251
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Bai X, Zhang Q, Wu S, Zhang X, Wang M, He F, Wei T, Yang J, Lou Y, Cai Z, Liang T. Characteristics of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte and Circulating Lymphocyte Repertoires in Pancreatic Cancer by the Sequencing of T Cell Receptors. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13664. [PMID: 26329277 PMCID: PMC4556988 DOI: 10.1038/srep13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and few effective treatments. The failure of treatment is partially due to the high heterogeneity of cancer cells within the tumor. T cells target and kill cancer cells by the specific recognition of cancer-associated antigens. In this study, T cells from primary tumor and blood of sixteen patients with pancreatic cancer were characterized by deep sequencing. T cells from blood of another eight healthy volunteers were also studied as controls. By analyzing the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) gene sequence, we found no significant differences in the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires between patients and healthy controls. Types and length of CDR3 were similar among groups. However, two clusters of patients were identified according to the degree of CDR3 overlap within tumor sample group. In addition, clonotypes with low frequencies were found in significantly higher numbers in primary pancreatic tumors compared to blood samples from patients and healthy controls. This study is the first to characterize the TCR repertoires of pancreatic cancers in both primary tumors and matched blood samples. The results imply that specific types of pancreatic cancer share potentially important immunological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Song Wu
- National-regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingbang Wang
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute
| | - Fusheng He
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Lou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- National-regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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252
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Garcia-Murillas I, Schiavon G, Weigelt B, Ng C, Hrebien S, Cutts RJ, Cheang M, Osin P, Nerurkar A, Kozarewa I, Garrido JA, Dowsett M, Reis-Filho JS, Smith IE, Turner NC. Mutation tracking in circulating tumor DNA predicts relapse in early breast cancer. Sci Transl Med 2015; 7:302ra133. [PMID: 26311728 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aab0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 784] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The identification of early-stage breast cancer patients at high risk of relapse would allow tailoring of adjuvant therapy approaches. We assessed whether analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma can be used to monitor for minimal residual disease (MRD) in breast cancer. In a prospective cohort of 55 early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, detection of ctDNA in plasma after completion of apparently curative treatment-either at a single postsurgical time point or with serial follow-up plasma samples-predicted metastatic relapse with high accuracy [hazard ratio, 25.1 (confidence interval, 4.08 to 130.5; log-rank P < 0.0001) or 12.0 (confidence interval, 3.36 to 43.07; log-rank P < 0.0001), respectively]. Mutation tracking in serial samples increased sensitivity for the prediction of relapse, with a median lead time of 7.9 months over clinical relapse. We further demonstrated that targeted capture sequencing analysis of ctDNA could define the genetic events of MRD, and that MRD sequencing predicted the genetic events of the subsequent metastatic relapse more accurately than sequencing of the primary cancer. Mutation tracking can therefore identify early breast cancer patients at high risk of relapse. Subsequent adjuvant therapeutic interventions could be tailored to the genetic events present in the MRD, a therapeutic approach that could in part combat the challenge posed by intratumor genetic heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Garcia-Murillas
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Gaia Schiavon
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK. Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charlotte Ng
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Hrebien
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Rosalind J Cutts
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Maggie Cheang
- Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Peter Osin
- Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Ashutosh Nerurkar
- Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Iwanka Kozarewa
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Javier Armisen Garrido
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Mitch Dowsett
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK. Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ian E Smith
- Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Nicholas C Turner
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK. Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK.
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253
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Pisanic TR, Athamanolap P, Poh W, Chen C, Hulbert A, Brock MV, Herman JG, Wang TH. DREAMing: a simple and ultrasensitive method for assessing intratumor epigenetic heterogeneity directly from liquid biopsies. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:e154. [PMID: 26304549 PMCID: PMC4678844 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cancers comprise heterogeneous populations of cells at primary and metastatic sites throughout the body. The presence or emergence of distinct subclones with drug-resistant genetic and epigenetic phenotypes within these populations can greatly complicate therapeutic intervention. Liquid biopsies of peripheral blood from cancer patients have been suggested as an ideal means of sampling intratumor genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity for diagnostics, monitoring and therapeutic guidance. However, current molecular diagnostic and sequencing methods are not well suited to the routine assessment of epigenetic heterogeneity in difficult samples such as liquid biopsies that contain intrinsically low fractional concentrations of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and rare epigenetic subclonal populations. Here we report an alternative approach, deemed DREAMing (Discrimination of Rare EpiAlleles by Melt), which uses semi-limiting dilution and precise melt curve analysis to distinguish and enumerate individual copies of epiallelic species at single-CpG-site resolution in fractions as low as 0.005%, providing facile and inexpensive ultrasensitive assessment of locus-specific epigenetic heterogeneity directly from liquid biopsies. The technique is demonstrated here for the evaluation of epigenetic heterogeneity at p14ARF and BRCA1 gene-promoter loci in liquid biopsies obtained from patients in association with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Pisanic
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Pornpat Athamanolap
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Weijie Poh
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Chen Chen
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Alicia Hulbert
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Malcolm V Brock
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - James G Herman
- Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA Cancer Biology Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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254
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Miao L, Wang Y, Lin CM, Xiong Y, Chen N, Zhang L, Kim WY, Huang L. Nanoparticle modulation of the tumor microenvironment enhances therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. J Control Release 2015; 217:27-41. [PMID: 26285063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) serves as a multidrug resistant center for tumors under the assault of chemotherapy and a physiological barrier against the penetration of therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs). Previous studies have indicated the ability for therapeutic NP to distribute into, and deplete tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) for improved therapeutic outcomes. However, a drug resistant phenotype gradually arises after repeated doses of chemotherapeutic NP. Herein, the acquisition of drug resistant phenotypes in the TME after repeated cisplatin NP treatment was examined. Particularly, this study was aimed at investigating the effects of NP damaged TAFs on neighboring cells and alteration of stromal structure after cisplatin treatment. Findings suggested that while off-targeted NP damaged TAFs and inhibited tumor growth after an initial dose, chronic exposure to cisplatin NP led to elevated secretion of Wnt16 in a paracrine manner in TAFs. Wnt16 upregulation was then attributed to heightened tumor cell resistance and stroma reconstruction. Results attest to the efficacy of Wnt16 knockdown in damaged TAFs as a promising combinatory strategy to improve efficacy of cisplatin NP in a stroma-rich bladder cancer model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Miao
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - C Michael Lin
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yang Xiong
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053, China
| | - Naihan Chen
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lu Zhang
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - William Y Kim
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Center of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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255
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Jarantow SW, Bushey BS, Pardinas JR, Boakye K, Lacy ER, Sanders R, Sepulveda MA, Moores SL, Chiu ML. Impact of Cell-surface Antigen Expression on Target Engagement and Function of an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor × c-MET Bispecific Antibody. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:24689-704. [PMID: 26260789 PMCID: PMC4598982 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.651653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of engaging multiple drug targets using bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) is affected by the relative cell-surface protein levels of the respective targets. In this work, the receptor density values were correlated to the in vitro activity of a BsAb (JNJ-61186372) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET). Simultaneous binding of the BsAb to both receptors was confirmed in vitro. By using controlled Fab-arm exchange, a set of BsAbs targeting EGFR and c-MET was generated to establish an accurate receptor quantitation of a panel of lung and gastric cancer cell lines expressing heterogeneous levels of EGFR and c-MET. EGFR and c-MET receptor density levels were correlated to the respective gene expression levels as well as to the respective receptor phosphorylation inhibition values. We observed a bias in BsAb binding toward the more highly expressed of the two receptors, EGFR or c-MET, which resulted in the enhanced in vitro potency of JNJ-61186372 against the less highly expressed target. On the basis of these observations, we propose an avidity model of how JNJ-61186372 engages EGFR and c-MET with potentially broad implications for bispecific drug efficacy and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen W Jarantow
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Barbara S Bushey
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Jose R Pardinas
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Ken Boakye
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Eilyn R Lacy
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Renouard Sanders
- Janssen Diagnostics, Janssen Research and Development, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Manuel A Sepulveda
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Sheri L Moores
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
| | - Mark L Chiu
- From Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477 and
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256
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Kam Y, Das T, Minton S, Gatenby RA. Evolutionary strategy for systemic therapy of metastatic breast cancer: balancing response with suppression of resistance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 10:423-30. [PMID: 25259902 DOI: 10.2217/whe.14.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Conventional systemic therapy for disseminated breast cancer is based on the general assumption that the greatest patient benefit is achieved by killing the maximum number of tumor cells. While this strategy often achieves a significant reduction in tumor burden, most patients with metastatic breast cancer ultimately die from their disease as therapy fails because tumor cells evolve resistance. We propose that the conventional maximum dose/maximum cell kill cancer therapy, when viewed from an evolutionary vantage, is suboptimal and likely even harmful as it accelerates evolution and growth of the resistant phenotypes that ultimately cause patient death. As an alternative, we are investigating evolutionary therapeutic strategies that shift the treatment goal from killing the maximum number of cancer cells to maximizing patient survival. Here we introduce two novel approaches for systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer, considering the evolutionary nature of tumor progression; adaptive therapy and double-bind therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonseok Kam
- Department of Cancer Imaging & Metabolism, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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257
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Abstract
Approximately 70% of breast cancers are oestrogen receptor α (ER) positive, and are, therefore, treated with endocrine therapies. However, about 25% of patients with primary disease and almost all patients with metastases will present with or eventually develop endocrine resistance. Despite the magnitude of this clinical challenge, the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance remain largely unknown. In the past 2 years, several studies unveiled gain-of-function mutations in ESR1, the gene encoding the ER, in approximately 20% of patients with metastatic ER-positive disease who received endocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. These mutations are clustered in a 'hotspot' within the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the ER and lead to ligand-independent ER activity that promotes tumour growth, partial resistance to endocrine therapy, and potentially enhanced metastatic capacity; thus, ER LBD mutations might account for a mechanism of acquired endocrine resistance in a substantial fraction of patients with metastatic disease. In general, the absence of detectable ESR1 mutations in patients with treatment-naive disease, and the correlation between the frequency of patients with tumours harbouring these mutations and the number of endocrine treatments received suggest that, under selective treatment pressure, clonal expansion of rare mutant clones occurs, leading to resistance. Preclinical and clinical development of rationale-based novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit these ER mutants has the potential to substantially improve treatment outcomes. We discuss the contribution of ESR1 mutations to the development of acquired resistance to endocrine therapy, and evaluate how mutated ER can be detected and targeted to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.
