1
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Krishna S, Prajapati B, Seth P, Sinha S. Dickopff 1 inhibits cancer stem cell properties and promotes neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 17:73-82. [PMID: 39021664 PMCID: PMC11253693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastomas are pediatric tumors arising from undifferentiated cells of neural crest origin with stem cell-like characteristics. Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been shown to be linked to the development of various tumors. Activated Wnt signaling results in β-catenin accumulation in the nucleus to support pro-neoplastic traits. DKK1, a secreted glycoprotein, is an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, and the addition of DKKI to the culture medium has been used to suppress the Wnt pathway. This study aimed to analyze the role of Dickopff-1 as a potential differentiating agent for the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and neurospheres derived from it. The treatment of SH-5Y5Y derived neurospheres by DKK1 resulted in their disintegration and reduced proliferation markers like Ki67, PCNA. DKK1 treatment to the neurospheres also resulted in the loss of cancer stem cell markers like CD133, KIT and pluripotency markers like SOX2, OCT4, NANOG. DKK1 treatment caused reduction in mRNA expression of β-catenin and TCF genes like TCF4, TCF12. When the SH-SY5Y cancer cells were grown under differentiating conditions, DKKI caused neuronal differentiation by itself, and in synergy with retinoic acid. This was verified by the expression of markers like MAPT, DCX, GAP43, ENO2 and also with changes in neurite length. We concluded that Wnt inhibition, as exemplified by DKK1 treatment, is therefore a possible differentiating condition and also suppresses the proliferative and cancer stemness related properties of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bharat Prajapati
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurugram, India
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Biomedicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pankaj Seth
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurugram, India
| | - Subrata Sinha
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurugram, India
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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2
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Finlay JB, Ireland AS, Hawgood SB, Reyes T, Ko T, Olsen RR, Abi Hachem R, Jang DW, Bell D, Chan JM, Goldstein BJ, Oliver TG. Olfactory neuroblastoma mimics molecular heterogeneity and lineage trajectories of small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1086-1105.e13. [PMID: 38788720 PMCID: PMC11186085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The olfactory epithelium undergoes neuronal regeneration from basal stem cells and is susceptible to olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), a rare tumor of unclear origins. Employing alterations in Rb1/Trp53/Myc (RPM), we establish a genetically engineered mouse model of high-grade metastatic ONB exhibiting a NEUROD1+ immature neuronal phenotype. We demonstrate that globose basal cells (GBCs) are a permissive cell of origin for ONB and that ONBs exhibit cell fate heterogeneity that mimics normal GBC developmental trajectories. ASCL1 loss in RPM ONB leads to emergence of non-neuronal histopathologies, including a POU2F3+ microvillar-like state. Similar to small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), mouse and human ONBs exhibit mutually exclusive NEUROD1 and POU2F3-like states, an immune-cold tumor microenvironment, intratumoral cell fate heterogeneity comprising neuronal and non-neuronal lineages, and cell fate plasticity-evidenced by barcode-based lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics. Collectively, our findings highlight conserved similarities between ONB and neuroendocrine tumors with significant implications for ONB classification and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Finlay
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Abbie S Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Sarah B Hawgood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Tony Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, UT, USA
| | - Tiffany Ko
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Rachelle R Olsen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, UT, USA
| | - Ralph Abi Hachem
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - David W Jang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Diana Bell
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte 91010, CA, USA
| | - Joseph M Chan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City 10065, NY, USA
| | - Bradley J Goldstein
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA.
| | - Trudy G Oliver
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, UT, USA.
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3
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Dedoni S, Olianas MC, Onali P. Lysophosphatidic Acid Stimulates Mitogenic Activity and Signaling in Human Neuroblastoma Cells through a Crosstalk with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase. Biomolecules 2024; 14:631. [PMID: 38927035 PMCID: PMC11201523 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060631] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a well-documented pro-oncogenic factor in different cancers, but relatively little is known on its biological activity in neuroblastoma. The LPA effects and the participation of the tyrosine kinase receptor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in LPA mitogenic signaling were studied in human neuroblastoma cell lines. We used light microscopy and [3H]-thymidine incorporation to determine cell proliferation, Western blot to study intracellular signaling, and pharmacological and molecular tools to examine the role of ALK. We found that LPA stimulated the growth of human neuroblastoma cells, as indicated by the enhanced cell number, clonogenic activity, and DNA synthesis. These effects were curtailed by the selective ALK inhibitors NPV-TAE684 and alectinib. In a panel of human neuroblastoma cell lines harboring different ALK genomic status, the ALK inhibitors suppressed LPA-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), which are major regulators of cell proliferation. ALK depletion by siRNA treatment attenuated LPA-induced ERK1/2 activation. LPA enhanced ALK phosphorylation and potentiated ALK activation by the ALK ligand FAM150B. LPA enhanced the inhibitory phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor FoxO3a, and this response was impaired by the ALK inhibitors. These results indicate that LPA stimulates mitogenesis of human neuroblastoma cells through a crosstalk with ALK.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pierluigi Onali
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (S.D.); (M.C.O.)
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4
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Chen C, Sun Z, Wang Z, Shin S, Berrios A, Mellors JW, Dimitrov DS, Li W. Identification of a Fully Human Antibody VH Domain Targeting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) with Applications in ALK-Positive Solid Tumor Immunotherapy. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:39. [PMID: 38804307 PMCID: PMC11130946 DOI: 10.3390/antib13020039] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK, CD247) is a potential target for antibody-based therapy. However, no antibody-based therapeutics targeting ALK have entered clinical trials, necessitating the development of novel antibodies with unique therapeutic merits. Single-domain antibodies (sdAb) bear therapeutic advantages compared to the full-length antibody including deeper tumor penetration, cost-effective production and fast washout from normal tissues. In this study, we identified a human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain (VH domain) (VH20) from an in-house phage library. VH20 exhibits good developability and high specificity with no off-target binding to ~6000 human membrane proteins. VH20 efficiently bound to the glycine-rich region of ALK with an EC50 of 0.4 nM and a KD of 6.54 nM. Both VH20-based bispecific T cell engager (TCE) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR Ts) exhibited potent cytolytic activity to ALK-expressing tumor cells in an ALK-dependent manner. VH20 CAR Ts specifically secreted proinflammatory cytokines including IL-2, TNFα and IFNγ after incubation with ALK-positive cells. To our knowledge, this is the first reported human single-domain antibody against ALK. Our in vitro characterization data indicate that VH20 could be a promising ALK-targeting sdAb with potential applications in ALK-expressing tumors, including neuroblastoma (NBL) and non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Chen
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Zehua Sun
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Zening Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Seungmin Shin
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Abigail Berrios
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;
| | - John W. Mellors
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Dimiter S. Dimitrov
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Wei Li
- Center for Antibody Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (C.C.); (Z.S.); (S.S.); (J.W.M.)
