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Association of RASSF1A, DCR2, and CASP8 Methylation with Survival in Neuroblastoma: A Pooled Analysis Using Reconstructed Individual Patient Data. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:7390473. [PMID: 33381579 PMCID: PMC7755470 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7390473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous tumor affecting children. It shows a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes; therefore, development of risk stratification is critical to provide optimum treatment. Since epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation have emerged as an important feature of both development and progression in NB, in this study, we aimed to quantify the effect of methylation of three distinct genes (RASSF1A, DCR2, and CASP8) on overall survival in NB patients. We performed a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries. Individual patient data was retrieved from extracted Kaplan–Meier curves. Data from studies was then merged, and analysis was done on the full data set. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Methylation of the three genes had worse overall survival than the unmethylated arms. Five-year survival for the methylated arm of RASSF1A, DCR2, and CASP8 was 63.19% (95% CI 56.55-70.60), 57.78% (95% CI 47.63-70.08), and 56.39% (95% CI 49.53-64.19), respectively, while for the unmethylated arm, it was 93.10% (95% CI 87.40–99.1), 84.84% (95% CI 80.04-89.92), and 83.68% (95% CI 80.28-87.22), respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate that in NB patients, RASSF1A, DCR2, and CASP8 methylation is associated with poor prognosis. Large prospective studies will be necessary to confirm definitive correlation between methylation of these genes and survival taking into account all other known risk factors. (PROSPERO registration number CRD42017082264).
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Urtasun Erburu A, Herrero Cervera MJ, Cañete Nieto A. Cancer in the first 18 months of life. An Pediatr (Barc) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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[Cancer in the first 18 months of life]. An Pediatr (Barc) 2020; 93:358-366. [PMID: 32303474 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oncological-haematological disease continues to be the first cause of non-traumatic mortality in childhood, as well as a significant cause of morbidity. The patient less than 18-months-old has special clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features that all paediatricians are interested in determining, with the aim of achieving greater survival and a lower morbidity throughout the lives of their patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out using the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic variables in patients less than 18-months-old diagnosed with an oncological-haematological that received chemotherapy in a Paediatric Oncology Unit between January 2007 and August 2019. RESULTS A total of 72 patients were diagnosed with 76 cancers that required chemotherapy. The most common cancer was leukaemia (21 patients), followed by neuroblastoma (15 patients), and tumours of the central nervous system (12 patients). The presentation of "life-threatening symptoms" was seen in 20.8% of cases, particularly in tumours of neural origin (13/15). Although 18% of patients showed no symptoms on diagnosis, just over half (51%) of the diagnoses took place in the "advanced stages". Particularly in the case of solid tumours in which 23.6% were diagnosed with metastases. A significant percentage of genetic alterations implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of the different cancers were found. CONCLUSIONS Cancer in the first stages of life is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its phenotypical diversity, its genetic load, and its therapeutic difficulties. Knowledge of its particular features is essential for its early and effective approach.
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Beylerli OA, Gareev IF. Micro-RNP as therapeutic targets for neuroblastomas. INNOVATIVE MEDICINE OF KUBAN 2019. [DOI: 10.35401/2500-0268-2019-16-4-66-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common extracranial solid tumors in children. One of the main causes of death from childhood cancer in children aged one to five years, and it accounts for about 15% of all deaths from cancer in children. They have characteristic features, such as an early age of onset, a high frequency of metastasis in the diagnosis of patients older than 1 year and a tendency to spontaneous regression of tumors in young children. Although several prognostic factors were identified (age, stage, histology, heredity), identifying non-invasive biomarkers for disease surveillance and monitoring therapy is indeed still a clinical necessity. In this review, we describe the latest miRNA data in neuroblastoma, with an emphasis on those involved in tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In addition, we will discuss their potential use in the treatment of this tumor.
