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Neuroblastoma: Essential genetic pathways and current therapeutic options. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 926:175030. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abbas AA, Samkari AMN. High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Poor Outcomes Despite Aggressive Multimodal
Therapy. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394717666210805114226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
Neuroblastoma (NBL) is a highly malignant embryonal tumor that originates from the
primordial neural crest cells. NBL is the most common tumor in infants and the most common extracranial
solid tumor in children. The tumor is more commonly diagnosed in children of 1-4 years
of age. NBL is characterized by enigmatic clinical behavior that ranges from spontaneous regression
to an aggressive clinical course leading to frequent relapses and death. Based on the likelihood
of progression and relapse, the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group classification system categorized
NBL into very low risk, low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk (HR) groups. HR NBL is
defined based on the patient's age (> 18 months), disease metastasis, tumor histology, and MYCN
gene amplification. HR NBL is diagnosed in nearly 40% of patients, mainly those > 18 months of
age, and is associated with aggressive clinical behavior. Treatment strategies involve the use of intensive
chemotherapy (CTR), surgical resection, high dose CTR with hematopoietic stem cell support,
radiotherapy, biotherapy, and immunotherapy with Anti-ganglioside 2 monoclonal antibodies.
Although HR NBL is now better characterized and aggressive multimodal therapy is applied, the
outcomes of treatment are still poor, with overall survival and event-free survival of approximately
40% and 30% at 3-years, respectively. The short and long-term side effects of therapy are tremendous.
HR NBL carries a high mortality rate accounting for nearly 15% of pediatric cancer deaths.
However, most mortalities are attributed to the high frequency of disease relapse (50%) and disease
reactiveness to therapy (20%). Newer treatment strategies are therefore urgently needed. Recent
discoveries in the field of biology and molecular genetics of NBL have led to the identification
of several targets that can improve the treatment results. In this review, we discuss the different
aspects of the epidemiology, biology, clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment of HR
NBL, in addition to the recent developments in the management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Abdelhamed Abbas
- College of Medicine King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences Consultant Pediatric Hematology / Oncology
& BMT The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Section Princess Nourah Oncology Centre King Abdulaziz Medical
City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Mohammed Noor Samkari
- College of Medicine King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences Consultant
Anatomical Pathologist Department of Laboratory Medicine King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Silbermann K, Li J, Namasivayam V, Baltes F, Bendas G, Stefan SM, Wiese M. Superior Pyrimidine Derivatives as Selective ABCG2 Inhibitors and Broad-Spectrum ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 Antagonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:10412-10432. [PMID: 32787102 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the search for highly effective modulators addressing ABCG2-mediated MDR, 23 pyrimidines were synthesized and biologically assessed. Seven derivatives with (a) nitrogen- and/or halogen-containing residue(s) had extraordinary potencies against ABCG2 (IC50 < 150 nM). The compounds competitively inhibited ABCG2-mediated Hoechst 33342 transport but were not substrates of ABCG2. The most potent MDR reverser, compound 19, concentration-dependently increased SN-38-mediated cancer cell death at 11 nM (EC50), time-dependently doubled SN-38 toxicity in a period of 7 days at 10 nM, and half-maximally accelerated cell death combined with SN-38 at 17 nM. No induction of ABCG2 was observed. Furthermore, 11 pyrimidines were revealed as triple ABCB1/ABCC1/ABCG2 inhibitors. Five possessed IC50 values below 10 μM against each transporter, classifying them as some of the 50 most potent multitarget ABC transporter inhibitors. The most promising representative, compound 37, reversed ABCB1-, ABCC1-, and ABCG2-mediated MDR, making it one of the three most potent ABC transporter inhibitors and reversers of ABC transporters-mediated MDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Silbermann
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jiyang Li
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Vigneshwaran Namasivayam
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian Baltes
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerd Bendas
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sven Marcel Stefan
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Wiese
