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Alexandraki KI, Papadimitriou E, Spyroglou A, Karapanagioti A, Antonopoulou I, Theohari I, Violetis O, Sotiropoulos GC, Theocharis S, Kaltsas GA. Immunohistochemical expression of ephrin receptors in neuroendocrine neoplasms: a case-series of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and a systematic review of the literature. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-04079-6. [PMID: 39425842 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-04079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) receptors are the largest known family of tyrosine kinases receptors (TKR) in humans, implicated in cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. The aim of the present study is to assess the expression of EPHs in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of specimens of 30 patients with gastroenteropancreatic and lung NENs was performed for EPH-A1, EPH-A2, EPH-A4, EPH-A5 protein expression, in addition to ki-67 multiplication index and programmed death-ligand 1. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of the available literature in three different databases reporting on the expression of EPH in all neuroendocrine neoplasms. RESULTS Positive expression was seen in 16/19 (84%) specimens for EPH-A1, 15/23 (65%) for EPH-A2, 21/24 (88%) for EPH-A4, 24/26 (92%) for EPH-A5. EPH-A1 was expressed in 9/9 pancreatic, 3/4 small intestine, but not in one lung NEN, EPH-A2 in 5/10 pancreatic, 3/4 small intestine and lung, and in one of each of gastric, appendix, colorectal, and cervical NENs, respectively. EPH-A4 showed positive expression in 9/11 pancreatic, 4/4 small intestine, 3/3 lung specimens and EPH-A5 in 10/11, 4/4 and 4/4, respectively. Data retrieved from the systematic review of the literature in combination with the data from the present study are suggestive of a frequent EPH expression in pituitary, thyroid, lung and gastroenteropancreatic NENs, yet, with varying expressions of the single receptor subtypes. CONCLUSION EPHs may have a role in NEN tumorigenesis, prognosis as well as a role in the evolving molecular-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystallenia I Alexandraki
- Second Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Eirini Papadimitriou
- Endocrine Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Laiko University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ariadni Spyroglou
- Second Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Karapanagioti
- Endocrine Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Laiko University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Antonopoulou
- Endocrine Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Laiko University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Theohari
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Odysseas Violetis
- Second Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios C Sotiropoulos
- Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory A Kaltsas
- Endocrine Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Laiko University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Uher O, Hadrava Vanova K, Taïeb D, Calsina B, Robledo M, Clifton-Bligh R, Pacak K. The Immune Landscape of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Current Advances and Perspectives. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:521-552. [PMID: 38377172 PMCID: PMC11244254 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors derived from neural crest cells from adrenal medullary chromaffin tissues and extra-adrenal paraganglia, respectively. Although the current treatment for PPGLs is surgery, optimal treatment options for advanced and metastatic cases have been limited. Hence, understanding the role of the immune system in PPGL tumorigenesis can provide essential knowledge for the development of better therapeutic and tumor management strategies, especially for those with advanced and metastatic PPGLs. The first part of this review outlines the fundamental principles of the immune system and tumor microenvironment, and their role in cancer immunoediting, particularly emphasizing PPGLs. We focus on how the unique pathophysiology of PPGLs, such as their high molecular, biochemical, and imaging heterogeneity and production of several oncometabolites, creates a tumor-specific microenvironment and immunologically "cold" tumors. Thereafter, we discuss recently published studies related to the reclustering of PPGLs based on their immune signature. The second part of this review discusses future perspectives in PPGL management, including immunodiagnostic and promising immunotherapeutic approaches for converting "cold" tumors into immunologically active or "hot" tumors known for their better immunotherapy response and patient outcomes. Special emphasis is placed on potent immune-related imaging strategies and immune signatures that could be used for the reclassification, prognostication, and management of these tumors to improve patient care and prognosis. Furthermore, we introduce currently available immunotherapies and their possible combinations with other available therapies as an emerging treatment for PPGLs that targets hostile tumor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Uher
- Section of Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA
| | - Katerina Hadrava Vanova
- Section of Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA
| | - David Taïeb
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU de La Timone, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Bruna Calsina
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Familiar Cancer Clinical Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Mercedes Robledo
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Roderick Clifton-Bligh
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney 2065, NSW, Australia
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney 2065, NSW, Australia
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section of Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA
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Qin S, Xu Y, Yu S, Han W, Fan S, Ai W, Zhang K, Wang Y, Zhou X, Shen Q, Gong K, Sun L, Zhang Z. Molecular classification and tumor microenvironment characteristics in pheochromocytomas. eLife 2024; 12:RP87586. [PMID: 38407266 PMCID: PMC10942623 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that originate from chromaffin cells in the adrenal gland. However, the cellular molecular characteristics and immune microenvironment of PCCs are incompletely understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 16 tissues from 4 sporadic unclassified PCC patients and 1 hereditary PCC patient with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. We found that intra-tumoral heterogeneity was less extensive than the inter-individual heterogeneity of PCCs. Further, the unclassified PCC patients were divided into two types, metabolism-type (marked by NDUFA4L2 and COX4I2) and kinase-type (marked by RET and PNMT), validated by immunohistochemical staining. Trajectory analysis of tumor evolution revealed that metabolism-type PCC cells display phenotype of consistently active metabolism and increased metastasis potential, while kinase-type PCC cells showed decreased epinephrine synthesis and neuron-like phenotypes. Cell-cell communication analysis showed activation of the annexin pathway and a strong inflammation reaction in metabolism-type PCCs and activation of FGF signaling in the kinase-type PCC. Although multispectral immunofluorescence staining showed a lack of CD8+ T cell infiltration in both metabolism-type and kinase-type PCCs, only the kinase-type PCC exhibited downregulation of HLA-I molecules that possibly regulated by RET, suggesting the potential of combined therapy with kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy for kinase-type PCCs; in contrast, the application of immunotherapy to metabolism-type PCCs (with antigen presentation ability) is likely unsuitable. Our study presents a single-cell transcriptomics-based molecular classification and microenvironment characterization of PCCs, providing clues for potential therapeutic strategies to treat PCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Yawei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shimiao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Wencong Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shiheng Fan
