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Graham MK, Xu B, Davis C, Meeker AK, Heaphy CM, Yegnasubramanian S, Dyer MA, Zeineldin M. The TERT Promoter is Polycomb-Repressed in Neuroblastoma Cells with Long Telomeres. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1533-1547. [PMID: 38837897 PMCID: PMC11188873 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Acquiring a telomere maintenance mechanism is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma and commonly occurs by expressing telomerase (TERT). Telomerase-negative neuroblastoma has long telomeres and utilizes the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. Conversely, no discernable telomere maintenance mechanism is detected in a fraction of neuroblastoma with long telomeres. Here, we show, unlike most cancers, DNA of the TERT promoter is broadly hypomethylated in neuroblastoma. In telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells, the hypomethylated DNA promoter is approximately 1.5 kb. The TERT locus shows active chromatin marks with low enrichment for the repressive mark, H3K27me3. MYCN, a commonly amplified oncogene in neuroblstoma, binds to the promoter and induces TERT expression. Strikingly, in neuroblastoma with long telomeres, the hypomethylated region spans the entire TERT locus, including multiple nearby genes with enrichment for the repressive H3K27me3 chromatin mark. Furthermore, subtelomeric regions showed enrichment of repressive chromatin marks in neuroblastomas with long telomeres relative to those with short telomeres. These repressive marks were even more evident at the genic loci, suggesting a telomere position effect (TPE). Inhibiting H3K27 methylation by three different EZH2 inhibitors induced the expression of TERT in cell lines with long telomeres and H3K27me3 marks in the promoter region. EZH2 inhibition facilitated MYCN binding to the TERT promoter in neuroblastoma cells with long telomeres. Taken together, these data suggest that epigenetic regulation of TERT expression differs in neuroblastoma depending on the telomere maintenance status, and H3K27 methylation is important in repressing TERT expression in neuroblastoma with long telomeres. SIGNIFICANCE The epigenetic landscape of the TERT locus is unique in neuroblastoma. The DNA at the TERT locus, unlike other cancer cells and similar to normal cells, are hypomethylated in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells. The TERT locus is repressed by polycomb repressive complex-2 complex in neuroblastoma cells that have long telomeres and do not express TERT. Long telomeres in neuroblastoma cells are also associated with repressive chromatin states at the chromosomal termini, suggesting TPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy K. Graham
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Christine Davis
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alan K. Meeker
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher M. Heaphy
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael A. Dyer
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Maged Zeineldin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Guha D, Singh V, Nandi S, Ramos EI, Gadad SS, Das C. ZMYND8 Is a Regulator of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in ATRA-Mediated Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1534-1542. [PMID: 38804064 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Zinc Finger MYND (Myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1) type containing 8 (ZMYND8) is a crucial epigenetic regulator that plays a multifaceted role in governing a spectrum of vital cellular processes, encompassing proliferation, apoptosis, migration, tumor suppression, and differentiation. It has emerged as a key player in neuronal differentiation by orchestrating the expression of neuronal lineage-committed genes. The present study uncovers the role of ZMYND8 in regulating the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling axis, which is crucial for neuronal differentiation. Genetic deletion of ZMYND8 leads to a significant reduction in SHH pathway genes, GLI1, and PTCH1 expression during all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation. ZMYND8 and RNA pol II S5P are found to co-occupy the GLI1 and PTCH1 gene promoters, positively impacting their gene transcription upon ATRA treatment. Interestingly, ZMYND8 is found to counteract the inhibitory effects of Cyclopamine that block the upstream SHH pathway protein SMO, resulting in enhanced neurite formation in neuroblastoma cells following their treatment with ATRA. These results indicate that ZMYND8 is an epigenetic regulator of the SHH signaling pathway and has tremendous therapeutic potential in ATRA-mediated differentiation of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deblina Guha
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sandhik Nandi
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Enrique I Ramos
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905, United States
| | - Shrikanth S Gadad
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905, United States
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
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Zheng D, Zhang Y, Yang S, Su N, Bakhoum M, Zhang G, Naderinezhad S, Mao Z, Wang Z, Zhou T, Li W. Androgen deprivation induces neuroendocrine phenotypes in prostate cancer cells through CREB1/EZH2-mediated downregulation of REST. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:246. [PMID: 38777812 PMCID: PMC11111810 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Although effective initially, prolonged androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) promotes neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and prostate cancer (PCa) progression. It is incompletely understood how ADT transcriptionally induces NE genes in PCa cells. CREB1 and REST are known to positively and negatively regulate neuronal gene expression in the brain, respectively. No direct link between these two master neuronal regulators has been elucidated in the NED of PCa. We show that REST mRNA is downregulated in NEPC cell and mouse models, as well as in patient samples. Phenotypically, REST overexpression increases ADT sensitivity, represses NE genes, inhibits colony formation in culture, and xenograft tumor growth of PCa cells. As expected, ADT downregulates REST in PCa cells in culture and in mouse xenografts. Interestingly, CREB1 signaling represses REST expression. In studying the largely unclear mechanism underlying transcriptional repression of REST by ADT, we found that REST is a direct target of EZH2 epigenetic repression. Finally, genetic rescue experiments demonstrated that ADT induces NED through EZH2's repression of REST, which is enhanced by ADT-activated CREB1 signaling. In summary, our study has revealed a key pathway underlying NE gene upregulation by ADT, as well as established novel relationships between CREB1 and REST, and between EZH2 and REST, which may also have implications in other cancer types and in neurobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayong Zheng
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
- The First People's Hospital of Shunde, Foshan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pain, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sukjin Yang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ning Su
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Bakhoum
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samira Naderinezhad
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhengmei Mao
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenliang Li
- Texas Therapeutics Institute; Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
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He L, Zhong Z, Wen S, Li P, Jiang Q, Liu F. Gut microbiota-derived butyrate restores impaired regulatory T cells in patients with AChR myasthenia gravis via mTOR-mediated autophagy. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:215. [PMID: 38570836 PMCID: PMC10988943 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01588-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 80% of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress overproduction of these antibodies, and patients with AChR antibody-positive MG (AChR MG) exhibit impaired Treg function and reduced Treg numbers. The gut microbiota and their metabolites play a crucial role in maintaining Treg differentiation and function. However, whether impaired Tregs correlate with gut microbiota activity in patients with AChR MG remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that butyric acid-producing gut bacteria and serum butyric acid level are reduced in patients with AChR MG. Butyrate supplementation effectively enhanced Treg differentiation and their suppressive function of AChR MG. Mechanistically, butyrate activates autophagy of Treg cells by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin. Activation of autophagy increased oxidative phosphorylation and surface expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 on Treg cells, thereby promoting Treg differentiation and their suppressive function in AChR MG. This observed effect of butyrate was blocked using chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, suggesting the vital role of butyrate-activated autophagy in Tregs of patients with AChR MG. We propose that gut bacteria derived butyrate has potential therapeutic efficacy against AChR MG by restoring impaired Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long He
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Postdoctoral Research Station of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 16 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510405, China
| | - Zhuotai Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 6, Wangjing Zhonghuan South Road, Futong East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, China
| | - Shuting Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 55, Inner Ring West Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 511400, China
| | - Peiwu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 16 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510405, China.
| | - Qilong Jiang
- Department of Myopathies, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 16 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510405, China.
| | - Fengbin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 16 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510405, China.
- Baiyun Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 2 He Longqi Road, Renhe, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510405, China.
