. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a potent ligand of the nuclear hormone receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Activation of FXR inhibits bile acid synthesis and protects against toxic accumulation in models of cholestasis and facilitates hepatic regeneration in preclinical studies. Data from recent Phase II and III controlled trials suggest a therapeutic impact of OCA in PBC biochemical nonresponders, as evidenced by change in proven laboratory surrogates of long-term outcome. Dose-dependent pruritus is a common adverse effect, but may be overcome through dose-titration. Longer term studies are needed with focus on safety and long-term clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palak J Trivedi
- a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, 5th Floor IBR Building , Wolfson Drive, University of Birmingham , UK
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, 5th Floor IBR Building , Wolfson Drive, University of Birmingham , UK
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- b Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis , California , Birmingham , USA
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272
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Repana D, Ross P. Targeting FGF19/FGFR4 Pathway: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Diseases 2015; 3:294-305. [PMID: 28943626 PMCID: PMC5548263 DOI: 10.3390/diseases3040294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with limited systemic therapeutic options. Liver carcinogenesis is a complex procedure and various pathways have been found to be deregulated which are potential targets for novel treatments. Aberrant signalling through FGF19 and its receptor FGFR4 seems to be the oncogenic driver for a subset of HCCs and is associated with poor prognosis. Inhibition of the pathway in preclinical models has shown antitumour activity and has triggered further evaluation of this strategy to in vivo models. This review aims to describe the role of the FGF19/FGFR4 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma and its role as a potential predictive biomarker for novel targeted agents against FGF19/FGFR4 signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Repana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, SE1 9RT London, UK.
| | - Paul Ross
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, SE1 9RT London, UK.
- Department of Oncology, King's College Hospital, SE19 1RT London, UK.
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273
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Zucman-Rossi J, Villanueva A, Nault JC, Llovet JM. Genetic Landscape and Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Gastroenterology 2015; 149:1226-1239.e4. [PMID: 26099527 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.05.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 852] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged as a major cause of cancer-related death. Its mortality has increased in Western populations, with a minority of patients diagnosed at early stages, when curative treatments are feasible. Only the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is available for the management of advanced cases. During the last 10 years, there has been a clear delineation of the landscape of genetic alterations in HCC, including high-level DNA amplifications in chromosome 6p21 (VEGFA) and 11q13 (FGF19/CNND1), as well as homozygous deletions in chromosome 9 (CDKN2A). The most frequent mutations affect TERT promoter (60%), associated with an increased telomerase expression. TERT promoter can also be affected by copy number variations and hepatitis B DNA insertions, and it can be found mutated in preneoplastic lesions. TP53 and CTNNB1 are the next most prevalent mutations, affecting 25%-30% of HCC patients, that, in addition to low-frequency mutated genes (eg, AXIN1, ARID2, ARID1A, TSC1/TSC2, RPS6KA3, KEAP1, MLL2), help define some of the core deregulated pathways in HCC. Conceptually, some of these changes behave as prototypic oncogenic addiction loops, being ideal biomarkers for specific therapeutic approaches. Data from genomic profiling enabled a proposal of HCC in 2 major molecular clusters (proliferation and nonproliferation), with differential enrichment in prognostic signatures, pathway activation and tumor phenotype. Translation of these discoveries into specific therapeutic decisions is an unmet medical need in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hematologie, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, Bobigny, France; Université Paris Diderot, Paris.
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hematologie, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bondy, France
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Barcelona-Clínic Liver Cancer Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Liver Unit, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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274
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Kessler SM, Laggai S, Barghash A, Schultheiss CS, Lederer E, Artl M, Helms V, Haybaeck J, Kiemer AK. IMP2/p62 induces genomic instability and an aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma phenotype. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1894. [PMID: 26426686 PMCID: PMC4632283 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and commonly develops in inflammatory environments. The IGF2 mRNA-binding protein IMP2-2/IGF2BP2-2/p62 was originally identified as an autoantigen in HCC. Aim of this study was to investigate a potential pathophysiological role of p62 in hepatocarcinogenesis. Human HCC tissue showed overexpression of IMP2, which strongly correlated with the fetal markers AFP and DLK1/Pref-1/FA-1 and was particularly elevated in tumors with stem-like features and hypervascularization. Molecular classification of IMP2-overexpressing tumors revealed an aggressive phenotype. Livers of mice overexpressing the IMP2 splice variant p62 highly expressed the stem cell marker DLK1 and secreted DLK1 into the blood. p62 was oncogenic: diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-treated p62 transgenic mice exhibited a higher tumor incidence and multiplicity than wild types. Tumors of transgenics showed a more aggressive and stem-like phenotype and displayed more oncogenic chromosomal aberrations determined with aCGH analysis. DEN-treated p62 transgenic mice exhibited distinct signs of inflammation, such as inflammatory cytokine expression and oxidative stress markers, that is, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was elevated in HepG2 cells, which either overexpressed p62 or were treated with DLK1. p62 induced this ROS production by a DLK1-dependent induction and activation of the small Rho-GTPase RAC1, activating NADPH oxidase and being overexpressed in human HCC. Our data indicate that p62/IMP2 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis by an amplification of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Kessler
