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Kinoshita H, Kinoshita S, Kamoda H, Hagiwara Y, Ohtori S, Yonemoto T. Thioredoxin Reductase Inhibitor Suppresses the Local Progression of Rhabdomyosarcoma With PDX Models. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:178-185. [PMID: 38423598 PMCID: PMC10905273 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20439] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Chemoresistance in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is associated with poor survival, necessitating the development of novel anticancer drugs. Auranofin (AUR), an anti-rheumatic drug, is a thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD) inhibitor with anticancer properties. Although patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are essential for studying cancer biology, reports on sarcomas using the PDX model are scarce because of their rarity. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of AUR treatment in RMS using a PDX model to evaluate its impact on local progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 20-year-old woman who was diagnosed with alveolar RMS was used to generate the PDX model. RMS PDX tumors were implanted in nude mice and divided into non-treated (vehicle) and treated (AUR) groups. Tumor volume and weight were evaluated, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate local progression of the sarcoma. The relationship between the TXNRD-1 expression and survival probability of patients with RMS was evaluated using publicly available expression cohorts. RESULTS AUR significantly suppressed RMS tumor progression over time. It also significantly suppressed the tumor size and weight at the time of excision. Histological evaluation showed that AUR induced oxidative stress in the PDX mouse models and inhibited the local progression of RMS by inducing apoptosis. High TXNRD-1 expression was found to be a negative prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with RMS. CONCLUSION AUR-induced inhibition of TXNRDs can significantly impede the local progression of RMS through the oxidative stress-apoptosis pathway as demonstrated in PDX models. Thus, targeting TXNRD inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seiko Kinoshita
- Laboratory of Oncogenomics, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroto Kamoda
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoko Hagiwara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Seiji Ohtori
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Yonemoto
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
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2
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Meng L, Shang H, Liu Q, Li Z, Wang X, Li Q, Li F, Zhao Z, Liu C. Lnc-PSMA8-1 activated by GEFT promotes rhabdomyosarcoma progression via upregulation of mTOR expression by sponging miR-144-3p. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:79. [PMID: 38225540 PMCID: PMC10789031 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11798-y] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GEFT is a key regulator of tumorigenesis in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and overexpression of GEFT is significantly correlated with distant metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and a poor prognosis, yet the underlying molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate and validate the molecular mechanism of GEFT-activated lncRNAs in regulating mTOR expression to promote the progression of RMS. METHODS GEFT-regulated lncRNAs were identified through microarray analysis. The effects of GEFT-regulated lncRNAs on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of RMS cells were confirmed through cell functional experiments. The target miRNAs of GEFT-activated lncRNAs in the regulation of mTOR expression were predicted by bioinformatics analysis combined with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The expression of lnc-PSMA8-1, miR-144-3p, and mTOR was measured by qRT-PCR in RMS tissue samples and cell lines. The regulatory mechanisms of the lnc-PSMA8-1-miR-144-3p-mTOR signaling axis were verified by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), a luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR analysis, Western blot analysis, and cell functional experiments. RESULTS The microarray-based analysis identified 31 differentially expressed lncRNAs (fold change > 2.0, P < 0.05). Silencing the 4 upregulated lncRNAs (lnc-CEACAM19-1, lnc-VWCE-2, lnc-GPX7-1, and lnc-PSMA8-1) and overexpressing the downregulated lnc-FAM59A-1 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration and induced the apoptosis of RMS cells. Among the factors analyzed, the expression of lnc-PSMA8-1, miR-144-3p, and mTOR in RMS tissue samples and cells was consistent with the correlations among their expression indicated by the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network based on the ceRNA hypothesis. lnc-PSMA8-1 promoted RMS progression by competitively binding to miR-144-3p to regulate mTOR expression. CONCLUSION Our research demonstrated that lnc-PSMA8-1 was activated by GEFT and that the former positively regulated mTOR expression by sponging miR-144-3p to promote the progression of RMS. Therefore, targeting this network may constitute a potential therapeutic approach for the management of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Meng
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Hao Shang
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- Judicial Appraisal Institute, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province (Zhejiang Mental Health Center), Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Qianru Li
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenguo Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunxia Liu
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Yang N, Kong D, Wang X, Liu Y. Perianal rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult: A case report and review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36276. [PMID: 38050209 PMCID: PMC10695526 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Perianal/perineal rhabdomyosarcomas (PRMS) is rare, and the outcome is poor. A 29-year-old female presented with perineal rhabdomyosarcomas revealed metastases to inguinal lymph nodes on the bilateral side. Disease progression was discovered when the patient got adjuvant epirubicin, ifosfamide, and bevacizumab for 2 cycles. After 3 cycles of nivolumab, dacarbazine, cisplatin, and vinblastine therapy, a partial response was identified in the patient. The surgical resection was performed. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and was weak after surgery, so he did not receive chemoradiotherapy. The patient succumbed after 11 months postoperatively due to widespread intraabdominal metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dexian Kong