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5
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Xiao B, Landesman-Bollag E, Feng H. What value do zebrafish have to anticancer drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:369-375. [PMID: 38327017 PMCID: PMC10950524 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2313454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Esther Landesman-Bollag
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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6
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Yang W, Liu X, He Z, Zhang Y, Tan X, Liu C. odd skipped-related 2 as a novel mark for labeling the proximal convoluted tubule within the zebrafish kidney. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27582. [PMID: 38496848 PMCID: PMC10944271 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27582] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of the kidney is a crucial functional segment responsible for reabsorption, secretion, and the maintenance of electrolyte and water balance within the renal tubule. However, there is a lack of a well-defined endogenous transgenic line for studying PCT morphogenesis. By analyzing single-cell transcriptome data from the adult zebrafish kidney, we have identified the expression of odd-skipped-related 2 (osr2, which encodes an odd-skipped zinc-finger transcription factor) in the PCT. To gain insight into the role of osr2 in PCT morphogenesis, we have generated a transgenic zebrafish line Tg(osr2:EGFP), expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The EGFP expression pattern closely mirrors that of endogenous Osr2, faithfully recapitulating its native expression profile. During kidney development, we can use EGFP to track PCT development, which is also preserved in adult zebrafish. Additionally, osr2:EGFP-labeled zebrafish PCT fragments displayed short lengths with infrequent overlap, rendering them conducive for nephrons counting. The generation of Tg(osr2:EGFP) transgenic line is accompanied by simultaneous disruption of osr2 activity. Importantly, our findings demonstrate that osr2 inactivation had no discernible impact on the development and regeneration of Tg(osr2:EGFP) zebrafish nephrons. Overall, the establishment of this transgenic zebrafish line offers a valuable tool for both genetic and chemical analysis of PCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenmin Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xiaoliang Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Zhongwei He
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Tan
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Chongqing Clinical Research Center of Kidney and Urology Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, PR China
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7
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Huang M, Fang W, Farrel A, Li L, Chronopoulos A, Nasholm N, Cheng B, Zheng T, Yoda H, Barata MJ, Porras T, Miller ML, Zhen Q, Ghiglieri L, McHenry L, Wang L, Asgharzadeh S, Park J, Gustafson WC, Matthay KK, Maris JM, Weiss WA. ALK upregulates POSTN and WNT signaling to drive neuroblastoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113927. [PMID: 38451815 PMCID: PMC11101011 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113927] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. While MYCN and mutant anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALKF1174L) cooperate in tumorigenesis, how ALK contributes to tumor formation remains unclear. Here, we used a human stem cell-based model of neuroblastoma. Mis-expression of ALKF1174L and MYCN resulted in shorter latency compared to MYCN alone. MYCN tumors resembled adrenergic, while ALK/MYCN tumors resembled mesenchymal, neuroblastoma. Transcriptomic analysis revealed enrichment in focal adhesion signaling, particularly the extracellular matrix genes POSTN and FN1 in ALK/MYCN tumors. Patients with ALK-mutant tumors similarly demonstrated elevated levels of POSTN and FN1. Knockdown of POSTN, but not FN1, delayed adhesion and suppressed proliferation of ALK/MYCN tumors. Furthermore, loss of POSTN reduced ALK-dependent activation of WNT signaling. Reciprocally, inhibition of the WNT pathway reduced expression of POSTN and growth of ALK/MYCN tumor cells. Thus, ALK drives neuroblastoma in part through a feedforward loop between POSTN and WNT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miller Huang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Wanqi Fang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alvin Farrel
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Linwei Li
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antonios Chronopoulos
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Nasholm
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bo Cheng
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tina Zheng
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Yoda
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Megumi J Barata
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tania Porras
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew L Miller
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Qiqi Zhen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Ghiglieri
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren McHenry
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Linyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - JinSeok Park
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - W Clay Gustafson
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katherine K Matthay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William A Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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8
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Qin X, Lam A, Zhang X, Sengupta S, Iorgulescu JB, Ni H, Das S, Rager M, Zhou Z, Zuo T, Meara GK, Floru AE, Kemet C, Veerapaneni D, Kashy D, Lin L, Lloyd K, Kwok L, Smith KS, Nagaraju RT, Meijers R, Ceol C, Liu CT, Alexandrescu S, Wu CJ, Keskin DB, George RE, Feng H. CKLF instigates a "cold" microenvironment to promote MYCN-mediated tumor aggressiveness. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh9547. [PMID: 38489372 PMCID: PMC10942121 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Solid tumors, especially those with aberrant MYCN activation, often harbor an immunosuppressive microenvironment to fuel malignant growth and trigger treatment resistance. Despite this knowledge, there are no effective strategies to tackle this problem. We found that chemokine-like factor (CKLF) is highly expressed by various solid tumor cells and transcriptionally up-regulated by MYCN. Using the MYCN-driven high-risk neuroblastoma as a model system, we demonstrated that as early as the premalignant stage, tumor cells secrete CKLF to attract CCR4-expressing CD4+ cells, inducing immunosuppression and tumor aggression. Genetic depletion of CD4+ T regulatory cells abolishes the immunorestrictive and protumorigenic effects of CKLF. Our work supports that disrupting CKLF-mediated cross-talk between tumor and CD4+ suppressor cells represents a promising immunotherapeutic approach to battling MYCN-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Qin
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Lam
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Satyaki Sengupta
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J. Bryan Iorgulescu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hongru Ni
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanjukta Das
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubanesw, India
| | - Madison Rager
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhenwei Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tao Zuo
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace K. Meara
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander E. Floru
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chinyere Kemet
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Divya Veerapaneni
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Kashy
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liang Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Lauren Kwok
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaylee S. Smith
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raghavendar T. Nagaraju
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Colorectal and Peritoneal Oncology Centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rob Meijers
- Institute for Protein Innovation, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Craig Ceol
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ching-Ti Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanda Alexandrescu
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rani E. George
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Jablonowski CM, Quarni W, Singh S, Tan H, Bostanthirige DH, Jin H, Fang J, Chang TC, Finkelstein D, Cho JH, Hu D, Pagala V, Sakurada SM, Pruett-Miller SM, Wang R, Murphy A, Freeman K, Peng J, Davidoff AM, Wu G, Yang J. Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells by JMJD6-mediated pre-mRNA splicing associated with therapeutic response to splicing inhibitor. eLife 2024; 12:RP90993. [PMID: 38488852 PMCID: PMC10942784 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are two hallmarks of MYC-driven cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of both processes has been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic avenues in preclinical and clinical studies. However, how pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are orchestrated in response to oncogenic stress and therapies is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that jumonji domain containing 6, arginine demethylase, and lysine hydroxylase, JMJD6, acts as a hub connecting splicing and metabolism in MYC-driven human neuroblastoma. JMJD6 cooperates with MYC in cellular transformation of murine neural crest cells by physically interacting with RNA binding proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing and protein homeostasis. Notably, JMJD6 controls the alternative splicing of two isoforms of glutaminase (GLS), namely kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and glutaminase C (GAC), which are rate-limiting enzymes of glutaminolysis in the central carbon metabolism in neuroblastoma. Further, we show that JMJD6 is correlated with the anti-cancer activity of indisulam, a 'molecular glue' that degrades splicing factor RBM39, which complexes with JMJD6. The indisulam-mediated cancer cell killing is at least partly dependent on the glutamine-related metabolic pathway mediated by JMJD6. Our findings reveal a cancer-promoting metabolic program is associated with alternative pre-mRNA splicing through JMJD6, providing a rationale to target JMJD6 as a therapeutic avenue for treating MYC-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Waise Quarni
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Shivendra Singh
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | | | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Ti-Cheng Chang
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - David Finkelstein
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Ji-Hoon Cho
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Dongli Hu
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Vishwajeeth Pagala
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Sadie Miki Sakurada
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Ruoning Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusUnited States
| | - Andrew Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Kevin Freeman
- Genetics, Genomics & Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)MemphisUnited States
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
- St Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisUnited States
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
- St Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisUnited States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisUnited States
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisUnited States
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10
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Wang T, Liu L, Fang J, Jin H, Natarajan S, Sheppard H, Lu M, Turner G, Confer T, Johnson M, Steinberg J, Ha L, Yadak N, Jain R, Picketts DJ, Ma X, Murphy A, Davidoff AM, Glazer ES, Easton J, Chen X, Wang R, Yang J. Conditional c-MYC activation in catecholaminergic cells drives distinct neuroendocrine tumors: neuroblastoma vs somatostatinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.12.584622. [PMID: 38559042 PMCID: PMC10980015 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.12.584622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogenes (c-MYC, MYCN , MYCL ) are among the most deregulated oncogenic drivers in human malignancies including high-risk neuroblastoma, 50% of which are MYCN -amplified. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) based on the MYCN transgene have greatly expanded the understanding of neuroblastoma biology and are powerful tools for testing new therapies. However, a lack of c-MYC-driven GEMMs has hampered the ability to better understand mechanisms of neuroblastoma oncogenesis and therapy development given that c-MYC is also an important driver of many high-risk neuroblastomas. In this study, we report two transgenic murine neuroendocrine models driven by conditional c-MYC induction in tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (Dbh)-expressing cells. c-MYC induction in Th-expressing cells leads to a preponderance of Pdx1 + somatostatinomas, a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET), resembling human somatostatinoma with highly expressed gene signatures of δ cells and potassium channels. In contrast, c-MYC induction in Dbh-expressing cells leads to onset of neuroblastomas, showing a better transforming capacity than MYCN in a comparable C57BL/6 genetic background. The c-MYC murine neuroblastoma tumors recapitulate the pathologic and genetic features of human neuroblastoma, express GD2, and respond to anti-GD2 immunotherapy. This model also responds to DFMO, an FDA-approved inhibitor targeting ODC1, which is a known MYC transcriptional target. Thus, establishing c-MYC-overexpressing GEMMs resulted in different but related tumor types depending on the targeted cell and provide useful tools for testing immunotherapies and targeted therapies for these diseases.
