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Floros KV, Fairchild CK, Li J, Zhang K, Roberts JL, Kurupi R, Hu B, Kraskauskiene V, Hosseini N, Shen S, Inge MM, Smith-Fry K, Li L, Sotiriou A, Dalton KM, Jose A, Abdelfadiel EI, Xing Y, Hill RD, Slaughter JM, Shende M, Lorenz MR, Hinojosa MR, Belvin BR, Lai Z, Boikos SA, Stamatouli AM, Lewis JP, Manjili MH, Valerie K, Li R, Banito A, Poklepovic A, Koblinski JE, Siggers T, Dozmorov MG, Jones KB, Radhakrishnan SK, Faber AC. Targeting of SUMOylation leads to cBAF complex stabilization and disruption of the SS18::SSX transcriptome in Synovial Sarcoma. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4362092. [PMID: 38883782 PMCID: PMC11177989 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4362092/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Synovial Sarcoma (SS) is driven by the SS18::SSX fusion oncoprotein and is ultimately refractory to therapeutic approaches. SS18::SSX alters ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling BAF (mammalian SWI/SNF) complexes, leading to the degradation of canonical (cBAF) complex and amplified presence of an SS18::SSX-containing non-canonical BAF (ncBAF or GBAF) that drives an SS-specific transcription program and tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that SS18::SSX activates the SUMOylation program and SSs are sensitive to the small molecule SAE1/2 inhibitor, TAK-981. Mechanistically, TAK-981 de-SUMOylates the cBAF subunit SMARCE1, stabilizing and restoring cBAF on chromatin, shifting away from SS18::SSX-ncBAF-driven transcription, associated with DNA damage and cell death and resulting in tumor inhibition across both human and mouse SS tumor models. TAK-981 synergized with cytotoxic chemotherapy through increased DNA damage, leading to tumor regression. Targeting the SUMOylation pathway in SS restores cBAF complexes and blocks the SS18::SSX-ncBAF transcriptome, identifying a therapeutic vulnerability in SS, positioning the in-clinic TAK-981 to treat SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos V. Floros
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Carter K. Fairchild
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jinxiu Li
- University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Jane L. Roberts
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Richard Kurupi
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Vita Kraskauskiene
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Shanwei Shen
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Melissa M. Inge
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kyllie Smith-Fry
- University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Li Li
- University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Afroditi Sotiriou
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research Group, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center, Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Krista M. Dalton
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Asha Jose
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elsamani I. Abdelfadiel
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Yanli Xing
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Ronald D. Hill
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Jamie M. Slaughter
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
| | - Mayuri Shende
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Madelyn R Lorenz
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Mandy R. Hinojosa
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Belvin
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Sosipatros A. Boikos
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW Ste E501, Washington, DC 20007 USA
| | - Angeliki M. Stamatouli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia USA
| | - Janina P. Lewis
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Massey Cancer Center, Richmond VA, USA
| | - Masoud H. Manjili
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Massey Cancer Center, Richmond VA, USA
| | - Kristoffer Valerie
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Renfeng Li
- Program in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Virology Program, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Ana Banito
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research Group, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center, Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew Poklepovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Koblinski
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Trevor Siggers
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Kevin B. Jones
- University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Senthil K. Radhakrishnan
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
| | - Anthony C. Faber
- VCU Philips Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond VA, 23298 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298 USA
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Floros KV, Fairchild CK, Li J, Zhang K, Roberts JL, Kurupi R, Hu B, Kraskauskiene V, Hosseini N, Shen S, Inge MM, Smith-Fry K, Li L, Sotiriou A, Dalton KM, Jose A, Abdelfadiel EI, Xing Y, Hill RD, Slaughter JM, Shende M, Lorenz MR, Hinojosa MR, Belvin BR, Lai Z, Boikos SA, Stamatouli AM, Lewis JP, Manjili MH, Valerie K, Li R, Banito A, Poklepovic A, Koblinski JE, Siggers T, Dozmorov MG, Jones KB, Radhakrishnan SK, Faber AC. Targeting of SUMOylation leads to cBAF complex stabilization and disruption of the SS18::SSX transcriptome in Synovial Sarcoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.25.591023. [PMID: 38712286 PMCID: PMC11071469 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.25.591023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Synovial Sarcoma (SS) is driven by the SS18::SSX fusion oncoprotein. and is ultimately refractory to therapeutic approaches. SS18::SSX alters ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling BAF (mammalian SWI/SNF) complexes, leading to the degradation of canonical (cBAF) complex and amplified presence of an SS18::SSX-containing non-canonical BAF (ncBAF or GBAF) that drives an SS-specific transcription program and tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that SS18::SSX activates the SUMOylation program and SSs are sensitive to the small molecule SAE1/2 inhibitor, TAK-981. Mechanistically, TAK-981 de-SUMOylates the cBAF subunit SMARCE1, stabilizing and restoring cBAF on chromatin, shifting away from SS18::SSX-ncBAF-driven transcription, associated with DNA damage and cell death and resulting in tumor inhibition across both human and mouse SS tumor models. TAK-981 synergized with cytotoxic chemotherapy through increased DNA damage, leading to tumor regression. Targeting the SUMOylation pathway in SS restores cBAF complexes and blocks the SS18::SSX-ncBAF transcriptome, identifying a therapeutic vulnerability in SS, positioning the in-clinic TAK-981 to treat SS.
