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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.
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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;
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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.
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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
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Rooper LM, Thompson LDR, Gagan J, Hwang JSG, London NR, Mikula MW, Stevens TM, Bishop JA. Low-grade non-intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma: a histologically distinctive but molecularly heterogeneous entity. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1160-1167. [PMID: 35322195 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although low-grade non-intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC) is formally a diagnosis of exclusion defined by the absence of salivary or intestinal differentiation, most tumors in this category comprise a distinctive histologic group that are increasingly thought to derive from seromucinous glands. However, the molecular underpinnings of SNAC remain poorly understood, and it is unclear if diverse genetic alterations recently reported in isolated cases should delineate separate subgroups. This study aims to perform comprehensive evaluation of gene fusions and mutations and their histologic correlates in low-grade SNAC to clarify its pathogenesis and classification. We identified 18 non-intestinal-type SNAC that all displayed characteristic tubulopapillary architecture and low-grade cytology, although several cases had other unique histologic features and 3 showed intermixed high-grade areas. Among tumors stained with S100 protein, SOX10, and DOG1, 86% expressed at least one of these seromucinous markers. Of 17 cases with sufficient RNA or DNA available for analysis, likely oncogenic molecular alterations were identified in 76% of cases, most notably including CTNNB1 p.S33F mutations in 2 cases, concomitant BRAF p.V600E and AKT1 p.E17K mutations in 2 cases, and ETV6::NTRK3, PRKAR1A::MET, FN1::NRG1, and DNAJB1::PRKACA fusions in 1 case each. While tumors with most genetic alterations were histologically indistinguishable, cases with CTNNB1 mutations had intermixed squamoid morules and cases with BRAF and AKT1 mutations showed a myoepithelial cell population and prominent papillary to micropapillary architecture. Overall, these findings confirm previous reports of frequent seromucinous differentiation in low-grade SNAC. However, these tumors display striking molecular diversity with involvement of multiple kinase fusions, leading to frequent activation of signaling cascades including the MAPK pathway. While most genetic alterations are not associated with sufficiently distinctive histologic features to suggest separate classification, biphasic tumors with BRAF p.V600E mutations are more unique and may represent a distinctive subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Rooper
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Gagan
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Nyall R London
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael W Mikula
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Todd M Stevens
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Justin A Bishop
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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The HER family as therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 174:103681. [PMID: 35462030 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER, ErbB) family has four members, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, HER3, and HER4. Although distinct in ligands and functions, all of the HER family members are receptor tyrosine kinases playing important roles in the pathogenesis of cancers. In the era of precision medicine, the HER family is one of the most important and successful cancer therapeutic targets, hallmarked by the approval of anti-EGFR therapies for the treatment of colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, and anti-HER2 therapies for the treatment of breast cancer and gastric cancer. This review briefly discusses how HER family members were discovered, their functions and roles in cancer, and most importantly, the developmental history and recent updates of therapies targeting HER family members, with colorectal cancer as a focus. We also discussed the patient selection and drug resistance to anti-EGFR therapies in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Zhang C, Mei W, Zeng C. Oncogenic Neuregulin 1 gene (NRG1) fusions in cancer: A potential new therapeutic opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188707. [PMID: 35247506 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188707] [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: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
It is widely established that chromosomal rearrangements induce oncogenesis in solid tumors. However, discovering chromosomal rearrangements that are targetable and actionable remains a difficulty. Targeting gene fusion or chromosomal rearrangement seems to be a powerful strategy to address malignancies characterized by gene rearrangement. Oncogenic NRG1 fusions are relatively rare drivers that infrequently occur across most tumor types. NRG1 fusions exhibit unique biological properties and are difficult to identify owing to their large intronic regions. NRG1 fusions can be detected using a variety of techniques, including fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, or next-generation sequencing (NGS), with NGS-based RNA sequencing being the most sensitive. Previous studies have shown that NRG1 fusion protein induces tumorigenesis, and numerous therapies targeting the ErbB signaling pathway, such as ErbB kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, have initially demonstrated encouraging anticancer efficacy in malignant tumors carrying NRG1 fusions. In this review, we present the characteristics and prevalence of NRG1 fusions in solid tumors. Additionally, we discuss the laboratory approaches for diagnosing NRG1 gene fusions. More importantly, we outline promising strategies for treating malignancies with NRG1 fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congwang Zhang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen 518110, China
| | - Wuxuan Mei
- Clinical Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, China
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen 518110, China.
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Kazdal D, Hofman V, Christopoulos P, Ilié M, Stenzinger A, Hofman P. Fusion-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma: Biological principles, clinical practice, and diagnostic implications. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2022; 61:244-260. [PMID: 34997651 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on superior efficacy and tolerability, targeted therapy is currently preferred over chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy for actionable gene fusions that occur in late-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Consequently, current clinical practice guidelines mandate testing for ALK, ROS1, NTRK, and RET gene fusions in all patients with newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous NSCLC (NS-NSCLC). Gene fusions can be detected using different approaches, but today RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) or combined DNA/RNA NGS is the method of choice. The discovery of other gene fusions (involving, eg, NRG1, NUT, FGFR1, FGFR2, MET, BRAF, EGFR, SMARC fusions) and their partners has increased progressively in recent years, leading to the development of new and promising therapies and mandating the development and implementation of comprehensive detection methods. The purpose of this review is to focus on recent data concerning the main gene fusions identified in NSCLC, followed by the discussion of major challenges in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kazdal
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Véronique Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Thoraxklinik and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marius Ilié
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Centre Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France.,Hospital-Integrated Biobank BB-0033-00025, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
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Antonarelli G, Giugliano F, Corti C, Repetto M, Tarantino P, Curigliano G. Research and Clinical Landscape of Bispecific Antibodies for the Treatment of Solid Malignancies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:884. [PMID: 34577584 PMCID: PMC8468026 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors adopt multiple mechanisms to grow, evade immune responses, and to withstand therapeutic approaches. A major breakthrough in the armamentarium of anti-cancer agents has been the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), able to inhibit aberrantly activated pathways and/or to unleash antigen (Ag)-specific immune responses. Nonetheless, mAb-mediated targeted pressure often fails due to escape mechanisms, mainly Ag loss/downregulation, ultimately providing therapy resistance. Hence, in order to target multiple Ag at the same time, and to facilitate cancer-immune cells interactions, bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) have been developed and are being tested in clinical trials, yielding variable safety/efficacy results based on target selection and their structure. While in hematologic cancers the bsAb blinatumomab recently reached the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approval for B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, bsAbs use in solid tumors faces considerable challenges, such as target Ag selection, biodistribution, and the presence of an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This review will focus on the state-of-the art, the design, and the exploitation of bsAbs against solid malignancies, delineating their mechanisms of action, major pitfalls, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Antonarelli
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Giugliano
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Corti
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Repetto
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Tarantino
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.G.); (C.C.); (M.R.); (P.T.)
- Department of Oncology and Haematology (DIPO), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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