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Šutić M, Motzek A, Bubanović G, Linke M, Sabol I, Vugrek O, Ozretić P, Brčić L, Seiwerth S, Debeljak Ž, Jakovčević A, Janevski Z, Stančić-Rokotov D, Vukić-Dugac A, Jakopović M, Samaržija M, Zechner U, Knežević J. Promoter methylation status of ASC/TMS1/PYCARD is associated with decreased overall survival and TNM status in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Transl Lung Cancer Res 2019; 8:1000-1015. [PMID: 32010578 PMCID: PMC6976376 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr.2019.12.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with 5-year overall survival less than 15%. Therefore, it is essential to find biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. Aberrant DNA methylation is a common feature of human cancers and its utility is already recognized in cancer management. The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of the promoter methylation status of the ASC/TMS1/PYCARD and MyD88 genes, key adaptor molecules in the activation of the innate immune response and apoptosis pathways. METHODS A total of 50 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were enrolled in the study. Methylation of bisulphite converted DNA was quantified by pyrosequencing in fresh frozen malignant tissues and adjacent non-malignant tissues. Associations between methylation and lung function, tumor grade and overall survival were evaluated using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis and statistical tests of hypothesis. RESULTS Methylation level of tested genes is generally low but significantly decreased in tumor tissues (ASC/TMS1/PYCARD, P<0.0001; MyD88, P<0.0002), which correlates with increased protein expression. Three CpG sites were identified as promising diagnostic marker candidates; CpG11 (-63 position) in ASC/TMS1/PYCARD and CpG1 (-253 position) and 2 (-265 position) in MyD88. The association study showed that the methylation status of the ASC/TMS1 CpG4 site (-34 position) in malignant and non-malignant tissues is associated with the overall survival (P=0.019) and the methylation status of CpG8 site (-92 position) is associated with TNM-stage (P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS The methylation status of the ASC/TMS1/PYCARD and MyD88 promoters are promising prognostic biomarker candidates. However, presented results should be considered as a preliminary and should be confirmed on the larger number of the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Šutić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Molecular Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antje Motzek
- Institute for Human Genetics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gordana Bubanović
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matthias Linke
- Institute for Human Genetics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ivan Sabol
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Molecular Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Oliver Vugrek
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Molecular Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Molecular Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luka Brčić
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željko Debeljak
- Institute of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, JJ Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Antonija Jakovčević
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zoran Janevski
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Jordanovac, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Stančić-Rokotov
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Jordanovac, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrea Vukić-Dugac
- Department for Respiratory Diseases, Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Jakopović
- Department for Respiratory Diseases, Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Samaržija
- Department for Respiratory Diseases, Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ulrich Zechner
- Institute for Human Genetics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jelena Knežević
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Molecular Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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SYK Inhibition Potentiates the Effect of Chemotherapeutic Drugs on Neuroblastoma Cells in Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020202. [PMID: 30744170 PMCID: PMC6406899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a malignancy arising from the developing sympathetic nervous system and the most common and deadly cancer of infancy. New therapies are needed to improve the prognosis for high-risk patients and to reduce toxicity and late effects. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) has previously been identified as a promising drug target in various inflammatory diseases and cancers but has so far not been extensively studied as a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma. In this study, we observed elevated SYK gene expression in neuroblastoma compared to neural crest and benign neurofibroma. While SYK protein was detected in the majority of examined neuroblastoma tissues it was less frequently observed in neuroblastoma cell lines. Depletion of SYK by siRNA and the use of small molecule SYK inhibitors significantly reduced the cell viability of neuroblastoma cell lines expressing SYK protein. Moreover, SYK inhibition decreased ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. The SYK inhibitor BAY 61-3606 enhanced the effect of different chemotherapeutic drugs. Transient expression of a constitutive active SYK variant increased the viability of neuroblastoma cells independent of endogenous SYK levels. Collectively, our findings suggest that targeting SYK in combination with conventional chemotherapy should be further evaluated as a treatment option in neuroblastoma.
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Abstract
Neuroblastomas are characterized by heterogeneous clinical behavior, from spontaneous regression or differentiation into a benign ganglioneuroma, to relentless progression despite aggressive, multimodality therapy. Indeed, neuroblastoma is unique among human cancers in terms of its propensity to undergo spontaneous regression. The strongest evidence for this comes from the mass screening studies conducted in Japan, North America and Europe and it is most evident in infants with stage 4S disease. This propensity is associated with a pattern of genomic change characterized by whole chromosome gains rather than segmental chromosome changes but the mechanism(s) underlying spontaneous regression are currently a matter of speculation. There is evidence to support several possible mechanisms of spontaneous regression in neuroblastomas: (1) neurotrophin deprivation, (2) loss of telomerase activity, (3) humoral or cellular immunity and (4) alterations in epigenetic regulation and possibly other mechanisms. It is likely that a better understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous regression will help to identify targeted therapeutic approaches for these tumors. The most easily targeted mechanism is the delayed activation of developmentally programmed cell death regulated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) pathway. Pan-Trk inhibitors are currently in clinical trials and so Trk inhibition might be used as the first line of therapy in infants with biologically favorable tumors that require treatment. Alternative approaches consist of breaking immune tolerance to tumor antigens but approaches to telomere shortening or epigenetic regulation are not easily druggable. The different mechanisms of spontaneous neuroblastoma regression are reviewed here, along with possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M Brodeur
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania/Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Oncology Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, CTRB Rm. 3018, 3501 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4302, USA.