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Wachtel M, Surdez D, Grünewald TGP, Schäfer BW. Functional Classification of Fusion Proteins in Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1355. [PMID: 38611033 PMCID: PMC11010897 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin. More than 80 entities are associated with different mesenchymal lineages. Sarcomas with fibroblastic, muscle, bone, vascular, adipocytic, and other characteristics are distinguished. Nearly half of all entities contain specific chromosomal translocations that give rise to fusion proteins. These are mostly pathognomonic, and their detection by various molecular techniques supports histopathologic classification. Moreover, the fusion proteins act as oncogenic drivers, and their blockade represents a promising therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the current knowledge on fusion proteins in sarcoma. We categorize the different fusion proteins into functional classes, including kinases, epigenetic regulators, and transcription factors, and describe their mechanisms of action. Interestingly, while fusion proteins acting as transcription factors are found in all mesenchymal lineages, the others have a more restricted pattern. Most kinase-driven sarcomas belong to the fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lineage. Fusion proteins with an epigenetic function are mainly associated with sarcomas of unclear differentiation, suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation leads to a major change in cell identity. Comparison of mechanisms of action reveals recurrent functional modes, including antagonism of Polycomb activity by fusion proteins with epigenetic activity and recruitment of histone acetyltransferases by fusion transcription factors of the myogenic lineage. Finally, based on their biology, we describe potential approaches to block the activity of fusion proteins for therapeutic intervention. Overall, our work highlights differences as well as similarities in the biology of fusion proteins from different sarcomas and provides the basis for a functional classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, a Partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Ma J, Aimudula A. Expression of gasdermin D in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its effect on its biological function. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1163714. [PMID: 37483501 PMCID: PMC10358983 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1163714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of renal cell carcinoma, which suffers from the lack of diagnosis and treatment methods, and many patients cannot be diagnosed at first time. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is involved in inflammatory reactions and pyroptosis and is considered a potential therapeutic target. This paper's aim is to elucidate the expression of GSDMD in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its value for treatment and prognosis, as well as its impact on the biological function of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Method The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to compare the expression of GSDMD in tumor and normal tissues, analyze its correlation with cancer stage and overall survival time, and establish receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, which was confirmed by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and immunohistochemical staining of clinical samples and PCR and Western blotting (WB) of cell lines. The relationship between GSDMD and patient prognosis and staging was analyzed using TCGA database and validated using clinical sample data. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes of GSDMD were screened by TCGA database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) of GSDMD was constructed by GeneMANIA and STRING, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were analyzed by the Metascape database. Then, R software was used to analyze the immune cell infiltration, immune microenvironment score, and tumor mutational burden (TMB) analysis of GSDMD high- and low-expression groups in TCGA database. GSDMD lentivirus was used to transfect 769-P cells to construct stable upregulated and downregulated transfected cell lines. PCR was used to verify the expression differences of differentially expressed genes between the high- and low-expression groups of GSDMD; then, MTT, flow apoptosis, and Transwell were used to detect the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of the transfected cells. Results The results of bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of GSDMD in clear cell renal cell carcinoma was significantly correlated with patient stage and overall survival, and the tumor with high expression of GSDMD had a worse stage and overall survival. GSDMD has some significance in the diagnosis of ccRCC. The results of EMT correlation analysis and enrichment analysis showed that GSDMD was correlated with genes and pathways related to invasion and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. The subsequent immune cell infiltration analysis showed that there were many differences in the infiltration of immune cells between the high- and low-expression groups of GSDMD, such as naive B cells. The immune microenvironment score showed that the high-expression group had a lower proportion of stromal cells than the local expression group but had a higher proportion of immune cells. Through TMB, it was shown that the high-expression group had a higher mutation. The expression of GSDMD in renal cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and in vitro cell experiments was confirmed. According to the prognostic information of clinical patients, it was found that GSDMD was significantly correlated with TNM stage, Fuhrman grade, lymph node metastasis, gender, and smoking or not, and the prognosis of patients with high expression of GSDMD was worse. After that, we constructed stable transfection cell lines with high expression and knockdown through lentivirus transfection and verified the expression amount of differentially expressed genes by PCR, which is consistent with the results of TCGA database. Then, we confirmed that GSDMD is related to proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of ccRCC by MTT, flow apoptosis, and Transwell assay. The low expression of GSDMD inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and migration of tumors and enhances apoptosis and vice versa. Therefore, GSDMD can be used as a potential biological marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichi Zhang
- Urological Center, Xinjiang Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Urological Center, Xinjiang Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Urological Center, Xinjiang Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ainiwaer Aimudula
- Cancer Center, Xinjiang Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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Landuzzi L, Ruzzi F, Lollini PL, Scotlandi K. Synovial Sarcoma Preclinical Modeling: Integrating Transgenic Mouse Models and Patient-Derived Models for Translational Research. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030588. [PMID: 36765545 PMCID: PMC9913760 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Synovial sarcomas (SyS) are rare malignant tumors predominantly affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. The genetic hallmark of SyS is the t(X;18) translocation encoding the SS18-SSX fusion gene. The fusion protein interacts with both the BAF enhancer and polycomb repressor complexes, and either activates or represses target gene transcription, resulting in genome-wide epigenetic perturbations and altered gene expression. Several experimental in in vivo models, including conditional transgenic mouse models expressing the SS18-SSX fusion protein and spontaneously developing SyS, are available. In addition, patient-derived xenografts have been estab-lished in immunodeficient mice, faithfully reproducing the complex clinical heterogeneity. This review focuses on the main molecular features of SyS and the related preclinical in vivo and in vitro models. We will analyze the different conditional SyS mouse models that, after combination with some of the few other recurrent alterations, such as gains in BCL2, Wnt-β-catenin signaling, FGFR family, or loss of PTEN and SMARCB1, have provided additional insight into the mechanisms of synovial sarcomagenesis. The recent advancements in the understanding of SyS biology and improvements in preclinical modeling pave the way to the development of new epigenetic drugs and immunotherapeutic approaches conducive to new treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Landuzzi
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (P.-L.L.); Tel.: +39-051-2094796 (L.L.); +39-051-2094786 (P.-L.L.)
| | - Francesca Ruzzi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (P.-L.L.); Tel.: +39-051-2094796 (L.L.); +39-051-2094786 (P.-L.L.)
