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Reccia I, Pai M, Kumar J, Spalding D, Frilling A. Tumour Heterogeneity and the Consequent Practical Challenges in the Management of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1861. [PMID: 36980746 PMCID: PMC10047148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour heterogeneity is a common phenomenon in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and a significant cause of treatment failure and disease progression. Genetic and epigenetic instability, along with proliferation of cancer stem cells and alterations in the tumour microenvironment, manifest as intra-tumoural variability in tumour biology in primary tumours and metastases. This may change over time, especially under selective pressure during treatment. The gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tract is the most common site for NENs, and their diagnosis and treatment depends on the specific characteristics of the disease, in particular proliferation activity, expression of somatostatin receptors and grading. Somatostatin receptor expression has a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NENs, while Ki-67 is also a valuable prognostic marker. Intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity in GEP-NENS, however, may lead to inaccurate assessment of the disease and affect the reliability of the available diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tests. In this review, we summarise the current available evidence of the impact of tumour heterogeneity on tumour diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NENs. Understanding and accurately measuring tumour heterogeneity could better inform clinical decision making in NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Reccia
- General Surgical and Oncology Unit, Policlinico San Pietro, Via Carlo Forlanini, 24036 Ponte San Pietro, Italy
| | - Madhava Pai
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Jayant Kumar
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Duncan Spalding
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Andrea Frilling
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
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Busse A, Mochmann LH, Spenke C, Arsenic R, Briest F, Jöhrens K, Lammert H, Sipos B, Kühl AA, Wirtz R, Pavel M, Hummel M, Kaemmerer D, Baum RP, Grabowski P. Immunoprofiling in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Unveil Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3448. [PMID: 33228231 PMCID: PMC7699546 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in a variety of tumors; however, in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC), low response rates were reported. We aimed herein to investigate the tumor immune microenvironment in NET/NEC to determine whether checkpoint pathways like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) might play a role in immune escape and whether other escape mechanisms might need to be targeted to enable a functional antitumor response. Forty-eight NET and thirty NEC samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mRNA immunoprofiling including digital spatial profiling. Through IHC, both NET/NEC showed stromal, but less intratumoral CD3+ T cell infiltration, although this was significantly higher in NEC compared to NET. Expression of PD1, PD-L1, and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) on immune cells was low or nearly absent. mRNA immunoprofiling revealed low expression of IFNγ inducible genes in NET and NEC without any spatial heterogeneity. However, we observed an increased mRNA expression of chemokines, which attract myeloid cells in NET and NEC, and a high abundance of genes related to immunosuppressive myeloid cells and genes with immunosuppressive functions like CD47 and CD74. In conclusion, NET and NEC lack signs of an activation of the adaptive immune system, but rather show abundance of several immunosuppressive genes that represent potential targets for immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Busse
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Liliana H. Mochmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Christiane Spenke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Ruza Arsenic
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Institute für histologische und zytologische Diagnostik AG Aarau, 5000 Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Briest
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
| | - Korinna Jöhrens
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Institute of Pathology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hedwig Lammert
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Bence Sipos
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Private Practice of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, 70176 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anja A. Kühl
- iPATH Berlin—Immunopathology for Experimental Models, Core Unit of the Charité, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Ralph Wirtz
- Stratifyer Molecular Oncology GmbH, 50935 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Marianne Pavel
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitatsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Michael Hummel
- Institute of Pathology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (R.A.); (K.J.); (H.L.); (M.H.)
- Central Biobank, Berlin Institute of Health, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kaemmerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, 99437 Bad Berka, Germany;
| | - Richard P. Baum
- CURANOSTICUM Wiesbaden-Frankfurt in der DKD HELIOS Klinik, 65191 Wiesbaden, Germany;
| | - Patricia Grabowski
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (L.H.M.); (C.S.); (F.B.); (P.G.)
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Saller J, Seydafkan S, Shahid M, Gadara M, Cives M, Eschrich SA, Boulware D, Strosberg JR, Aejaz N, Coppola D. EPB41L5 is Associated With the Metastatic Potential of Low-grade Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2019; 16:309-318. [PMID: 31467225 PMCID: PMC6727072 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Low-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (LG-PNETs) behave unpredictably. The aim of the study was to identify biomarkers that predict PNET metastasis to improve treatment selection. PATIENTS AND METHODS Five patients with primary non-metastatic LG-PNETs, six with primary LG-PNETs with synchronous or metachronous metastases (M-PNETs), and six metastatic to liver LG-PNETs (ML-PNETs) from the group of six M-PNET patients were selected. RNA data were normalized using iterative rank-order normalization. Student's t-test identified differentially-expressed genes in LG-PNETs versus M-PNETs. A 2-fold difference in expression was considered to be significant. Results were validated with an independent dataset of LG-PNETs and metastatic LG-PNETs. RESULTS Overall, 195 genes had a >2-fold change (in either direction). A total of 29 genes were differentially overexpressed in M-PNETs. Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 5 (EPB41L5) had a 2.07-fold change increase in M-PNETs and the smallest p-value. EPB41L5 was not statistically different between M-PNETs and ML-PNETs. EPB41L5 differential expression between primary and metastatic LG-PNETs was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION These results support further investigation into whether EPB41L5 is a biomarker of PNETs with high risk for metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Saller
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Shabnam Seydafkan
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Mohammad Shahid
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Manoj Gadara
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Mauro Cives
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Steven A Eschrich
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - David Boulware
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Jonathan R Strosberg
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
| | - Nasir Aejaz
- Diagnostic and Experimental Pathology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A
| | - Domenico Coppola
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A.