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Djos A, Thombare K, Vaid R, Gaarder J, Umapathy G, Reinsbach SE, Georgantzi K, Stenman J, Carén H, Ek T, Mondal T, Kogner P, Martinsson T, Fransson S. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in a Cohort of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Tumors and Its Relation to Genomic Variants in the TERT and ATRX Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5732. [PMID: 38136279 PMCID: PMC10741428 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are hallmarked by their capacity to undergo unlimited cell divisions, commonly accomplished either by mechanisms that activate TERT or through the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous pediatric cancer, and the aim of this study was to characterize telomere maintenance mechanisms in a high-risk neuroblastoma cohort. All tumor samples were profiled with SNP microarrays and, when material was available, subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Telomere length was estimated from WGS data, samples were assayed for the ALT biomarker c-circles, and selected samples were subjected to methylation array analysis. Samples with ATRX aberration in this study were positive for c-circles, whereas samples with either MYCN amplification or TERT re-arrangement were negative for c-circles. Both ATRX aberrations and TERT re-arrangement were enriched in 11q-deleted samples. An association between older age at diagnosis and 1q-deletion was found in the ALT-positive group. TERT was frequently placed in juxtaposition to a previously established gene in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis or cancer in general. Given the importance of high-risk neuroblastoma, means for mitigating active telomere maintenance must be therapeutically explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Djos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Ketan Thombare
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Roshan Vaid
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Jennie Gaarder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Susanne E. Reinsbach
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Kleopatra Georgantzi
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Jakob Stenman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Torben Ek
- Children’s Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41650 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Tanmoy Mondal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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van Gerven MR, Schild L, van Arkel J, Koopmans B, Broeils LA, Meijs LAM, van Oosterhout R, van Noesel MM, Koster J, van Hooff SR, Molenaar JJ, van den Boogaard ML. Two opposing gene expression patterns within ATRX aberrant neuroblastoma. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289084. [PMID: 37540673 PMCID: PMC10403137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. A subgroup of high-risk patients is characterized by aberrations in the chromatin remodeller ATRX that is encoded by 35 exons. In contrast to other pediatric cancer where ATRX point mutations are most frequent, multi-exon deletions (MEDs) are the most frequent type of ATRX aberrations in neuroblastoma. 75% of these MEDs are predicted to produce in-frame fusion proteins, suggesting a potential gain-of-function effect compared to nonsense mutations. For neuroblastoma there are only a few patient-derived ATRX aberrant models. Therefore, we created isogenic ATRX aberrant models using CRISPR-Cas9 in several neuroblastoma cell lines and one tumoroid and performed total RNA-sequencing on these and the patient-derived models. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed decreased expression of genes related to both ribosome biogenesis and several metabolic processes in our isogenic ATRX exon 2-10 MED model systems, the patient-derived MED models and in tumor data containing two patients with an ATRX exon 2-10 MED. In sharp contrast, these same processes showed an increased expression in our isogenic ATRX knock-out and exon 2-13 MED models. Our validations confirmed a role of ATRX in the regulation of ribosome homeostasis. The two distinct molecular expression patterns within ATRX aberrant neuroblastomas that we identified imply that there might be a need for distinct treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R van Gerven
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Schild
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jennemiek van Arkel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca Koopmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luuk A Broeils
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Loes A M Meijs
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Romy van Oosterhout
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Max M van Noesel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Cancer and Imaging, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, North-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Sander R van Hooff
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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8
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Guan Q, Lin H, Hua W, Lin L, Liu J, Deng L, Zhang J, Cheng J, Yang Z, Li Y, Bian J, Zhou H, Li S, Li L, Miao L, Xia H, He J, Zhuo Z. Variant rs8400 enhances ALKBH5 expression through disrupting miR-186 binding and promotes neuroblastoma progression. Chin J Cancer Res 2023; 35:140-162. [PMID: 37180836 PMCID: PMC10167609 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.02.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) has been proven to be closely related to tumors. However, the role and molecular mechanism of ALKBH5 in neuroblastomas have rarely been reported. Methods The potential functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ALKBH5 were identified by National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) dbSNP screening and SNPinfo software. TaqMan probes were used for genotyping. A multiple logistic regression model was used to evaluate the effects of different SNP loci on the risk of neuroblastoma. The expression of ALKBH5 in neuroblastoma was evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), plate colony formation and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to compare cell migration and invasion. Thermodynamic modelling was performed to predict the ability of miRNAs to bind to ALKBH5 with the rs8400 G/A polymorphism. RNA sequencing, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) sequencing, m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) and a luciferase assay were used to identify the targeting effect of ALKBH5 on SPP1. Results ALKBH5 was highly expressed in neuroblastoma. Knocking down ALKBH5 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. miR-186-3p negatively regulates the expression of ALKBH5, and this ability is affected by the rs8400 polymorphism. When the G nucleotide was mutated to A, the ability of miR-186-3p to bind to the 3'-UTR of ALKBH5 decreased, resulting in upregulation of ALKBH5. SPP1 is the downstream target gene of the ALKBH5 oncogene. Knocking down SPP1 partially restored the inhibitory effect of ALKBH5 downregulation on neuroblastoma. Downregulation of ALKBH5 can improve the therapeutic efficacy of carboplatin and etoposide in neuroblastoma. Conclusions We first found that the rs8400 G>A polymorphism in the m6A demethylase-encoding gene ALKBH5 increases neuroblastoma susceptibility and determines the related mechanisms. The aberrant regulation of ALKBH5 by miR-186-3p caused by this genetic variation in ALKBH5 promotes the occurrence and development of neuroblastoma through the ALKBH5-SPP1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Guan
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Huiran Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Wenfeng Hua
- Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Lei Lin
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiabin Liu
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Linqing Deng
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jiwen Cheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, China
| | - Zhonghua Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jun Bian
- Department of General Surgery, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University Affiliated Children’s Hospital, Xi’an 710003, China
| | - Haixia Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Suhong Li
- Department of Pathology, Children Hospital and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan 030013, China
| | - Li Li
- Kunming Key Laboratory of Children Infection and Immunity, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Disease Research, Yunnan Institute of Pediatrics Research, Yunnan Medical Center for Pediatric Diseases, Kunming Children’s Hospital, Kunming 650228, China
| | - Lei Miao
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huimin Xia
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jing He
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Zhenjian Zhuo
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
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9
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Pang Y, Chen X, Ji T, Cheng M, Wang R, Zhang C, Liu M, Zhang J, Zhong C. The Chromatin Remodeler ATRX: Role and Mechanism in Biology and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082228. [PMID: 37190157 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) syndrome protein is a chromatin remodeling protein that primarily promotes the deposit of H3.3 histone variants in the telomere area. ATRX mutations not only cause ATRX syndrome but also influence development and promote cancer. The primary molecular characteristics of ATRX, including its molecular structures and normal and malignant biological roles, are reviewed in this article. We discuss the role of ATRX in its interactions with the histone variant H3.3, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage response, replication stress, and cancers, particularly gliomas, neuroblastomas, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. ATRX is implicated in several important cellular processes and serves a crucial function in regulating gene expression and genomic integrity throughout embryogenesis. However, the nature of its involvement in the growth and development of cancer remains unknown. As mechanistic and molecular investigations on ATRX disclose its essential functions in cancer, customized therapies targeting ATRX will become accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Tongjie Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China
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10
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Goldsmith KC, Park JR, Kayser K, Malvar J, Chi YY, Groshen SG, Villablanca JG, Krytska K, Lai LM, Acharya PT, Goodarzian F, Pawel B, Shimada H, Ghazarian S, States L, Marshall L, Chesler L, Granger M, Desai AV, Mody R, Morgenstern DA, Shusterman S, Macy ME, Pinto N, Schleiermacher G, Vo K, Thurm HC, Chen J, Liyanage M, Peltz G, Matthay KK, Berko ER, Maris JM, Marachelian A, Mossé YP. Lorlatinib with or without chemotherapy in ALK-driven refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma: phase 1 trial results. Nat Med 2023; 29:1092-1102. [PMID: 37012551 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02297-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastomas harbor ALK aberrations clinically resistant to crizotinib yet sensitive pre-clinically to the third-generation ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. We conducted a first-in-child study evaluating lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children and adults with relapsed or refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma. The trial is ongoing, and we report here on three cohorts that have met pre-specified primary endpoints: lorlatinib as a single agent in children (12 months to <18 years); lorlatinib as a single agent in adults (≥18 years); and lorlatinib in combination with topotecan/cyclophosphamide in children (<18 years). Primary endpoints were safety, pharmacokinetics and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints were response rate and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) response. Lorlatinib was evaluated at 45-115 mg/m2/dose in children and 100-150 mg in adults. Common adverse events (AEs) were hypertriglyceridemia (90%), hypercholesterolemia (79%) and weight gain (87%). Neurobehavioral AEs occurred mainly in adults and resolved with dose hold/reduction. The RP2D of lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children was 115 mg/m2. The single-agent adult RP2D was 150 mg. The single-agent response rate (complete/partial/minor) for <18 years was 30%; for ≥18 years, 67%; and for chemotherapy combination in <18 years, 63%; and 13 of 27 (48%) responders achieved MIBG complete responses, supporting lorlatinib's rapid translation into active phase 3 trials for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk, ALK-driven neuroblastoma. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03107988 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C Goldsmith
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julie R Park
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kimberly Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jemily Malvar
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yueh-Yun Chi
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susan G Groshen
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Judith G Villablanca
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kateryna Krytska
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lillian M Lai
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Patricia T Acharya
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fariba Goodarzian
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Pawel
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Susan Ghazarian
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lisa States
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Ami V Desai
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rajen Mody
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel A Morgenstern
- Division of Haematology and Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne Shusterman
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret E Macy
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Navin Pinto
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), INSERM U830, Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- SIREDO Oncology Center (Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer), Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Kieuhoa Vo
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Holger C Thurm
- Global Product Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Global Product Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Marlon Liyanage
- Global Product Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerson Peltz
- Global Product Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine K Matthay
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Esther R Berko
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Araz Marachelian
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yael P Mossé
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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Li S, Zhang H, Liu J, Shang G. Targeted therapy for osteosarcoma: a review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04614-4. [PMID: 36807762 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04614-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumour of the bone that usually occurs in children and adolescents. It is characterised by difficult treatment, recurrence and metastasis, and poor prognosis. Currently, the treatment of osteosarcoma is mainly based on surgery and auxiliary chemotherapy. However, for recurrent and some primary osteosarcoma cases, owing to the rapid progression of disease and chemotherapy resistance, the effects of chemotherapy are poor. With the rapid development of tumour-targeted therapy, molecular-targeted therapy for osteosarcoma has shown promise. PURPOSE In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms, related targets, and clinical applications of targeted osteosarcoma therapy. In doing this, we provide a summary of recent literature on the characteristics of targeted osteosarcoma therapy, the advantages of its clinical application, and development of targeted therapy in future. We aim to provide new insights into the treatment of osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION Targeted therapy shows potential in the treatment of osteosarcoma and may offer an important means of precise and personalised treatment in the future, but drug resistance and adverse effects may limit its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhe Li
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, Liaoning Province, China.,Graduate School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jinxin Liu
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guanning Shang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, Liaoning Province, China.