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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Eisenhardt AE, Brugger Z, Lausch U, Kiefer J, Zeller J, Runkel A, Schmid A, Bronsert P, Wehrle J, Leithner A, Liegl-Atzwanger B, Giunta RE, Eisenhardt SU, Braig D. Genotyping of Circulating Free DNA Enables Monitoring of Tumor Dynamics in Synovial Sarcomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092078. [PMID: 35565213 PMCID: PMC9105697 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Synovial sarcomas (SS) are rare soft tissue tumors of mesenchymal origin. Following resection of the primary tumor, about one third to half of the patients suffer from recurrence. Detection of local and distant recurrence during follow-up is commonly accomplished by imaging. There are no biomarkers available for routine diagnostics. We employ a highly sensitive targeted next-generation sequencing approach to monitor tumor dynamics by genotyping of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) in SS patients. cfDNA which harbors tumor-specific mutations (circulating tumor-DNA; ctDNA) correlated with the presence of viable tumor tissue. This enables timely and non-invasive detection of tumor recurrence and monitoring of treatment response independent of the anatomic location. Abstract Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft tissue tumor of mesenchymal origin that frequently occurs in young adults. Translocation of the SYT gene on chromosome 18 to the SSX genes on chromosome X leads to the formation of oncogenic fusion genes, which lead to initiation and proliferation of tumor cells. The detection and quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can serve as a non-invasive method for diagnostics of local or distant tumor recurrence, which could improve survival rates due to early detection. Methods: We developed a subtype-specific targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach specifically targeting SS t(X;18)(p11;q11), which fuses SS18 (SYT) in chromosome 18 to SSX1 or SSX2 in chromosome x, and recurrent point mutations. In addition, patient-specific panels were designed from tumor exome sequencing. Both approaches were used to quantify ctDNA in patients’ plasma. Results: The subtype-specific assay allowed detection of somatic mutations from 25/25 tumors with a mean of 1.68 targetable mutations. The minimal limit of detection was determined at a variant allele frequency of 0.05%. Analysis of 29 plasma samples from 15 tumor patients identified breakpoint ctDNA in 6 patients (sensitivity: 40%, specificity 100%). The addition of more mutations further increased assay sensitivity. Quantification of ctDNA in plasma samples (n = 11) from one patient collected over 3 years, with a patient-specific panel based on tumor exome sequencing, correlated with the clinical course, response to treatment and tumor volume. Conclusions: Targeted NGS allows for highly sensitive tumor profiling and non-invasive detection of ctDNA in SS patients, enabling non-invasive monitoring of tumor dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja E. Eisenhardt
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Zacharias Brugger
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Ute Lausch
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Jurij Kiefer
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Johannes Zeller
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Alexander Runkel
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Adrian Schmid
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
- Tumorbank Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julius Wehrle
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Andreas Leithner
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | | | - Riccardo E. Giunta
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany;
| | - Steffen U. Eisenhardt
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
| | - David Braig
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.E.E.); (Z.B.); (U.L.); (J.K.); (J.Z.); (A.R.); (A.S.); (S.U.E.)
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany;
- Correspondence:
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7
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Kojima Y, Shimoi T, Seo T, Yazaki S, Okuya T, Ohtake Y, Okuma HS, Shimomura A, Nishikawa T, Tanioka M, Sudo K, Noguchi E, Tamura K, Yoshida A, Iwata S, Kobayashi E, Kawai A, Fujiwara Y, Yonemori K. Poor Treatment Outcomes with Second-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Synovial Sarcoma. Oncology 2022; 100:370-375. [DOI: 10.1159/000524500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Synovial sarcoma predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Doxorubicin with or without ifosfamide therapy is the standard first-line treatment for unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma. However, there is no standard second-line chemotherapy regimen. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the outcomes of second-line chemotherapy for patients with synovial sarcoma. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 61 patients with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma who had received first-line chemotherapy at our institution between 1997 and 2017. Patients who received second-line chemotherapy were included in the analysis. Outcomes of the chemotherapy were evaluated. Results: Among the 61 patients treated with first-line chemotherapy, we identified 32 patients who received second-line chemotherapy. Most patients (62.5%) were under 40 years of age. Regarding second-line chemotherapy regimens, 6 (18.8%) patients were treated with doxorubicin with/without ifosfamide, 6 (18.8%) with ifosfamide and etoposide, 4 (12.5%) with docetaxel and gemcitabine, 5 (15.6%) with pazopanib, 2 (6.2%) with trabectedin, and 1 (3.1%) with eribulin. The overall response rate according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors for all patients was 9.4%. Eleven patients (34.3%) achieved disease-control for > 6 months. The median follow-up duration was 15.2 months. The 1-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 33.1% and 67.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Our exploratory study revealed that the response rate of second-line chemotherapy regimens for patients with synovial sarcoma was 9.4%. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more active therapeutic regimens for synovial sarcomas.
