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Janssen FW, Lak NSM, Janda CY, Kester LA, Meister MT, Merks JHM, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, van Noesel MM, Zsiros J, Tytgat GAM, Looijenga LHJ. A comprehensive overview of liquid biopsy applications in pediatric solid tumors. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:172. [PMID: 39097671 PMCID: PMC11297996 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00657-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies are emerging as an alternative source for pediatric cancer biomarkers with potential applications during all stages of patient care, from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. While developments within this field are reported, these mainly focus on dedicated items such as a specific liquid biopsy matrix, analyte, and/or single tumor type. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive overview is lacking. Here, we review the current state of liquid biopsy research for the most common non-central nervous system pediatric solid tumors. These include neuroblastoma, renal tumors, germ cell tumors, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, and liver tumors. Within this selection, we discuss the most important or recent studies involving liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, anticipated clinical applications, and the current challenges for success. Furthermore, we provide an overview of liquid biopsy-based biomarker publication output for each tumor type based on a comprehensive literature search between 1989 and 2023. Per study identified, we list the relevant liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, matrices (e.g., peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid), analytes (e.g., circulating cell-free and tumor DNA, microRNAs, and circulating tumor cells), methods (e.g., digital droplet PCR and next-generation sequencing), the involved pediatric patient cohort, and proposed applications. As such, we identified 344 unique publications. Taken together, while the liquid biopsy field in pediatric oncology is still behind adult oncology, potentially relevant publications have increased over the last decade. Importantly, steps towards clinical implementation are rapidly gaining ground, notably through validation of liquid biopsy-based biomarkers in pediatric clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michael T Meister
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H M Merks
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital-Division of CHILDHEALTH, University Medical Center Utrech, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Max M van Noesel
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Godelieve A M Tytgat
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Bobin C, Iddir Y, Butterworth C, Masliah-Planchon J, Saint-Charles A, Bellini A, Bhalshankar J, Pierron G, Combaret V, Attignon V, André N, Corradini N, Dumont B, Mansuy L, Khanfar C, Klein S, Briandet C, Plantaz D, Millot F, Thouvenin S, Aerts I, Ndounga-Diakou LA, Laghouati S, Abbou S, Jehanno N, Tissot H, Renault S, Baulande S, Raynal V, Bozec L, Bieche I, Delattre O, Berlanga P, Schleiermacher G. Sequential Analysis of cfDNA Reveals Clonal Evolution in Patients with Neuroblastoma Receiving ALK-Targeted Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3316-3328. [PMID: 38787533 PMCID: PMC11292203 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-24-0753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) enables sequential analysis of tumor cell-specific genetic alterations in patients with neuroblastoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Eighteen patients with relapsing neuroblastoma having received lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK inhibitor, were identified (SACHA national registry and/or in the institution). cfDNA was analyzed at relapse for nine patients and sequentially for five patients (blood/bone marrow plasma) by performing whole-genome sequencing library construction followed by ALK-targeted ddPCR of the hotspot mutations [F1174L, R1275Q, and I1170N; variant allele fraction (VAF) detection limit 0.1%] and whole-exome sequencing (WES) to evaluate disease burden and clonal evolution, following comparison with tumor/germline WES. RESULTS Overall response rate to lorlatinib was 33% (CI, 13%-59%), with response observed in 6/10 cases without versus 0/8 cases with MYCN amplification (MNA). ALK VAFs correlated with the overall clinical disease status, with a VAF < 0.1% in clinical remission, versus higher VAFs (>30%) at progression. Importantly, sequential ALK ddPCR detected relapse earlier than clinical imaging. cfDNA WES revealed new SNVs, not seen in the primary tumor, in all instances of disease progression after lorlatinib treatment, indicating clonal evolution, including alterations in genes linked to tumor aggressivity (TP53) or novel targets (EGFR). Gene pathway analysis revealed an enrichment for genes targeting cell differentiation in emerging clones, and cell adhesion in persistent clones. Evidence of clonal hematopoiesis could be observed in follow-up samples. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the clinical utility of combining ALK cfDNA ddPCR for disease monitoring and cfDNA WES for the study of clonal evolution and resistance mechanisms in patients with neuroblastoma receiving ALK-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Bobin
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | - Yasmine Iddir
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | - Charlotte Butterworth
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | | | - Alexandra Saint-Charles
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | - Angela Bellini
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | - Jaydutt Bhalshankar
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
| | | | - Valérie Combaret
- Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle, Centre Léon-Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | - Valéry Attignon
- Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle, Centre Léon-Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | - Nicolas André
- Marseille-La Timone University Hospital, Oncologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France.