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xv Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yabin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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4
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Karthik N, Lee JJH, Soon JLJ, Chiu HY, Loh AHP, Ong DST, Tam WL, Taneja R. Histone variant H3.3 promotes metastasis in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. J Pathol 2023; 259:342-356. [PMID: 36573560 DOI: 10.1002/path.6048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The relatively quiet mutational landscape of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) suggests that epigenetic deregulation could be central to oncogenesis and tumour aggressiveness. Histone variants have long been recognised as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. However, the role of histone variants in RMS has not been studied hitherto. In this study, we show that histone variant H3.3 is overexpressed in alveolar RMS (ARMS), an aggressive subtype of RMS. Functionally, knockdown of H3F3A, which encodes for H3.3, significantly impairs the ability of ARMS cells to undertake migration and invasion and reduces Rho activation. In addition, a striking reduction in metastatic tumour burden and improved survival is apparent in vivo. Using RNA-sequencing and ChIP-sequencing analyses, we identified melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM/CD146) as a direct downstream target of H3.3. Loss of H3.3 resulted in a reduction in the presence of active marks and an increase in the occupancy of H1 at the MCAM promoter. Cell migration and invasion were rescued in H3F3A-depleted cells through MCAM overexpression. Moreover, we identified G9a, a lysine methyltransferase encoded by EHMT2, as an upstream regulator of H3F3A. Therefore, this study identifies a novel H3.3 dependent axis involved in ARMS metastasis. These findings establish the potential of MCAM as a therapeutic target for high-risk ARMS patients. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Karthik
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jane Jia Hui Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joshua Ling Jun Soon
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hsin Yao Chiu
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amos Hong Pheng Loh
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Derrick Sek Tong Ong
- Department of Physiology and NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Camero S, Cassandri M, Pomella S, Milazzo L, Vulcano F, Porrazzo A, Barillari G, Marchese C, Codenotti S, Tomaciello M, Rota R, Fanzani A, Megiorni F, Marampon F. Radioresistance in rhabdomyosarcomas: Much more than a question of dose. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1016894. [PMID: 36248991 PMCID: PMC9559533 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1016894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, frequently accounting the genitourinary tract is complex and requires a multimodal therapy. In particular, as a consequence of the advancement in dose conformity technology, radiation therapy (RT) has now become the standard therapeutic option for patients with RMS. In the clinical practice, dose and timing of RT are adjusted on the basis of patients' risk stratification to reduce late toxicity and side effects on normal tissues. However, despite the substantial improvement in cure rates, local failure and recurrence frequently occur. In this review, we summarize the general principles of the treatment of RMS, focusing on RT, and the main molecular pathways and specific proteins involved into radioresistance in RMS tumors. Specifically, we focused on DNA damage/repair, reactive oxygen species, cancer stem cells, and epigenetic modifications that have been reported in the context of RMS neoplasia in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The precise elucidation of the radioresistance-related molecular mechanisms is of pivotal importance to set up new more effective and tolerable combined therapeutic approaches that can radiosensitize cancer cells to finally ameliorate the overall survival of patients with RMS, especially for the most aggressive subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassandri
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Milazzo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vulcano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Porrazzo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Units of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCSS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Miriam Tomaciello
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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6
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MEK and MCL-1 sequential inhibition synergize to enhance rhabdomyosarcoma treatment. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:172. [PMID: 35393436 PMCID: PMC8989976 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00959-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Targeted agents have emerged as promising molecules for cancer treatment, but most of them fail to achieve complete tumor regression or attain durable remissions due to tumor adaptations. We used dynamic BH3 profiling to identify targeted agents effectiveness and anti-apoptotic adaptations upon targeted treatment in rhabdomyosarcoma. We focused on studying the use of BH3 mimetics to specifically inhibit pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins, overwhelm resistance to therapy and prevent relapse. We observed that the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib rapidly depleted the pro-apoptotic protein NOXA, thus increasing MCL-1 availability. Indeed, we found that the MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 synergistically enhanced trametinib cytotoxicity in rhabdomyosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the combination of a BH3 mimetic targeting MCL-1 with trametinib improves efficiency on rhabdomyosarcoma by blocking tumor adaptation to treatment.
