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Cao L, Liu Q, Ma Y, Wang S. Identification of immune-related signature with prognosis in children with stage 4 and 4S neuroblastoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:905-916. [PMID: 37709978 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spontaneous regression of tumors is an attractive phenomenon that most commonly occurs in stage 4S neuroblastoma (NB). However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unclear. METHODS Datasets correlated with NB were downloaded from online public databases, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between stage 4 and 4S associated with immunity were identified, and functional enrichment analysis was utilized to explore the potential functions and signaling pathways of these DEGs. In addition, based on these DEGs, a prognostic signature was constructed and validated, and differences in immune cell infiltration were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 13 DEGs were finally identified, and functional enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were primarily enriched in the positive regulation of neuron differentiation and TGF-β signaling pathway. The signature successfully stratifies patients into two risk score groups and performs well in judging prognosis and predicting overall survival time. In addition, the prognostic value of the risk score calculated by the signature was independent of clinical factors. The results of immune cell infiltration showed that patients with a high infiltration of resting CD4 + memory T cells had a better prognosis, while plasma cells had a worse prognosis. CONCLUSION The results of the functional enrichment analysis of these identified DEGs suggested that these DEGs may be related to spontaneous regression of NB. In addition, the prognostic signature has the potential to create new risk stratification in patients with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijian Cao
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China.
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Jin Y, Teh SS, Lau HLN, Xiao J, Mah SH. Retinoids as anti-cancer agents and their mechanisms of action. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:938-960. [PMID: 35411232 PMCID: PMC8984900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoids (vitamin A) have been reported extensively for anti-cancer properties due to their high receptor-binding affinities and gene regulation abilities. However, the anti-cancer potential of retinoids has not been reviewed in recent years. Thus, this review focused on the anti-cancer effects of retinoids and their synergistic effects with other drugs, together with their mechanisms of action in different types of cancers reported in the past five years. The retinoids were well studied in breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. Synthetic retinoids have shown higher selectivity, stronger effectiveness, and lower toxicity than endogenous retinoids. Interestingly, the combination treatment of endogenous retinoids with chemotherapy drugs showed enhanced anti-cancer effects. The mechanisms of action reported for retinoids mainly involved the RAR/RXR signaling pathway. However, limited clinical studies were conducted in recent years. Thus, retinoids which are highly potential anti-cancer agents are worth further study in clinical, especially as a combination therapy with chemotherapy drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jin
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University (Lakeside Campus)Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Soek Sin Teh
- Energy and Environment Unit, Engineering and Processing Division, Malaysian Palm Oil BoardKajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Harrison Lik Nang Lau
- Energy and Environment Unit, Engineering and Processing Division, Malaysian Palm Oil BoardKajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Analytical and Food Chemistry Department, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo, Ourense CampusOurense, Spain
| | - Siau Hui Mah
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University (Lakeside Campus)Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University (Lakeside Campus)Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Pezeshki PS, Moeinafshar A, Ghaemdoust F, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. Advances in pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2383-2404. [PMID: 34254549 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer type diagnosed within the first year after birth and accounts for 15% of deaths from pediatric cancer. Despite the improvements in survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma, the incidence of the disease has increased over the last decade. Neuroblastoma tumor cells harbor a vast range of variable and heterogeneous histochemical and genetic alterations which calls for the need to administer individualized and targeted therapies to induce tumor regression in each patient. AREAS COVERED This paper provides reviews the recent clinical trials which used chemotherapeutic and/or targeted agents as either monotherapies or in combination to improve the response rate in patients with neuroblastoma, and especially high-risk neuroblastoma. It also reviews some of the prominent preclinical studies which can provide the rationale for future clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Although some distinguished advances in pharmacotherapy have been made to improve the survival rate and reduce adverse events in patients with neuroblastoma, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, resistance to therapies or relapse, identifying biomarkers of response to each specific drug, and developing predictive preclinical models of the tumor can lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghaemdoust
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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Differentiating Neuroblastoma: A Systematic Review of the Retinoic Acid, Its Derivatives, and Synergistic Interactions. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11030211. [PMID: 33809565 PMCID: PMC7999600 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11030211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A neuroblastoma (NB) is a solid paediatric tumour arising from undifferentiated neuronal cells. Despite the recent advances in disease management and treatment, it remains one of the leading causes of childhood cancer deaths, thereby necessitating the development of new therapeutic agents and regimens. Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A derivative, is a promising agent that can induce differentiation in NB cells. Its isoform, 13-cis RA or isotretinoin, is used in NB therapy; however, its effectiveness is limited to treating a minimal residual disease as maintenance therapy. As such, research focuses on RA derivatives that might increase the anti-NB action or explores the potential synergy between RA and other classes of drugs, such as cellular processes mediators, epigenetic modifiers, and immune modulators. This review summarises the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data of RA, its derivatives, and synergising compounds, thereby establishing the most promising RA derivatives and combinations of RA for further investigation.
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Marayati R, Bownes LV, Quinn CH, Wadhwani N, Williams AP, Markert HR, Atigadda V, Aye JM, Stewart JE, Yoon KJ, Beierle EA. Novel second-generation rexinoid induces growth arrest and reduces cancer cell stemness in human neuroblastoma patient-derived xenografts. J Pediatr Surg 2021; 56:1165-1173. [PMID: 33762121 PMCID: PMC8131234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The poor therapeutic efficacy seen with current treatments for neuroblastoma may be attributed to stem cell-like cancer cells (SCLCCs), a subpopulation of cancer cells associated with poor prognosis and disease recurrence. Retinoic acid (RA) is a differentiating agent used as maintenance therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma but nearly half of children treated with RA relapse. We hypothesized that 6-Methyl-UAB30 (6-Me), a second-generation rexinoid recently developed with a favorable toxicity profile compared to RA, would reduce cancer cell stemness in human neuroblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). METHODS Cells from three neuroblastoma PDXs were treated with 6-Me and proliferation, viability, motility, and cell-cycle progression were assessed. CD133 expression, sphere formation, and mRNA abundance of stemness and differentiation markers were evaluated using flow cytometry, in vitro extreme limiting dilution analysis, and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS Treatment with 6-Me decreased proliferation, viability, and motility, and induced cell-cycle arrest and differentiation in all three neuroblastoma PDXs. In addition, 6-Me treatment led to decreased CD133 expression, decreased sphere-forming ability, and decreased mRNA abundance of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2, indicating decreased cancer cell stemness. CONCLUSIONS 6-Me decreased oncogenicity and reduced cancer cell stemness of neuroblastoma PDXs, warranting further exploration of 6-Me as potential novel therapy for neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Laura V. Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Colin H. Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Nikita Wadhwani
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Adele P. Williams
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Hooper R. Markert
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Venkatram Atigadda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jamie M. Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jerry E. Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Karina J. Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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