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SYT-SSX1 enhances the invasiveness and maintains stem-like cell properties in synovial sarcoma via induction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:166. [PMID: 35151264 PMCID: PMC8841078 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09229-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a type of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of undetermined tissue origin, which is characterized by the recurrent pathognomonic chromosomal translocation t (X;18)(p11.2; q11.2). Studies have shown that SS is a malignant tumor originating from cancer stem cells or pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells and may be related to fusion genes. In addition, some studies have indicated that the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway leads to SS metastasis. Methods We analyzed the effects of SYT-SSX1 on the stemness of SS cells via TGF-β1/Smad signaling in vitro. The SYT-SSX1 fusion gene high expression cell was constructed by lentiviral stable transfer technology. SYT-SSX1 and SW982 cells were cultured and tested for sphere-forming ability. The transwell migration assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the migration ability of the sphere cells as well as the expression of CSC-related markers. We treated SYT-SSX1 cells with rhTGF-β1 (a recombinant agent of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway) and SB431542 and observed morphological changes. A CCK-8 experiment and a western blot (WB) experiment were conducted to detect the expression of TGF-β1 signaling pathway- and EMT-related proteins after treatment. The SYT-SSX1 cells were then cultured and their ability to form spheres was tested. Flow cytometry, WB, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of CSC surface markers on SYT-SSX1 sphere cells. Results It was found that SYT-SSX1 has stronger sphere-forming ability, migration ability, and higher expression of CSC-related molecules than SW982 cells. Through treating SYT-SSX1 and SW982 cells with rhTGF-β1 and SB431542, we found that TGF-β1 enhanced the proliferation of cells, induced EMT, and that TGF-β1 enhanced the characteristics of tumor stem cells. Conclusions Our results suggest that SYT-SSX1 enhances invasiveness and maintains stemness in SS cells via TGF-β1/Smad signaling. These findings reveal an effective way to potentially improve the prognosis of patients with SS by eliminating the characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs) during treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09229-5.
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Damerell V, Pepper MS, Prince S. Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:246. [PMID: 34188019 PMCID: PMC8241855 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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10
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Abstract
The function of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in transcriptional regulation and its role in oncogenesis have been well established. Here we discuss a transcription-independent HDAC2 pathway controlling cancer-related protein stability via the mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) ubiquitin ligase. In synovial sarcoma, HDAC2 inactivation demonstrates significant therapeutic effect by degradation of the SS18-SSX driver oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Le Su
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
- CONTACT Le Su HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, AL35806, USA
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11
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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12
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Kozak K, Teterycz P, Świtaj T, Koseła-Paterczyk H, Falkowski S, Morysiński T, Bartnik E, Czarnecka AM, Wągrodzki M, Ługowska I, Rutkowski P. The Long-Term Outcomes of Intensive Combined Therapy of Adult Patients with Localised Synovial Sarcoma. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103129. [PMID: 32998194 PMCID: PMC7601566 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Synovial sarcoma (SaSy) is a high-grade, malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS) accounting for 5–9% of STS. The aim of this study was to analyse outcomes of patients with localised SaSy treated in a single institution with a uniform neo- and adjuvant-combined therapy protocol. Methods: 171 patients with stage II/III SaSy were treated between 1997 and 2014. Chemotherapy consisted of 4 cycles of ifosfamide 12 g/m2 and two cycles of a doxorubicin-based regimen 75 mg/m2. With the exception of patients who underwent amputation, all patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Results: Median age was 33 years (range 17–69). Tumours larger than 5 cm in size were found in 70% of patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) rates were 75%, 80% and 60%, respectively. In multivariate Cox’s regression, age > 35 years, male sex, larger tumour size and histology other than monophasic were associated with worse OS. Conclusions: In adult patients with localised SaSy, long-term survival can be achieved in a significant proportion of cases with intensive combined therapy. The multivariate analysis identified age, sex, disease stage and histology subtype as independent prognostic factors of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kozak
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Paweł Teterycz
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
| | - Tomasz Świtaj
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
| | - Hanna Koseła-Paterczyk
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
| | - Sławomir Falkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
| | - Tadeusz Morysiński
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
| | - Ewa Bartnik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M. Czarnecka
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Wągrodzki
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Iwona Ługowska
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
- Early Phase Clinical Trials Unit, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (P.T.); (T.Ś.); (H.K.-P.); (S.F.); (T.M.); (A.M.C.); (I.Ł.); (P.R.)
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Sekita T, Yamada T, Kobayashi E, Yoshida A, Hirozane T, Kawai A, Uno Y, Moriyama H, Sawa M, Nagakawa Y, Tsuchida A, Matsumoto M, Nakamura M, Nakayama R, Masuda M. Feasibility of Targeting Traf2-and-Nck-Interacting Kinase in Synovial Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051258. [PMID: 32429395 PMCID: PMC7281028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The treatment of patients with metastatic synovial sarcoma is still challenging, and the development of new molecular therapeutics is desirable. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling has been implicated in synovial sarcoma. Traf2-and-Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) is an essential transcriptional co-regulator of Wnt target genes. We examined the efficacy of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to TNIK and a small-molecule TNIK inhibitor, NCB-0846, for synovial sarcoma. Methods: The expression of TNIK was determined in 20 clinical samples of synovial sarcoma. The efficacy of NCB-0846 was evaluated in four synovial sarcoma cell lines and a mouse xenograft model. Results: We found that synovial sarcoma cell lines with Wnt activation were highly dependent upon the expression of TNIK for proliferation and survival. NCB-0846 induced apoptotic cell death in synovial sarcoma cells through blocking of Wnt target genes including MYC, and oral administration of NCB-846 induced regression of xenografts established by inoculation of synovial sarcoma cells. Discussion: It has become evident that activation of Wnt signaling is causatively involved in the pathogenesis of synovial sarcoma, but no molecular therapeutics targeting the pathway have been approved. This study revealed for the first time the therapeutic potential of TNIK inhibition in synovial sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Sekita
- Laboratory of Collaborative Research, Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (T.S.); (M.M.)