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258
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The side population of ovarian cancer cells defines a heterogeneous compartment exhibiting stem cell characteristics. Oncotarget 2015; 5:7027-39. [PMID: 25216521 PMCID: PMC4196181 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) are believed to be involved in tumor evasion of classical antitumor therapies and have thus become an attractive target for further improvement of anticancer strategies. However, the existence and identity of CSC are still a matter of controversy. In a systematic screen of 13 ovarian cancer cell lines we show that cells with stem cell properties are reliably detectable as a minor population, characterized by ABC transporter expression resulting in the side population (SP) phenotype. In different cell lines, either ABCG2 or ABCB1 was found to be responsible for this effect. Purified SP cells featured virtually all characteristics of bona fide CSC, including clonogenicity, asymmetric division and high tumorigenicity in vivo. Using in-depth phenotyping by multicolor flow cytometry, we found that among the investigated ovarian cancer cell lines the SP compartment exhibits tremendous heterogeneity and is composed of multiple phenotypically distinct subpopulations. Thus, our study confirms previous results showing that CSC are contained within the SP. However, the exact identity of the CSC is still disguised by the high complexity of the CSC-containing compartment. Further functional studies are needed to determine whether a single cellular subset can unambiguously be defined as CSC or whether multiple stem cell-like cells with different properties coexist. Moreover, the observed heterogeneity may reflect a high level of plasticity and likely influences tumor progression, escape from immune-surveillance and development of resistance to anticancer therapies and should therefore be considered in the development of new treatment strategies.
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259
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Jiang L, Li L, He X, Yi Q, He B, Cao J, Pan W, Gu Z. Overcoming drug-resistant lung cancer by paclitaxel loaded dual-functional liposomes with mitochondria targeting and pH-response. Biomaterials 2015; 52:126-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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260
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Abstract
Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for the majority-up to 80%-of all breast cancers. The evolution of breast cancer from early stage to the metastatic setting leads to increased heterogeneity, the occurrence of new mutations, and the development of treatment resistance representing a great challenge for management decisions. Unfortunately, little data exist to offer guidance in this context, and a reliance on traditional clinical parameters remains when deciding on optimal treatment. In advanced-stage oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease, ongoing issues include the choice between endocrine therapy and chemotherapy, the appropriate sequence of treatment agents, and the incorporation of biological agents, such as everolimus, into the treatment armamentarium. In metastatic disease, repeated biopsies can help to reassess the receptor or genetic mutational status; however, the evidence to support this approach is limited. In this Review, we examine the current evidence that can guide treatment decisions in patients with advanced-stage ER+ breast cancer, discuss how to tackle these therapeutic challenges and provide suggestions for the optimal management of this patient population.
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261
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MALDI Imaging mass spectrometry: current frontiers and perspectives in pathology research and practice. J Transl Med 2015; 95:422-31. [PMID: 25621874 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2014.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
MALDI Imaging mass spectrometry has entered the field of tissue-based research by providing unique advantages for analyzing tissue specimen in an unprecedented detail. A broad spectrum of analytes ranging from proteins, peptides, protein modification over small molecules, drugs and their metabolites as well as pharmaceutical components, endogenous cell metabolites, lipids, and other analytes are made accessible by this in situ technique in tissue. Some of them were even not accessible in tissues within the histological context before. Thereby, the great advantage of MALDI Imaging is the correlation of molecular information with traditional histology by keeping the spatial localization information of the analytes after mass spectrometric measurement. This method is label-free and allows multiplex analysis of hundreds to thousands of molecules in the very same tissue section simultaneously. Imaging mass spectrometry brings a new quality of molecular data and links the expert discipline of pathology and deep molecular mass spectrometric analysis to tissue-based research. This review will focus on state-of-the-art of MALDI Imaging mass spectrometry, its recent applications by analyzing tissue specimen and the contributions in understanding the biology of disease as well as its perspectives for pathology research and practice.
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262
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Ajona D, Razquin C, Pastor MD, Pajares MJ, Garcia J, Cardenal F, Fleischhacker M, Lozano MD, Zulueta JJ, Schmidt B, Nadal E, Paz-Ares L, Montuenga LM, Pio R. Elevated levels of the complement activation product C4d in bronchial fluids for the diagnosis of lung cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119878. [PMID: 25799154 PMCID: PMC4370816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular markers in bronchial fluids may contribute to the diagnosis of lung cancer. We previously observed a significant increase of C4d-containing complement degradation fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatants from lung cancer patients in a cohort of 50 cases and 22 controls (CUN cohort). The present study was designed to determine the diagnostic performance of these complement fragments (hereinafter jointly referred as C4d) in bronchial fluids. C4d levels were determined in BAL supernatants from two independent cohorts: the CU cohort (25 cases and 26 controls) and the HUVR cohort (60 cases and 98 controls). A series of spontaneous sputum samples from 68 patients with lung cancer and 10 controls was also used (LCCCIO cohort). Total protein content, complement C4, complement C5a, and CYFRA 21-1 were also measured in all cohorts. C4d levels were significantly increased in BAL samples from lung cancer patients. The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95%CI = 0.71-0.94) and 0.67 (95%CI = 0.58-0.76) for the CU and HUVR cohorts, respectively. In addition, unlike the other markers, C4d levels in BAL samples were highly consistent across the CUN, CU and HUVR cohorts. Interestingly, C4d test markedly increased the sensitivity of bronchoscopy in the two cohorts in which cytological data were available (CUN and HUVR cohorts). Finally, in the LCCCIO cohort, C4d levels were higher in sputum supernatants from patients with lung cancer (area under the ROC curve: 0.7; 95%CI = 0.56-0.83). In conclusion, C4d is consistently elevated in bronchial fluids from lung cancer patients and may be used to improve the diagnosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ajona
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Razquin
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Pastor
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Molecular y Nuevas Terapias, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Pajares
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Histology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Garcia
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Cardenal
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier J. Zulueta
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Bernd Schmidt
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Universitätsklinikum Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - Ernest Nadal
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Laboratorio de Oncologia Molecular y Nuevas Terapias, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis M. Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Histology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ruben Pio
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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263
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Wang H, Yang S, Zhou H, Sun M, Du L, Wei M, Luo M, Huang J, Deng H, Feng Y, Huang J, Zhou Y. Aloperine executes antitumor effects against multiple myeloma through dual apoptotic mechanisms. J Hematol Oncol 2015; 8:26. [PMID: 25886453 PMCID: PMC4377192 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-015-0120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aloperine, a natural alkaloid constituent isolated from the herb Sophora alopecuroides displays anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo. Our group previously demonstrated that aloperine significantly induced apoptosis in colon cancer SW480 and HCT116 cells. However, its specific target(s) remain to be discovered in multiple myeloma (MM) and have not been investigated. METHODS Human myeloma cell lines (n = 8), primary myeloma cells (n = 12), drug-resistant myeloma cell lines (n = 2), and animal models were tested for their sensitivity to aloperine in terms of proliferation and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, respectively. We also examined the functional mechanisms underlying the apoptotic pathways triggered by aloperine. RESULTS Aloperine induced MM cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner, even in the presence of the proliferative cytokines interleukin-6 and insulin-like growth factor I. Mechanistic studies revealed that aloperine not only activated caspase-8 and reduced the expression of FADD-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE)-like inhibitory protein long (FLIPL) and FLICE-inhibitory proteins (FLIPS) but also activated caspase-9 and decreased the expression of phosphorylated (p)-PTEN. Moreover, co-activation of the caspase-8/cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIP)- and caspase-9/p-PTEN/p-AKT-dependent apoptotic pathways by aloperine caused irreversible inhibition of clonogenic survival. Aloperine induce more MM apoptosis with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or borterzomib. A U266 xenograft tumor model and 5T33 MM cells recapitulated the antitumor efficacy of aloperine, and the animals displayed excellent tolerance of the drug and few adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS Aloperine has multifaceted antitumor effects on MM cells. Our data support the clinical development of aloperine for MM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China.
