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Pang WK, Kuznetsova E, Holota H, De Haze A, Beaudoin C, Volle DH. Understanding the role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in testicular germ cell cancer: Insights into molecular mechanisms. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 99:101307. [PMID: 39213722 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101307] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review examines the complex interplay between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the development of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). Despite the high cure rates of TGCTs, challenges in diagnosis and treatment remain, necessitating a deeper understanding of the etiology of the disease. Here, we emphasize current knowledge on the role of EDCs as potential risk factors for TGCTs, focusing on pesticides and perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs/PFCs). Evidence suggests that EDCs disrupt endocrine pathways and induce epigenetic changes that contribute to the development of TGCTs. However, the direct link between EDCs and TGCTs remains elusive and requires further investigation of the molecular mechanisms. We also highlighted the importance of studying nuclear receptors as potential targets for understanding TGCT etiology. In addition, recent evidence implicates PFAs/PFCs in TGCT incidence, highlighting the need for further research into their impact on human health. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the potential role of EDCs in TGCT development and suggests avenues for future research, while also highlighting how understanding their influence may pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to improve disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Ki Pang
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Ekaterina Kuznetsova
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hélène Holota
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Angélique De Haze
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Claude Beaudoin
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David H Volle
- INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD Institute, Team-Volle, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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2
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Satomi K, Ichimura K, Shibahara J. Decoding the DNA methylome of central nervous system tumors: An emerging modality for integrated diagnosis. Pathol Int 2024; 74:51-67. [PMID: 38224248 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The definitive diagnosis and classification of individual cancers are crucial for patient care and cancer research. To achieve a robust diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, a genotype-phenotype integrated diagnostic approach was introduced in recent versions of the World Health Organization classification, followed by the incorporation of a genome-wide DNA methylome-based classification. Microarray-based platforms are widely used to obtain DNA methylome data, and the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum [DKFZ]) has a webtool for a DNA methylation-based classifier (DKFZ classifier). Integration of DNA methylome will further enhance the precision of CNS tumor classification, especially in diagnostically challenging cases. However, in the clinical application of DNA methylome-based classification, challenges related to data interpretation persist, in addition to technical caveats, regulations, and limited accessibility. Dimensionality reduction (DMR) can complement integrated diagnosis by visualizing a profile and comparing it with other known samples. Therefore, DNA methylome-based classification is a highly useful research tool for auxiliary analysis in challenging diagnostic and rare disease cases, and for establishing novel tumor concepts. Decoding the DNA methylome, especially by DMR in addition to DKFZ classifier, emphasizes the capability of grasping the fundamental biological principles that provide new perspectives on CNS tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaishi Satomi
- Department of Pathology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Ichimura
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junji Shibahara
- Department of Pathology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Fichtner A, Marx A, Ströbel P, Bremmer F. Primary germ cell tumours of the mediastinum: A review with emphasis on diagnostic challenges. Histopathology 2024; 84:216-237. [PMID: 37994540 DOI: 10.1111/his.15090] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
This article will review current aspects of the histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) as well as their aetiological, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features. PMGCTs represent an important differential diagnosis in the spectrum of mediastinal tumours, and their diagnosis is usually made on small tissue samples from core needle biopsies in combination with diagnostic imaging and serum tumour markers. As in lymphomas, a small biopsy is often the only viable tumour sample available from these patients, as they receive chemotherapy prior to eventual surgical resection. Pathologists therefore need to apply an efficient combination of immunohistochemical markers to confirm the diagnosis of a PMGCT and to exclude morphological mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Fichtner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felix Bremmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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4
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Bhuta R, Shah R, Gell JJ, Poynter JN, Bagrodia A, Dicken BJ, Pashankar F, Frazier AL, Shaikh F. Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Germ cell tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70 Suppl 6:e30562. [PMID: 37449938 PMCID: PMC10529374 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Extracranial germ cell tumors (GCT) are a biologically diverse group of tumors occurring in children, adolescents, and young adults. The majority of patients have excellent outcomes, but treatment-related toxicities impact their quality of survivorship. A subset of patients succumbs to the disease. Current unmet needs include clarifying which patients can be safely observed after initial surgical resection, refinement of risk stratification to reduce chemotherapy burden in patients with standard-risk disease, and intensify therapy for patients with poor-risk disease. Furthermore, enhancing strategies for detection of minimal residual disease and early detection of relapse, particularly in serum tumor marker-negative histologies, is critical. Improving the understanding of the developmental and molecular origins of GCTs may facilitate discovery of novel targets. Future efforts should be directed toward assessing novel therapies in a biology-driven, biomarker-defined, histology-specific, risk-stratified patient population. Fragmentation of care between subspecialists restricts the unified study of these rare tumors. It is imperative that trials be conducted in collaboration with national and international cooperative groups, with harmonized data and biospecimen collection. Key priorities for the Children's Oncology Group (COG) GCT Committee include (a) better understanding the biology of GCTs, with a focus on molecular targets and mechanisms of treatment resistance; (b) strategic development of pediatric and young adult clinical trials; (c) understanding late effects of therapy and identifying individuals most at risk; and (d) prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion to reduce cancer health disparities and studying the impacts of social determinants of health on outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roma Bhuta
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Rachana Shah
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joanna J. Gell
- The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington, CT, USA
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Jenny N. Poynter
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Aditya Bagrodia
- Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bryan J. Dicken
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Farzana Pashankar
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Furqan Shaikh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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Doghish AS, Moustafa HAM, Elballal MS, Sallam AAM, El-Dakroury WA, Abdel Mageed SS, Elesawy AE, Abdelmaksoud NM, Shahin RK, Midan HM, Elrebehy MA, Elazazy O, Nassar YA, Elazab IM, Elballal AS, Elballal MS, Abulsoud AI. The potential role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors - A Focus on signaling pathways interplay. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154611. [PMID: 37315401 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common testicular neoplasms in adolescents and young males. Understanding the genetic basis of TGCTs represents a growing need to cope with the increased incidence of these neoplasms. Although the cure rates have been comparatively increased, investigation of mechanisms underlying the incidence, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and therapy resistance is still necessary. Early diagnosis and non-compulsory clinical therapeutic agents without long-term side effects are now required to reduce the cancer burden, especially in the younger age groups. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control an extensive range of cellular functions and exhibit a pivotal action in the development and spreading of TGCTs. Because of their dysregulation and disruption in function, miRNAs have been linked to the malignant pathophysiology of TGCTs by influencing many cellular functions involved in the disease. These biological processes include increased invasive and proliferative perspective, cell cycle dysregulation, apoptosis disruption, stimulation of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, and resistance to certain treatments. Herein, we present an up-to-date review of the biogenesis of miRNAs, miRNA regulatory mechanisms, clinical challenges, and therapeutic interventions of TGCTs, and role of nanoparticles in the treatment of TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Hebatallah Ahmed Mohamed Moustafa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Al-Aliaa M Sallam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Walaa A El-Dakroury
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Elesawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | | | - Reem K Shahin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Heba M Midan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Ola Elazazy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Yara A Nassar
- Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Elazab
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Elballal
- Department of Dentistry, Medical Administration, University of Sadat, City Menoufia 32897, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
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6
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Pinto MT, Eiras Martins G, Vieira AGS, Galvão JMS, de Pádua Souza C, Macedo CRPD, Lopes LF. Molecular Biology of Pediatric and Adult Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112990. [PMID: 37296950 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCTs) are rare in adults; indeed, they occur predominantly in children, adolescents, and young adults, and they account for approximately 11% of cancer diagnoses in these groups. Because OGCTs are rare tumors, our current understanding of them is sparse; this is because few studies have investigated the molecular basis of pediatric and adult cancers. Here, we review the etiopathogenesis of OGCTs in children and adults, and we address the molecular landscape of these tumors, including integrated genomic analysis, microRNAs, DNA methylation, the molecular implications of treatment resistance, and the development of in vitro and in vivo models. An elucidation of potential molecular alterations may provide a novel field for understanding the pathogenesis, tumorigenesis, diagnostic markers, and genetic peculiarity of the rarity and complexity of OGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gisele Eiras Martins
- Brazilian Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Study Group, The Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Society (SOBOPE), Barretos 14784400, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Hospital from Hospital de Amor, Barretos 14784400, Brazil
| | - Ana Glenda Santarosa Vieira
- Brazilian Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Study Group, The Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Society (SOBOPE), Barretos 14784400, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Hospital from Hospital de Amor, Barretos 14784400, Brazil
| | | | | | - Carla Renata Pacheco Donato Macedo
- Brazilian Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Study Group, The Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Society (SOBOPE), Barretos 14784400, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Department, IOP/GRAACC/Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04038001, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Lopes
- Brazilian Childhood Germ Cell Tumor Study Group, The Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Society (SOBOPE), Barretos 14784400, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Hospital from Hospital de Amor, Barretos 14784400, Brazil
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7
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Cuevas-Estrada B, Montalvo-Casimiro M, Munguia-Garza P, Ríos-Rodríguez JA, González-Barrios R, Herrera LA. Breaking the Mold: Epigenetics and Genomics Approaches Addressing Novel Treatments and Chemoresponse in TGCT Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097873. [PMID: 37175579 PMCID: PMC10178517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097873] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT) have been widely recognized for their outstanding survival rates, commonly attributed to their high sensitivity to cisplatin-based therapies. Despite this, a subset of patients develops cisplatin resistance, for whom additional therapeutic options are unsuccessful, and ~20% of them will die from disease progression at an early age. Several efforts have been made trying to find the molecular bases of cisplatin resistance. However, this phenomenon is still not fully understood, which has limited the development of efficient biomarkers and precision medicine approaches as an alternative that could improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. With the aim of providing an integrative landscape, we review the most recent genomic and epigenomic features attributed to chemoresponse in TGCT patients, highlighting how we can seek to combat cisplatin resistance through the same mechanisms by which TGCTs are particularly hypersensitive to therapy. In this regard, we explore ongoing treatment directions for resistant TGCT and novel targets to guide future clinical trials. Through our exploration of recent findings, we conclude that epidrugs are promising treatments that could help to restore cisplatin sensitivity in resistant tumors, shedding light on potential avenues for better prognosis for the benefit of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Cuevas-Estrada
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Michel Montalvo-Casimiro
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Paulina Munguia-Garza
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Juan Alberto Ríos-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo González-Barrios
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Luis A Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
- Tecnológico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64710, Mexico
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8
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Emerging RNA-Based Therapeutic and Diagnostic Options: Recent Advances and Future Challenges in Genitourinary Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054601. [PMID: 36902032 PMCID: PMC10003365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054601] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are the most widespread genitourinary tumors. Their treatment and diagnosis have significantly evolved over recent years, due to an increasing understanding of oncogenic factors and the molecular mechanisms involved. Using sophisticated genome sequencing technologies, the non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have all been implicated in the occurrence and progression of genitourinary cancers. Interestingly, DNA, protein, and RNA interactions with lncRNAs and other biological macromolecules drive some of these cancer phenotypes. Studies on the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs have identified new functional markers that could be potentially useful as biomarkers for effective diagnosis and/or as targets for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying abnormal lncRNA expression in genitourinary tumors and discusses their role in diagnostics, prognosis, and treatment.