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7
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Wang H, Wang Q, Cai G, Duan Z, Nugent Z, Huang J, Zheng J, Borowsky AD, Li JJ, Liu P, Kung HJ, Murphy L, Chen HW, Wang J. Nuclear TIGAR mediates an epigenetic and metabolic autoregulatory loop via NRF2 in cancer therapeutic resistance. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1871-1884. [PMID: 35847493 PMCID: PMC9279715 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guodi Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhijian Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Zoann Nugent
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Jie Huang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Jianwei Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Alexander D. Borowsky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jian Jian Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Peiqing Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hsing-Jien Kung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Leigh Murphy
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Hong-Wu Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Junjian Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Corresponding authors.
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8
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Marchesi I, Fais M, Fiorentino FP, Bordoni V, Sanna L, Zoroddu S, Bagella L. Bromodomain Inhibitor JQ1 Provides Novel Insights and Perspectives in Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073581. [PMID: 35408939 PMCID: PMC8998669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common type of pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. It is classified into two main subtypes: embryonal (eRMS) and alveolar (aRMS). MYC family proteins are frequently highly expressed in RMS tumors, with the highest levels correlated with poor prognosis. A pharmacological approach to inhibit MYC in cancer cells is represented by Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif (BET) protein inhibitors. In this paper, we evaluated the effects of BET inhibitor (+)-JQ1 (JQ1) on the viability of aRMS and eRMS cells. Interestingly, we found that the drug sensitivity of RMS cell lines to JQ1 was directly proportional to the expression of MYC. JQ1 induces G1 arrest in cells with the highest steady-state levels of MYC, whereas apoptosis is associated with MYC downregulation. These findings suggest BET inhibition as an effective strategy for the treatment of RMS alone or in combination with other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Marchesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
- Kitos Biotech Srls, Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Milena Fais
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Fiorentino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
- Kitos Biotech Srls, Tramariglio, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Valentina Bordoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Luca Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Stefano Zoroddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Luigi Bagella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.M.); (M.F.); (F.P.F.); (V.B.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
- Correspondence:
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9
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Winkler M, Friedrich J, Boedicker C, Dolgikh N. Co-targeting MCL-1 and ERK1/2 kinase induces mitochondrial apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Transl Oncol 2022; 16:101313. [PMID: 34906889 PMCID: PMC8681038 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS/MEK/ERK genetic axis is commonly altered in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), indicating high activity of downstream effector ERK1/2 kinase. Previously, we have demonstrated that inhibition of the RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in RMS is insufficient to induce cell death due to residual pro-survival MCL-1 activity. Here, we show that the combination of ERK1/2 inhibitor Ulixertinib and MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 is highly synergistic and induces apoptotic cell death in RMS in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, Ulixertinib/S63845 co-treatment suppresses long-term survival of RMS cells, induces rapid caspase activation and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Mechanistically, Ulixertinib-mediated upregulation of BIM and BMF in combination with MCL-1 inhibition by S63845 shifts the balance of BCL-2 proteins towards a pro-apoptotic state resulting in apoptosis induction. A genetic silencing approach reveals that BIM, BMF, BAK and BAX are all required for Ulixertinib/S63845-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of BCL-2 rescues cell death triggered by Ulixertinib/S63845 co-treatment, confirming that combined inhibition of ERK1/2 and MCL-1 effectively induces cell death of RMS cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Thus, this study is the first to demonstrate the cytotoxic potency of co-inhibition of ERK1/2 and MCL-1 for RMS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Winkler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nadezda Dolgikh
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany.
