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Giusti V, Miserocchi G, Sbanchi G, Pannella M, Hattinger CM, Cesari M, Fantoni L, Guerrieri AN, Bellotti C, De Vita A, Spadazzi C, Donati DM, Torsello M, Lucarelli E, Ibrahim T, Mercatali L. Xenografting Human Musculoskeletal Sarcomas in Mice, Chick Embryo, and Zebrafish: How to Boost Translational Research. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1921. [PMID: 39200384 PMCID: PMC11352184 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081921] [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: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Musculoskeletal sarcomas pose major challenges to researchers and clinicians due to their rarity and heterogeneity. Xenografting human cells or tumor fragments in rodents is a mainstay for the generation of cancer models and for the preclinical trial of novel drugs. Lately, though, technical, intrinsic and ethical concerns together with stricter regulations have significantly curbed the employment of murine patient-derived xenografts (mPDX). In alternatives to murine PDXs, researchers have focused on embryonal systems such as chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and zebrafish embryos. These systems are time- and cost-effective hosts for tumor fragments and near-patient cells. The CAM of the chick embryo represents a unique vascularized environment to host xenografts with high engraftment rates, allowing for ease of visualization and molecular detection of metastatic cells. Thanks to the transparency of the larvae, zebrafish allow for the tracking of tumor development and metastatization, enabling high-throughput drug screening. This review will focus on xenograft models of musculoskeletal sarcomas to highlight the intrinsic and technically distinctive features of the different hosts, and how they can be exploited to elucidate biological mechanisms beneath the different phases of the tumor's natural history and in drug development. Ultimately, the review suggests the combination of different models as an advantageous approach to boost basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Giusti
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Giulia Sbanchi
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Micaela Pannella
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Claudia Maria Hattinger
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Marilena Cesari
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Leonardo Fantoni
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ania Naila Guerrieri
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Chiara Bellotti
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Alessandro De Vita
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Davide Maria Donati
- Orthopaedic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Monica Torsello
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Enrico Lucarelli
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Innovative Therapies Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.G.); (G.S.); (M.P.); (C.M.H.); (M.C.); (L.F.); (A.N.G.); (C.B.); (T.I.); (L.M.)
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2
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Grissenberger S, Sturtzel C, Wenninger-Weinzierl A, Radic-Sarikas B, Scheuringer E, Bierbaumer L, Etienne V, Némati F, Pascoal S, Tötzl M, Tomazou EM, Metzelder M, Putz EM, Decaudin D, Delattre O, Surdez D, Kovar H, Halbritter F, Distel M. High-content drug screening in zebrafish xenografts reveals high efficacy of dual MCL-1/BCL-X L inhibition against Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Lett 2023; 554:216028. [PMID: 36462556 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.216028] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric bone and soft tissue cancer with an urgent need for new therapies to improve disease outcome. To identify effective drugs, phenotypic drug screening has proven to be a powerful method, but achievable throughput in mouse xenografts, the preclinical Ewing sarcoma standard model, is limited. Here, we explored the use of xenografts in zebrafish for high-throughput drug screening to discover new combination therapies for Ewing sarcoma. We subjected xenografts in zebrafish larvae to high-content imaging and subsequent automated tumor size analysis to screen single agents and compound combinations. We identified three drug combinations effective against Ewing sarcoma cells: Irinotecan combined with either an MCL-1 or an BCL-XL inhibitor and in particular dual inhibition of the anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1 and BCL-XL, which efficiently eradicated tumor cells in zebrafish xenografts. We confirmed enhanced efficacy of dual MCL-1/BCL-XL inhibition compared to single agents in a mouse PDX model. In conclusion, high-content screening of small compounds on Ewing sarcoma zebrafish xenografts identified dual MCL-1/BCL-XL targeting as a specific vulnerability and promising therapeutic strategy for Ewing sarcoma, which warrants further investigation towards clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Zebrafish Platform Austria for Preclinical Drug Screening (ZANDR), Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Wenninger-Weinzierl
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Zebrafish Platform Austria for Preclinical Drug Screening (ZANDR), Vienna, Austria
| | - Branka Radic-Sarikas
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Scheuringer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Zebrafish Platform Austria for Preclinical Drug Screening (ZANDR), Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Bierbaumer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Vesnie Etienne
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Fariba Némati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Susana Pascoal
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Zebrafish Platform Austria for Preclinical Drug Screening (ZANDR), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Tötzl
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eleni M Tomazou
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Metzelder
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie Research Centre, Paris, France; Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Dept. Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria; Zebrafish Platform Austria for Preclinical Drug Screening (ZANDR), Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Yu L, Davis IJ, Liu P. Regulation of EWSR1-FLI1 Function by Post-Transcriptional and Post-Translational Modifications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:382. [PMID: 36672331 PMCID: PMC9857208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Currently, first-line therapy includes multidrug chemotherapy with surgery and/or radiation. Although most patients initially respond to chemotherapy, recurrent tumors become treatment refractory. Pathologically, Ewing sarcoma consists of small round basophilic cells with prominent nuclei marked by expression of surface protein CD99. Genetically, Ewing sarcoma is driven by a fusion oncoprotein that results from one of a small number of chromosomal translocations composed of a FET gene and a gene encoding an ETS family transcription factor, with ~85% of tumors expressing the EWSR1::FLI1 fusion. EWSR1::FLI1 regulates transcription, splicing, genome instability and other cellular functions. Although a tumor-specific target, EWSR1::FLI1-targeted therapy has yet to be developed, largely due to insufficient understanding of EWSR1::FLI1 upstream and downstream signaling, and the challenges in targeting transcription factors with small molecules. In this review, we summarize the contemporary molecular understanding of Ewing sarcoma, and the post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms that control EWSR1::FLI1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ian J. Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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4
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The inhibition of protein translation promotes tumor angiogenic switch. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:18. [PMID: 35695994 PMCID: PMC9192909 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The ‘angiogenic switch’ is critical for tumor progression. However, the pathological details and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we established mammal xenografts in zebrafish to visually investigate the first vessel growth (angiogenic switch) in real-time, by inoculating tumor cells into the perivitelline space of live optically transparent Transgenic (flk1:EGFP) zebrafish larvae. Using this model, we found that hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling were unnecessary for the angiogenic switch, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor A gene (Vegfa) played a crucial role. Mechanistically, transcriptome analysis showed that the angiogenic switch was characterized by inhibition of translation, but not hypoxia. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (Eif2α) and the expression of Vegfa were increased in the angiogenic switch microtumors, and 3D tumor spheroids, and puromycin-treated tumor cells. Vegfa overexpression promoted early onset of the angiogenic switch, whereas Vegfa knockout prevented the first tumor vessel from sprouting. Pretreatment of tumor cells with puromycin promoted the angiogenic switch in vivo similarly to Vegfa overexpression, whereas Vegfa knockdown suppressed the increase. This study provides direc and dynamic in vivo evidences that inhibition of translation, but not hypoxia or HIF signaling promotes the angiogenic switch in tumor by increasing Vegfa transcription.