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9
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von Eyben FE, Kristiansen K, Kapp DS, Hu R, Preda O, Nogales FF. Epigenetic Regulation of Driver Genes in Testicular Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044148. [PMID: 36835562 PMCID: PMC9966837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044148] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In testicular germ cell tumor type II (TGCT), a seminoma subtype expresses an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) panel with four upregulated genes, OCT4/POU5F1, SOX17, KLF4, and MYC, and embryonal carcinoma (EC) has four upregulated genes, OCT4/POU5F1, SOX2, LIN28, and NANOG. The EC panel can reprogram cells into iPSC, and both iPSC and EC can differentiate into teratoma. This review summarizes the literature on epigenetic regulation of the genes. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as methylations of cytosines on the DNA string and methylations and acetylations of histone 3 lysines, regulate expression of these driver genes between the TGCT subtypes. In TGCT, the driver genes contribute to well-known clinical characteristics and the driver genes are also important for aggressive subtypes of many other malignancies. In conclusion, epigenetic regulation of the driver genes are important for TGCT and for oncology in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn E. von Eyben
- Center for Tobacco Control Research, Birkevej 17, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-66145862
| | - Karsten Kristiansen
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, August Krogh Building Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- BGI-Research, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China
- Institute of Metagenomics, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 166555, China
| | - Daniel S. Kapp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Ovidiu Preda
- Department of Pathology, San Cecilio University Hospital, 18071 Granada, CP, Spain
| | - Francisco F. Nogales
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University Granada, 18071 Granada, CP, Spain
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10
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Resetting histone modifications during human prenatal germline development. Cell Discov 2023; 9:14. [PMID: 36737434 PMCID: PMC9898496 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00519-1] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications play critical roles in regulating gene expression and present dynamic changes during early embryo development. However, how they are reprogrammed during human prenatal germline development has not yet been elucidated. Here, we map the genome-wide profiles of three key histone modifications in human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) from weeks 8 to 23 of gestation for the first time by performing ULI-NChIP-seq. Notably, H3K4me3 exhibits a canonical promoter-enriched pattern, though with relatively lower enrichment, and is positively correlated with gene expression in globally hypomethylated hPGCs. In addition, H3K27me3 presents very low enrichment but plays an important role in not only dynamically governing specific bivalent promoters but also impeding complete X chromosome reactivation in female hPGCs. Given the activation effects of both global DNA demethylation and H3K4me3 signals, repressive H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 marks are jointly responsible for the paradoxical regulation of demethylation-resistant regions in hPGCs. Collectively, our results provide a unique roadmap of three core histone modifications during hPGC development, which helps to elucidate the architecture of germ cell reprogramming in an extremely hypomethylated DNA environment.
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Preconception paternal mental disorders and child health: Mechanisms and interventions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104976. [PMID: 36435393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104976] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mental illness is a significant global health issue with a steady prevalence. High heritability is suspected, but genome-wide association studies only identified a small number of risk genes associated with mental disorders. This 'missing inheritance' can be partially explained by epigenetic heredity. Evidence from numerous animal models and human studies supports the possibility that preconception paternal mental health influences their offspring's mental health via nongenetic means. Here, we review two potential pathways, including sperm epigenetics and seminal plasma components. The current review highlights the role of sperm epigenetics and explores epigenetic message origination and susceptibility to chronic stress. Meanwhile, possible spatiotemporal windows and events that induce sexually dimorphic modes and effects of paternal stress transmission are inferred in this review. Additionally, we discuss emerging interventions that could potentially block the intergenerational transmission of paternal psychiatric disorders and reduce the incidence of mental illness. Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which preconception paternal stress impacts offspring health is critical for identifying strategies supporting healthy development and successfully controlling the prevalence of mental illness.
