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Giunco S, Padovan M, Angelini C, Cavallin F, Cerretti G, Morello M, Caccese M, Rizzo B, d'Avella D, Puppa AD, Chioffi F, De Bonis P, Zagonel V, De Rossi A, Lombardi G. Prognostic role and interaction of TERT promoter status, telomere length and MGMT promoter methylation in newly diagnosed IDH wild-type glioblastoma patients. ESMO Open 2023; 8:101570. [PMID: 37230028 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical relevance of promoter mutations and single nucleotide polymorphism rs2853669 of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomere length in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) patients remains unclear. Moreover, some studies speculated that TERT promoter status might influence the prognostic role of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in newly diagnosed GBM. We carried out a large study to investigate their clinical impact and their interaction in newly diagnosed GBM patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included 273 newly diagnosed IDH wild-type GBM patients who started treatment at Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS (Padua, Italy) from December 2016 to January 2020. TERT promoter mutations (-124 C>T and -146 C>T) and SNP rs2853669 (-245 T>C), relative telomere length (RTL) and MGMT methylation status were retrospectively assessed in this prospective cohort of patients. RESULTS Median overall survival (OS) of 273 newly diagnosed IDH wild-type GBM patients was 15 months. TERT promoter was mutated in 80.2% of patients, and most had the rs2853669 single nucleotide polymorphism as T/T genotype (46.2%). Median RTL was 1.57 (interquartile range 1.13-2.32). MGMT promoter was methylated in 53.4% of cases. At multivariable analysis, RTL and TERT promoter mutations were not associated with OS or progression-free survival (PFS). Notably, patients C carrier of rs2853669 (C/C+C/T genotypes) showed a better PFS compared with those with the T/T genotype (hazard ratio 0.69, P = 0.007). In terms of OS and PFS, all interactions between MGMT, TERT and RTL and between TERT and rs2853669 genotype were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest the presence of the C variant allele at the rs2853669 of the TERT promoter as an attractive independent prognostic biomarker of disease progression in IDH wild-type GBM patients. RTL and TERT promoter mutational status were not correlated to survival regardless of MGMT methylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giunco
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M Padovan
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - C Angelini
- Neurosurgery, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - F Cavallin
- Independent Statistician, Solagna, Italy
| | - G Cerretti
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M Morello
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M Caccese
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - B Rizzo
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - D d'Avella
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - A D Puppa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Area and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - F Chioffi
- Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera- Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - P De Bonis
- Neurosurgery, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - V Zagonel
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - A De Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - G Lombardi
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
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Telomere Length Changes in Cancer: Insights on Carcinogenesis and Potential for Non-Invasive Diagnostic Strategies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030715. [PMID: 36980987 PMCID: PMC10047978 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere dynamics play a crucial role in the maintenance of chromosome integrity; changes in telomere length may thus contribute to the development of various diseases including cancer. Understanding the role of telomeric DNA in carcinogenesis and detecting the presence of cell-free telomeric DNA (cf-telDNA) in body fluids offer a potential biomarker for novel cancer screening and diagnostic strategies. Liquid biopsy is becoming increasingly popular due to its undeniable benefits over conventional invasive methods. However, the organization and function of cf-telDNA in the extracellular milieu are understudied. This paper provides a review based on 3,398,017 cancer patients, patients with other conditions, and control individuals with the aim to shed more light on the inconsistent nature of telomere lengthening/shortening in oncological contexts. To gain a better understanding of biological factors (e.g., telomerase activation, alternative lengthening of telomeres) affecting telomere homeostasis across different types of cancer, we summarize mechanisms responsible for telomere length maintenance. In conclusion, we compare tissue- and liquid biopsy-based approaches in cancer assessment and provide a brief outlook on the methodology used for telomere length evaluation, highlighting the advances of state-of-the-art approaches in the field.