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Boloix A, París-Coderch L, Soriano A, Roma J, Gallego S, Sánchez de Toledo J, Segura MF. Novel micro RNA-based therapies for the treatment of neuroblastoma. An Pediatr (Barc) 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2015.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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9
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Jubierre L, Soriano A, Planells-Ferrer L, París-Coderch L, Tenbaum SP, Romero OA, Moubarak RS, Almazán-Moga A, Molist C, Roma J, Navarro S, Noguera R, Sánchez-Céspedes M, Comella JX, Palmer HG, Sánchez de Toledo J, Gallego S, Segura MF. BRG1/SMARCA4 is essential for neuroblastoma cell viability through modulation of cell death and survival pathways. Oncogene 2016; 35:5179-90. [PMID: 26996667 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a neoplasm of the sympathetic nervous system, and is the most common solid tumor of infancy. NBs are very heterogeneous, with a clinical course ranging from spontaneous regression to resistance to all current forms of treatment. High-risk patients need intense chemotherapy, and only 30-40% will be cured. Relapsed or metastatic tumors acquire multi-drug resistance, raising the need for alternative treatments. Owing to the diverse mechanisms that are responsible of NB chemoresistance, we aimed to target epigenetic factors that control multiple pathways to bypass therapy resistance. We found that the SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a, member 4 (SMARCA4/BRG1) was consistently upregulated in advanced stages of NB, with high BRG1 levels being indicative of poor outcome. Loss-of-function experiments in vitro and in vivo showed that BRG1 is essential for the proliferation of NB cells. Furthermore, whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed that BRG1 controls the expression of key elements of oncogenic pathways such as PI3K/AKT and BCL2, which offers a promising new combination therapy for high-risk NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jubierre
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Soriano
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - L París-Coderch
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S P Tenbaum
- Vall d'Hebron Institut of Oncology (VHIO), Stem Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
| | - O A Romero
- Epigenetic and Cancer Biology Program-PEBC/Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R S Moubarak
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, VHIR-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Almazán-Moga
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Molist
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Roma
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Navarro
- School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - R Noguera
- School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - J X Comella
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, VHIR-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H G Palmer
- Vall d'Hebron Institut of Oncology (VHIO), Stem Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Sánchez de Toledo
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Gallego
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M F Segura
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
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Boloix A, París-Coderch L, Soriano A, Roma J, Gallego S, Sánchez de Toledo J, Segura MF. [Novel micro RNA-based therapies for the treatment of neuroblastoma]. An Pediatr (Barc) 2015; 85:109.e1-109.e6. [PMID: 26323526 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumour in children and adolescents, and accounts for up to 15% of all cancer deaths in this group. It originates in the sympathetic nervous system, and its behaviour can be very aggressive and become resistant to current treatments. A review is presented, summarising the new alternative therapies based on epigenetics, i.e., modulators of gene expression, such as microRNAs and their potential application in the clinical practice of NB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Boloix
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Laia París-Coderch
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Aroa Soriano
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Josep Roma
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Oncología y Hematología Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Josep Sánchez de Toledo
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Oncología y Hematología Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Miguel F Segura
- Grupo de Investigación Traslacional en el Cáncer de la infancia y adolescencia, Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
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Yáñez Y, Grau E, Rodríguez-Cortez VC, Hervás D, Vidal E, Noguera R, Hernández M, Segura V, Cañete A, Conesa A, Font de Mora J, Castel V. Two independent epigenetic biomarkers predict survival in neuroblastoma. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:16. [PMID: 25767620 PMCID: PMC4357365 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0054-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor with a highly variable clinical course, ranging from spontaneous regression to life-threatening disease. Survival rates for high-risk NB patients remain disappointingly low despite multimodal treatment. Thus, there is an urgent clinical need for additional biomarkers to improve risk stratification, treatment management, and survival rates in children with aggressive NB. RESULTS Using gene promoter methylation analysis in 48 neuroblastoma tumors with microarray technology, we found a strong association between survival and gene promoter hypermethylation (P = 0.036). Hypermethylation of 70 genes significantly differentiated high-risk survivor patients from those who died during follow-up time. Sixteen genes with relevant roles in cancer biology were further validated in an additional cohort of 83 neuroblastoma tumors by bisulfite pyrosequencing. High promoter methylation rates of these genes were found in patients with metastatic tumors (either stage metastatic (M) or metastatic special (MS)), 18 months or older at first diagnosis, MYCN amplification, relapsed, and dead. Notably, the degree of methylation of retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) and teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1) predicts event-free and overall survival independently of the established risk factors. In addition, low RB1 mRNA expression levels associate with poor prognosis suggesting that promoter methylation could contribute to the transcriptional silencing of this gene in NB. CONCLUSIONS We found a new epigenetic signature predictive for NB patients' outcome: the methylation status of RB1 and TDGF1 associate with poorer survival. This information is useful to assess prognosis and improve treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yania Yáñez
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Elena Grau
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Virginia C Rodríguez-Cortez
- Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC) Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Gran Via de L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, 08908 Spain
| | - David Hervás
- Biostatistics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Enrique Vidal
- Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Centro de Investigaciones Príncipe Felipe, Carrer d'Eduardo Primo Yúfera, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia, Avda Blasco Ibáñez, Valencia, 46010 Spain
| | - Miguel Hernández
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Vanessa Segura
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Adela Cañete
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Ana Conesa
- Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Centro de Investigaciones Príncipe Felipe, Carrer d'Eduardo Primo Yúfera, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Jaime Font de Mora
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
| | - Victoria Castel
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell, Valencia, 46026 Spain
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Abstract
Recent genomic and biological studies of neuroblastoma have shed light on the dramatic heterogeneity in the clinical behaviour of this disease, which spans from spontaneous regression or differentiation in some patients, to relentless disease progression in others, despite intensive multimodality therapy. This evidence also suggests several possible mechanisms to explain the phenomena of spontaneous regression in neuroblastomas, including neurotrophin deprivation, humoral or cellular immunity, loss of telomerase activity and alterations in epigenetic regulation. A better understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous regression might help to identify optimal therapeutic approaches for patients with these tumours. Currently, the most druggable mechanism is the delayed activation of developmentally programmed cell death regulated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase A pathway. Indeed, targeted therapy aimed at inhibiting neurotrophin receptors might be used in lieu of conventional chemotherapy or radiation in infants with biologically favourable tumours that require treatment. Alternative approaches consist of breaking immune tolerance to tumour antigens or activating neurotrophin receptor pathways to induce neuronal differentiation. These approaches are likely to be most effective against biologically favourable tumours, but they might also provide insights into treatment of biologically unfavourable tumours. We describe the different mechanisms of spontaneous neuroblastoma regression and the consequent therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M Brodeur
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4302, USA
| | - Rochelle Bagatell
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4302, USA
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13
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Malara N, Coluccio ML, Limongi T, Asande M, Trunzo V, Cojoc G, Raso C, Candeloro P, Perozziello G, Raimondo R, De Vitis S, Roveda L, Renne M, Prati U, Mollace V, Di Fabrizio E. Folic acid functionalized surface highlights 5-methylcytosine-genomic content within circulating tumor cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2014; 10:4324-4331. [PMID: 25044603 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201400498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Although the detection of methylated cell free DNA represents one of the most promising approaches for relapse risk assessment in cancer patients, the low concentration of cell-free circulating DNA constitutes the biggest obstacle in the development of DNA methylation-based biomarkers from blood. This paper describes a method for the measurement of genomic methylation content directly on circulating tumor cells (CTC), which could be used to deceive the aforementioned problem. Since CTC are disease related blood-based biomarkers, they result essential to monitor tumor's stadiation, therapy, and early relapsing lesions. Within surface's bio-functionalization and cell's isolation procedure standardization, the presented approach reveals a singular ability to detect high 5-methylcytosine CTC-subset content in the whole CTC compound, by choosing folic acid (FA) as transducer molecule. Sensitivity and specificity, calculated for FA functionalized surface (FA-surface), result respectively on about 83% and 60%. FA-surface, allowing the detection and characterization of early metastatic dissemination, provides a unique advance in the comprehension of tumors progression and dissemination confirming the presence of CTC and its association with high risk of relapse. This functionalized surface identifying and quantifying high 5-methylcytosine CTC-subset content into the patient's blood lead significant progress in cancer risk assessment, also providing a novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Malara