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12
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Ozgun G, Nichols C, Kollmannsberger C, Nappi L. Genomic features of mediastinal germ cell tumors: a narrative review. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2022; 6:34. [PMID: 36582975 PMCID: PMC9792832 DOI: 10.21037/med-22-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are uncommon malignancies generally originating from gonads. However, about 5% of GCTs arise outside the gonad (extragonadal), of which 80% develop from the mediastinum. While the prognosis of seminomas is not affected by the gonadal or extragonadal primary location, the prognosis of nonseminoma primary mediastinal GCTs (NS-PMGCTs) is poor, compared to its gonadal counterpart with an estimated 5-year overall survival of about 50%. The current treatments are sub-optimal to increase the cure rate of these rare GCTs. Therefore, molecular insights into these tumors would be valuable to develop novel therapies. The main objective of this review is to describe and dissect the genomic features associated with primary mediastinal GCTs (PMGCTs), highlighting the more frequent genomic alterations and their correlation with clinical outcomes. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of the English literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar between 1982 and 2021, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, case series and case reports regarding the genomic and clinical features of PMGCTs. We analyzed the available data to describe the molecular characteristics of PMGCTs compared to testicular GCTs (TGCTs), highlighting the most relevant biological and prognostic factors. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS The high percentage of platinum resistance, the unique association with hematologic malignancies (HMs) and other malignancies, the higher prevalence of P53 mutations, and a distinct genomic landscape characterize this rare disease. CONCLUSIONS Although some studies have unveiled recurrent molecular alterations in PMGCTs, few are particularly suitable for targeted therapy. Due to the rarity of PMGCTs, data sharing and the creation of an international consortium would be helpful to have a better understanding of the molecular drivers of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guliz Ozgun
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Lucia Nappi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, British Columbia, Canada
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Medvedev KE, Savelyeva AV, Chen KS, Bagrodia A, Jia L, Grishin NV. Integrated Molecular Analysis Reveals 2 Distinct Subtypes of Pure Seminoma of the Testis. Cancer Inform 2022; 21:11769351221132634. [PMID: 36330202 PMCID: PMC9623390 DOI: 10.1177/11769351221132634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common solid malignancy in adolescent and young men, with a rising incidence over the past 20 years. Overall, TGCTs are second in terms of the average life years lost per person dying of cancer, and clinical therapeutics without adverse long-term side effects are lacking. Platinum-based regimens for TGCTs have heterogeneous outcomes even within the same histotype that frequently leads to under- and over-treatment. Understanding of molecular differences that lead to diverse outcomes of TGCT patients may improve current treatment approaches. Seminoma is the most common subtype of TGCTs, which can either be pure or present in combination with other histotypes. Methods Here we conducted a computational study of 64 pure seminoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas, applied consensus clustering approach to their transcriptomic data and revealed 2 clinically relevant seminoma subtypes: seminoma subtype 1 and 2. Results Our analysis identified significant differences in pluripotency stage, activity of double stranded DNA breaks repair mechanisms, rates of loss of heterozygosity, and expression of lncRNA responsible for cisplatin resistance between the subtypes. Seminoma subtype 1 is characterized by higher pluripotency state, while subtype 2 showed attributes of reprograming into non-seminomatous TGCT. The seminoma subtypes we identified may provide a molecular underpinning for variable responses to chemotherapy and radiation. Conclusion Translating our findings into clinical care may help improve risk stratification of seminoma, decrease overtreatment rates, and increase long-term quality of life for TGCT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill E Medvedev
- Department of Biophysics, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anna V Savelyeva
- Department of Urology, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Children’s Medical Center Research
Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Aditya Bagrodia
- Department of Urology, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Urology, University of
California San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Liwei Jia
- Department of Pathology, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nick V Grishin
- Department of Biophysics, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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14
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DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Prediction of Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: Where Do We Stand? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122918. [PMID: 35740584 PMCID: PMC9221086 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Platinum-based agents are one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs for various types of cancer. However, one of the main challenges in the application of platinum drugs is resistance, which is currently being widely investigated. Epigenetic DNA methylation-based biomarkers are promising to aid in the selection of patients, helping to foresee their platinum therapy response in advance. These biomarkers enable minimally invasive patient sample collection, short analysis, and good sensitivity. Hence, improved methodologies for the detection and quantification of DNA methylation biomarkers will facilitate their use in the choice of an optimal treatment strategy. Abstract Platinum-based chemotherapy is routinely used for the treatment of several cancers. Despite all the advances made in cancer research regarding this therapy and its mechanisms of action, tumor resistance remains a major concern, limiting its effectiveness. DNA methylation-based biomarkers may assist in the selection of patients that may benefit (or not) from this type of treatment and provide new targets to circumvent platinum chemoresistance, namely, through demethylating agents. We performed a systematic search of studies on biomarkers that might be predictive of platinum-based chemotherapy resistance, including in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical models and clinical studies using patient samples. DNA methylation biomarkers predictive of response to platinum remain mostly unexplored but seem promising in assisting clinicians in the generation of more personalized follow-up and treatment strategies. Improved methodologies for their detection and quantification, including non-invasively in liquid biopsies, are additional attractive features that can bring these biomarkers into clinical practice, fostering precision medicine.
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15
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Kasyanenko N, Qiushi Z, Bakulev V, Sokolov P, Yakovlev K. DNA Conformational Changes Induced by Its Interaction with Binuclear Platinum Complexes in Solution Indicate the Molecular Mechanism of Platinum Binding. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14102044. [PMID: 35631926 PMCID: PMC9143540 DOI: 10.3390/polym14102044] [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: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Platinum anticancer drugs inhibit the division of cancer cells through a DNA binding mechanism. The bimetallic platinum compounds have a possibility for blocking DNA replication via the cross-linking of DNA functional groups at different distances. Many compounds with metals of the platinum group have been tested for possible antitumor activity. The main target of their biological action is a DNA molecule. A combined approach to the study of the interaction of DNA with biologically active compounds of this type is proposed. The capabilities of various methods (hydrodynamic, spectral, microscopy) in obtaining information on the type of binding of coordination compounds to DNA are compared. The analysis of DNA binding with platinum binuclear compounds containing pyrazine, tetrazole, 5- methyltetrazole, 3-propanediamine as bridging ligands in a solution was carried out with the methods of circular dichroism (CD), luminescent spectroscopy (LS), low gradient viscometry (LGV), flow birefringence (FB) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The competitive binding of different platinum compounds to DNA and the analysis of platinum attachment to DNA after protonation of its nitrogen bases simply indicates the involvement of N7 guanine in binding. Fluorescent dye DAPI was also used to recognize the location of platinum compounds in DNA grooves. DNA conformational changes recorded by variations in persistent length, polyelectrolyte swelling, DNA secondary structure, and its stability clarify the molecular mechanism of the biological activity of platinum compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kasyanenko
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (Z.Q.); (V.B.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Zhang Qiushi
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (Z.Q.); (V.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Vladimir Bakulev
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (Z.Q.); (V.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Petr Sokolov
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (Z.Q.); (V.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Konstantin Yakovlev
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical Academy, 14, Prof. Popov str., 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia;
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16
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Országhová Z, Kalavska K, Mego M, Chovanec M. Overcoming Chemotherapy Resistance in Germ Cell Tumors. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050972. [PMID: 35625709 PMCID: PMC9139090 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are highly curable malignancies. Excellent survival rates in patients with metastatic disease can be attributed to the exceptional sensitivity of GCTs to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This hypersensitivity is probably related to alterations in the DNA repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage, and an excessive apoptotic response. However, chemotherapy fails due to the development of cisplatin resistance in a proportion of patients. The molecular basis of this resistance appears to be multifactorial. Tracking the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in GCTs, multiple molecules have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. A variety of therapeutic agents have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. These include different chemotherapeutics, targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, CDK inhibitors, and anti-CD30 therapy, as well as immune-checkpoint inhibitors, epigenetic therapy, and others. These therapeutics have been used as single agents or in combination with cisplatin. Some of them have shown promising in vitro activity in overcoming cisplatin resistance, but have not been effective in clinical trials in refractory GCT patients. This review provides a summary of current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin sensitivity and resistance in GCTs and outlines possible therapeutic approaches that seek to overcome this chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Országhová
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
| | - Katarina Kalavska
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Francolini G, Trodella LE, Marvaso G, Matrone F, Nicosia L, Timon G, Ognibene L, Vinciguerra A, Franzese C, Borghetti P, Arcangeli S. Radiotherapy role in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, radiobiological and technical issues of an unexplored scenario. Int J Clin Oncol 2021; 26:1777-1783. [PMID: 34273014 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-021-01989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Historically, non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) has been considered a radio-resistant disease, excluding radiotherapy (RT) from curative strategies. However, case series exploring the use of radiation treatment in this setting are often outdated, and prospective ongoing studies testing new radiotherapeutic approaches in NSGCT are lacking. Considering that tremendous advances in radiotherapy technology have enabled improved precision in RT delivery as well as dose escalation while decreasing treatment-related morbidity, we overviewed the currently available literature to explore the radiobiological basis, the technical issues, and potential strategies for implementation of RT in the management of this clinical entity. The purpose of the present overview is to provide insight for future research in this unexplored scenario. In summary, the biological rationale for RT use and potential implementation with systemic therapies exist, especially considering the advantage of new technologies, which were unavailable in the era of early literature reports. The NSGCT radioresistance paradigm could be based only on the fact that effective treatment schedules were simply undeliverable with older RT techniques due to toxicity issues, but the availability of actual techniques may prompt further exploration to offer treatment alternatives to these patients. Ongoing trials on this issue are lacking, but potential areas of research are platinum-refractory disease and consolidation therapy for residual masses after PST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Francolini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Luca Eolo Trodella
- Radiation Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via A. del Portillo, 21, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Marvaso
- Division of Radiation Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Matrone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano CRO-IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Luca Nicosia
- Advanced Radiation Oncology Department, Cancer Care Center, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, via Don Sempreboni 5, 37034, Verona, Negrar, Italy
| | - Giorgia Timon
- Radioterapia Oncologica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lucia Ognibene
- Radiotherapy Unit, San Gaetano Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vinciguerra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ciro Franzese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department -Humanitas Research Hospital IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Borghetti
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Arcangeli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine and Surgery-University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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18
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Escher J. How Family Histories Can Inform Research About Germ Cell Exposures: The Example of Autism. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:767-773. [PMID: 33959752 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the scientific literature, heritable traits are routinely presumed to be genetic in origin. However, as emerging evidence from the realms of genetic toxicology and epigenomics demonstrate, heritability may be better understood as encompassing not only DNA sequence passed down through generations, but also disruptions to the parental germ cells causing de novo mutations or epigenetic alterations, with subsequent shifts in gene expression and functions in offspring. The Beyond Genes conference highlighted advances in understanding these aspects at molecular, experimental and epidemiological levels. In this commentary I suggest that future research on this topic could be inspired by collecting parents' germ cell exposure histories, with particular attention to cases of families with multiple children suffering idiopathic disorders. In so doing I focus on the endpoint of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Rates of this serious neurodevelopment disability have climbed around the world, a growing crisis that cannot be explained by diagnostic shifts. ASD's strong heritability has prompted a research program largely focused on DNA sequencing to locate rare and common variants, but decades of this gene-focused research have revealed surprisingly little about the molecular origins of the disorder. Based on my experience as the mother of two children with idiopathic autism, and as a research philanthropist and autism advocate, I suggest ways researchers might probe parental germ cell exposure histories to develop new hypotheses that may ultimately reveal sources of non-genetic heritability in a subset of idiopathic heritable pathologies.