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12
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Wu JC, Huang CC, Wang PW, Chen TY, Hsu WM, Chuang JH, Chuang HC. ONC201 Suppresses Neuroblastoma Growth by Interrupting Mitochondrial Function and Reactivating Nuclear ATRX Expression While Decreasing MYCN. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021649. [PMID: 36675163 PMCID: PMC9867473 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is characterized by several malignant phenotypes that are difficult to treat effectively without combination therapy. The therapeutic implication of mitochondrial ClpXP protease ClpP and ClpX has been verified in several malignancies, but is unknown in NB. Firstly, we observed a significant increase in ClpP and ClpX expression in immature and mature ganglion cells as compared to more malignant neuroblasts and less malignant Schwannian-stroma-dominant cell types in human neuroblastoma tissues. We used ONC201 targeting ClpXP to treat NB cells, and found a significant suppression of mitochondrial protease, i.e., ClpP and ClpX, expression and downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain subunits SDHB and NDUFS1. The latter was associated with a state of energy depletion, increased reactive oxygen species, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, consequently promoting apoptosis and suppressing cell growth of NB. Treatment of NB cells with ONC201 as well as the genetic attenuation of ClpP and ClpX through specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in the significant upregulation of the tumor suppressor alpha thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) and promotion of neurite outgrowth, implicating mitochondrial ClpXP proteases in MYCN-amplified NB cell differentiation. Furthermore, ONC201 treatment significantly decreased MYCN protein expression and suppressed tumor formation with the reactivation of ATRX expression in MYCN-amplified NB-cell-derived xenograft tumors. Taken together, ONC201 could be the potential agent to provide diversified therapeutic application in NB, particularly in NB with MYCN amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Ching Wu
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Biobank and Tissue Bank, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wen Wang
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Ya Chen
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ming Hsu
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jiin-Haur Chuang
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Chuang
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-7317123 (ext. 8896); Fax: +886-7-7311696
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13
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Inhibition of PI3 kinase isoform p110α suppresses neuroblastoma growth and induces the reduction of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:210. [PMID: 36585695 PMCID: PMC9801621 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00946-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In neuroblastoma, hyperactivation of the PI3K signaling pathway has been correlated with aggressive neuroblastomas, suggesting PI3Ks as promising targets for the treatment of neuroblastoma. However, the oncogenic roles of individual PI3K isoforms in neuroblastoma remain elusive. RESULTS We found that PI3K isoform p110α was expressed at higher levels in neuroblastoma tissues compared with normal tissues, and its high expression was correlated with an unfavorable prognosis of neuroblastoma. Accordingly, PI3K activation in neuroblastoma cells was predominantly mediated by p110α but not by p110β or p110δ. Suppression of p110α inhibited the growth of neuroblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a crucial role of p110α in the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma. Mechanistically, inhibition of p110α decreased anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in neuroblastoma cells by decreasing its protein stability. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we investigated the oncogenic roles of PI3K isoforms in neuroblastoma. Our data shed light on PI3K isoform p110α in the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma, and strongly suggest the p110α inhibitors as potential drugs in treating neuroblastoma.
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14
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Zhang FL, Li DQ. Targeting Chromatin-Remodeling Factors in Cancer Cells: Promising Molecules in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12815. [PMID: 36361605 PMCID: PMC9655648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes can reorganize and remodel chromatin and thereby act as important regulator in various cellular processes. Based on considerable studies over the past two decades, it has been confirmed that the abnormal function of chromatin remodeling plays a pivotal role in genome reprogramming for oncogenesis in cancer development and/or resistance to cancer therapy. Recently, exciting progress has been made in the identification of genetic alteration in the genes encoding the chromatin-remodeling complexes associated with tumorigenesis, as well as in our understanding of chromatin-remodeling mechanisms in cancer biology. Here, we present preclinical evidence explaining the signaling mechanisms involving the chromatin-remodeling misregulation-induced cancer cellular processes, including DNA damage signaling, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune signaling, etc. However, even though the cumulative evidence in this field provides promising emerging molecules for therapeutic explorations in cancer, more research is needed to assess the clinical roles of these genetic cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Lin Zhang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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15
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Gartin AK, Frost TC, Cushman CH, Leeper BA, Gokhale PC, DeCaprio JA. Merkel Cell Carcinoma Sensitivity to EZH2 Inhibition Is Mediated by SIX1 Derepression. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2783-2792.e15. [PMID: 35331717 PMCID: PMC9492898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 has a critical role in the maintenance of bivalent promoters and is often perturbed in cancer, including neuroendocrine tumors. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, to inhibitors of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 catalytic subunit EZH2. We show that a subset of MCC cell lines is sensitive to EZH2 inhibitor-induced cell viability loss. We find that inhibitor treatment of susceptible cells derepresses the Polycomb repressive complex 2 target SIX1, a transcription factor in the PAX-SIX-EYA-DACH network normally involved in inner ear hair cell development, and that PAX-SIX-EYA-DACH network transcription factors are critical contributors to EZH2 inhibitor-induced MCC cell viability loss. Furthermore, we show the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat slows the growth of MCC xenografts and derepresses SIX1 and its downstream inner ear transcriptional target MYO6 in vivo. We propose that EZH2 inhibition in MCC leads to SIX1 derepression with dysregulation of hearing-related transcriptional programs and growth inhibition. This study provides evidence that MCC tumors may be specifically susceptible to EZH2 inhibitors, while giving mechanistic insight into the transcriptional programs these inhibitors perturb in MCC, and potentially in other neuroendocrine cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Gartin
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas C Frost
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Camille H Cushman
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittaney A Leeper
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Program in Virology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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16
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Bieluszewska A, Wulfridge P, Doherty J, Ren W, Sarma K. ATRX histone binding and helicase activities have distinct roles in neuronal differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9162-9174. [PMID: 35998910 PMCID: PMC9458459 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac683] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
ATRX is a chromatin remodeler, which is mutated in ATRX syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder. ATRX mutations that alter histone binding or chromatin remodeling activities cluster in the PHD finger or the helicase domain respectively. Using engineered mouse embryonic stem cells that exclusively express ATRX protein with mutations in the PHD finger (PHDmut) or helicase domains (K1584R), we examine how specific ATRX mutations affect neurodifferentiation. ATRX PHDmut and K1584R proteins interact with the DAXX histone chaperone but show reduced localization to pericentromeres. Neurodifferentiation is both delayed and compromised in PHDmut and K1584R, and manifest differently from complete ATRX loss. We observe reduced enrichment of PHDmut protein to ATRX targets, while K1584R accumulates at these sites. Interestingly, ATRX mutations have distinct effects on the genome-wide localization of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), with PHDmut and ATRX knockout showing reduced PRC2 binding at polycomb targets and K1584R showing loss at some sites and gains at others. Notably, each mutation associated with unique gene signatures, suggesting distinct pathways leading to impaired neurodifferentiation. Our results indicate that the histone binding and chromatin remodeling functions of ATRX play non-redundant roles in neurodevelopment, and when mutated lead to ATRX syndrome through separate regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bieluszewska
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Phillip Wulfridge
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John Doherty
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wenqing Ren
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kavitha Sarma
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 215 898 3970;
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17
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Mabe NW, Huang M, Dalton GN, Alexe G, Schaefer DA, Geraghty AC, Robichaud AL, Conway AS, Khalid D, Mader MM, Belk JA, Ross KN, Sheffer M, Linde MH, Ly N, Yao W, Rotiroti MC, Smith BAH, Wernig M, Bertozzi CR, Monje M, Mitsiades CS, Majeti R, Satpathy AT, Stegmaier K, Majzner RG. Transition to a mesenchymal state in neuroblastoma confers resistance to anti-GD2 antibody via reduced expression of ST8SIA1. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:976-993. [PMID: 35817829 PMCID: PMC10071839 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00405-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy with anti-GD2 antibodies has advanced the treatment of children with high-risk neuroblastoma, but nearly half of patients relapse, and little is known about mechanisms of resistance to anti-GD2 therapy. Here, we show that reduced GD2 expression was significantly correlated with the mesenchymal cell state in neuroblastoma and that a forced adrenergic-to-mesenchymal transition (AMT) conferred downregulation of GD2 and resistance to anti-GD2 antibody. Mechanistically, low-GD2-expressing cell lines demonstrated significantly reduced expression of the ganglioside synthesis enzyme ST8SIA1 (GD3 synthase), resulting in a bottlenecking of GD2 synthesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of EZH2 resulted in epigenetic rewiring of mesenchymal neuroblastoma cells and re-expression of ST8SIA1, restoring surface expression of GD2 and sensitivity to anti-GD2 antibody. These data identify developmental lineage as a key determinant of sensitivity to anti-GD2 based immunotherapies and credential EZH2 inhibitors for clinical testing in combination with anti-GD2 antibody to enhance outcomes for children with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel W Mabe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Guillermo N Dalton
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel A Schaefer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna C Geraghty
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Amanda L Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy S Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Delan Khalid
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marius M Mader
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julia A Belk
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth N Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michal Sheffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miles H Linde
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Immunology Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nghi Ly
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Winnie Yao
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin A H Smith
- Department of Chemical & Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn R Bertozzi
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Monje
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Ravindra Majeti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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18
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Chemical biology and pharmacology of histone lysine methylation inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194840. [PMID: 35753676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is a post-translational modification that plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of a broad spectrum of biological processes. Moreover, the dysregulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases particularly cancer. Due to their pathobiological importance, KMTs have garnered immense attention over the last decade as attractive therapeutic targets. These endeavors have culminated in tens of chemical probes that have been used to interrogate many aspects of histone lysine methylation. Besides, over a dozen inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials, including the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat approved for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and advanced epithelioid sarcoma. In this Review, we highlight the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT inhibitors and targeted protein degraders focusing on the clinical development of EZH1/2, DOT1L, Menin-MLL, and WDR5-MLL inhibitors. We also briefly discuss the pharmacologic targeting of other KMTs.