- CRCM INSERM U1068 REMAP4KIDS, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.
| | - Nadège Corradini
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Institute for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Léon Bérard Center, Lyon, France.
| | - Benoit Dumont
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Institute for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Léon Bérard Center, Lyon, France.
| | - Ludovic Mansuy
- Service d’oncologie Pédiatrique du CHRU de Nancy, Hôpital d’enfants, Vandoeuvre, France.
| | - Camille Khanfar
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, CHU Amiens Picardie, Amiens, France.
| | - Sebastien Klein
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, CHU Jean-Minjoz, Besançon, France.
| | | | - Dominique Plantaz
- Department of Pediatric Onco-Immuno-Hematology, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, Grenoble, France.
| | - Frederic Millot
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
| | - Sandrine Thouvenin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital St Etienne, St Etienne, France.
| | - Isabelle Aerts
- SIREDO Integrated Pediatric Oncology Center, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Lee Aymar Ndounga-Diakou
- Pharmacovigilance Unit, Clinical Research Direction, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
| | - Salim Laghouati
- Pharmacovigilance Unit, Clinical Research Direction, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
| | - Samuel Abbou
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
| | - Nina Jehanno
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Hubert Tissot
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Shufang Renault
- Circulating Tumor Biomarkers Laboratory, Inserm CIC-BT 1428, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Sylvain Baulande
- Institut Curie Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Virginie Raynal
- Institut Curie Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Laurence Bozec
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Saint-Cloud, France.
| | - Ivan Bieche
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
- Somatic Genetics Unit, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Pablo Berlanga
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- SiRIC RTOP (Recherche Translationelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique), Translational Research Department, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
- INSERM U830, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France.
- SIREDO Integrated Pediatric Oncology Center, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
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3
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Zhuo Z, Lin L, Miao L, Li M, He J. Advances in liquid biopsy in neuroblastoma. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 2:903-917. [PMID: 38933377 PMCID: PMC11197818 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.08.005] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Even with intensive treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) patients, half of high-risk NB patients still relapse. New therapies targeting the biological characteristics of NB have important clinical value for the personalized treatment of NB. However, the current biological markers for NB are mainly analyzed by tissue biopsy. In recent years, circulating biomarkers of NB based on liquid biopsy have attracted more and more attention. This review summarizes the analytes and methods for liquid biopsy of NB. We focus on the application of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and monitoring of NB. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of liquid biopsy in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjian Zhuo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lei Lin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Miao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
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4
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Lodrini M, Graef J, Thole-Kliesch TM, Astrahantseff K, Sprüssel A, Grimaldi M, Peitz C, Linke RB, Hollander JF, Lankes E, Künkele A, Oevermann L, Schwabe G, Fuchs J, Szymansky A, Schulte JH, Hundsdörfer P, Eckert C, Amthauer H, Eggert A, Deubzer HE. Targeted Analysis of Cell-free Circulating Tumor DNA is Suitable for Early Relapse and Actionable Target Detection in Patients with Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:1809-1820. [PMID: 35247920 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Treating refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma remains challenging. Monitoring body fluids for tumor-derived molecular information indicating minimal residual disease supports more frequent diagnostic surveillance and may have the power to detect resistant subclones before they give rise to relapses. If actionable targets are identified from liquid biopsies, targeted treatment options can be considered earlier. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Droplet digital PCR assays assessing MYCN and ALK copy numbers and allelic frequencies of ALK p.F1174L and ALK p.R1275Q mutations were applied to longitudinally collected liquid biopsies and matched tumor tissue samples from 31 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels and marker detection were compared with data from routine clinical diagnostics. RESULTS Total cfDNA concentrations in blood plasma from patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were higher than in healthy controls and consistently correlated with neuron-specific enolase levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity but not with 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scores at relapse diagnosis. Targeted cfDNA diagnostics proved superior for early relapse detection to all current diagnostics in 2 patients. Marker analysis in cfDNA indicated intratumor heterogeneity for cell clones harboring MYCN amplifications and druggable ALK alterations that were not detectable in matched tumor tissue samples in 17 patients from our cohort. Proof of concept is provided for molecular target detection in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with isolated central nervous system relapses. CONCLUSIONS Tumor-specific alterations can be identified and monitored during disease course in liquid biopsies from pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. This approach to cfDNA surveillance warrants further prospective validation and exploitation for diagnostic purposes and to guide therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lodrini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josefine Graef
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Theresa M Thole-Kliesch
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathy Astrahantseff
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Sprüssel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maddalena Grimaldi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Constantin Peitz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rasmus B Linke
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan F Hollander
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erwin Lankes
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Oevermann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Schwabe
- Children's Hospital, Carl-Thiem-Klinikum, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Jörg Fuchs
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Children's Hospital, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Annabell Szymansky
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung (BIH), Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Hundsdörfer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Helios Klinikum Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia Eckert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Amthauer
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung (BIH), Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung (BIH), Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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5
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Circulating Cell-Free DNA Assessment in Biofluids from Children with Neuroblastoma Demonstrates Feasibility and Potential for Minimally Invasive Molecular Diagnostics. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092080. [PMID: 35565208 PMCID: PMC9099910 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The invasive nature of surgical biopsies prevents their sequential application to monitor disease. Single biopsies fail to reflect cancer dynamics, intratumor heterogeneity, and drug sensitivities that change over time. Detection and characterization of cell-free circulating tumor DNA in biofluids from patients with solid tumors may better support disease monitoring and provide advanced molecular information for clinical decision-making toward personalized medicine. Here, we investigated the cell-free DNA characteristics in blood, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine provided from 84 infants and children with low-, intermediate-, or high-risk neuroblastoma. We report characteristic size distribution and concentration patterns for each biofluid to provide information to support the development of successful liquid biopsy biobanking strategies. We investigate potential correlations between disease activity and cfDNA concentration and provide strong evidence that markers specific for neuroblastoma can be detected in very small blood volumes from infants. Abstract Liquid biopsy strategies in pediatric patients are challenging due to low body weight. This study investigated cfDNA size distribution and concentration in blood, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine from 84 patients with neuroblastoma classified as low (n = 28), intermediate (n = 6), or high risk (n = 50) to provide key data for liquid biopsy biobanking strategies. The average volume of blood and bone marrow plasma provided ranged between 1 and 2 mL. Analysis of 637 DNA electropherograms obtained by Agilent TapeStation measurement revealed five different major profiles and characteristic DNA size distribution patterns for each of the biofluids. The proportion of samples containing primarily cfDNA was, at 85.5%, the highest for blood plasma. The median cfDNA concentration amounted to 6.28 ng/mL (blood plasma), 58.2 ng/mL (bone marrow plasma), 0.08 ng/mL (cerebrospinal fluid), and 0.49 ng/mL (urine) in samples. Meta-analysis of the dataset demonstrated that multiple cfDNA-based assays employing the same biofluid sample optimally require sampling volumes of 1 mL for blood and bone marrow plasma, 2 mL for cerebrospinal fluid, and as large as possible for urine samples. A favorable response to treatment was associated with a rapid decrease in blood-based cfDNA concentration in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Blood-based cfDNA concentration was not sufficient as a single parameter to indicate high-risk disease recurrence. We provide proof of concept that monitoring neuroblastoma-specific markers in very small blood volumes from infants is feasible.