- Department of Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A
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Boons G, Vandamme T, Peeters M, Van Camp G, Op de Beeck K. Clinical applications of (epi)genetics in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: Moving towards liquid biopsies. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2019; 20:333-351. [PMID: 31368038 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-019-09508-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput analysis, including next-generation sequencing and microarrays, have strongly improved our understanding of cancer biology. However, genomic data on rare cancer types, such as neuroendocrine neoplasms, has been lagging behind. Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) develop from endocrine cells spread throughout the body and are highly heterogeneous in biological behavior. In this challenging disease, there is an urgent need for new therapies and new diagnostic, prognostic, follow-up and predictive biomarkers to aid patient management. The last decade, molecular data on neuroendocrine neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, termed gastroenteropancreatic NENs (GEP-NENs), has strongly expanded. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the recent advances on (epi)genetic level and highlight their clinical applications to address the current needs in GEP-NENs. We illustrate how molecular alterations can be and are being used as therapeutic targets, how mutations in DAXX/ATRX and copy number variations could be used as prognostic biomarkers, how far we are in identifying predictive biomarkers and how genetics can contribute to GEP-NEN classification. Finally, we discuss recent studies on liquid biopsies in the field of GEP-NENs and illustrate how liquid biopsies can play a role in patient management. In conclusion, molecular studies have suggested multiple potential biomarkers, but further validation is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitta Boons
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Timon Vandamme
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Van Camp
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Ken Op de Beeck
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
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Aristizabal Prada ET, Auernhammer CJ. Targeted therapy of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: preclinical strategies and future targets. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:R1-R25. [PMID: 29146887 PMCID: PMC5754510 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapy of advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system currently encompasses approved therapy with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the multi-tyrosinkinase inhibitor sunitinib. However, clinical efficacy of these treatment strategies is limited by low objective response rates and limited progression-free survival due to tumour resistance. Further novel strategies for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are needed. This paper reviews preclinical research models and signalling pathways in NETs of the GEP system. Preclinical and early clinical data on putative novel targets for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are discussed, including PI3K, Akt, mTORC1/mTORC2, GSK3, c-Met, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, embryogenic pathways (Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt/beta-catenin, TGF-beta signalling and SMAD proteins), tumour suppressors and cell cycle regulators (p53, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) CDK4/6, CDK inhibitor p27, retinoblastoma protein (Rb)), heat shock protein HSP90, Aurora kinase, Src kinase family, focal adhesion kinase and epigenetic modulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Aristizabal Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C J Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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The selective PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 as a novel therapeutic option for neuroendocrine tumors: Results from multiple cell line models. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182852. [PMID: 28800359 PMCID: PMC5553670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims The therapeutic options for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are limited. As PI3K signaling is often activated in NETs, we have assessed the effects of selective PI3Kp110α inhibition by the novel agent BYL719 on cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, cell cycle, signaling pathways, differentiation and secretion in pancreatic (BON-1, QGP-1) and pulmonary (H727) NET cell lines. Methods Cell viability was investigated by WST-1 assay, colony formation by clonogenic assay, apoptosis by caspase3/7 assay, the cell cycle by FACS, cell signaling by Western blot analysis, expression of chromogranin A and somatostatin receptors 1/2/5 by RT-qPCR, and chromogranin A secretion by ELISA. Results BYL719 dose-dependently decreased cell viability and colony formation with the highest sensitivity in BON-1, followed by H727, and lowest sensitivity in QGP-1 cells. BYL719 induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest associated with increased p27 expression. Western blots showed inhibition of PI3K downstream targets to a varying degree in the different cell lines, but IGF1R activation. The most sensitive BON-1 cells displayed a significant, and H727 cells a non-significant, GSK3 inhibition after BYL719 treatment, but these effects do not appear to be mediated through the IGF1R. In contrast, the most resistant QGP-1 cells showed no GSK3 inhibition, but a modest activation, which would partially counteract the other anti-proliferative effects. Accordingly, BYL719 enhanced neuroendocrine differentiation with the strongest effect in BON-1, followed by H727 cells indicated by induction of chromogranin A and somatostatin receptor 1/2 mRNA-synthesis, but not in QGP-1 cells. In BON-1 and QGP-1 cells, the BYL719/everolimus combination was synergistic through simultaneous AKT/mTORC1 inhibition, and significantly increased somatostatin receptor 2 transcription compared to each drug separately. Conclusion Our results suggest that the agent BYL719 could be a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of NETs that may sensitize NET cells to somatostatin analogs, and that if there is resistance to its action this may be overcome by combination with everolimus.
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Basu B, Basu S. Correlating and Combining Genomic and Proteomic Assessment with In Vivo Molecular Functional Imaging: Will This Be the Future Roadmap for Personalized Cancer Management? Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2016; 31:75-84. [DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2015.1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bhakti Basu
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Sandip Basu
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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