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
| | - Hong Zhou
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510521, China.
| | - Mingna Sun
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Lingran Du
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Minyan Wei
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Meixia Luo
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Jingzhu Huang
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Hongzhu Deng
- School of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
| | - Yinghong Feng
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Jun Huang
- College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
| | - Yi Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutics Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China.
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Hardy KM, Strizzi L, Margaryan NV, Gupta K, Murphy GF, Scolyer RA, Hendrix MJC. Targeting nodal in conjunction with dacarbazine induces synergistic anticancer effects in metastatic melanoma. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:670-80. [PMID: 25767211 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Metastatic melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite a complete response in fewer than 5% of patients, the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine (DTIC) remains the reference drug after almost 40 years. More recently, FDA-approved drugs have shown promise but patient outcome remains modest, predominantly due to drug resistance. As such, combinatorial targeting has received increased attention, and will advance with the identification of new molecular targets. One attractive target for improving melanoma therapy is the growth factor Nodal, whose normal expression is largely restricted to embryonic development, but is reactivated in metastatic melanoma. In this study, we sought to determine how Nodal-positive human melanoma cells respond to DTIC treatment and to ascertain whether targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC would be more effective than monotherapy. A single treatment with DTIC inhibited cell growth but did not induce apoptosis. Rather than reducing Nodal expression, DTIC increased the size of the Nodal-positive subpopulation, an observation coincident with increased cellular invasion. Importantly, clinical tissue specimens from patients with melanomas refractory to DTIC therapy stained positive for Nodal expression, both in pre- and post-DTIC tumors, underscoring the value of targeting Nodal. In vitro, anti-Nodal antibodies alone had some adverse effects on proliferation and apoptosis, but combining DTIC treatment with anti-Nodal antibodies decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis synergistically, at concentrations incapable of producing meaningful effects as monotherapy. IMPLICATIONS Targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC therapy holds promise for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Hardy
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kanika Gupta
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Howard Hughes Medical Institute NU Bioscientist Program, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - George F Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney; and Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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265
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Kanter I, Kalisky T. Single cell transcriptomics: methods and applications. Front Oncol 2015; 5:53. [PMID: 25806353 PMCID: PMC4354386 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, gene expression measurements were performed on “bulk” samples containing populations of thousands of cells. Recent advances in genomic technology have made it possible to measure gene expression in hundreds of individual cells at a time. As a result, cellular properties that were previously masked in “bulk” measurements can now be observed directly. In this review, we will survey emerging technologies for single cell transcriptomics, and describe how they are used to study complex disease such as cancer, as well as other biological phenomena such as tissue regeneration, embryonic development, and immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itamar Kanter
- Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan , Israel
| | - Tomer Kalisky
- Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan , Israel
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266
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Introduction of the hybcell-based compact sequencing technology and comparison to state-of-the-art methodologies for KRAS mutation detection. Biotechniques 2015; 58:126-34. [DOI: 10.2144/000114264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13 is critical for anti-EGFR therapy strategies; however, only those methodologies with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy as well as the best cost and turnaround balance are suitable for routine daily testing. Here we compared the performance of compact sequencing using the novel hybcell technology with 454 next-generation sequencing (454-NGS), Sanger sequencing, and pyrosequencing, using an evaluation panel of 35 specimens. A total of 32 mutations and 10 wild-type cases were reported using 454-NGS as the reference method. Specificity ranged from 100% for Sanger sequencing to 80% for pyrosequencing. Sanger sequencing and hybcell-based compact sequencing achieved a sensitivity of 96%, whereas pyrosequencing had a sensitivity of 88%. Accuracy was 97% for Sanger sequencing, 85% for pyrosequencing, and 94% for hybcell-based compact sequencing. Quantitative results were obtained for 454-NGS and hybcell-based compact sequencing data, resulting in a significant correlation (r = 0.914). Whereas pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing were not able to detect multiple mutated cell clones within one tumor specimen, 454-NGS and the hybcell-based compact sequencing detected multiple mutations in two specimens. Our comparison shows that the hybcell-based compact sequencing is a valuable alternative to state-of-the-art methodologies used for detection of clinically relevant point mutations.
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267
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Ng CKY, Schultheis AM, Bidard FC, Weigelt B, Reis-Filho JS. Breast cancer genomics from microarrays to massively parallel sequencing: paradigms and new insights. J Natl Cancer Inst 2015; 107:djv015. [PMID: 25713166 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid advancements in massively parallel sequencing methods have enabled the analysis of breast cancer genomes at an unprecedented resolution, which have revealed the remarkable heterogeneity of the disease. As a result, we now accept that despite originating in the breast, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancers are completely different diseases at the molecular level. It has become apparent that there are very few highly recurrently mutated genes such as TP53, PIK3CA, and GATA3, that no two breast cancers display an identical repertoire of somatic genetic alterations at base-pair resolution and that there might not be a single highly recurrently mutated gene that defines each of the "intrinsic" subtypes of breast cancer (ie, basal-like, HER2-enriched, luminal A, and luminal B). Breast cancer heterogeneity, however, extends beyond the diversity between tumors. There is burgeoning evidence to demonstrate that at least some primary breast cancers are composed of multiple, genetically diverse clones at diagnosis and that metastatic lesions may differ in their repertoire of somatic genetic alterations when compared with their respective primary tumors. Several biological phenomena may shape the reported intratumor genetic heterogeneity observed in breast cancers, including the different mutational processes and multiple types of genomic instability. Harnessing the emerging concepts of the diversity of breast cancer genomes and the phenomenon of intratumor genetic heterogeneity will be essential for the development of optimal methods for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and the matching of patients to the drugs that would benefit them the most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte K Y Ng
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (CKYN, AMS, BW, JSRF); Department of Medical Oncology, SIRIC, Institut Curie, Paris, France (FCB); Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (JSRF)
| | - Anne M Schultheis
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (CKYN, AMS, BW, JSRF); Department of Medical Oncology, SIRIC, Institut Curie, Paris, France (FCB); Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (JSRF)
| | - Francois-Clement Bidard
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (CKYN, AMS, BW, JSRF); Department of Medical Oncology, SIRIC, Institut Curie, Paris, France (FCB); Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (JSRF)
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (CKYN, AMS, BW, JSRF); Department of Medical Oncology, SIRIC, Institut Curie, Paris, France (FCB); Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (JSRF).
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (CKYN, AMS, BW, JSRF); Department of Medical Oncology, SIRIC, Institut Curie, Paris, France (FCB); Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (JSRF).
