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Steen EA, Basilaia M, Kim W, Getz T, Gustafson JL, Zage PE. Targeting the RET tyrosine kinase in neuroblastoma: A review and application of a novel selective drug design strategy. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115751. [PMID: 37595672 PMCID: PMC10911250 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The RET (REarranged during Transfection) gene, which encodes for a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, is an established oncogene associated with the etiology and progression of multiple types of cancer. Oncogenic RET mutations and rearrangements resulting in gene fusions have been identified in many adult cancers, including medullary and papillary thyroid cancers, lung adenocarcinomas, colon and breast cancers, and many others. While genetic RET aberrations are much less common in pediatric solid tumors, increased RET expression has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in children with solid tumors such as neuroblastoma, prompting an interest in RET inhibition as a form of therapy for these children. A number of kinase inhibitors currently in use for patients with cancer have RET inhibitory activity, but these inhibitors also display activity against other kinases, resulting in unwanted side effects and limiting their safety and efficacy. Recent efforts have been focused on developing more specific RET inhibitors, but due to high levels of conservation between kinase binding pockets, specificity remains a drug design challenge. Here, we review the background of RET as a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma tumors and the results of recent preclinical studies and clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of RET inhibition in adults and children. We also present a novel approach to drug discovery leveraging the chemical phenomenon of atropisomerism to develop specific RET inhibitors and present preliminary data demonstrating the efficacy of a novel RET inhibitor against neuroblastoma tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica A Steen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Mariam Basilaia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - William Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Taelor Getz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jeffrey L Gustafson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA.
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2
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Siaw JT, Gabre JL, Uçkun E, Vigny M, Zhang W, Van den Eynden J, Hallberg B, Palmer RH, Guan J. Loss of RET Promotes Mesenchymal Identity in Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081909. [PMID: 33921066 PMCID: PMC8071449 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) drives neuroblastoma (NB). Previous work identified the RET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) as a downstream target of ALK activity in NB models. We show here that ALK activation in response to ALKAL2 ligand results in the rapid phosphorylation of RET in NB cells, providing additional insight into the contribution of RET to the ALK-driven gene signature in NB. To further address the role of RET in NB, RET knockout (KO) SK-N-AS cells were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering. Gene expression analysis of RET KO NB cells identified a reprogramming of NB cells to a mesenchymal (MES) phenotype that was characterized by increased migration and upregulation of the AXL and MNNG HOS transforming gene (MET) RTKs, as well as integrins and extracellular matrix components. Strikingly, the upregulation of AXL in the absence of RET reflects the development timeline observed in the neural crest as progenitor cells undergo differentiation during embryonic development. Together, these findings suggest that a MES phenotype is promoted in mesenchymal NB cells in the absence of RET, reflective of a less differentiated developmental status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim T. Siaw
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
| | - Jonatan L. Gabre
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
- Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Ezgi Uçkun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
| | - Marc Vigny
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, UPMC, INSERM UMRS-839, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Wancun Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450018, China;
| | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (J.T.S.); (J.L.G.); (E.U.); (B.H.); (R.H.P.)