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Laish I, Levi Z, Mahajna H, Albshesh A, Horesh N, Katz E, Feldman D, Shinar N, Picard O, Yavzori M, Fudim E, Raanani P, Berger T, Goldvaser H, Beery E, Uziel O. Characterization of blood-derived exosomal hTERT mRNA as a biomarker for colon cancer and Lynch syndrome. Front Oncol 2022; 12:962473. [PMID: 36203446 PMCID: PMC9530579 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.962473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)- mRNA was shown to be elevated in exosomes derived from the sera of a variety of hematological and solid cancer patients. We aimed to evaluate its role as a diagnostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed colon cancer and in hereditary syndromes with predisposition to colon cancer. Methods hTERT -mRNA levels were determined in serum-derived exosomes from 88 patients with colon cancer, 71 Lynch-syndrome carriers with unknown active malignancies and 50 healthy controls. Data, including demographics, background diseases, clinical data regarding tumor characteristics and genetic data, were retrieved data from medical files. Results Patients with colon cancer had both higher exosomal hTERT mRNA levels and a higher proportion of patients with positive exosomal hTERT mRNA than controls (29.5% vs. 4%, respectively, P values < 0.001). Within the cancer group, patients with a metastatic disease had higher levels of telomerase mRNA than non-metastatic disease patients, and these levels correlated with CEA levels. Likewise, Lynch syndrome carriers had a higher proportion of positive exosomal hTERT mRNA than controls (21.1% vs. 4%, respectively, P value 0.008) but only a trend towards higher exosomal hTERT mRNA levels. Higher telomerase mRNA levels were not correlated with the mutated gene. Conclusions Exosomal serum hTERT –mRNA levels are associated with metastatic colon cancer and were also demonstrated in a subset of Lynch syndrome carriers. Its significance as a biomarker for developing malignancy should be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Laish
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Ido Laish,
| | - Zohar Levi
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Hussein Mahajna
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ahmad Albshesh
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Horesh
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations B/C, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Efraim Katz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations B/C, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Dan Feldman
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel
| | - Nadav Shinar
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel
| | - Orit Picard
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Miri Yavzori
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ella Fudim
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Pia Raanani
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Tamar Berger
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Hadar Goldvaser
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Oncology, Shaare – Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Einat Beery
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Orit Uziel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
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Giunco S, Boscolo-Rizzo P, Rampazzo E, Tirelli G, Alessandrini L, Di Carlo R, Rossi M, Nicolai P, Menegaldo A, Carraro V, Tofanelli M, Bandolin L, Spinato G, Emanuelli E, Mantovani M, Stellin M, Bussani R, Dei Tos AP, Guido M, Morello M, Fussey J, Esposito G, Polesel J, De Rossi A. TERT Promoter Mutations and rs2853669 Polymorphism: Useful Markers for Clinical Outcome Stratification of Patients With Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:782658. [PMID: 34858860 PMCID: PMC8631274 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.782658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To date, no useful prognostic biomarker exists for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), a tumour with uncertain biological behaviour and subsequent unpredictable clinical course. We aim to investigate the prognostic significance of two recurrent somatic mutations (-124 C>T and -146 C>T) within the promoter of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene and the impact of TERT single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2853669 in patients surgically treated for OCSCC. Methods The genetic frequencies of rs2853669, -124 C>T and -146 C>T as well as the telomere length were investigated in 144 tumours and 57 normal adjacent mucosal (AM) specimens from OCSCC patients. Results Forty-five tumours harboured TERT promoter mutations (31.3%), with -124 C>T and -146 C>T accounting for 64.4% and 35.6% of the alterations respectively. Patients with -124 C>T TERT promoter mutated tumours had the shortest telomeres in the AM (p=0.016) and showed higher risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]:2.75, p=0.0143), death (HR:2.71, p=0.0079) and disease progression (HR:2.71, p=0.0024) with the effect being potentiated by the co-occurrence of T/T genotype of rs2853669. Conclusion -124 C>T TERT promoter mutation as well as the T/T genotype of the rs2853669 SNP are attractive independent prognostic biomarkers in patients surgically treated for OCSCC, with the coexistence of these genetic variants showing a synergistic impact on the aggressiveness of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giunco
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Enrica Rampazzo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Tirelli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lara Alessandrini
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Section of Pathology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Carlo
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Rossi
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Piero Nicolai
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Menegaldo
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Valentina Carraro
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Section of Pathology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Margherita Tofanelli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigia Bandolin