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - S Laggai
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - A Barghash
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany.,Saarbruecken Graduate School of Computer Science, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - C S Schultheiss
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - E Lederer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - M Artl
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - V Helms
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - J Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - A K Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
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275
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Haq F, Ahn SM. Reply: To PMID 24798001. Hepatology 2015; 62:1324-5. [PMID: 25677638 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Haq
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery Asan Institute for Life Science, University of Ulsan College of Medicine Asan Medical Center Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Min Ahn
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery Asan Institute for Life Science, University of Ulsan College of Medicine Asan Medical Center Seoul, Korea.,Department of Oncology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine Asan Medical Center Seoul, Korea.,Department of Bioinformatics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine Asan Medical Center Seoul, Korea
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276
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Panera N, Ceccarelli S, Nobili V, Alisi A. Targeting FGF19 binding to its receptor system: a novel therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2015; 62:1324. [PMID: 25677789 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Ceccarelli
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Nobili
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Liver Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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277
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Abstract
The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process, and HCC arises from the accumulation of multiple genetic alterations leading to changes in the genomic landscape. Current advances in genomic technologies have revolutionized the search for genetic alterations in cancer genomes. Recent studies in which all coding exons in HCC were sequenced have shed new light on the genomic landscape of this malignant disease. Catalogues of these somatic mutations and systematic analysis of catalogued mutations will lead us to uncover candidate HCC driver genes, although further functional validation is needed to determine whether these genes play a causal role in the development of HCC. This review provides an overview of previously known oncogenes and new oncogene candidates in HCC that were uncovered from recent exome or whole-genome sequencing studies. This knowledge provides direction for future personalized treatment approaches for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Seog Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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278
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Faltermeier C, Busuttil RW, Zarrinpar A. A Surgical Perspective on Targeted Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Diseases 2015; 3:221-252. [PMID: 28943622 PMCID: PMC5548262 DOI: 10.3390/diseases3040221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, is difficult to treat and highly lethal. Since HCC is predominantly diagnosed in patients with cirrhosis, treatment planning must consider both the severity of liver disease and tumor burden. To minimize the impact to the patient while treating the tumor, techniques have been developed to target HCC. Anatomical targeting by surgical resection or locoregional therapies is generally reserved for patients with preserved liver function and minimal to moderate tumor burden. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and small tumors are optimal candidates for liver transplantation, which offers the best chance of long-term survival. Yet, only 20%-30% of patients have disease amenable to anatomical targeting. For the majority of patients with advanced HCC, chemotherapy is used to target the tumor biology. Despite these treatment options, the five-year survival of patients in the United States with HCC is only 16%. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of current approaches to target HCC. We also discuss emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, novel therapeutic targets identified by recent genomic profiling studies, and potential applications of immunotherapy in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Faltermeier
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Ronald W Busuttil
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Ali Zarrinpar
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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279
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Shao YY, Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Predictive biomarkers of sorafenib efficacy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Are we getting there? World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:10336-10347. [PMID: 26420960 PMCID: PMC4579880 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i36.10336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is the current standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is modest with low response rates and short response duration. Predictive biomarkers for sorafenib efficacy are necessary. However, efforts to determine biomarkers for sorafenib have led only to potential candidates rather than clinically useful predictors. Studies based on patient cohorts identified the potential of blood levels of angiopoietin-2, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-β1 for predicting sorafenib efficacy. Alpha-fetoprotein response, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and treatment-related side effects may serve as early surrogate markers. Novel approaches based on super-responders or experimental mouse models may provide new directions in biomarker research. These studies identified tumor amplification of FGF3/FGF4 or VEGFA and tumor expression of phospho-Mapk14 and phospho-Atf2 as possible predictive markers that await validation. A group effort that considers various prognostic factors and proper collection of tumor tissues before treatment is imperative for the success of future biomarker research in advanced HCC.