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11
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Van Haver S, Fan Y, Bekaert SL, Everaert C, Van Loocke W, Zanzani V, Deschildre J, Maestre IF, Amaro A, Vermeirssen V, De Preter K, Zhou T, Kentsis A, Studer L, Speleman F, Roberts SS. Human iPSC modeling recapitulates in vivo sympathoadrenal development and reveals an aberrant developmental subpopulation in familial neuroblastoma. iScience 2024; 27:108096. [PMID: 38222111 PMCID: PMC10784699 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies defining normal and disrupted human neural crest cell development have been challenging given its early timing and intricacy of development. Consequently, insight into the early disruptive events causing a neural crest related disease such as pediatric cancer neuroblastoma is limited. To overcome this problem, we developed an in vitro differentiation model to recapitulate the normal in vivo developmental process of the sympathoadrenal lineage which gives rise to neuroblastoma. We used human in vitro pluripotent stem cells and single-cell RNA sequencing to recapitulate the molecular events during sympathoadrenal development. We provide a detailed map of dynamically regulated transcriptomes during sympathoblast formation and illustrate the power of this model to study early events of the development of human neuroblastoma, identifying a distinct subpopulation of cell marked by SOX2 expression in developing sympathoblast obtained from patient derived iPSC cells harboring a germline activating mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Van Haver
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yujie Fan
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, MSKCC, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah-Lee Bekaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celine Everaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vittorio Zanzani
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Lab for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation (CBIGR), Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joke Deschildre
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Lab for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation (CBIGR), Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inés Fernandez Maestre
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adrianna Amaro
- Department of Pediatrics, MSKCC, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Lab for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation (CBIGR), Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ting Zhou
- The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alex Kentsis
- Department of Pediatrics, MSKCC, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, MSKCC, New York, NY, USA
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, MSKCC, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, MSKCC, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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12
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Borenäs M, Umapathy G, Lind DE, Lai WY, Guan J, Johansson J, Jennische E, Schmidt A, Kurhe Y, Gabre JL, Aniszewska A, Strömberg A, Bemark M, Hall MN, den Eynden JV, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. ALK signaling primes the DNA damage response sensitizing ALK-driven neuroblastoma to therapeutic ATR inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315242121. [PMID: 38154064 PMCID: PMC10769851 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315242121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is a significant clinical challenge. MYCN and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK), which are often involved in high-risk NB, lead to increased replication stress in cancer cells, suggesting therapeutic strategies. We previously identified an ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related)/ALK inhibitor (ATRi/ALKi) combination as such a strategy in two independent genetically modified mouse NB models. Here, we identify an underlying molecular mechanism, in which ALK signaling leads to phosphorylation of ATR and CHK1, supporting an effective DNA damage response. The importance of ALK inhibition is supported by mouse data, in which ATRi monotreatment resulted in a robust initial response, but subsequent relapse, in contrast to a 14-d ALKi/ATRi combination treatment that resulted in a robust and sustained response. Finally, we show that the remarkable response to the 14-d combined ATR/ALK inhibition protocol reflects a robust differentiation response, reprogramming tumor cells to a neuronal/Schwann cell lineage identity. Our results identify an ability of ATR inhibition to promote NB differentiation and underscore the importance of further exploring combined ALK/ATR inhibition in NB, particularly in high-risk patient groups with oncogene-induced replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Borenäs
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Dan E. Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Wei-Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Joel Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Eva Jennische
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, Basel University, Basel4056, Switzerland
| | - Yeshwant Kurhe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jonatan L. Gabre
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Agata Aniszewska
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Anneli Strömberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | | | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
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13
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Valencia-Sama I, Kee L, Christopher G, Ohh M, Layeghifard M, Shlien A, Hayes MN, Irwin MS. SHP2 Inhibition with TNO155 Increases Efficacy and Overcomes Resistance of ALK Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2608-2622. [PMID: 38032104 PMCID: PMC10752212 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Survival rates among patients with high-risk neuroblastoma remain low and novel therapies for recurrent neuroblastomas are required. ALK is commonly mutated in primary and relapsed neuroblastoma tumors and ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are promising treatments for ALK-driven neuroblastoma; however, innate or adaptive resistance to single-agent ALK-TKIs remain a clinical challenge. Recently, SHP2 inhibitors have been shown to overcome ALK-TKI resistance in lung tumors harboring ALK rearrangements. Here, we have assessed the efficacy of the SHP2 inhibitor TNO155 alone and in combination with the ALK-TKIs crizotinib, ceritinib, or lorlatinib for the treatment of ALK-driven neuroblastoma using in vitro and in vivo models. In comparison to wild-type, ALK-mutant neuroblastoma cell lines were more sensitive to SHP2 inhibition with TNO155. Moreover, treatment with TNO155 and ALK-TKIs synergistically reduced cell growth and promoted inactivation of ALK and MAPK signaling in ALK-mutant neuroblastoma cells. ALK-mutant cells engrafted into larval zebrafish and treated with single agents or dual SHP2/ALK inhibitors showed reduced growth and invasion. In murine ALK-mutant xenografts, tumor growth was likewise reduced or delayed, and survival was prolonged upon combinatorial treatment of TNO155 and lorlatinib. Finally, we show that lorlatinib-resistant ALK-F1174L neuroblastoma cells harbor additional RAS-MAPK pathway alterations and can be resensitized to lorlatinib when combined with TNO155 in vitro and in vivo. Our results report the first evaluation of TNO155 in neuroblastoma and suggest that combinatorial inhibition of ALK and SHP2 could be a novel approach to treating ALK-driven neuroblastoma, potentially including the increasingly common tumors that have developed resistance to ALK-TKIs. SIGNIFICANCE These findings highlight the translatability between zebrafish and murine models, provide evidence of aberrant RAS-MAPK signaling as an adaptive mechanism of resistance to lorlatinib, and demonstrate the clinical potential for SHP2/ALK inhibitor combinations for the treatment of ALK-mutant neuroblastoma, including those with acquired tolerance or potentially resistance to ALK-TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynn Kee
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Michael Ohh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mehdi Layeghifard
- Genetics and Genomics Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adam Shlien
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Genetics and Genomics Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Madeline N. Hayes
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Meredith S. Irwin
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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14
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Bergaggio E, Tai WT, Aroldi A, Mecca C, Landoni E, Nüesch M, Mota I, Metovic J, Molinaro L, Ma L, Alvarado D, Ambrogio C, Voena C, Blasco RB, Li T, Klein D, Irvine DJ, Papotti M, Savoldo B, Dotti G, Chiarle R. ALK inhibitors increase ALK expression and sensitize neuroblastoma cells to ALK.CAR-T cells. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:2100-2116.e10. [PMID: 38039964 PMCID: PMC10793157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.11.004] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Selection of the best tumor antigen is critical for the therapeutic success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor is expressed by most neuroblastomas while virtually absent in most normal tissues. ALK is an oncogenic driver in neuroblastoma and ALK inhibitors show promising clinical activity. Here, we describe the development of ALK.CAR-T cells that show potent efficacy in monotherapy against neuroblastoma with high ALK expression without toxicity. For neuroblastoma with low ALK expression, combination with ALK inhibitors specifically potentiates ALK.CAR-T cells but not GD2.CAR-T cells. Mechanistically, ALK inhibitors impair tumor growth and upregulate the expression of ALK, thereby facilitating the activity of ALK.CAR-T cells against neuroblastoma. Thus, while neither ALK inhibitors nor ALK.CAR-T cells will likely be sufficient as monotherapy in neuroblastoma with low ALK density, their combination specifically enhances therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bergaggio
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei-Tien Tai
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Aroldi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Carmen Mecca
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Manuel Nüesch
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ines Mota
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jasna Metovic
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Molinaro
- Department of Medical Science, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Leyuan Ma
- Koch Institute and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Claudia Voena
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Rafael B Blasco
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tongqing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Daryl Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy.
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15
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Jablonowski C, Quarni W, Singh S, Tan H, Bostanthirige DH, Jin H, Fang J, Chang TC, Finkelstein D, Cho JH, Hu D, Pagala V, Sakurada SM, Pruett-Miller SM, Wang R, Murphy A, Freeman K, Peng J, Davidoff AM, Wu G, Yang J. Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells by JMJD6-mediated pre-mRNA splicing is associated with therapeutic response to splicing inhibitor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.26.546606. [PMID: 37425900 PMCID: PMC10327027 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.26.546606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are two hallmarks of MYC-driven cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of both processes has been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic avenues in preclinical and clinical studies. However, how pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are orchestrated in response to oncogenic stress and therapies is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Jumonji Domain Containing 6, Arginine Demethylase and Lysine Hydroxylase, JMJD6, acts as a hub connecting splicing and metabolism in MYC-driven neuroblastoma. JMJD6 cooperates with MYC in cellular transformation by physically interacting with RNA binding proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing and protein homeostasis. Notably, JMJD6 controls the alternative splicing of two isoforms of glutaminase (GLS), namely kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and glutaminase C (GAC), which are rate-limiting enzymes of glutaminolysis in the central carbon metabolism in neuroblastoma. Further, we show that JMJD6 is correlated with the anti-cancer activity of indisulam, a "molecular glue" that degrades splicing factor RBM39, which complexes with JMJD6. The indisulam-mediated cancer cell killing is at least partly dependent on the glutamine-related metabolic pathway mediated by JMJD6. Our findings reveal a cancer-promoting metabolic program is associated with alternative pre-mRNA splicing through JMJD6, providing a rationale to target JMJD6 as a therapeutic avenue for treating MYC-driven cancers.