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10
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Shen Q, Liu X, Li W, Zhao X, Li T, Zhou K, Zhou J. Emerging Role and Mechanism of circRNAs in Pediatric Malignant Solid Tumors. Front Genet 2022; 12:820936. [PMID: 35116058 PMCID: PMC8804321 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.820936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with covalent closed-loop structures and are widely distributed in eukaryotes, conserved and stable as well as tissue-specific. Malignant solid tumors pose a serious health risk to children and are one of the leading causes of pediatric mortality. Studies have shown that circRNAs play an important regulatory role in the development of childhood malignant solid tumors, hence are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for tumors. This paper reviews the biological characteristics and functions of circRNAs as well as the research progress related to childhood malignant solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyang Shen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingyu Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of ENT, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- *Correspondence: Jianfeng Zhou, ; Kai Zhou,
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jianfeng Zhou, ; Kai Zhou,
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11
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Protein Arginine Methyltransferase (PRMT) Inhibitors-AMI-1 and SAH Are Effective in Attenuating Rhabdomyosarcoma Growth and Proliferation in Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158023. [PMID: 34360791 PMCID: PMC8348967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue cancer that develops mostly in children and young adults. With regard to histopathology, four rhabdomyosarcoma types are distinguishable: embryonal, alveolar, pleomorphic and spindle/sclerosing. Currently, increased amounts of evidence indicate that not only gene mutations, but also epigenetic modifications may be involved in the development of RMS. Epigenomic changes regulate the chromatin architecture and affect the interaction between DNA strands, histones and chromatin binding proteins, thus, are able to control gene expression. The main aim of the study was to assess the role of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) in the cellular biology of rhabdomyosarcoma. In the study we used two pan-inhibitors of PRMT, called AMI-1 and SAH, and evaluated their effects on proliferation and apoptosis of RMS cells. We observed that AMI-1 and SAH reduce the invasive phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells by decreasing their proliferation rate, cell viability and ability to form cell colonies. In addition, microarray analysis revealed that these inhibitors attenuate the activity of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and affect expression of genes related to it.
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12
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Miallot R, Galland F, Millet V, Blay JY, Naquet P. Metabolic landscapes in sarcomas. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:114. [PMID: 34294128 PMCID: PMC8296645 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring offers novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer. Until recently, there was scant information regarding soft tissue sarcomas, due to their heterogeneous tissue origin, histological definition and underlying genetic history. Novel large-scale genomic and metabolomics approaches are now helping stratify their physiopathology. In this review, we show how various genetic alterations skew activation pathways and orient metabolic rewiring in sarcomas. We provide an update on the contribution of newly described mechanisms of metabolic regulation. We underscore mechanisms that are relevant to sarcomagenesis or shared with other cancers. We then discuss how diverse metabolic landscapes condition the tumor microenvironment, anti-sarcoma immune responses and prognosis. Finally, we review current attempts to control sarcoma growth using metabolite-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Miallot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France.
| | - Franck Galland
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Millet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Yves Blay
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 1, Lyon Recherche Innovation contre le Cancer, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Naquet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France.