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280
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Machiela MJ, Ho BM, Fisher VA, Hua X, Chanock SJ. Limited evidence that cancer susceptibility regions are preferential targets for somatic mutation. Genome Biol 2015; 16:193. [PMID: 26374197 PMCID: PMC4571124 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0755-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome wide-association studies have successfully identified several hundred independent loci harboring common cancer susceptibility alleles that are distinct from the more than 110 cancer predisposition genes. The latter are generally characterized by disruptive mutations in coding genes that have been established as 'drivers' of cancer in large somatic sequencing studies. We set out to determine whether, similarly, common cancer susceptibility loci map to genes that have altered frequencies of mutation. RESULTS In our analysis of the intervals defined by the cancer susceptibility markers, we observed that cancer susceptibility regions have gene mutation frequencies comparable to background mutation frequencies. Restricting analyses to genes that have been determined to be pleiotropic across cancer types, genes affected by expression quantitative trait loci, or functional genes indicates that most cancer susceptibility genes classified into these subgroups do not display mutation frequencies that deviate from those expected. We observed limited evidence that cancer susceptibility regions that harbor common alleles with small estimated effect sizes are preferential targets for altered somatic mutation frequencies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a complex interplay between germline susceptibility and somatic mutation, underscoring the cumulative effect of common variants on redundant pathways as opposed to driver genes. Complex biological pathways and networks likely link these genetic features of carcinogenesis, particularly as they relate to distinct polygenic models for each cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell J Machiela
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Brian M Ho
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Victoria A Fisher
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Xing Hua
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Stephen J Chanock
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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281
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Huels DJ, Ridgway RA, Radulescu S, Leushacke M, Campbell AD, Biswas S, Leedham S, Serra S, Chetty R, Moreaux G, Parry L, Matthews J, Song F, Hedley A, Kalna G, Ceteci F, Reed KR, Meniel VS, Maguire A, Doyle B, Söderberg O, Barker N, Watson A, Larue L, Clarke AR, Sansom OJ. E-cadherin can limit the transforming properties of activating β-catenin mutations. EMBO J 2015; 34:2321-33. [PMID: 26240067 PMCID: PMC4570519 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201591739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt pathway deregulation is a common characteristic of many cancers. Only colorectal cancer predominantly harbours mutations in APC, whereas other cancer types (hepatocellular carcinoma, solid pseudopapillary tumours of the pancreas) have activating mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1). We have compared the dynamics and the potency of β-catenin mutations in vivo. Within the murine small intestine (SI), an activating mutation of β-catenin took much longer to achieve Wnt deregulation and acquire a crypt-progenitor cell (CPC) phenotype than Apc or Gsk3 loss. Within the colon, a single activating mutation of β-catenin was unable to drive Wnt deregulation or induce the CPC phenotype. This ability of β-catenin mutation to differentially transform the SI versus the colon correlated with higher expression of E-cadherin and a higher number of E-cadherin:β-catenin complexes at the membrane. Reduction in E-cadherin synergised with an activating mutation of β-catenin resulting in a rapid CPC phenotype within the SI and colon. Thus, there is a threshold of β-catenin that is required to drive transformation, and E-cadherin can act as a buffer to sequester mutated β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marc Leushacke
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | | | - Sujata Biswas
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Simon Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Stefano Serra
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | - Runjan Chetty
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Lee Parry
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James Matthews
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Fei Song
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ann Hedley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Fatih Ceteci
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen R Reed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Valerie S Meniel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Aoife Maguire
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Doyle
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ola Söderberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology Science for Life Laboratory, BMC Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nick Barker
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Alastair Watson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3347 INSERM, U1021 Equipe labellisée - Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Alan R Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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282
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Han T, Xiang DM, Sun W, Liu N, Sun HL, Wen W, Shen WF, Wang RY, Chen C, Wang X, Cheng Z, Li HY, Wu MC, Cong WM, Feng GS, Ding J, Wang HY. PTPN11/Shp2 overexpression enhances liver cancer progression and predicts poor prognosis of patients. J Hepatol 2015; 63:651-60. [PMID: 25865556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We have previously reported that Shp2, a tyrosine phosphatase previously known as a pro-leukemogenic molecule, suppresses the initiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of Shp2 in HCC progression remains obscure. METHODS Shp2 expression was determined in human HCC using real-time PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Clinical significance of Shp2 expression was analyzed in 301 HCC tissues with clinico-pathological characteristics and follow-up information. Short hairpin RNA was utilized to investigate the function of Shp2 in hepatoma cell behavior. Role of Shp2 in HCC progression was monitored through nude mice xenograft assay. Kinase activity assay and co-immunoprecipitation were used for mechanism analysis. RESULTS Elevated expression of Shp2 was detected in 65.9% (394/598) of human HCCs, and its levels were even higher in metastasized foci. Overexpression of Shp2 correlated well with the malignant clinico-pathological characteristics of HCC and predicted the poor prognosis of patients. Interference of Shp2 expression suppressed the proliferation of hepatoma cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of HCC xenografts in vivo. Down-regulation of Shp2 attenuated the adhesion and migration of hepatoma cells and diminished metastasized HCC formation in mice. Our data demonstrated that Shp2 promotes HCC growth and metastasis by coordinately activating Ras/Raf/Erk pathway and PI3-K/Akt/mTOR cascade. Moreover, down-regulation of Shp2 enhanced the sensitivity of hepatoma cells upon sorafenib treatment, and patients with low Shp2 expression exhibited superior prognosis to sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS Shp2 promotes the progression of HCC and may serve as a prognostic biomarker for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Han
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Dai-Min Xiang
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wen Sun
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Huan-Lin Sun
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wen Wen
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei-Feng Shen
- The Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ruo-Yu Wang
- The Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xue Wang
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhuo Cheng
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Heng-Yu Li
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Meng-Chao Wu
- The Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Wen-Ming Cong
- The Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Gen-Sheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, and Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jin Ding
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Hong-Yang Wang
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China.