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刘 思, 文 飞. Recent clinical research on the application of liquid biopsy in neuroblastoma. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2022; 24:339-344. [PMID: 35351268 PMCID: PMC8974650 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2112120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and has the features of high recurrence rate and low survival rate, and therefore, early diagnosis, treatment response evaluation, and recurrence monitoring are of great significance for NB patients. Liquid biopsy refers to the detection of cells and nucleic acids in fluid specimens, mainly blood. It is noninvasive and can overcome tumor heterogeneity, thus making it possible to achieve the early diagnosis and dynamic detection of NB. This review introduces the latest advances in clinical research on the application of liquid biopsy in NB.
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7
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Toppi A, Dufva M. Accessible, fast and easy fabrication of hydrophilic-in-hydrophobic microdroplet arrays. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263282. [PMID: 35213568 PMCID: PMC8880433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microdroplet arrays (MDAs) are powerful tools for digital immunoassays, high-throughput screening and single cell analysis. However, MDAs are usually produced with cleanroom processes, which are associated with high costs and low availability. Furthermore, in order to obtain robust and stable MDAs based on hydrophilic spots surrounded by a hydrophobic background, the chemistry must be strictly controlled, which is challenging using shared equipment. Here, we developed a new method to fabricate MDA substrates independently from the cleanroom. A small and low-cost in-house built system to collimate the light source was assembled for photopatterning a negative resist, and spots with diameters down to 4 μm were obtained, with only 3% to 5% spot-to-spot variation across the same sample and high batch-to-batch reproducibility. The use of a negative photoresist enabled the formation of a hydrophobic coating in solution which yielded high-quality MDAs. The feasibility for carrying out digital assays was demonstrated by measuring anti-Tau antibody in sample buffers containing bovine serum albumin, with no noticeable surface fouling. The reported, robust, cost-effective, and fast process could hence lower the threshold to fabricate and use MDAs for digital immunoassays and other microcompartmentalization-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Toppi
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martin Dufva
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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8
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Stankunaite R, George SL, Gallagher L, Jamal S, Shaikh R, Yuan L, Hughes D, Proszek PZ, Carter P, Pietka G, Heide T, James C, Tari H, Lynn C, Jain N, Portela LR, Rogers T, Vaidya SJ, Chisholm JC, Carceller F, Szychot E, Mandeville H, Angelini P, Jesudason AB, Jackson M, Marshall LV, Gatz SA, Anderson J, Sottoriva A, Chesler L, Hubank M. Circulating tumour DNA sequencing to determine therapeutic response and identify tumour heterogeneity in patients with paediatric solid tumours. Eur J Cancer 2022; 162:209-220. [PMID: 34933802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Clinical diagnostic sequencing of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is well advanced for adult patients, but application to paediatric cancer patients lags behind. METHODS To address this, we have developed a clinically relevant (67 gene) NGS capture panel and accompanying workflow that enables sensitive and reliable detection of low-frequency genetic variants in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from children with solid tumours. We combined gene panel sequencing with low pass whole-genome sequencing of the same library to inform on genome-wide copy number changes in the blood. RESULTS Analytical validity was evaluated using control materials, and the method was found to be highly sensitive (0.96 for SNVs and 0.97 for INDEL), specific (0.82 for SNVs and 0.978 for INDEL), repeatable (>0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.95]) and reproducible (>0.87 [95% CI: 0.87-0.95]). Potential for clinical application was demonstrated in 39 childhood cancer patients with a spectrum of solid tumours in which the single nucleotide variants expected from tumour sequencing were detected in cfDNA in 94.4% (17/18) of cases with active extracranial disease. In 13 patients, where serial samples were available, we show a close correlation between events detected in cfDNA and treatment response, demonstrate that cfDNA analysis could be a useful tool to monitor disease progression, and show cfDNA sequencing has the potential to identify targetable variants that were not detected in tumour samples. CONCLUSIONS This is the first pan-cancer DNA sequencing panel that we know to be optimised for cfDNA in children for blood-based molecular diagnostics in paediatric solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda Stankunaite
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK; Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Sally L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Lewis Gallagher
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Sabri Jamal
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Ridwan Shaikh
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Lina Yuan
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Debbie Hughes
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Paula Z Proszek
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Paul Carter
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Grzegorz Pietka
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
| | - Timon Heide
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Chela James
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Haider Tari
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Glioma Lab, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Claire Lynn
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Neha Jain
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Laura Rey Portela
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Tony Rogers