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5
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Russo I, Sartor E, Fagotto L, Colombo A, Tiso N, Alaibac M. The Zebrafish model in dermatology: an update for clinicians. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:48. [PMID: 35713744 PMCID: PMC9206045 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the zebrafish has been established as one of the most important model organisms for medical research. Several studies have proved that there is a high level of similarity between human and zebrafish genomes, which encourages the use of zebrafish as a model for understanding human genetic disorders, including cancer. Interestingly, zebrafish skin shows several similarities to human skin, suggesting that this model organism is particularly suitable for the study of neoplastic and inflammatory skin disorders. This paper appraises the specific characteristics of zebrafish skin and describes the major applications of the zebrafish model in dermatological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Russo
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Emma Sartor
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Fagotto
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Colombo
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Mauro Alaibac
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy.
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Letrado P, Mole H, Montoya M, Palacios I, Barriuso J, Hurlstone A, Díez-Martínez R, Oyarzabal J. Systematic Roadmap for Cancer Drug Screening Using Zebrafish Embryo Xenograft Cancer Models: Melanoma Cell Line as a Case Study. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153705. [PMID: 34359605 PMCID: PMC8345186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Currently, there is no consensus in the scientific literature regarding the zebrafish embryo xenotransplantation procedure for drug screening. Thus, this study sets systematic guidelines for maximizing the reproducibility of drug screening in zebrafish-embryo cancer xenograft models based on evaluating every step of the procedure in a real case scenario in which the chemical properties of the compounds are unknown or not optimal. It aims to be a stepping stone to bring the versatility of zebrafish embryos to drug screening for cancer. The present work helps our group to pursue the objective of establishing zebrafish embryos as a valuable alternative to mice models; and hopefully, will help other groups in this field to progress in the same direction. Abstract Zebrafish embryo tumor transplant models are widely utilized in cancer research. Compared with traditional murine models, the small size and transparency of zebrafish embryos combined with large clutch sizes that increase statistical power and cheap husbandry make them a cost-effective and versatile tool for in vivo drug discovery. However, the lack of a comprehensive analysis of key factors impacting the successful use of these models impedes the establishment of basic guidelines for systematic screening campaigns. Thus, we explored the following crucial factors: (i) user-independent inclusion criteria, focusing on sample homogeneity; (ii) metric definition for data analysis; (iii) tumor engraftment criteria; (iv) image analysis versus quantification of human cancer cells using qPCR (RNA and gDNA); (v) tumor implantation sites; (vi) compound distribution (intratumoral administration versus alternative inoculation sites); and (vii) efficacy (intratumoral microinjection versus compound solution in media). Based on these analyses and corresponding assessments, we propose the first roadmap for systematic drug discovery screening in zebrafish xenograft cancer models using a melanoma cell line as a case study. This study aims to help the wider cancer research community to consider the adoption of this versatile model for cancer drug screening projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Letrado
- Ikan Biotech SL, Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación de Navarra (CEIN), 31110 Noain, Spain;
- Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (J.O.)
| | - Holly Mole
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (H.M.); (J.B.)
| | - María Montoya
- Cellomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Irene Palacios
- Cellomics Unit, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Jorge Barriuso
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (H.M.); (J.B.)
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Adam Hurlstone
- Division of Infection, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Roberto Díez-Martínez
- Ikan Biotech SL, Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación de Navarra (CEIN), 31110 Noain, Spain;
| | - Julen Oyarzabal
- Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (J.O.)
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7
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Zöllner SK, Amatruda JF, Bauer S, Collaud S, de Álava E, DuBois SG, Hardes J, Hartmann W, Kovar H, Metzler M, Shulman DS, Streitbürger A, Timmermann B, Toretsky JA, Uhlenbruch Y, Vieth V, Grünewald TGP, Dirksen U. Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1685. [PMID: 33919988 PMCID: PMC8071040 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K. Zöllner
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA;
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Stéphane Collaud
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Essen-Duisburg, 45239 Essen, Germany
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IbiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, CIBERONC, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Steven G. DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Jendrik Hardes
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), Network Partner Site, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute and Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Markus Metzler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - David S. Shulman
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Arne Streitbürger
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
| | - Yasmin Uhlenbruch
- St. Josefs Hospital Bochum, University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Volker Vieth
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum Ibbenbüren, 49477 Ibbenbühren, Germany;
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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8
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Chen X, Li Y, Yao T, Jia R. Benefits of Zebrafish Xenograft Models in Cancer Research. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:616551. [PMID: 33644052 PMCID: PMC7905065 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.616551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a promising in vivo tool for cancer research, zebrafish have been widely applied in various tumor studies. The zebrafish xenograft model is a low-cost, high-throughput tool for cancer research that can be established quickly and requires only a small sample size, which makes it favorite among researchers. Zebrafish patient-derived xenograft (zPDX) models provide promising evidence for short-term clinical treatment. In this review, we discuss the characteristics and advantages of zebrafish, such as their transparent and translucent features, the use of vascular fluorescence imaging, the establishment of metastatic and intracranial orthotopic models, individual pharmacokinetics measurements, and tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we introduce how these characteristics and advantages are applied other in tumor studies. Finally, we discuss the future direction of the use of zebrafish in tumor studies and provide new ideas for the application of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Tengteng Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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9
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Antiangiogenic molecules from marine actinomycetes and the importance of using zebrafish model in cancer research. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05662. [PMID: 33319107 PMCID: PMC7725737 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessel sprouting from pre-existing vessels or angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumour progression. Development of novel biomolecules from marine natural sources has a promising role in drug discovery specifically in the area of antiangiogenic chemotherapeutics. Symbiotic actinomycetes from marine origin proved to be potent and valuable sources of antiangiogenic compounds. Zebrafish represent a well-established model for small molecular screening and employed to study tumour angiogenesis over the last decade. Use of zebrafish has increased in the laboratory due to its various advantages like rapid embryo development, optically transparent embryos, large clutch size of embryos and most importantly high genetic conservation comparable to humans. Zebrafish also shares similar physiopathology of tumour angiogenesis with humans and with these advantages, zebrafish has become a popular model in the past decade to study on angiogenesis related disorders like diabetic retinopathy and cancer. This review focuses on the importance of antiangiogenic compounds from marine actinomycetes and utility of zebrafish in cancer angiogenesis research.