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283
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Gilgenkrantz H, Tordjmann T. Bile acids and FGF receptors: orchestrators of optimal liver regeneration. Gut 2015; 64:1351-2. [PMID: 25654989 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Gilgenkrantz
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
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284
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Schulze K, Zucman-Rossi J. Current issues on genomic heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma and its implication in clinical practice. Hepat Oncol 2015; 2:291-302. [PMID: 30191009 DOI: 10.2217/hep.15.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease leading to a major diversity. Since staging systems are used in patient care, molecular and histopathological features remain to be incorporated in management algorithms. HCC, as other malignant solid tumors, exhibit a complex genetic diversity and genomic instability, driving tumorigenesis. The recent development of deep sequencing techniques has revealed different subgroups of tumors defined by specific patterns of genomic alterations that are related to clinical and histopathological diversity in HCC. Additionally, several genomic defects identified in HCC will be used in the future to develop clinical trial design for tumorized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelius Schulze
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des Tumeurs solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, F-75010 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, F-75013 Paris, France.,Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, F-93000 Bobigny, France.,Université Paris Diderot, F-75013 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des Tumeurs solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, F-75010 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, F-75013 Paris, France.,Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, F-93000 Bobigny, France.,Université Paris Diderot, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des Tumeurs solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, F-75010 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, F-75013 Paris, France.,Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, F-93000 Bobigny, France.,Université Paris Diderot, F-75013 Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des Tumeurs solides, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, F-75010 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, F-75013 Paris, France.,Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé, Médecine, Biologie Humaine, F-93000 Bobigny, France.,Université Paris Diderot, F-75013 Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
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285
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Clark AD, Oldenbroek M, Boyer TG. Mediator kinase module and human tumorigenesis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 50:393-426. [PMID: 26182352 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2015.1064854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mediator is a conserved multi-subunit signal processor through which regulatory informatiosn conveyed by gene-specific transcription factors is transduced to RNA Polymerase II (Pol II). In humans, MED13, MED12, CDK8 and Cyclin C (CycC) comprise a four-subunit "kinase" module that exists in variable association with a 26-subunit Mediator core. Genetic and biochemical studies have established the Mediator kinase module as a major ingress of developmental and oncogenic signaling through Mediator, and much of its function in signal-dependent gene regulation derives from its resident CDK8 kinase activity. For example, CDK8-targeted substrate phosphorylation impacts transcription factor half-life, Pol II activity and chromatin chemistry and functional status. Recent structural and biochemical studies have revealed a precise network of physical and functional subunit interactions required for proper kinase module activity. Accordingly, pathologic change in this activity through altered expression or mutation of constituent kinase module subunits can have profound consequences for altered signaling and tumor formation. Herein, we review the structural organization, biological function and oncogenic potential of the Mediator kinase module. We focus principally on tumor-associated alterations in kinase module subunits for which mechanistic relationships as opposed to strictly correlative associations are established. These considerations point to an emerging picture of the Mediator kinase module as an oncogenic unit, one in which pathogenic activation/deactivation through component change drives tumor formation through perturbation of signal-dependent gene regulation. It follows that therapeutic strategies to combat CDK8-driven tumors will involve targeted modulation of CDK8 activity or pharmacologic manipulation of dysregulated CDK8-dependent signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison D Clark
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA
| | - Marieke Oldenbroek
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA
| | - Thomas G Boyer
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA
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286
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Abstract
Mortality owing to liver cancer has increased in the past 20 years, and the latest estimates indicate that the global health burden of this disease will continue to grow. Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still diagnosed at intermediate or advanced disease stages, where curative approaches are often not feasible. Among the treatment options available, the molecular targeted agent sorafenib is able to significantly increase overall survival in these patients. Thereafter, up to seven large, randomized phase III clinical trials investigating other molecular therapies in the first-line and second-line settings have failed to improve on the results observed with this agent. Potential reasons for this include intertumour heterogeneity, issues with trial design and a lack of predictive biomarkers of response. During the past 5 years, substantial advances in our knowledge of the human genome have provided a comprehensive picture of commonly mutated genes in patients with HCC. This knowledge has not yet influenced clinical decision-making or current clinical practice guidelines. In this Review the authors summarize the molecular concepts of progression, discuss the potential reasons for clinical trial failure and propose new concepts of drug development, which might lead to clinical implementation of emerging targeted agents.
