1
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Colombino M, Casula M, Paliogiannis P, Manca A, Sini MC, Pisano M, Santeufemia DA, Cossu A, Palmieri G. Heterogeneous pathogenesis of melanoma: BRAF mutations and beyond. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 201:104435. [PMID: 38977143 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma pathogenesis, conventionally perceived as a linear accumulation of molecular changes, discloses substantial heterogeneity driven by non-linear biological processes, including the direct transformation of melanocyte stem cells. This heterogeneity manifests in diverse biological phenotypes and developmental states, influencing variable responses to treatments. Unveiling the aberrant mechanisms steering melanoma initiation, progression, and metastasis is imperative. Beyond mutations in oncogenic and tumor suppressor genes, the involvement of distinct molecular pathways assumes a pivotal role in melanoma pathogenesis. Ultraviolet (UV) radiations, a principal factor in melanoma etiology, categorizes melanomas based on cumulative sun damage (CSD). The genomic landscape of lesions correlates with UV exposure, impacting mutational load and spectrum of mutations. The World Health Organization's 2018 classification underscores the interplay between sun exposure and genomic characteristics, distinguishing melanomas associated with CSD from those unrelated to CSD. The classification elucidates molecular features such as tumor mutational burden and copy number alterations associated with different melanoma subtypes. The significance of the mutated BRAF gene and its pathway, notably BRAFV600 variants, in melanoma is paramount. BRAF mutations, prevalent across diverse cancer types, present therapeutic avenues, with clinical trials validating the efficacy of targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Additional driver mutations in oncogenes further characterize specific melanoma pathways, impacting tumor behavior. While histopathological examination remains pivotal, challenges persist in molecularly classifying melanocytic tumors. In this review, we went through all molecular characterization that aid in discriminating common and ambiguous lesions. Integration of highly sensitive molecular diagnostic tests into the diagnostic workflow becomes indispensable, particularly in instances where histology alone fails to achieve a conclusive diagnosis. A diagnostic algorithm based on different molecular features inferred by the various studies is here proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Colombino
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy.
| | - Milena Casula
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Manca
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Sini
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | - Marina Pisano
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Cossu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Genetic Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Sassari, Italy; Immuno-Oncology & Targeted Cancer Biotherapies, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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2
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Kim KB. Personalized therapy in oncology: melanoma as a paradigm for molecular-targeted treatment approaches. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024:10.1007/s10585-024-10291-5. [PMID: 38935186 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-024-10291-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, the field of systemic cancer treatment has seen remarkable changes due to advancements in the understanding of cancer's biology, immunology, and genetic makeup. As a result, individuals with late-stage cancers are now achieving survival rates that were previously unattainable. The goal of personalized cancer therapy is to enhance clinical outcomes by customizing drug treatments to suit the unique genetic and/or epigenetic profiles of each patient's tumor. This approach aims to reduce the side effects commonly associated with ineffective treatments. Advances in genetic sequencing and molecular cytogenetics have been instrumental in identifying cancer-driving mutations and epigenetic irregularities, leading to the development of specific molecular therapies. This review article highlights the progress and success of targeted molecular therapies in treating malignant melanoma, illustrating the concept of personalized cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B Kim
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, 2333 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA.
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3
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Knoedler L, Huelsboemer L, Hollmann K, Alfertshofer M, Herfeld K, Hosseini H, Boroumand S, Stoegner VA, Safi AF, Perl M, Knoedler S, Pomahac B, Kauke-Navarro M. From standard therapies to monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors - an update for reconstructive surgeons on common oncological cases. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1276306. [PMID: 38715609 PMCID: PMC11074450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1276306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignancies represent a persisting worldwide health burden. Tumor treatment is commonly based on surgical and/or non-surgical therapies. In the recent decade, novel non-surgical treatment strategies involving monoclonal antibodies (mAB) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been successfully incorporated into standard treatment algorithms. Such emerging therapy concepts have demonstrated improved complete remission rates and prolonged progression-free survival compared to conventional chemotherapies. However, the in-toto surgical tumor resection followed by reconstructive surgery oftentimes remains the only curative therapy. Breast cancer (BC), skin cancer (SC), head and neck cancer (HNC), and sarcoma amongst other cancer entities commonly require reconstructive surgery to restore form, aesthetics, and functionality. Understanding the basic principles, strengths, and limitations of mAB and ICI as (neo-) adjuvant therapies and treatment alternatives for resectable or unresectable tumors is paramount for optimized surgical therapy planning. Yet, there is a scarcity of studies that condense the current body of literature on mAB and ICI for BC, SC, HNC, and sarcoma. This knowledge gap may result in suboptimal treatment planning, ultimately impairing patient outcomes. Herein, we aim to summarize the current translational endeavors focusing on mAB and ICI. This line of research may serve as an evidence-based fundament to guide targeted therapy and optimize interdisciplinary anti-cancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lioba Huelsboemer
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Katharina Hollmann
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Wuerzbuerg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Alfertshofer
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Konstantin Herfeld
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Oncology and Haematology), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Helia Hosseini
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sam Boroumand
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Viola A. Stoegner
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ali-Farid Safi
- Craniologicum, Center for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Markus Perl
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Oncology and Haematology), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Bohdan Pomahac
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Martin Kauke-Navarro
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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4
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Murgas KA, Elkin R, Riaz N, Saucan E, Deasy JO, Tannenbaum AR. Multi-scale geometric network analysis identifies melanoma immunotherapy response gene modules. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6082. [PMID: 38480759 PMCID: PMC10937921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56459-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma response to immune-modulating therapy remains incompletely characterized at the molecular level. In this study, we assess melanoma immunotherapy response using a multi-scale network approach to identify gene modules with coordinated gene expression in response to treatment. Using gene expression data of melanoma before and after treatment with nivolumab, we modeled gene expression changes in a correlation network and measured a key network geometric property, dynamic Ollivier-Ricci curvature, to distinguish critical edges within the network and reveal multi-scale treatment-response gene communities. Analysis identified six distinct gene modules corresponding to sets of genes interacting in response to immunotherapy. One module alone, overlapping with the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway (NFkB), was associated with improved patient survival and a positive clinical response to immunotherapy. This analysis demonstrates the usefulness of dynamic Ollivier-Ricci curvature as a general method for identifying information-sharing gene modules in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Murgas
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Rena Elkin
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Nadeem Riaz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Emil Saucan
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Joseph O Deasy
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
| | - Allen R Tannenbaum
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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5
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Samlowski W. The Effect of Non-Overlapping Somatic Mutations in BRAF, NRAS, NF1, or CKIT on the Incidence and Outcome of Brain Metastases during Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:594. [PMID: 38339344 PMCID: PMC10854687 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that somatic BRAF and NRAS mutations in metastatic melanoma increase the risk for brain metastases. The risk related to other non-overlapping "driver" mutations is unknown. We performed a retrospective evaluation of the incidence, timing, and outcome of brain metastases in a population of melanoma patients that underwent uniform next-gen sequencing. All patients were treated with initial checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Seventeen of 88 patients (20.0%) developed brain metastases. Eleven patients had brain metastases at diagnosis (12.9%). These were all patients with BRAF V600 or NF1 mutations. Only six patients with NRAS, NF1, KIT, or BRAF mutations (including fusions/internal rearrangements experienced delayed CNS progression following immunotherapy (7.1%)). No "quadruple negative" patient developed brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases at diagnosis had a better outcome than those with delayed intracranial progression. Current predictive markers, (LDH, tumor mutation burden, and PDL1) were poorly correlated with the development of brain metastases. Treatment with immunotherapy appears to reduce the incidence of brain metastases. Next-gen molecular sequencing of tumors in metastatic melanoma patients was useful in identifying genetic subpopulations with an increased or reduced risk of brain metastases. This may allow eventual personalization of screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Samlowski
- Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; ; Tel.: +1-702-321-3930
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada (Reno), Reno, NV 89557, USA
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6
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Caraban BM, Aschie M, Deacu M, Cozaru GC, Pundiche MB, Orasanu CI, Voda RI. A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Melanoma. Clin Pract 2024; 14:214-241. [PMID: 38391404 PMCID: PMC10888040 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Marian Caraban
- Clinical Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery-Reconstructive, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Aschie
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania, 030171 Bucharest, Romania
- The Romanian Academy of Scientists, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Deacu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Genetics, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mihaela Butcaru Pundiche
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Department of General Surgery, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Cristian Ionut Orasanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Raluca Ioana Voda
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
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7
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Murgas KA, Elkin R, Riaz N, Saucan E, Deasy JO, Tannenbaum AR. Multi-Scale Geometric Network Analysis Identifies Melanoma Immunotherapy Response Gene Modules. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.21.568144. [PMID: 38045365 PMCID: PMC10690163 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.21.568144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma response to immune-modulating therapy remains incompletely characterized at the molecular level. In this study, we assess melanoma immunotherapy response using a multi-scale network approach to identify gene modules with coordinated gene expression in response to treatment. Using gene expression data of melanoma before and after treatment with nivolumab, we modeled gene expression changes in a correlation network and measured a key network geometric property, dynamic Ollivier-Ricci curvature, to distinguish critical edges within the network and reveal multi-scale treatment-response gene communities. Analysis identified six distinct gene modules corresponding to sets of genes interacting in response to immunotherapy. One module alone, overlapping with the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway (NFKB), was associated with improved patient survival and a positive clinical response to immunotherapy. This analysis demonstrates the usefulness of dynamic Ollivier-Ricci curvature as a general method for identifying information-sharing gene modules in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Murgas