- Italian Institute of Technology, Arnesano, Lecce, Italy; BIONEM, University of Magna Graecia, Campus S. Venuta, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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14
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Li H, Wang Y, Xu W, Dong L, Guo Y, Bi K, Zhu C. Arsenic trioxide inhibits DNA methyltransferase and restores TMS1 gene expression in K562 cells. Acta Haematol 2014; 133:18-25. [PMID: 24993472 DOI: 10.1159/000362683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene silencing associated with aberrant methylation of promoter region CpG islands is an acquired epigenetic alteration that serves as an alternative to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. The demethylating, dose-dependent effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on several tumor-related genes has already been postulated. However, whether such a demethylating effect also applies to the TMS1 gene in chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 cells has not been studied so far. The aim of the present study was to detect the methylation status of the TMS1 gene in K562 cells and the demethylation effect of As2O3 on TMS1 as well as TMS1 apoptosis-associated protein Bcl-2/Bax and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression. METHODS TMS1 mRNA expression in K562 cells and normal bone marrow was determined by reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the DNA methylation status of the TMS1 promoter in K562 cells treated with different concentrations of As2O3 for 48 h was determined by methylation-specific PCR. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect TMS1 and DNMT expression. We also assessed TMS1-associated apoptosis protein Bcl-2/Bax expression by Western blot and apoptosis rates by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide double staining. RESULTS In K562 cells, TMS1 was completely methylated and both TMS1 mRNA and protein showed a low expression, but 2 μmol/l As2O3 could significantly restore the expression of the TMS1 gene both at mRNA and protein level (p < 0.01) by fully reversing DNA methylation. As2O3 decreased mRNA and protein expression of DNMT1 (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry showed that in the experimental group (2 μmol/l As2O3), cell apoptosis was significantly increased compared with the control group (no As2O3; p < 0.05). In the experimental group, Western blot showed that the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly decreased; however, the proapoptotic protein Bax was markedly increased and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was markedly reduced (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS As2O3 could restore the expression of TMS1 by inhibiting DNMT to reverse the hypermethylation and induced apoptosis of K562 cells by downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Li
- Department of Hematology, Qian Foshan Hospital affiliated with Shandong University, Jinan, China
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15
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Decock A, Ongenaert M, Hoebeeck J, De Preter K, Van Peer G, Van Criekinge W, Ladenstein R, Schulte JH, Noguera R, Stallings RL, Van Damme A, Laureys G, Vermeulen J, Van Maerken T, Speleman F, Vandesompele J. Genome-wide promoter methylation analysis in neuroblastoma identifies prognostic methylation biomarkers. Genome Biol 2012; 13:R95. [PMID: 23034519 PMCID: PMC3491423 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2012-13-10-r95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate outcome prediction in neuroblastoma, which is necessary to enable the optimal choice of risk-related therapy, remains a challenge. To improve neuroblastoma patient stratification, this study aimed to identify prognostic tumor DNA methylation biomarkers. Results To identify genes silenced by promoter methylation, we first applied two independent genome-wide methylation screening methodologies to eight neuroblastoma cell lines. Specifically, we used re-expression profiling upon 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) treatment and massively parallel sequencing after capturing with a methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD-seq). Putative methylation markers were selected from DAC-upregulated genes through a literature search and an upfront methylation-specific PCR on 20 primary neuroblastoma tumors, as well as through MBD- seq in combination with publicly available neuroblastoma tumor gene expression data. This yielded 43 candidate biomarkers that were subsequently tested by high-throughput methylation-specific PCR on an independent cohort of 89 primary neuroblastoma tumors that had been selected for risk classification and survival. Based on this analysis, methylation of KRT19, FAS, PRPH, CNR1, QPCT, HIST1H3C, ACSS3 and GRB10 was found to be associated with at least one of the classical risk factors, namely age, stage or MYCN status. Importantly, HIST1H3C and GNAS methylation was associated with overall and/or event-free survival. Conclusions This study combines two genome-wide methylation discovery methodologies and is the most extensive validation study in neuroblastoma performed thus far. We identified several novel prognostic DNA methylation markers and provide a basis for the development of a DNA methylation-based prognostic classifier in neuroblastoma.