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Sucheta J Vaidya
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Julia C Chisholm
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Elwira Szychot
- Oak Centre for Children and Young People, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Sutton, UK; Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Oncology and Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Henry Mandeville
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Paola Angelini
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Angela B Jesudason
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael Jackson
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lynley V Marshall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - John Anderson
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
| | - Andrea Sottoriva
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling Lab, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Michael Hubank
- Molecular Pathology Section, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Clinical Genomics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, London, UK.
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9
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Schmelz K, Toedling J, Huska M, Cwikla MC, Kruetzfeldt LM, Proba J, Ambros PF, Ambros IM, Boral S, Lodrini M, Chen CY, Burkert M, Guergen D, Szymansky A, Astrahantseff K, Kuenkele A, Haase K, Fischer M, Deubzer HE, Hertwig F, Hundsdoerfer P, Henssen AG, Schwarz RF, Schulte JH, Eggert A. Spatial and temporal intratumour heterogeneity has potential consequences for single biopsy-based neuroblastoma treatment decisions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6804. [PMID: 34815394 PMCID: PMC8611017 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26870-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumour heterogeneity is a major cause of treatment failure in cancer. We present in-depth analyses combining transcriptomic and genomic profiling with ultra-deep targeted sequencing of multiregional biopsies in 10 patients with neuroblastoma, a devastating childhood tumour. We observe high spatial and temporal heterogeneity in somatic mutations and somatic copy-number alterations which are reflected on the transcriptomic level. Mutations in some druggable target genes including ALK and FGFR1 are heterogeneous at diagnosis and/or relapse, raising the issue whether current target prioritization and molecular risk stratification procedures in single biopsies are sufficiently reliable for therapy decisions. The genetic heterogeneity in gene mutations and chromosome aberrations observed in deep analyses from patient courses suggest clonal evolution before treatment and under treatment pressure, and support early emergence of metastatic clones and ongoing chromosomal instability during disease evolution. We report continuous clonal evolution on mutational and copy number levels in neuroblastoma, and detail its implications for therapy selection, risk stratification and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schmelz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joern Toedling
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matt Huska
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Maja C Cwikla
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jutta Proba
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter F Ambros
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Inge M Ambros
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sengül Boral
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Lodrini
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Celine Y Chen
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Burkert
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Guergen
- Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH (EPO), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Annette Kuenkele
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Haase
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, Medical Faculty, University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Falk Hertwig
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Hundsdoerfer
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anton G Henssen
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Roland F Schwarz
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.
- BIFOLD-Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
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10
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Villa M, Sharma GG, Manfroni C, Cortinovis D, Mologni L. New Advances in Liquid Biopsy Technologies for Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Positive Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5149. [PMID: 34680298 PMCID: PMC8534237 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by high genetic instability, that favors tumor relapse. The identification of the genetic causes of relapse can direct next-line therapeutic choices. As tumor tissue rebiopsy at disease progression is not always feasible, noninvasive alternative methods are being explored. Liquid biopsy is emerging as a non-invasive, easy and repeatable tool to identify specific molecular alterations and monitor disease response during treatment. The dynamic follow-up provided by this analysis can provide useful predictive information and allow prompt therapeutic actions, tailored to the genetic profile of the recurring disease, several months before radiographic relapse. Oncogenic fusion genes are particularly suited for this type of analysis. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) is the dominant driver oncogene in several tumors, including Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and others. Here we review recent findings in liquid biopsy technologies, including ctDNA, CTCs, exosomes, and other markers that can be investigated from plasma samples, in ALK-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Villa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Geeta G. Sharma
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Chiara Manfroni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Diego Cortinovis
- Department of Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Luca Mologni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (G.G.S.); (C.M.)