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Rena Elkin
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Nadeem Riaz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Emil Saucan
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
| | - Joseph O Deasy
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Allen R Tannenbaum
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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8
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Castro-Pérez E, Singh M, Sadangi S, Mela-Sánchez C, Setaluri V. Connecting the dots: Melanoma cell of origin, tumor cell plasticity, trans-differentiation, and drug resistance. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:330-347. [PMID: 37132530 PMCID: PMC10524512 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma, a lethal malignancy that arises from melanocytes, exhibits a multiplicity of clinico-pathologically distinct subtypes in sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed areas. Melanocytes are derived from multipotent neural crest cells and are present in diverse anatomical locations, including skin, eyes, and various mucosal membranes. Tissue-resident melanocyte stem cells and melanocyte precursors contribute to melanocyte renewal. Elegant studies using mouse genetic models have shown that melanoma can arise from either melanocyte stem cells or differentiated pigment-producing melanocytes depending on a combination of tissue and anatomical site of origin and activation of oncogenic mutations (or overexpression) and/or the repression in expression or inactivating mutations in tumor suppressors. This variation raises the possibility that different subtypes of human melanomas (even subsets within each subtype) may also be a manifestation of malignancies of distinct cells of origin. Melanoma is known to exhibit phenotypic plasticity and trans-differentiation (defined as a tendency to differentiate into cell lineages other than the original lineage from which the tumor arose) along vascular and neural lineages. Additionally, stem cell-like properties such as pseudo-epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT-like) transition and expression of stem cell-related genes have also been associated with the development of melanoma drug resistance. Recent studies that employed reprogramming melanoma cells to induced pluripotent stem cells have uncovered potential relationships between melanoma plasticity, trans-differentiation, and drug resistance and implications for cell or origin of human cutaneous melanoma. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge on melanoma cell of origin and the relationship between tumor cell plasticity and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Castro-Pérez
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama City, Panama
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Mithalesh Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Shreyans Sadangi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Carmen Mela-Sánchez
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Vijayasaradhi Setaluri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
- William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, U.S.A
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9
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Chagani S, De Macedo MP, Carapeto F, Wang F, Marzese DM, Wani K, Haydu LE, Peng W, Ong GT, Warren SE, Beechem JM, Hoon DSB, Mills GB, Tetzlaff MT, Lazar AJ, Kwong LN, Davies MA. Multiplatform Analysis of Intratumoral PTEN Heterogeneity in Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1779-1787.e1. [PMID: 36871660 PMCID: PMC10475489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Loss of protein expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN is associated with increased cancer aggressiveness, decreased tumor immune infiltration, and resistance to immune and targeted therapies in melanoma. We assessed a unique cohort of eight melanoma samples with focal loss of PTEN protein expression to understand the features and mechanisms of PTEN loss in this disease. We compared the PTEN-negative (PTEN[-]) areas to their adjacent PTEN-positive (PTEN[+]) areas using DNA sequencing, DNA methylation, RNA expression, digital spatial profiling, and immunohistochemical platforms. Variations or homozygous deletions of PTEN were identified in PTEN(-) areas that were not detected in the adjacent PTEN(+) areas in three cases (37.5%), but no clear genomic or DNA methylation basis for loss was identified in the remaining PTEN(-) samples. RNA expression data from two independent platforms identified a consistent increase in chromosome segregation gene expression in PTEN(-) versus adjacent PTEN(+) areas. Proteomic analysis showed a relative paucity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in PTEN(-) versus adjacent PTEN(+) areas. The findings add to our understanding of potential molecular intratumoral heterogeneity in melanoma and the features associated with the loss of PTEN protein in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmeen Chagani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mariana P De Macedo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fernando Carapeto
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Diego M Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain; Saint John's Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, PHS, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Khalida Wani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren E Haydu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Weiyi Peng
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, The University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giang T Ong
- NanoString Technologies, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Dave S B Hoon
- Saint John's Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, PHS, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Division of Oncologic Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael T Tetzlaff
- Department of Pathology, The University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lawrence N Kwong
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Melanoma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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10
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Panning A, Samlowski W, Allred G. Lack of Influence of Non-Overlapping Mutations in BRAF, NRAS, or NF1 on 12-Month Best Objective Response and Long-Term Survival after Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3527. [PMID: 37444637 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-overlapping somatic mutations in BRAF, NRAS, or NF1 genes occur in 85% of metastatic melanoma patients. It is not known whether these mutations affect immunotherapy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Next-Gen sequencing of 324 oncogenes was performed in 73 metastatic melanoma patients. A retrospective review of immunotherapy outcome was performed. RESULTS BRAF fusions/internal rearrangements, BRAF V600E, NRAS, NF1 mutations, and triple-negative genotypes occurred in 6.9%, 30.1%, 17.8%, 32.9%, and 12.3% of patients, respectively. Median potential follow-up was 41.0 months. Patients with BRAF fusion/rearrangement had decreased progression-free and overall survival (p = 0.015). The other genotypes each had similar progression-free and overall survival. Patients who achieved a complete best objective response at 12 months (n = 36, 49.3%) were found to have significantly improved survival compared those who failed to achieve remissions (n = 37, 50.7%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The most important determinant of long-term survival was achievement of a complete response by 12 months following immunotherapy. PR and SD were not a stable type of response and generally resulted in progression and death from melanoma. Rare patients with BRAF fusions or rearrangements had decreased progression-free and overall survival following initial immunotherapy. Other BRAF, NRAS, or NF1 mutations were not associated with significant differences in outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Panning
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
| | - Wolfram Samlowski
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Gabriel Allred
- Gables Statistical Consulting, Bella Vista, AR 72714, USA
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11
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Khaled ML, Tarhini AA, Forsyth PA, Smalley I, Piña Y. Leptomeningeal Disease (LMD) in Patients with Melanoma Metastases. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061884. [PMID: 36980770 PMCID: PMC10047692 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a devastating complication caused by seeding malignant cells to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the leptomeningeal membrane. LMD is diagnosed in 5-15% of patients with systemic malignancy. Management of LMD is challenging due to the biological and metabolic tumor microenvironment of LMD being largely unknown. Patients with LMD can present with a wide variety of signs and/or symptoms that could be multifocal and include headache, nausea, vomiting, diplopia, and weakness, among others. The median survival time for patients with LMD is measured in weeks and up to 3-6 months with aggressive management, and death usually occurs due to progressive neurologic dysfunction. In melanoma, LMD is associated with a suppressive immune microenvironment characterized by a high number of apoptotic and exhausted CD4+ T-cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and a low number of CD8+ T-cells. Proteomics analysis revealed enrichment of complement cascade, which may disrupt the blood-CSF barrier. Clinical management of melanoma LMD consists primarily of radiation therapy, BRAF/MEK inhibitors as targeted therapy, and immunotherapy with anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4, and anti-LAG-3 immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review summarizes the biology and anatomic features of melanoma LMD, as well as the current therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Lotfy Khaled
- Metabolism and Physiology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Ahmad A Tarhini
- Departments of Cutaneous Oncology and Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Neuro-Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Inna Smalley
- Metabolism and Physiology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Yolanda Piña
- Neuro-Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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12
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Eroglu Z, Krinshpun S, Kalashnikova E, Sudhaman S, Ozturk Topcu T, Nichols M, Martin J, Bui KM, Palsuledesai CC, Malhotra M, Olshan P, Markowitz J, Khushalani NI, Tarhini AA, Messina JL, Aleshin A. Circulating tumor DNA-based molecular residual disease detection for treatment monitoring in advanced melanoma patients. Cancer 2023; 129:1723-1734. [PMID: 36869646 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have substantially improved overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma; however, the lack of biomarkers to monitor treatment response and relapse remains an important clinical challenge. Thus, a reliable biomarker is needed that can risk-stratify patients for disease recurrence and predict response to treatment. METHODS A retrospective analysis using a personalized, tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay on prospectively collected plasma samples (n = 555) from 69 patients with advanced melanoma was performed. Patients were divided into three cohorts: cohort A (N = 30), stage III patients receiving adjuvant ICI/observation; cohort B (N = 29), unresectable stage III/IV patients receiving ICI therapy; and cohort C (N = 10), stage III/IV patients on surveillance after planned completion of ICI therapy for metastatic disease. RESULTS In cohort A, compared to molecular residual disease (MRD)-negative patients, MRD-positivity was associated with significantly shorter distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS; hazard ratio [HR], 10.77; p = .01). Increasing ctDNA levels from the post-surgical or pre-treatment time point to after 6 weeks of ICI were predictive of shorter DMFS in cohort A (HR, 34.54; p < .0001) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in cohort B (HR, 22; p = .006). In cohort C, all ctDNA-negative patients remained progression-free for a median follow-up of 14.67 months, whereas ctDNA-positive patients experienced disease progression. CONCLUSION Personalized and tumor-informed longitudinal ctDNA monitoring is a valuable prognostic and predictive tool that may be used throughout the clinical course of patients with advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Eroglu
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Turkan Ozturk Topcu
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Matt Nichols
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Justin Martin
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Katherine M Bui
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Markowitz
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Nikhil I Khushalani
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Ahmad A Tarhini
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jane L Messina
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
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13
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Hypoxia in Skin Cancer: Molecular Basis and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054430. [PMID: 36901857 PMCID: PMC10003002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the Caucasian population. In the United States, it is estimated that at least one in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, leading to significant morbidity and a healthcare burden. Skin cancer mainly arises from cells in the epidermal layer of the skin, where oxygen is scarce. There are three main types of skin cancer: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Accumulating evidence has revealed a critical role for hypoxia in the development and progression of these dermatologic malignancies. In this review, we discuss the role of hypoxia in treating and reconstructing skin cancers. We will summarize the molecular basis of hypoxia signaling pathways in relation to the major genetic variations of skin cancer.