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10
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Dinhof C, Pirker C, Kroiss P, Kirchhofer D, Gabler L, Gojo J, Lötsch-Gojo D, Stojanovic M, Timelthaler G, Ferk F, Knasmüller S, Reisecker J, Spiegl-Kreinecker S, Birner P, Preusser M, Berger W. p53 Loss Mediates Hypersensitivity to ETS Transcription Factor Inhibition Based on PARylation-Mediated Cell Death Induction. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113205. [PMID: 33143299 PMCID: PMC7693367 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary ETS transcription factors are potent oncogenic drivers in several cancer types and represent promising therapeutic targets. However, molecular factors influencing response to ETS factor inhibition are widely unknown so far. Here, we uncover that sensitivity of cancer cells against ETS factor blockade by the small molecule inhibitor YK-4-279 is strongly promoted by p53 loss in a MAPK-driven background. Induction of a parthanatos-like cell death based on a deregulated MAPK/ETS1/p53/PARP1 signal axis is identified as underlying molecular mechanism. Hence, this study suggests a novel and biomarker-driven therapeutic strategy for p53-deleted tumours, generally known for their profound therapy resistance. Abstract The small-molecule E26 transformation-specific (ETS) factor inhibitor YK-4-279 was developed for therapy of ETS/EWS fusion-driven Ewing’s sarcoma. Here we aimed to identify molecular factors underlying YK-4-279 responsiveness in ETS fusion-negative cancers. Cell viability screenings that deletion of P53 induced hypersensitization against YK-4-279 especially in the BRAFV600E-mutated colon cancer model RKO. This effect was comparably minor in the BRAF wild-type HCT116 colon cancer model. Out of all ETS transcription factor family members, especially ETS1 overexpression at mRNA and protein level was induced by deletion of P53 specifically under BRAF-mutated conditions. Exposure to YK-4-279 reverted ETS1 upregulation induced by P53 knock-out in RKO cells. Despite upregulation of p53 by YK-4-279 itself in RKOp53 wild-type cells, YK-4-279-mediated hyperphosphorylation of histone histone H2A.x was distinctly more pronounced in the P53 knock-out background. YK-4-279-induced cell death in RKOp53-knock-out cells involved hyperPARylation of PARP1, translocation of the apoptosis-inducible factor AIF into nuclei, and induction of mitochondrial membrane depolarization, all hallmarks of parthanatos. Accordingly, pharmacological PARP as well as BRAFV600E inhibition showed antagonistic activity with YK-4-279 especially in the P53 knock-out background. Taken together, we identified ETS factor inhibition as a promising strategy for the treatment of notoriously therapy-resistant p53-null solid tumours with activating MAPK mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Dinhof
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christine Pirker
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Philipp Kroiss
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Dominik Kirchhofer
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Lisa Gabler
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Johannes Gojo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Lötsch-Gojo
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjana Stojanovic
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Gerald Timelthaler
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Franziska Ferk
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Siegfried Knasmüller
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Johannes Reisecker
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Sabine Spiegl-Kreinecker
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuromed Campus, Kepler University Hospital GmbH, Johannes Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria;
| | - Peter Birner
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Walter Berger
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.D.); (C.P.); (P.K.); (D.K.); (L.G.); (D.L.-G.); (M.S.); (G.T.); (F.F.); (S.K.); (J.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(0)1-40160-57555
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11
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Fazio M, Ablain J, Chuan Y, Langenau DM, Zon LI. Zebrafish patient avatars in cancer biology and precision cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:263-273. [PMID: 32251397 PMCID: PMC8011456 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-0252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In precision oncology, two major strategies are being pursued for predicting clinically relevant tumour behaviours, such as treatment response and emergence of drug resistance: inference based on genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic and/or proteomic analysis of patient samples, and phenotypic assays in personalized cancer avatars. The latter approach has historically relied on in vivo mouse xenografts and in vitro organoids or 2D cell cultures. Recent progress in rapid combinatorial genetic modelling, the development of a genetically immunocompromised strain for xenotransplantation of human patient samples in adult zebrafish and the first clinical trial using xenotransplantation in zebrafish larvae for phenotypic testing of drug response bring this tiny vertebrate to the forefront of the precision medicine arena. In this Review, we discuss advances in transgenic and transplantation-based zebrafish cancer avatars, and how these models compare with and complement mouse xenografts and human organoids. We also outline the unique opportunities that these different models present for prediction studies and current challenges they face for future clinical deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Fazio
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julien Ablain
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yan Chuan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - David M Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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12
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Wen J, Yin P, Li L, Kang G, Ning G, Cao Y, Gao F, Su Y, Wu Y, Zhang X. Knockdown of Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 Inhibits Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in a Zebrafish Xenograft Model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:4350783. [PMID: 32382550 PMCID: PMC7183015 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4350783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the basic steps of tumor invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, a kind of zinc-ion-dependent endopeptidase, can degrade almost all protein components in the ECM, destroy the histological barrier of tumor cell invasion, and play a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The role of MMP-9 in tumor invasion and metastasis has attracted increasing attention and is considered the main proteolytic enzyme in this process. Although the overexpression of MMP-9 was detected in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, further basic studies in vivo and in vitro are needed to investigate the role of MMP-9 in OSCCs and provide scientific validation. In this research, we developed a novel OSCC zebrafish xenograft model to study the role of the MMP-9 gene in oral carcinogenesis. Firstly, the MMP-9/shRNA lentiviral clone and control virus were constructed and transfected into OSCC cells. Then, the decreasing expression of MMP-9 was verified by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Colony formation was evaluated by colony formation assay. Cell invasion was evaluated using transwell invasion assay in vitro. In addition, OSCC cells with MMP-9/shRNA knockdown and control vector were injected into zebrafish and an OSCC tumor model in zebrafish was established to evaluate invasion and metastasis in vivo. Knockdown of MMP-9 gene by shRNA could inhibit OSCC cell growth and clone formation and markedly suppress cell invasion in vitro. And the knockdown of the MMP-9 gene could also significantly decrease the metastatic distance and number of metastatic tumor cells or lesions in vivo and suppress the metastasis rate in xenografted zebrafish. Taken together, these evidences indicated that the knockdown of MMP-9 might suppress OSCC cell invasion and metastasis in vivo and in vitro. The MMP-9 gene may be a promising therapeutic target for OSCCs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlin Wen