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16
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Katic L, Priscan A. Multifaceted Roles of ALK Family Receptors and Augmentor Ligands in Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1490. [PMID: 37892172 PMCID: PMC10605310 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the discovery of physiological ligands Augα (Augmentor α; ALKAL2; Fam150b) and Augβ (Augmentor β; ALKAL1; Fam150a) for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK), previously considered orphan receptors. This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the biophysical and cellular properties of ALK family receptors and their roles in cancer, metabolism, pain, ophthalmology, pigmentation, central nervous system (CNS) function, and reproduction. ALK and LTK receptors are implicated in the development of numerous cancers, and targeted inhibition of their signaling pathways can offer therapeutic benefits. Additionally, ALK family receptors are involved in regulating body weight and metabolism, modulating pain signaling, and contributing to eye development and pigmentation. In the CNS, these receptors play a role in synapse modulation, neurogenesis, and various psychiatric pathologies. Lastly, ALK expression is linked to reproductive functions, with potential implications for patients undergoing ALK inhibitor therapy. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions of ALK family receptors and Aug ligands and to repurpose targeted therapy for a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Katic
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West, 1000 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Anamarija Priscan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
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17
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Yang R, Liu N, Li T, Liu F, Zhang J, Zhao H, Zou L, He X. LncRNA AC142119.1 facilitates the progression of neuroblastoma by epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN. J Transl Med 2023; 21:659. [PMID: 37741985 PMCID: PMC10518117 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04535-3] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogene MYCN is closely related with malignant progression and poor prognosis of neuroblastoma (NB). Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as crucial regulators in various cancers. However, whether lncRNAs contribute to the overexpression of MYCN in NB is unclear. METHODS Microarray analysis were applied to analyze the differentially expressed lncRNAs between MYCN-amplified and MYCN-non-amplified NB cell lines. Bioinformatic analyses were utilized to identify lncRNAs nearby MYCN locus. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA AC142119.1 in NB cell lines and tissues. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the biological effect of AC142119.1 in NB. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromatin isolation by RNA purification assays were performed to validate the interaction between AC142119.1 and WDR5 protein as well as MYCN promoter. RESULTS AC142119.1 was significantly elevated in NB tissues with MYCN amplification, advanced INSS stage and high risk, and associated with poor survival of NB patients. Moreover, enforced expression of AC142119.1 reinforced the proliferation of NB cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, AC142119.1 specifically recruited WDR5 protein to interact with MYCN promoter, further initiating the transcription of MYCN and accelerating NB progression. CONCLUSIONS We identified a novel lncRNA AC142119.1, which promoted the progression of NB through epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN via interacting with both WDR5 protein and the promoter of MYCN, indicating that AC142119.1 might be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Nanjing Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Fangjie Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
- Clinical Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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18
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Yuan Y, Alzrigat M, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Wang X, Bexelius TS, Johnsen JI, Arsenian-Henriksson M, Liaño-Pons J, Bedoya-Reina OC. Target Genes of c-MYC and MYCN with Prognostic Power in Neuroblastoma Exhibit Different Expressions during Sympathoadrenal Development. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4599. [PMID: 37760568 PMCID: PMC10527308 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184599] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the MYC family of transcription factors c-MYC (encoded by MYC), MYCN, and MYCL is prevalent in most human cancers, with an impact on tumor initiation and progression, as well as response to therapy. In neuroblastoma (NB), amplification of the MYCN oncogene and over-expression of MYC characterize approximately 40% and 10% of all high-risk NB cases, respectively. However, the mechanism and stage of neural crest development in which MYCN and c-MYC contribute to the onset and/or progression of NB are not yet fully understood. Here, we hypothesized that subtle differences in the expression of MYCN and/or c-MYC targets could more accurately stratify NB patients in different risk groups rather than using the expression of either MYC gene alone. We employed an integrative approach using the transcriptome of 498 NB patients from the SEQC cohort and previously defined c-MYC and MYCN target genes to model a multigene transcriptional risk score. Our findings demonstrate that defined sets of c-MYC and MYCN targets with significant prognostic value, effectively stratify NB patients into different groups with varying overall survival probabilities. In particular, patients exhibiting a high-risk signature score present unfavorable clinical parameters, including increased clinical risk, higher INSS stage, MYCN amplification, and disease progression. Notably, target genes with prognostic value differ between c-MYC and MYCN, exhibiting distinct expression patterns in the developing sympathoadrenal system. Genes associated with poor outcomes are mainly found in sympathoblasts rather than in chromaffin cells during the sympathoadrenal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xueyao Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Sjöberg Bexelius
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, Astrid Lindgren’s Children Hospital, SE-171 64 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar C. Bedoya-Reina
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Pischedda F, Ghirelli A, Tripathi V, Piccoli G. Negr1-Derived Peptides Trigger ALK Degradation and Halt Neuroblastoma Progression In Vitro and In Vivo. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2307. [PMID: 37765276 PMCID: PMC10536585 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is among the most common childhood cancers. Neuroblastoma in advanced stages is one of the most intractable pediatric cancers, notwithstanding the recent therapeutic advances. ALK mutations are among the leading cause of hereditary neuroblastoma and account for more than 14% of the somatically acquired alterations. ALK kinase activity is currently one of the main targets for pharmacological strategies. However, evidence from ALK fusion-positive lung cancer studies has shown that resistance to ALK inhibition arises during the therapy, causing a relapse within several years. IgLONs are membrane-bound proteins involved in cell-to-cell adhesion. The expression of the IgLON family results altered in different cancers. We found that the IgLON member Negr1 is downregulated in neuroblastoma. The ectopic overexpression of Negr1 impairs neuroblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo. Negr1 exists as a GPI-anchored membrane-bound protein and as a soluble protein released upon metalloprotease cleavage. We generated and characterized a panel of Negr1-derived peptides. The treatment with Negr1 protein and derived peptides induce ALK downregulation and halt neuroblastoma progression in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giovanni Piccoli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
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20
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Smiles WJ, Catalano L, Stefan VE, Weber DD, Kofler B. Metabolic protein kinase signalling in neuroblastoma. Mol Metab 2023; 75:101771. [PMID: 37414143 PMCID: PMC10362370 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a paediatric malignancy of incredibly complex aetiology. Oncogenic protein kinase signalling in neuroblastoma has conventionally focussed on transduction through the well-characterised PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, in which the latter has been implicated in treatment resistance. The discovery of the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK as a target of genetic alterations in cases of familial and sporadic neuroblastoma, was a breakthrough in the understanding of the complex genetic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma. However, despite progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of ALK, treatment resistance frequently arises and appears to be a feature of the disease. Moreover, since the identification of ALK, several additional protein kinases, including the PIM and Aurora kinases, have emerged not only as drivers of the disease phenotype, but also as promising druggable targets. This is particularly the case for Aurora-A, given its intimate engagement with MYCN, a driver oncogene of aggressive neuroblastoma previously considered 'undruggable.' SCOPE OF REVIEW Aided by significant advances in structural biology and a broader understanding of the mechanisms of protein kinase function and regulation, we comprehensively outline the role of protein kinase signalling, emphasising ALK, PIM and Aurora in neuroblastoma, their respective metabolic outputs, and broader implications for targeted therapies. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Despite massively divergent regulatory mechanisms, ALK, PIM and Aurora kinases all obtain significant roles in cellular glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolism and neuroblastoma progression, and in several instances are implicated in treatment resistance. While metabolism of neuroblastoma tends to display hallmarks of the glycolytic "Warburg effect," aggressive, in particular MYCN-amplified tumours, retain functional mitochondrial metabolism, allowing for survival and proliferation under nutrient stress. Future strategies employing specific kinase inhibitors as part of the treatment regimen should consider combinatorial attempts at interfering with tumour metabolism, either through metabolic pathway inhibitors, or by dietary means, with a view to abolish metabolic flexibility that endows cancerous cells with a survival advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Smiles
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Luca Catalano
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Victoria E Stefan
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela D Weber
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Barbara Kofler
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
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21
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Deng Z, Richardson DR. The Myc Family and the Metastasis Suppressor NDRG1: Targeting Key Molecular Interactions with Innovative Therapeutics. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:1007-1035. [PMID: 37280098 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in ∼10 million deaths in 2020. Major oncogenic effectors are the Myc proto-oncogene family, which consists of three members including c-Myc, N-Myc, and L-Myc. As a pertinent example of the role of the Myc family in tumorigenesis, amplification of MYCN in childhood neuroblastoma strongly correlates with poor patient prognosis. Complexes between Myc oncoproteins and their partners such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and Myc-associated protein X (MAX) result in proliferation arrest and pro-proliferative effects, respectively. Interactions with other proteins are also important for N-Myc activity. For instance, the enhancer of zest homolog 2 (EZH2) binds directly to N-Myc to stabilize it by acting as a competitor against the ubiquitin ligase, SCFFBXW7, which prevents proteasomal degradation. Heat shock protein 90 may also be involved in N-Myc stabilization since it binds to EZH2 and prevents its degradation. N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is downregulated by N-Myc and participates in the regulation of cellular proliferation via associating with other proteins, such as glycogen synthase kinase-3β and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6. These molecular interactions provide a better understanding of the biologic roles of N-Myc and NDRG1, which can be potentially used as therapeutic targets. In addition to directly targeting these proteins, disrupting their key interactions may also be a promising strategy for anti-cancer drug development. This review examines the interactions between the Myc proteins and other molecules, with a special focus on the relationship between N-Myc and NDRG1 and possible therapeutic interventions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neuroblastoma is one of the most common childhood solid tumors, with a dismal five-year survival rate. This problem makes it imperative to discover new and more effective therapeutics. The molecular interactions between major oncogenic drivers of the Myc family and other key proteins; for example, the metastasis suppressor, NDRG1, may potentially be used as targets for anti-neuroblastoma drug development. In addition to directly targeting these proteins, disrupting their key molecular interactions may also be promising for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Deng
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia (Z.D., D.R.R.), and Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan (D.R.R.)
| | - Des R Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia (Z.D., D.R.R.), and Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan (D.R.R.)