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14
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Kontogianni G, Voutetakis K, Piroti G, Kypreou K, Stefanaki I, Vlachavas EI, Pilalis E, Stratigos A, Chatziioannou A, Papadodima O. A Comprehensive Analysis of Cutaneous Melanoma Patients in Greece Based on Multi-Omic Data. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030815. [PMID: 36765773 PMCID: PMC9913631 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and it is characterised by high mutational load and heterogeneity. In this study, we aimed to analyse the genomic and transcriptomic profile of primary melanomas from forty-six Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues from Greek patients. Molecular analysis for both germline and somatic variations was performed in genomic DNA from peripheral blood and melanoma samples, respectively, exploiting whole exome and targeted sequencing, and transcriptomic analysis. Detailed clinicopathological data were also included in our analyses and previously reported associations with specific mutations were recognised. Most analysed samples (43/46) were found to harbour at least one clinically actionable somatic variant. A subset of samples was profiled at the transcriptomic level, and it was shown that specific melanoma phenotypic states could be inferred from bulk RNA isolated from FFPE primary melanoma tissue. Integrative bioinformatics analyses, including variant prioritisation, differential gene expression analysis, and functional and gene set enrichment analysis by group and per sample, were conducted and molecular circuits that are implicated in melanoma cell programmes were highlighted. Integration of mutational and transcriptomic data in CM characterisation could shed light on genes and pathways that support the maintenance of phenotypic states encrypted into heterogeneous primary tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kontogianni
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgia Piroti
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Kypreou
- 1st Department of Dermatology, Andreas Syggros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Stefanaki
- 1st Department of Dermatology, Andreas Syggros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Alexander Stratigos
- 1st Department of Dermatology, Andreas Syggros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece
| | - Aristotelis Chatziioannou
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- e-NIOS Applications Private Company, 17671 Kallithea, Greece
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (O.P.); Tel.: +30-210-727-3721 (A.C. & O.P.)
| | - Olga Papadodima
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (O.P.); Tel.: +30-210-727-3721 (A.C. & O.P.)
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15
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Pathipaka R, Thyagarajan A, Sahu RP. Melatonin as a Repurposed Drug for Melanoma Treatment. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 11:medsci11010009. [PMID: 36649046 PMCID: PMC9844458 DOI: 10.3390/medsci11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with a greater risk of metastasis and a higher prevalence and mortality rate. This cancer type has been demonstrated to develop resistance to the known treatment options such as conventional therapeutic agents and targeted therapy that are currently being used as the standard of care. Drug repurposing has been explored as a potential alternative treatment strategy against disease pathophysiologies, including melanoma. To that end, multiple studies have suggested that melatonin produced by the pineal gland possesses anti-proliferative and oncostatic effects in experimental melanoma models. The anticarcinogenic activity of melatonin is attributed to its ability to target a variety of oncogenic signaling pathways, including the MAPK pathways which are involved in regulating the behavior of cancer cells, including cell survival and proliferation. Additionally, preclinical studies have demonstrated that melatonin in combination with chemotherapeutic agents exerts synergistic effects against melanoma. The goal of this review is to highlight the mechanistic insights of melatonin as a monotherapy or combinational therapy for melanoma treatment.
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16
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(Jitian) Mihulecea CR, Rotaru M. Review: The Key Factors to Melanomagenesis. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010181. [PMID: 36676131 PMCID: PMC9866207 DOI: 10.3390/life13010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer that develops from the malignant transformation of the melanocytes located in the basal layer of the epidermis (cutaneous melanoma). Melanocytes may also be found in the meninges, eyes, ears, gastrointestinal tract, genito-urinary system, or other mucosal surfaces (mucosal melanoma). Melanoma is caused by an uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes, that at first may form a benign lesion (nevogenesis), but in time, it may transition to melanoma, determining what it is named, melanomagenesis. Some tumors may appear spontaneously (de novo melanoma) or on preexisting lesions (nevus-associated melanoma). The exact cause of melanoma may not be fully understood yet, but there are some factors that initiate and promote this malignant process. This study aims to provide a summary of the latest articles regarding the key factors that may lead to melanomagenesis. The secondary objectives are to reveal the relationship between nevi and melanoma, to understand the cause of "de novo" and "nevus-associated melanoma" and highlight the differences between these subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina-Raluca (Jitian) Mihulecea
- Doctoral Studies, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Dermatology Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Rotaru
- Doctoral Studies, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Dermatology Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
- Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
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17
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Vlašić I, Horvat A, Tadijan A, Slade N. p53 Family in Resistance to Targeted Therapy of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010065. [PMID: 36613518 PMCID: PMC9820688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors, with frequent mutations affecting components of the MAPK pathway, mainly protein kinase BRAF. Despite promising initial response to BRAF inhibitors, melanoma progresses due to development of resistance. In addition to frequent reactivation of MAPK or activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, recently, the p53 pathway has been shown to contribute to acquired resistance to targeted MAPK inhibitor therapy. Canonical tumor suppressor p53 is inactivated in melanoma by diverse mechanisms. The TP53 gene and two other family members, TP63 and TP73, encode numerous protein isoforms that exhibit diverse functions during tumorigenesis. The p53 family isoforms can be produced by usage of alternative promoters and/or splicing on the C- and N-terminus. Various p53 family isoforms are expressed in melanoma cell lines and tumor samples, and several of them have already shown to have specific functions in melanoma, affecting proliferation, survival, metastatic potential, invasion, migration, and response to therapy. Of special interest are p53 family isoforms with increased expression and direct involvement in acquired resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma cells, implying that modulating their expression or targeting their functional pathways could be a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma.
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18
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Zhang X, Miao Y, Sun HW, Wang YX, Zhao WM, Pang AY, Wu XY, Shen CC, Chen XD. Integrated analysis from multi-center studies identities m7G-derived modification pattern and risk stratification system in skin cutaneous melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1034516. [PMID: 36532001 PMCID: PMC9751814 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The m7G modification has been proven to play an important role in RNA post-transcriptional modification and protein translation. However, the potential role of m7G modification patterns in assessing the prognosis of Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and tumor microenvironment (TME) has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated and finally identified 21 available m7G-related genes. We used hierarchical clustering (K-means) to classify 743 SKCM patients into three m7G-modified subtypes named m7G/gene cluster-A, B, C. We found that both m7G cluster B and gene cluster B exhibited higher prognosis and higher immune cell infiltration in TME compared to other subtypes. EIF4E3 and IFIT5, two m7G related genes, were both markedly elevated in Cluster B. Then, we constructed an m7G score system utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) in order to evaluate the patients' prognosis. High m7G score subtype was associated with better survival prognosis and active immune response. Overall, this article revealed that m7G modification patterns were involved in the development of the tumor microenvironment. Evaluating patients' m7G modification patterns will enhance our understanding of TME characteristics and help to guide personal treatment in clinics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ying Miao
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Hao-Wen Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yi-Xiao Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wen-Min Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - A-Ying Pang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Cong-Cong Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China,*Correspondence: Cong-Cong Shen, ; Xiao-Dong Chen,
| | - Xiao-Dong Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China,*Correspondence: Cong-Cong Shen, ; Xiao-Dong Chen,
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic melanoma; however, there remains an unmet clinical need for alternative treatment options for those patients who are either intolerant or refractory to immunotherapy. Here we review the role and clinical efficacy of targeted therapies for BRAFV600 wild-type melanoma. RECENT FINDINGS Genomic analyses in BRAFV600 wild-type melanoma have previously identified driver mutations along the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathways that can be targeted with small molecule inhibitors. New drugs such as bispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates may have significant clinical activity even in rare subtypes of melanoma that are less responsive to ICIs. Historically, molecular-targeted therapies have modest clinical success in treating BRAFV600 wild-type melanoma; nevertheless, they may have a significant clinical role in select, genetically distinct groups of patients. Next-generation immunotherapies or immunomodulators may represent the latest breakthrough in the treatment of melanoma. Additional studies are needed to identify novel drug targets and synergistic drug combinations to expand treatment options and optimize clinical outcomes.