- Shenzhen Institute of Ladder for Cancer ResearchShenzhenChina
| | - Wenxiang Ai
- Shenzhen Institute of Ladder for Cancer ResearchShenzhenChina
| | - Kenan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Xuehong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Qi Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Kan Gong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Luyang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
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Gu Z, Hu K, Liang Y, Zhang F, Tong A, Hou X. Favorable outcome in advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma after hypofractionated intensity modulated radiotherapy. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:477-485. [PMID: 36121637 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to review outcomes of patients with advanced/metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) treated at our institution with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), describe the treatment outcomes, and determine predictors. METHODS A retrospective study on patients with advanced/metastatic PPGL who received IMRT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2014 and 2019. A total of 14 patients with 17 lesions were included in this study. Ultra-hypofractionated radiation therapy was used for 7 lesions in 5 patients, while hypofractionated radiation therapy was used for 8 lesions in 7 patients. 2 patients got conventional fractionated radiotherapy. Patients who received external beam radiation therapy were given a median total radiation dose of 74.4/130 Gy (BED10/3) in a median of 13 fractions. RESULTS OS at 2 years was 78% for all patients. For lesions evaluated by RECIST response, at least stable disease of the target lesion was achieved in 94% and distant progression in 28.5%, with an average time to progression of 5.2 months. Patients with locally advanced primary tumors or recurred in situ (n = 8) achieved 100% local control, and none of them got recurrence or distant metastasis after radiotherapy at last follow-up (median 29 months). Of patients with catecholamine-related syndromes (n = 12), 91% of symptomatic lesions improved following radiation therapy and a more than 50% decline in catecholamines. CONCLUSIONS We have found hypofractionated IMRT effective as an additional therapy for patients with advanced primary tumors or recurrence in situ and not amenable to complete surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongdansantiao No. 5, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - K Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongdansantiao No. 5, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Y Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongdansantiao No. 5, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - F Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongdansantiao No. 5, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - A Tong
- Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - X Hou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongdansantiao No. 5, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
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Martinelli S, Amore F, Canu L, Maggi M, Rapizzi E. Tumour microenvironment in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1137456. [PMID: 37033265 PMCID: PMC10073672 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1137456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas (Pheo/PGL) are rare catecholamine-producing tumours derived from adrenal medulla or from the extra-adrenal paraganglia respectively. Around 10-15% of Pheo/PGL develop metastatic forms and have a poor prognosis with a 37% of mortality rate at 5 years. These tumours have a strong genetic determinism, and the presence of succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) mutations are highly associated with metastatic forms. To date, no effective treatment is present for metastatic forms. In addition to cancer cells, the tumour microenvironment (TME) is also composed of non-neoplastic cells and non-cellular components, which are essential for tumour initiation and progression in multiple cancers, including Pheo/PGL. This review, for the first time, provides an overview of the roles of TME cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) on Pheo/PGL growth and progression. Moreover, the functions of the non-cellular components of the TME, among which the most representatives are growth factors, extracellular vesicles and extracellular matrix (ECM) are explored. The importance of succinate as an oncometabolite is emerging and since Pheo/PGL SDH mutated accumulate high levels of succinate, the role of succinate and of its receptor (SUCNR1) in the modulation of the carcinogenesis process is also analysed. Further understanding of the mechanism behind the complicated effects of TME on Pheo/PGL growth and spread could suggest novel therapeutic targets for further clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Martinelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Careggi, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Amore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Canu
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Careggi, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Careggi, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Rapizzi
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Careggi, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Rapizzi,
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Jin B, Han W, Guo J, Tian J, He S, Gong Y, Zhou J, He Q, Shen Q, Zhang Z. Initial characterization of immune microenvironment in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Front Genet 2022; 13:1022131. [PMID: 36568391 PMCID: PMC9768187 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1022131] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to fewer adverse events, faster onset of action, and longer durable responses compared to chemotherapy, immunotherapy has been widely used to treat advanced solid tumors. Moreover, immunotherapy can improve the autoimmune status, thus allowing patients to benefit from the treatment in the long term. The immune microenvironment status is closely associated with the response to chemotherapies. Here, we analyzed the characteristics of the immune microenvironment in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Immunohistochemistry showed that PD-L1 is sparely expressed in PPGL with low positive rates and low expression levels, an expression pattern, that is, not correlated with tumor malignancy. Moreover, the level of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration in PPGL is low, suggesting that the immune microenvironment in PPGL may be in "immune desertification" or "immune rejection" states in which CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration is prevented, rendering immunotherapy less effective. In sum, our results indicate that PPGL is a microsatellite-stable tumor with low tumor mutational burden (TMB) levels, weak neoantigen production, and poor tumor antigenicity, hinting at a poor response of PPGL to chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wencong Han
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Tian
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shiming He
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqing Gong
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhou
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qun He
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Shen
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Zheng Zhang, ; Qi Shen,
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China,Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, China,National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Zheng Zhang, ; Qi Shen,
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