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Van De Voorde L, Speeckaert R, Van Gestel D, Bracke M, De Neve W, Delanghe J, Speeckaert M. DNA methylation-based biomarkers in serum of patients with breast cancer. Mutat Res 2012; 751:304-325. [PMID: 22698615 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of genetic and epigenetic features can provide important insights into the natural history of breast cancer. Although DNA methylation analysis is a rapidly developing field, a reproducible epigenetic blood-based assay for diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer has yet to be successfully developed into a routine clinical test. The aim of this study was to review multiple serum DNA methylation assays and to highlight the value of those novel biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of therapeutic outcome. Serum is readily accessible for molecular diagnosis in all individuals from a peripheral blood sample. The list of hypermethylated genes in breast cancer is heterogeneous and no single gene is methylated in all breast cancer types. There is increasing evidence that a panel of epigenetic markers is essential to achieve a higher sensitivity and specificity in breast cancer detection. However, the reported percentages of methylation are highly variable, which can be partly explained by the different sensitivities and the different intra-/inter-assay coefficients of variability of the analysis methods. Moreover, there is a striking lack of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the proposed biomarkers. Another point of criticism is the fact that 'normal' patterns of DNA methylation of some tumor suppressor and other cancer-related genes are influenced by several factors and are often poorly characterized. A relatively frequent methylation of those genes has been observed in high-risk asymptomatic women. Finally, there is a call for larger prospective cohort studies to determine methylation patterns during treatment and follow-up. Identification of patterns specific for a differential response to therapeutic interventions should be useful. Only in this way, it will be possible to evaluate the predictive and prognostic characteristics of those novel promising biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van De Voorde
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Dirk Van Gestel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Bracke
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wilfried De Neve
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joris Delanghe
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marijn Speeckaert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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Overlooking evolution: a systematic analysis of cancer relapse and therapeutic resistance research. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26100. [PMID: 22125594 PMCID: PMC3219640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy selects for cancer cells resistant to treatment, a process that is fundamentally evolutionary. To what extent, however, is the evolutionary perspective employed in research on therapeutic resistance and relapse? We analyzed 6,228 papers on therapeutic resistance and/or relapse in cancers and found that the use of evolution terms in abstracts has remained at about 1% since the 1980s. However, detailed coding of 22 recent papers revealed a higher proportion of papers using evolutionary methods or evolutionary theory, although this number is still less than 10%. Despite the fact that relapse and therapeutic resistance is essentially an evolutionary process, it appears that this framework has not permeated research. This represents an unrealized opportunity for advances in research on therapeutic resistance.
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Gumy-Pause F, Pardo B, Khoshbeen-Boudal M, Ansari M, Gayet-Ageron A, Sappino AP, Attiyeh EF, Ozsahin H. GSTP1 hypermethylation is associated with reduced protein expression, aggressive disease and prognosis in neuroblastoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2011; 51:174-85. [PMID: 22045684 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications such as methylation of CpG islands in tumor-suppressor gene promoter regions have been associated with tumor development in many human cancers. Using methylation specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification method, we analyzed the methylation status of 35 different genes in 16 neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and 50 NB tumor samples (NBs), and investigated whether specific hypermethylation was associated with biological and/or clinical parameters. Among the genes found hypermethylated, the effect of GSTP1 hypermethylation on mRNA and protein expression was also explored. The median number of hypermethylated genes was higher in cell lines compared to NBs (5.5 vs. 2). For eight genes, aberrant methylation of CpG-islands in NB was not (ESR1, PAX5, WT1, CADM1, MSH6, and CDKN2B) or very rarely (CDH13 and GSTP1) reported in literature. GSTP1 was found hypermethylated in 44% of the NB cell lines and in 33% of the stage 4-11qLOH -non MYCN-amplified high risk NBs. Hypermethylation was correlated with reduced mRNA and protein expression. In the whole NBs cohort, GSTP1 hypermethylation was less frequently detected (8%), but found to be associated with lower event-free (EFS) and overall survival. Hypermethylation of GSTP1 showed also association with lower EFS in high risk subgroups as stage 4 and older patients (≥547 days). Our results suggest that, as in several adult cancers, aberrant methylation of GSTP1 may contribute to the carcinogenetic process in NB and could be potentially used as a new marker leading to define an ultra-high risk subgroup.
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