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20
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Nisar A, Kayani MA, Nasir W, Mehmood A, Ahmed MW, Parvez A, Mahjabeen I. Fyn and Lyn gene polymorphisms impact the risk of thyroid cancer. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1649-1659. [PMID: 36058999 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01946-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine glands, and during last couple of decades, its incidence has risen alarmingly, across the globe. Etiology of thyroid cancer is still debatable. There are a few worth mentioning risk factors which contribute to initiation of abnormalities in thyroid gland leading to cancer. Genetic instability is major risk factors in thyroid carcinogenesis. Among the genetic factors, the Src family of genes (Src, Yes1, Fyn and Lyn) have been implicated in many cancers but there is little data regarding the association of these (Src, Yes1, Fyn and Lyn) genes with thyroid carcinogenesis. Fyn and Lyn genes of Src family found engaged in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis in different cancers. This study was planned to examine the effect of Fyn and Lyn SNPs on thyroid cancer risk in Pakistani population in 500 patients and 500 controls. Three polymorphisms of Fyn gene (rs6916861, rs2182644 and rs12910) and three polymorphisms of Lyn gene (rs2668011, rs45587541 and rs45489500) were analyzed using Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR followed by DNA sequencing. SNP rs6916861 of Fyn gene mutant genotype (CC) showed statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P < 0.0001). In case of rs2182644 of Fyn gene, mutant genotype (AA) indicated statistically significant 17-fold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer was observed in genotype AC (P < 0.0001) of Fyn gene polymorphism rs12910. In SNP rs2668011 of Lyn gene, TT genotype showed statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P < 0.0001). In case of rs45587541 of Lyn gene, GA genotypes showed statistically significant 11-fold increased risk in thyroid cancer (P < 0.0001). Haplotype analysis revealed that AAATAG*, AGACAG*, AGCCAA*, AGCCAG*, CAATAG*, CGCCAG* and CGCCGA* haplotypes of Fyn and Lyn polymorphisms are associated with increased thyroid cancer risk. These results showed that genotypes and allele distribution of Fyn and Lyn are significantly linked with increased thyroid cancer risk and could be genetic adjuster for said disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Nisar
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mahmood Akhtar Kayani
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wajiha Nasir
- Department of Radiation, Nuclear Oncology Radiation Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Azhar Mehmood
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Malik Waqar Ahmed
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Pakistan Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (PIRS), Isra University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Parvez
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ishrat Mahjabeen
- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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21
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De Ryck L, Delanghe S, Jacobs C, Fadaei S, Brochez L, Saerens M. Truth or dare: switching BRAF/MEK inhibitors after acute interstitial nephritis in a patient with metastatic melanoma - A case report and review of the literature. Acta Clin Belg 2022; 78:215-222. [PMID: 35996969 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2022.2114684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The introduction of BRAF/MEK inhibitors has significantly improved overall survival of patients with BRAF V600-mutant advanced or metastatic melanoma. Most patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors will experience adverse events during the course of their treatment. Kidney impairment, however, was rarely reported in the pivotal trials. To date, there are only three cases of biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis associated with dabrafenib and trametinib reported in the literature. CASE REPORT A 50-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic melanoma was hospitalized in August 2021, 5 months after treatment initiation with dabrafenib and trametinib. He presented with acute kidney injury, with serum creatinine of 3.34 mg/dL and eGFR of 20.3 mL/min/m². Kidney biopsy revealed acute interstitial nephritis. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME He was treated with methylprednisolone 16 mg qd, and both dabrafenib and trametinib were permanently discontinued, with recuperation of his kidney function. Another BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination, encorafenib and binimetinib, was introduced, with preserved kidney function and excellent disease control. DISCUSSION We report the first case of biopsy-proven interstitial nephritis in a patient treated with dabrafenib and trametinib, with successful introduction of another BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination. Although rare, clinicians should be aware of the risk of renal adverse events associated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Renal biopsy is mandatory in the absence of a clear explanation or rapid recovery of renal failure. In case of proven interstitial nephritis, corticosteroids should be initiated. Switching to another BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination can be considered for patients with complete recovery of renal function and limited treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore De Ryck
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sigurd Delanghe
- Department of Nephrology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celine Jacobs
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sharareh Fadaei
- Department of Anatomopathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieve Brochez
- Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael Saerens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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22
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Expression and Role of TRIM2 in Human Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9430509. [PMID: 36051486 PMCID: PMC9427271 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9430509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family proteins contain more than 80 members in humans, and most of these proteins exhibit E3 ubiquitin ligase activity mediated through a RING finger domain. Their biological functions are very complex, and they perform diverse functions in cell evolution processes, such as intracellular signaling, development, apoptosis, protein quality control, innate immunity, autophagy, and carcinogenesis. Tripartite motif-containing protein 2 (TRIM2), a member of the TRIM superfamily, is an 81 kDa multidomain protein, also known as CMT2R or RNF86, located at 4q31.3. TRIM2 functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Current studies have shown that TRIM2 can play roles in neuroprotection, neuronal rapid ischemic tolerance, antiviral responses, neurological diseases, etc. Moreover, based on some studies in tumors, TRIM2 regulates tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and drug resistance through different mechanisms and plays a critical role in tumor occurrence and development. This review is aimed at providing a systematic and comprehensive summary of research on TRIM2 and at exploring the potential role of TRIM2 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in many kinds of human diseases.
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23
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Falletta P, Goding CR, Vivas-García Y. Connecting Metabolic Rewiring With Phenotype Switching in Melanoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:930250. [PMID: 35912100 PMCID: PMC9334657 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.930250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex and aggressive cancer type that contains different cell subpopulations displaying distinct phenotypes within the same tumor. Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cell transformation, is essential for melanoma cells to adopt different phenotypic states necessary for adaptation to changes arising from a dynamic milieu and oncogenic mutations. Increasing evidence demonstrates how melanoma cells can exhibit distinct metabolic profiles depending on their specific phenotype, allowing adaptation to hostile microenvironmental conditions, such as hypoxia or nutrient depletion. For instance, increased glucose consumption and lipid anabolism are associated with proliferation, while a dependency on exogenous fatty acids and an oxidative state are linked to invasion and metastatic dissemination. How these different metabolic dependencies are integrated with specific cell phenotypes is poorly understood and little is known about metabolic changes underpinning melanoma metastasis. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic rewiring engaging transitions to invasion and metastatic progression may be dependent on several factors, such as specific oncogenic programs or lineage-restricted mechanisms controlling cell metabolism, intra-tumor microenvironmental cues and anatomical location of metastasis. In this review we highlight how the main molecular events supporting melanoma metabolic rewiring and phenotype-switching are parallel and interconnected events that dictate tumor progression and metastatic dissemination through interplay with the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Falletta
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
| | - Colin R. Goding
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
| | - Yurena Vivas-García
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
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24
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Yan C, Zhao C, Yang K, Zhou H, Jing L, Zhao W, Dou W, Xia Q, Ma J, Wei B, Guo Y. Rare c-KIT c.1926delA and c.1936T>G Mutations in Exon 13 Define Imatinib Resistance in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Melanoma Patients: Case Reports and Cell Experiments. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:730213. [PMID: 35720122 PMCID: PMC9201753 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.730213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Target therapies play more and more important roles in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and melanoma with the advancement of clinical drugs that overcome the resistance caused by gene mutations. c-KIT gene mutations account for a large portion of GIST patients, which are known to be sensitive or resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the role rare mutations play in drug efficacy and progression-free duration remains elusive. Methods: Two rare mutations were identified using Sanger sequencing from the GIST and melanoma cases. Cell experiments were further carried out to demonstrate their role in the imatinib resistance. Results:c-KIT c.1926delA p.K642S*FS mutation in primary and recurrent GIST patients and c-KIT c.1936T>G p.Y646D point mutation in melanoma patients in exon 13 were first demonstrated to be novel targets resistant to imatinib agent. Conclusion:c-KIT mutations c.1926delA and c.1936T>G in exon 13 are clinically significant targets that exhibit resistance to imatinib. This study provides guidance to GIST and melanoma treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Yan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chi Yan, ; Yongjun Guo,
| | - Chengzhi Zhao
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang First People’s Hospital, Xinxiang, China
| | - Limin Jing
- Computed Tomography Room, Xinxiang First People’s Hospital, Xinxiang, China
| | - Weixing Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wenguang Dou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Qingxin Xia
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bing Wei
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Guo
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chi Yan, ; Yongjun Guo,
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25
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Olbryt M. Potential Biomarkers of Skin Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapy—Present State and Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092315. [PMID: 35565444 PMCID: PMC9102921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Around 5–10% of advanced melanoma patients progress early on anti-BRAF targeted therapy and 20–30% respond only with the stabilization of the disease. Presumably, these patients could benefit more from first-line immunotherapy. Resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors is generated by genetic and non-genetic factors inherent to a tumor or acquired during therapy. Some of them are well documented as a cause of treatment failure. They are potential predictive markers that could improve patients’ selection for both standard and also alternative therapy as some of them have therapeutic potential. Here, a summary of the most promising predictive and therapeutic targets is presented. This up-to-date knowledge may be useful for further study on implementing more accurate genetic/molecular tests in melanoma treatment. Abstract Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, the number of which is increasing worldwide every year. It is completely curable in its early stage and fatal when spread to distant organs. In addition to new therapeutic strategies, biomarkers are an important element in the successful fight against this cancer. At present, biomarkers are mainly used in diagnostics. Some biological indicators also allow the estimation of the patient’s prognosis. Still, predictive markers are underrepresented in clinics. Currently, the only such indicator is the presence of the V600E mutation in the BRAF gene in cancer cells, which qualifies the patient for therapy with inhibitors of the MAPK pathway. The identification of response markers is particularly important given primary and acquired resistance to targeted therapies. Reliable predictive tests would enable the selection of patients who would have the best chance of benefiting from treatment. Here, up-to-date knowledge about the most promising genetic and non-genetic resistance-related factors is described. These are alterations in MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and RB signaling pathways, e.g., due to mutations in NRAS, RAC1, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, and NF1, but also other changes activating these pathways, such as the overexpression of HGF or EGFR. Most of them are also potential therapeutic targets and this issue is also addressed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Olbryt
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
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26
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Ernst M, Giubellino A. The Current State of Treatment and Future Directions in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040822. [PMID: 35453572 PMCID: PMC9029866 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of death among cutaneous malignancies. While its incidence is increasing, the most recent cancer statistics show a small but clear decrease in mortality rate. This trend reflects the introduction of novel and more effective therapeutic regimens, including the two cornerstones of melanoma therapy: immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Immunotherapies exploit the highly immunogenic nature of melanoma by modulating and priming the patient’s own immune system to attack the tumor. Treatments combining immunotherapies with targeted therapies, which disable the carcinogenic products of mutated cancer cells, have further increased treatment efficacy and durability. Toxicity and resistance, however, remain critical challenges to the field. The present review summarizes past treatments and novel therapeutic interventions and discusses current clinical trials and future directions.