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Panpan Yin
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guihua Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guozhu Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Su
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlin Wu
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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13
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Berning P, Hennemann C, Tulotta C, Schaefer C, Lechtape B, Hotfilder M, El Gourari Y, Jürgens H, Snaar-Jagalska E, Hempel G, Dirksen U, Potratz J. The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase RON and Its Isoforms as Therapeutic Targets in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040904. [PMID: 32272784 PMCID: PMC7226494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) RON is linked to an aggressive metastatic phenotype of carcinomas. While gaining interest as a therapeutic target, RON remains unstudied in sarcomas. In Ewing sarcoma, we identified RON among RTKs conferring resistance to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) targeting. Therefore, we explored RON in pediatric sarcoma cell lines and an embryonic Tg(kdrl:mCherry) zebrafish model, using an shRNA-based approach. To examine RON–IGF1R crosstalk, we employed the clinical-grade monoclonal antibody IMC-RON8, alone and together with the IGF1R-antibody IMC-A12. RON silencing demonstrated functions in vitro and in vivo, particularly within micrometastatic cellular capacities. Signaling studies revealed a unidirectional IGF1-mediated cross-activation of RON. Yet, IMC-A12 failed to sensitize cells to IMC-RON8, suggesting additional mechanisms of RON activation. Here, RT-PCR revealed that childhood sarcomas express short-form RON, an isoform resistant to antibody-mediated targeting. Interestingly, in contrast to carcinomas, treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor did not diminish but increased short-form RON expression. Thus, this first report supports a role for RON in the metastatic progression of Ewing sarcoma. While principal molecular functions appear transferrable between carcinomas, Ewing sarcoma and possibly more common sarcoma subtypes, RON highlights that specific regulations of cellular networks and isoforms require better understanding to successfully transfer targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Berning
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Carolin Hennemann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Tulotta
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christiane Schaefer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Birgit Lechtape
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marc Hotfilder
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Yassmine El Gourari
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heribert Jürgens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Georg Hempel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jenny Potratz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Correspondence:
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14
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Zebrafish Avatars towards Personalized Medicine-A Comparative Review between Avatar Models. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020293. [PMID: 31991800 PMCID: PMC7072137 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer frequency and prevalence have been increasing in the past decades, with devastating impacts on patients and their families. Despite the great advances in targeted approaches, there is still a lack of methods to predict individual patient responses, and therefore treatments are tailored according to average response rates. “Omics” approaches are used for patient stratification and choice of therapeutic options towards a more precise medicine. These methods, however, do not consider all genetic and non-genetic dynamic interactions that occur upon drug treatment. Therefore, the need to directly challenge patient cells in a personalized manner remains. The present review addresses the state of the art of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo models, from organoids to mouse and zebrafish Avatars. The predictive power of each model based on the retrospective correlation with the patient clinical outcome will be considered. Finally, the review is focused on the emerging zebrafish Avatars and their unique characteristics allowing a fast analysis of local and systemic effects of drug treatments at the single-cell level. We also address the technical challenges that the field has yet to overcome.
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15
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Yao Y, Wang L, Wang X. Modeling of Solid-Tumor Microenvironment in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Larvae. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1219:413-428. [PMID: 32130712 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-34025-4_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish larvae have emerged as a powerful model for studying tumorigenesis in vivo, with remarkable conservation with mammals in genetics, molecular and cell biology. Zebrafish tumor models bear the significant advantages of optical clarity in comparison to that in the mammalian models, allowing noninvasive investigation of the tumor cell and its microenvironment at single-cell resolution. Here we review recent progressions in the field of zebrafish models of solid tumor diseases in two main categories: the genetically engineered tumor models in which all cells in the tumor microenvironment are zebrafish cells, and xenograft tumor models in which the tumor microenvironment is composed of zebrafish cells and cells from other species. Notably, the zebrafish patient-derived xenograft (zPDX) models can be used for personalized drug assessment on primary tumor biopsies, including the pancreatic cancer. For the future studies, a series of high throughput drug screenings on the library of transgenic zebrafish models of solid tumor are expected to provide systematic database of oncogenic mutation, cell-of-origin, and leading compounds; and the humanization of zebrafish in genetics and cellular composition will make it more practical hosts for zPDX modeling. Together, zebrafish tumor model systems are unique and convenient in vivo platforms, with great potential to serve as valuable tools for cancer researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Yao
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Hason M, Bartůněk P. Zebrafish Models of Cancer-New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110935. [PMID: 31731811 PMCID: PMC6896156 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.