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Spinato
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Enzo Emanuelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Monica Mantovani
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Marco Stellin
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Rossana Bussani
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Pathology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Paolo Dei Tos
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Section of Pathology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Section of Pathology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Marzia Morello
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Jonathan Fussey
- Department of ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Esposito
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Jerry Polesel
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
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5
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Cangemi M, Zanussi S, Rampazzo E, Bidoli E, Giunco S, Tedeschi R, Pratesi C, Martorelli D, Casarotto M, Martellotta F, Schioppa O, Serraino D, Steffan A, De Rossi A, Dolcetti R, Vaccher E. Biological Predictors of De Novo Tumors in Solid Organ Transplanted Patients During Oncological Surveillance: Potential Role of Circulating TERT mRNA. Front Oncol 2021; 11:772348. [PMID: 34746013 PMCID: PMC8567137 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.772348] [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: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background De novo tumors are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after long-term solid organ transplantation. Chronic immunosuppression strongly affects solid organ transplanted (SOT) patients' immune system by promoting immune evasion strategies and reactivations of viruses with oncogenic potential, ultimately leading to cancer onset. In this scenario, an oncological Surveillance Protocol integrated with biobanking of peripheral blood samples and evaluation of immunovirological and molecular parameters was activated for SOT patients at CRO-IRCCS Aviano, with the aim of identifying suitable biomarkers of cancer development. Methods An exploratory longitudinal study was designed based on two serial peripheral blood samples collected at least three months apart. Forty nine SOT patients were selected and stratified by tumor onset during follow-up. Spontaneous T-cell responses to EBV, CMV and tumor associated antigens, EBV-DNA and CMV-DNA loads, and circulating TERT mRNA levels were investigated. Results Significantly higher levels of circulating TERT mRNA were observed 3.5-23.5 months before and close to the diagnosis of cancer as compared to tumor-free patients. Plasmatic TERT mRNA levels >97.73 copies/mL at baseline were significantly associated with the risk of developing de novo tumors (HR=4.0, 95%C.I. = 1.4-11.5, p=0.01). In particular, the risk significantly increased by 4% with every ten-unit increment in TERT mRNA (HR=1.04, 95%C.I. = 1.01-1.07, p=0.01). Conclusions Although obtained in an exploratory study, our data support the importance of identifying early biomarkers of tumor onset in SOT patients useful to modulate the pace of surveillance visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cangemi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Zanussi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Enrica Rampazzo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ettore Bidoli
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Silvia Giunco
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV) - IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Tedeschi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, "S. Maria degli Angeli" Hospital, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Chiara Pratesi
- Clinical Pathology, "S. Maria degli Angeli" Hospital, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Debora Martorelli
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Casarotto
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Martellotta
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy
| | - Ornella Schioppa
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy
| | - Diego Serraino
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV) - IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Emanuela Vaccher
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy
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6
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Dalzini A, Petrara MR, Ballin G, Zanchetta M, Giaquinto C, De Rossi A. Biological Aging and Immune Senescence in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:8041616. [PMID: 32509884 PMCID: PMC7246406 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8041616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic HIV-infected children suffer from premature aging and aging-related diseases. Viral replication induces an ongoing inflammation process, with the release of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), the activation of the immune system, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Although combined highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly modified the natural course of HIV infection, normalization of T and B cell phenotype is not completely achievable; thus, many HIV-infected children display several phenotypical alterations, including higher percentages of activated cells, that favor an accelerated telomere attrition, and higher percentages of exhausted and senescent cells. All these features ultimately lead to the clinical manifestations related to premature aging and comorbidities typically observed in older general population, including non-AIDS-related malignancies. Therefore, even under effective treatment, the premature aging process of HIV-infected children negatively impacts their quality and length of life. This review examines the available data on the impact of HIV and ART on immune and biological senescence of HIV-infected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Dalzini
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ballin