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27
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Sánchez-Sendra B, González-Muñoz JF, Pérez-Debén S, Monteagudo C. The Prognostic Value of miR-125b, miR-200c and miR-205 in Primary Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Is Independent of BRAF Mutational Status. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061532. [PMID: 35326682 PMCID: PMC8946551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. On the one hand, most melanomas contain mutations in the BRAF gene (predominantly V600E), and on the other hand, miRNAs modulate different steps in melanoma development and progression, but there are no reports that study the relation between BRAF mutational status and the expression of miRNAs, which is important for an accurate patient prognosis. The aim of our retrospective study was to know whether BRAF mutations influence the prognostic value of miR-125b, miR-200c and miR-205 intratumoral expression in primary cutaneous melanomas. Globally, our results showed that miR-125b, miR-200c and miR-205 expression predicted the clinical outcome of primary melanomas independently of BRAF status. Thus, our findings support that BRAF mutations alone do not predict the risk of metastasis development or melanoma survival and that miR-125b, miR-200c and miR-205 may be considered as accurate prognostic biomarkers in melanoma regardless of BRAF mutational status. Abstract BRAF mutations are present in around 50% of cutaneous malignant melanomas and are related to a poor outcome in advanced-stage melanoma patients. miRNAs are epigenetic regulators that modulate different cellular processes in cancer, including melanoma development and progression. However, there are no studies on the potential associations of the genetic alterations of the BRAF gene with miRNA expression in primary cutaneous melanomas. Here, in order to analyze the influence of BRAF mutations in the ability of selected miRNAs to predict clinical outcome and patient survival at the time of diagnosis, we studied the prognostic value of miR-125b, miR-200c and miR-205 expression depending on the BRAF mutational status in fresh, frozen primary tumor specimens. For this purpose, RNA was extracted for studying both BRAF mutations by Sanger sequencing and miRNA expression. Our results indicate that, although there seems to be a slight preference for their predictive ability in the BRAF mutated group, the expression of these three miRNAs serves effectively to predict the clinical outcome of melanoma patients independently of BRAF mutational status at the time of primary tumor diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Sánchez-Sendra
- Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (J.F.G.-M.); (S.P.-D.)
| | | | - Silvia Pérez-Debén
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (J.F.G.-M.); (S.P.-D.)
| | - Carlos Monteagudo
- Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (J.F.G.-M.); (S.P.-D.)
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-96-398-3953
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28
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Proximity of immune and tumor cells underlies response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapies in metastatic melanoma patients. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:6. [PMID: 35058553 PMCID: PMC8776860 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-021-00249-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy occurs in the majority of melanoma patients that harbor BRAF mutated tumors, leading to relapse or progression and the underlying mechanism is unclear in many cases. Using multiplex immunohistochemistry and spatial imaging analysis of paired tumor sections obtained from 11 melanoma patients prior to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy and when the disease progressed on therapy, we observed a significant increase of tumor cellularity in the progressed tumors and the close association of SOX10+ melanoma cells with CD8+ T cells negatively correlated with patient's progression-free survival (PFS). In the TCGA-melanoma dataset (n = 445), tumor cellularity exhibited additive prognostic value in the immune score signature to predict overall survival in patients with early-stage melanoma. Moreover, tumor cellularity prognoses OS independent of immune score in patients with late-stage melanoma.
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29
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Goodenow D, Greer AJ, Cone SJ, Gaddameedhi S. Circadian effects on UV-induced damage and mutations. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 789:108413. [PMID: 35690416 PMCID: PMC9188652 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Skin cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer in the United States, and while most of these malignancies are highly treatable, treatment costs still exceed $8 billion annually. Over the last 50 years, the annual incidence of skin cancer has steadily grown; therefore, understanding the environmental factors driving these types of cancer is a prominent research-focus. A causality between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and skin cancer is well-established, but exposure to UVR alone is not necessarily sufficient to induce carcinogenesis. The emerging field of circadian biology intersects strongly with the physiological systems of the mammalian body and introduces a unique opportunity for analyzing mechanisms of homeostatic disruption. The circadian clock refers to the approximate 24-hour cycle, in which protein levels of specific clock-controlled genes (CCGs) fluctuate based on the time of day. Though these CCGs are tissue specific, the skin has been observed to have a robust circadian clock that plays a role in its response to UVR exposure. This in-depth review will detail the mechanisms of the circadian clock and its role in cellular homeostasis. Next, the skin's response to UVR exposure and its induction of DNA damage and mutations will be covered - with an additional focus placed on how the circadian clock influences this response through nucleotide excision repair. Lastly, this review will discuss current models for studying UVR-induced skin lesions and perturbations of the circadian clock, as well as the impact of these factors on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Goodenow
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Adam J Greer
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Sean J Cone
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Shobhan Gaddameedhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
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30
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Alipour R, Iravani A, Hicks RJ. PET Imaging of Melanoma. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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31
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Newcomer K, Robbins KJ, Perone J, Hinojosa FL, Chen D, Jones S, Kaufman CK, Weiser R, Fields RC, Tyler DS. Malignant melanoma: evolving practice management in an era of increasingly effective systemic therapies. Curr Probl Surg 2022; 59:101030. [PMID: 35033317 PMCID: PMC9798450 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpsurg.2021.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ken Newcomer
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Jennifer Perone
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | | | - David Chen
- e. Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Susan Jones
- f. Department of Pediatrics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Roi Weiser
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Department of Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Douglas S Tyler
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
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32
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Varrone F, Mandrich L, Caputo E. Melanoma Immunotherapy and Precision Medicine in the Era of Tumor Micro-Tissue Engineering: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5788. [PMID: 34830940 PMCID: PMC8616100 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma still remains a cancer with very poor survival rates, although it is at the forefront of personalized medicine. Most patients show partial responses and disease progressed due to adaptative resistance mechanisms, preventing long-lasting clinical benefits to the current treatments. The response to therapies can be shaped by not only taking into account cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity, but also by its structural context as well as the cellular component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we review the recent development in the field of immunotherapy and target-based therapy and how, in the era of tumor micro-tissue engineering, ex-vivo assays could help to enhance our melanoma biology knowledge in its complexity, translating it in the development of successful therapeutic strategies, as well as in the prediction of therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luigi Mandrich
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystem—IRET-CNR Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Emilia Caputo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics—IGB-CNR, “A. Buzzati-Traverso”, Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131 Naples, Italy
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33
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He Z, Xin Z, Peng Y, Zhao H, Fang X. Construction of competing endogenous RNA interaction network as prognostic markers in metastatic melanoma. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12143. [PMID: 34616613 PMCID: PMC8449535 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes, with high aggressiveness, high metastasis and extremely poor prognosis. MM accounts for 4% of skin cancers and 80% of mortality, and the median survival of patients with metastatic melanoma is only about 6 months, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%. In recent years, the incidence of melanoma has gradually increased and has become one of the serious diseases that endanger human health. Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) is the main model of the mechanism by which long chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a regulatory role in the disease. LncRNAs can act as a "sponge", competitively attracting small RNAs (micoRNAs; miRNAs), thus interfering with miRNA function, and affect the expression of target gene messenger RNAs (mRNAs), ultimately promoting tumorigenesis and progression. Bioinformatics analysis can identify potentially prognostic and therapeutically relevant differentially expressed genes in MM, finding lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs that are interconnected through the ceRNA network, providing further insight into gene regulation and prognosis of metastatic melanoma. Weighted co-expression networks were used to identify lncRNA and mRNA modules associated with the metastatic phenotype, as well as the co-expression genes contained in the modules. A total of 17 lncRNAs, six miRNAs, and 11 mRNAs were used to construct a ceRNA interaction network that plays a regulatory role in metastatic melanoma patients. The prognostic risk model was used as a sorter to classify the survival prognosis of melanoma patients. Four groups of ceRNA interaction triplets were finally obtained, which miR-3662 might has potential implication for the treatment of metaststic melanoma patients, and futher experiments confirmed the regulating relationship and phenotype of this assumption. This study provides new targets to regulate metastatic process, predict metastatic potential and indicates that the miR-3662 can be used in the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zan He
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China.,Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Zijuan Xin
- Beijing Institute of Genomics/China National Center for Bioinformation, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongfei Peng