- Department of Pediatric Oncology Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450018, China;
- Correspondence:
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3
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Chen Z, Zhao Y, Yu Y, Pang JC, Woodfield SE, Tao L, Guan S, Zhang H, Bieerkehazhi S, Shi Y, Patel R, Vasudevan SA, Yi JS, Muscal JA, Xu GT, Yang J. Small molecule inhibitor regorafenib inhibits RET signaling in neuroblastoma cells and effectively suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:104090-104103. [PMID: 29262623 PMCID: PMC5732789 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor, continues to cause significant cancer-related morbidity and mortality in children. Dysregulation of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been shown to contribute to tumorigenesis in various human cancers and targeting these RTKs has had therapeutic benefit. RET is an RTK which is commonly expressed in NB, and high expression of RET correlates with poor outcomes in patients with NB. Herein we report that RET is required for NB cell proliferation and that the small molecule inhibitor regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) blocks glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-induced RET signaling in NB cells and inhibits NB growth both in vitro and in vivo. We found that regorafenib significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation ability of NB cells. Moreover, regorafenib suppressed tumor growth in both an orthotopic xenograft NB mouse model and a TH-MYCN transgenic NB mouse model. Finally, regorafenib markedly improved the overall survival of TH-MYCN transgenic tumor-bearing mice. In summary, our study suggests that RET is a potential therapeutic target in NB, and that using a novel RET inhibitor, like regorafenib, should be investigated as a therapeutic treatment option for children with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan C. Pang
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Weiss School of Natural Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Sarah E. Woodfield
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ling Tao
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shan Guan
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shayahati Bieerkehazhi
- Department of Labour Hygiene and Sanitary Science, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, P.R. China
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yan Shi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Roma Patel
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sanjeev A. Vasudevan
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Joanna S. Yi
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jodi A. Muscal
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Kumar A, Fan D, DiPette DJ, Singh US. Sparstolonin B, a novel plant derived compound, arrests cell cycle and induces apoptosis in N-myc amplified and N-myc nonamplified neuroblastoma cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96343. [PMID: 24788776 PMCID: PMC4006872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors and accounts for ∼15% of all the cancer related deaths in the children. Despite the standard therapy for advanced disease including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, the mortality rate remains high for these patients. Hence, novel therapeutic agents are desperately needed. Here we examined the anticancer activity of a novel plant-derived compound, sparstolonin B (SsnB; 8,5′-dihydroxy-4-phenyl-5,2′-oxidoisocoumarin) using neuroblastoma cell lines of different genetics. SsnB was recently isolated from an aquatic Chinese herb, Sparganium stoloniferum, and tubers of this herb have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases and cancers. Our cell viability and morphological analysis indicated that SsnB at 10 µM concentration significantly inhibited the growth of both N-myc amplified (SK-N-BE(2), NGP, and IMR-32 cells) and N-myc nonamplified (SH-SY5Y and SKNF-1 cells) neuroblastoma cells. The flow cytometric analyses suggested that SsnB arrests the cell cycle progression at G2-M phase in all neuroblastoma cell lines tested. Exposure of SsnB inhibited the compact spheroid formation and reduced the tumorigenicity of SH-SY5Y cells and SK-N-BE(2) cells in in vitro 3-D cell culture assays (anchorage-independent colony formation assay and hanging drop assay). SsnB lowers the cellular level of glutathione (GSH), increases generation of reactive oxygen species and activates the cleavage of caspase-3 whereas co-incubation of a GSH precursor, N-acetylcysteine, along with SsnB attenuates the inhibitory effects of SsnB and increases the neuroblastoma cell viability. Our results for the first time demonstrate that SsnB possesses anticancer activity indicating that SsnB-induced reactive oxygen species generation promotes apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cells of different genetic background. Thus these data suggest that SsnB can be a promising drug candidate in neuroblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambrish Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Daping Fan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Donald J. DiPette
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ugra S. Singh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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5
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Abstract
The RET receptor tyrosine kinase is crucial for normal development but also contributes to pathologies that reflect both the loss and the gain of RET function. Activation of RET occurs via oncogenic mutations in familial and sporadic cancers - most notably, those of the thyroid and the lung. RET has also recently been implicated in the progression of breast and pancreatic tumours, among others, which makes it an attractive target for small-molecule kinase inhibitors as therapeutics. However, the complex roles of RET in homeostasis and survival of neural lineages and in tumour-associated inflammation might also suggest potential long-term pitfalls of broadly targeting RET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois M Mulligan