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268
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Higgins GS, O'Cathail SM, Muschel RJ, McKenna WG. Drug radiotherapy combinations: review of previous failures and reasons for future optimism. Cancer Treat Rev 2015; 41:105-13. [PMID: 25579753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy has resulted in significant clinical improvements in many different tumour types. However, the non-specific mechanisms by which these drugs exert their effects mean that this is often at the expense of increased side effects. Previous attempts at using targeted drugs to induce more tumour specific radiosensitisation have been generally disappointing. Although cetuximab, an EGFR monoclonal antibody, resulted in improved overall survival in HNSCC when combined with radiotherapy, it has failed to show benefit when added to chemo-radiotherapy. In addition, our inability to successfully use drug treatments to reverse tumour hypoxia is underlined by the fact that no such treatment is currently in widespread clinical use. The reasons for these failures include the lack of robust biomarkers, and the previous use of drugs with unacceptable side-effect profiles. Despite these disappointments, there is reason for optimism. Our improved understanding of key signal transduction pathways and of tumour specific DNA repair deficiencies has produced new opportunities to specifically radiosensitise tumours. Novel strategies to reduce tumour hypoxia include the use of drugs that cause vascular normalisation and drugs that reduce tumour oxygen consumption. These new strategies, combined with better compounds at our disposal, and an ability to learn from our previous mistakes, mean that there is great promise for future drug-radiotherapy combinations to result in significant clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff S Higgins
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratories, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Oncology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Sean M O'Cathail
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Oncology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratories, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - W Gillies McKenna
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratories, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Oncology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
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269
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Pan CH, Lin WH, Chien YC, Liu FC, Sheu MJ, Kuo YH, Wu CH. K20E, an oxidative-coupling compound of methyl caffeate, exhibits anti-angiogenic activities through down-regulations of VEGF and VEGF receptor-2. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2015; 282:215-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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270
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Kleivi Sahlberg K, Bottai G, Naume B, Burwinkel B, Calin GA, Børresen-Dale AL, Santarpia L. A serum microRNA signature predicts tumor relapse and survival in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 21:1207-14. [PMID: 25547678 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are associated with high risk of early tumor recurrence and poor outcome. Common prognostic biomarkers give very restricted predictive information of tumor recurrences in TNBC. Human serum contains stably expressed microRNAs (miRNAs), which have been discovered to predict prognosis in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to identify circulating biomarkers able to predict clinical outcome in TNBC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed genome-wide serum miRNA expression and real-time PCR analyses to investigate the ability of miRNAs in predicting tumor relapse in serum samples from 60 primary TNBC. Patients were divided into training and testing cohorts. RESULTS By Cox regression analysis, we identified a four-miRNA signature (miR-18b, miR-103, miR-107, and miR-652) that predicted tumor relapse and overall survival. This miRNA signature was further validated in an independent cohort of 70 TNBC. A high-risk signature score was developed and significantly associated with tumor recurrence and reduced survival. Multivariate Cox regression models indicated that the risk score based on the four-miRNA signature was an independent prognostic classifier of patients with TNBC. CONCLUSIONS This signature may serve as a minimally invasive predictor of tumor relapse and overall survival for patients with TNBC. This prediction model may ultimately lead to better treatment options for patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Kleivi Sahlberg
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway. Department of Research, Vestre Viken, Drammen, Norway
| | - Giulia Bottai
- Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Unit, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano-Milan, Italy
| | - Bjørn Naume
- Department of Oncology, Division of Surgery and Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital-Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway. K.G. Jebsen Centre for Breast Cancer, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Barbara Burwinkel
- Division of Molecular Biology of Breast Cancer, University Women's Clinic, Heidelberg, Germany. Molecular Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Anne-Lise Børresen-Dale
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway. K.G. Jebsen Centre for Breast Cancer, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Libero Santarpia
- Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Unit, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano-Milan, Italy.
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271
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Klemm F, Joyce JA. Microenvironmental regulation of therapeutic response in cancer. Trends Cell Biol 2014; 25:198-213. [PMID: 25540894 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 506] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) not only plays a pivotal role during cancer progression and metastasis but also has profound effects on therapeutic efficacy. In the case of microenvironment-mediated resistance this can involve an intrinsic response, including the co-option of pre-existing structural elements and signaling networks, or an acquired response of the tumor stroma following the therapeutic insult. Alternatively, in other contexts, the TME has a multifaceted ability to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This review examines recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of the TME during cancer therapy and discusses key concepts that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Klemm
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Johanna A Joyce
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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272
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Stratz S, Eyer K, Kurth F, Dittrich PS. On-chip enzyme quantification of single Escherichia coli bacteria by immunoassay-based analysis. Anal Chem 2014; 86:12375-81. [PMID: 25409480 DOI: 10.1021/ac503766d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Individual bacteria of an isogenic population can differ significantly in their phenotypic characteristics. This cellular heterogeneity is thought to increase the adaptivity to environmental changes on a population level. Analytical methods for single-bacteria analyses are essential to reveal the different factors that may contribute to this cellular heterogeneity, among them the stochastic gene expression, cell cycle stages and cell aging. Although promising concepts for the analysis of single mammalian cells based on microsystems technology were recently developed, platforms suitable for proteomic analyses of microbial cells are by far more challenging. Here, we present a microfluidic device optimized for the analysis of single Escherichia coli bacteria. Individual bacteria are captured in a trap and isolated in a volume of only 155 pL. In combination with an immunoassay-based analysis of the cell lysate, the platform allowed the selective and sensitive analysis of intracellular enzymes. The limit of detection of the developed protocol was found to be 200 enzymes. Using this platform, we could investigate the levels of β-galactosidase in cells grown under different nutrient conditions. We successfully determined the enzyme copy numbers in cells cultured in defined medium (3517 ± 1578) and in complex medium (4710 ± 2643), and verified the down-regulation of expression in medium that contained only glucose as carbon source. The strong variations we found for individual bacteria confirm the phenotype heterogeneity. The capability to quantify proteins and other molecules in single bacterial lysates is encouraging to use the new analysis platform in future proteomics studies of isogenic bacteria populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Stratz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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273
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Individualized chemotherapy for osteosarcoma and identification of gene mutations in osteosarcoma. Tumour Biol 2014; 36:2427-35. [PMID: 25431261 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2853-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aims to identify novel gene mutations in osteosarcoma and to guide individualized preoperative chemotherapy for osteosarcoma based on the analysis of expression and mutations of the drug-metabolism-related genes. Twenty-eight osteosarcoma patients received individualized preoperative chemotherapy regimens. Expression levels and mutations of chemotherapy-related genes in samples collected from the patients were determined using real-time PCR and DNA sequencing, respectively. Patient sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents was evaluated by systematic analysis of the PCR and sequencing results. Novel mutations were identified via high-throughput sequencing of 339 genes in 10 osteosarcoma samples. Individualized preoperative chemotherapy outcomes were valid for nine patients (n = 9/28, 32.1%). Chemosensitivity assays showed that all 28 patients were sensitive to ifosfamide, whereas 46.4 and 39.2% were sensitive to docetaxel and platinum, respectively. More importantly, patients receiving highly chemosensitive chemotherapy agents had better prognosis and treatment outcomes than those receiving less chemosensitive agents (P < 0.05). In addition, 39 gene mutations were detected in at least five osteosarcoma tumor samples. Analysis of the expression and mutation of drug-metabolism-related genes will aid in the design of effective individualized preoperative chemotherapy regimens for osteosarcoma. Determining the chemosensitivity of individual tumors to chemotherapeutic agents will facilitate the development of better therapeutic approaches. Individualized treatment of osteosarcoma may improve chemotherapy efficacy and the survival rate of osteosarcoma patients. High-throughput genotyping allows mapping of osteosarcoma mutations, and novel gene mutations offered new candidates for diagnosis and therapeutic targeting.
