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Caraban BM, Aschie M, Deacu M, Cozaru GC, Pundiche MB, Orasanu CI, Voda RI. A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Melanoma. Clin Pract 2024; 14:214-241. [PMID: 38391404 PMCID: PMC10888040 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14010018] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Marian Caraban
- Clinical Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery-Reconstructive, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Aschie
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania, 030171 Bucharest, Romania
- The Romanian Academy of Scientists, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Deacu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Genetics, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mihaela Butcaru Pundiche
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Department of General Surgery, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Cristian Ionut Orasanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Raluca Ioana Voda
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
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Liang X, Lin X, Lin Z, Lin W, Peng Z, Wei S. Genes associated with cellular senescence favor melanoma prognosis by stimulating immune responses in tumor microenvironment. Comput Biol Med 2023; 158:106850. [PMID: 37031510 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), a malignant tumor from melanocytes, is the fifth most prevalent tumor. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy improves prognosis of SKCM, but immune response varies for different populations. Cellular senescence in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes antitumor immunity, mediated by dendritic cells (DC) and CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we sought to explore the role of cellular senescence in the TME of SKCM through bioinformatics and machine learning. METHODS First, we obtained 93 cellular senescence-prognosis genes (CSPGs) by univariate survival analysis. Thereafter, 23 optimal CSPGs were obtained by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) analysis. Based on the riskscore obtained by lasso analysis and clinical information from multivariate cox, we obtained the nomogram of SKCM, which was validated in the validation cohort. Based on the riskscore, the patients were split into low- and high-risk groups. Functional differences between the two groups were analyzed using Metascape and GSEA, and immune infiltration differences were achieved by multiple algorithms. We obtained a risk prediction nomogram for the validated SKCM based on the lasso model by univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. RESULTS In the low-risk group, immune responses were in an active state. NK, CD8+ T, DC, macrophages, and neutrophils were significantly upregulated, and ICI-relevant genes were notably upregulated. With the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and optimal CSPGs, we obtained the hub genes: NOX4, NTN4, PROX1, and TRPM8. The hub genes were mainly expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells by single cell analysis, which were mainly associated with angiogenesis. CONCLUSION Genes associated with cellular senescence favor SKCM prognosis by stimulating immune responses in TME. Patients with high expression of cellular senescence associated genes in the TME might have better benefit from ICI immunotherapy. Cellular senescence functions as a pro-tumor agent in mesenchymal cells and needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Liang
- Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobing Lin
- Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zien Lin
- Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyi Lin
- Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhishen Peng
- Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Wei
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Maher NG, Scolyer RA, Colebatch AJ. Biology and genetics of acquired and congenital melanocytic naevi. Pathology 2023; 55:169-177. [PMID: 36635156 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.12.344] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Acquired and congenital melanocytic naevi are common benign neoplasms. Understanding their biology and genetics will help clinicians and pathologists correctly diagnose melanocytic tumours, and generate insights into naevus aetiology and melanomagenesis. Genomic data from published studies analysing acquired and congenital melanocytic naevi, including oncogenic driver mutations, common melanoma associated mutations, copy number aberrations, somatic mutation signature patterns, methylation profile, and single nucleotide polymorphisms, were reviewed. Correlation of genomic changes to dermoscopic features, particular anatomic sites and total body naevus counts, was also performed. This review also highlights current scientific theories and evidence concerning naevi growth arrest. Acquired and congenital melanocytic naevi show simple genomes, typically characterised by mutually exclusive single oncogenic driver mutations in either BRAF or NRAS genes. Genomic differences exist between acquired and congenital naevi, common and dysplastic naevi, and by dermoscopic features. Acquired naevi show a higher rate of BRAF hotspot mutations and a lower rate of NRAS hotspot mutations compared to congenital naevi. Dysplastic naevi show upregulation of follicular keratinocyte-related genes compared to common naevi. Anatomical locations and DNA signatures of naevi implicates ultraviolet radiation and non-ultraviolet radiation pathways in naevogenesis. DNA driver point mutations in acquired and congenital melanocytic naevi have been well characterised. Future research is required to better understand transcriptional and epigenetic changes in naevi, as well as those regulating naevus growth arrest and cell environment signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel G Maher