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19
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Lobo J, Constâncio V, Leite-Silva P, Guimarães R, Cantante M, Braga I, Maurício J, Looijenga LHJ, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. Differential methylation EPIC analysis discloses cisplatin-resistance related hypermethylation and tumor-specific heterogeneity within matched primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumor patient tissue samples. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:70. [PMID: 33823933 PMCID: PMC8025580 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01048-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are among the most common solid malignancies in young-adult men, and currently most mortality is due to metastatic disease and emergence of resistance to cisplatin. There is some evidence that increased methylation is one mechanism behind this resistance, stemming from individual studies, but approaches based on matched primary and metastatic patient samples are lacking. Herein, we provide an EPIC array-based study of matched primary and metastatic TGCT samples. Histology was the major determinant of overall methylation pattern, but some clustering of samples related to response to cisplatin was observed. Further differential analysis of patients with the same histological subtype (embryonal carcinoma) disclosed a remarkable increase in net methylation levels (at both promoter and CpG site level) in the patient with cisplatin-resistant disease and poor outcome compared to the patient with complete response to chemotherapy. This further confirms the recent results of another study performed on isogenic clones of sensitive and resistant TGCT cell lines. Differentially methylated promoters among groups of samples were mostly not shared, disclosing heterogeneity in patient tissue samples. Finally, gene ontology analysis of cisplatin-resistant samples indicated enrichment of differentially hypermethylated promoters on pathways related to regulation of immune microenvironment, and enrichment of differentially hypomethylated promoters on pathways related to DNA/chromatin binding and regulation. This data supports not only the use of hypomethylating agents for targeting cisplatin-resistant disease, but also their use in combination with immunotherapies and chromatin remodelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vera Constâncio
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Leite-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Guimarães
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Cantante
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joaquina Maurício
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513, Porto, Portugal.
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20
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place: An Epigenetic-Centric View of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071506. [PMID: 33805941 PMCID: PMC8036638 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071506] [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: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This minireview focuses on the role of epigenetics in testicular cancer. A working model is developed that postulates that epigenetic features that drive testicular cancer malignancy also enable these tumors to be cured at a high rate with chemotherapy. Chemoresistance may occur by epigenetic uncoupling of malignancy and chemosensitivity, a scenario that may be amenable to epigenetic-based therapies. Abstract Compared to many common solid tumors, the main genetic drivers of most testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are unknown. Decades of focus on genomic alterations in TGCTs including awareness of a near universal increase in copies of chromosome 12p have failed to uncover exceptional driver genes, especially in genes that can be targeted therapeutically. Thus far, TGCT patients have missed out on the benefits of targeted therapies available to treat most other malignancies. In the past decade there has been a greater appreciation that epigenetics may play an especially prominent role in TGCT etiology, progression, and hypersensitivity to conventional chemotherapy. While genetics undoubtedly plays a role in TGCT biology, this mini-review will focus on the epigenetic “states” or features of testicular cancer, with an emphasis on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNAs associated with TGCT susceptibility, initiation, progression, and response to chemotherapy. In addition, we comment on the current status of epigenetic-based therapy and epigenetic biomarker development for TGCTs. Finally, we suggest a unifying “rock and a hard place” or “differentiate or die” model where the tumorigenicity and curability of TGCTs are both dependent on common but still ill-defined epigenetic states.
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21
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Kozakova K, Mego M, Cheng L, Chovanec M. Promising novel therapies for relapsed and refractory testicular germ cell tumors. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 21:53-69. [PMID: 33138660 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1838279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common solid malignancies in young men. The overall cure rate of GCT patients in metastatic stage is excellent, however; patients with relapsed or refractory disease have poor prognosis. Attempts to treat refractory disease with novel effective treatment to improve prognosis have been historically dismal and the ability to predict prognosis and treatment response in GCTs did not sufficiently improve in the last three decades. AREAS COVERED We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE to identify original and review articles (years 1964-2020) reporting on current improvement salvage treatment in GCTs and novel treatment options including molecularly targeted therapy and epigenetic approach. Review articles were further searched for additional original articles. EXPERT OPINION Despite multimodal treatment approaches the treatment of relapsed or platinum-refractory GCTs remains a challenge. High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) regimens with autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) from peripheral blood showed promising results in larger retrospective studies. Promising results from in vitro studies raised high expectations in molecular targets. So far, the lacking efficacy in small and unselected trials do not shed a light on targeted therapy. Currently, wide inclusion of patients into clinical trials is highly advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Kozakova
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, National Cancer Institute , Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute , Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute , Bratislava, Slovakia.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center , Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute , Bratislava, Slovakia.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center , Indianapolis, IN, USA
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22
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Bline AP, Dearfield KL, DeMarini DM, Marchetti F, Yauk CL, Escher J. Heritable hazards of smoking: Applying the "clean sheet" framework to further science and policy. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2020; 61:910-921. [PMID: 33064321 PMCID: PMC7756471 DOI: 10.1002/em.22412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
All the cells in our bodies are derived from the germ cells of our parents, just as our own germ cells become the bodies of our children. The integrity of the genetic information inherited from these germ cells is of paramount importance in establishing the health of each generation and perpetuating our species into the future. There is a large and growing body of evidence strongly suggesting the existence of substances that may threaten this integrity by acting as human germ cell mutagens. However, there generally are no absolute regulatory requirements to test agents for germ cell effects. In addition, the current regulatory testing paradigms do not evaluate the impacts of epigenetically mediated intergenerational effects, and there is no regulatory framework to apply new and emerging tests in regulatory decision making. At the 50th annual meeting of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society held in Washington, DC, in September 2019, a workshop took place that examined the heritable effects of hazardous exposures to germ cells, using tobacco smoke as the example hazard. This synopsis provides a summary of areas of concern regarding heritable hazards from tobacco smoke exposures identified at the workshop and the value of the Clean Sheet framework in organizing information to address knowledge and testing gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail P. Bline
- Fielding School of Public HealthUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Francesco Marchetti
- Environmental Health Science Research Bureau, Health CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Carole L. Yauk
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
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23
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Albany C, Fazal Z, Singh R, Bikorimana E, Adra N, Hanna NH, Einhorn LH, Perkins SM, Sandusky GE, Christensen BC, Keer H, Fang F, Nephew KP, Spinella MJ. A phase 1 study of combined guadecitabine and cisplatin in platinum refractory germ cell cancer. Cancer Med 2020; 10:156-163. [PMID: 33135391 PMCID: PMC7826483 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are cured with therapy based on cisplatin, although a clinically significant number of patients are refractory and die of progressive disease. Based on preclinical studies indicating that refractory testicular GCTs are hypersensitive to hypomethylating agents (HMAs), we conducted a phase I trial combining the next‐generation HMA guadecitabine (SGI‐110) with cisplatin in recurrent, cisplatin‐resistant GCT patients. Methods Patients with metastatic GCTs were treated for five consecutive days with guadecitabine followed by cisplatin on day 8, for a 28‐day cycle for up to six cycles. The primary endpoint was safety and toxicity including dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Results The number of patients enrolled was 14. The majority of patients were heavily pretreated. MTD was determined to be 30 mg/m2 guadecitabine followed by 100 mg/m2 cisplatin. The major DLTs were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Three patients had partial responses by RECIST criteria, two of these patients, including one with primary mediastinal disease, completed the study and qualified as complete responses by serum tumor marker criteria with sustained remissions of 5 and 13 months and survival of 16 and 26 months, respectively. The overall response rate was 23%. Three patients also had stable disease indicating a clinical benefit rate of 46%. Conclusions The combination of guadecitabine and cisplatin was tolerable and demonstrated activity in patients with platinum refractory germ cell cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costantine Albany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and the Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and the Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and the Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Nabil Adra
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nasser H Hanna
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lawrence H Einhorn
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Susan M Perkins
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - George E Sandusky
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Harold Keer
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Pleasanton, CA, USA
| | - Fang Fang
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and the Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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24
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Fazal Z, Singh R, Fang F, Bikorimana E, Baldwin H, Corbet A, Tomlin M, Yerby C, Adra N, Albany C, Lee S, Freemantle SJ, Nephew KP, Christensen BC, Spinella MJ. Hypermethylation and global remodelling of DNA methylation is associated with acquired cisplatin resistance in testicular germ cell tumours. Epigenetics 2020; 16:1071-1084. [PMID: 33126827 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1834926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) respond well to cisplatin-based therapy. However, cisplatin resistance and poor outcomes do occur. It has been suggested that a shift towards DNA hypermethylation mediates cisplatin resistance in TGCT cells, although there is little direct evidence to support this claim. Here we utilized a series of isogenic cisplatin-resistant cell models and observed a strong association between cisplatin resistance in TGCT cells and a net increase in global CpG and non-CpG DNA methylation spanning regulatory, intergenic, genic and repeat elements. Hypermethylated loci were significantly enriched for repressive DNA segments, CTCF and RAD21 sites and lamina associated domains, suggesting that global nuclear reorganization of chromatin structure occurred in resistant cells. Hypomethylated CpG loci were significantly enriched for EZH2 and SUZ12 binding and H3K27me3 sites. Integrative transcriptome and methylome analyses showed a strong negative correlation between gene promoter and CpG island methylation and gene expression in resistant cells and a weaker positive correlation between gene body methylation and gene expression. A bidirectional shift between gene promoter and gene body DNA methylation occurred within multiple genes that was associated with upregulation of polycomb targets and downregulation of tumour suppressor genes. These data support the hypothesis that global remodelling of DNA methylation is a key factor in mediating cisplatin hypersensitivity and chemoresistance of TGCTs and furthers the rationale for hypomethylation therapy for refractory TGCT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Fang Fang