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11
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Whole-genome sequencing facilitates patient-specific quantitative PCR-based minimal residual disease monitoring in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. Br J Cancer 2021; 126:482-491. [PMID: 34471258 PMCID: PMC8810788 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01538-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Minimal residual disease (MRD) measurement is a cornerstone of contemporary acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment. The presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TCR) gene recombinations in leukaemic clones allows widespread use of patient-specific, DNA-based MRD assays. In contrast, paediatric solid tumour MRD remains experimental and has focussed on generic assays targeting tumour-specific messenger RNA, methylated DNA or microRNA. Methods We examined the feasibility of using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data to design tumour-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based MRD tests (WGS-MRD) in 18 children with high-risk relapsed cancer, including ALL, high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) and Ewing sarcoma (EWS) (n = 6 each). Results Sensitive WGS-MRD assays were generated for each patient and allowed quantitation of 1 tumour cell per 10−4 (0.01%)–10–5 (0.001%) mononuclear cells. In ALL, WGS-MRD and Ig/TCR-MRD were highly concordant. WGS-MRD assays also showed good concordance between quantitative PCR and droplet digital PCR formats. In serial clinical samples, WGS-MRD correlated with disease course. In solid tumours, WGS-MRD assays were more sensitive than RNA-MRD assays. Conclusions WGS facilitated the development of patient-specific MRD tests in ALL, HR-NB and EWS with potential clinical utility in monitoring treatment response. WGS data could be used to design patient-specific MRD assays in a broad range of tumours.
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12
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Kahana-Edwin S, Cain LE, McCowage G, Darmanian A, Wright D, Mullins A, Saletta F, Karpelowsky J. Neuroblastoma Molecular Risk-Stratification of DNA Copy Number and ALK Genotyping via Cell-Free Circulating Tumor DNA Profiling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3365. [PMID: 34282791 PMCID: PMC8267662 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MYCN amplification (MNA), segmental chromosomal aberrations (SCA) and ALK activating mutations are biomarkers for risk-group stratification and for targeted therapeutics for neuroblastoma, both of which are currently assessed on tissue biopsy. Increase in demand for tumor genetic testing for neuroblastoma diagnosis is posing a challenge to current practice, as the small size of the core needle biopsies obtained are required for multiple molecular tests. We evaluated the utility of detecting these biomarkers in the circulation. METHODS Various pre-analytical conditions tested to optimize circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) copy number changes evaluations. Plasma samples from 10 patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma assessed for SCA and MNA using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array approach currently used for neuroblastoma diagnosis, with MNA status assessed independently using digital-droplet PCR (ddPCR). Three patients (one in common with the previous 10) tested for ALK activating mutations p.F1174L and p.F1245I using ddPCR. RESULTS Copy number detection is highly affected by physical perturbations of the blood sample (mimicking suboptimal sample shipment), which could be overcome using specialized preservative collection tubes. Pre-analytical DNA repair procedures on ctDNA before SNP chromosome microarray processing improved the lower limit of detection for SCA and MNA, defined as 20% and 10%, respectively. We detected SCA in 10/10 (100%) patients using SNP array, 7 of which also presented MNA. Circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) and matched tumor DNA profiles were generally identical. MNA was detected using ddPCR in 7/7 (100%) of MNA and 0/12 (0%) non-MNA cases. MNA and ALK mutation dynamic change was assessed in longitudinal samples from 4 and 3 patients (one patient with both), respectively, accurately reflected response to treatment in 6/6 (100%) and disease recurrence in 5/6 (83%) of cases. Samples taken prior to targeted treatment with the ALK inhibitor Lorlatinib and 6-8 weeks on treatment showed reduction/increase in ALK variants according to response to treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the feasibility of ctDNA profiling for molecular risk-stratification, and treatment monitoring in a clinically relevant time frame and the potential to reduce fresh tissue requirements currently embedded in the management of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smadar Kahana-Edwin
- Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Lucy E. Cain
- Cancer Centre for Children, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (L.E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Geoffrey McCowage
- Cancer Centre for Children, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (L.E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Artur Darmanian
- Cytogenetics Department, Sydney Genome Diagnostics, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (A.D.); (D.W.)