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Andrew J Colebatch
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Mordoh A, Triviño Pardo JC, Carri I, Barrio MM, Mordoh J, Aris M. Early contribution of germline and nevi genetic alterations to a rapidly-progressing cutaneous melanoma patient: a case report. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:1. [PMID: 36604730 PMCID: PMC9814418 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01426-2] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma is the skin cancer with the highest mutational burden and metastatic rate. Early genetic alterations and biomarkers of distant progression are a point of interest. In addition to germline-susceptibility loci, almost 30% of melanomas arise from precursor benign nevi lesions, providing a source for malignant transformation. CASE PRESENTATION Patient#009 developed a cutaneous melanoma over a nevus, followed by progression to regional and distant metastases in months, unresponsive to targeted therapy. To search for the genetic contribution to this rapid progression, a longitudinal analysis was performed through WES of germline, nevi, primary tumor, and a metastatic lymph node. Differential SNP/INDEL and CNV gene alterations, with functional impact on key pathways and cancer hallmarks in each step of evolution, were discerned. Tumor-associated nevus was, for the first time, split into two sections, distant and adjacent to the primary tumor, to study its heterogeneity. Shared SNP alterations, with stable allele fraction from germline to metastasis were detected, mainly affecting DNA repair genes and promoting genome instability. Early somatic alterations, shared by nevi and primary and metastatic tumors, included BRAFV600E and focal copy-loss of several genes, acquiring additional cancer hallmarks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these common somatic alterations would provide a "bridge", allowing progression from a benign to a malignant state. Distant and adjacent nevi were rich in alterations, presenting differential SNP and CNV alterations. Upon tumor transformation, a marked increase in CNV over SNP alterations was determined. Both the number of SNP and CNV-affected genes, including known driver genes, increased throughout progression, although TMB levels remained lower than expected for melanoma. Typical alterations in BRAFV600E tumors related to intrinsic resistance to targeted therapy were found, including BRAF amplification and loss of PTEN, CDKN2A/B, and TP53 surveillance genes. Finally, numerous metastatic alterations were detected, further promoting tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS In this patient, longitudinal WES analysis revealed a sequential and cumulative pattern of genetic alterations, where germline and nevi somatic events contributed early to its rapid clinical progression. In this case report, we found tumor-associated nevi as genetically heterogeneous precursor entities, in which potential prognostic biomarkers should be studied prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mordoh
- grid.412714.50000 0004 0426 1806Hospital de Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ibel Carri
- grid.108365.90000 0001 2105 0048Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Marcela Barrio
- grid.428809.fCentro de Investigaciones Oncológicas-Fundación Cáncer, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Mordoh
- grid.428809.fCentro de Investigaciones Oncológicas-Fundación Cáncer, Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.488972.80000 0004 0637 445XInstituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Aris
- grid.428809.fCentro de Investigaciones Oncológicas-Fundación Cáncer, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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5
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Papaccio F, D′Arino A, Caputo S, Bellei B. Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1121. [PMID: 35740018 PMCID: PMC9220264 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin aging is one of the most evident signs of human aging. Modification of the skin during the life span is characterized by fine lines and wrinkling, loss of elasticity and volume, laxity, rough-textured appearance, and pallor. In contrast, photoaged skin is associated with uneven pigmentation (age spot) and is markedly wrinkled. At the cellular and molecular level, it consists of multiple interconnected processes based on biochemical reactions, genetic programs, and occurrence of external stimulation. The principal cellular perturbation in the skin driving senescence is the alteration of oxidative balance. In chronological aging, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced mainly through cellular oxidative metabolism during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation from glucose and mitochondrial dysfunction, whereas in extrinsic aging, loss of redox equilibrium is caused by environmental factors, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, cigarette smoking, and inadequate nutrition. During the aging process, oxidative stress is attributed to both augmented ROS production and reduced levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic protectors. Apart from the evident appearance of structural change, throughout aging, the skin gradually loses its natural functional characteristics and regenerative potential. With aging, the skin immune system also undergoes functional senescence manifested as a reduced ability to counteract infections and augmented frequency of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. This review proposes an update on the role of oxidative stress in the appearance of the clinical manifestation of skin aging, as well as of the molecular mechanisms that underline this natural phenomenon sometimes accelerated by external factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (S.C.)
