1
|
Kucharczyk T, Nicoś M, Kucharczyk M, Kalinka E. NRG1 Gene Fusions-What Promise Remains Behind These Rare Genetic Alterations? A Comprehensive Review of Biology, Diagnostic Approaches, and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2766. [PMID: 39123493 PMCID: PMC11311641 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152766] [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: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a variety of druggable genetic alterations that revolutionized the treatment approaches. However, identifying new alterations may broaden the group of patients benefitting from such novel treatment options. Recently, the interest focused on the neuregulin-1 gene (NRG1), whose fusions may have become a potential predictive factor. To date, the occurrence of NRG1 fusions has been considered a negative prognostic marker in NSCLC treatment; however, many premises remain behind the targetability of signaling pathways affected by the NRG1 gene. The role of NRG1 fusions in ErbB-mediated cell proliferation especially seems to be considered as a main target of treatment. Hence, NSCLC patients harboring NRG1 fusions may benefit from targeted therapies such as pan-HER family inhibitors, which have shown efficacy in previous studies in various cancers, and anti-HER monoclonal antibodies. Considering the increased interest in the NRG1 gene as a potential clinical target, in the following review, we highlight its biology, as well as the potential clinical implications that were evaluated in clinics or remained under consideration in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kucharczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marcin Nicoś
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marek Kucharczyk
- Department of Zoology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ewa Kalinka
- Oncology Clinic, Institute of the Polish Mother’s Health Center in Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hernando-Calvo A, Rossi A, Vieito M, Voest E, Garralda E. Agnostic drug development revisited. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 128:102747. [PMID: 38763053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The advent of molecular profiling and the generalization of next generation sequencing in oncology has enabled the identification of patients who could benefit from targeted agents. Since the tumor-agnostic approval of pembrolizumab for patients with MSI-High tumors in 2017, different molecularly-guided therapeutics have been awarded approvals and progressively incorporated in the treatment landscape across multiple tumor types. As the number of tumor-agnostic targets considered druggable expands in the clinic, novel challenges will reshape the drug development field involving all the stakeholders in oncology. In this review, we provide an overview of current tumor-agnostic approvals and discuss promising candidate therapeutics for tumor-agnostic designation and challenges for their broad implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Hernando-Calvo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alice Rossi
- Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Vieito
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emile Voest
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Garralda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li H, Xu L, Cao H, Wang T, Yang S, Tong Y, Wang L, Liu Q. Analysis on the pathogenesis and treatment progress of NRG1 fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1405380. [PMID: 38957319 PMCID: PMC11217482 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1405380] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer persistently leads as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality among malignancies. A notable increase in the prevalence of lung adenocarcinoma has become evident in recent years. Although targeted therapies have shown in treating certain subsets of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), a significant proportion of patients still face suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1), a critical member of the NRG gene family, initially drew interest due to its distribution within the nascent ventricular endocardium, showcasing an exclusive presence in the endocardium and myocardial microvessels. Recent research has highlighted NRG1's pivotal role in the genesis and progression across a spectrum of tumors, influencing molecular perturbations across various tumor-associated signaling pathways. This review provides a concise overview of NRG1, including its expression patterns, configuration, and fusion partners. Additionally, we explore the unique features and potential therapeutic strategies for NRG1 fusion-positive occurrences within the context of NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Li
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lina Xu
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hongshun Cao
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tianyi Wang
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Siwen Yang
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yixin Tong
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang Chest Hospital & Tenth People’s Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gkountakos A, Singhi AD, Westphalen CB, Scarpa A, Luchini C. Fusion genes in pancreatic tumors. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:430-443. [PMID: 38378317 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.009] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Gene fusions and rearrangements play a crucial role in tumor biology. They are rare events typically detected in KRAS wild-type (WT) pancreatic tumors. Their identification can inform clinical management by enabling precision oncology, as fusions involving BRAF, FGFR2, RET, NTRK, NRG1, and ALK represent actionable targets in KRAS-WT cancers, and serve diagnostic purposes since fusions involving PRKACA/B represent the diagnostic hallmark of intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasms (IOPNs). Although they are rare, the therapeutic and diagnostic importance of these genomic events should not be underestimated, highlighting the need for quality-ensured molecular diagnostics in the management of cancer. Herein we review the existing literature on the role of fusion genes in pancreatic tumors and their clinical potential as effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aatur D Singhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - C Benedikt Westphalen
- Department of Medicine III and Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC), LMU University Hospital Munich and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Center, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Claudio Luchini
- ARC-Net Research Center, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vargas J, Pantouris G. Analysis of CD74 Occurrence in Oncogenic Fusion Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15981. [PMID: 37958963 PMCID: PMC10650716 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115981] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
CD74 is a type II cell surface receptor found to be highly expressed in several hematological and solid cancers, due to its ability to activate pathways associated with tumor cell survival and proliferation. Over the past 16 years, CD74 has emerged as a commonly detected fusion partner in multiple oncogenic fusion proteins. Studies have found CD74 fusion proteins in a range of cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, and pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To date, there are five known CD74 fusion proteins, CD74-ROS1, CD74-NTRK1, CD74-NRG1, CD74-NRG2α, and CD74-PDGFRB, with a total of 16 different variants, each with unique genetic signatures. Importantly, the occurrence of CD74 in the formation of fusion proteins has not been well explored despite the fact that ROS1 and NRG1 families utilize CD74 as the primary partner for the formation of oncogenic fusions. Fusion proteins known to be oncogenic drivers, including those of CD74, are typically detected and targeted after standard chemotherapeutic plans fail and the disease relapses. The analysis reported herein provides insights into the early intervention of CD74 fusions and highlights the need for improved routine assessment methods so that targeted therapies can be applied while they are most effective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgios Pantouris
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA;
| |
Collapse
|