| | - Dale Wright
- Cytogenetics Department, Sydney Genome Diagnostics, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (A.D.); (D.W.)
- Division of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Anna Mullins
- Cancer Centre for Children, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (L.E.C.); (G.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Federica Saletta
- Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Jonathan Karpelowsky
- Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.S.); (J.K.)
- Division of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Paediatric Oncology and Thoracic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
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13
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Huerta M, Roselló S, Sabater L, Ferrer A, Tarazona N, Roda D, Gambardella V, Alfaro-Cervelló C, Garcés-Albir M, Cervantes A, Ibarrola-Villava M. Circulating Tumor DNA Detection by Digital-Droplet PCR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050994. [PMID: 33673558 PMCID: PMC7956845 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is a digestive tumor that is most difficult to treat and carries one of the worst prognoses. The anatomical location of the pancreas makes it very difficult to obtain enough tumor material to establish a molecular diagnosis, so knowing the biology of this tumor and implementing new targeted-therapies is still a pending issue. The use of liquid biopsy, a blood sample test to detect circulating-tumor DNA fragments (ctDNA), is key to overcoming this difficulty and improving the evolution of this tumor. Liquid biopsies are equally representative of the tissue from which they come and allow relevant molecular and diagnostic information to be obtained in a faster and less invasive way. One challenge related to ctDNA is the lack of consistency in the study design. Moreover, ctDNA accounts for only a small percentage of the total cell-free circulating DNA and prior knowledge about particular mutations is usually required. Thus, our aim was to understand the current role and future perspectives of ctDNA in pancreatic cancer using digital-droplet PCR technology. Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most devastating malignant tumors, being the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Researchers and clinicians are endeavoring to develop strategies for the early detection of the disease and the improvement of treatment results. Adequate biopsy is still challenging because of the pancreas’s poor anatomic location. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be identified as a liquid biopsy tool with huge potential as a non-invasive biomarker in early diagnosis, prognosis and management of PC. ctDNA is released from apoptotic and necrotic cancer cells, as well as from living tumor cells and even circulating tumor cells, and it can reveal genetic and epigenetic alterations with tumor-specific and individual mutation and methylation profiles. However, ctDNA sensibility remains a limitation and the accuracy of ctDNA as a biomarker for PC is relatively low and cannot be currently used as a screening or diagnostic tool. Increasing evidence suggests that ctDNA is an interesting biomarker for predictive or prognosis studies, evaluating minimal residual disease, longitudinal follow-up and treatment management. Promising results have been published and therefore the objective of our review is to understand the current role and the future perspectives of ctDNA in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Huerta
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Susana Roselló
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Sabater
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia, University of Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (M.G.-A.)
| | - Ana Ferrer
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Noelia Tarazona
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Desamparados Roda
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Valentina Gambardella
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Alfaro-Cervelló
- Department of Pathology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Marina Garcés-Albir
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia, University of Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (M.G.-A.)
| | - Andrés Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Maider Ibarrola-Villava
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.H.); (S.R.); (A.F.); (N.T.); (D.R.); (V.G.); (A.C.)
- CIBERONC, Medical Oncology Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963-862-894
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