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17
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Thoenen E, Curl A, Iwakuma T. TP53 in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 202:149-164. [PMID: 31276706 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genomic and functional study of existing and emerging sarcoma targets, such as fusion proteins, chromosomal aberrations, reduced tumor suppressor activity, and oncogenic drivers, is broadening our understanding of sarcomagenesis. Among these mechanisms, the tumor suppressor p53 (TP53) plays significant roles in the suppression of bone and soft tissue sarcoma progression. Although mutations in TP53 were thought to be relatively low in sarcomas, modern techniques including whole-genome sequencing have recently illuminated unappreciated alterations in TP53 in osteosarcoma. In addition, oncogenic gain-of-function activities of missense mutant p53 (mutp53) have been reported in sarcomas. Moreover, new targeting strategies for TP53 have been discovered: restoration of wild-type p53 (wtp53) activity through inhibition of TP53 negative regulators, reactivation of the wtp53 activity from mutp53, depletion of mutp53, and targeting of vulnerabilities in cells with TP53 deletions or mutations. These discoveries enable development of novel therapeutic strategies for therapy-resistant sarcomas. We have outlined nine bone and soft tissue sarcomas for which TP53 plays a crucial tumor suppressive role. These include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma (LPS), angiosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Thoenen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA
| | - Amanda Curl
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA
| | - Tomoo Iwakuma
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA; Translational Laboratory Oncology Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
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18
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CXCR4 signaling regulates metastatic onset by controlling neutrophil motility and response to malignant cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2399. [PMID: 30787324 PMCID: PMC6382824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38643-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing tumors interact with the surrounding microenvironment. Myeloid cells exert both anti- and pro-tumor functions and chemokines are known to drive immune cell migration towards cancer cells. It is documented that CXCR4 signaling supports tumor metastasis formation in tissues where CXCL12, its cognate ligand, is abundant. On the other hand, the role of the neutrophilic CXCR4 signaling in driving cancer invasion and metastasis formation is poorly understood. Here, we use the zebrafish xenotransplantation model to study the role of CXCR4 signaling in driving the interaction between invasive human tumor cells and host neutrophils, supporting early metastasis formation. We found that zebrafish cxcr4 (cxcr4b) is highly expressed in neutrophils and experimental micrometastases fail to form in mutant larvae lacking a functional Cxcr4b. We demonstrated that Cxcr4b controls neutrophil number and motility and showed that Cxcr4b transcriptomic signature relates to motility and adhesion regulation in neutrophils in tumor-naïve larvae. Finally, Cxcr4b deficient neutrophils failed to interact with cancer cells initiating early metastatic events. In conclusion, we propose that CXCR4 signaling supports the interaction between tumor cells and host neutrophils in developing tumor metastases. Therefore, targeting CXCR4 on tumor cells and neutrophils could serve as a double bladed razor to limit cancer progression.
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19
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di Gennaro A, Damiano V, Brisotto G, Armellin M, Perin T, Zucchetto A, Guardascione M, Spaink HP, Doglioni C, Snaar-Jagalska BE, Santarosa M, Maestro R. A p53/miR-30a/ZEB2 axis controls triple negative breast cancer aggressiveness. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:2165-2180. [PMID: 29666469 PMCID: PMC6262018 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0103-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of p53 contributes significantly to the dismal prognosis of breast tumors, most notably triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs). How the relief from p53 tumor suppressive functions results in tumor cell aggressive behavior is only partially elucidated. In an attempt to shed light on the implication of microRNAs in this context, we discovered a new signaling axis involving p53, miR-30a and ZEB2. By an in silico approach we identified miR-30a as a putative p53 target and observed that in breast tumors reduced miR-30a expression correlated with p53 inactivation, lymph node positivity and poor prognosis. We demonstrate that p53 binds the MIR30A promoter and induces the transcription of both miRNA strands 5p and 3p. Both miR-30a-5p and -3p showed the capacity of targeting ZEB2, a transcription factor involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor cell migration and drug resistance. Intriguingly, we found that p53 does restrain ZEB2 expression via miR-30a. Finally, we provide evidence that the new p53/miR-30a/ZEB2 axis controls tumor cell invasion and distal spreading and impinges upon miR-200c expression. Overall, this study highlights the existence of a novel axis linking p53 to EMT via miR-30a, and adds support to the notion that miRNAs represent key elements of the complex network whereby p53 inactivation affects TNBC clinical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra di Gennaro
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Valentina Damiano
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Giulia Brisotto
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Michela Armellin
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Tiziana Perin
- Pathology Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN), via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Antonella Zucchetto
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN) via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Michela Guardascione
- Medical Oncology Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy
| | - Herman P Spaink
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Claudio Doglioni
- Ateneo Vita-Salute, Department of Pathology, IRCCS Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Manuela Santarosa
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy.
| | - Roberta Maestro
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, via F. Gallini 2, Aviano, 33081, PN, Italy.
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20
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Sun W, Rojas Y, Wang H, Yu Y, Wang Y, Chen Z, Rajapakshe K, Xu X, Huang W, Agarwal S, Patel RH, Woodfield S, Zhao Y, Jin J, Zhang H, Major A, Hicks MJ, Shohet JM, Vasudevan SA, Coarfa C, Yang J, Nuchtern JG. EWS-FLI1 and RNA helicase A interaction inhibitor YK-4-279 inhibits growth of neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:94780-94792. [PMID: 29212266 PMCID: PMC5706912 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment failure in high risk neuroblastoma (NB) is largely due to the development of chemotherapy resistance. We analyzed the gene expression changes associated with exposure to chemotherapy in six high risk NB tumors with the aid of the Connectivity Map bioinformatics platform. Ten therapeutic agents were predicted to have a high probability of reversing the transcriptome changes associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Among these agents, initial screening showed the EWS-FLI1 and RNA helicase A interaction inhibitor YK-4-279, had obvious cytotoxic effects on NB cell lines. Using a panel of NB cell lines, including MYCN nonamplified (SK-N-AS, SH-SY5Y, and CHLA-255), and MYCN amplified (NB-19, NGP, and IMR-32) cell lines, we found that YK-4-279 had cytotoxic effects on all lines tested. In addition, YK-4-279 also inhibited cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth and induced cell apoptosis of these cells. YK-4-279 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin (Dox). Moreover, YK-4-279 was able to overcome the established chemoresistance of LA-N-6 NB cells. In an orthotopic xenograft NB mouse model, YK-4-279 inhibited NB tumor growth and induced apoptosis in tumor cells through PARP and Caspase 3 cleavage in vivo. While EWS-FLI1 fusion protein is not frequently found in NB, using the R2 public database of neuroblastoma outcome and gene expression, we found that high expression of EWSR1 was associated with poor patient outcome. Knockdown of EWSR1 inhibited the oncogenic potential of neuroblastoma cell lines. Taken together, our results indicate that YK-4-279 might be a promising agent for treatment of NB that merits further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Sun