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274
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Balluff B, Frese CK, Maier SK, Schöne C, Kuster B, Schmitt M, Aubele M, Höfler H, Deelder AM, Heck A, Hogendoorn PCW, Morreau J, Maarten Altelaar AF, Walch A, McDonnell LA. De novo discovery of phenotypic intratumour heterogeneity using imaging mass spectrometry. J Pathol 2014; 235:3-13. [PMID: 25201776 DOI: 10.1002/path.4436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
An essential and so far unresolved factor influencing the evolution of cancer and the clinical management of patients is intratumour clonal and phenotypic heterogeneity. However, the de novo identification of tumour subpopulations is so far both a challenging and an unresolved task. Here we present the first systematic approach for the de novo discovery of clinically detrimental molecular tumour subpopulations. In this proof-of-principle study, spatially resolved, tumour-specific mass spectra were acquired, using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry, from tissues of 63 gastric carcinoma and 32 breast carcinoma patients. The mass spectra, representing the proteomic heterogeneity within tumour areas, were grouped by a corroborated statistical clustering algorithm in order to obtain segmentation maps of molecularly distinct regions. These regions were presumed to represent different phenotypic tumour subpopulations. This was confirmed by linking the presence of these tumour subpopulations to the patients' clinical data. This revealed several of the detected tumour subpopulations to be associated with a different overall survival of the gastric cancer patients (p = 0.025) and the presence of locoregional metastases in patients with breast cancer (p = 0.036). The procedure presented is generic and opens novel options in cancer research, as it reveals microscopically indistinct tumour subpopulations that have an adverse impact on clinical outcome. This enables their further molecular characterization for deeper insights into the biological processes of cancer, which may finally lead to new targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Balluff
- Centre for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
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275
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Gobec M, Prijatelj M, Delić J, Markovič T, Mlinarič-Raščan I. Chemo-sensitizing effects of EP4 receptor-induced inactivation of nuclear factor-κB. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 742:81-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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276
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González-González M, Garcia J, Alcazar JA, Gutiérrez ML, Gónzalez LM, Bengoechea O, Abad MM, Santos-Briz A, Blanco O, Martín M, Rodríguez A, Fuentes M, Muñoz-Bellvis L, Orfao A, Sayagues JM. Association between the cytogenetic profile of tumor cells and response to preoperative radiochemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2014; 93:e153. [PMID: 25474426 PMCID: PMC4616389 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy to locally advanced rectal carcinoma patients has proven efficient in a high percentage of cases. Despite this, some patients show nonresponse or even disease progression. Recent studies suggest that different genetic alterations may be associated with sensitivity versus resistance of rectal cancer tumor cells to neoadjuvant therapy. We investigated the relationship between intratumoral pathways of clonal evolution as assessed by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (51 different probes) and response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, evaluated by Dworak criteria in 45 rectal cancer tumors before (n = 45) and after (n = 31) treatment. Losses of chromosomes 1p (44%), 8p (53%), 17p (47%), and 18q (38%) and gains of 1q (49%) and 13q (75%) as well as amplification of 8q (38%) and 20q (47%) chromosomal regions were those specific alterations found at higher frequencies. Significant association (P < 0.05) was found between alteration of 1p, 1q, 11p, 12p, and 17p chromosomal regions and degree of response to neoadjuvant therapy. A clear association was observed between cytogenetic profile of the ancestral tumor cell clone and response to radiochemotherapy; cases presenting with del(17p) showed a poor response to neoadjuvant treatment (P = 0.03), whereas presence of del(1p) was more frequently observed in responder patients (P = 0.0002). Moreover, a significantly higher number of copies of chromosomes 8q (P = 0.004), 13q (P = 0.003), and 20q (P = 0.002) were found after therapy versus paired pretreatment rectal cancer samples. Our results point out the existence of an association between tumor cytogenetics and response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer. Further studies in larger series of patients are necessary to confirm our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- María González-González
- From the Servicio General de Citometría, Departamento de Medicina and Centro de Investigación del Cáncer (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca-IBSAL, Universidad de Salamanca (MG-G, MLG, MF, AO, MS); Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato digestivo (JC, JAA, LMG, LM-B); Servicio de Patología, (OB, MMA, AS-B, OB); Servicio de Radio-diagnóstico, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca-IBSAL (MM); and Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca (AR), Salamanca, Spain
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277
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Cirkel GA, Gadellaa-van Hooijdonk CG, Koudijs MJ, Willems SM, Voest EE. Tumor heterogeneity and personalized cancer medicine: are we being outnumbered? Future Oncol 2014; 10:417-28. [PMID: 24559448 DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is regarded as a major obstacle to successful personalized cancer medicine. The lack of reliable response assays reflective of in vivo tumor heterogeneity and associated resistance mechanisms hampers identification of reliable biomarkers. By contrast, oncogene addiction and paracrine signaling enable systemic responses despite tumor heterogeneity. This strengthens researchers in their efforts towards personalized cancer medicine. Given the fact that tumor heterogeneity is an integral part of cancer evolution, diagnostic tools need to be developed in order to better understand the dynamics within a tumor. Ultra-deep sequencing may reveal future resistant clones within a (liquid) tumor biopsy. On-treatment biopsies may provide insight into intrinsic or acquired drug resistance. Subsequently, upfront combinatorial treatment or sequential therapy strategies may forestall drug resistance and improve patient outcome. Finally, innovative response assays, such as organoid cultures or patient-derived tumor xenografts, provide an extra dimension to correlate molecular profiles with drug efficacy and control cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert A Cirkel
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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278
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Ko R, Kenmotsu H, Hisamatsu Y, Akamatsu H, Omori S, Nakashima K, Oyakawa T, Wakuda K, Shukuya T, Ono A, Imai H, Taira T, Naito T, Murakami H, Mori K, Endo M, Ohde Y, Takahashi K, Takahashi T. The effect of gefitinib in patients with postoperative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer harboring mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Int J Clin Oncol 2014; 20:668-73. [PMID: 25343946 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-014-0761-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether there is a difference in the effect of gefitinib treatment between patients with postoperative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and those with stage IV NSCLC harboring mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients with postoperative recurrent NSCLC (postoperative group) or stage IV NSCLC (stage IV group) harboring EGFR mutations who were treated with gefitinib at the Shizuoka Cancer Center between September 2002 and March 2012 to compare the effect of gefitinib on survival from treatment initiation. RESULTS A total of 168 patients were treated with gefitinib (postoperative group, 49 patients; stage IV group, 119 patients). The response rate of gefitinib treatment in the postoperative group was similar to that in the stage IV group (58 vs. 61 %, p = 0.613). In contrast, median progression-free survival (PFS; 15.8 vs. 9.8 months, p < 0.001) and median overall survival (OS; 51.1 vs. 22.2 months, p < 0.001) were significantly longer in the postoperative group. In addition, postoperative recurrent disease, performance status (0-1), and a single metastatic organ were independent favorable prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis of survival. CONCLUSIONS PFS and OS were superior in patients with postoperative recurrent NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations treated by gefitinib than in those with stage IV disease. These results suggest that postoperative recurrent disease may be considered a stratification factor in clinical trials for NSCLC with EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Ko
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
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279
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Jiang T, Shi W, Natowicz R, Ononye SN, Wali VB, Kluger Y, Pusztai L, Hatzis C. Statistical measures of transcriptional diversity capture genomic heterogeneity of cancer. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:876. [PMID: 25294321 PMCID: PMC4197225 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular heterogeneity of tumors suggests the presence of multiple different subclones that may limit response to targeted therapies and contribute to acquisition of drug resistance, but its quantification has remained challenging. RESULTS We performed simulations to evaluate statistical measures that best capture the molecular diversity within a group of tumors for either continuous (gene expression) or discrete (mutations, copy number alterations) molecular data. Dispersion based metrics in the principal component space best captured the underlying heterogeneity. To demonstrate utility of these measures, we characterized the diversity in transcriptional and genomic profiles of different breast tumor subtypes, and showed that basal-like or triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are significantly more heterogeneous molecularly than other subtypes. Our analysis also suggests that transcriptional diversity is a global characteristic of the tumors observed across the majority of molecular pathways. Among basal-like tumors, those that were resistant to multi-agent chemotherapy showed greater transcriptional diversity compared to chemotherapy-sensitive tumors, suggesting that potentially multiple mechanisms may be contributing to chemotherapy resistance. CONCLUSIONS We proposed and validated measures of transcriptional and genomic diversity that can quantify the molecular diversity of tumors. We applied the new measures to genomic data from breast tumors and demonstrated that basal-like breast cancers are significantly more diverse than other breast cancers. The observation that chemo-resistant tumors are significantly more diverse molecularly than chemosensitive tumors implies that multiple resistance mechanisms may be active, thus limiting the sensitivity and accuracy of predictive markers of chemotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Jiang
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - Weiwei Shi
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - René Natowicz
- />Computer Science Department, Universite Paris-Est, Paris, France
| | - Sophia N Ononye
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - Vikram B Wali
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - Yuval Kluger
- />Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - Lajos Pusztai
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
| | - Christos Hatzis
- />Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut USA
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280
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Gene Expression Profiling of Tumors From Heavily Pretreated Patients With Metastatic Cancer for the Selection of Therapy: A Pilot Study. Am J Clin Oncol 2014; 40:140-145. [PMID: 25144266 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, it has been shown that it is possible to identify tumor profiles of sensitivity for potentially useful drugs, both conventional and experimental, based on whole oligonucleotide microarray gene expression studies in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic solid tumors. METHODS Fresh-frozen tumor biopsies for molecular profiling (MP) were obtained from patients with advanced and refractory cancer. Total tumor and control tissue RNA was hybridized to a whole human genome oligonucleotide microarray. Differentially expressed genes interacting with potential therapeutic targets were identified. Results were complemented with DNA sequencing of selected driver genes and with immunohistochemistry and fluorescent "in situ" hybridization. The results were used to guide experimental treatment. RESULTS MP assays led to a potentially active available drug in 91.2% of the patients. The median number of available active drugs per tumor was 5 (range, 1 to 9). Nine treated patients were not evaluable for response. Partial response was observed in 18 patients (33%), stable disease in 22 patients (40%) (clinical benefit rate of 73%), and progression in 15 (27%). Overall median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8 and 13 months, respectively. CONCLUSION MP-guided therapy is feasible and seems to improve the clinical outcome of extensively pretreated patients but prospective and confirmatory trials are needed.