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19
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Gonzalez Malagon SG, Liu KJ. Linking neural crest development to neuroblastoma pathology. Development 2022; 149:276149. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Although rare, childhood (paediatric) cancers are a major cause of death in young children. Unlike many adult cancers, paediatric cancers, such as neuroblastoma (NB), are developmental diseases that rarely show genetic predispositions. NB is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children, accounting for ∼15% of paediatric cancer deaths. This heterogeneous cancer arises from undifferentiated neural crest-derived progenitor cells. As neural crest cells are multipotent and migratory, they are often considered the embryonic paradigm of cancer stem cells. However, very little is known about the events that trigger tumour initiation and progression. Here, we discuss recent insights into sympathoadrenal lineage specification, as well as genetic factors associated with NB. With this in mind, we consider the molecular underpinnings of NB in the context of developmental trajectories of the neural crest lineage. This allows us to compare distinct subtypes of the disease and gene-function interactions during sensitive phases of neural crest development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Guadalupe Gonzalez Malagon
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology, University of Ioannina Campus 1 , 45115 Ioannina , Greece
- School of Health Sciences and Institute of Biosciences, University Research Centre, University of Ioannina 2 Department of Biological Applications and Technology , , 45110 Ioannina , Greece
| | - Karen J. Liu
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London 3 , London SE1 9RT , UK
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20
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Shaliman D, Takenobu H, Sugino RP, Ohira M, Kamijo T. The PRC2 molecule EED is a target of epigenetic therapy for neuroblastoma. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151238. [PMID: 35636260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications by polycomb repressive complex (PRC) molecules appear to play a role in the tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of neuroblastoma (NB). Embryonic ectoderm development (EED) is a member of the PRC2 complex that binds to the H3K27me3 mark deposited by EZH2 via propagation on adjacent nucleosomes. We herein investigated the molecular roles of EED in MYCN-amplified NB cells using EED-knockdown (KD) shRNAs, EED-knockout sgRNAs, and the EED small molecule inhibitor EED226. The suppression of EED markedly inhibited NB cell proliferation and flat and soft agar colony formation. A transcriptome analysis using microarrays of EED-KD NB cells indicated the de-repression of cell cycle-regulated and differentiation-related genes. The results of a GSEA analysis suggested that inhibitory cell cycle-regulated gene sets were markedly up-regulated. Furthermore, an epigenetic treatment with the EED inhibitor EED226 and the HDAC inhibitors valproic acid/SAHA effectively suppressed NB cell proliferation and colony formation. This combined epigenetic treatment up-regulated cell cycle-regulated and differentiation-related genes. The ChIP sequencing analysis of histone codes and PRC molecules suggested an epigenetic background for the de-repression of down-regulated genes in MYCN-amplified/PRC2 up-regulated NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilibaerguli Shaliman
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan; Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Department of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hisanori Takenobu
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ryuichi P Sugino
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Miki Ohira
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takehiko Kamijo
- Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan; Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Department of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan.
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21
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Abstract
Neuroblastomas are tumours of sympathetic origin, with a heterogeneous clinical course ranging from localized or spontaneously regressing to widely metastatic disease. Neuroblastomas recapitulate many of the features of sympathoadrenal development, which have been directly targeted to improve the survival outcomes in patients with high-risk disease. Over the past few decades, improvements in the 5-year survival of patients with metastatic neuroblastomas, from <20% to >50%, have resulted from clinical trials incorporating high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation, differentiating agents and immunotherapy with anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies. The next generation of trials are designed to improve the initial response rates in patients with high-risk neuroblastomas via the addition of immunotherapies, targeted therapies (such as ALK inhibitors) and radiopharmaceuticals to standard induction regimens. Other trials are focused on testing precision medicine strategies for patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease, enhancing the antitumour immune response and improving the effectiveness of maintenance regimens, in order to prolong disease remission. In this Review, we describe advances in delineating the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma and in identifying the drivers of high-risk disease. We then discuss how this knowledge has informed improvements in risk stratification, risk-adapted therapy and the development of novel therapies.
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22
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Hou C, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Hua L, Chen J, He S, Zhang S, Jia E. Circular RNA expression profile of H 2O 2 induced ferroptosis model of human coronary artery endothelial cells. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2022; 49:1-11. [PMID: 36644200 PMCID: PMC9833229 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the most common type of cardiovascular diseases. The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and ferroptosis in CAD remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the circRNAs expression profile in ferroptosis of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Methods The ferroptosis induced by H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress in HCAECs and the role of Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) was assessed by the levels of CCK8, oxidized and reduced glutathione (GSSH and GSH), ferrous irons, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid reactive oxygen species (Lipid ROS), PTGS2 and GPX4. The expression profile of circRNAs was characterized by RNA sequencing. Results LDH, MDA, Lipid ROS, ferrous ions, GSSH and PTGS2 were significantly increased, CCK8, GSH and GPX4 were significantly decreased in H2O2 induced cell damage. Moreover, Fer-1 increased CCK8, GSH and GPX4 levels and decreased LDH, MDA, Lipid ROS, GSSH and PTGS2 levels, which alleviated H2O2 induced cell damage. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and circRNA-protein interactions network were constructed based on differentially expressed circRNAs. In total, 17 downregulated and 18 upregulated circRNAs were identified in H2O2 treated HCAECs by RNA sequencing. Parental genes of circRNAs were analyzed by KEGG and GO, detecting pathways related to ferroptosis. 10 differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR. Conclusions These results provide new sight to the character of circRNAs in the progress of HCAECs ferroptosis and contribute a significant data for further investigating the potential mechanisms of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Hou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanjing Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yanjun Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yaqing Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lei Hua
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shu He
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Enzhi Jia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China,Corresponding author. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
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23
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Zhang L, Wang L, Hu X, Hou M, Xiao Y, Xiang J, Xie J, Chen Z, Yang T, Nie Q, Fu J, Wang Y, Zheng S, Liu Y, Gan Y, Gao Q, Bai Y, Wang J, Qi R, Zou M, Ke Q, Zhu X, Gong L, Liu Y, Li DW. MYPT1/PP1-Mediated EZH2 Dephosphorylation at S21 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Fibrosis through Control of Multiple Families of Genes. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105539. [PMID: 35293697 PMCID: PMC9108659 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The methyltransferase EZH2 plays an important role in regulating chromatin conformation and gene transcription. Phosphorylation of EZH2 at S21 by AKT kinase suppresses its function. However, protein phosphatases responsible for the dephosphorylation of EZH2-S21 remain elusive. Here, it is demonstrated that EZH2 is highly expressed in the ocular lens, and AKT-EZH2 axis is important in TGFβ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). More importantly, it is identified that MYPT1/PP1 dephosphorylates EZH2-S21 and thus modulates its functions. MYPT1 knockout accelerates EMT, but expression of the EZH2-S21A mutant suppresses EMT through control of multiple families of genes. Furthermore, the phosphorylation status and gene expression modulation of EZH2 are implicated in control of anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASC) in human and mouse eyes. Together, the results identify the specific phosphatase for EZH2-S21 and reveal EZH2 dephosphorylation control of several families of genes implicated in lens EMT and ASC pathogenesis. These results provide important novel information in EZH2 function and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Ling Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Xue‐Bin Hu
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Min Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yuan Xiao
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jia‐Wen Xiang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jie Xie
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Zhi‐Gang Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Tian‐Heng Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Qian Nie
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jia‐Ling Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Shu‐Yu Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yun‐Fei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yu‐Wen Gan
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Qian Gao
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yue‐Yue Bai
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jing‐Miao Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Rui‐Li Qi
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Ming Zou
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Qin Ke
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Xing‐Fei Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Lili Gong
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - David Wan‐Cheng Li
- The State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen University#54 Xianlie South RoadGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
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24
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Bhargava R, Lynskey ML, O’Sullivan RJ. New twists to the ALTernative endings at telomeres. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 115:103342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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25