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287
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Chen J, Xia H, Zhang X, Karthik S, Pratap SV, Ooi LL, Hong W, Hui KM. ECT2 regulates the Rho/ERK signalling axis to promote early recurrence in human hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2015; 62:1287-95. [PMID: 25617497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Early recurrence is the major obstacle for improving the outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, identifying key molecules contributing to early HCC recurrence can enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of HCC. Epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2) has been implicated in human cancers, but its function in HCC is largely unknown. METHODS ECT2 expression was studied by microarrays, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry in human HCC samples. siRNA- and lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown were employed to decipher the molecular functions of ECT2. RESULTS The upregulation of ECT2 is significantly associated with early recurrent HCC disease and poor survival. Knockdown of ECT2 markedly suppressed Rho GTPases activities, enhanced apoptosis, attenuated oncogenicity and reduced the metastatic ability of HCC cells. Moreover, knockdown of ECT2 or Rho also suppressed ERK activation, while the silencing of Rho or ERK led to a marked reduction in cell migration. Stable knockdown of ECT2 in vivo resulted in significant retardation of tumour growth and the suppression of ERK activation. High expression of ECT2 correlates with high ERK phosphorylation and poor survival of HCC patients. Furthermore, ECT2 enhances the expression and stability of RACGAP1, accelerating ECT2-mediated Rho activation to promote metastasis. CONCLUSIONS ECT2 is closely associated with the activation of the Rho/ERK signalling axis to promote early HCC recurrence. In addition, ECT2 can crosstalk with RACGAP1 to catalyse the GTP exchange involved in Rho signalling to further regulate tumour initiation and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxiang Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hongping Xia
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Biopolis Drive Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sekar Karthik
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seshachalam Veerabrahma Pratap
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - London Lucien Ooi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Biopolis Drive Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kam M Hui
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Biopolis Drive Proteos, Singapore, Singapore; Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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288
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Takaki A, Yamamoto K. Control of oxidative stress in hepatocellular carcinoma: Helpful or harmful? World J Hepatol 2015; 7:968-979. [PMID: 25954479 PMCID: PMC4419100 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i7.968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is becoming recognized as a key factor in the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD) and hepatocarcinogenesis. The metabolically important liver is a major reservoir of mitochondria that serve as sources of reactive oxygen species, which are apparently responsible for the initiation of necroinflammation. As a result, CLD could be a major inducer of oxidative stress. Chronic hepatitis C is a powerful generator of oxidative stress, causing a high rate of hepatocarcinogenesis among patients with cirrhosis. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also associated with oxidative stress although its hepatocarcinogenic potential is lower than that of chronic hepatitis C. Analyses of serum markers and histological findings have shown that hepatocellular carcinoma correlates with oxidative stress and experimental data indicate that oxidative stress increases the likelihood of developing hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the results of antioxidant therapy have not been favorable. Physiological oxidative stress is a necessary biological response, and thus adequate control of oxidative stress and a balance between oxidative and anti-oxidative responses is important. Several agents including metformin and L-carnitine can reportedly control mechanistic oxidative stress. This study reviews the importance of oxidative stress in hepatocarcinogenesis and of control strategies for the optimal survival of patients with CLD and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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289
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Mutvei AP, Fredlund E, Lendahl U. Frequency and distribution of Notch mutations in tumor cell lines. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:311. [PMID: 25907971 PMCID: PMC4430925 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1278-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deregulated Notch signaling is linked to a variety of tumors and it is therefore important to learn more about the frequency and distribution of Notch mutations in a tumor context. METHODS In this report, we use data from the recently developed Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia to assess the frequency and distribution of Notch mutations in a large panel of cancer cell lines in silico. RESULTS Our results show that the mutation frequency of Notch receptor and ligand genes is at par with that for established oncogenes and higher than for a set of house-keeping genes. Mutations were found across all four Notch receptor genes, but with notable differences between protein domains, mutations were for example more prevalent in the regions encoding the LNR and PEST domains in the Notch intracellular domain. Furthermore, an in silico estimation of functional impact showed that deleterious mutations cluster to the ligand-binding and the intracellular domains of NOTCH1. For most cell line groups, the mutation frequency of Notch genes is higher than in associated primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our results shed new light on the spectrum of Notch mutations after in vitro culturing of tumor cells. The higher mutation frequency in tumor cell lines indicates that Notch mutations are associated with a growth advantage in vitro, and thus may be considered to be driver mutations in a tumor cell line context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik Fredlund
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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290