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Abstract
Drug resistance and metastasis—the major complications in cancer—both entail adaptation of cancer cells to stress, whether a drug or a lethal new environment. Intriguingly, these adaptive processes share similar features that cannot be explained by a pure Darwinian scheme, including dormancy, increased heterogeneity, and stress-induced plasticity. Here, we propose that learning theory offers a framework to explain these features and may shed light on these two intricate processes. In this framework, learning is performed at the single-cell level, by stress-driven exploratory trial-and-error. Such a process is not contingent on pre-existing pathways but on a random search for a state that diminishes the stress. We review underlying mechanisms that may support this search, and show by using a learning model that such exploratory learning is feasible in a high-dimensional system as the cell. At the population level, we view the tissue as a network of exploring agents that communicate, restraining cancer formation in health. In this view, disease results from the breakdown of homeostasis between cellular exploratory drive and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseel Shomar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Network Biology Research Laboratory, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Omri Barak
- Network Biology Research Laboratory, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Naama Brenner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Network Biology Research Laboratory, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Corresponding author
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7
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Strashilov S, Yordanov A. Aetiology and Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Melanoma: Current Concepts and Advances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6395. [PMID: 34203771 PMCID: PMC8232613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma develops from malignant transformations of the pigment-producing melanocytes. If located in the basal layer of the skin epidermis, melanoma is referred to as cutaneous, which is more frequent. However, as melanocytes are be found in the eyes, ears, gastrointestinal tract, genitalia, urinary system, and meninges, cases of mucosal melanoma or other types (e.g., ocular) may occur. The incidence and morbidity of cutaneous melanoma (cM) are constantly increasing worldwide. Australia and New Zealand are world leaders in this regard with a morbidity rate of 54/100,000 and a mortality rate of 5.6/100,000 for 2015. The aim of this review is to consolidate and present the data related to the aetiology and pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma, thus rendering them easier to understand. In this article we will discuss these problems and the possible impacts on treatment for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Strahil Strashilov
- Department of Plastic Restorative, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital “Dr. Georgi Stranski”, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Angel Yordanov
- Clinic of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital “Dr. Georgi Stranski”, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;
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8
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Bellei B, Migliano E, Picardo M. A Framework of Major Tumor-Promoting Signal Transduction Pathways Implicated in Melanoma-Fibroblast Dialogue. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113400. [PMID: 33212834 PMCID: PMC7697272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma cells reside in a complex stromal microenvironment, which is a critical component of disease onset and progression. Mesenchymal or fibroblastic cell type are the most abundant cellular element of tumor stroma. Factors secreted by melanoma cells can activate non-malignant associated fibroblasts to become melanoma associate fibroblasts (MAFs). MAFs promote tumorigenic features by remodeling the extracellular matrix, supporting tumor cells proliferation, neo-angiogenesis and drug resistance. Additionally, environmental factors may contribute to the acquisition of pro-tumorigenic phenotype of fibroblasts. Overall, in melanoma, perturbed tissue homeostasis contributes to modulation of major oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways not only in tumor cells but also in neighboring cells. Thus, targeted molecular therapies need to be considered from the reciprocal point of view of melanoma and stromal cells. Abstract The development of a modified stromal microenvironment in response to neoplastic onset is a common feature of many tumors including cutaneous melanoma. At all stages, melanoma cells are embedded in a complex tissue composed by extracellular matrix components and several different cell populations. Thus, melanomagenesis is not only driven by malignant melanocytes, but also by the altered communication between melanocytes and non-malignant cell populations, including fibroblasts, endothelial and immune cells. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), also referred as melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) in the case of melanoma, are the most abundant stromal cells and play a significant contextual role in melanoma initiation, progression and metastasis. As a result of dynamic intercellular molecular dialogue between tumor and the stroma, non-neoplastic cells gain specific phenotypes and functions that are pro-tumorigenic. Targeting MAFs is thus considered a promising avenue to improve melanoma therapy. Growing evidence demonstrates that aberrant regulation of oncogenic signaling is not restricted to transformed cells but also occurs in MAFs. However, in some cases, signaling pathways present opposite regulation in melanoma and surrounding area, suggesting that therapeutic strategies need to carefully consider the tumor–stroma equilibrium. In this novel review, we analyze four major signaling pathways implicated in melanomagenesis, TGF-β, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin and Hyppo signaling, from the complementary point of view of tumor cells and the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0652666246