- Pharmaceutical and Cellbiological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Aveic S, Pantile M, Polo P, Sidarovich V, De Mariano M, Quattrone A, Longo L, Tonini GP. Autophagy inhibition improves the cytotoxic effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:63. [PMID: 29713246 PMCID: PMC5916832 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0557-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A growing field of evidence suggests the involvement of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in cell transformation. Deregulated activity of RTKs in tumors can determine disease progression and therapeutic responses in several types of cancer, including neuroblastoma (NB). Therefore, RTKs targeting is a worthwhile challenge for the oncologists. Nevertheless, acquired resistance to RTK inhibitors (RTKi) remains a serious problem. Autophagy activation is among the possible obstacles for good efficacy of the therapy with RTKi. Methods Under different treatment conditions we measured autophagic flux using immunoblot and immunofluorescence assays. Death induction was validated by trypan blue exclusion assay and FACS analysis (calcein-AM/propidium iodide). The NB cell lines SH-SY5Y and Kelly were used for the in vitro study. Results In order to define whether autophagy might be a limiting factor for the efficacy of RTKi in NB cells, we firstly checked its activation following the treatment with several RTKi. Next, we investigated the possibility to increase their therapeutic efficiency by combining RTKi with autophagy blocking agents in vitro. We exploited the effectiveness of three RTKi either alone or in combination with autophagy inhibitors (Chloroquine-CQ and Spautin-1). We demonstrated that autophagy induction was drug-dependent, and that its inhibition increased the anti-tumor activity of a single RTKi unevenly. We observed that the combined use of blocking agents which impair late autophagy events, such as CQ, and RTKi can be more effective with respect to the use of RTKi alone. Conclusions In the present report, we assessed the conditions under which autophagy is activated during the use of different RTKi currently in the pre-clinical evaluation for NB. We summarized the achievements of combined RTK/autophagy inhibitors treatment as a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of RTKi in impairing tumor cells viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Aveic
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Marcella Pantile
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Luca Longo
- UOC Bioterapie, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
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Johnsen JI, Dyberg C, Fransson S, Wickström M. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets in neuroblastoma. Pharmacol Res 2018; 131:164-176. [PMID: 29466695 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranical tumor of childhood and the most deadly tumor of infancy. It is characterized by early age onset and high frequencies of metastatic disease but also the capacity to spontaneously regress. Despite intensive therapy, the survival for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma and those with recurrent or relapsed disease is low. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies for these patient groups. The molecular pathogenesis based on high-throughput omics technologies of neuroblastoma is beginning to be resolved which have given the opportunity to develop personalized therapies for high-risk patients. Here we discuss the potential of developing targeted therapies against aberrantly expressed molecules detected in sub-populations of neuroblastoma patients and how these selected targets can be drugged in order to overcome treatment resistance, improve survival and quality of life for these patients and also the possibilities to transfer preclinical research into clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Amoroso L, Haupt R, Garaventa A, Ponzoni M. Investigational drugs in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:1281-1293. [PMID: 28906153 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1380625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonal tumor originating from undifferentiated neural crest cell, highly heterogeneous ranging from spontaneous regression to progression despite multimodal treatments. Approximately, 20% of patients are refractory to frontline therapy and 50% will relapse/progress after an initial response. The overall five year survival for high-risk neuroblastoma ranges from 35-45%. Despite enhanced understanding of NB biology and the addition of myeloablative chemotherapy, isotretinoin and immunotherapy, survival for high risk NB remains less than 50%. Areas covered: This review summarizes and gives a critical overview of phase II trials investigating therapies for relapsed-refractory and high risk neuroblastoma. Expert opinion: Several novel molecules have been developed and are currently under investigation for the treatment of NB. The trend of novel targeted agents is one towards individualized, tailored therapy, based on the molecular and biological differences that characterize tumors that seem similar based solely on histological analysis. The task of developing new molecules is particularly difficult for NB, given the recurrent development of new patterns of drug resistance. However, even if current research is focused towards identifying the best treatments for each children and young adult with a NB defined disease, a deeper knowledge of the molecular biology and genetics is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Amoroso