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Acosta AM, Al-Obaidy KI, Sholl LM, Dickson BC, Lindeman NI, Hirsch MS, Collins K, Fletcher CD, Idrees MT. Sarcomatoid Yolk Sac Tumor Harbors Somatic Mutations That Are Otherwise Rare in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 2022; 46:701-712. [PMID: 35034041 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), components with nonspecific sarcomatous features that express keratins and glypican 3 are classified as sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor (SYST). SYST is most frequently seen in metastatic sites after chemotherapy. Like so-called "somatic-type" malignancies arising in TGCTs, SYST is markedly resistant to systemic therapy and has a more aggressive clinical course than conventional types of TGCT. However, the clinicopathologic and molecular features of SYST remain incompletely described. This study evaluated a multi-institutional series of 20 SYSTs using massively parallel sequencing and p53 immunohistochemistry. The histologic and clinical characteristics of the cases were also assessed, including analyses of disease-specific outcomes. DNA sequencing identified somatic mutations in 12/20 cases (60%), including recurrent TP53 and RIF1 mutations (present in 4/20 cases, 20% each). In 3 of the 4 SYST with TP53 mutations, there was molecular evidence of loss of heterozygosity. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse overexpression of p53 protein in 3/4 (75%) cases with TP53 mutations. The remaining TP53-mutant case demonstrated multifocal overexpression of p53, suggestive of subclonal inactivation of the gene. Overexpression of p53 protein was not seen in any of 15 TP53 wild-type cases evaluated by immunohistochemistry. A subset of 4 cases underwent RNA sequencing (fusion panel), which demonstrated the absence of oncogenic gene fusions. A 2-tiered grading system based on 3 histologic parameters (cellularity, number of mitoses, and necrosis) demonstrated that high-grade SYSTs have a higher risk of disease-specific death compared to low-grade tumors. The risk of disease-specific mortality was also higher in SYSTs with somatic mutations. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that 60% of SYSTs harbor somatic oncogenic mutations that are otherwise rare in TGCTs, and the presence of these mutations is associated with an aggressive clinical course. In addition, the results presented herein suggest that grading SYSTs may be clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres M Acosta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Khaleel I Al-Obaidy
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Lynette M Sholl
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brendan C Dickson
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neal I Lindeman
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michelle S Hirsch
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Katrina Collins
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Christopher D Fletcher
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Muhammad T Idrees
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
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van Gerven MR, Bozsaky E, Matser YAH, Vosseberg J, Taschner-Mandl S, Koster J, Tytgat GAM, Molenaar JJ, van den Boogaard M. The mutational spectrum of ATRX aberrations in neuroblastoma and the associated patient and tumor characteristics. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:2167-2178. [PMID: 35384159 PMCID: PMC9207354 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. The chromatin remodeler ATRX is frequently mutated in high‐risk patients with a poor prognosis. Although many studies have reported ATRX aberrations and the associated clinical characteristics in neuroblastoma, a comprehensive overview is currently lacking. In this study, we extensively characterize the mutational spectrum of ATRX aberrations in neuroblastoma tumors reported in previous studies and present an overview of patient and tumor characteristics. We collected the data of a total of 127 neuroblastoma patients and three cell lines with ATRX aberrations originating from 20 papers. We subdivide the ATRX aberrations into nonsense, missense, and multiexon deletions (MEDs) and show that 68% of them are MEDs. Of these MEDs, 75% are predicted to be in‐frame. Furthermore, we identify a missense mutational hotspot region in the helicase domain. We also confirm that all three ATRX mutation types are more often identified in patients diagnosed at an older age, but still approximately 40% of the patients are aged 5 years or younger at diagnosis. Surprisingly, we found that 11q deletions are enriched in neuroblastomas with ATRX deletions compared to a reference cohort, but not in neuroblastomas with ATRX point mutations. Taken together, our data emphasizes a distinct ATRX mutation spectrum in neuroblastoma, which should be considered when studying molecular phenotypes and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Bozsaky
- Tumor biology group, St Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yvette A H Matser
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Julian Vosseberg
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Gerber JP, Russ J, Chandrasekar V, Offermann N, Lee HM, Spear S, Guzzi N, Maida S, Pattabiraman S, Zhang R, Kayvanjoo AH, Datta P, Kasturiarachchi J, Sposito T, Izotova N, Händler K, Adams PD, Marafioti T, Enver T, Wenzel J, Beyer M, Mass E, Bellodi C, Schultze JL, Capasso M, Nimmo R, Salomoni P. Aberrant chromatin landscape following loss of the H3.3 chaperone Daxx in haematopoietic precursors leads to Pu.1-mediated neutrophilia and inflammation. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:1224-1239. [PMID: 34876685 PMCID: PMC8683376 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-021-00774-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Defective silencing of retrotransposable elements has been linked to inflammageing, cancer and autoimmune diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. Here we implicate the histone H3.3 chaperone Daxx, a retrotransposable element repressor inactivated in myeloid leukaemia and other neoplasms, in protection from inflammatory disease. Loss of Daxx alters the chromatin landscape, H3.3 distribution and histone marks of haematopoietic progenitors, leading to engagement of a Pu.1-dependent transcriptional programme for myelopoiesis at the expense of B-cell differentiation. This causes neutrophilia and inflammation, predisposing mice to develop an autoinflammatory skin disease. While these molecular and phenotypic perturbations are in part reverted in animals lacking both Pu.1 and Daxx, haematopoietic progenitors in these mice show unique chromatin and transcriptome alterations, suggesting an interaction between these two pathways. Overall, our findings implicate retrotransposable element silencing in haematopoiesis and suggest a cross-talk between the H3.3 loading machinery and the pioneer transcription factor Pu.1.
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Grants
- P01 AG031862 NIA NIH HHS
- C416/A25145 Cancer Research UK
- C16420/A18066 Cancer Research UK
- MC_U132670601 Medical Research Council
- C33499/A20265 Cancer Research UK
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases)
- Worldwide Cancer Research
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)
- EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 People: Marie-Curie Actions (FP7-PEOPLE - Specific Programme People Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC2151 – 390873048, Excellence Cluster Immunosensation2
- Aging and Metabolic Programming (AMPro) Consortium from Helmholtz
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC2151 – 390873048, Excellence Cluster Immunosensation2ImmunoSensation2
- Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC2151 – 390873048, Excellence Cluster ImmunoSensation2
- EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: Ideas Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))
- Wilhelm Sander-Stiftung (Wilhelm Sander Foundation)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC2151 – 390873048, Excellence Cluster ImmunoSensation2 Aging and Metabolic Programming (AMPro) Consortium from Helmholtz
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Gerber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Jenny Russ
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Nina Offermann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Hang-Mao Lee
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Spear
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicola Guzzi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Simona Maida
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Ruoyu Zhang
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Amir H Kayvanjoo
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, Developmental Biology of the Immune System, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Preeta Datta
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Teresa Sposito
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Natalia Izotova
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Kristian Händler
- Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics (PRECISE) at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter D Adams
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, USA
| | - Teresa Marafioti
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tariq Enver
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Jörg Wenzel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Beyer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics (PRECISE) at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Elvira Mass
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, Developmental Biology of the Immune System, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Cristian Bellodi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joachim L Schultze
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics (PRECISE) at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Melania Capasso
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rachael Nimmo
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Paolo Salomoni
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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28
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Stainczyk SA, Westermann F. Neuroblastoma-Telomere maintenance, deregulated signaling transduction and beyond. Int J Cancer 2021; 150:903-915. [PMID: 34636058 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The childhood malignancy neuroblastoma belongs to the group of embryonal tumors and originates from progenitor cells of the sympathoadrenal lineage. Treatment options for children with high-risk and relapsed disease are still very limited. In recent years, an ever-growing molecular diversity was identified using (epi)-genetic profiling of neuroblastoma tumors, indicating that molecularly targeted therapies could be a promising therapeutic option. In this review article, we summarize the various molecular subtypes and genetic events associated with neuroblastoma and describe recent advances in targeted therapies. We lay a strong emphasis on the importance of telomere maintenance mechanisms for understanding tumor progression and risk classification of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine A Stainczyk
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Westermann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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29
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Hattori N, Asada K, Miyajima N, Mori A, Nakanishi Y, Kimura K, Wakabayashi M, Takeshima H, Nitani C, Hara J, Ushijima T. Combination of a synthetic retinoid and a DNA demethylating agent induced differentiation of neuroblastoma through retinoic acid signal reprogramming. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1647-1656. [PMID: 34635821 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CpG island methylator phenotype of neuroblastoma (NBL) is strongly associated with poor prognosis and can be targeted by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). Differentiation therapy is a standard maintenance therapy for high-risk NBLs. However, the in vivo effect of tamibarotene, a synthetic retinoic acid, and the efficacy of its combination with 5-aza-dC have not been studied. Here, we conducted a preclinical study to assess the in vivo tamibarotene effect and the combination. METHODS Treatment effects were analysed by in vitro cell growth and differentiation state and by in vivo xenograft suppression. Demethylated genes were analysed by DNA methylation microarrays and geneset enrichment. RESULTS Tamibarotene monotherapy induced neural extension and upregulation of differentiation markers of NBL cells in vitro, and tumour regression without severe side effects in vivo. 5-Aza-dC monotherapy suppressed tumour growth both in vitro and in vivo, and induced demethylation of genes related to nervous system development and function. Pre-treatment with 5-aza-dC in vitro enhanced upregulation of differentiation markers and genes involved in retinoic acid signaling. Pre-treatment with 5-aza-dC in vivo significantly suppressed tumour growth and reduced the variation in tumour sizes. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic drug-based differentiation therapy using 5-aza-dC and TBT is a promising strategy for refractory NBLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Hattori
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Asada
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nozomu Miyajima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Mori
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Nakanishi
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kana Kimura
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Wakabayashi
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takeshima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chika Nitani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junichi Hara
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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30