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (T.H.); (M.M.); (M.N.); (R.N.)
| | - Tesshi Yamada
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (Y.N.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eisuke Kobayashi
- Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (E.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Akihiko Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan;
| | - Toru Hirozane
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (T.H.); (M.M.); (M.N.); (R.N.)
| | - Akira Kawai
- Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (E.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Yuko Uno
- Carna Biosciences, Inc., Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Hideki Moriyama
- Carna Biosciences, Inc., Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Masaaki Sawa
- Carna Biosciences, Inc., Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Yuichi Nagakawa
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (Y.N.); (A.T.)
| | - Akihiko Tsuchida
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (Y.N.); (A.T.)
| | - Morio Matsumoto
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (T.H.); (M.M.); (M.N.); (R.N.)
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (T.H.); (M.M.); (M.N.); (R.N.)
| | - Robert Nakayama
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (T.H.); (M.M.); (M.N.); (R.N.)
| | - Mari Masuda
- Laboratory of Collaborative Research, Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (T.S.); (M.M.)
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14
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Knott MML, Hölting TLB, Ohmura S, Kirchner T, Cidre-Aranaz F, Grünewald TGP. Targeting the undruggable: exploiting neomorphic features of fusion oncoproteins in childhood sarcomas for innovative therapies. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019; 38:625-642. [PMID: 31970591 PMCID: PMC6994515 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
While sarcomas account for approximately 1% of malignant tumors of adults, they are particularly more common in children and adolescents affected by cancer. In contrast to malignancies that occur in later stages of life, childhood tumors, including sarcoma, are characterized by a striking paucity of somatic mutations. However, entity-defining fusion oncogenes acting as the main oncogenic driver mutations are frequently found in pediatric bone and soft-tissue sarcomas such as Ewing sarcoma (EWSR1-FLI1), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (PAX3/7-FOXO1), and synovial sarcoma (SS18-SSX1/2/4). Since strong oncogene-dependency has been demonstrated in these entities, direct pharmacological targeting of these fusion oncogenes has been excessively attempted, thus far, with limited success. Despite apparent challenges, our increasing understanding of the neomorphic features of these fusion oncogenes in conjunction with rapid technological advances will likely enable the development of new strategies to therapeutically exploit these neomorphic features and to ultimately turn the "undruggable" into first-line target structures. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the current literature on targeting neomorphic features of fusion oncogenes found in Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma, and give a perspective for future developments. Graphical abstract Scheme depicting the different targeting strategies of fusion oncogenes in pediatric fusion-driven sarcomas. Fusion oncogenes can be targeted on their DNA level (1), RNA level (2), protein level (3), and by targeting downstream functions and interaction partners (4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilman L B Hölting
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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15
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Lanzi C, Dal Bo L, Favini E, Tortoreto M, Beretta GL, Arrighetti N, Zaffaroni N, Cassinelli G. Overactive IGF1/Insulin Receptors and NRASQ61R Mutation Drive Mechanisms of Resistance to Pazopanib and Define Rational Combination Strategies to Treat Synovial Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030408. [PMID: 30909453 PMCID: PMC6468361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pazopanib is approved for treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas, but primary and secondary drug resistance limits its clinical utility. We investigated the molecular mechanisms mediating pazopanib resistance in human synovial sarcoma (SS) models. We found reduced cell sensitivity to pazopanib associated with inefficient inhibition of the two critical signaling nodes, AKT and ERKs, despite strong inhibition of the main drug target, PDGFRα. In the CME-1 cell line, overactivation of IGF1 and Insulin receptors (IGF1R/InsR) sustained AKT activation and pazopanib resistance, which was overcome by a combination treatment with the double IGF1R/InsR inhibitor BMS754807. In the highly pazopanib resistant MoJo cell line, NRASQ61R mutation sustained constitutive ERK activation. Transfection of the NRAS mutant in the pazopanib sensitive SYO-1 cell line increased the drug IC50. MoJo cells treatment with pazopanib in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib restored ERK inhibition, synergistically inhibited cell growth, and induced apoptosis. The combination significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy against MoJo orthotopic xenograft abrogating growth in 38% of mice. These findings identified two different mechanisms of intrinsic pazopanib resistance in SS cells, supporting molecular/immunohistochemical profiling of tumor specimens as a valuable approach to selecting patients who may benefit from rational drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lanzi
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Dal Bo
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Enrica Favini
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Monica Tortoreto
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Luca Beretta
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Cassinelli
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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16
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Perry JA, Seong BKA, Stegmaier K. Biology and Therapy of Dominant Fusion Oncoproteins Involving Transcription Factor and Chromatin Regulators in Sarcomas. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030518-055710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A third of soft tissue sarcomas have been shown to carry recurrent, characteristic chromosomal translocations, many of which generate fusion proteins that act as dominant transcription factors or as chromatin regulators. With routine use of massively parallel sequencing and advances in technology for the study of epigenetics and protein complexes, the last decade has seen a marked advancement in the identification of novel fusions and in our understanding of the mechanisms by which they contribute to the malignant state. Moreover, with new approaches in chemistry, such as the strategy of targeted protein degradation, we are now better poised to address these previously intractable targets. In this review, we describe three of the most common fusion-driven sarcomas (Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma), mechanistic themes emerging across these diseases, and novel approaches to their targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Perry