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Ezzikouri S, Kimura K, Sunagozaka H, Kaneko S, Inoue K, Nishimura T, Hishima T, Kohara M, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Serum DHCR24 Auto-antibody as a new Biomarker for Progression of Hepatitis C. EBioMedicine 2015; 2:604-12. [PMID: 26288822 PMCID: PMC4535309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New biomarkers are needed to identify the stage of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected diseases in order to reduce the mortality rates. Herein, we investigated whether serum 3β-hydroxysterol Δ24-reductase antibody (DHCR24 Ab) may serve as a prognostic marker for hepatitis C infection progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Serum DHCR24 Abs from 395 HCV-positive patients, including 133 chronic hepatitis (CHC), 85 liver cirrhosis (LCC), and 177 HCC (HCC-C) patients; 232 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive patients, including 103 chronic hepatitis (CHB), 56 liver cirrhosis (LCB), and 73 HCC (HCC-B) patients; and 24 healthy controls, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The serum DHCR24 Ab levels were significantly higher in patients with CHC than in healthy controls, in LCC than in CHC, and in LCC than in HCC-C (P < 0.0001 for all). The concentration of serum DHCR24 Ab in HCC-B patients showed no significant difference compared to CHB and LCB patients (P = 0.1247). The DHCR24 Ab levels were significantly higher in early HCC-C than CHC or LCC patients and in late HCC-C compared to early HCC-C patients. The sensitivity of the DHCR24 Ab for HCC-C detection (70.6%) was higher than that of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; 54.8%) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II; 42 · 5%). Moreover, DHCR24 was up-regulated in HCV-positive, but not HBV-positive tissues or HBV-negative, HCV-negative HCC specimens. CONCLUSIONS DHCR24 auto-antibody represents a potential noninvasive biomarker for HCV-related liver disease and may facilitate the diagnosis of PIVKA-II and AFP-negative HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayeh Ezzikouri
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco ; Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan ; Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kiminori Kimura
- Division of Hepatology, The Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Sunagozaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Showa University, Fujigaoka Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Tsunekazu Hishima
- Division of Pathology, The Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan ; Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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291
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Exome sequencing of hepatocellular carcinomas identifies new mutational signatures and potential therapeutic targets. Nat Genet 2015; 47:505-511. [PMID: 25822088 PMCID: PMC4587544 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1216] [Impact Index Per Article: 135.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Genomic analyses promise to improve tumor characterization to optimize personalized treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Exome sequencing analysis of 243 liver tumors identified mutational signatures associated with specific risk factors, mainly combined alcohol and tobacco consumption and exposure to aflatoxin B1. We identified 161 putative driver genes associated with 11 recurrently altered pathways. Associations of mutations defined 3 groups of genes related to risk factors and centered on CTNNB1 (alcohol), TP53 (hepatitis B virus, HBV) and AXIN1. Analyses according to tumor stage progression identified TERT promoter mutation as an early event, whereas FGF3, FGF4, FGF19 or CCND1 amplification and TP53 and CDKN2A alterations appeared at more advanced stages in aggressive tumors. In 28% of the tumors, we identified genetic alterations potentially targetable by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. In conclusion, we identified risk factor-specific mutational signatures and defined the extensive landscape of altered genes and pathways in HCC, which will be useful to design clinical trials for targeted therapy.
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292
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Hagel M, Miduturu C, Sheets M, Rubin N, Weng W, Stransky N, Bifulco N, Kim JL, Hodous B, Brooijmans N, Shutes A, Winter C, Lengauer C, Kohl NE, Guzi T. First Selective Small Molecule Inhibitor of FGFR4 for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinomas with an Activated FGFR4 Signaling Pathway. Cancer Discov 2015; 5:424-37. [PMID: 25776529 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-14-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Aberrant signaling through the fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19)/fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR 4) signaling complex has been shown to cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice and has been implicated to play a similar role in humans. We have developed BLU9931, a potent and irreversible small-molecule inhibitor of FGFR4, as a targeted therapy to treat patients with HCC whose tumors have an activated FGFR4 signaling pathway. BLU9931 is exquisitely selective for FGFR4 versus other FGFR family members and all other kinases. BLU9931 shows remarkable antitumor activity in mice bearing an HCC tumor xenograft that overexpresses FGF19 due to amplification as well as a liver tumor xenograft that overexpresses FGF19 mRNA but lacks FGF19 amplification. Approximately one third of patients with HCC whose tumors express FGF19 together with FGFR4 and its coreceptor klotho β (KLB) could potentially respond to treatment with an FGFR4 inhibitor. These findings are the first demonstration of a therapeutic strategy that targets a subset of patients with HCC. SIGNIFICANCE This article documents the discovery of BLU9931, a novel irreversible kinase inhibitor that specifically targets FGFR4 while sparing all other FGFR paralogs and demonstrates exquisite kinome selectivity. BLU9931 is efficacious in tumors with an intact FGFR4 signaling pathway that includes FGF19, FGFR4, and KLB. BLU9931 is the first FGFR4-selective molecule for the treatment of patients with HCC with aberrant FGFR4 signaling.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Conformation
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Binding
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/chemistry
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Weifan Weng
- Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam Shutes
- Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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293
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Prognostic significance of Cbx4 expression and its beneficial effect for transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1689. [PMID: 25766328 PMCID: PMC4385935 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Our recent investigations showed that polycomb chromobox 4 (Cbx4) promotes angiogenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through its sumoylating action on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein. Here, we attempt to identify the prognostic significances of Cbx4 by a retrospective analyses in 727 cases of HCC patients with and without postoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or transarterial embolization (TAE). Binary logistic regression tests indicated that Cbx4 is correlated with histological grading, tumor-node-metastasis stage, microvessel density, distant metastasis and hematogenous metastasis of HCC. By univariate and multivariate analyses, we show that Cbx4 is an independent prognostic factor of HCC, and both TAE and TACE treatments have no effects on the overall survival in HCC patients with low Cbx4 expression. More intriguingly, TACE prolongs, while TAE shortens, the overall survival of HCC patients with high Cbx4 expression, indicating that Cbx4 is a good biomarker on decision-making to perform postoperative TACE in HCC patients. Moreover, Cbx4 overexpression enhances while Cbx4 silencing antagonizes doxorubicin-induced cell death of HCC cell lines. In conclusion, Cbx4 is an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients, and the patients with high Cbx4 expression should receive postoperative TACE treatment to improve their survival.