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281
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Translation in solid cancer: are size-based response criteria an anachronism? Clin Transl Oncol 2014; 17:1-10. [PMID: 25073600 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-014-1207-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of translation is the development of effective medicinal products based on validated science. A parallel objective is to obtain marketing authorization for the translated product. Unfortunately, in solid cancer, these two objectives are not mutually consistent as evidenced by the contrast between major advances in science and the continuing dismal record of pharmaceutical productivity. If the problem is unrelated to science, then the process of translation may require a closer examination, namely, the criteria for regulatory approval. This realization is important because, in this context, the objective of translation is regulatory approval, and science does not passively translate into useful medicinal products. Today, in solid cancer, response criteria related to tumor size are less useful than during the earlier cytotoxic drugs era; advanced imaging and biomarkers now allow for tracking of the natural history of the disease in the laboratory and the clinic. Also, it is difficult to infer clinical benefit from tumor shrinkage since it is rarely sustained. Accordingly, size-based response criteria may represent an anachronism relative to translation in solid cancer and it may be appropriate to align preclinical and clinical effort and shift the focus to local invasion and metastasis. The shift from a cancer cell-centric model to a stroma centric model offers novel opportunities not only to interupt the natural history of the disease, but also to rethink the relevance of outdated criteria of clinical response. Current evidence favors the opinion that, in solid cancer, a different, broader, and contextual approach may lead to interventions that could delay local invasion and metastasis. All elements supporting this shift, especially advanced imaging, are in place.
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282
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Ramon Y Cajal S, De Mattos-Arruda L, Sonenberg N, Cortes J, Peg V. The intra-tumor heterogeneity of cell signaling factors in breast cancer: p4E-BP1 and peIF4E are diffusely expressed and are real potential targets. Clin Transl Oncol 2014; 16:937-41. [PMID: 25060567 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-014-1203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancers and most malignant tumors are composed of heterogeneous tumor cells both at genetic and morphological levels; intra-tumor heterogeneity can be one underlying cause of therapeutic resistance. Classical studies have focused on analyses of the relationship between primary tumors and metastatic dissemination, and on subclone evolution. However, it should be noted that tumor heterogeneity at the level of protein expression (proteomics) has not been yet studied in depth. The differences in protein expression also can play an important role in elucidating the relationship between intra-tumor heterogeneity and resistance to systemic therapy. In fact, in human tumors there is not always a homogeneous expression of many of the crucial factors involved in cell signaling, such as pMAPK, pAKt, pMTOR, even with constitutive oncogenic alterations upstream, such as HER2, PI3 K. Conversely, two of these factors, peIF4E and p4E-BP1, which are downstream, and control protein translation, show a diffuse and strong protein expression. In summary, most of cell signaling factors show a heterogeneous expression, regardless of oncogenic alterations. Tissue heterogeneity could be driven by local factors, including hypoxia. The fact that the phosphorylation of crucial proteins such as 4E-BP1 and eIF4E is observed homogeneously throughout most tumors and are druggable opens the chance to get real potential targets in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ramon Y Cajal
- Pathology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Pg Vall d'Hebron, 119-129 08035, Barcelona, Spain,
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283
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Gough AH, Chen N, Shun TY, Lezon TR, Boltz RC, Reese CE, Wagner J, Vernetti LA, Grandis JR, Lee AV, Stern AM, Schurdak ME, Taylor DL. Identifying and quantifying heterogeneity in high content analysis: application of heterogeneity indices to drug discovery. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102678. [PMID: 25036749 PMCID: PMC4103836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges in biomedical research, drug discovery and diagnostics is understanding how seemingly identical cells can respond differently to perturbagens including drugs for disease treatment. Although heterogeneity has become an accepted characteristic of a population of cells, in drug discovery it is not routinely evaluated or reported. The standard practice for cell-based, high content assays has been to assume a normal distribution and to report a well-to-well average value with a standard deviation. To address this important issue we sought to define a method that could be readily implemented to identify, quantify and characterize heterogeneity in cellular and small organism assays to guide decisions during drug discovery and experimental cell/tissue profiling. Our study revealed that heterogeneity can be effectively identified and quantified with three indices that indicate diversity, non-normality and percent outliers. The indices were evaluated using the induction and inhibition of STAT3 activation in five cell lines where the systems response including sample preparation and instrument performance were well characterized and controlled. These heterogeneity indices provide a standardized method that can easily be integrated into small and large scale screening or profiling projects to guide interpretation of the biology, as well as the development of therapeutics and diagnostics. Understanding the heterogeneity in the response to perturbagens will become a critical factor in designing strategies for the development of therapeutics including targeted polypharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert H. Gough
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ning Chen
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tong Ying Shun
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Timothy R. Lezon
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert C. Boltz
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Celeste E. Reese
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jacob Wagner
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lawrence A. Vernetti
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jennifer R. Grandis
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adrian V. Lee
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andrew M. Stern
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mark E. Schurdak
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - D. Lansing Taylor
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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284
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Bidard FC, Weigelt B, Reis-Filho JS. Going with the flow: from circulating tumor cells to DNA. Sci Transl Med 2014; 5:207ps14. [PMID: 24132635 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3006305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular analyses of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma from cancer patients have the potential to deliver minimally invasive diagnostic and disease-monitoring biomarkers. Drawing from experience gained through the translation of circulating tumor cell detection to clinical tests, we discuss ctDNA as a source of tumor material for biomarker development.
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285
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Abstract
Cells within tumours have diverse genomes and epigenomes and interact differentially with their surrounding microenvironment generating intratumour heterogeneity, which has critical implications for treating cancer patients. Understanding the cellular and microenvironment composition and characteristics in individual tumours is critical to stratify the patient population that is likely to benefit from specific treatment regimens. Here, we will review the current understanding of intratumour heterogeneity at the genomic, epigenomic and microenvironmental levels. We will also discuss the clinical implications and the challenges posed by intratumour heterogeneity and evaluate noninvasive methods such as circulating biomarkers to characterize the cellular diversity of tumours. Comprehensive assessment of the molecular features of patients based on tumour specimen characterization (including intratumour spatial and temporal variations), ancillary noninvasive methods (such as circulating biomarkers and molecular imaging approaches) and the correct design of clinical trials are required to guide administration of targeted therapy and to control therapeutic resistance. Finding the means to accurately determine and effectively control tumour heterogeneity and translate these achievements into patient benefit are major goals in modern oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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286
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Liu N, Liu L, Pan X. Single-cell analysis of the transcriptome and its application in the characterization of stem cells and early embryos. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2707-15. [PMID: 24652479 PMCID: PMC11113295 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1601-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity within a cell population is a common phenomenon in multicellular organisms, tissues, cultured cells, and even FACS-sorted subpopulations. Important information may be masked if the cells are studied as a mass. Transcriptome profiling is a parameter that has been intensively studied, and relatively easier to address than protein composition. To understand the basis and importance of heterogeneity and stochastic aspects of the cell function and its mechanisms, it is essential to examine transcriptomes of a panel of single cells. High-throughput technologies, starting from microarrays and now RNA-seq, provide a full view of the expression of transcriptomes but are limited by the amount of RNA for analysis. Recently, several new approaches for amplification and sequencing the transcriptome of single cells or a limited low number of cells have been developed and applied. In this review, we summarize these major strategies, such as PCR-based methods, IVT-based methods, phi29-DNA polymerase-based methods, and several other methods, including their principles, characteristics, advantages, and limitations, with representative applications in cancer stem cells, early development, and embryonic stem cells. The prospects for development of future technology and application of transcriptome analysis in a single cell are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China,
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287
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Liu H, Zhang X, Li J, Sun B, Qian H, Yin Z. The biological and clinical importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in circulating tumor cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 141:189-201. [PMID: 24965746 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Movement of tumor cells from a primary tumor to a nonadjacent or distant site is a contiguous and complex process. Among the multiple natural cellular programs that promote initiation and progression of tumor metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play a key role in the ultimate generation of a metastatic foci. Acquisition of the EMT phenotype by tumor cells not only increases their migration and invasion potentials, thereby facilitating their ability to infiltrate blood vessels and to produce circulating tumor cells (CTCs), but also promotes survival of CTCs in the bloodstream and their ability to extravasate out of the circulatory system and invade proximal tissues. In organs distal to the primary tumor, the phenotypic switching mechanism of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) enables CTCs to grow and colonize, enhancing the likelihood of establishing metastasis. In addition, CTCs that have undergone EMT attain increased resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. CTCs with the EMT phenotype have become recognized as an active source of metastases, and targeting EMT/MET processes during the individual steps of tumor metastasis represents a promising new approach for alleviating cancer metastasis and recurrence. In this article, we focus on the biological and clinical importance of EMT and/or MET in CTCs during the individual steps of tumor metastasis, summarizing the recent findings of the regulatory roles played by EMT and/or MET in the generation, survival, and recolonization of CTCs and discussing the EMT-targeting strategies developed for tumor diagnosis as well as their potential for management of metastatic malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Liu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