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22
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Boltman T, Meyer M, Ekpo O. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cancers Using Chlorotoxin Nanoparticles. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3388. [PMID: 37444498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) and high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) are known to have poor therapeutic outcomes. As for most cancers, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the current mainstay treatments for GB and NB. However, the known limitations of systemic toxicity, drug resistance, poor targeted delivery, and inability to access the blood-brain barrier (BBB), make these treatments less satisfactory. Other treatment options have been investigated in many studies in the literature, especially nutraceutical and naturopathic products, most of which have also been reported to be poorly effective against these cancer types. This necessitates the development of treatment strategies with the potential to cross the BBB and specifically target cancer cells. Compounds that target the endopeptidase, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), have been reported to offer therapeutic insights for GB and NB since MMP-2 is known to be over-expressed in these cancers and plays significant roles in such physiological processes as angiogenesis, metastasis, and cellular invasion. Chlorotoxin (CTX) is a promising 36-amino acid peptide isolated from the venom of the deathstalker scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus, demonstrating high selectivity and binding affinity to a broad-spectrum of cancers, especially GB and NB through specific molecular targets, including MMP-2. The favorable characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) such as their small sizes, large surface area for active targeting, BBB permeability, etc. make CTX-functionalized NPs (CTX-NPs) promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications for addressing the many challenges associated with these cancers. CTX-NPs may function by improving diffusion through the BBB, enabling increased localization of chemotherapeutic and genotherapeutic drugs to diseased cells specifically, enhancing imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical imaging techniques, image-guided surgery, as well as improving the sensitization of radio-resistant cells to radiotherapy treatment. This review discusses the characteristics of GB and NB cancers, related treatment challenges as well as the potential of CTX and its functionalized NP formulations as targeting systems for diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic purposes. It also provides insights into the potential mechanisms through which CTX crosses the BBB to bind cancer cells and provides suggestions for the development and application of novel CTX-based formulations for the diagnosis and treatment of GB and NB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taahirah Boltman
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Mervin Meyer
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Okobi Ekpo
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
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23
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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24
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Weichert-Leahey N, Shi H, Tao T, Oldridge DA, Durbin AD, Abraham BJ, Zimmerman MW, Zhu S, Wood AC, Reyon D, Joung JK, Young RA, Diskin SJ, Maris JM, Look AT. Genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma results from a regulatory polymorphism that promotes the adrenergic cell state. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166919. [PMID: 37183825 PMCID: PMC10178836 DOI: 10.1172/jci166919] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood neuroblastomas exhibit plasticity between an undifferentiated neural crest-like mesenchymal cell state and a more differentiated sympathetic adrenergic cell state. These cell states are governed by autoregulatory transcriptional loops called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), which drive the early development of sympathetic neuronal progenitors from migratory neural crest cells during embryogenesis. The adrenergic cell identity of neuroblastoma requires LMO1 as a transcriptional cofactor. Both LMO1 expression levels and the risk of developing neuroblastoma in children are associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism, G/T, that affects a GATA motif in the first intron of LMO1. Here, we showed that WT zebrafish with the GATA genotype developed adrenergic neuroblastoma, while knock-in of the protective TATA allele at this locus reduced the penetrance of MYCN-driven tumors, which were restricted to the mesenchymal cell state. Whole genome sequencing of childhood neuroblastomas demonstrated that TATA/TATA tumors also exhibited a mesenchymal cell state and were low risk at diagnosis. Thus, conversion of the regulatory GATA to a TATA allele in the first intron of LMO1 reduced the neuroblastoma-initiation rate by preventing formation of the adrenergic cell state. This mechanism was conserved over 400 million years of evolution, separating zebrafish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Weichert-Leahey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Tao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Derek A. Oldridge
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adam D. Durbin
- Department of Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian J. Abraham
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark W. Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew C. Wood
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deepak Reyon
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J. Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard A. Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon J. Diskin
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John M. Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - A. Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Wertman JN, Berman JN. Back to the future: evolutionary biology reveals a key regulatory switch in neuroblastoma pathogenesis. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167824. [PMID: 37183823 PMCID: PMC10178827 DOI: 10.1172/jci167824] [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: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While MYCN expression is an important contributing factor to heterogeneity in the natural history of neuroblastoma (NBL), a mechanistic understanding of this often mutationally quiet tumor has remained elusive. In this issue of the JCI, Weichert-Leahey and authors focused on the adrenergic and mesenchymal core regulatory circuitries (CRC) as NBL transcriptional programs. The authors previously showed that overexpression of LIM-domain-only 1 (LMO1), a transcriptional coregulator, synergizes with MYCN to accelerate tumor formation and metastasis in an NBL-zebrafish model. They now demonstrate experimentally, using genome-edited zebrafish, that a polymorphism in the human rs2168101 locus of the LMO1 gene determines which CRC is active in a tumor. In some cases, LMO3 compensated for LMO1 loss and drove the adrenergic CRC in MYCN-positive NBL. This study exemplifies the value of evolutionary relationships and zebrafish models in the investigation of human disease and reveals pathways of NBL development that may affect prevention or intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime N. Wertman
- Department of Pediatrics, Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre and College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jason N. Berman
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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26
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Patel P, Nandi A, Verma SK, Kaushik N, Suar M, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. Zebrafish-based platform for emerging bio-contaminants and virus inactivation research. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162197. [PMID: 36781138 PMCID: PMC9922160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Emerging bio-contaminants such as viruses have affected health and environment settings of every country. Viruses are the minuscule entities resulting in severe contagious diseases like SARS, MERS, Ebola, and avian influenza. Recent epidemic like the SARS-CoV-2, the virus has undergone mutations strengthen them and allowing to escape from the remedies. Comprehensive knowledge of viruses is essential for the development of targeted therapeutic and vaccination treatments. Animal models mimicking human biology like non-human primates, rats, mice, and rabbits offer competitive advantage to assess risk of viral infections, chemical toxins, nanoparticles, and microbes. However, their economic maintenance has always been an issue. Furthermore, the redundancy of experimental results due to aforementioned aspects is also in examine. Hence, exploration for the alternative animal models is crucial for risk assessments. The current review examines zebrafish traits and explores the possibilities to monitor emerging bio-contaminants. Additionally, a comprehensive picture of the bio contaminant and virus particle invasion and abatement mechanisms in zebrafish and human cells is presented. Moreover, a zebrafish model to investigate the emerging viruses such as coronaviridae and poxviridae has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paritosh Patel
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aditya Nandi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, 18323 Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
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Weichert-Leahey N, Shi H, Tao T, Oldridge DA, Durbin AD, Abraham BJ, Zimmerman MW, Zhu S, Wood AC, Reyon D, Joung JK, Young RA, Diskin SJ, Maris JM, Look AT. Genetic Predisposition to Neuroblastoma Results from a Regulatory Polymorphism that Promotes the Adrenergic Cell State. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.28.530457. [PMID: 36909587 PMCID: PMC10002714 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Childhood neuroblastomas exhibit plasticity between an undifferentiated neural crest-like "mesenchymal" cell state and a more differentiated sympathetic "adrenergic" cell state. These cell states are governed by autoregulatory transcriptional loops called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), which drive the early development of sympathetic neuronal progenitors from migratory neural crest cells during embryogenesis. The adrenergic cell identity of neuroblastoma requires LMO1 as a transcriptional co-factor. Both LMO1 expression levels and the risk of developing neuroblastoma in children are associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism G/T that affects a G ATA motif in the first intron of LMO1. Here we show that wild-type zebrafish with the G ATA genotype develop adrenergic neuroblastoma, while knock-in of the protective T ATA allele at this locus reduces the penetrance of MYCN-driven tumors, which are restricted to the mesenchymal cell state. Whole genome sequencing of childhood neuroblastomas demonstrates that T ATA/ T ATA tumors also exhibit a mesenchymal cell state and are low risk at diagnosis. Thus, conversion of the regulatory G ATA to a T ATA allele in the first intron of LMO1 reduces the neuroblastoma initiation rate by preventing formation of the adrenergic cell state, a mechanism that is conserved over 400 million years of evolution separating zebrafish and humans.
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Koeniger A, Polo P, Brichkina A, Finkernagel F, Visekruna A, Nist A, Stiewe T, Daude M, Diederich W, Gress T, Adhikary T, Lauth M. Tumor-suppressive disruption of cancer subtype-associated super enhancer circuits by small molecule treatment. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad007. [PMID: 36755960 PMCID: PMC9900422 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional cancer subtypes which correlate with traits such as tumor growth, drug sensitivity or the chances of relapse and metastasis, have been described for several malignancies. The core regulatory circuits (CRCs) defining these subtypes are established by chromatin super enhancers (SEs) driving key transcription factors (TFs) specific for the particular cell state. In neuroblastoma (NB), one of the most frequent solid pediatric cancer entities, two major SE-directed molecular subtypes have been described: A more lineage-committed adrenergic (ADRN) and a mesenchymal (MES) subtype. Here, we found that a small isoxazole molecule (ISX), a frequently used pro-neural drug, reprogrammed SE activity and switched NB cells from an ADRN subtype towards a growth-retarded MES-like state. The MES-like state shared strong transcriptional overlap with ganglioneuroma (GN), a benign and highly differentiated tumor of the neural crest. Mechanistically, ISX suppressed chromatin binding of N-MYC, a CRC-amplifying transcription factor, resulting in loss of key ADRN subtype-enriched components such as N-MYC itself, PHOX2B and ALK, while concomitently, MES subtype markers were induced. Globally, ISX treatment installed a chromatin accessibility landscape typically associated with low risk NB. In summary, we provide evidence that CRCs and cancer subtype reprogramming might be amenable to future therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Koeniger
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Pierfrancesco Polo
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Brichkina
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Florian Finkernagel
- Philipps University Marburg, Bioinformatics Core Facility, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Visekruna
- Philipps University Marburg, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Nist
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Daude
- Philipps University Marburg, Core Facility Medical Chemistry, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Wibke E Diederich
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry and Core Facility Medical Chemistry, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas M Gress
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Till Adhikary
- Philipps University Marburg, Institute for Medical Bioinformatics and Biostatistics and Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor- and Immune Biology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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A Review of the Regulatory Mechanisms of N-Myc on Cell Cycle. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031141. [PMID: 36770809 PMCID: PMC9920120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma has obvious heterogeneity. It is one of the few undifferentiated malignant tumors that can spontaneously degenerate into completely benign tumors. However, for its high-risk type, even with various intensive treatment options, the prognosis is still unsatisfactory. At the same time, a large number of research data show that the abnormal amplification and high-level expression of the MYCN gene are positively correlated with the malignant progression, poor prognosis, and mortality of neuroblastoma. In this context, this article explores the role of the N-Myc, MYCN gene expression product on its target genes related to the cell cycle and reveals its regulatory network in promoting tumor proliferation and malignant progression. We hope it can provide ideas and direction for the research and development of drugs targeting N-Myc and its downstream target genes.