- Beijing Institute of Genomics/China National Center for Bioinformation, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China.,Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangdong Fang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics/China National Center for Bioinformation, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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34
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Naik PP. Current Trends of Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2021; 11:1481-1496. [PMID: 34339016 PMCID: PMC8484371 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-021-00583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma remains a severe public health threat, with annual incidence increasing slowly but steadily over 4 decades. While early-stage melanomas can typically be treated with complete surgical excision with favorable results, the development of metastatic cancer, which is related to a lower survival rate, is linked to the primary tumor's rising stage and other high-risk features. Even though the first discoveries of an immunological anti-tumor response were published about a century ago, immunotherapy has only been a feasible therapeutic option for cutaneous melanoma in the last 30 years. Nonetheless, for the treatment of various cancers, including metastatic melanoma, the area of cancer immunotherapy has made significant progress in the last decade. As a result, melanoma continues to be the subject of several preclinical and clinical investigations to further understand cancer immunobiology and test different tumor immunotherapies. Immunotherapy's resistance to radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy is one of its most distinguishing features. Furthermore, the discovery of biomarkers will aid in patient stratification and management during immunotherapy treatment. In this article, we discuss current knowledge and recent developments in immune-mediated therapy of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyu Parth Naik
- Department of Dermatology, Saudi German Hospitals and Clinics, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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35
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Kilgour JM, Jia JL, Sarin KY. Review of the Molecular Genetics of Basal Cell Carcinoma; Inherited Susceptibility, Somatic Mutations, and Targeted Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153870. [PMID: 34359772 PMCID: PMC8345475 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer worldwide. The molecular basis of BCC involves an interplay of inherited genetic susceptibility and somatic mutations, commonly induced by exposure to UV radiation. In this review, we outline the currently known germline and somatic mutations implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC with particular attention paid toward affected molecular pathways. We also discuss polymorphisms and associated phenotypic traits in addition to active areas of BCC research. We finally provide a brief overview of existing non-surgical treatments and emerging targeted therapeutics for BCC such as Hedgehog pathway inhibitors, immune modulators, and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Abstract Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a significant public health concern, with more than 3 million cases occurring each year in the United States, and with an increasing incidence. The molecular basis of BCC is complex, involving an interplay of inherited genetic susceptibility, including single nucleotide polymorphisms and genetic syndromes, and sporadic somatic mutations, often induced by carcinogenic exposure to UV radiation. This review outlines the currently known germline and somatic mutations implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC, including the key molecular pathways affected by these mutations, which drive oncogenesis. With advances in next generation sequencing and our understanding of the molecular genetics of BCC, established and emerging targeted therapeutics are offering new avenues for the non-surgical treatment of BCC. These agents, including Hedgehog pathway inhibitors, immune modulators, and histone deacetylase inhibitors, will also be discussed.
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36
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Ma Y, Xia R, Ma X, Judson-Torres RL, Zeng H. Mucosal Melanoma: Pathological Evolution, Pathway Dependency and Targeted Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:702287. [PMID: 34350118 PMCID: PMC8327265 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.702287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare melanoma subtype that originates from melanocytes within sun-protected mucous membranes. Compared with cutaneous melanoma (CM), MM has worse prognosis and lacks effective treatment options. Moreover, the endogenous or exogenous risk factors that influence mucosal melanocyte transformation, as well as the identity of MM precursor lesions, are ambiguous. Consequently, there remains a lack of molecular markers that can be used for early diagnosis, and therefore better management, of MM. In this review, we first summarize the main functions of mucosal melanocytes. Then, using oral mucosal melanoma (OMM) as a model, we discuss the distinct pathologic stages from benign mucosal melanocytes to metastatic MM, mapping the possible evolutionary trajectories that correspond to MM initiation and progression. We highlight key areas of ambiguity during the genetic evolution of MM from its benign lesions, and the resolution of which could aid in the discovery of new biomarkers for MM detection and diagnosis. We outline the key pathways that are altered in MM, including the MAPK pathway, the PI3K/AKT pathway, cell cycle regulation, telomere maintenance, and the RNA maturation process, and discuss targeted therapy strategies for MM currently in use or under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Ma
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghui Xia
- Department of Oral Pathology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuhui Ma
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial - Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert L Judson-Torres
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Hanlin Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China
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37
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan D Curti
- From the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR (B.D.C.); and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, Los Angeles (M.B.F.)
| | - Mark B Faries
- From the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR (B.D.C.); and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, Los Angeles (M.B.F.)
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38
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Guhan S, Klebanov N, Tsao H. Melanoma genomics: a state-of-the-art review of practical clinical applications. Br J Dermatol 2021; 185:272-281. [PMID: 34096042 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.20421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Our collective understanding of melanoma genomics has rapidly expanded in the past decade, bringing great promise to patients affected with the most severe and aggressive cases of melanoma. In this review, we present the practical clinical impact of genetics and genomics on modern melanoma diagnosis and treatment. Characterization of somatic driver mutations, which can be used to distinguish different subtypes of melanoma such as nonacral cutaneous melanoma (NACM), desmoplastic melanoma (DM), acral melanoma (AM), mucosal melanoma (MM) and uveal melanoma (UM), has led to the development of many targeted therapies against these tumours. Although targeted therapies exist for certain mutations, such as BRAF and KIT, other genotypes respond to newer-generation immune therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Epigenetics also plays a critical role in melanoma pathogenesis and drug resistance, holding promise for new treatment avenues. In this review, special attention is placed on clinical trials and translational research, especially novel genomic tests aimed to benefit patients on an individualized level in the current emerging era of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Guhan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - N Klebanov
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - H Tsao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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39
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Yan C, Saleh N, Yang J, Nebhan CA, Vilgelm AE, Reddy EP, Roland JT, Johnson DB, Chen SC, Shattuck-Brandt RL, Ayers GD, Richmond A. Novel induction of CD40 expression by tumor cells with RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway inhibition augments response to checkpoint blockade. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34092233 PMCID: PMC8182921 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is the current first-line treatment for metastatic melanoma, it is effective for ~ 52% of patients and has dangerous side effects. The objective here was to identify the feasibility and mechanism of RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway inhibition in melanoma to sensitize tumors to ICB therapy. METHODS Rigosertib (RGS) is a non-ATP-competitive small molecule RAS mimetic. RGS monotherapy or in combination therapy with ICB were investigated using immunocompetent mouse models of BRAFwt and BRAFmut melanoma and analyzed in reference to patient data. RESULTS RGS treatment (300 mg/kg) was well tolerated in mice and resulted in ~ 50% inhibition of tumor growth as monotherapy and ~ 70% inhibition in combination with αPD1 + αCTLA4. RGS-induced tumor growth inhibition depends on CD40 upregulation in melanoma cells followed by immunogenic cell death, leading to enriched dendritic cells and activated T cells in the tumor microenvironment. The RGS-initiated tumor suppression was partially reversed by either knockdown of CD40 expression in melanoma cells or depletion of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Treatment with either dabrafenib and trametinib or with RGS, increased CD40+SOX10+ melanoma cells in the tumors of melanoma patients and patient-derived xenografts. High CD40 expression level correlates with beneficial T-cell responses and better survival in a TCGA dataset from melanoma patients. Expression of CD40 by melanoma cells is associated with therapeutic response to RAF/MEK inhibition and ICB. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the therapeutic use of RGS + αPD1 + αCTLA4 in RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway-activated melanomas and point to the need for clinical trials of RGS + ICB for melanoma patients who do not respond to ICB alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01205815 (Sept 17, 2010).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Yan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nabil Saleh
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jinming Yang
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Caroline A Nebhan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Anna E Vilgelm
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - E Premkumar Reddy
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph T Roland
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics and the Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sheau-Chiann Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rebecca L Shattuck-Brandt
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gregory D Ayers
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ann Richmond
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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40