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Koneru B, Farooqi A, Nguyen TH, Chen WH, Hindle A, Eslinger C, Makena MR, Burrow TA, Wilson J, Smith A, Pilla Reddy V, Cadogan E, Durant ST, Reynolds CP. ALT neuroblastoma chemoresistance due to telomere dysfunction-induced ATM activation is reversible with ATM inhibitor AZD0156. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabd5750. [PMID: 34408079 PMCID: PMC9208664 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancers overcome replicative immortality by activating either telomerase or an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. ALT occurs in ~25% of high-risk neuroblastomas, and progression in patients with ALT neuroblastoma during or after front-line therapy is frequent and often fatal. Temozolomide + irinotecan is commonly used as salvage therapy for neuroblastoma. Patient-derived cell lines and xenografts established from patients with relapsed ALT neuroblastoma demonstrated de novo resistance to temozolomide + irinotecan [SN-38 in vitro, P < 0.05; in vivo mouse event-free survival (EFS), P < 0.0001] vs. telomerase-positive neuroblastomas. We observed that ALT neuroblastoma cells manifested constitutive ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) activation due to spontaneous telomere dysfunction which was not observed in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrated that induction of telomere dysfunction resulted in ATM activation that, in turn, conferred resistance to temozolomide + SN-38 (4.2-fold change in IC50, P < 0.001). ATM knockdown (shRNA) or inhibition using a clinical-stage small-molecule inhibitor (AZD0156) reversed resistance to temozolomide + irinotecan in ALT neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro (P < 0.001) and in four ALT xenografts in vivo (EFS, P < 0.0001). AZD0156 showed modest to no enhancement of temozolomide + irinotecan activity in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cell lines and xenografts. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibition using AZD6738 did not enhance temozolomide + SN-38 activity in ALT neuroblastoma cells. Thus, ALT neuroblastoma chemotherapy resistance occurs via ATM activation and is reversible with ATM inhibitor AZD0156. Combining AZD0156 with temozolomide + irinotecan warrants clinical testing for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishna Koneru
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ahsan Farooqi
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Thinh H Nguyen
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Wan Hsi Chen
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ashly Hindle
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Cody Eslinger
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Monish Ram Makena
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Trevor A Burrow
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Joanne Wilson
- Early Oncology, R&D AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Aaron Smith
- Early Oncology, R&D AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Venkatesh Pilla Reddy
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge SG8 6EE, UK
| | | | | | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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31
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A Hypoxia Gene-Based Signature to Predict the Survival and Affect the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Osteosarcoma in Children. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:5523832. [PMID: 34337075 PMCID: PMC8299210 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5523832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a quickly developing, malignant cancer of the bone, which is associated with a bad prognosis. In osteosarcoma, hypoxia promotes the malignant phenotype, which results in a cascade of immunosuppressive processes, poor prognosis, and a high risk of metastasis. Nonetheless, additional methodologies for the study of hyperoxia in the tumor microenvironment also need more analysis. We obtained 88 children patients with osteosarcoma from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatment (TARGET) database and 53 children patients with RNA sequence and clinicopathological data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We developed a four-gene signature related to hypoxia to reflect the immune microenvironment in osteosarcoma that predicts survival. A high-risk score indicated a poor prognosis and immunosuppressive microenvironment. The presence of the four-gene signature related to hypoxia was correlated with clinical and molecular features and was an important prognostic predictor for pediatric osteosarcoma patients. In summary, we established and validated a four-gene signature related to hypoxia to forecast recovery and presented an independent prognostic predictor representing overall immune response strength within the osteosarcoma microenvironment.
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32
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Chen Y, Liu R, Wang W, Wang C, Zhang N, Shao X, He Q, Ying M. Advances in targeted therapy for osteosarcoma based on molecular classification. Pharmacol Res 2021; 169:105684. [PMID: 34022396 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma, a highly malignant tumor, is characterized by widespread and recurrent chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. In recent years, a number of elaborated sequencing analyses have made it possible to cluster the osteosarcoma based on the identification of candidate driver genes and develop targeted therapy. Here, we reviewed recent next-generation genome sequencing studies and advances in targeted therapies for osteosarcoma based on molecular classification. First, we stratified osteosarcomas into ten molecular subtypes based on genetic changes. And we analyzed potential targeted therapies for osteosarcoma based on the identified molecular subtypes. Finally, the development of targeted therapies for osteosarcoma investigated in clinical trials were further summarized and discussed. Therefore, we indicated the importance of molecular classification on the targeted therapy for osteosarcoma. And the stratification of patients based on the genetic characteristics of osteosarcoma will help to obtain a better therapeutic response to targeted therapies, bringing us closer to the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqian Chen
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Runzhi Liu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuejing Shao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qiaojun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Meidan Ying
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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33
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Seier JA, Reinhardt J, Saraf K, Ng SS, Layer JP, Corvino D, Althoff K, Giordano FA, Schramm A, Fischer M, Hölzel M. Druggable epigenetic suppression of interferon-induced chemokine expression linked to MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001335. [PMID: 34016720 PMCID: PMC8141444 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amplification of the MYCN oncogene is a molecular hallmark of aggressive neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. There is evidence that MYCN promotes a non-inflamed and T-cell infiltration-poor ('cold') tumor microenvironment (TME) by suppressing interferon signaling. This may explain, at least in part, why patients with NB seem to have little benefit from single-agent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Targeting MYCN or its effectors could be a strategy to convert a cold TME into a 'hot' (inflamed) TME and improve the efficacy of ICB therapy. METHODS NB transcriptome analyses were used to identify epigenetic drivers of a T-cell infiltration-poor TME. Biological and molecular responses of NB cells to epigenetic drugs and interferon (IFN)-γ exposure were assessed by proliferation assays, immunoblotting, ELISA, qRT-PCR, RNA-seq and ChIP-qPCR as well as co-culture assays with T cells. RESULTS We identified H3K9 euchromatic histone-lysine methyltransferases EHMT2 and EHMT1, also known as G9a and GLP, as epigenetic effectors of the MYCN-driven malignant phenotype and repressors of IFN-γ transcriptional responses in NB cells. EHMT inhibitors enhanced IFN-γ-induced expression of the Th1-type chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10, key factors of T-cell recruitment into the TME. In MYCN-amplified NB cells, co-inhibition of EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homologue 2), a H3K27 histone methyltransferase cooperating with EHMTs, was needed for strong transcriptional responses to IFN-γ, in line with histone mark changes at CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokine gene loci. EHMT and EZH2 inhibitor response gene signatures from NB cells were established as surrogate measures and revealed high EHMT and EZH2 activity in MYCN-amplified high-risk NBs with a cold immune phenotype. CONCLUSION Our results delineate a strategy for targeted epigenetic immunomodulation of high-risk NBs, whereby EHMT inhibitors alone or in combination with EZH2 inhibitors (in particular, MYCN-amplified NBs) could promote a T-cell-infiltrated TME via enhanced Th1-type chemokine expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna A Seier
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia Reinhardt
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kritika Saraf
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanna S Ng
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian P Layer
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dillon Corvino
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristina Althoff
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank A Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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34
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Li L, Gong Y, Xu K, Chen W, Xia J, Cheng Z, Li L, Yu R, Mu J, Le X, Xiang Q, Peng W, Tang J, Xiang T. ZBTB28 induces autophagy by regulation of FIP200 and Bcl-XL facilitating cervical cancer cell apoptosis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:150. [PMID: 33931087 PMCID: PMC8086320 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01948-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Among the common preventable cancers of women, cervical cancer has the highest morbidity. It is curable if detected at an early stage. However, reliable diagnostic and prognostic markers, which relate to physiologic and pathologic regulation of cervical cancer, are not available. In this study, one such potential marker, ZBTB28, was evaluated for its potential usefulness in cervical cancer assessment. Methods Public database analysis, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and methylation-specific PCR were employed to analyze ZBTB28 expression and promoter methylation. The importance of ZBTB28 in cervical cancer cells was assessed by cellular and molecular analysis in vitro and in vivo. Results This study assessed the anti-tumor effects of the transcription factor, ZBTB28, which is often silenced in cervical cancer due to CpG methylation of its promoter. We found ZBTB28 to directly affect cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and tumorigenesis. Also, it increased cancer cell chemosensitivity to Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. Ectopic ZBTB28 expression inhibited the growth of cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, electron microscopy demonstrated ZBTB28 to induce autophagosomes in cervical cancer cells. ZBTB28 induced cellular autophagy by the degradation of Bcl-XL, reduction of the Bcl-XL-BECN1 complex, and by interaction with the autophagy-related gene FIP200. ZBTB28-induced autophagy of cervical cancer cells was shown to mediate cellular apoptosis through the regulation of FIP200. Conclusion These findings identify ZBTB28 as a tumor suppressor gene that can induce autophagy-related apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. As such, ZBTB28 may be a target for the treatment of uterine-cervical carcinoma. Further, ZBTB28 promoter methylation analysis may offer a new objective strategy for cervical cancer screening. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01948-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Yijia Gong
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Jiuyi Xia
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Zhaobo Cheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Lili Li
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Renjie Yu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Junhao Mu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Xin Le
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Qin Xiang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Weiyan Peng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China
| | - Junying Tang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingxiu Xiang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, Yuzhong District, China.