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
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6
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Martucciello G, Lerone M, Bricco L, Tonini GP, Lombardi L, Del Rossi CG, Bernasconi S. Multiple endocrine neoplasias type 2B and RET proto-oncogene. Ital J Pediatr 2012; 38:9. [PMID: 22429913 PMCID: PMC3368781 DOI: 10.1186/1824-7288-38-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) is an autosomal dominant complex oncologic neurocristopathy including medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, gastrointestinal disorders, marphanoid face, and mucosal multiple ganglioneuromas. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is the major cause of mortality in MEN 2B syndrome, and it often appears during the first years of life. RET proto-oncogene germline activating mutations are causative for MEN 2B. The 95% of MEN 2B patients are associated with a point mutation in exon 16 (M918/T). A second point mutation at codon 883 has been found in 2%-3% of MEN 2B cases. RET proto-oncogene is also involved in different neoplastic and not neoplastic neurocristopathies. Other RET mutations cause MEN 2A syndrome, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, or Hirschsprung's disease. RET gene expression is also involved in Neuroblastoma. The main diagnosis standards are the acetylcholinesterase study of rectal mucosa and the molecular analysis of RET. In our protocol the rectal biopsy is, therefore, the first approach. RET mutation detection offers the possibility to diagnose MEN 2B predisposition at a pre-clinical stage in familial cases, and to perform an early total prophylactic thyroidectomy. The surgical treatment of MEN 2B is total thyroidectomy with cervical limphadenectomy of the central compartment of the neck. When possible, this intervention should be performed with prophylactic aim before 1 year of age in patients with molecular genetic diagnosis. Recent advances into the mechanisms of RET proto-oncogene signaling and pathways of RET signal transduction in the development of MEN 2 and MTC will allow new treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Martucciello
- University of Genova, Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery - DIPE, Via Gaslini, 5 Genova (16147), Italy
| | - Margherita Lerone
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova (16147), Italy
| | - Lara Bricco
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova (16147), Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Traslational Oncopathology National Cancer Research Institute, Genova (16100), Italy
| | - Laura Lombardi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore, Via Antonio Gramsci 14, Parma (43010), Italy
| | - Carmine G Del Rossi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore, Via Antonio Gramsci 14, Parma (43010), Italy
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7
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Bourdeaut F, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Lucchesi C, Paris R, Ribeiro A, de Pontual L, Amiel J, Lyonnet S, Pierron G, Michon J, Peuchmaur M, Delattre O. Cholinergic switch associated with morphological differentiation in neuroblastoma. J Pathol 2009; 219:463-72. [DOI: 10.1002/path.2614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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8
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Margetts CDE, Morris M, Astuti D, Gentle DC, Cascon A, McRonald FE, Catchpoole D, Robledo M, Neumann HPH, Latif F, Maher ER. Evaluation of a functional epigenetic approach to identify promoter region methylation in phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. Endocr Relat Cancer 2008; 15:777-86. [PMID: 18499731 PMCID: PMC2519165 DOI: 10.1677/erc-08-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The molecular genetics of inherited phaeochromocytoma have received considerable attention, but the somatic genetic and epigenetic events that characterise tumourigenesis in sporadic phaeochromocytomas are less well defined. Previously, we found considerable overlap between patterns of promoter region tumour suppressor gene (TSG) hypermethylation in two neural crest tumours, neuroblastoma and phaeochromocytoma. In order to identify candidate biomarkers and epigenetically inactivated TSGs in phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma, we characterised changes in gene expression in three neuroblastoma cell lines after treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. Promoter region methylation status was then determined for 28 genes that demonstrated increased expression after demethylation. Three genes HSP47, homeobox A9 (HOXA9) and opioid binding protein (OPCML) were methylated in >10% of phaeochromocytomas (52, 17 and 12% respectively). Two of the genes, epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3) and HSP47, demonstrated significantly more frequent methylation in neuroblastoma than phaeochromocytoma. These findings extend epigenotype of phaeochromocytoma and identify candidate genes implicated in sporadic phaeochromocytoma tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline D E Margetts
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Mark Morris
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Dewi Astuti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Dean C Gentle
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Alberto Cascon
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Department of Human Genetics, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas, and ISCIII Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Fiona E McRonald
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Daniel Catchpoole
- The Tumour BankThe Children's Hospital at WestmeadLocked Bag 4001, Westmead, New South Wales 2145Australia
| | - Mercedes Robledo
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Department of Human Genetics, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas, and ISCIII Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | | | - Farida Latif
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
| | - Eamonn R Maher