- a Department of Pediatric Oncology , Istituto G.Gaslini , Genova , Italy
| | - Riccardo Haupt
- b Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit , Istituto G.Gaslini , Genova , Italy
| | - Alberto Garaventa
- a Department of Pediatric Oncology , Istituto G.Gaslini , Genova , Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- c Experimental Therapy Unit in Oncology , Istituto G. Gaslini , Genova , Italy
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Berlanga P, Cañete A, Castel V. Advances in emerging drugs for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2017; 22:63-75. [PMID: 28253830 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2017.1294159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most common solid extracranial tumor of childhood. Outcome for children with high-risk neuroblastoma remains suboptimal. More than half of children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma either do not respond to conventional therapies or relapse after treatment with dismal prognosis. Areas covered: This paper presents a short review of the state of the art in the current treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. An updated review of new targeted therapies in this group of patients is also presented. Expert opinion: In order to improve prognosis for high-risk patients there is an urgent need to better understand spatial and temporal heterogeneity and obtain new predictive preclinical models in neuroblastoma. Combination strategies with conventional chemotherapy and/or other targeted therapies may overcome current ALK inhibitors resistance. Improvement of international and transatlantic cooperation to speed clinical trials accrual is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Berlanga
- a Unidad de Oncologia Pediatrica, Hospital Universitario La Fe , Valencia , Spain
| | - Adela Cañete
- a Unidad de Oncologia Pediatrica, Hospital Universitario La Fe , Valencia , Spain
| | - Victoria Castel
- a Unidad de Oncologia Pediatrica, Hospital Universitario La Fe , Valencia , Spain.,b Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe , Valencia , Spain
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Keller J, Nimnual AS, Varghese MS, VanHeyst KA, Hayman MJ, Chan EL. A Novel EGFR Extracellular Domain Mutant, EGFRΔ768, Possesses Distinct Biological and Biochemical Properties in Neuroblastoma. Mol Cancer Res 2016; 14:740-52. [PMID: 27216155 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED EGFR is a popular therapeutic target for many cancers. EGFR inhibitors have been tested in children with refractory neuroblastoma. Interestingly, partial response or stable disease was observed in a few neuroblastoma patients. As EGFR mutations are biomarkers for response to anti-EGFR drugs, primary neuroblastoma tumors and cell lines were screened for mutations. A novel EGFR extracellular domain deletion mutant, EGFRΔ768, was discovered and the biologic and biochemical properties of this mutant were characterized and compared with wild-type and EGFRvIII receptors. EGFRΔ768 was found to be constitutively active and localized to the cell surface. Its expression conferred resistance to etoposide and drove proliferation as well as invasion of cancer cells. While EGFRΔ768 had similarity to EGFRvIII, its biologic and biochemical properties were distinctly different from both the EGFRvIII and wild-type receptors. Even though erlotinib inhibited EGFRΔ768, its effect on the mutant was not as strong as that on wild-type EGFR and EGFRvIII. In addition, downstream signaling of EGFRΔ768 was different from that of the wild-type receptor. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that neuroblastoma express not only EGFRvIII, but also a novel EGFR extracellular domain deletion mutant, EGFRΔ768. The EGFRΔ768 also possesses distinct biologic and biochemical properties which might have therapeutic implications for neuroblastoma as well as other tumors expressing this novel mutant. IMPLICATIONS Neuroblastoma expressed a novel EGFR mutant which possesses distinct biologic and biochemical properties that might have therapeutic implications. Mol Cancer Res; 14(8); 740-52. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Keller
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Anjaruwee S Nimnual
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Mathew S Varghese
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Kristen A VanHeyst
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Michael J Hayman
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Edward L Chan
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.