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Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease characterized by loss of cellular homeostasis through genetic and epigenetic alterations. Emerging evidence highlights a role for histone variants and their dedicated chaperones in cancer initiation and progression. Histone variants are involved in processes as diverse as maintenance of genome integrity, nuclear architecture and cell identity. On a molecular level, histone variants add a layer of complexity to the dynamic regulation of transcription, DNA replication and repair, and mitotic chromosome segregation. Because these functions are critical to ensure normal proliferation and maintenance of cellular fate, cancer cells are defined by their capacity to subvert them. Hijacking histone variants and their chaperones is emerging as a common means to disrupt homeostasis across a wide range of cancers, particularly solid tumours. Here we discuss histone variants and histone chaperones as tumour-promoting or tumour-suppressive players in the pathogenesis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Filipescu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system and one of the most common solid tumors in infancy. Amplification of MYCN, copy number alterations, numerical and segmental chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and rearrangements on a handful of genes, such as ALK, ATRX, TP53, RAS/MAPK pathway genes, and TERT, are attributed as underlying causes that give rise to NB. However, the heterogeneous nature of the disease-along with the relative paucity of recurrent somatic mutations-reinforces the need to understand the interplay of genetic factors and epigenetic alterations in the context of NB. Epigenetic mechanisms tightly control gene expression, embryogenesis, imprinting, chromosomal stability, and tumorigenesis, thereby playing a pivotal role in physio- and pathological settings. The main epigenetic alterations include aberrant DNA methylation, disrupted patterns of posttranslational histone modifications, alterations in chromatin composition and/or architecture, and aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs. DNA methylation and demethylation are mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins, respectively, while histone modifications are coordinated by histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases (HATs, HDACs), and histone methyltransferases and demethylases (HMTs, HDMs). This article focuses predominately on the crosstalk between the epigenome and NB, and the implications it has on disease diagnosis and treatment.
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Dong R, Yang R, Zhan Y, Lai HD, Ye CJ, Yao XY, Luo WQ, Cheng XM, Miao JJ, Wang JF, Liu BH, Liu XQ, Xie LL, Li Y, Zhang M, Chen L, Song WC, Qian W, Gao WQ, Tang YH, Shen CY, Jiang W, Chen G, Yao W, Dong KR, Xiao XM, Zheng S, Li K, Wang J. Single-Cell Characterization of Malignant Phenotypes and Developmental Trajectories of Adrenal Neuroblastoma. Cancer Cell 2020; 38:716-733.e6. [PMID: 32946775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), which is a subtype of neural-crest-derived malignancy, is the most common extracranial solid tumor occurring in childhood. Despite extensive research, the underlying developmental origin of NB remains unclear. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we generate transcriptomes of adrenal NB from 160,910 cells of 16 patients and transcriptomes of putative developmental cells of origin of NB from 12,103 cells of early human embryos and fetal adrenal glands at relatively late development stages. We find that most adrenal NB tumor cells transcriptionally mirror noradrenergic chromaffin cells. Malignant states also recapitulate the proliferation/differentiation status of chromaffin cells in the process of normal development. Our findings provide insight into developmental trajectories and cellular states underlying human initiation and progression of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China.
| | - Ran Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yong Zhan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Hua-Dong Lai
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Chun-Jing Ye
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Yao
- Family Planning Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Wen-Qin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao-Mu Cheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ju-Ju Miao
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jun-Feng Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Bai-Hui Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xiang-Qi Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Lu-Lu Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Man Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Lian Chen
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Wei-Chen Song
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wei Qian
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yun-Hui Tang
- Family Planning Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Chun-Yan Shen
- Family Planning Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Genergy Bio-technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Wei Yao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Kui-Ran Dong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xian-Min Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Shan Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai 201102, China.
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
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Cook A, Bernstein E. A strike against indolent neuroblastoma. EBioMedicine 2020; 60:103000. [PMID: 32977162 PMCID: PMC7516059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Pearson AD, Stegmaier K, Bourdeaut F, Reaman G, Heenen D, Meyers ML, Armstrong SA, Brown P, De Carvalho D, Jabado N, Marshall L, Rivera M, Smith M, Adamson PC, Barone A, Baumann C, Blackman S, Buenger V, Donoghue M, Duncan AD, Fox E, Gadbaw B, Hattersley M, Ho P, Jacobs I, Kelly MJ, Kieran M, Lesa G, Ligas F, Ludwinski D, McDonough J, Nikolova Z, Norga K, Senderowicz A, Taube T, Weiner S, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of epigenetic modifiers for children: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2020; 139:135-148. [PMID: 32992153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The fifth multistakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focussed on epigenetic modifier therapies for children and adolescents with cancer. As most mutations in paediatric malignancies influence chromatin-associated proteins or transcription and paediatric cancers are driven by developmental gene expression programs, targeting epigenetic mechanisms is predicted to be a very important therapeutic approach in paediatric cancer. The Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act FDARA amendments to section 505B of the FD&C Act was implemented in August 2020, and as there are many epigenetic targets on the FDA Paediatric Molecular Targets List, clinical evaluation of epigenetic modifiers in paediatric cancers should be considered early in drug development. Companies are also required to submit to the EMA paediatric investigation plans aiming to ensure that the necessary data to support the authorisation of a medicine for children in EU are of high quality and ethically researched. The specific aims of the forum were i) to identify epigenetic targets or mechanisms of action associated with epigenetic modification relevant to paediatric cancers and ii) to define the landscape for paediatric drug development of epigenetic modifier therapies. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors/hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors were largely excluded from discussion as the aim was to discuss those targets for which therapeutic agents are currently in early paediatric and adult development. Epigenetics is an evolving field and could be highly relevant to many paediatric cancers; the biology is multifaceted and new targets are frequently emerging. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric malignancy has in most circumstances yet to reach or extend beyond clinical proof of concept, as many targets do not yet have available investigational drugs developed. Eight classes of medicinal products were discussed and prioritised based on the existing level of science to support early evaluation in children: inhibitors of menin, DOT1L, EZH2, EED, BET, PRMT5 and LSD1 and a retinoic acid receptor alpha agonist. Menin inhibitors should be moved rapidly into paediatric development, in view of their biological rationale, strong preclinical activity and ability to fulfil an unmet clinical need. A combination approach is critical for successful utilisation of any epigenetic modifiers (e.g. EZH2 and EED) and exploration of the optimum combination(s) should be supported by preclinical research and, where possible, molecular biomarker validation in advance of clinical translation. A follow-up multistakeholder meeting focussing on BET inhibitors will be held to define how to prioritise the multiple compounds in clinical development that could be evaluated in children with cancer. As epigenetic modifiers are relatively early in development in paediatrics, there is a clear opportunity to shape the landscape of therapies targeting the epigenome in order that efficient and optimum plans for their evaluation in children and adolescents are developed in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust/Institute of Cancer Research, UK
| | | | | | - Peter C Adamson
- Sanofi US, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics and Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Martire S, Banaszynski LA. The roles of histone variants in fine-tuning chromatin organization and function. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:522-541. [PMID: 32665685 PMCID: PMC8245300 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0262-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Histones serve to both package and organize DNA within the nucleus. In addition to histone post-translational modification and chromatin remodelling complexes, histone variants contribute to the complexity of epigenetic regulation of the genome. Histone variants are characterized by a distinct protein sequence and a selection of designated chaperone systems and chromatin remodelling complexes that regulate their localization in the genome. In addition, histone variants can be enriched with specific post-translational modifications, which in turn can provide a scaffold for recruitment of variant-specific interacting proteins to chromatin. Thus, through these properties, histone variants have the capacity to endow specific regions of chromatin with unique character and function in a regulated manner. In this Review, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of histone variants to chromatin function in mammalian systems. First, we discuss new molecular insights into chaperone-mediated histone variant deposition. Next, we discuss mechanisms by which histone variants influence chromatin properties such as nucleosome stability and the local chromatin environment both through histone variant sequence-specific effects and through their role in recruiting different chromatin-associated complexes. Finally, we focus on histone variant function in the context of both embryonic development and human disease, specifically developmental syndromes and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martire
- Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Laura A Banaszynski
- Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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41
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George SL, Lorenzi F, King D, Hartlieb S, Campbell J, Pemberton H, Toprak UH, Barker K, Tall J, da Costa BM, van den Boogaard ML, Dolman MEM, Molenaar JJ, Bryant HE, Westermann F, Lord CJ, Chesler L. Therapeutic vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response for the treatment of ATRX mutant neuroblastoma. EBioMedicine 2020; 59:102971. [PMID: 32846370 PMCID: PMC7452577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In neuroblastoma, genetic alterations in ATRX, define a distinct poor outcome patient subgroup. Despite the need for new therapies, there is a lack of available models and a dearth of pre-clinical research. METHODS To evaluate the impact of ATRX loss of function (LoF) in neuroblastoma, we utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to generate neuroblastoma cell lines isogenic for ATRX. We used these and other models to identify therapeutically exploitable synthetic lethal vulnerabilities associated with ATRX LoF. FINDINGS In isogenic cell lines, we found that ATRX inactivation results in increased DNA damage, homologous recombination repair (HRR) defects and impaired replication fork processivity. In keeping with this, high-throughput compound screening showed selective sensitivity in ATRX mutant cells to multiple PARP inhibitors and the ATM inhibitor KU60019. ATRX mutant cells also showed selective sensitivity to the DNA damaging agents, sapacitabine and irinotecan. HRR deficiency was also seen in the ATRX deleted CHLA-90 cell line, and significant sensitivity demonstrated to olaparib/irinotecan combination therapy in all ATRX LoF models. In-vivo sensitivity to olaparib/irinotecan was seen in ATRX mutant but not wild-type xenografts. Finally, sustained responses to olaparib/irinotecan therapy were seen in an ATRX deleted neuroblastoma patient derived xenograft. INTERPRETATION ATRX LoF results in specific DNA damage repair defects that can be therapeutically exploited. In ATRX LoF models, preclinical sensitivity is demonstrated to olaparib and irinotecan, a combination that can be rapidly translated into the clinic. FUNDING This work was supported by Christopher's Smile, Neuroblastoma UK, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal Marsden Hospital NIHR BRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT United Kingdom.