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Deciphering the Role of p53 and TAp73 in Neuroblastoma: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246212. [PMID: 36551697 PMCID: PMC9777536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic cancer that develops from neural crest stem cells, being one of the most common malignancies in children. The clinical manifestation of this disease is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to increased aggressiveness, which makes it a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. The p53 family proteins p53 and TAp73 play a key role in protecting cells against genomic instability and malignant transformation. However, in NB, their activities are commonly inhibited by interacting proteins such as murine double minute (MDM)2 and MDMX, mutant p53, ΔNp73, Itch, and Aurora kinase A. The interplay between the p53/TAp73 pathway and N-MYC, a known biomarker of poor prognosis and drug resistance in NB, also proves to be decisive in the pathogenesis of this tumor. More recently, a strong crosstalk between microRNAs (miRNAs) and p53/TAp73 has been established, which has been the focused of great attention because of its potential for developing new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this review provides an updated overview about the critical role of the p53/TAp73 pathway in the pathogenesis of NB, highlighting encouraging clues for the advance of alternative NB targeted therapies.
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Preclinical Models of Neuroendocrine Neoplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225646. [PMID: 36428741 PMCID: PMC9688518 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasia (NENs) are a complex and heterogeneous group of cancers that can arise from neuroendocrine tissues throughout the body and differentiate them from other tumors. Their low incidence and high diversity make many of them orphan conditions characterized by a low incidence and few dedicated clinical trials. Study of the molecular and genetic nature of these diseases is limited in comparison to more common cancers and more dependent on preclinical models, including both in vitro models (such as cell lines and 3D models) and in vivo models (such as patient derived xenografts (PDXs) and genetically-engineered mouse models (GEMMs)). While preclinical models do not fully recapitulate the nature of these cancers in patients, they are useful tools in investigation of the basic biology and early-stage investigation for evaluation of treatments for these cancers. We review available preclinical models for each type of NEN and discuss their history as well as their current use and translation.
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Chen C, Lan MS. Interplay: The Essential Role between INSM1 and N-Myc in Aggressive Neuroblastoma. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101376. [PMID: 36290282 PMCID: PMC9598261 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer that starts in certain very early forms of nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, most often found in an embryo or fetus. Symptoms may include bone pain, an abdominal mass, frequent urination, limping, anemia, spinal cord weakness, or bruising of the eye area. N-Myc is a key driver of high-risk NB. An elevated expression of N-Myc often predicts a poorer prognosis, in both time to tumor progression and overall survival rate. We discovered a transcription factor, insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1), as the downstream target gene of N-Myc. INSM1 has emerged as a novel NB biomarker that plays a critical role in facilitating NB tumor cell development. Both N-Myc and INSM1 demonstrate high clinical relevance to NB. Therefore, further understanding the association of INSM1 and N-Myc functions in aggressive NB should be beneficial for future NB treatment. Abstract An aggressive form of neuroblastoma (NB), a malignant childhood cancer derived from granule neuron precursors and sympathoadrenal lineage, frequently comprises MYCN amplification/elevated N-Myc expression, which contributes to the development of neural crest-derived embryonal malignancy. N-Myc is an oncogenic driver in NB. Persistent N-Myc expression during the maturation of SA precursor cells can cause blockage of the apoptosis and induce abnormal proliferation, resulting in NB development. An insulinoma-associated-1 (INSM1) zinc-finger transcription factor has emerged as an NB biomarker that plays a critical role in facilitating tumor cell growth and transformation. INSM1 plays an essential role in sympathoadrenal cell differentiation. N-Myc activates endogenous INSM1 through an E2-box of the INSM1 proximal promoter, whereas INSM1 enhances N-Myc stability via RAC-α-serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) phosphorylation in NB. The ectopic expression of INSM1 stimulates NB tumor growth in contrast to the knockdown of INSM1 that inhibits NB cell proliferation. The clinical pathological result and bioinformatics analysis show that INSM1 is a strong diagnostic and a prognostic biomarker for the evaluation of NB progression. The INSM1/N-Myc expression shows high clinical relevance in NB. Therefore, targeting the INSM1/N-Myc-associated signaling axis should be a feasible approach to identifying new drugs for the suppression of NB tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S. Lan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-504-568-2437; Fax: +1-504-568-8500
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Dudziak K, Nowak M, Sozoniuk M. One Host-Multiple Applications: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as Promising Model for Studying Human Cancers and Pathogenic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810255. [PMID: 36142160 PMCID: PMC9499349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, zebrafish (ZF) has been increasingly applied as a model in human disease studies, with a particular focus on cancer. A number of advantages make it an attractive alternative for mice widely used so far. Due to the many advantages of zebrafish, modifications can be based on different mechanisms and the induction of human disease can take different forms depending on the research goal. Genetic manipulation, tumor transplantation, or injection of the pathogen are only a few examples of using ZF as a model. Most of the studies are conducted in order to understand the disease mechanism, monitor disease progression, test new or alternative therapies, and select the best treatment. The transplantation of cancer cells derived from patients enables the development of personalized medicine. To better mimic a patient’s body environment, immune-deficient models (SCID) have been developed. A lower immune response is mostly generated by genetic manipulation but also by irradiation or dexamethasone treatment. For many studies, using SCID provides a better chance to avoid cancer cell rejection. In this review, we describe the main directions of using ZF in research, explain why and how zebrafish can be used as a model, what kind of limitations will be met and how to overcome them. We collected recent achievements in this field, indicating promising perspectives for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Dudziak
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Michał Nowak
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Magdalena Sozoniuk
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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MYCN and Metabolic Reprogramming in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174113. [PMID: 36077650 PMCID: PMC9455056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer responsible for approximately 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Aberrant MYCN activation, as a result of genomic MYCN amplification, is a major driver of high-risk neuroblastoma, which has an overall survival rate of less than 50%, despite the best treatments currently available. Metabolic reprogramming is an integral part of the growth-promoting program driven by MYCN, which fuels cell growth and proliferation by increasing the uptake and catabolism of nutrients, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and production of energy. This reprogramming process also generates metabolic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for therapy. In this review, we present our current understanding of metabolic reprogramming in neuroblastoma, focusing on transcriptional regulation as a key mechanism in driving the reprogramming process. We also highlight some important areas that need to be explored for the successful development of metabolism-based therapy against high-risk neuroblastoma.
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35
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Agarwala S, Kim KY, Phan S, Ju S, Kong YE, Castillon GA, Bushong EA, Ellisman MH, Tamplin OJ. Defining the ultrastructure of the hematopoietic stem cell niche by correlative light and electron microscopy. eLife 2022; 11:e64835. [PMID: 35943143 PMCID: PMC9391045 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood system is supported by hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) found in a specialized microenvironment called the niche. Many different niche cell types support HSPCs, however how they interact and their ultrastructure has been difficult to define. Here, we show that single endogenous HSPCs can be tracked by light microscopy, then identified by serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) at multiscale levels. Using the zebrafish larval kidney marrow (KM) niche as a model, we followed single fluorescently labeled HSPCs by light sheet microscopy, then confirmed their exact location in a 3D SBEM dataset. We found a variety of different configurations of HSPCs and surrounding niche cells, suggesting there could be functional heterogeneity in sites of HSPC lodgement. Our approach also allowed us to identify dopamine beta-hydroxylase (dbh) positive ganglion cells as a previously uncharacterized functional cell type in the HSPC niche. By integrating multiple imaging modalities, we could resolve the ultrastructure of single rare cells deep in live tissue and define all contacts between an HSPC and its surrounding niche cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobhika Agarwala
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Keun-Young Kim
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Sebastien Phan
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Saeyeon Ju
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Ye Eun Kong
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Guillaume A Castillon
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Eric A Bushong
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Mark H Ellisman
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California at San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego School of MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Owen J Tamplin
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
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36
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Pfeifer K, Wolfstetter G, Anthonydhason V, Masudi T, Arefin B, Bemark M, Mendoza-Garcia P, Palmer RH. Patient-associated mutations in Drosophila Alk perturb neuronal differentiation and promote survival. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm049591. [PMID: 35972154 PMCID: PMC9403751 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) mutations occur in pediatric neuroblastoma and are associated with poor prognosis. To study ALK-activating mutations in a genetically controllable system, we employed CRIPSR/Cas9, incorporating orthologs of the human oncogenic mutations ALKF1174L and ALKY1278S in the Drosophila Alk locus. AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant Drosophila exhibited enhanced Alk signaling phenotypes, but unexpectedly depended on the Jelly belly (Jeb) ligand for activation. Both AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant larval brains displayed hyperplasia, represented by increased numbers of Alk-positive neurons. Despite this hyperplasic phenotype, no brain tumors were observed in mutant animals. We showed that hyperplasia in Alk mutants was not caused by significantly increased rates of proliferation, but rather by decreased levels of apoptosis in the larval brain. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified perturbations during temporal fate specification in AlkY1355S mutant mushroom body lineages. These findings shed light on the role of Alk in neurodevelopmental processes and highlight the potential of Alk-activating mutations to perturb specification and promote survival in neuronal lineages. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Pfeifer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vimala Anthonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tafheem Masudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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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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Baranowska-Kortylewicz J, Kortylewicz ZP, McIntyre EM, Sharp JG, Coulter DW. Multifarious Functions of Butyrylcholinesterase in Neuroblastoma: Impact of BCHE Deletion on the Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:293-304. [PMID: 34486544 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The physiological functions of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its role in malignancy remain unexplained. Our studies in children newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma indicated that BChE expressions is proportional to MYCN amplification suggesting that pathogenesis of high-risk disease may be related to the persistent expression of abnormally high levels of tumor-associated BChE. BChE-deficient neuroblastoma cells (KO [knockout]) were produced from MYCN -amplified BE(2)-C cells (WT [wild-type]) by the CRISPR-Cas9 targeted disruption of the BCHE locus. KO cells have no detectable BChE activity. The compensatory acetylcholinesterase activity was not detected. The average population doubling time of KO cells is 47.0±2.4 hours, >2× longer than WT cells. Reduced proliferation rates of KO cells were accompanied by the loss of N-Myc protein and a significant deactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors associated with the aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype including Ros1, TrkB, and Ltk. Tumorigenicity of WT and KO cells in male mice was essentially identical. In contrast, KO xenografts in female mice were very small (0.37±0.10 g), ~3× smaller compared with WT xenografts (1.11±0.30 g). Unexpectedly, KO xenografts produced changes in plasma BChE similarly to WT tumors but lesser in magnitude. The disruption of BCHE locus in MYCN -amplified neuroblastoma cells decelerates proliferation and produces neuroblastoma cells that are less aggressive in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John G Sharp
- Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Don W Coulter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Pediatrics