| | - Emilia Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Regenerative Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
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9
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Ruiz-Vega R, Chen CF, Razzak E, Vasudeva P, Krasieva TB, Shiu J, Caldwell MG, Yan H, Lowengrub J, Ganesan AK, Lander AD. Dynamics of nevus development implicate cell cooperation in the growth arrest of transformed melanocytes. eLife 2020; 9:61026. [PMID: 33047672 PMCID: PMC7553774 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutational activation of the BRAF proto-oncogene in melanocytes reliably produces benign nevi (pigmented 'moles'), yet the same change is the most common driver mutation in melanoma. The reason nevi stop growing, and do not progress to melanoma, is widely attributed to a cell-autonomous process of 'oncogene-induced senescence'. Using a mouse model of Braf-driven nevus formation, analyzing both proliferative dynamics and single-cell gene expression, we found no evidence that nevus cells are senescent, either compared with other skin cells, or other melanocytes. We also found that nevus size distributions could not be fit by any simple cell-autonomous model of growth arrest, yet were easily fit by models based on collective cell behavior, for example in which arresting cells release an arrest-promoting factor. We suggest that nevus growth arrest is more likely related to the cell interactions that mediate size control in normal tissues, than to any cell-autonomous, 'oncogene-induced' program of senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Ruiz-Vega
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Chi-Fen Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Emaad Razzak
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Priya Vasudeva
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Tatiana B Krasieva
- Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Jessica Shiu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Michael G Caldwell
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Huaming Yan
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - John Lowengrub
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Arthur D Lander
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
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10
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Detection of Gene Mutations in Liquid Biopsy of Melanoma Patients: Overview and Future Perspectives. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 21:19. [PMID: 32048063 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-0708-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Liquid biopsies are still far from widely implanted in the clinical arena. Issues related to the added sensitivity of this test beyond conventional methods have not been fully resolved. Additionally, issues related to the specificity of these results especially as many cancers may share common mutation need further investigations. One way to resolve this may include the development and testing of large gene panels to add higher specificity. On the other hand, further studies are needed to support the idea that ctDNA or circulating tumor cells may constitute a better representation of the tumor subpopulation that is capable of metastasizing, which will strongly support its clinical value. Finally, survival studies showing a positive impact of this technology will also justify its widespread implementation in clinical practice.
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11
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Bellei B, Picardo M. Premature cell senescence in human skin: Dual face in chronic acquired pigmentary disorders. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 57:100981. [PMID: 31733332 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Although senescence was originally described as an in vitro acquired cellular characteristic, it was recently recognized that senescence is physiologically and pathologically involved in aging and age-related diseases in vivo. The definition of cellular senescence has expanded to include the growth arrest caused by various cellular stresses, including DNA damage, inadequate mitochondria function, activated oncogene or tumor suppressor genes and oxidative stress. While senescence in normal aging involves various tissues over time and contributes to a decline in tissue function even with healthy aging, disease-induced premature senescence may be restricted to one or a few organs triggering a prolonged and more intense rate of accumulation of senescent cells than in normal aging. Organ-specific high senescence rate could lead to chronic diseases, especially in post-mitotic rich tissue. Recently, two opposite acquired pathological conditions related to skin pigmentation were described to be associated with premature senescence: vitiligo and melasma. In both cases, it was demonstrated that pathological dysfunctions are not restricted to melanocytes, the cell type responsible for melanin production and transport to surrounding keratinocytes. Similar to physiological melanogenesis, dermal and epidermal cells contribute directly and indirectly to deregulate skin pigmentation as a result of complex intercellular communication. Thus, despite senescence usually being reported as a uniform phenotype sharing the expression of characteristic markers, skin senescence involving mainly the dermal compartment and its paracrine function could be associated with the disappearance of melanocytes in vitiligo lesions and with the exacerbated activity of melanocytes in the hyperpigmentation spots of melasma. This suggests that the difference may arise in melanocyte intrinsic differences and/or in highly defined microenvironment peculiarities poorly explored at the current state of the art. A similar dualistic phenotype has been attributed to intratumoral stromal cells as cancer-associated fibroblasts presenting a senescent-like phenotype which influence the behavior of neoplastic cells in either a tumor-promoting or tumor-inhibiting manner. Here, we present a framework dissecting senescent-related molecular alterations shared by vitiligo and melasma patients and we also discuss disease-specific differences representing new challenges for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center for Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center for Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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12