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Bo Kyung Alex Seong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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17
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Outani H, Nakamura T, Murata H, Stevenson J, Parry M, Gregory J, Tillman R, Jeys L, Abudu A. Localized synovial sarcoma: A single institutional study of 191 patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years for survivors. J Surg Oncol 2019; 119:850-855. [PMID: 30786036 DOI: 10.1002/jso.25417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Factors affecting long-term outcomes of synovial sarcoma (SS) remain unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the long-term oncological outcomes and prognostic factors in a large group of patients with surgically-treated localized SS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1980 and 2011, 191 patients (94 males and 97 females) were treated at a single hospital with a minimum follow-up of 5 years for survivors. The median age was 35 years (range, 3-80 years), and the median follow-up period was 83 months (range, 3-235 months). RESULTS Disease-specific survival was 76.4% and 60.4% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Local recurrence occurred in 23 patients at a median of 33 months (range, 6-158 months), and metastasis occurred in 73 patients at a median of 20 months (range, 2-166 months). In multivariate analysis, grade 3 tumors sized ≥5 cm were significantly associated with worse survival. Ten patients (5.2%) developed metastasis more than 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION Tumor size and grade govern prognosis in surgically-treated localized SS in long-term settings. If adequately treated patients have not developed metastases for 5 years after surgery, the risk of subsequently developing metastases was lower than previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetatsu Outani
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Murata
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jonathan Stevenson
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Parry
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Gregory
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Tillman
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Jeys
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Adesegun Abudu
- Oncology Service, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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18
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Patel N, Wang J, Shiozawa K, Jones KB, Zhang Y, Prokop JW, Davenport GG, Nihira NT, Hao Z, Wong D, Brandsmeier L, Meadows SK, Sampaio AV, Werff RV, Endo M, Capecchi MR, McNagny KM, Mak TW, Nielsen TO, Underhill TM, Myers RM, Kondo T, Su L. HDAC2 Regulates Site-Specific Acetylation of MDM2 and Its Ubiquitination Signaling in Tumor Suppression. iScience 2019; 13:43-54. [PMID: 30818224 PMCID: PMC6393697 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are promising targets for cancer therapy, although their individual actions remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify a role for HDAC2 in the regulation of MDM2 acetylation at previously uncharacterized lysines. Upon inactivation of HDAC2, this acetylation creates a structural signal in the lysine-rich domain of MDM2 to prevent the recognition and degradation of its downstream substrate, MCL-1 ubiquitin ligase E3 (MULE). This mechanism further reveals a therapeutic connection between the MULE ubiquitin ligase function and tumor suppression. Specifically, we show that HDAC inhibitor treatment promotes the accumulation of MULE, which diminishes the t(X; 18) translocation-associated synovial sarcomagenesis by directly targeting the fusion product SS18-SSX for degradation. These results uncover a new HDAC2-dependent pathway that integrates reversible acetylation signaling to the anticancer ubiquitin response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Patel
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Juehong Wang
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Kumiko Shiozawa
- Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Department of Orthopaedics and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Jeremy W Prokop
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | - Naoe T Nihira
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhenyue Hao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Derek Wong
- Biomdical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Sarah K Meadows
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Arthur V Sampaio
- Biomdical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ryan Vander Werff
- Biomdical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Makoto Endo
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Mario R Capecchi
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kelly M McNagny
- Biomdical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tak W Mak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Torsten O Nielsen
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - T Michael Underhill
- Biomdical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Richard M Myers
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Tadashi Kondo
- Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Le Su
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA.
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19
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Ishii M, Suehara Y, Sano K, Kohsaka S, Hayashi T, Kazuno S, Akaike K, Mukaihara K, Kim Y, Okubo T, Takamochi K, Takahashi F, Kaneko K, Saito T. Proteomic signatures corresponding to the SS18/SSX fusion gene in synovial sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:37509-37519. [PMID: 30680066 PMCID: PMC6331019 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft tissue lesion and most commonly arises in young adults. Chromosomal translocation t(X;18)(p11;q11) results in the formation of SS18/SSX by gene fusion of the SS18 gene on chromosome 18 to either SSX1, SSX2, or SSX4 gene located on chromosome X, which is detected in more than 95% of SSs. Although multiple lines of evidence suggest that the SS18/SSX fusion is the oncogene in this tumor, the protein expression profiles associated with SS18/SSX have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we conducted proteomic studies using SS18/SSX knockdown in three SS cell lines to identify the regulated proteins associated with SS18/SSX in SS. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (i-TRAQ) analyses identified approximate 1700–2,000 proteins regulated by the SS18/SSX fusion in each SS cell line. We also analyzed the three profiles to identify proteins that were similarly altered in all 3 cell lines and found 17 consistently upregulated and 18 consistently downregulated proteins, including TAGLN and ACTN4. In addition, network analyses identified several critical pathways including RUNX2 and SMARCA4. RUNX2 and SMARCA4 had the highest ranking in these identified pathways. In addition, we found that expression of TAGLN inhibited cell viability in SS cell lines. Our data suggest that the differentiation and cell growth of SS may be enhanced by the identified proteins induced by SS18/SSX. We believe that the findings obtained in the present functional analyses will help to improve our understanding of the relationship between SS18/SSX and malignant behavior in SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori Ishii
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Sano