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Hannah Baldwin
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Andrea Corbet
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Megan Tomlin
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Cliff Yerby
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Nabil Adra
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Costantine Albany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sarah Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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25
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Cardoso AR, Lobo J, Miranda-Gonçalves V, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. Epigenetic alterations as therapeutic targets in Testicular Germ Cell Tumours : current and future application of 'epidrugs'. Epigenetics 2020; 16:353-372. [PMID: 32749176 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1805682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are heterogeneous neoplasms mostly affecting young-adult men. Despite high survival rates, some patients with disseminated disease acquire cisplatin resistance, entailing the need for less toxic therapies. Epigenetic alterations constitute an important feature of TGCTs, which are also implicated in resistance mechanism(s). These alterations might be used as potential targets to design epigenetic drugs. To date, several compounds have been explored and evaluated regarding therapeutic efficacy, making use of pre-clinical studies with in vitro and in vivo models, and some have already been explored in clinical trials. This review summarizes the several epigenetic mechanisms at play in these neoplasms, the current challenges in the field of TGCTs and critically reviews available data on 'epidrugs' in those tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Cardoso
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vera Miranda-Gonçalves
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513, Porto, Portugal
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26
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Schmidtova S, Dorssers LCJ, Kalavska K, Gillis AJM, Oosterhuis JW, Stoop H, Miklikova S, Kozovska Z, Burikova M, Gercakova K, Durinikova E, Chovanec M, Mego M, Kucerova L, Looijenga LHJ. Napabucasin overcomes cisplatin resistance in ovarian germ cell tumor-derived cell line by inhibiting cancer stemness. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:364. [PMID: 32774158 PMCID: PMC7397611 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cisplatin resistance of ovarian yolk sac tumors (oYST) is a clinical challenge due to dismal patient prognosis, even though the disease is extremely rare. We investigated potential association between cisplatin resistance and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in chemoresistant oYST cells and targeting strategies to overcome resistance in oYST. Methods Chemoresistant cells were derived from chemosensitive human oYST cells by cultivation in cisplatin in vitro. Derivative cells were characterized by chemoresistance, functional assays, flow cytometry, gene expression and protein arrays focused on CSC markers. RNAseq, methylation and microRNA profiling were performed. Quail chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) with implanted oYST cells were used to analyze the micro-tumor extent and interconnection with the CAM. Tumorigenicity in vivo was determined on immunodeficient mouse model. Chemoresistant cells were treated by inhibitors intefering with the CSC properties to examine the chemosensitization to cisplatin. Results Long-term cisplatin exposure resulted in seven-fold higher IC50 value in resistant cells, cross-resistance to oxaliplatin and carboplatin, and increased migratory capacity, invasiveness and tumorigenicity, associated with hypomethylation of differentially methylated genes/promotors. Resistant cells exhibited increased expression of prominin-1 (CD133), ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 isoform A1 (ALDH3A1), correlating with reduced gene and promoter methylation, as well as increased expression of ALDH1A3 and higher overall ALDH enzymatic activity, rendering them cross-resistant to DEAB, disulfiram and napabucasin. Salinomycin and tunicamycin were significantly more toxic to resistant cells. Pretreatment with napabucasin resensitized the cells to cisplatin and reduced their tumorigenicity in vivo. Conclusions The novel chemoresistant cells represent unique model of refractory oYST. CSC markers are associated with cisplatin resistance being possible targets in chemorefractory oYST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Schmidtova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lambert C J Dorssers
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katarina Kalavska
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ad J M Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Wolter Oosterhuis
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Stoop
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Kozovska
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Burikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Gercakova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Erika Durinikova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Chovanec
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia.,2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kucerova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Experimental Patho-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
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27
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Meta-Analysis of Gene Expressions in Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Histologies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124487. [PMID: 32599785 PMCID: PMC7349960 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no consensus as to how a precursor lesion, germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), develops into the histologic types of testicular germ cell tumor type II (TGCT). The present meta-analysis examined RNA expressions of 24 candidate genes in three datasets. They included 203 samples of normal testis (NT) and histologic types of TGCT. The Fisher’s test for combined p values was used for meta-analysis of the RNA expressions in the three datasets. The histologic types differed in RNA expression of PRAME, KIT, SOX17, NANOG, KLF4, POU5F1, RB1, DNMT3B, and LIN28A (p < 0.01). The histologic types had concordant differences in RNA expression of the genes in the three datasets. Eight genes had overlap with a high RNA expression in at least two histologic types. In contrast, only seminoma (SE) had a high RNA expression of KLF4 and only embryonal carcinoma (EC) had a high RNA expression of DNMT3B. In conclusion, the meta-analysis showed that the development of the histologic types of TGCT was driven by changes in RNA expression of candidate genes. According to the RNA expressions of the ten genes, TGCT develops from NT over GCNIS, SE, EC, to the differentiated types of TGCT.
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28
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Cisplatin Resistance in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Current Challenges from Various Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061601. [PMID: 32560427 PMCID: PMC7352163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors share a marked sensitivity to cisplatin, contributing to their overall good prognosis. However, a subset of patients develop resistance to platinum-based treatments, by still-elusive mechanisms, experiencing poor quality of life due to multiple (often ineffective) interventions and, eventually, dying from disease. Currently, there is a lack of defined treatment opportunities for these patients that tackle the mechanism(s) underlying the emergence of resistance. Herein, we aim to provide a multifaceted overview of cisplatin resistance in testicular germ cell tumors, from the clinical perspective, to the pathobiology (including mechanisms contributing to induction of the resistant phenotype), to experimental models available for studying this occurrence. We provide a systematic summary of pre-target, on-target, post-target, and off-target mechanisms putatively involved in cisplatin resistance, providing data from preclinical studies and from those attempting validation in clinical samples, including those exploring specific alterations as therapeutic targets, some of them included in ongoing clinical trials. We briefly discuss the specificities of resistance related to teratoma (differentiated) phenotype, including the phenomena of growing teratoma syndrome and development of somatic-type malignancy. Cisplatin resistance is most likely multifactorial, and a combination of therapeutic strategies will most likely produce the best clinical benefit.
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29
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de Vries G, Rosas-Plaza X, van Vugt MATM, Gietema JA, de Jong S. Testicular cancer: Determinants of cisplatin sensitivity and novel therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 88:102054. [PMID: 32593915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common solid tumor among men aged between 15 and 40 years. TCs are highly aneuploid and the 12p isochromosome is the most frequent chromosomal abnormality. The mutation rate is of TC is low, with recurrent mutations in KIT and KRAS observed only at low frequency in seminomas. Overall cure rates are high, even in a metastatic setting, resulting from excellent cisplatin sensitivity of TCs. Factors contributing to the observed cisplatin sensitivity include defective DNA damage repair and a hypersensitive apoptotic response to DNA damage. Nonetheless, around 10-20% of TC patients with metastatic disease cannot be cured by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Resistance mechanisms include downregulation of OCT4 and failure to induce PUMA and NOXA, elevated levels of MDM2, and hyperactivity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Several pre-clinical approaches have proven successful in overcoming cisplatin resistance, including specific targeting of PARP, MDM2 or AKT/mTOR combined with cisplatin. Finally, patient-derived xenograft models hold potential for mechanistic studies and pre-clinical validation of novel therapeutic strategies in TC. While clinical trials investigating targeted drugs have been disappointing, pre-clinical successes with chemotherapy and targeted drug combinations fuel the need for further investigation in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerda de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ximena Rosas-Plaza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel A T M van Vugt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jourik A Gietema
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steven de Jong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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The Distinct Roles of Transcriptional Factor KLF11 in Normal Cell Growth Regulation and Cancer as a Mediator of TGF-β Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082928. [PMID: 32331236 PMCID: PMC7215894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
KLF11 (Krüppel-like factor 11) belongs to the family of Sp1/Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors that play important roles in a variety of cell types and tissues. KLF11 was initially described as a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) inducible immediate early gene (TIEG). KLF11 promotes the effects of TGF-β on cell growth control by influencing the TGFβ–Smads signaling pathway and regulating the transcription of genes that induce either apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. In carcinogenesis, KLF11 can show diverse effects. Its function as a tumor suppressor gene can be suppressed by phosphorylation of its binding domains via oncogenic pathways. However, KLF 11 can itself also show tumor-promoting effects and seems to have a crucial role in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. Here, we review the current knowledge about the function of KLF11 in cell growth regulation. We focus on its transcriptional regulatory function and its influence on the TGF-β signaling pathway. We further discuss its possible role in mediating crosstalk between various signaling pathways in normal cell growth and in carcinogenesis.