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294
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Wagenaar TR, Zabludoff S, Ahn SM, Allerson C, Arlt H, Baffa R, Cao H, Davis S, Garcia-Echeverria C, Gaur R, Huang SMA, Jiang L, Kim D, Metz-Weidmann C, Pavlicek A, Pollard J, Reeves J, Rocnik JL, Scheidler S, Shi C, Sun F, Tolstykh T, Weber W, Winter C, Yu E, Yu Q, Zheng G, Wiederschain D. Anti-miR-21 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth via Broad Transcriptional Network Deregulation. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:1009-21. [PMID: 25758165 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant clinical challenge with few therapeutic options available to cancer patients. MicroRNA 21-5p (miR-21) has been shown to be upregulated in HCC, but the contribution of this oncomiR to the maintenance of tumorigenic phenotype in liver cancer remains poorly understood. We have developed potent and specific single-stranded oligonucleotide inhibitors of miR-21 (anti-miRNAs) and used them to interrogate dependency on miR-21 in a panel of liver cancer cell lines. Treatment with anti-miR-21, but not with a mismatch control anti-miRNA, resulted in significant derepression of direct targets of miR-21 and led to loss of viability in the majority of HCC cell lines tested. Robust induction of caspase activity, apoptosis, and necrosis was noted in anti-miR-21-treated HCC cells. Furthermore, ablation of miR-21 activity resulted in inhibition of HCC cell migration and suppression of clonogenic growth. To better understand the consequences of miR-21 suppression, global gene expression profiling was performed on anti-miR-21-treated liver cancer cells, which revealed striking enrichment in miR-21 target genes and deregulation of multiple growth-promoting pathways. Finally, in vivo dependency on miR-21 was observed in two separate HCC tumor xenograft models. In summary, these data establish a clear role for miR-21 in the maintenance of tumorigenic phenotype in HCC in vitro and in vivo. IMPLICATIONS miR-21 is important for the maintenance of the tumorigenic phenotype of HCC and represents a target for pharmacologic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Heike Arlt
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
| | | | - Hui Cao
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Rajula Gaur
- Genzyme R&D Center, Framingham, Massachusetts
| | | | - Lan Jiang
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sabine Scheidler
- Sanofi BioInnovation, Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Platform, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Chaomei Shi
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - Eunsil Yu
- Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Qunyan Yu
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
| | - Gang Zheng
- Sanofi Oncology, Cambridge, MA Massachusetts
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295
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Sendor AB, Hacker KE, Chen S, Corona AL, Sen O, Chiang DY, Snavely A, Rogers AB, Montgomery SA, Rathmell WK, McRee AJ. Von Hippel-Lindau status influences phenotype of liver cancers arising from PTEN loss. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 5:61-71. [PMID: 25844041 PMCID: PMC4383253 DOI: 10.2147/gictt.s72274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PTEN loss contributes to the development of liver diseases including hepatic steatosis and both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). The factors that influence the penetrance of these conditions are unclear. We explored the influence of sustained hypoxia signaling through co-deletion of Pten and Vhl in a murine model. METHODS We used a CreER-linked Keratin 18 mouse model to conditionally delete Pten, Vhl or both in somatic cells of adult mice, evaluating the resultant tumors by histology and gene expression microarray. Existing sets of gene expression data for human HCC and CC were examined for pathways related to those observed in the murine tumors, and a cohort of human CC samples was evaluated for relationships between HIF-1α expression and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Both Pten deletion genotypes developed liver tumors, but with differing phenotypes. Pten deletion alone led to large hepatic tumors with widespread hepatosteatosis. Co-deletion of Pten and Vhl with the Keratin 18 promoter resulted in reduced steatosis and a reduced tumor burden that was characterized by a trabecular architecture similar to CC. Genes associated with hepatic steatosis were coordinately expressed in the human HCC dataset, while genes involved in hypoxia response were upregulated in tumors from the human CC dataset. HIF-1α expression and overall survival were examined in an independent cohort of human CC tumors with no statistical differences uncovered. CONCLUSION Pten deletion in Keratin 18 expressing cells leads to aggressive tumor formation and widespread steatosis in mouse livers. Co-deletion of Vhl and Pten results in lower tumor burden with gene expression profiling suggesting a switch from a profile of lipid deposition to an expression profile more consistent with upregulation of the hypoxia response pathway. A relationship between tumor hypoxia signaling and altered hepatic steatotic response suggests that competing influences may alter tumor phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B Sendor
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathryn E Hacker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shufen Chen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Armando L Corona
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oishee Sen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Derek Y Chiang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anna Snavely
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Arlin B Rogers
- Section of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie A Montgomery
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - W Kimryn Rathmell
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Autumn J McRee
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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296