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Nunes C, Depestel L, Mus L, Keller KM, Delhaye L, Louwagie A, Rishfi M, Whale A, Kara N, Andrews SR, Dela Cruz F, You D, Siddiquee A, Cologna CT, De Craemer S, Dolman E, Bartenhagen C, De Vloed F, Sanders E, Eggermont A, Bekaert SL, Van Loocke W, Bek JW, Dewyn G, Loontiens S, Van Isterdael G, Decaesteker B, Tilleman L, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Vermeirssen V, Van Neste C, Ghesquiere B, Goossens S, Eyckerman S, De Preter K, Fischer M, Houseley J, Molenaar J, De Wilde B, Roberts SS, Durinck K, Speleman F. RRM2 enhances MYCN-driven neuroblastoma formation and acts as a synergistic target with CHK1 inhibition. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn1382. [PMID: 35857500 PMCID: PMC9278860 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn1382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma, a pediatric tumor originating from the sympathetic nervous system, has a low mutation load but highly recurrent somatic DNA copy number variants. Previously, segmental gains and/or amplifications allowed identification of drivers for neuroblastoma development. Using this approach, combined with gene dosage impact on expression and survival, we identified ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2) as a candidate dependency factor further supported by growth inhibition upon in vitro knockdown and accelerated tumor formation in a neuroblastoma zebrafish model coexpressing human RRM2 with MYCN. Forced RRM2 induction alleviates excessive replicative stress induced by CHK1 inhibition, while high RRM2 expression in human neuroblastomas correlates with high CHK1 activity. MYCN-driven zebrafish tumors with RRM2 co-overexpression exhibit differentially expressed DNA repair genes in keeping with enhanced ATR-CHK1 signaling activity. In vitro, RRM2 inhibition enhances intrinsic replication stress checkpoint addiction. Last, combinatorial RRM2-CHK1 inhibition acts synergistic in high-risk neuroblastoma cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models, illustrating the therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Nunes
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Depestel
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liselot Mus
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Louis Delhaye
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amber Louwagie
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Muhammad Rishfi
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alex Whale
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Neesha Kara
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Filemon Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Armaan Siddiquee
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Camila Takeno Cologna
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam De Craemer
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmy Dolman
- Princess Maxima Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christoph Bartenhagen
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Fanny De Vloed
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Sanders
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aline Eggermont
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah-Lee Bekaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Willem Bek
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Givani Dewyn
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siebe Loontiens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Bieke Decaesteker
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurentijn Tilleman
- NXTGNT, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Neste
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Ghesquiere
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolomics Expertise Center, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Eyckerman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne (CMMC), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jon Houseley
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Bram De Wilde
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stephen S. Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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Galiger C, Dahlhaus M, Vitek MP, Debatin KM, Beltinger C. PPP2CA Is a Novel Therapeutic Target in Neuroblastoma Cells That Can Be Activated by the SET Inhibitor OP449. Front Oncol 2022; 12:744984. [PMID: 35814385 PMCID: PMC9258974 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.744984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and has a poor prognosis in high-risk cases, requiring novel therapies. Pathways that depend on phospho-signaling maintain the aggressiveness of NB. Protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A) with its catalytic subunit PPP2CA is a major phosphatase in cancer cells, including NB. We show that reduction of PPP2CA by knock-down decreased growth of NB cells and that complete ablation of PPP2CA by knock-out was not tolerated. Thus, NB cells are addicted to PPP2CA, an addiction augmented by MYCN activation. SET, a crucial endogenous inhibitor of PP2A, was overexpressed in poor-prognosis NB. The SET inhibitor OP449 effectively decreased the viability of NB cells, independent of their molecular alterations and in line with a tumor suppressor function of PPP2CA. The contrasting concentration-dependent functions of PPP2CA as an essential survival gene at low expression levels and a tumor suppressor at high levels are reminiscent of other genes showing this so-called Goldilocks phenomenon. PP2A reactivated by OP449 decreased activating phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues in the AKT pathway. Conversely, induced activation of AKT led to partial rescue of OP449-mediated viability inhibition. Dasatinib, a kinase inhibitor used in relapsed/refractory NB, and OP449 synergized, decreasing activating AKT phosphorylations. In summary, concomitantly reactivating phosphatases and inhibiting kinases with a combination of OP449 and dasatinib are promising novel therapeutic approaches to NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celimene Galiger
- Section of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Meike Dahlhaus
- Section of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Peter Vitek
- Cognosci, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Beltinger
- Section of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christian Beltinger,
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41
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BET and CDK Inhibition Reveal Differences in the Proliferation Control of Sympathetic Ganglion Neuroblasts and Adrenal Chromaffin Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112755. [PMID: 35681734 PMCID: PMC9179499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma arising from the adrenal differ from ganglionic neuroblastoma both genetically and clinically, with adrenal tumors being associated with a more severe prognosis. The different tumor properties may be linked to specific tumor founder cells in adrenal and sympathetic ganglia. To address this question, we first set up cultures of mouse sympathetic neuroblasts and adrenal chromaffin cells. These cultures were then treated with various proliferation inhibitors to identify lineage-specific responses. We show that neuroblast and chromaffin cell proliferation was affected by WNT, ALK, IGF1, and PRC2/EZH2 signaling inhibitors to a similar extent. However, differential effects were observed in response to bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibitors (JQ1, GSK1324726A) and to the CDK-7 inhibitor THZ1, with BET inhibitors preferentially affecting chromaffin cells, and THZ1 preferentially affecting neuroblasts. The differential dependence of chromaffin cells and neuroblasts on BET and CDK signaling may indicate different mechanisms during tumor initiation in sympathetic ganglia and adrenal.
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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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43
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Patel RA, Coleman I, Roudier MP, Konnick EQ, Hanratty B, Dumpit R, Lucas JM, Ang LS, Low JY, Tretiakova MS, Ha G, Lee JK, True LD, De Marzo AM, Nelson PS, Morrissey C, Pritchard CC, Haffner MC. Comprehensive assessment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase in localized and metastatic prostate cancer reveals targetable alterations. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:277-285. [PMID: 36337169 PMCID: PMC9635400 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a tyrosine kinase with genomic and expression changes in many solid tumors. ALK inhibition is first line therapy for lung cancers with ALK alterations, and an effective therapy in other tumor types, but has not been well-studied in prostate cancer. Here, we aim to delineate the role of ALK genomic and expression changes in primary and metastatic prostate cancer. We determined ALK expression by immunohistochemistry and RNA-Seq, and genomic alterations by NGS. We assessed functional consequences of ALK overexpression and pharmacological ALK inhibition by cell proliferation and cell viability assays. Among 372 primary prostate cancer cases we identified one case with uniformly high ALK protein expression. Genomic analysis revealed a SLC45A3-ALK fusion which promoted oncogenesis in in vitro assays. We observed ALK protein expression in 5/52 (9%) of metastatic prostate cancer cases, of which 4 of 5 had neuroendocrine features. ALK-expressing neuroendocrine prostate cancer had a distinct transcriptional program, and earlier disease progression. An ALK-expressing neuroendocrine prostate cancer model was sensitive to pharmacological ALK inhibition. In summary, we found that ALK overexpression is rare in primary prostate cancer, but more frequent in metastatic prostate cancers with neuroendocrine differentiation. Further, ALK fusions similar to lung cancer are an occasional driver in prostate cancer. Our data suggest that ALK-directed therapies could be an option in selected patients with advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika A. Patel
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ilsa Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Eric Q. Konnick
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- The Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian Hanratty
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ruth Dumpit
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jared M. Lucas
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lisa S. Ang
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jin-Yih Low
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Maria S. Tretiakova
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Gavin Ha
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- The Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - John K. Lee
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lawrence D. True
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Angelo M. De Marzo
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- The Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Colin C. Pritchard
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- The Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael C. Haffner
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Somasundaram DB, Aravindan S, Gupta N, Yu Z, Baker A, Aravindan N. ALK expression, prognostic significance, and its association with MYCN expression in MYCN non-amplified neuroblastoma. World J Pediatr 2022; 18:285-293. [PMID: 35132576 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-022-00517-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Babu Somasundaram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, BMSB 311C, Radiation Biology Laboratory, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | | | | | - Zhongxin Yu
- Department of Pathology, BMSB 311C, Radiation Biology Laboratory, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Ashley Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Natarajan Aravindan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, BMSB 311C, Radiation Biology Laboratory, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Pathology, BMSB 311C, Radiation Biology Laboratory, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Jiang YJ, Fann CSJ, Fuh JL, Chung MY, Huang HY, Chu KC, Wang YF, Hsu CL, Kao LS, Chen SP, Wang SJ. Genome-wide analysis identified novel susceptible genes of restless legs syndrome in migraineurs. J Headache Pain 2022; 23:39. [PMID: 35350973 PMCID: PMC8966278 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01409-9] [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: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Restless legs syndrome is a highly prevalent comorbidity of migraine; however, its genetic contributions remain unclear. Objectives To identify the genetic variants of restless legs syndrome in migraineurs and to investigate their potential pathogenic roles. Methods We conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify susceptible genes for restless legs syndrome in 1,647 patients with migraine, including 264 with and 1,383 without restless legs syndrome, and also validated the association of lead variants in normal controls unaffected with restless legs syndrome (n = 1,053). We used morpholino translational knockdown (morphants), CRISPR/dCas9 transcriptional knockdown, transient CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (crispants) and gene rescue in one-cell stage embryos of zebrafish to study the function of the identified genes. Results We identified two novel susceptibility loci rs6021854 (in VSTM2L) and rs79823654 (in CCDC141) to be associated with restless legs syndrome in migraineurs, which remained significant when compared to normal controls. Two different morpholinos targeting vstm2l and ccdc141 in zebrafish demonstrated behavioural and cytochemical phenotypes relevant to restless legs syndrome, including hyperkinetic movements of pectoral fins and decreased number in dopaminergic amacrine cells. These phenotypes could be partially reversed with gene rescue, suggesting the specificity of translational knockdown. Transcriptional CRISPR/dCas9 knockdown and transient CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of vstm2l and ccdc141 replicated the findings observed in translationally knocked-down morphants. Conclusions Our GWAS and functional analysis suggest VSTM2L and CCDC141 are highly relevant to the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome in migraineurs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-022-01409-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jin Jiang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan.,Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Jong-Ling Fuh
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yi Chung
- Department of Life Sciences & Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ying Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chang Chu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Hsu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Lung-Sen Kao
- Department of Life Sciences & Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Pin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan. .,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Shuu-Jiun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan.