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31
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Non-Coding microRNAs as Novel Potential Tumor Markers in Testicular Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030749. [PMID: 32235691 PMCID: PMC7140096 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular cancer is an important disease with increasing incidence and a high burden of morbidity and mortality in young men worldwide. Histological examination of the testicular tissue after orchiectomy plays an important role alongside patient history, imaging, clinical presentation and laboratory parameters. Surgical procedures and chemotherapeutic treatment provide a high chance of cure in early stages, though some patients in advanced stages belonging to a poor risk group experience cancer-related death. Though conventional serum-based tumor markers, including α-fetoprotein (AFP), the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), are useful as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, unfortunately, these tumor markers only have a sensitivity of about 60%, and in pure seminoma even lower with about 20%. Therefore, the development of new tumor markers is an important and intensively ongoing issue. The analysis of epigenetic modification and non-coding RNA microRNAs (miRNAs) are carrying most promising potential as tumor markers in future. miRNAs are small RNAs secreted by testicular tumor cells and circulate and be measurable in body fluids. In recent years, miRNAs of the miR-371-373 cluster in particular have been identified as potentially superior tumor markers in testicular cancer patients. Studies showed that miR-371a-3p and miR-302/367 expression significantly differ between testicular tumors and healthy testicular tissue. Several studies including high prospective multi-center trials clearly demonstrated that these miRNAs significantly exceed the sensitivity and specificity of conventional tumor markers and may help to facilitate the diagnosis, follow-up, and early detection of recurrences in testicular cancer patients. In addition, other miRNAs such as miR-223-3p, miR-449, miR-383, miR-514a-3p, miR-199a-3p, and miR-214 will be discussed in this review. However, further studies are needed to identify the value of these novel markers in additional clinical scenarios, including the monitoring in active surveillance or after adjuvant chemotherapy, but also to show the limitations of these tumor markers. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the current knowledge regarding the relevance of non-coding miRNAs as biomarkers in testicular cancer.
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32
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Struijk RB, Dorssers LCJ, Henneman P, Rijlaarsdam MA, Venema A, Jongejan A, Mannens MMAM, Looijenga LHJ, Repping S, van Pelt AMM. Comparing genome-scale DNA methylation and CNV marks between adult human cultured ITGA6+ testicular cells and seminomas to assess in vitro genomic stability. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230253. [PMID: 32176716 PMCID: PMC7075560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autologous transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells is a promising new avenue to restore fertility in infertile recipients. Expansion of the initial spermatogonial stem cell pool through cell culturing is a necessary step to obtain enough cells for effective repopulation of the testis after transplantation. Since in vitro propagation can lead to (epi-)genetic mutations and possibly malignant transformation of the starting cell population, we set out to investigate genome-wide DNA methylation status in uncultured and cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ sorted cells and compare them with germ cell tumor samples of the seminoma subtype. Seminomas displayed a severely global hypomethylated profile, including loss of genomic imprinting, which we did not detect in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells. Differential methylation analysis revealed altered regulation of gamete formation and meiotic processes in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells but not in seminomas. The pivotal POU5F1 marker was hypomethylated in seminomas but not in uncultured or cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells, which is reflected in the POU5F1 mRNA expression levels. Lastly, seminomas displayed a number of characteristic copy number variations that were not detectable in primary testicular ITGA6+ cells, either before or after culture. Together, the data show a distinct DNA methylation patterns in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells that does not resemble the pattern found in seminomas, but also highlight the need for more sensitive methods to fully exclude the presence of malignant cells after culture and to further study the epigenetic events that take place during in vitro culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Struijk
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert C. J. Dorssers
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Henneman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin A. Rijlaarsdam
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Venema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel M. A. M. Mannens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert H. J. Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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De Giorgi U, Casadei C, Bergamini A, Attademo L, Cormio G, Lorusso D, Pignata S, Mangili G. Therapeutic Challenges for Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101584. [PMID: 31627378 PMCID: PMC6826947 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with advanced ovarian germ cell cancer are treated by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Despite adequate first-line treatment, nearly one third of patients relapse and almost half develop cisplatin-resistant disease, which is often fatal. The treatment of cisplatin-resistant disease is challenging and prognosis remains poor. There are limited data on the efficacy of specific chemotherapeutic regimens, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous progenitor cell support and targeted therapies. The inclusion of patients in clinical trials is strongly recommended, especially in clinical trials on the most frequent male germ cell tumors, to offer wider therapeutic opportunities. Here, we provide an overview of current and potential new treatment options including combination chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapies, for patients with cisplatin-resistant ovarian germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy.
| | - Chiara Casadei
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy.
| | - Alice Bergamini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Attademo
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gennaro Cormio
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Oncologico Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Domenica Lorusso
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Woman, Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sandro Pignata
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Mangili
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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Predicting Gonadal Germ Cell Cancer in People with Disorders of Sex Development; Insights from Developmental Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205017. [PMID: 31658757 PMCID: PMC6834166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of gonadal germ cell cancer (GGCC) is increased in selective subgroups, amongst others, defined patients with disorders of sex development (DSD). The increased risk is due to the presence of part of the Y chromosome, i.e., GonadoBlastoma on Y chromosome GBY region, as well as anatomical localization and degree of testicularization and maturation of the gonad. The latter specifically relates to the germ cells present being at risk when blocked in an embryonic stage of development. GGCC originates from either germ cell neoplasia in situ (testicular environment) or gonadoblastoma (ovarian-like environment). These precursors are characterized by presence of the markers OCT3/4 (POU5F1), SOX17, NANOG, as well as TSPY, and cKIT and its ligand KITLG. One of the aims is to stratify individuals with an increased risk based on other parameters than histological investigation of a gonadal biopsy. These might include evaluation of defined susceptibility alleles, as identified by Genome Wide Association Studies, and detailed evaluation of the molecular mechanism underlying the DSD in the individual patient, combined with DNA, mRNA, and microRNA profiling of liquid biopsies. This review will discuss the current opportunities as well as limitations of available knowledge in the context of predicting the risk of GGCC in individual patients.