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Saletta F, Wadham C, Ziegler DS, Marshall GM, Haber M, McCowage G, Norris MD, Byrne JA. Molecular profiling of childhood cancer: Biomarkers and novel therapies. BBA CLINICAL 2014; 1:59-77. [PMID: 26675306 PMCID: PMC4633945 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbacli.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technological advances including high-throughput sequencing have identified numerous tumor-specific genetic changes in pediatric and adolescent cancers that can be exploited as targets for novel therapies. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review provides a detailed overview of recent advances in the application of target-specific therapies for childhood cancers, either as single agents or in combination with other therapies. The review summarizes preclinical evidence on which clinical trials are based, early phase clinical trial results, and the incorporation of predictive biomarkers into clinical practice, according to cancer type. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS There is growing evidence that molecularly targeted therapies can valuably add to the arsenal available for treating childhood cancers, particularly when used in combination with other therapies. Nonetheless the introduction of molecularly targeted agents into practice remains challenging, due to the use of unselected populations in some clinical trials, inadequate methods to evaluate efficacy, and the need for improved preclinical models to both evaluate dosing and safety of combination therapies. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The increasing recognition of the heterogeneity of molecular causes of cancer favors the continued development of molecularly targeted agents, and their transfer to pediatric and adolescent populations.
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Key Words
- ALK, anaplastic lymphoma kinase
- ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- AML, acute myeloid leukemia
- ARMS, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
- AT/RT, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor
- AURKA, aurora kinase A
- AURKB, aurora kinase B
- BET, bromodomain and extra terminal
- Biomarkers
- CAR, chimeric antigen receptor
- CML, chronic myeloid leukemia
- Childhood cancer
- DFMO, difluoromethylornithine
- DIPG, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
- EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor
- ERMS, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
- HDAC, histone deacetylases
- Hsp90, heat shock protein 90
- IGF-1R, insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor
- IGF/IGFR, insulin-like growth factor/receptor
- Molecular diagnostics
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- ODC1, ornithine decarboxylase 1
- PARP, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase
- PDGFRA/B, platelet derived growth factor alpha/beta
- PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase
- PLK1, polo-like kinase 1
- Ph +, Philadelphia chromosome-positive
- RMS, rhabdomyosarcoma
- SHH, sonic hedgehog
- SMO, smoothened
- SYK, spleen tyrosine kinase
- TOP1/TOP2, DNA topoisomerase 1/2
- TRAIL, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
- Targeted therapy
- VEGF/VEGFR, vascular endothelial growth factor/receptor
- mAb, monoclonal antibody
- mAbs, monoclonal antibodies
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Saletta
- Children's Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, Westmead 2145, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carol Wadham
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn M. Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Geoffrey McCowage
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead 2145, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Murray D. Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Randwick 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Byrne
- Children's Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, Westmead 2145, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of Sydney Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead 2145, New South Wales, Australia
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Gustafson WC, Matthay KK. Progress towards personalized therapeutics: biologic- and risk-directed therapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 11:1411-23. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.11.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Ashraf K, Shaikh F, Gibson P, Baruchel S, Irwin MS. Treatment with topotecan plus cyclophosphamide in children with first relapse of neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60:1636-41. [PMID: 23650219 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports of responses and toxicities of salvage therapies for relapsed neuroblastoma are rare and often confounded by effects of additional treatments. Our objective was to describe the outcomes and toxicities for a topotecan and cyclophosphamide (TOPO/CTX) regimen for first relapse or progression of high-risk neuroblastoma. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed charts of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma patients treated between 1999 and 2009 with our standard-of-care outpatient TOPO/CTX (0.75 and 250 mg/m(2) /day × 5 days q3-4 weeks). RESULTS Twenty-seven patients received 343 cycles of TOPO/CTX (median 10 cycles per patient, range 1-32). Most patients (N = 25) had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. Seventeen (63%) patients had an objective response (CR + PR + MR). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) after relapse was 11 ± 6% and 3-year overall survival (OS) after relapse was 33 ± 9%. The median PFS was 1.2 years and the median OS was 2.3 years. Five patients are alive with follow-up of 3.1-5.5 years. Shorter time from diagnosis to relapse (6-18 months) was associated with shorter OS. The majority of patients experienced chemotherapy delays, transfusions, and febrile neutropenia, including eight bacterial infections. The mean number of hospitalized days was less than one per cycle. CONCLUSIONS TOPO/CTX was well tolerated and resulted in response rates and PFS similar to those reported for patients treated on COG 9462. Our study provides additional toxicity, historical endpoints, and time-to-progression data against which new agents and combination therapies using TOPO/CTX as a backbone can be measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaleem Ashraf
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma accounts for 8 - 10% of pediatric cancers and is responsible for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Despite multimodality treatment, the overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in high-risk patients remain suboptimal. More than half of children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma either do not respond to conventional therapies or relapse after treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses about the unmet medical needs for new therapeutic options against high-risk neuroblastoma. New drugs and therapeutic strategies that are under development in clinical trials, which are currently recruiting patients. EXPERT OPINION There is a need to improve the response rate of induction chemotherapy, which is not effective in a third of patients and also the other components of the current treatment, little efficacious in avoiding the relapses. Few drugs have been introduced as upfront therapy in the last years. Topotecan, irinotecan and temozolomide are expected to improve the response in high-risk neuroblastoma, but their impact on OS and EFS is unknown. Anti-GD2 antibodies combined with other immunomodulators (IL-2, GM-CSF) are an important advance in the treatment of these children. Nevertheless, the hope is put in the new drugs directed to molecular targets of neuroblastoma. Anti-angiogenic drugs, ALK antagonist and PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors are among the most promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Castel
- Unidad de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Torre G, 2° Planta, Bulevar Sur s/n, 46026 Valencia, Spain.
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Megison ML, Gillory LA, Beierle EA. Cell survival signaling in neuroblastoma. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2013; 13:563-75. [PMID: 22934706 PMCID: PMC3710698 DOI: 10.2174/1871520611313040005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and is responsible for over 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Neuroblastoma tumorigenesis and malignant transformation is driven by overexpression and dominance of cell survival pathways and a lack of normal cellular senescence or apoptosis. Therefore, manipulation of cell survival pathways may decrease the malignant potential of these tumors and provide avenues for the development of novel therapeutics. This review focuses on several facets of cell survival pathways including protein kinases (PI3K, AKT, ALK, and FAK), transcription factors (NF-κB, MYCN and p53), and growth factors (IGF, EGF, PDGF, and VEGF). Modulation of each of these factors decreases the growth or otherwise hinders the malignant potential of neuroblastoma, and many therapeutics targeting these pathways are already in the clinical trial phase of development. Continued research and discovery of effective modulators of these pathways will revolutionize the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Meco D, Di Francesco AM, Cusano G, Bucci F, Pierri F, Patriarca V, Torella AR, Pisano C, Riccardi R. Preclinical evaluation of the novel 7-substituted camptothecin Namitecan (ST1968) in paediatric tumour models. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2012; 70:811-22. [PMID: 23007316 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-012-1973-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study aimed to evaluate the new water soluble camptothecin analogue Namitecan (ST1968) in preclinical paediatric tumour models of the nervous system comprehensive of neuroblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumours/PNET and medulloblastoma where the drug was compared to Irinotecan. METHODS Cellular sensitivity to the drug was assessed by MTT and clonogenic assays. Propidium iodide staining was used for cell cycle perturbation studies. The genotoxic effects were quantified by Comet assay, whereas apoptosis was assessed by PARP cleavage and sub-G1 accumulation. Tumour response was investigated in xenograft models in nude mice. RESULTS The cellular response to Namitecan was heterogeneous with IC(50) (2 h) ranging between 0.14 and 13.26 μM, whereas SN38 (the active metabolite of Irinotecan) appeared more effective (IC(50): 0.03-11.7 μM). Interestingly, prolonged drug incubation times up to 72 h enhanced Namitecan cytotoxicity, with similar colony inhibition curves between the two analogues (IC(50), nM-SN38: 0.9 ± 0.2; Namitecan: 0.7 ± 0.4). DNA damage, accumulation in late-S/G2 phases and induction of apoptosis appeared important players of Namitecan cytotoxicity in our models. In vivo, Namitecan was superior to Irinotecan in three out of five xenograft models, with reversible weight loss (10 %). In the sensitive SK-N-AS xenograft, Namitecan showed a high retention in tumours consistently with: high antitumour response, rapid drug-mediated DNA damage (60 % mean TailDNA after 1 h from drug inoculation), persistent cell cycle perturbation (60-40 % G2 accumulation after 48-72 h, respectively) and apoptosis. Studies with Namitecan and platinum agents in this model showed a significant enhancement of antitumour activity of the drugs combination versus single agents. CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical data strongly support the interest of further investigations on the well-tolerated Namitecan either as a single agent or in combination in paediatric oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Meco
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Division of Paediatric Oncology, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
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Furman WL, McGregor LM, McCarville MB, Onciu M, Davidoff AM, Kovach S, Hawkins D, McPherson V, Houghton PJ, Billups CA, Wu J, Stewart CF, Santana VM. A single-arm pilot phase II study of gefitinib and irinotecan in children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma. Invest New Drugs 2011; 30:1660-70. [PMID: 21796439 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-011-9724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gefitinib potently inhibits neuroblastoma proliferation in vitro, and the gefitinib/irinotecan combination shows greater than additive activity against neuroblastoma xenografts. This Phase II pilot study estimated the rate of response to two courses of intravenous irinotecan plus oral gefitinib in children with untreated high-risk neuroblastoma. METHODS Two courses of irinotecan [15 mg/m(2)/day (daily ×5)×2] were combined with 12 daily doses of gefitinib (112.5 mg/m(2)/day). Response was assessed after 6 weeks. A response rate >55% was sought. RESULTS Of the 23 children enrolled, 19 were evaluable for response. Median age at diagnosis was 3.1 years (range, 18 days-12.7 years). Most patients were older than 24 months (n = 20; 87%), male (n = 18; 78%), white (n = 16; 70%), had INSS 4 disease (n = 19; 83%), and had adrenal primary tumors (n = 18; 78%); nine patients (39%) had amplified tumor MYCN. The toxicity of gefitinib/irinotecan was mild and reversible (nausea, 5/20; diarrhea, 8/20; vomiting, 7/20). Five patients had partial responses; 9 others had a 23%-60% decrease in primary tumor volume and/or improved MIBG scans or decreased bone or bone marrow tumor burden. Median (range) systemic irinotecan exposure (AUC) was 283 ng/ml*hr (range, 163-890 ng/ml*hr) and 28 ng/ml*hr (3.6-297 ng/ml*hr) for the active metabolite, SN-38. No relation was observed between response and tumor expression of EGFR, MRP2-4, ABCG2, and Pgp. CONCLUSIONS Although the gefitinib/irinotecan combination was very tolerable and induced responses, it was not sufficiently active to warrant further investigation. Initial investigational studies of this type can preclude the necessity for larger, longer, and costlier trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne L Furman
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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Wagner L. Camptothecin-based regimens for treatment of ewing sarcoma: past studies and future directions. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:957957. [PMID: 21512587 PMCID: PMC3075817 DOI: 10.1155/2011/957957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
New therapies are needed to improve survival for patients with Ewing sarcoma. Over the past decade, camptothecin agents such as topotecan and irinotecan have demonstrated activity against Ewing sarcoma, especially in combination with alkylating agents. Previous studies have shown camptothecin-based combinations to be tolerable outpatient strategies that are attractive for salvage therapy. This paper highlights important issues related to drug dosing, schedule of administration, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and activity of commonly used camptothecin-based regimens. Also discussed are strategies for incorporating these regimens into therapy for newly diagnosed patients, including several potential possibilities for combination with targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Wagner
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, MLC 7015, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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