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Scatena C, Murtas D, Tomei S. Cutaneous Melanoma Classification: The Importance of High-Throughput Genomic Technologies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:635488. [PMID: 34123788 PMCID: PMC8193952 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.635488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive tumor responsible for 90% of mortality related to skin cancer. In the recent years, the discovery of driving mutations in melanoma has led to better treatment approaches. The last decade has seen a genomic revolution in the field of cancer. Such genomic revolution has led to the production of an unprecedented mole of data. High-throughput genomic technologies have facilitated the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of several cancers, including melanoma. Nevertheless, there are a number of newer genomic technologies that have not yet been employed in large studies. In this article we describe the current classification of cutaneous melanoma, we review the current knowledge of the main genetic alterations of cutaneous melanoma and their related impact on targeted therapies, and we describe the most recent high-throughput genomic technologies, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. We hope that the current review will also help scientists to identify the most suitable technology to address melanoma-related relevant questions. The translation of this knowledge and all actual advancements into the clinical practice will be helpful in better defining the different molecular subsets of melanoma patients and provide new tools to address relevant questions on disease management. Genomic technologies might indeed allow to better predict the biological - and, subsequently, clinical - behavior for each subset of melanoma patients as well as to even identify all molecular changes in tumor cell populations during disease evolution toward a real achievement of a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Tomei
- Omics Core, Integrated Genomics Services, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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Liang J, Oyang L, Rao S, Han Y, Luo X, Yi P, Lin J, Xia L, Hu J, Tan S, Tang L, Pan Q, Tang Y, Zhou Y, Liao Q. Rac1, A Potential Target for Tumor Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:674426. [PMID: 34079763 PMCID: PMC8165220 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.674426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac.1) is one of the important members of Rho GTPases. It is well known that Rac1 is a cytoskeleton regulation protein that regulates cell adhesion, morphology, and movement. Rac1 is highly expressed in different types of tumors, which is related to poor prognosis. Studies have shown that Rac1 not only participates in the tumor cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis, but also participates in the regulation of tumor stem cell, thus promoting the occurrence of tumors. Rac1 also plays a key role in anti-tumor therapy and participates in immune escape mediated by the tumor microenvironment. In addition, the good prospects of Rac1 inhibitors in cancer prevention and treatment are exciting. Therefore, Rac1 is considered as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cancer. The necessity and importance of Rac1 are obvious, but it still needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shan Rao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaqian Han
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pin Yi
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinguan Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longzheng Xia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shiming Tan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Qing Pan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yanyan Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Wound Healing in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Wound Healing in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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42
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D'Aguanno S, Mallone F, Marenco M, Del Bufalo D, Moramarco A. Hypoxia-dependent drivers of melanoma progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:159. [PMID: 33964953 PMCID: PMC8106186 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01926-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, a condition of low oxygen availability, is a hallmark of tumour microenvironment and promotes cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Many studies reported the essential role of hypoxia in regulating invasiveness, angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry and response to therapy in melanoma. Melanoma is an aggressive cancer originating from melanocytes located in the skin (cutaneous melanoma), in the uveal tract of the eye (uveal melanoma) or in mucosal membranes (mucosal melanoma). These three subtypes of melanoma represent distinct neoplasms in terms of biology, epidemiology, aetiology, molecular profile and clinical features.In this review, the latest progress in hypoxia-regulated pathways involved in the development and progression of all melanoma subtypes were discussed. We also summarized current knowledge on preclinical studies with drugs targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1, angiogenesis or vasculogenic mimicry. Finally, we described available evidence on clinical studies investigating the use of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 inhibitors or antiangiogenic drugs, alone or in combination with other strategies, in metastatic and adjuvant settings of cutaneous, uveal and mucosal melanoma.Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-independent pathways have been also reported to regulate melanoma progression, but this issue is beyond the scope of this review.As evident from the numerous studies discussed in this review, the increasing knowledge of hypoxia-regulated pathways in melanoma progression and the promising results obtained from novel antiangiogenic therapies, could offer new perspectives in clinical practice in order to improve survival outcomes of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona D'Aguanno
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Mallone
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Marenco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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43
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Many Distinct Ways Lead to Drug Resistance in BRAF- and NRAS-Mutated Melanomas. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050424. [PMID: 34063141 PMCID: PMC8148104 DOI: 10.3390/life11050424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced melanoma is a relentless tumor with a high metastatic potential. The combat of melanoma by using the targeted therapy is impeded because several major driver mutations fuel its growth (predominantly BRAF and NRAS). Both these mutated oncogenes strongly activate the MAPK (MEK/ERK) pathway. Therefore, specific inhibitors of these oncoproteins or MAPK pathway components or their combination have been used for tumor eradication. After a good initial response, resistant cells develop almost universally and need the drug for further expansion. Multiple mechanisms, sometimes very distant from the MAPK pathway, are responsible for the development of resistance. Here, we review many of the mechanisms causing resistance and leading to the dismal final outcome of mutated BRAF and NRAS therapy. Very heterogeneous events lead to drug resistance. Due to this, each individual mechanism would be in fact needed to be determined for a personalized therapy to treat patients more efficiently and causally according to molecular findings. This procedure is practically impossible in the clinic. Other approaches are therefore needed, such as combined treatment with more drugs simultaneously from the beginning of the therapy. This could eradicate tumor cells more rapidly and greatly diminish the possibility of emerging mechanisms that allow the evolution of drug resistance.
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44
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D'Andrea L, Lucato CM, Marquez EA, Chang YG, Civciristov S, Mastos C, Lupton CJ, Huang C, Elmlund H, Schittenhelm RB, Mitchell CA, Whisstock JC, Halls ML, Ellisdon AM. Structural analysis of the PTEN:P-Rex2 signaling complex reveals how cancer-associated mutations coordinate to hyperactivate Rac1. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/681/eabc4078. [PMID: 33947796 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abc4078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The dual-specificity phosphatase PTEN functions as a tumor suppressor by hydrolyzing PI(3,4,5)P3 to PI(4,5)P2 to inhibit PI3K-AKT signaling and cellular proliferation. P-Rex2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases and can be activated by Gβγ subunits downstream of G protein-coupled receptor signaling and by PI(3,4,5)P3 downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases. The PTEN:P-Rex2 complex is a commonly mutated signaling node in metastatic cancer. Assembly of the PTEN:P-Rex2 complex inhibits the activity of both proteins, and its dysregulation can drive PI3K-AKT signaling and cellular proliferation. Here, using cross-linking mass spectrometry and functional studies, we gained mechanistic insights into PTEN:P-Rex2 complex assembly and coinhibition. We found that PTEN was anchored to P-Rex2 by interactions between the PDZ-interacting motif in the PTEN C-terminal tail and the second PDZ domain of P-Rex2. This interaction bridged PTEN across the P-Rex2 surface, preventing PI(3,4,5)P3 hydrolysis. Conversely, PTEN both allosterically promoted an autoinhibited conformation of P-Rex2 and blocked its binding to Gβγ. In addition, we observed that the PTEN-deactivating mutations and P-Rex2 truncations combined to drive Rac1 activation to a greater extent than did either single variant alone. These insights enabled us to propose a class of gain-of-function, cancer-associated mutations within the PTEN:P-Rex2 interface that uncouple PTEN from the inhibition of Rac1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D'Andrea
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina M Lucato
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Elsa A Marquez
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Yong-Gang Chang
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Srgjan Civciristov
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia
| | - Chantel Mastos
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher J Lupton
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia.,Monash Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Hans Elmlund
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia.,Monash Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina A Mitchell
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia.
| | - Andrew M Ellisdon
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia.
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45
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Cancer type-specific alterations in actin genes: Worth a closer look? INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 360:133-184. [PMID: 33962749 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Actins form a strongly conserved family of proteins that are central to the functioning of the actin cytoskeleton partaking in natural processes such as cell division, adhesion, contraction and migration. These processes, however, also occur during the various phases of cancer progression. Yet, surprisingly, alterations in the six human actin genes in cancer studies have received little attention and the focus was mostly on deregulated expression levels of actins and even more so of actin-binding or regulatory proteins. Starting from the early mutation work in the 1980s, we propose based on reviewing literature and data from patient cancer genomes that alterations in actin genes are different in distinct cancer subtypes, suggesting some specificity. These actin gene alterations include (missense) mutations, gene fusions and copy number alterations (deletions and amplifications) and we illustrate their occurrence for a limited number of examples including actin mutations in lymphoid cancers and nonmelanoma skin cancer and actin gene copy number alterations for breast, prostate and liver cancers. A challenge in the future will be to further sort out the specificity per actin gene, alteration type and cancer subtype. Even more challenging is (experimentally) distinguishing between cause and consequence: which alterations are passengers and which are involved in tumor progression of particular cancer subtypes?