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yesenia Rojas
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhenghu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Roma H Patel
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sarah Woodfield
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jingling Jin
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Angela Major
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - M John Hicks
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jason M Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sanjeev A Vasudevan
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jed G Nuchtern
- Pediatric Surgery Division, Michael E. Debakey Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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21
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Zöllner SK, Selvanathan SP, Graham GT, Commins RMT, Hong SH, Moseley E, Parks S, Haladyna JN, Erkizan HV, Dirksen U, Hogarty MD, Üren A, Toretsky JA. Inhibition of the oncogenic fusion protein EWS-FLI1 causes G 2-M cell cycle arrest and enhanced vincristine sensitivity in Ewing's sarcoma. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/499/eaam8429. [PMID: 28974650 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aam8429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a rare and highly malignant cancer that grows in the bones or surrounding tissues mostly affecting adolescents and young adults. A chimeric fusion between the RNA binding protein EWS and the ETS family transcription factor FLI1 (EWS-FLI1), which is generated from a chromosomal translocation, is implicated in driving most ES cases by modulation of transcription and alternative splicing. The small-molecule YK-4-279 inhibits EWS-FLI1 function and induces apoptosis in ES cells. We aimed to identify both the underlying mechanism of the drug and potential combination therapies that might enhance its antitumor activity. We tested 69 anticancer drugs in combination with YK-4-279 and found that vinca alkaloids exhibited synergy with YK-4-279 in five ES cell lines. The combination of YK-4-279 and vincristine reduced tumor burden and increased survival in mice bearing ES xenografts. We determined that independent drug-induced events converged to cause this synergistic therapeutic effect. YK-4-279 rapidly induced G2-M arrest, increased the abundance of cyclin B1, and decreased EWS-FLI1-mediated generation of microtubule-associated proteins, which rendered cells more susceptible to microtubule depolymerization by vincristine. YK-4-279 reduced the expression of the EWS-FLI1 target gene encoding the ubiquitin ligase UBE2C, which, in part, contributed to the increase in cyclin B1. YK-4-279 also increased the abundance of proapoptotic isoforms of MCL1 and BCL2, presumably through inhibition of alternative splicing by EWS-FLI1, thus promoting cell death in response to vincristine. Thus, a combination of vincristine and YK-4-279 might be therapeutically effective in ES patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K Zöllner
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Saravana P Selvanathan
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett T Graham
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Ryan M T Commins
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sung Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Moseley
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sydney Parks
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jessica N Haladyna
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Hayriye V Erkizan
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Colket Translational Research Building, Room 3020, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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22
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Kirchberger S, Sturtzel C, Pascoal S, Distel M. Quo natas, Danio? -Recent Progress in Modeling Cancer in Zebrafish. Front Oncol 2017; 7:186. [PMID: 28894696 PMCID: PMC5581328 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, zebrafish has proven to be a powerful model in cancer research. Zebrafish form tumors that histologically and genetically resemble human cancers. The live imaging and cost-effective compound screening possible with zebrafish especially complement classic mouse cancer models. Here, we report recent progress in the field, including genetically engineered zebrafish cancer models, xenotransplantation of human cancer cells into zebrafish, promising approaches toward live investigation of the tumor microenvironment, and identification of therapeutic strategies by performing compound screens on zebrafish cancer models. Given the recent advances in genome editing, personalized zebrafish cancer models are now a realistic possibility. In addition, ongoing automation will soon allow high-throughput compound screening using zebrafish cancer models to be part of preclinical precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kirchberger
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Pascoal
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer Models, Vienna, Austria
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23
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Cell-to-cell heterogeneity of EWSR1-FLI1 activity determines proliferation/migration choices in Ewing sarcoma cells. Oncogene 2017; 36:3505-3514. [PMID: 28135250 PMCID: PMC5541267 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is characterized by the expression of the chimeric EWSR1-FLI1 transcription factor. Proteomic analyses indicate that the decrease of EWSR1-FLI1 expression leads to major changes in effectors of the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton and the adhesion processes with a shift from cell-to-cell to cell-matrix adhesion. These changes are associated with a dramatic increase of in vivo cell migration and invasion potential. Importantly, EWSR1-FLI1 expression, evaluated by single-cell RT-ddPCR/immunofluorescence analyses, and activity, assessed by expression of EWSR1-FLI1 downstream targets, are heterogeneous in cell lines and in tumours and can fluctuate along time in a fully reversible process between EWSR1-FLI1high states, characterized by highly active cell proliferation, and EWSR1-FLI1low states where cells have a strong propensity to migrate, invade and metastasize. This new model of phenotypic plasticity proposes that the dynamic fluctuation of the expression level of a dominant oncogene is an intrinsic characteristic of its oncogenic potential.
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24
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Chen L, Groenewoud A, Tulotta C, Zoni E, Kruithof-de Julio M, van der Horst G, van der Pluijm G, Ewa Snaar-Jagalska B. A zebrafish xenograft model for studying human cancer stem cells in distant metastasis and therapy response. Methods Cell Biol 2016; 138:471-496. [PMID: 28129855 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lethal and incurable bone metastasis is one of the main causes of death in multiple types of cancer. A small subpopulation of cancer stem/progenitor-like cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells from heterogenetic cancer is considered to mediate bone metastasis. Although over the past decades numerous studies have been performed in different types of cancer, it is still difficult to track small numbers of CSCs during the onset of metastasis. With use of noninvasive high-resolution imaging, transparent zebrafish embryos can be employed to dynamically visualize cancer progression and reciprocal interaction with stroma in a living organism. Recently we established a zebrafish CSC-xenograft model to visually and functionally analyze the role of CSCs and their interactions with the microenvironment at the onset of metastasis. Given the highly conserved human and zebrafish genome, transplanted human cancer cells are able to respond to zebrafish cytokines, modulate the zebrafish microenvironment, and take advantage of the zebrafish stroma during cancer progression. This chapter delineates the zebrafish CSC-xenograft model as a useful tool for both CSC biological study and anticancer drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chen
- Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - C Tulotta
- Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E Zoni
- University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Kruithof-de Julio
- University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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25