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35
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Liu X, Pan CG, Luo ZQ. High expression of NFAT2 contributes to carboplatin resistance in lung cancer. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 110:104290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.104290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Singh R, Fazal Z, Freemantle SJ, Spinella MJ. Mechanisms of cisplatin sensitivity and resistance in testicular germ cell tumors. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:580-594. [PMID: 31538140 PMCID: PMC6752046 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a cancer pharmacology success story with a majority of patients cured even in the highly advanced and metastatic setting. Successful treatment of TGCTs is primarily due to the exquisite responsiveness of this solid tumor to cisplatin-based therapy. However, a significant percentage of patients are, or become, refractory to cisplatin and die from progressive disease. Mechanisms for both clinical hypersensitivity and resistance have largely remained a mystery despite the promise of applying lessons to the majority of solid tumors that are not curable in the metastatic setting. Recently, this promise has been heightened by the realization that distinct (and perhaps pharmacologically replicable) epigenetic states, rather than fixed genetic alterations, may play dominant roles in not only TGCT etiology and progression but also their curability with conventional chemotherapies. In this review, it discusses potential mechanisms of TGCT cisplatin sensitivity and resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,The Carle Illinois College of Medicine , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,The Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Peng D, Wei J, Gan Y, Yang J, Jiang X, Kitazawa R, Xiang Y, Dai Y, Tang Y. Testis developmental related gene 1 regulates the chemosensitivity of seminoma TCam-2 cells to cisplatin via autophagy. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:7773-7784. [PMID: 31496041 PMCID: PMC6815826 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously identified testis developmental related gene 1 (TDRG1), a gene implicated in proliferation of TCam-2 seminoma cells. Recent evidence has revealed that autophagy influences the chemosensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, whether TDRG1 protein regulates autophagy in seminoma cells and influences their sensitivity to cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (CDDP) remains unknown. In this study, we used TCam-2 cells and male athymic BALB/c nude mice with xenografts of TCam-2 cells to investigate autophagy, cell viability, apoptosis and the p110β/Rab5/Vps34 (PI3-kinase Class III) pathway under the conditions of TDRG1 overexpression or knockdown and with or without CDDP treatment. We found that TDRG1 upregulation promoted autophagy in both TCam-2 cells and seminoma xenografts via p110β/Rab5/Vps34 activation. Inhibition of autophagy reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis during CDDP treatment of TCam-2 cells. Similarly, TDRG1 knockdown inhibited autophagy, reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis during CDDP treatment of TCam-2 cells. TDRG1 knockdown inhibited tumour growth and promoted apoptosis in TCam-2 cell xenografts, whereas TDRG1 overexpression had the opposite effect. According to these results, we propose that high expression of TDRG1 promotes autophagy through the p110β/Rab5/Vps34 pathway in TCam-2 cells. TDRG1 overexpression promotes autophagy and leads to CDDP resistance, whereas TDRG1 knockdown inhibits autophagy and promotes chemosensitivity to CDDP both in vivo and in vitro. This study has uncovered a novel role of TDRG1 in reducing chemoresistance during CDDP treatment and provides potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human seminoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyi Peng
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingchao Wei
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianfu Yang
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianzhen Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Riko Kitazawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Ehime University Hospital, Toon, Japan
| | - Yali Xiang
- Department of Health Management Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingbo Dai
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuxin Tang
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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38
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Chovanec M, Taza F, Kalra M, Hahn N, Nephew KP, Spinella MJ, Albany C. Incorporating DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors (DNMTis) in the Treatment of Genitourinary Malignancies: A Systematic Review. Target Oncol 2019; 13:49-60. [PMID: 29230671 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-017-0546-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) has emerged as a novel treatment strategy in solid tumors. Aberrant hypermethylation in promoters of critical tumor suppressor genes is the basis for the idea that treatment with hypomethylating agents may lead to the restoration of a "normal" epigenome and produce clinically meaningful therapeutic outcomes. The aim of this review article is to summarize the current state of knowledge of DNMT inhibitors in the treatment of genitourinary malignancies. The efficacy of these agents in genitourinary malignancies was reported in a number of studies and suggests a role of induced DNA hypomethylation in overcoming resistance to conventional cytotoxic treatments. The clinical significance of these findings should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Chovanec
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Fadi Taza
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Maitri Kalra
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Noah Hahn
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Costantine Albany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Hiester A, Nettersheim D, Nini A, Lusch A, Albers P. Management, Treatment, and Molecular Background of the Growing Teratoma Syndrome. Urol Clin North Am 2019; 46:419-427. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ucl.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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40
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Singh R, Fazal Z, Corbet AK, Bikorimana E, Rodriguez JC, Khan EM, Shahid K, Freemantle SJ, Spinella MJ. Epigenetic Remodeling through Downregulation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 Mediates Chemotherapy Resistance in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060796. [PMID: 31181810 PMCID: PMC6627640 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A greater understanding of the hypersensitivity and curability of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) has the potential to inform strategies to sensitize other solid tumors to conventional chemotherapies. The mechanisms of cisplatin hypersensitivity and resistance in embryonal carcinoma (EC), the stem cells of TGCTs, remain largely undefined. To study the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance we generated a large panel of independently derived, acquired resistant clones from three distinct parental EC models employing a protocol designed to match standard of care regimens of TGCT patients. Transcriptomics revealed highly significant expression changes shared between resistant cells regardless of their parental origin. This was dominated by a highly significant enrichment of genes normally repressed by H3K27 methylation and the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) which correlated with a substantial decrease in global H3K27me3, H2AK119 ubiquitination, and expression of BMI1. Importantly, repression of H3K27 methylation with the EZH2 inhibitor GSK-126 conferred cisplatin resistance to parental cells while induction of H3K27 methylation with the histone lysine demethylase inhibitor GSK-J4 resulted in increased cisplatin sensitivity to resistant cells. A gene signature based on H3K27me gene enrichment was associated with an increased rate of recurrent/progressive disease in testicular cancer patients. Our data indicates that repression of H3K27 methylation is a mechanism of cisplatin acquired resistance in TGCTs and that restoration of PRC2 complex function is a viable approach to overcome treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Andrea K Corbet
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Jennifer C Rodriguez
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Ema M Khan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Khadeeja Shahid
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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Bloom JC, Loehr AR, Schimenti JC, Weiss RS. Germline genome protection: implications for gamete quality and germ cell tumorigenesis. Andrology 2019; 7:516-526. [PMID: 31119900 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germ cells have a unique and critical role as the conduit for hereditary information and therefore employ multiple strategies to protect genomic integrity and avoid mutations. Unlike somatic cells, which often respond to DNA damage by arresting the cell cycle and conducting DNA repair, germ cells as well as long-lived pluripotent stem cells typically avoid the use of error-prone repair mechanisms and favor apoptosis, reducing the risk of genetic alterations. Testicular germ cell tumors, the most common cancers of young men, arise from pre-natal germ cells. OBJECTIVES To summarize the current understanding of DNA damage response mechanisms in pre-meiotic germ cells and to discuss how they impact both the origins of testicular germ cell tumors and their remarkable responsiveness to genotoxic chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a review of literature gathered from PubMed regarding the DNA damage response properties of testicular germ cell tumors and the germ cells from which they arise, as well as the influence of these mechanisms on therapeutic responses by testicular germ cell tumors. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of how the developmental origins of male germ cells and their inherent germ cell-like DNA damage response directly impact the development and therapeutic sensitivity of testicular germ cell tumors. CONCLUSIONS The DNA damage response of germ cells directly impacts the development and therapeutic sensitivity of testicular germ cell tumors. Recent advances in the study of primordial germ cells, post-natal mitotically dividing germ cells, and pluripotent stem cells will allow for new investigations into the initiation, progression, and treatment of testicular germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - A R Loehr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - J C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - R S Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Oing C, Skowron MA, Bokemeyer C, Nettersheim D. Epigenetic treatment combinations to effectively target cisplatin-resistant germ cell tumors: past, present, and future considerations. Andrology 2019; 7:487-497. [PMID: 30924611 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type II germ cell tumors represent the most common solid malignancy in men aged 15-45 years. Despite high cure rates of >90% over all stages, 10-15% of advanced patients develop treatment resistance and potentially succumb to their disease. Treatment of refractory germ cell tumors remains unsatisfactory, and new approaches are needed to further improve outcomes. OBJECTIVES With this narrative review, we highlight epigenetic mechanisms related to resistance to standard systemic treatment, which may act as promising targets for novel combined epigenetic treatment approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted to identify original and review articles on resistance mechanisms and/or epigenetic treatment of germ cell tumors in vitro and in vivo. Review articles were hand-searched to identify additional articles. RESULTS Distinct epigenetic phenomena have been linked to chemotherapy resistance in germ cell tumors, among which DNA hypermethylation, histone acetylation, and bromodomain proteins appear as promising targets for therapeutic exploitation. Inhibitors of key regulators, for example DNA methyltransferases (e.g. decitabine, guadecitabine), histone deacetylases (e.g. romidepsin), and bromodomain proteins (e.g. JQ1) decreased cell viability, triggered apoptosis, and growth arrest. Additionally, these epigenetic drugs induced differentiation and led to loss of pluripotency and re-sensitization towards cisplatin in cell lines and animal models. DISCUSSION Epigenetic treatments hold promise to (i) reduce the treatment burden of and (ii) overcome resistance to standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Combined approaches may enhance activity, while the ideal target and treatment combination of epigenetic drugs, either with another epigenetic agent or conventional cytotoxic agents need to be defined. CONCLUSION Epigenetic (combination) treatment for germ cell tumors should be further explored in pre-clinical and clinical research for its potential to further improve germ cell tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Oing