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Department of Medical Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saiko Kazuno
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Biomolecular Science, Research Support Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Akaike
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Mukaihara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Youngji Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketo Okubo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Takamochi
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kaneko
- Department of Medical Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Genadry KC, Pietrobono S, Rota R, Linardic CM. Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cancer Stem Cells: An Overview. Front Oncol 2018; 8:475. [PMID: 30416982 PMCID: PMC6212576 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are an uncommon group of solid tumors that can arise throughout the human lifespan. Despite their commonality as non-bony cancers that develop from mesenchymal cell precursors, they are heterogeneous in their genetic profiles, histology, and clinical features. This has made it difficult to identify a single target or therapy specific to STSs. And while there is no one cell of origin ascribed to all STSs, the cancer stem cell (CSC) principle—that a subpopulation of tumor cells possesses stem cell-like properties underlying tumor initiation, therapeutic resistance, disease recurrence, and metastasis—predicts that ultimately it should be possible to identify a feature common to all STSs that could function as a therapeutic Achilles' heel. Here we review the published evidence for CSCs in each of the most common STSs, then focus on the methods used to study CSCs, the developmental signaling pathways usurped by CSCs, and the epigenetic alterations critical for CSC identity that may be useful for further study of STS biology. We conclude with discussion of some challenges to the field and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia C Genadry
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Silvia Pietrobono
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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21
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Namatame N, Tamaki N, Yoshizawa Y, Okamura M, Nishimura Y, Yamazaki K, Tanaka M, Nakamura T, Semba K, Yamori T, Yaguchi SI, Dan S. Antitumor profile of the PI3K inhibitor ZSTK474 in human sarcoma cell lines. Oncotarget 2018; 9:35141-35161. [PMID: 30416685 PMCID: PMC6205545 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of patients with advanced sarcoma remains challenging due to lack of effective medicine, with the development of novel drugs being of keen interest. A pan-PI3K inhibitor, ZSTK474, has been evaluated in clinical trials against a range of advanced solid tumors, with clinical benefit shown in sarcoma patients. In the present study, we developed a panel of 14 human sarcoma cell lines and investigated the antitumor effect of 24 anticancer agents including ZSTK474, other PI3K inhibitors, and those clinically used for sarcoma treatment. ZSTK474 exhibited a similar antiproliferative profile to other PI3K inhibitors but was clearly different from the other drugs examined. Indeed, ZSTK474 inhibited PI3K-downstream pathways, in parallel to growth inhibition, in all cell lines examined, showing proof-of-concept of PI3K inhibition. In addition, ZSTK474 induced apoptosis selectively in Ewing's sarcoma (RD-ES and A673), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (SJCRH30) and synovial sarcoma (SYO-1, Aska-SS and Yamato-SS) cell lines, all of which harbor chromosomal translocation and resulting oncogenic fusion genes, EWSR1-FLI1, PAX3-FOXO1 and SS18-SSX, respectively. Finally, animal experiments confirmed the antitumor activity of ZSTK474 in vivo, with superior efficacy observed in translocation-positive cells. These results suggest that ZSTK474 could be a promising drug candidate for treating sarcomas, especially those harboring chromosomal translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nachi Namatame
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.,R&D Center, Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naomi Tamaki
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Yoshizawa
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Okamura
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumiko Nishimura
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanami Yamazaki
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Semba
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takao Yamori
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.,Present address: Center for Product Evaluation, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yaguchi
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.,R&D Center, Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shingo Dan
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Natarajan V, Ramanathan P, Gopisetty G, Ramachandran B, Thangarajan R, Kesavan S. In silico and in vitro screening of small molecule Inhibitors against SYT-SSX1 fusion protein in synovial sarcoma. Comput Biol Chem 2018; 77:36-43. [PMID: 30219714 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma (SS) is characterized by a tumour specific chromosomal translocation t(X;18) (p11;q11) which results in the formation of SYT-SSX1 fusion protein. This fusion protein represents a clear therapeutic target and molecules specifically targeting SYT-SSX1 fusion protein are currently not available. In this study, SYT-SSX1 fusion protein sequence was retrieved from Uniprot and 3D structure was generated using I-TASSER modeling program. A structure based computational screening approach has been employed using Glide docking software to identify potential SYT-SSX1 small molecule inhibitors that bind to the junction region of the fusion protein. The obtained inhibitors were further filtered based on the docking score and ADME/T properties. Ten best fit compounds were chosen for in vitro studies. The anti-proliferative activities of these 10 compounds were screened in Yamato, ASKA (carries SYT-SSX1 fusion protein) and other sarcoma cell lines such as A673, 143B to understand the specificity of inhibition of the chosen compounds. The in vitro activity was compared against HEK293 cell lines. The compound 5-fluoro-3-(1-phenyl-1H-tetraazol-5-yl)-1H-indole (FPTI) was found to be selectively cytotoxic in synovial sarcoma cell lines (Yamato and ASKA) and this compound also showed insignificant anti proliferative activity on other cell lines. Further, target gene expression study confirmed that FPTI treatment down-regulated SYT-SSX1 and modulated its downstream target genes. Cell cycle analysis revealed the involvement of an apoptotic mechanism of cell death. Further experimental validations may elucidate the therapeutic potentials of FPTI against SYT-SSX1 fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valliyammai Natarajan
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Priya Ramanathan
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Gopal Gopisetty
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Balaji Ramachandran
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Rajkumar Thangarajan
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Sabitha Kesavan
- Dept of Molecular Oncology, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi Campus, Cancer Institute (WIA), Guindy, Chennai, 600036, India.