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Akil H, Quintana M, Raymond JH, Billoux T, Benboubker V, Besse S, Auzeloux P, Delmas V, Petit V, Larue L, D’Incan M, Degoul F, Rouanet J. Efficacy of Targeted Radionuclide Therapy Using [ 131I]ICF01012 in 3D Pigmented BRAF- and NRAS-Mutant Melanoma Models and In Vivo NRAS-Mutant Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061421. [PMID: 33804655 PMCID: PMC8003594 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) aims to selectively deliver radioactive molecules to tumor cells. For this purpose, we deliver iodine-131 ([131I]) to melanoma cells by using our laboratory-developed melanin specific radiotracer, the ICF01012. Approximately 50% and 20%–30% of human melanomas have activating mutation in BRAF or NRAS genes, respectively. These mutations lead to a constitutive activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, which is known to be involved in tumor cells’ radioresistance. In this work, we showed using 3D in vitro tumor models, an additive efficiency of combining [131I]ICF01012-TRT and MAPK/ERK inhibitors in BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma cells. In mice bearing NRASQ61K-mutated melanoma, TRT induced an impressive decrease in tumor growth, as well as a highly extended survival. Additionally, we showed that TRT reduces the metastatic capacity of melanoma, especially through lymph-node dissemination. These results are therefore of great interest, especially for patients with NRAS-mutant metastatic melanoma who currently lack specific efficient therapies. Abstract Purpose: To assess the efficiency of targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), alone or in combination with MEK inhibitors (MEKi), in melanomas harboring constitutive MAPK/ERK activation responsible for tumor radioresistance. Methods: For TRT, we used a melanin radiotracer ([131I]ICF01012) currently in phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03784625). TRT alone or combined with MEKi was evaluated in three-dimensional melanoma spheroid models of human BRAFV600E SK-MEL-3, murine NRASQ61K 1007, and WT B16F10 melanomas. TRT in vivo biodistribution, dosimetry, efficiency, and molecular mechanisms were studied using the C57BL/6J-NRASQ61K 1007 syngeneic model. Results: TRT cooperated with MEKi to increase apoptosis in both BRAF- and NRAS-mutant spheroids. NRASQ61K spheroids were highly radiosensitive towards [131I]ICF01012-TRT. In mice bearing NRASQ61K 1007 melanoma, [131I]ICF01012 induced a significant extended survival (92 vs. 44 days, p < 0.0001), associated with a 93-Gy tumor deposit, and reduced lymph-node metastases. Comparative transcriptomic analyses confirmed a decrease in mitosis, proliferation, and metastasis signatures in TRT-treated vs. control tumors and suggest that TRT acts through an increase in oxidation and inflammation and P53 activation. Conclusion: Our data suggest that [131I]ICF01012-TRT and MEKi combination could be of benefit for advanced pigmented BRAF-mutant melanoma care and that [131I]ICF01012 alone could constitute a new potential NRAS-mutant melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Akil
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
- CNRS 7276, INSERM U1262, 2 rue du Pr Descottes, 87025 Limoges, France
| | - Mercedes Quintana
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
| | - Jérémy H. Raymond
- INSERM U1021, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France; (J.H.R.); (V.D.); (V.P.); (L.L.)
- Campus Universitaire, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, 91898 Orsay, France
- Equipes Labellisées-Ligue Contre le Cancer, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France
| | - Tommy Billoux
- Cirmen, Centre Jean Perrin, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France;
| | - Valentin Benboubker
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
| | - Sophie Besse
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
| | - Philippe Auzeloux
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
| | - Véronique Delmas
- INSERM U1021, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France; (J.H.R.); (V.D.); (V.P.); (L.L.)
- Campus Universitaire, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, 91898 Orsay, France
- Equipes Labellisées-Ligue Contre le Cancer, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France
| | - Valérie Petit
- INSERM U1021, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France; (J.H.R.); (V.D.); (V.P.); (L.L.)
- Campus Universitaire, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, 91898 Orsay, France
- Equipes Labellisées-Ligue Contre le Cancer, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France
| | - Lionel Larue
- INSERM U1021, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France; (J.H.R.); (V.D.); (V.P.); (L.L.)
- Campus Universitaire, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, 91898 Orsay, France
- Equipes Labellisées-Ligue Contre le Cancer, Campus Universitaire, 91898 Orsay, France
| | - Michel D’Incan
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
- Department of Dermatology and Oncodermatology, CHU Estaing, 1 Place Aubrac, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Françoise Degoul
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
- CNRS 6293 INSERM U1103, University of Clermont Auvergne, 28, Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jacques Rouanet
- INSERM U1240, University of Clermont Auvergne, 58 rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (H.A.); (M.Q.); (V.B.); (S.B.); (P.A.); (M.D.); (F.D.)
- Department of Dermatology and Oncodermatology, CHU Estaing, 1 Place Aubrac, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Correspondence:
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Yang G, Liu S, Maghsoudloo M, Shasaltaneh MD, Kaboli PJ, Zhang C, Deng Y, Heidari H, Entezari M, Fu S, Wen Q, Imani S. PLA1A expression as a diagnostic marker of BRAF-mutant metastasis in melanoma cancer. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6056. [PMID: 33723350 PMCID: PMC7961027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85595-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF and NRAS are the most reported mutations associated to melanomagenesis. The lack of accurate diagnostic markers in response to therapeutic treatment in BRAF/NRAS-driven melanomagenesis is one of the main challenges in melanoma personalized therapy. In order to assess the diagnostic value of phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1-alpha (PLA1A), a potent lysophospholipid mediating the production of lysophosphatidylserine, PLA1A mRNA and serum levels were compared in subjects with malignant melanoma (n = 18), primary melanoma (n = 13), and healthy subjects (n = 10). Additionally, the correlation between histopathological subtypes of BRAF/NRAS-mutated melanoma and PLA1A was analyzed. PLA1A expression was significantly increased during melanogenesis and positively correlated to disease severity and histopathological markers of metastatic melanoma. PLA1A mRNA and serum levels were significantly higher in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma compared to the patients with NRAS-mutated melanoma. Notably, PLA1A can be used as a diagnostic marker for an efficient discrimination between naïve melanoma samples and advanced melanoma samples (sensitivity 91%, specificity 57%, and AUC 0.99), as well as BRAF-mutated melanoma samples (sensitivity 62%, specificity 61%, and AUC 0.75). Our findings suggest that PLA1A can be considered as a potential diagnostic marker for advanced and BRAF-mutated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Oncology, Anyue Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Ziyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ziyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuya Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mazaher Maghsoudloo
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Parham Jabbarzadeh Kaboli
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cuiwei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Youcai Deng
- Institute of Materia Medical, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hajar Heidari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - ShaoZhi Fu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - QingLian Wen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Saber Imani
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
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De Summa S, Lasorella A, Strippoli S, Giudice G, Guida G, Elia R, Nacchiero E, Azzariti A, Silvestris N, Guida M, Guida S, Tommasi S, Pinto R. The Genetic Germline Background of Single and Multiple Primary Melanomas. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:555630. [PMID: 33748184 PMCID: PMC7973206 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.555630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Melanoma has a complex molecular background and multiple genes are involved in its development and progression. The advent of next generation sequencing platforms has enabled the evaluation of multiple genes at a time, thus unraveling new insights into the genetics of melanoma. We investigated a set of germline mutations able to discriminate the development of multiple primary melanomas (MPM) vs. single site primary melanomas (SPM) using a targeted next generation sequencing panel. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 patients, 20 with SPM and 19 with MPM, were enrolled in our study. Next generation analysis was carried out using a custom targeted sequencing panel that included 32 genes known to have a role in several carcinogenic pathways, such as those involved in DNA repair, pigmentation, regulation of kinases, cell cycle control and senescence. Results: We found a significant correlation between PIK3CA:p.I391M and MPMs, compared to SPMs, p = 0.031 and a trend for the association between CYP1B1: p.N453S and SPMs, compared to MPMs (p = 0.096). We also found that both subgroups shared a spectrum of 9 alterations in 8 genes (CYP1B1: p.N453S, BAP1: p.C39fs, PIK3CA: p.I391M, CDKAL1: c.1226_1227TG, POLE: p.V1161fs, OCA2: p.R419Q, OCA2: p.R305W, MC1R: p.V60L, MGMT: p.L115F), which suggested that these genes may play a role in melanoma development. Conclusions: In conclusion, despite the small cohort of patients, we found that germline mutations, such as those of PIK3CAand CYP1B1, might contribute to the differential development of SPM and MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Summa
- Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Diagnostic Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonia Lasorella
- Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Diagnostic Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giudice
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Science and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Rossella Elia
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Nacchiero
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Pharmacology Laboratory IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy.,Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Diagnostic Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Pinto
- Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Diagnostic Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
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49
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Salem D, Chelvanambi M, Storkus WJ, Fecek RJ. Cutaneous Melanoma: Mutational Status and Potential Links to Tertiary Lymphoid Structure Formation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:629519. [PMID: 33746966 PMCID: PMC7970117 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.629519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in immunotherapy have enabled rapid evolution of novel interventional approaches designed to reinvigorate and expand patient immune responses against cancer. An emerging approach in cancer immunology involves the conditional induction of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), which are non-encapsulated ectopic lymphoid structures forming at sites of chronic, pathologic inflammation. Cutaneous melanoma (CM), a highly-immunogenic form of solid cancer, continues to rise in both incidence and mortality rate, with recent reports supporting a positive correlation between the presence of TLS in melanoma and beneficial treatment outcomes amongst advanced-stage patients. In this context, TLS in CM are postulated to serve as dynamic centers for the initiation of robust anti-tumor responses within affected regions of active disease. Given their potential importance to patient outcome, significant effort has been recently devoted to gaining a better understanding of TLS neogenesis and the influence these lymphoid organs exert within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we briefly review TLS structure, function, and response to treatment in the setting of CM. To uncover potential tumor-intrinsic mechanisms that regulate TLS formation, we have taken the novel perspective of evaluating TLS induction in melanomas impacted by common driver mutations in BRAF, PTEN, NRAS, KIT, PRDM1, and MITF. Through analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we show expression of DNA repair proteins (DRPs) including BRCA1, PAXIP, ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC3, MSH2, and PMS2 to be negatively correlated with expression of pro-TLS genes, suggesting DRP loss may favor TLS development in support of improved patient outcome and patient response to interventional immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Salem
- Department of Microbiology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA, United States
| | - Manoj Chelvanambi
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Walter J Storkus
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ronald J Fecek
- Department of Microbiology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA, United States
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50
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Raja A, Krishnan C. Melanoma: Gaps in knowledge and treatment. CANCER RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND TREATMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/crst.crst_311_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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