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Radiobiology and Experimental Radiooncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M A Skowron
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Lab, Translational Urooncology, University Medical School Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - C Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - D Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Lab, Translational Urooncology, University Medical School Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
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Nettersheim D, Berger D, Jostes S, Kristiansen G, Lochnit G, Schorle H. N6-Methyladenosine detected in RNA of testicular germ cell tumors is controlled by METTL3, ALKBH5, YTHDC1/F1/F2, and HNRNPC as writers, erasers, and readers. Andrology 2019; 7:498-506. [PMID: 30903744 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type II testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) arise from a common precursor lesion (germ cell neoplasia in situ) and are stratified into seminomas and non-seminomas, which differ considerably in morphology, gene expression, and epigenetic landscape. The N6-methyladenosine (6mA) epigenetic modification is the most abundant modification in mRNA and is also detectable in eukaryotic DNA. The functional role of 6mA is not fully understood, but 6mA residues may influence transcription by affecting splicing, miRNA processing, and mRNA stability. Additionally, the methyl group of 6mA destabilizes Watson-Crick base-pairing affecting RNA structure and protein binding. OBJECTIVES Here, we analyzed the presence of the 6mA epigenetic modification in germ cells and GCT tissues and cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS We screened for the presence of 6mA in DNA and RNA by immunohistochemistry, mass spectrometry or ELISA-based quantification assays. Additionally, expression of 6mA writer-, eraser- and reader-factors was analyzed by microarrays, qRT-PCR, western blotting and screening of public databases. RESULTS We demonstrate that 6mA is detectable in RNA, but not DNA, of GCT cell lines and tissues, fibroblasts, and Sertoli cells as well as germ cells of different developmental stages. Based on expression analyses, our results suggest METTL3, ALKBH5, YTHDC1, YTHDF1, YTHDF2 and HNRNPC as main writers, erasers, and readers of the 6mA modification in GCTs. DISCUSSION Owing to the lack of 6mA in DNA of GCTs, a functional role in regulating DNA transcription can be excluded. Interestingly, expression levels of 6mA regulators are comparable between tumor and normal tissues/cells, suggesting a similar mechanism of 6mA regulation in RNA. Finally, we demonstrate that 6mA levels in RNA increase upon differentiation of GCT cell lines, suggesting a role of 6mA in cell fate decisions. CONCLUSION In summary, our data provide the starting point for further experiments deciphering the role of 6mA in the RNA of GCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Lab, Translational Urooncology, University Medical School Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - D Berger
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Bonn University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - S Jostes
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Bonn University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - G Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, Bonn University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - G Lochnit
- Institute of Biochemistry, Protein Analytics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - H Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Bonn University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
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Lafin JT, Bagrodia A, Woldu S, Amatruda JF. New insights into germ cell tumor genomics. Andrology 2019; 7:507-515. [PMID: 30896089 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent the most common malignancy in young men. While GCTs represent a model for curable solid tumors due to exquisite chemosensitivity, mortality for patients with GCT comprises the most life years lost for non-pediatric malignancies. Given limited options for patients with platinum-resistant disease, improved insight into GCT biology could identify novel therapeutic options for patients with platinum-resistant disease. Recent studies into molecular characteristics of both early stage and advanced germ cell tumors suggest a role for rationally targeted agents and potentially immunotherapy. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Recent GWAS meta-analyses have uncovered additional susceptibility loci for GCT and provide further evidence that GCT risk is polygenic. Chromosome arm level amplifications and reciprocal loss of heterozygosity have been described as significantly enriched in GCT compared to other cancer types. Contemporary analyses confirm ubiquitous gain of isochromosome 12 and mutations in addition to previously described GCT-associated genes such as KIT and KRAS. Alterations within the TP53-MDM2 signal transduction pathway appear to be enriched among patients with platinum-resistant disease. Potentially actionable targets, including alterations in TP53-MDM2, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K, and MAPK signaling, are present in significant proportions of patients with platinum-resistant disease and may be exploited as therapeutic options. Pre-clinical and early clinical data also suggest a potential role for immunotherapy among patients with GCTs. CONCLUSION Molecular characterization of GCT patients may provide biologic rationale for novel treatment options in patients with platinum-resistant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lafin
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - A Bagrodia
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - S Woldu
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - J F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
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46
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Krais AM, Park YJ, Reifenberger G, Meister M, Plass C, Schmeiser HH. Sensitive detection of hydroxymethylcytosine levels in normal and neoplastic cells and tissues. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:1293-1297. [PMID: 30724377 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A new sensitive analytical method using capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) was applied for the simultaneous detection of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels in human cancers of different origin. DNA hydroxymethylation, measured as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels, was decreased in gliomas with mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene when compared to IDH1-wildtype gliomas. Independent from IDH1 mutation, 5hmC levels were decreased in lung carcinomas when compared to normal lung tissue. Reduced DNA hydroxymethylation was also observed upon dedifferentiation in cultured murine embryonic fibroblasts. Our data show that reduced DNA hydroxymethylation is related to cellular dedifferentiation and can be detected in various types of cancers, independent from the IDH1 mutation status. Quantitative determination of altered 5hmC levels may therefore have potential as a biomarker linked to cellular differentiation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M Krais
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yoon Jung Park
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Michael Meister
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, German Centre for Lung Research (DZL-TLRC), Heidelberg
| | - Christoph Plass
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Mérida-García A, Díaz-Serrano A, Bernard B, Del Mar Galera M, de Velasco G, Sepúlveda JM, Fernández L, Medina J, Castellano D. Update on the management of patients with intermediate and poor-risk testicular germ cell tumors and new biological insights. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2019; 19:100117. [PMID: 30684681 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2018.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Mérida-García
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Asunción Díaz-Serrano
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Brandon Bernard
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, 12801 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - María Del Mar Galera
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo de Velasco
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Sepúlveda
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Fernández
- Division of Medical Oncology, Virgen de la Salud Hospital, Av. de Barber, 30, 45004 Toledo, Spain
| | - Javier Medina
- Division of Medical Oncology, Virgen de la Salud Hospital, Av. de Barber, 30, 45004 Toledo, Spain
| | - Daniel Castellano
- Division of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Avenida de Córdoba s/n 28041 Madrid, Spain
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Lobo J, Gillis AJM, Jerónimo C, Henrique R, Looijenga LHJ. Human Germ Cell Tumors are Developmental Cancers: Impact of Epigenetics on Pathobiology and Clinic. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E258. [PMID: 30634670 PMCID: PMC6359418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Current (high throughput omics-based) data support the model that human (malignant) germ cell tumors are not initiated by somatic mutations, but, instead through a defined locked epigenetic status, representative of their cell of origin. This elegantly explains the role of both genetic susceptibility as well as environmental factors in the pathogenesis, referred to as 'genvironment'. Moreover, it could also explain various epidemiological findings, including the rising incidence of this type of cancer in Western societies. In addition, it allows for identification of clinically relevant and informative biomarkers both for diagnosis and follow-up of individual patients. The current status of these findings will be discussed, including the use of high throughput DNA methylation profiling for determination of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) as well as chromosomal copy number variation (CNV). Finally, the potential value of methylation-specific tumor DNA fragments (i.e., XIST promotor) as well as embryonic microRNAs as molecular biomarkers for cancer detection in liquid biopsies will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Ad J M Gillis
- Laboratory of Experimental Patho-Oncology (LEPO), Josephine Nefkens Building, Erasmus MC, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Cancer Institute, Be-432A, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Laboratory of Experimental Patho-Oncology (LEPO), Josephine Nefkens Building, Erasmus MC, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Cancer Institute, Be-432A, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Molecular Basics on Genitourinary Malignancies. Urol Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-42623-5_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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50
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5-Azacitidine Exerts Prolonged Pro-Apoptotic Effects and Overcomes Cisplatin-Resistance in Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010021. [PMID: 30577584 PMCID: PMC6337423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite high cure rates, about 20% of patients with advanced germ cell tumors (GCTs) fail cisplatin-based chemotherapy. High levels of DNA methylation have been identified in GCTs and linked to cisplatin resistance. Here, we examined the effects of DNA hypomethylating 5-azacitidine (5-aza) on two embryonal carcinoma cell lines (NCCIT, 2102Ep) and their cisplatin-resistant isogenic derivatives. Effects on cell viability and cisplatin sensitivity were assessed by the trypan blue exclusion method. Western blotting was used to examine induction of apoptosis 5-aza and results were validated by flow cytometry. Single agent treatment with 5-aza strongly impacted viability and induced apoptosis at low nanomolar concentrations, both in cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. 5-aza exerted an immediate apoptotic response, followed by a prolonged inhibitory effect on cell viability and cell-cycle progression. Sequential treatment with 5-aza and cisplatin reduced cellular survival of the cisplatin-resistant sublines already at nanomolar concentrations, suggesting a partial restoration of cisplatin sensitivity by the compound. 5-aza demonstrated anti-tumor activity as a single agent at low nanomolar concentrations in GCT cells, irrespective of cisplatin-sensitivity. 5-aza may also have the potential at least to partially restore cisplatin-sensitivity in non-seminoma cells, supporting the hypothesis that combining DNA demethylating agents with cisplatin-based chemotherapy may be a valid therapeutic approach in patients with refractory GCTs.
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