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288
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Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is one of the major problems limiting the efficacy of targeted therapies and compromising treatment outcomes. A better understanding of tumor biology has advanced our knowledge of the molecular landscape of cancer to an unprecedented level. However, most patients with advanced cancers treated with appropriately selected targeted therapies become resistant to the therapy, ultimately developing disease progression and succumbing to metastatic disease. Multiple factors account for therapeutic failures, which include cancer cells accumulating new molecular aberrations as a consequence of tumor progression and selection pressure of cancer therapies. Therefore, single agent targeted therapies, often administered in advanced stages, are unlikely to have a sufficiently lethal effect in most cancers. Finally, the molecular profile of cancer can change over time, which we are not able to monitor with existing strategies using tumor tissue biopsies as the gold standard for molecular diagnostics. Novel technologies focusing on testing low-risk, easily obtainable material, such as molecular cell-free DNA from plasma, can fill that gap and allow personalized therapy to be delivered in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Janku
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, FC8.2018, Box 0455, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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289
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Ng CKY, Weigelt B, A’Hern R, Bidard FC, Lemetre C, Swanton C, Shen R, Reis-Filho JS. Predictive performance of microarray gene signatures: impact of tumor heterogeneity and multiple mechanisms of drug resistance. Cancer Res 2014; 74:2946-2961. [PMID: 24706696 PMCID: PMC4040235 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-3375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene signatures have failed to predict responses to breast cancer therapy in patients to date. In this study, we used bioinformatic methods to explore the hypothesis that the existence of multiple drug resistance mechanisms in different patients may limit the power of gene signatures to predict responses to therapy. In addition, we explored whether substratification of resistant cases could improve performance. Gene expression profiles from 1,550 breast cancers analyzed with the same microarray platform were retrieved from publicly available sources. Gene expression changes were introduced in cases defined as sensitive or resistant to a hypothetical therapy. In the resistant group, up to five different mechanisms of drug resistance causing distinct or overlapping gene expression changes were generated bioinformatically, and their impact on sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the signatures was investigated. We found that increasing the number of resistance mechanisms corresponding to different gene expression changes weakened the performance of the predictive signatures generated, even if the resistance-induced changes in gene expression were sufficiently strong and informative. Performance was also affected by cohort composition and the proportion of sensitive versus resistant cases or resistant cases that were mechanistically distinct. It was possible to improve response prediction by substratifying chemotherapy-resistant cases from actual datasets (non-bioinformatically perturbed datasets) and by using outliers to model multiple resistance mechanisms. Our work supports the hypothesis that the presence of multiple resistance mechanisms in a given therapy in patients limits the ability of gene signatures to make clinically useful predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte K. Y. Ng
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Roger A’Hern
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, SM2 5NG, UK
| | | | - Christophe Lemetre
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, WC2A 3LY, UK
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ronglai Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jorge S. Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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290
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Abstract
In recent years it has become clear that cancer cells within a single tumor can display striking morphological, genetic and behavioral variability. Burgeoning genetic, epigenetic and phenomenological data support the existence of intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity in breast cancers; however, its basis is yet to be fully defined. Two of the most widely evoked concepts to explain the origin of heterogeneity within tumors are the cancer stem cell hypothesis and the clonal evolution model. Although the cancer stem cell model appeared to provide an explanation for the variability among the neoplastic cells within a given cancer, advances in massively parallel sequencing have provided several lines of evidence to suggest that intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity likely plays a fundamental role in the phenotypic heterogeneity observed in cancers. Many challenges remain, however, in the interpretation of the next generation sequencing results obtained so far. Here we review the models that explain tumor heterogeneity, the causes of intra-tumor genetic diversity and their impact on our understanding and management of breast cancer, methods to study intra-tumor heterogeneity and the assessment of intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity in the clinic.
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291
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Martin JW, Chilton-MacNeill S, Koti M, van Wijnen AJ, Squire JA, Zielenska M. Digital expression profiling identifies RUNX2, CDC5L, MDM2, RECQL4, and CDK4 as potential predictive biomarkers for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy response in paediatric osteosarcoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95843. [PMID: 24835790 PMCID: PMC4023931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common malignancy of bone, and occurs most frequently in children and adolescents. Currently, the most reliable technique for determining a patients’ prognosis is measurement of histopathologic tumor necrosis following pre-operative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Unfavourable prognosis is indicated by less than 90% estimated necrosis of the tumor. Neither genetic testing nor molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis have been described for osteosarcomas. We used the novel nanoString mRNA digital expression analysis system to analyse gene expression in 32 patients with sporadic paediatric osteosarcoma. This system used specific molecular barcodes to quantify expression of a set of 17 genes associated with osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. Five genes, from this panel, which encoded the bone differentiation regulator RUNX2, the cell cycle regulator CDC5L, the TP53 transcriptional inactivator MDM2, the DNA helicase RECQL4, and the cyclin-dependent kinase gene CDK4, were differentially expressed in tumors that responded poorly to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Analysis of the signalling relationships of these genes, as well as other expression markers of osteosarcoma, indicated that gene networks linked to RB1, TP53, PI3K, PTEN/Akt, myc and RECQL4 are associated with osteosarcoma. The discovery of these networks provides a basis for further experimental studies of role of the five genes (RUNX2, CDC5L, MDM2, RECQL4, and CDK4) in differential response to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W. Martin
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Chilton-MacNeill
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madhuri Koti
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andre J. van Wijnen
- Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jeremy A. Squire
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Genetics and Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria Zielenska
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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292
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Leto SM, Trusolino L. Primary and acquired resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in colorectal cancer: impact on future treatment strategies. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 92:709-22. [PMID: 24811491 PMCID: PMC4055851 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1161-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Only approximately 10 % of genetically unselected patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer experience tumor regression when treated with the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies cetuximab or panitumumab (“primary” or “de novo” resistance). Moreover, nearly all patients whose tumors initially respond inevitably become refractory (“secondary” or “acquired” resistance). An ever-increasing number of predictors of both primary and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR antibodies have been described, and it is now evident that most of the underlying mechanisms significantly overlap. By trying to extrapolate a unifying perspective out of many idiosyncratic details, here, we discuss the molecular underpinnings of therapeutic resistance, summarize research efforts aimed to improve patient selection, and present alternative therapeutic strategies that are now under development to increase response and combat relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta M Leto
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, 10060, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
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293
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Farooqi AA, Hou MF, Chen CC, Wang CL, Chang HW. Androgen receptor and gene network: Micromechanics reassemble the signaling machinery of TMPRSS2-ERG positive prostate cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2014; 14:34. [PMID: 24739220 PMCID: PMC4002202 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-14-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a gland tumor in the male reproductive system. It is a multifaceted and genomically complex disease. Transmembrane protease, serine 2 and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 homolog (TMPRSS2-ERG) gene fusions are the common molecular signature of prostate cancer. Although tremendous advances have been made in unraveling various facets of TMPRSS2-ERG-positive prostate cancer, many research findings must be sequentially collected and re-interpreted. It is important to understand the activation or repression of target genes and proteins in response to various stimuli and the assembly in signal transduction in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells. Accordingly, we divide this multi-component review ofprostate cancer cells into several segments: 1) The role of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in genomic instability and methylated regulation in prostate cancer and normal cells; 2) Signal transduction cascades in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer; 3) Overexpressed genes in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells; 4) miRNA mediated regulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its associated protein network; 5) Quantitative control of ERG in prostate cancer cells; 6) TMPRSS2-ERG encoded protein targeting; In conclusion, we provide a detailed understanding of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion related information in prostate cancer development to provide a rationale for exploring TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-mediated molecular network machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, Rashid Latif Medical College, 35 Km Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chi Chen
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Lin Wang
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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294
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmaja Mummaneni
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology; Office of Translational Sciences; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; United States Food and Drug Administration; Silver Spring Maryland
| | - Stacy S. Shord