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Mother and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV – IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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7
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TERT promoter hotspot mutations and their relationship with TERT levels and telomere erosion in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:381-389. [PMID: 31960186 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the prevalence of two recurrent somatic mutations (-124 C>T and -146 C>T) within the promoter of the gene encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as well as their relationship with TERT level, telomeres length, and outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). METHODS We evaluate the prevalence of TERT promoter mutations, TERT levels, and telomere length in paired cancer tissue and adjacent mucosa (AM) in a series of HNSCCs. RESULTS Cancer tissue and AM specimens from 105 patients were analyzed. Telomere length and TERT mRNA levels were estimated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. TERT promoter mutations were assessed using Sanger sequencing. Out of 105 cases, 101 were considered suitable for the analysis. TERT promoter harbored mutations in 12 tumors (11.9%), with -124 C>T and -146 C>T accounting for 83.3% and 16.7% of the alterations, respectively. No mutations were detected in AM samples. The prevalence of TERT promoter mutations was significantly higher in oral cavity SCCs (10 out of 27 tumors; 37%), and telomere length in AM was shorter in patients with tumors carrying TERT promoter mutations than in patients with unmutated TERT promoter cancers (p = 0.023). TERT levels in tumor did not significantly differ according to the mutational status of TERT promoter. No significant association was found between TERT promoter status and overall survival. CONCLUSION TERT promoter mutations are most likely a late event in tumor development, occurring in a context of critically short telomeres, mostly in patients with oral cavity SCC. TERT levels, but not TERT promoter mutational status impact clinical outcome.
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8
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Ajina A, Maher J. Synergistic combination of oncolytic virotherapy with CAR T-cell therapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:217-292. [PMID: 31383406 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
For patients with advanced hematological malignancies the therapeutic landscape has been transformed by the emergence of adoptive cell transfer utilizing autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T-cells. However, solid tumors have proved far more resistant to this approach. Here, we summarize the numerous challenges faced by CAR T-cells designed to target solid tumors, highlighting, in particular, issues related to impaired trafficking, expansion, and persistence. In parallel, we draw attention to exciting developments in the burgeoning field of oncolytic virotherapy and posit strategies for the synergistic combination of oncolytic viruses with CAR T-cells to improve outcomes for patients with advanced solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ajina
- King's College London, Division of Cancer Studies, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
| | - John Maher
- King's College London, Division of Cancer Studies, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex, United Kingdom
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Rampazzo E, Del Bianco P, Bertorelle R, Boso C, Perin A, Spiro G, Bergamo F, Belluco C, Buonadonna A, Palazzari E, Leonardi S, De Paoli A, Pucciarelli S, De Rossi A. The predictive and prognostic potential of plasma telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA in rectal cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:878-886. [PMID: 29449673 PMCID: PMC5877438 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is the standard care for locally advanced rectal cancer, but tumour response to CRT and disease outcome are variable. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of plasma telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels in predicting tumour response and clinical outcome. METHODS 176 rectal cancer patients were included. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (before CRT=T0), 2 weeks after CRT was initiated (T1), post-CRT and before surgery (T2), and 4-8 months after surgery (T3) time points. Plasma TERT mRNA levels and total cell-free RNA were determined using real-time PCR. RESULTS Plasma levels of TERT were significantly lower at T2 (P<0.0001) in responders than in non-responders. Post-CRT TERT levels and the differences between pre- and post-CRT TERT levels independently predicted tumour response, and the prediction model had an area under curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-0.87). Multiple analysis demonstrated that patients with detectable TERT levels at T2 and T3 time points had a risk of disease progression 2.13 (95% CI 1.10-4.11)-fold and 4.55 (95% CI 1.48-13.95)-fold higher, respectively, than those with undetectable plasma TERT levels. CONCLUSIONS Plasma TERT levels are independent markers of tumour response and are prognostic of disease progression in rectal cancer patients who undergo neoadjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Rampazzo
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Paola Del Bianco
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistic Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Roberta Bertorelle
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, IOV- IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Caterina Boso
- Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Unit, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Perin
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Giovanna Spiro
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Claudio Belluco
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO)-IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | | | | | - Sara Leonardi
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Pucciarelli
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, IOV- IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
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