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23
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Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. PAX3-FOXO1: Zooming in on an “undruggable” target. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 50:115-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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24
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Peng C, Zhao H, Chen W, Song Y, Wang X, Li J, Qiao Y, Wu D, Ma S, Wang X, Gao C. Identification of SHCBP1 as a novel downstream target gene of SS18-SSX1 and its functional analysis in progression of synovial sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:66822-66834. [PMID: 27572315 PMCID: PMC5341840 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The SS18-SSX1 fusion gene has been shown to play important roles in the development of synovial sarcoma (SS), but the underlying molecular mechanisms and its downstream target genes are still not clear. Here SHC SH2-domain binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) was identified and validated to be a novel downstream target gene of SS18-SSX1 by using microarray assay, quantitative real-time (qPCR) and western blot. Expression of SHCBP1 was firstly confirmed in SS cell line and SS tissues. The effects of SHCBP1 overexpression or knockdown on SS cell proliferation and tumorigenicity were then studied by cell proliferation, DNA replication, colony formation, flow cytometric assays, and its in vivo tumorigenesis was determined in the nude mice. Meanwhile, the related signaling pathways of SHCBP1 were also examined in SS cells. The results indicated that SHCBP1 was significantly increased in SS cells and SS tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. The expression of SHCBP1 was demonstrated to be positively correlated with the SS18-SSX1 level. Overexpression and ablation of SHCBP1 promoted and inhibited, respectively, the proliferation and tumorigenicity of SS cells in vitro. SHCBP1 knockdown also significantly inhibited SS cell growth in nude mice, and lowered the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and cyclin D1 expression. Our findings disclose that SHCBP1 is a novel downstream target gene of SS18-SSX1, and demonstrate that the oncogene SS18-SSX1 promotes tumorigenesis by increasing the expression of SHCBP1, which normally acts as a tumor promoting factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Peng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Song
- Nephrology Research Institute, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Qiao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Dongjin Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Shengzhong Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiuwen Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Chunzheng Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, China
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25
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Next generation sequencing in synovial sarcoma reveals novel gene mutations. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34680-90. [PMID: 26415226 PMCID: PMC4741482 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 95% of all synovial sarcomas (SS) share a unique translocation, t(X;18), however, they show heterogeneous clinical behavior. We analyzed multiple SS to reveal additional genetic alterations besides the translocation. Twenty-six SS from 22 patients were sequenced for 409 cancer-related genes using the Comprehensive Cancer Panel (Life Technologies, USA) on an Ion Torrent platform. The detected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and compared to matched normal DNAs. Copy number variation was assessed in six tumors using the Oncoscan array (Affymetrix, USA). In total, eight somatic mutations were detected in eight samples. These mutations have not been reported previously in SS. Two of these, in KRAS and CCND1, represent known oncogenic mutations in other malignancies. Additional mutations were detected in RNF213, SEPT9, KDR, CSMD3, MLH1 and ERBB4. DNA alterations occurred more often in adult tumors. A distinctive loss of 6q was found in a metastatic lesion progressing under pazopanib, but not in the responding lesion. Our results emphasize t(X;18) as a single initiating event in SS and as the main oncogenic driver. Our results also show the occurrence of additional genetic events, mutations or chromosomal aberrations, occurring more frequently in SS with an onset in adults.
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26
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Kawano S, Grassian AR, Tsuda M, Knutson SK, Warholic NM, Kuznetsov G, Xu S, Xiao Y, Pollock RM, Smith JS, Kuntz KK, Ribich S, Minoshima Y, Matsui J, Copeland RA, Tanaka S, Keilhack H. Preclinical Evidence of Anti-Tumor Activity Induced by EZH2 Inhibition in Human Models of Synovial Sarcoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158888. [PMID: 27391784 PMCID: PMC4938529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The catalytic activities of covalent and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling are central to regulating the conformational state of chromatin and the resultant transcriptional output. The enzymes that catalyze these activities are often contained within multiprotein complexes in nature. Two such multiprotein complexes, the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) methyltransferase and the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeler have been reported to act in opposition to each other during development and homeostasis. An imbalance in their activities induced by mutations/deletions in complex members (e.g. SMARCB1) has been suggested to be a pathogenic mechanism in certain human cancers. Here we show that preclinical models of synovial sarcoma—a cancer characterized by functional SMARCB1 loss via its displacement from the SWI/SNF complex through the pathognomonic SS18-SSX fusion protein—display sensitivity to pharmacologic inhibition of EZH2, the catalytic subunit of PRC2. Treatment with tazemetostat, a clinical-stage, selective and orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of EZH2 enzymatic activity reverses a subset of synovial sarcoma gene expression and results in concentration-dependent cell growth inhibition and cell death specifically in SS18-SSX fusion-positive cells in vitro. Treatment of mice bearing either a cell line or two patient-derived xenograft models of synovial sarcoma leads to dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition with correlative inhibition of trimethylation levels of the EZH2-specific substrate, lysine 27 on histone H3. These data demonstrate a dependency of SS18-SSX-positive, SMARCB1-deficient synovial sarcomas on EZH2 enzymatic activity and suggests the potential utility of EZH2-targeted drugs in these genetically defined cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra R. Grassian
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ARG); (SR)
| | - Masumi Tsuda
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Sarah K. Knutson
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - Shanqin Xu
- Eisai Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yonghong Xiao
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roy M. Pollock
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jesse S. Smith
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin K. Kuntz
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Scott Ribich
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ARG); (SR)
| | | | | | | | - Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Heike Keilhack
- Epizyme Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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27
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Nielsen TO, Poulin NM, Ladanyi M. Synovial sarcoma: recent discoveries as a roadmap to new avenues for therapy. Cancer Discov 2015; 5:124-34. [PMID: 25614489 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-14-1246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Oncogenesis in synovial sarcoma is driven by the chromosomal translocation t(X,18; p11,q11), which generates an in-frame fusion of the SWI/SNF subunit SS18 to the C-terminal repression domains of SSX1 or SSX2. Proteomic studies have identified an integral role of SS18-SSX in the SWI/SNF complex, and provide new evidence for mistargeting of polycomb repression in synovial sarcoma. Two recent in vivo studies are highlighted, providing additional support for the importance of WNT signaling in synovial sarcoma: One used a conditional mouse model in which knockout of β-catenin prevents tumor formation, and the other used a small-molecule inhibitor of β-catenin in xenograft models. SIGNIFICANCE Synovial sarcoma appears to arise from still poorly characterized immature mesenchymal progenitor cells through the action of its primary oncogenic driver, the SS18-SSX fusion gene, which encodes a multifaceted disruptor of epigenetic control. The effects of SS18-SSX on polycomb-mediated gene repression and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling have recently come into focus and may offer new insights into the basic function of these processes. A central role for deregulation of WNT-β-catenin signaling in synovial sarcoma has also been strengthened by recent in vivo studies. These new insights into the the biology of synovial sarcoma are guiding novel preclinical and clinical studies in this aggressive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten O Nielsen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Neal M Poulin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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