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology; Office of Translational Sciences; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; United States Food and Drug Administration; Silver Spring Maryland
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295
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Arnedos M, Vielh P, Soria JC, Andre F. The genetic complexity of common cancers and the promise of personalized medicine: is there any hope? J Pathol 2014; 232:274-82. [PMID: 24114621 DOI: 10.1002/path.4276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Molecular characterization of frequent cancers has shown that these entities actually include a very large number of rare genomic diseases. The progression of each of these rare diseases is being driven by specific genomic alterations, leading to abnormal proteins that can be targeted. Based on this observation, several personalized medicine programmes have been launched. They consist in profiling the tumour samples from each patient, identifying key oncogenic drivers, and treating the patient accordingly. Several preliminary data suggest that this approach is feasible and could lead to anti-tumour effects that are currently modest. Several reasons could explain why personalized medicine programmes only report modest activity to targeted agents. First, the identification of key oncogenic drivers among several genomic alterations can be challenging. Second, the intratumour heterogeneity could lead to the emergence of resistant clones. Finally, several genomic alterations could contribute to cancer progression. These observations are leading to the second generation of personalized medicine trials, where targeted therapies are combined with each other and with immunotherapeutics, and where patients are selected to present a tumour with a low level of genetic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Arnedos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Inserm Unit U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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296
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Weigelt B, Reis-Filho JS. Epistatic interactions and drug response. J Pathol 2014; 232:255-63. [PMID: 24105606 DOI: 10.1002/path.4265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The advent of massively parallel sequencing has allowed for an unprecedented genetic characterization of cancers, which has revealed not only the complexity of cancer genomes, but also the fact that tumours from the same anatomical site or even of the same histological and/or molecular subtype display distinct constellations of somatic genetic aberrations. Epistatic interactions (ie the interplay between genetic aberrations) are likely to play pivotal roles not only in terms of tumourigenesis and disease progression, but also in response to therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss the challenges posed by the complexity of tumour genomes and epistatic interactions, and approaches for harnessing the wealth of genetic information on human cancers for the implementation of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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297
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De Mattos-Arruda L, Bidard FC, Won HH, Cortes J, Ng CKY, Peg V, Nuciforo P, Jungbluth AA, Weigelt B, Berger MF, Seoane J, Reis-Filho JS. Establishing the origin of metastatic deposits in the setting of multiple primary malignancies: the role of massively parallel sequencing. Mol Oncol 2014; 8:150-8. [PMID: 24220311 PMCID: PMC5528499 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this proof-of-principle study, we sought to define whether targeted capture massively parallel sequencing can be employed to determine the origin of metastatic deposits in cases of synchronous primary malignancies and metastases in distinct anatomical sites. DNA samples extracted from synchronous tumor masses in the breast, adnexal, and pelvic-peritoneal regions from a 62-year-old BRCA1 germline mutation carrier were subjected to targeted massively parallel sequencing using a platform comprising 300 cancer genes known to harbor actionable mutations. In addition to BRCA1 germline mutations, all lesions harbored somatic loss of the BRCA1 wild-type allele and TP53 somatic mutations. The primary breast cancer displayed a TP53 frameshift (p.Q317fs) mutation, whereas and the adnexal lesion harbored a TP53 nonsense (p.R213*) mutation, consistent with a diagnosis of two independent primary tumors (i.e. breast and ovarian cancer). The adnexal tumor and all pelvic-peritoneal implants harbored identical TP53 (p.R213*) and NCOA2 (p.G952R) somatic mutations. Evidence of genetic heterogeneity within and between lesions was observed, both in terms of somatic mutations and copy number aberrations. The repertoires of somatic genetic aberrations found in the breast, ovarian, and pelvic-peritoneal lesions provided direct evidence in support of the distinct origin of the breast and ovarian cancers, and established that the pelvic-peritoneal implants were clonally related to the ovarian lesion. These observations were consistent with those obtained with immunohistochemical analyses employing markers to differentiate between carcinomas of the breast and ovary, including WT1 and PAX8. Our results on this case of a patient with BRCA1-mutant breast and ovarian cancer demonstrate that massively parallel sequencing may constitute a useful tool to define the relationship, clonality and intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity between primary tumor masses and their metastatic deposits in patients with multiple primary malignancies and synchronous metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia De Mattos-Arruda
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francois-Clement Bidard
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Helen H Won
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Javier Cortes
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Medica Scientia Innovation Research (MedSIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Charlotte K Y Ng
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vicente Peg
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Pathology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paolo Nuciforo
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Achim A Jungbluth
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael F Berger
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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298
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Anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer: current progress, unresolved questions and future directions. Angiogenesis 2014; 17:471-94. [PMID: 24482243 PMCID: PMC4061466 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9420-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 510] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumours require a vascular supply to grow and can achieve this via the expression of pro-angiogenic growth factors, including members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of ligands. Since one or more of the VEGF ligand family is overexpressed in most solid cancers, there was great optimism that inhibition of the VEGF pathway would represent an effective anti-angiogenic therapy for most tumour types. Encouragingly, VEGF pathway targeted drugs such as bevacizumab, sunitinib and aflibercept have shown activity in certain settings. However, inhibition of VEGF signalling is not effective in all cancers, prompting the need to further understand how the vasculature can be effectively targeted in tumours. Here we present a succinct review of the progress with VEGF-targeted therapy and the unresolved questions that exist in the field: including its use in different disease stages (metastatic, adjuvant, neoadjuvant), interactions with chemotherapy, duration and scheduling of therapy, potential predictive biomarkers and proposed mechanisms of resistance, including paradoxical effects such as enhanced tumour aggressiveness. In terms of future directions, we discuss the need to delineate further the complexities of tumour vascularisation if we are to develop more effective and personalised anti-angiogenic therapies.
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299
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Rosen JM, Roarty K. Paracrine signaling in mammary gland development: what can we learn about intratumoral heterogeneity? Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:202. [PMID: 24476463 PMCID: PMC3978850 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracrine signaling mechanisms play a critical role in both normal mammary gland development and breast cancer. Dissection of these mechanisms using genetically engineered mouse models has provided significant insight into our understanding of the mechanisms that guide intratumoral heterogeneity. In the following perspective, we briefly review some of the emerging concepts in this field and emphasize why elucidation of these pathways will be important for future progress in devising new and improved combinatorial therapeutic approaches for breast and other solid cancers.
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300
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Almendro V, Cheng YK, Randles A, Itzkovitz S, Marusyk A, Ametller E, Gonzalez-Farre X, Muñoz M, Russnes HG, Helland A, Rye IH, Borresen-Dale AL, Maruyama R, van Oudenaarden A, Dowsett M, Jones RL, Reis-Filho J, Gascon P, Gönen M, Michor F, Polyak K. Inference of tumor evolution during chemotherapy by computational modeling and in situ analysis of genetic and phenotypic cellular diversity. Cell Rep 2014; 6:514-27. [PMID: 24462293 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy exerts a strong selection pressure that shapes tumor evolution, yet our knowledge of how tumors change during treatment is limited. Here, we report the analysis of cellular heterogeneity for genetic and phenotypic features and their spatial distribution in breast tumors pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We found that intratumor genetic diversity was tumor-subtype specific, and it did not change during treatment in tumors with partial or no response. However, lower pretreatment genetic diversity was significantly associated with pathologic complete response. In contrast, phenotypic diversity was different between pre- and posttreatment samples. We also observed significant changes in the spatial distribution of cells with distinct genetic and phenotypic features. We used these experimental data to develop a stochastic computational model to infer tumor growth patterns and evolutionary dynamics. Our results highlight the importance of integrated analysis of genotypes and phenotypes of single cells in intact tissues to predict tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Almendro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Yu-Kang Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amanda Randles
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Center for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Shalev Itzkovitz
- Departments of Physics and Biology and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Andriy Marusyk
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elisabet Ametller
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Xavier Gonzalez-Farre
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Montse Muñoz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Hege G Russnes
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo 0424, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Center for Breast Cancer Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway; Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway
| | - Aslaug Helland
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo 0424, Norway; Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway; Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Inga H Rye
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo 0424, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Center for Breast Cancer Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Anne-Lise Borresen-Dale
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo 0424, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Center for Breast Cancer Research, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander van Oudenaarden
- Departments of Physics and Biology and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mitchell Dowsett
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Robin L Jones
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JJ, UK; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, USA
| | - Jorge Reis-Filho
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JJ, UK; Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pere Gascon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Mithat Gönen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Franziska Michor
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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