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- Cancer Research UK Renal Molecular Oncology Research Group, University of Birmingham School of MedicineEdgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TTUK
- (Correspondence should be addressed to E R Maher; E-mail: )
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Oppenheimer O, Cheung NK, Gerald WL. TheREToncogene is a critical component of transcriptional programs associated with retinoic acid–induced differentiation in neuroblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2007; 6:1300-9. [PMID: 17431108 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-06-0587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation is a key feature in pathologic classification and prognosis of neuroblastic tumors, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well defined. To identify key differentiation-related molecules and pathways, we evaluated gene expression during retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of seven neuroblastic tumor cell lines. Transcriptional response to RA was highly variable among cell lines despite the fact that six of seven showed similar morphologic changes. RA consistently altered expression of a small set of genes, some of which are known to play a role in neurogenesis and differentiation. Expression of genes that were regulated by RA was associated with important clinical subgroups of neuroblastic tumors and were differentially expressed by stroma-rich and stroma-poor subtypes. RET, a receptor tyrosine kinase involved with differentiation, was consistently up-regulated throughout the time course of RA treatment in the majority of neuroblastic tumor cell lines. Interference with RET activation abrogated RA-induced transcriptional programs and differentiation, suggesting a key role of RET in this process. The core set of RA-regulated genes includes critical molecular components of pathways necessary for neuroblastic tumor differentiation and have potential as therapeutic targets and molecular markers of response to differentiating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orit Oppenheimer
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA
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10
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Abstract
Malignant pheochromocytoma is a rare disease with a high mortality. Surgical resection is the only effective treatment if extensive metastatic disease is not present. However, differentiating between benign and malignant pheochromocytoma is impossible in the absence of locoregional invasion or distant metastasis. This diagnostic dilemma has several drawbacks, including later detection and treatment of recurrence than if malignancy is determined at the original operation. With emerging molecular markers of malignant disease, optimal extent and approach for surgical treatment and appropriate extent of follow up could be established based on specific tumor behavior and the need for additional systemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Zarnegar
- Department of Surgery, University California San Francisco, Comprehensive Cancer Center at Mount Zion, Medical Center, 1600 Divisadero Street, Hellman Building, Room C347, San Francisco, CA 94143-1764, USA.
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11
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Peterson S, Bogenmann E. The RET and TRKA pathways collaborate to regulate neuroblastoma differentiation. Oncogene 2004; 23:213-25. [PMID: 14712226 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood cancer that arises in the adrenal gland and often shows differentiated neuronal and glial elements. The RET receptor signal pathway is functional in most NB, while loss of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor (trkA) gene expression correlates with an aggressive phenotype. Thus, we hypothesized that the RET and TRKA signal pathways collaborate to instruct NB differentiation, reminiscent of normal neuronal maturation. Here, we demonstrate that activation of the RET receptor by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) increases expression of the RET receptor complex in a panel of malignant human NB cell lines, indicative of a positive feedback mechanism. GDNF also induces growth cessation concomitant with an arrest of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, GDNF synergizes with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to enhance TRKA receptor expression, thereby strengthening the NGF-mediated differentiation signal. Differentiated NB cells downregulate expression of the amplified N-myc gene, concurrent with the arrest of cell proliferation, while expressing neuron-specific markers (i.e., SCG10). Interestingly, maintenance of differentiated NB cells in culture is independent of the trophic activity of GDNF, but depends on TRKA signaling, thereby re-enacting the differentiation of normal sympathoadrenal (SA) progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Peterson
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Hematology Oncology, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
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12
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Abstract
Genetic investigation of neuroblastoma has provided few clues to account for the variability in clinical phenotype which is such a characteristic feature of this tumour. Indeed, efforts to identify the primary genetic event(s) responsible for tumour development have been overwhelmed by the number and range of different genetic abnormalities observed, particularly in the more aggressive neuroblastoma subtypes. Since neuroblastoma is a consequence of aberrant development of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), investigation of the genetic components known to be involved in the control of SNS developmental, may provide the key to understanding tumour behaviour. The neurotrophins and the glial family ligands both play very significant roles in different stages of SNS development and merit more detailed investigation as to how they might influence neuroblastoma tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel M McConville
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK.