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46
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Treis D, Umapathy G, Fransson S, Guan J, Mendoza-García P, Siaw JT, Wessman S, Gordon Murkes L, Stenman JJE, Djos A, Elfman LHM, Johnsen JI, Hallberg B, Palmer RH, Martinsson T, Kogner P. Sustained Response to Entrectinib in an Infant With a Germline ALKAL2 Variant and Refractory Metastatic Neuroblastoma With Chromosomal 2p Gain and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase and Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Activation. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2100271. [PMID: 35085006 PMCID: PMC8830523 DOI: 10.1200/po.21.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized molecular workup enabled successful ALK inhibitor treatment in a child with resistant neuroblastoma.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Treis
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Patricia Mendoza-García
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joachim T. Siaw
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sandra Wessman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Gordon Murkes
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob J. E. Stenman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Djos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lotta H. M. Elfman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Pediatric Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Per Kogner, MD, PhD; Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet , Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
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47
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Decaesteker B, Durinck K, Van Roy N, De Wilde B, Van Neste C, Van Haver S, Roberts S, De Preter K, Vermeirssen V, Speleman F. From DNA Copy Number Gains and Tumor Dependencies to Novel Therapeutic Targets for High-Risk Neuroblastoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1286. [PMID: 34945759 PMCID: PMC8707517 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor arising from the sympatho-adrenal lineage and a worldwide leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths. About half of high-risk patients die from the disease while survivors suffer from multiple therapy-related side-effects. While neuroblastomas present with a low mutational burden, focal and large segmental DNA copy number aberrations are highly recurrent and associated with poor survival. It can be assumed that the affected chromosomal regions contain critical genes implicated in neuroblastoma biology and behavior. More specifically, evidence has emerged that several of these genes are implicated in tumor dependencies thus potentially providing novel therapeutic entry points. In this review, we briefly review the current status of recurrent DNA copy number aberrations in neuroblastoma and provide an overview of the genes affected by these genomic variants for which a direct role in neuroblastoma has been established. Several of these genes are implicated in networks that positively regulate MYCN expression or stability as well as cell cycle control and apoptosis. Finally, we summarize alternative approaches to identify and prioritize candidate copy-number driven dependency genes for neuroblastoma offering novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Grants
- P30 CA008748 NCI NIH HHS
- G087221N, G.0507.12, G049720N,12U4718N, 11C3921N, 11J8313N, 12B5313N, 1514215N, 1197617N,1238420N, 12Q8322N, 3F018519, 12N6917N Fund for Scientific Research Flanders
- 2018-087, 2018-125, 2020-112 Belgian Foundation against Cancer
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Affiliation(s)
- Bieke Decaesteker
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Bram De Wilde
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Neste
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Stéphane Van Haver
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Stephen Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department for Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (K.D.); (N.V.R.); (B.D.W.); (C.V.N.); (S.V.H.); (K.D.P.); (V.V.)
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Trivedi T, Panchal K, Bhalala N, Trivedi P, Panchal H. Combined Detection of Copy Number Variations of MYCN and ALK using Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction to Identify High-Risk Patients with Neuroblastoma. World Neurosurg 2021; 159:e48-e57. [PMID: 34861448 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study sought to explore the significance of copy number variations (CNVs) of MYCN (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene, neuroblastoma derived [avian]) and ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) genes individually as well as their combined impact on clinical outcome and overall survival of patients with neuroblastoma (NB). METHODS A total 71 individuals including healthy controls (n = 11), circulating DNA (n = 11), and primary tumors (n = 49) were evaluated to detect CNVs of MYCN and ALK genes using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Data were correlated with univariate and multivariate survival analysis. RESULTS CNVs of MYCN and ALK were detected in 27% and 18.2% from circulating DNA samples. A statistically significant difference in CNVs was noted between healthy controls and circulating DNA samples for MYCN (P = 0.001) and ALK (P = 0.004) genes. Further, we noted >70% concordance in CNVs of MYCN (P = 0.030) and ALK (P = 0.040) from primary tumors and concordant plasma samples of patients with NB. Multivariate survival analysis for disease-free survival (P = 0.031) and overall survival (P = 0.011) showed that CNVs of both genes emerged at step 1 and thus remained as significant markers for predicting early recurrence and shorter survival, respectively, for patients with NB. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that the analysis of circulating DNA by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction is a helpful technique to identify high-risk patients for aggressive therapy at an early stage of disease. We also concluded that codetection of MYCN and ALK is a more powerful tool for identifying high-risk patients with NB. Thus, this study showed a novel coordinately significant prognostic role of MYCN and ALK CNVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trupti Trivedi
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
| | - Kinjal Panchal
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Neha Bhalala
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Priti Trivedi
- Department of Oncopathology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Harsha Panchal
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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Chromosome Imbalances in Neuroblastoma-Recent Molecular Insight into Chromosome 1p-deletion, 2p-gain, and 11q-deletion Identifies New Friends and Foes for the Future. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235897. [PMID: 34885007 PMCID: PMC8657310 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer that arises in the sympathetic nervous system. High-risk neuroblastoma is clinically challenging and identification of novel therapies, particularly those that offer a reduction in morbidity for these patients, is a high priority. Combining genetic analyses with investigation of molecular mechanisms, while considering recent advances in our understanding of key developmental events, provides avenues for future treatment. Here we review and highlight several recently published articles that address novel molecular mechanisms arising from chromosome 1p, 2p, and 11q aberrations, which likely contribute to high-risk neuroblastoma, and discusses their potential impact on treatment options. Abstract Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid pediatric tumor, with around 15% childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastomas exhibit a range of genetic, morphological, and clinical heterogeneities, which add complexity to diagnosis and treatment with existing modalities. Identification of novel therapies is a high priority in high-risk neuroblastoma, and the combination of genetic analysis with increased mechanistic understanding—including identification of key signaling and developmental events—provides optimism for the future. This focused review highlights several recent findings concerning chromosomes 1p, 2p, and 11q, which link genetic aberrations with aberrant molecular signaling output. These novel molecular insights contribute important knowledge towards more effective treatment strategies for neuroblastoma.
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Synthetic Heterocyclic Derivatives as Kinase Inhibitors Tested for the Treatment of Neuroblastoma. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237069. [PMID: 34885651 PMCID: PMC8658969 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, small molecules endowed with different heterocyclic scaffolds have been developed as kinase inhibitors. Some of them are being tested at preclinical or clinical levels for the potential treatment of neuroblastoma (NB). This disease is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and is responsible for 10% to 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Despite the availability of some treatments, including the use of very toxic cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, high-risk (HR)-NB patients still have a poor prognosis and a survival rate below 50%. For these reasons, new pharmacological options are urgently needed. This review focuses on synthetic heterocyclic compounds published in the last five years, which showed at least some activity on this severe disease and act as kinase inhibitors. The specific mechanism of action, selectivity, and biological activity of these drug candidates are described, when established. Moreover, the most remarkable clinical trials are reported. Importantly, kinase inhibitors approved for other diseases have shown to be active and endowed with lower toxicity compared to conventional cytotoxic agents. The data collected in this article can be particularly useful for the researchers working in this area.
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