| | - Federica Lorenzi
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - David King
- Academic Unit of Molecular Oncology, Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Hartlieb
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James Campbell
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Pemberton
- CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research London, SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Umut H Toprak
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karen Barker
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Tall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Martins da Costa
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | | | - M Emmy M Dolman
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Cancer, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Cancer, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Helen E Bryant
- Academic Unit of Molecular Oncology, Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Westermann
- Neuroblastoma Genomics, Hopp Children`s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher J Lord
- CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research London, SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, United Kingdom; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT United Kingdom
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42
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Zormpas-Petridis K, Poon E, Clarke M, Jerome NP, Boult JKR, Blackledge MD, Carceller F, Koers A, Barone G, Pearson ADJ, Moreno L, Anderson J, Sebire N, McHugh K, Koh DM, Chesler L, Yuan Y, Robinson SP, Jamin Y. Noninvasive MRI Native T 1 Mapping Detects Response to MYCN-targeted Therapies in the Th- MYCN Model of Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3424-3435. [PMID: 32595135 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive early indicators of treatment response are crucial to the successful delivery of precision medicine in children with cancer. Neuroblastoma is a common solid tumor of young children that arises from anomalies in neural crest development. Therapeutic approaches aiming to destabilize MYCN protein, such as small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora A and mTOR, are currently being evaluated in early phase clinical trials in children with high-risk MYCN-driven disease, with limited ability to evaluate conventional pharmacodynamic biomarkers of response. T1 mapping is an MRI scan that measures the proton spin-lattice relaxation time T1. Using a multiparametric MRI-pathologic cross-correlative approach and computational pathology methodologies including a machine learning-based algorithm for the automatic detection and classification of neuroblasts, we show here that T1 mapping is sensitive to the rich histopathologic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma in the Th-MYCN transgenic model. Regions with high native T1 corresponded to regions dense in proliferative undifferentiated neuroblasts, whereas regions characterized by low T1 were rich in apoptotic or differentiating neuroblasts. Reductions in tumor-native T1 represented a sensitive biomarker of response to treatment-induced apoptosis with two MYCN-targeted small-molecule inhibitors, Aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) and mTOR inhibitor vistusertib (AZD2014). Overall, we demonstrate the potential of T1 mapping, a scan readily available on most clinical MRI scanners, to assess response to therapy and guide clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. The study reinforces the potential role of MRI-based functional imaging in delivering precision medicine to children with neuroblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that MRI-based functional imaging can detect apoptotic responses to MYCN-targeted small-molecule inhibitors in a genetically engineered murine model of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Zormpas-Petridis
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Clarke
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Neil P Jerome
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jessica K R Boult
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew D Blackledge
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Children & Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Koers
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Barone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D J Pearson
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John Anderson
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Sebire
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran McHugh
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dow-Mu Koh
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Yinyin Yuan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Simon P Robinson
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Yann Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom.
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George SL, Parmar V, Lorenzi F, Marshall LV, Jamin Y, Poon E, Angelini P, Chesler L. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting telomere maintenance mechanisms in high-risk neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:78. [PMID: 32375866 PMCID: PMC7201617 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of high-risk neuroblastomas can be divided into three distinct molecular subgroups defined by the presence of MYCN amplification, upstream TERT rearrangements or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The common defining feature of all three subgroups is altered telomere maintenance; MYCN amplification and upstream TERT rearrangements drive high levels of telomerase expression whereas ALT is a telomerase independent telomere maintenance mechanism. As all three telomere maintenance mechanisms are independently associated with poor outcomes, the development of strategies to selectively target either telomerase expressing or ALT cells holds great promise as a therapeutic approach that is applicable to the majority of children with aggressive disease.Here we summarise the biology of telomere maintenance and the molecular drivers of aggressive neuroblastoma before describing the most promising therapeutic strategies to target both telomerase expressing and ALT cancers. For telomerase-expressing neuroblastoma the most promising targeted agent to date is 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine, however clinical development of this agent is required. In osteosarcoma cell lines with ALT, selective sensitivity to ATR inhibition has been reported. However, we present data showing that in fact ALT neuroblastoma cells are more resistant to the clinical ATR inhibitor AZD6738 compared to other neuroblastoma subtypes. More recently a number of additional candidate compounds have been shown to show selectivity for ALT cancers, such as Tetra-Pt (bpy), a compound targeting the telomeric G-quadruplex and pifithrin-α, a putative p53 inhibitor. Further pre-clinical evaluation of these compounds in neuroblastoma models is warranted.In summary, telomere maintenance targeting strategies offer a significant opportunity to develop effective new therapies, applicable to a large proportion of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. In parallel to clinical development, more pre-clinical research specifically for neuroblastoma is urgently needed, if we are to improve survival for this common poor outcome tumour of childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - V Parmar
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - F Lorenzi
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - L V Marshall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Y Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - E Poon
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - P Angelini
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - L Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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44
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Disruption of ATRX-RNA interactions uncovers roles in ATRX localization and PRC2 function. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2219. [PMID: 32376827 PMCID: PMC7203109 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin in the eukaryotic genome is rigorously controlled by the concerted action of protein factors and RNAs. Here, we investigate the RNA binding function of ATRX, a chromatin remodeler with roles in silencing of repetitive regions of the genome and in recruitment of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). We identify ATRX RNA binding regions (RBRs) and discover that the major ATRX RBR lies within the N-terminal region of the protein, distinct from its PHD and helicase domains. Deletion of this ATRX RBR (ATRXΔRBR) compromises ATRX interactions with RNAs in vitro and in vivo and alters its chromatin binding properties. Genome-wide studies reveal that loss of RNA interactions results in a redistribution of ATRX on chromatin. Finally, our studies identify a role for ATRX-RNA interactions in regulating PRC2 localization to a subset of polycomb target genes. ATRX is an RNA binding protein that mediates targeting of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to genomic sites. Here the authors identify the RNA binding region and show that the RNA binding is required for ATRX localization and for its recruitment of PRC2 to a subset of polycomb targets.
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45
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MYT1 attenuates neuroblastoma cell differentiation by interacting with the LSD1/CoREST complex. Oncogene 2020; 39:4212-4226. [PMID: 32251364 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1268-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Impaired neuronal differentiation is a feature of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, and the differentiation grade of neuroblastoma tumors is associated with patient prognosis. Detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma differentiation will facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies. Recent studies have shown that myelin transcription factor 1 (MYT1) promotes vertebrate neurogenesis by regulating gene expression. We performed quantitative analysis of neuroblastoma samples, which revealed that MYT1 was differentially expressed among neuroblastoma patients with different pathological diagnoses. Analysis of clinical data showed that MYT1 overexpression was associated with a significantly shorter 3-year overall survival rate and poor differentiation in neuroblastoma specimens. MYT1 knockdown inhibited proliferation and promoted the expression of multiple differentiation-associated proteins. Integrated omics data indicated that many genes involved in neuro-differentiation were regulated by MYT1. Interestingly, many of these genes are targets of the REST complex; therefore, we further identified the physical interaction of MYT1 with LSD1/CoREST. Depletion of LSD1 or inhibition of LSD1 by ORY-1001 decreased MYT1 expression, providing an alternative approach to target MYT1. Taken together, our results indicate that MYT1 significantly attenuates cell differentiation by interacting with the LSD1/CoREST complex. MYT1 is, therefore, a promising therapeutic target for enhancing the neurite-inducing effect of retinoic acid and for inhibiting the growth of neuroblastoma.
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46
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Yang D, Qu F, Cai H, Chuang CH, Lim JS, Jahchan N, Grüner BM, S Kuo C, Kong C, Oudin MJ, Winslow MM, Sage J. Axon-like protrusions promote small cell lung cancer migration and metastasis. eLife 2019; 8:50616. [PMID: 31833833 PMCID: PMC6940020 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients but remains a poorly understood process. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most lethal and most metastatic cancer types. SCLC cells normally express neuroendocrine and neuronal gene programs but accumulating evidence indicates that these cancer cells become relatively more neuronal and less neuroendocrine as they gain the ability to metastasize. Here we show that mouse and human SCLC cells in culture and in vivo can grow cellular protrusions that resemble axons. The formation of these protrusions is controlled by multiple neuronal factors implicated in axonogenesis, axon guidance, and neuroblast migration. Disruption of these axon-like protrusions impairs cell migration in culture and inhibits metastatic ability in vivo. The co-option of developmental neuronal programs is a novel molecular and cellular mechanism that contributes to the high metastatic ability of SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Fangfei Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Hongchen Cai
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Chen-Hua Chuang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Jing Shan Lim
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Nadine Jahchan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Barbara M Grüner
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christin S Kuo
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Christina Kong
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Madeleine J Oudin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States
| | - Monte M Winslow
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Julien Sage
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
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