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13
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Hansford JR, Mulligan LM. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and RET: from neoplasia to neurogenesis. J Med Genet 2000; 37:817-27. [PMID: 11073534 PMCID: PMC1734482 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.37.11.817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an inherited cancer syndrome characterised by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), with or without phaeochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism. MEN 2 is unusual among cancer syndromes as it is caused by activation of a cellular oncogene, RET. Germline mutations in the gene encoding the RET receptor tyrosine kinase are found in the vast majority of MEN 2 patients and somatic RET mutations are found in a subset of sporadic MTC. Further, there are strong associations of RET mutation genotype and disease phenotype in MEN 2 which have led to predictions of tissue specific requirements and sensitivities to RET activity. Our ability to identify genetically, with high accuracy, subjects with MEN 2 has revolutionised our ability to diagnose, predict, and manage this disease. In the past few years, studies of RET and its normal ligand and downstream interactions and the signalling pathways it activates have clarified our understanding of the roles played by RET in normal cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in disease. Here, we review the current knowledge of the normal functions of RET and the effects of mutations of this gene in tumorigenesis and in normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Hansford
- Department of Pathology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
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Eng C, Mulligan LM. Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene in the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes, related sporadic tumours, and hirschsprung disease. Hum Mutat 2000; 9:97-109. [PMID: 9067749 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-1004(1997)9:2<97::aid-humu1>3.0.co;2-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The RET proto-oncogene codes for a receptor tyrosine kinase thought to play a role in the development of neural crest and its derivatives. Mutations in the RET proto-oncogene have been found in patients with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes (MEN 2), the related sporadic tumours medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma, and familial and sporadic Hirschsprung disease, a syndrome of congenital absence of enteric innervation. Germline mutations in one of eight codons within RET cause the three subtypes of MEN 2, namely, MEN 2A, MEN 2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Somatic mutation in an overlapping group of nine codons have been found in a proportion of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. In contrast to MEN 2, approximately 25% of patients with Hirschsprung disease have germline mutations scattered throughout the length of RET.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Eng
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115-6084, USA
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Abstract
UNLABELLED PURPOSE AND RESULTS: Neuroblastoma, the most common solid extracranial neoplasm in children, is remarkable for its clinical heterogeneity. Complex patterns of genetic abnormalities interact to determine the clinical phenotype. The molecular biology of neuroblastoma is characterized by somatically acquired genetic events that lead to gene overexpression (oncogenes), gene inactivation (tumor suppressor genes), or alterations in gene expression. Amplification of the MYCN proto-oncogene occurs in 20% to 25% of neuroblastomas and is a reliable marker of aggressive clinical behavior. No other oncogene has been shown to be consistently mutated or overexpressed in neuroblastoma, although unbalanced translocations resulting in gain of genetic material from chromosome bands 17q23-qter have been identified in more than 50% of primary tumors. Some children have an inherited predisposition to develop neuroblastoma, but a familial neuroblastoma susceptibility gene has not yet been localized. Consistent areas of chromosomal loss, including chromosome band 1p36 in 30% to 35% of primary tumors, 11q23 in 44%, and 14q23-qter in 22%, may identify the location of neuroblastoma suppressor genes. Alterations in the expression of the neurotrophins and their receptors correlate with clinical behavior and may reflect the degree of neuroblastic differentiation before malignant transformation. Alterations in the expression of genes that regulate apoptosis also correlate with neuroblastoma behavior and may help to explain the phenomenon of spontaneous regression observed in a well-defined subset of patients. CONCLUSION The molecular biology of neuroblastoma has led to a combined clinical and biologic risk stratification. Future advances may lead to more specific treatment strategies for children with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Maris
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4318, USA.
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Peaston AE, Camacho ML, Norris MD, Haber M, Marsh DJ, Robinson BG, Hyland VJ, Marshall GM. Absence of MEN2A- or 2B-type RET mutations in primary neuroblastoma tumour tissue. Mol Cell Probes 1998; 12:239-42. [PMID: 9727201 DOI: 10.1006/mcpr.1998.0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Specific germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene predispose to the familial cancer syndromes: multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and 2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Expression of the RET receptor tyrosine kinase is tightly restricted to tumours of neural crest origin, such as neuroblastoma, and neuroblastoma has been observed in RET transgenic mice. Neuroblastoma tumour cell lines transfected with the MEN2A RET gene exhibit spontaneous neuritic differentiation, whereas MEN2B-type RET transfectants demonstrate altered cell adhesion and enhanced metastatic potential. In this study, the authors examined genomic DNA from 26 primary neuroblastoma tumours for MEN2A and MEN2B RET mutations, using restriction enzyme digestion of polymerase chain reaction products as an alternative to direct sequencing. Examination of RET exons 10 (codons 611, 618, 620), 11 (codons 632, 633, 634) and 16 (codon 918) in all 26 tumours revealed no RET mutations. Taken together these data suggest that abnormalities of the RET signalling pathway, rather than oncogenic, MEN2-type RET activation by mutation, may play a role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Peaston
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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Mulligan LM, Timmer T, Ivanchuk SM, Campling BG, Young LC, Rabbitts PH, Sundaresan V, Hofstra RMW, Eng C. Investigation of the genes for RET and its ligand complex, GDNF/GFRα-1, in small cell lung carcinoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 1998. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2264(199804)21:4<326::aid-gcc6>3.0.co;2-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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