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The cancer COMPASS: navigating the functions of MLL complexes in cancer. Cancer Genet 2015; 208:178-91. [PMID: 25794446 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mixed-lineage leukemia family of histone methyltransferases (MLL1-4, or KMT2A-D) were previously linked to cancer through the founding member, MLL1/KMT2A, which is often involved in translocation-associated gene fusion events in childhood leukemias. However, in recent years, a multitude of tumor exome sequencing studies have revealed that orthologues MLL3/KMT2C and MLL2/KMT2D are mutated in a significant percentage of a large variety of malignancies, particularly solid tumors. These unexpected findings necessitate a deeper inspection into the activities and functional differences between the MLL/KMT2 family members. This review provides an overview of this protein family and its relation to cancers, focusing on the recent links between MLL3/KMT2C and MLL2/4/KMT2D and their potential roles as tumor suppressors in an assortment of cell types.
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297
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Hollebecque A, Malka D, Ferté C, Ducreux M, Boige V. Systemic treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: from disillusions to new horizons. Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:327-39. [PMID: 25559615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy, which accounts for a third of all cancer deaths globally each year. The management of patients with HCC is complex, as both the tumour stage and any underlying liver disease must be considered conjointly. Since the approval of sorafenib in advanced HCC, several phase III clinical trials have failed to demonstrate any superiority over sorafenib in the frontline setting, and no agent has been shown to impact outcomes after sorafenib failure. This review will focus on the range of experimental therapeutics for patients with advanced HCC and highlight the successes and failures of these treatments as well as areas for future development. Specifics such as dose limiting toxicity and safety profile in patients with liver dysfunction related to the underlying chronic liver disease should be considered when developing therapies in HCC. Finally, robust validated and reproducible surrogate end-points as well as predictive biomarkers should be defined in future randomised trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Hollebecque
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France; Drug Development Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - David Malka
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Charles Ferté
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Michel Ducreux
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Valérie Boige
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Sud, Villejuif, France.
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298
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Vilarinho S, Calvisi DF. New advances in precision medicine for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence prediction and treatment. Hepatology 2014; 60:1812-4. [PMID: 25042754 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vilarinho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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299
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Nault JC. Pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma according to aetiology. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2014; 28:937-47. [PMID: 25260319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is related to various etiologies including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, high alcohol intake, aflatoxin B1 and metabolic syndrome. Most of the time HCC developed on cirrhosis. Consequently, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis of these different risk factors are difficult to separate from the events leading to cirrhosis. In contrast, aflatoxin B1 and hepatitis B have a clear direct oncogenic role through point mutations in the TP53 tumour suppressor gene and insertional mutagenesis respectively. Finally, next-generation sequencing and transcriptome analysis will refine our knowledge of the relationship between aetiology and the genetic events that draw the mutational landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Charles Nault
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des Tumeurs solides, IUH, Paris, F-75010, France; Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Jean Verdier, AP-HP, Bondy, France; Université Paris 13, Bobigny, France.
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Tu T, Budzinska MA, Maczurek AE, Cheng R, Di Bartolomeo A, Warner FJ, McCaughan GW, McLennan SV, Shackel NA. Novel aspects of the liver microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and development. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:9422-58. [PMID: 24871369 PMCID: PMC4100103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15069422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver cancer that is derived from hepatocytes and is characterised by high mortality rate and poor prognosis. While HCC is driven by cumulative changes in the hepatocyte genome, it is increasingly recognised that the liver microenvironment plays a pivotal role in HCC propensity, progression and treatment response. The microenvironmental stimuli that have been recognised as being involved in HCC pathogenesis are diverse and include intrahepatic cell subpopulations, such as immune and stellate cells, pathogens, such as hepatitis viruses, and non-cellular factors, such as abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue hypoxia. Recently, a number of novel environmental influences have been shown to have an equally dramatic, but previously unrecognized, role in HCC progression. Novel aspects, including diet, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microflora and circulating microvesicles, are now being recognized as increasingly important in HCC pathogenesis. This review will outline aspects of the HCC microenvironment, including the potential role of GIT microflora and microvesicles, in providing new insights into tumourigenesis and identifying potential novel targets in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | | | | | - Robert Cheng
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | - Anna Di Bartolomeo
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Fiona J Warner
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | | | - Susan V McLennan
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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