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Calbet-Llopart N, Potrony M, Tell-Martí G, Carrera C, Barreiro A, Aguilera P, Podlipnik S, Puig S, Malvehy J, Puig-Butillé JA. Detection of cell-free circulating BRAF V 600E by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in patients with and without melanoma under dermatological surveillance. Br J Dermatol 2019; 182:382-389. [PMID: 31102256 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The p.V600E mutation in the BRAF protein is the most frequent mutation in cutaneous melanoma and is a recurrent alteration found in common benign naevi. Analysis of the cell-free BRAF c.1799T>A, p.V600E mutation (cfBRAFV 600E ) in plasma has emerged as a biomarker for monitoring prognosis and treatment response in patients with melanoma. OBJECTIVES To quantify cfBRAFV 600E levels in plasma from patients with melanoma and from patients without melanoma undergoing regular follow-up of their melanocytic lesions, in order to assess the clinical significance of the test. METHODS We quantified cfBRAFV 600E by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in plasma from 146 patients without melanoma undergoing continuous dermatological screening, from 26 stage III and seven stage IV patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma, and from 32 patients with melanoma who were free of disease for 3 or more years. RESULTS Among disease-free patients and individuals without melanoma, 52% presented a high naevus count (> 50) and 49% had clinically atypical naevi. cfBRAFV 600E was detected in 71% of patients with stage IV melanoma and 15% with stage III, and in 1·4% of individuals without melanoma. No cfBRAFV 600E mutation was detected in disease-free patients with melanoma. Individuals without melanoma had lower cfBRAFV 600E levels than patients with melanoma. We established a variant allelic frequency of 0·26% or 5 copies mL-1 of cfBRAFV 600E as the optimal cutoff value for identifying patients with melanoma with > 99% specificity. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that naevus-related factors do not influence the detection of cfBRAFV 600E in individuals without melanoma, and supports the clinical diagnostic value of plasma cfBRAFV 600E quantification in patients with melanoma. What's already known about this topic? The analysis of the BRAF c.1799T>A (p.V600E) mutation in cell-free (cf)DNA has emerged as a potential biomarker for monitoring prognosis and treatment response in patients with metastatic BRAFV600E melanoma. The BRAFV600E alteration is a common genetic alteration found in benign proliferations such as melanocytic naevi. No information exists about the impact of the number of common acquired naevi or the presence of clinically atypical naevi in cfBRAFV600E detection in an individual. What does this study add? The cfBRAFV600E mutation is detected in plasma from a reduced number of individuals without melanoma undergoing continuous dermatological follow-up. A high number of naevi or the presence of clinically atypical naevi are factors that do not influence cfBRAFV600E detection in an individual. Both total cfBRAF concentration and cfBRAFV600E frequency are effective biomarkers in patients with advanced melanoma but not in patients at early stages or with micrometastases. What is the translational message? Detection of cfBRAFV600E in an individual is not influenced by naevus-related factors. cfBRAFV600E is a robust and reliable biomarker that can be used in dermatological surveillance programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Calbet-Llopart
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Potrony
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Tell-Martí
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Carrera
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Barreiro
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Aguilera
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Podlipnik
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Puig
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Malvehy
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J A Puig-Butillé
- Molecular Biology CORE Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department; Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
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Thymine DNA glycosylase as a novel target for melanoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:3710-3728. [PMID: 30674989 PMCID: PMC6563616 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm with increasing incidence that is classified by the NCI as a recalcitrant cancer, i.e., a cancer with poor prognosis, lacking progress in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to conventional therapy, melanoma treatment is currently based on targeting the BRAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and immune checkpoints. As drug resistance remains a major obstacle to treatment success, advanced therapeutic approaches based on novel targets are still urgently needed. We reasoned that the base excision repair enzyme thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) could be such a target for its dual role in safeguarding the genome and the epigenome, by performing the last of the multiple steps in DNA demethylation. Here we show that TDG knockdown in melanoma cell lines causes cell cycle arrest, senescence, and death by mitotic alterations; alters the transcriptome and methylome; and impairs xenograft tumor formation. Importantly, untransformed melanocytes are minimally affected by TDG knockdown, and adult mice with conditional knockout of Tdg are viable. Candidate TDG inhibitors, identified through a high-throughput fluorescence-based screen, reduced viability and clonogenic capacity of melanoma cell lines and increased cellular levels of 5-carboxylcytosine, the last intermediate in DNA demethylation, indicating successful on-target activity. These findings suggest that TDG may provide critical functions specific to cancer cells that make it a highly suitable anti-melanoma drug target. By potentially disrupting both DNA repair and the epigenetic state, targeting TDG may represent a completely new approach to melanoma therapy.
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