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Tulotta C, He S, van der Ent W, Chen L, Groenewoud A, Spaink HP, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Imaging Cancer Angiogenesis and Metastasis in a Zebrafish Embryo Model. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 916:239-63. [PMID: 27165357 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30654-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis and metastasis are key steps of cancer progression. In vitro and animal model studies have contributed to partially elucidating the mechanisms involved in these processes and in developing therapies. Besides the improvements in fundamental research and the optimization of therapeutic regimes, cancer still remains a major health threatening condition and therefore the development of new models is needed. The zebrafish is a powerful tool to study tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, because it allows the visualization of fluorescently labelled tumor cells inducing vessel remodeling, disseminating and invading surrounding tissues in a whole transparent embryo. The embryo model has also been used to address the contribution of the tumor stroma in sustaining tumor angiogenesis and spreading. Simultaneously, new anti-angiogenic drugs and compounds affecting malignant cell survival and migration can be tested by simply adding the compound into the water of living embryos. Therefore the zebrafish model offers the opportunity to gain more knowledge on cancer angiogenesis and metastasis in vivo with the final aim of providing new translational insights into therapeutic approaches to help patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tulotta
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S He
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - W van der Ent
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L Chen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H P Spaink
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - B E Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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26
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Tulotta C, Stefanescu C, Beletkaia E, Bussmann J, Tarbashevich K, Schmidt T, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Inhibition of signaling between human CXCR4 and zebrafish ligands by the small molecule IT1t impairs the formation of triple-negative breast cancer early metastases in a zebrafish xenograft model. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:141-53. [PMID: 26744352 PMCID: PMC4770151 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.023275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and recurrent type of breast carcinoma that is associated with poor patient prognosis. Because of the limited efficacy of current treatments, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. The CXCR4-CXCL12 chemokine signaling axis guides cell migration in physiological and pathological processes, including breast cancer metastasis. Although targeted therapies to inhibit the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis are under clinical experimentation, still no effective therapeutic approaches have been established to block CXCR4 in TNBC. To unravel the role of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis in the formation of TNBC early metastases, we used the zebrafish xenograft model. Importantly, we demonstrate that cross-communication between the zebrafish and human ligands and receptors takes place and human tumor cells expressing CXCR4 initiate early metastatic events by sensing zebrafish cognate ligands at the metastatic site. Taking advantage of the conserved intercommunication between human tumor cells and the zebrafish host, we blocked TNBC early metastatic events by chemical and genetic inhibition of CXCR4 signaling. We used IT1t, a potent CXCR4 antagonist, and show for the first time its promising anti-tumor effects. In conclusion, we confirm the validity of the zebrafish as a xenotransplantation model and propose a pharmacological approach to target CXCR4 in TNBC. Summary: CXCR4-expressing human tumor cells respond to zebrafish cognate ligands and initiate metastatic events in a zebrafish xenograft model. The CXCR4 antagonist IT1t has promising tumor inhibitory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tulotta
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences and Health, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Stefanescu
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences and Health, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Beletkaia
- Physics of Life Processes, Kamerligh Onnes-Huygens Laboratory, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Bussmann
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences and Health, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Kamerligh Onnes-Huygens Laboratory, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
| | - B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences and Health, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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27
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van Maldegem AM, Bovée JVMG, Peterse EFP, Hogendoorn PCW, Gelderblom H. Ewing sarcoma: The clinical relevance of the insulin-like growth factor 1 and the poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase pathway. Eur J Cancer 2016; 53:171-80. [PMID: 26765686 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last three decades the outcome for patients with localised Ewing sarcoma (ES) has improved significantly since the introduction of multimodality primary treatment. However, for patients with (extra-) pulmonary metastatic and/or non-resectable relapsed disease the outcome remains poor and new treatment options are urgently needed. Currently the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathway and the poly-ADP(adenosinediphosphate)-ribose-polymerase (PARP) pathway are being investigated for potential targeted therapies. IGF-1R: The IGF-1R pathway is known to be deregulated by the EWSR1-FLI1 translocation which makes it a potential target for therapy. Clinical trials have been reported in which only ES patients were treated with an IGF-1R inhibitor, either as single agent or in combination. In total 291 ES patients were included in these trials, in which two (0.7%) complete responses, 32 (11%) partial responses of which some durable, and 61 (21%) stable diseases were observed. PARP: In the presence of a PARP inhibitor DNA strand breaks cannot be efficiently repaired, leading to cell death. The first phase II trial with ES patients was recently published and showed no clinical responses, which may have been due to the drug being non-effective as a single agent. DISCUSSION The IGF-1R pathway is an interesting target for ES and should be explored further, as biomarkers to select patients that might benefit from treatment are lacking. PARP inhibitors as single agent have so far failed to show improvement in outcome. Future directions include dual insulin receptor/IGF-1R blockade with linsitinib as well as chemotherapy-PARP combinations. Both therapeutic strategies are currently being explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek M van Maldegem
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Judith V M G Bovée
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Elleke F P Peterse
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Pancras C W Hogendoorn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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28
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Abstract
Zebrafish embryos can be obtained for research purposes in large numbers at low cost and embryos develop externally in limited space, making them highly suitable for high-throughput cancer studies and drug screens. Non-invasive live imaging of various processes within the larvae is possible due to their transparency during development, and a multitude of available fluorescent transgenic reporter lines.To perform high-throughput studies, handling large amounts of embryos and larvae is required. With such high number of individuals, even minute tasks may become time-consuming and arduous. In this chapter, an overview is given of the developments in the automation of various steps of large scale zebrafish cancer research for discovering important cancer pathways and drugs for the treatment of human disease. The focus lies on various tools developed for cancer cell implantation, embryo handling and sorting, microfluidic systems for imaging and drug treatment, and image acquisition and analysis. Examples will be given of employment of these technologies within the fields of toxicology research and cancer research.
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Tulotta C, He S, Chen L, Groenewoud A, van der Ent W, Meijer AH, Spaink HP, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Imaging of Human Cancer Cell Proliferation, Invasion, and Micrometastasis in a Zebrafish Xenogeneic Engraftment Model. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1451:155-69. [PMID: 27464807 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3771-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The xenograft model, using the early life stages of the zebrafish, allows imaging of tumor cell behavior both on a single cell and whole organism level, over time, within a week. This robust and reproducible assay can be used as an intermediate step between in vitro techniques and the expensive, and time consuming, murine models of cancer invasion and metastasis.In this chapter, a detailed protocol to inject human cancer cells into the blood circulation of a zebrafish embryo is described; the engraftment procedure is then followed by visualization and quantification methods of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and micrometastasis formation during subsequent larval development. Interaction with the host microenvironment is also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tulotta
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shuning He
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lanpeng Chen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie H Meijer
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman P Spaink
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Sand L, Scotlandi K, Berghuis D, Snaar-Jagalska B, Picci P, Schmidt T, Szuhai K, Hogendoorn P. CXCL14, CXCR7 expression and CXCR4 splice variant ratio associate with survival and metastases in Ewing sarcoma patients. Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:2624-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sand LGL, Szuhai K, Hogendoorn PCW. Sequencing Overview of Ewing Sarcoma: A Journey across Genomic, Epigenomic and Transcriptomic Landscapes. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:16176-215. [PMID: 26193259 PMCID: PMC4519945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160716176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm occurring predominantly in adolescent Caucasians. At the genome level, a pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS translocation is present. The resulting fusion protein acts as a molecular driver in the tumor development and interferes, amongst others, with endogenous transcription and splicing. The Ewing sarcoma cell shows a poorly differentiated, stem-cell like phenotype. Consequently, the cellular origin of Ewing sarcoma is still a hot discussed topic. To further characterize Ewing sarcoma and to further elucidate the role of EWSR1-ETS fusion protein multiple genome, epigenome and transcriptome level studies were performed. In this review, the data from these studies were combined into a comprehensive overview. Presently, classical morphological predictive markers are used in the clinic and the therapy is dominantly based on systemic chemotherapy in combination with surgical interventions. Using sequencing, novel predictive markers and candidates for immuno- and targeted therapy were identified which were summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens G L Sand
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Pancras C W Hogendoorn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
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33
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van der Ent W, Burrello C, de Lange MJ, van der Velden PA, Jochemsen AG, Jager MJ, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Embryonic Zebrafish: Different Phenotypes after Injection of Human Uveal Melanoma Cells. Ocul Oncol Pathol 2015; 1:170-81. [PMID: 27171126 DOI: 10.1159/000370159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although murine xenograft models for human uveal melanoma (UM) are available, they are of limited utility for screening large compound libraries for the discovery of new drugs. We need new preclinical models which can efficiently evaluate drugs that can treat UM metastases. The zebrafish embryonic model is ideal for drug screening purposes because it allows the investigation of potential antitumor properties of drugs within 1 week. The optical transparency of the zebrafish provides unique possibilities for live imaging of fluorescence-labelled cancer cells and their behavior. In addition, the adaptive immune response, which is responsible for the rejection of transplanted material, is not yet present in the early stages of fish development, and systemic immunosuppression is therefore not required to allow growth of tumor cells. We studied the behavior of UM cells following injection into zebrafish embryos and observed different phenotypes. We also analyzed cell migration, proliferation, formation of micrometastasis and interaction with the host microenvironment. Significant differences were noted between cell lines: cells derived from metastases showed more migration and proliferation than cells derived from the primary tumors. The addition of the c-Met inhibitor crizotinib to the water in which the larvae were kept reduced the migration and proliferation of UM cells expressing c-Met. This indicates the applicability of the zebrafish xenografts for testing novel inhibitory compounds and provides a fast and sensitive in vivo vertebrate model for preclinical drug screening to combat UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wietske van der Ent
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Burrello
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J de Lange
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Barriuso J, Nagaraju R, Hurlstone A. Zebrafish: a new companion for translational research in oncology. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:969-75. [PMID: 25573382 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In an era of high-throughput "omic" technologies, the unprecedented amount of data that can be generated presents a significant opportunity but simultaneously an even greater challenge for oncologists trying to provide personalized treatment. Classically, preclinical testing of new targets and identification of active compounds against those targets have entailed the extensive use of established human cell lines, as well as genetically modified mouse tumor models. Patient-derived xenografts in zebrafish may in the near future provide a platform for selecting an appropriate personalized therapy and together with zebrafish transgenic tumor models represent an alternative vehicle for drug development. The zebrafish is readily genetically modified. The transparency of zebrafish embryos and the recent development of pigment-deficient zebrafish afford researchers the valuable capacity to observe directly cancer formation and progression in a live vertebrate host. The zebrafish is amenable to transplantation assays that test the serial passage of fluorescently labeled tumor cells as well as their capacity to disseminate and/or metastasize. Progress achieved to date in genetic engineering and xenotransplantation will establish the zebrafish as one of the most versatile animal models for cancer research. A model organism that can be used in transgenesis, transplantation assays, single-cell functional assays, and in vivo imaging studies make zebrafish a natural companion for mice in translational oncology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Barriuso
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Raghavendar Nagaraju
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Hurlstone
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Ban J, Aryee DNT, Fourtouna A, van der Ent W, Kauer M, Niedan S, Machado I, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Tirado OM, Schwentner R, Picci P, Flanagan AM, Berg V, Strauss SJ, Scotlandi K, Lawlor ER, Snaar-Jagalska E, Llombart-Bosch A, Kovar H. Suppression of deacetylase SIRT1 mediates tumor-suppressive NOTCH response and offers a novel treatment option in metastatic Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res 2014; 74:6578-88. [PMID: 25281719 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The developmental receptor NOTCH plays an important role in various human cancers as a consequence of oncogenic mutations. Here we describe a novel mechanism of NOTCH-induced tumor suppression involving modulation of the deacetylase SIRT1, providing a rationale for the use of SIRT1 inhibitors to treat cancers where this mechanism is inactivated because of SIRT1 overexpression. In Ewing sarcoma cells, NOTCH signaling is abrogated by the driver oncogene EWS-FLI1. Restoration of NOTCH signaling caused growth arrest due to activation of the NOTCH effector HEY1, directly suppressing SIRT1 and thereby activating p53. This mechanism of tumor suppression was validated in Ewing sarcoma cells, B-cell tumors, and human keratinocytes where NOTCH dysregulation has been implicated pathogenically. Notably, the SIRT1/2 inhibitor Tenovin-6 killed Ewing sarcoma cells in vitro and prohibited tumor growth and spread in an established xenograft model in zebrafish. Using immunohistochemistry to analyze primary tissue specimens, we found that high SIRT1 expression was associated with Ewing sarcoma metastasis and poor prognosis. Our findings suggest a mechanistic rationale for the use of SIRT1 inhibitors being developed to treat metastatic disease in patients with Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Ban
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dave N T Aryee
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria. Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Argyro Fourtouna
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Institute of Biology and Department of Pathology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Max Kauer
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Niedan
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isidro Machado
- Department of Pathology, University Medical School, València, Spain
| | | | - Oscar M Tirado
- Laboratori d'Oncología Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raphaela Schwentner
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Piero Picci
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Verena Berg
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra J Strauss
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elizabeth R Lawlor
- Translational Oncology Program, Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology and Department of Pathology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria. Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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