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13
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Rossetti A, Petragnano F, Milazzo L, Vulcano F, Macioce G, Codenotti S, Cassandri M, Pomella S, Cicchetti F, Fasciani I, Antinozzi C, Di Luigi L, Festuccia C, De Felice F, Vergine M, Fanzani A, Rota R, Maggio R, Polimeni A, Tombolini V, Gravina GL, Marampon F. Romidepsin (FK228) fails in counteracting the transformed phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells but efficiently radiosensitizes, in vitro and in vivo, the alveolar phenotype subtype. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:943-957. [PMID: 33979259 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1928786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Herein we describe the in vitro and in vivo activity of FK228 (Romidepsin), an inhibitor of class I HDACs, in counteracting and radiosensitizing embryonal (ERMS, fusion-negative) and alveolar (ARMS, fusion-positive) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). METHODS RH30 (ARMS, fusion-positive) and RD (ERMS, fusion-negative) cell lines and human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (HMSC) were used. Flow cytometry analysis, RT-qPCR, western blotting and enzymatic assays were performed. Irradiation was delivered by using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator. FK228 (1.2 mg/kg) in vivo activity, combined or not with radiation therapy (2 Gy), was assessed in murine xenografts. RESULTS Compared to HMSC, RMS expressed low levels of class I HDACs. In vitro, FK228, as single agents, reversibly downregulated class I HDACs expression and activity and induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and a concomitant growth arrest associated with PARP-1-mediated transient non-apoptotic cell death. Surviving cells upregulated the expression of cyclin A, B, D1, p27, Myc and activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling, known to be differently involved in cancer chemoresistance. Interestingly, while no radiosensitizing effects were detected, in vitro or in vivo, on RD cells, FK228 markedly radiosensitized RH30 cells by impairing antioxidant and DSBs repair pathways in vitro. Further, FK228 when combined with RT in vivo significantly reduced tumor mass in mouse RH30 xenografts. CONCLUSION FK228 did not show antitumor activity as a single agent whilst its combination with RT resulted in radiosensitization of fusion-positive RMS cells, thus representing a possible strategy for the treatment of the most aggressive RMS subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Petragnano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luisa Milazzo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vulcano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Macioce
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassandri
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Irene Fasciani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Antinozzi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Luigi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Vergine
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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14
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Luo J, Odaka Y, Huang Z, Cheng B, Liu W, Li L, Shang C, Zhang C, Wu Y, Luo Y, Yang S, Houghton PJ, Guo X, Huang S. Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits mTORC1 Signaling by Activating the AMPK Pathway in Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumor Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061363. [PMID: 34205996 PMCID: PMC8226784 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an anti-malarial drug, has been shown to possess potent anticancer activity, partly by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. However, how DHA inhibits mTORC1 is still unknown. Here, using rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) as a model, we found that DHA reduced cell proliferation and viability in RMS cells, but not those in normal cells, which was associated with inhibition of mTORC1. Mechanistically, DHA did not bind to mTOR or FK506 binding protein 12 (FKBP12). In addition, DHA neither inhibited insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ (Erk1/2), nor activated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in the cells. Rather, DHA activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Pharmacological inhibition of AMPK, ectopic expression dominant negative or kinase-dead AMPK, or knockdown of AMPKα attenuated the inhibitory effect of DHA on mTORC1 in the cells. Additionally, DHA was able to induce dissociation of regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (raptor) from mTOR and inhibit mTORC1 activity. Moreover, treatment with artesunate, a prodrug of DHA, dose-dependently inhibited tumor growth and concurrently activated AMPK and suppressed mTORC1 in RMS xenografts. The results indicated that DHA inhibits mTORC1 by activating AMPK in tumor cells. Our finding supports that DHA or artesunate has a great potential to be repositioned for treatment of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yoshinobu Odaka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zhu Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Research Center of Aquatic Organism Conservation and Water Ecosystem Restoration in Anhui Province, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246011, China
| | - Bing Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Chaowei Shang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3000, USA;
| | - Xiaofeng Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (S.H.); Tel.: +86-20-38295980 (X.G.); +1-318-675-7759 (S.H.)
| | - Shile Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; (J.L.); (Y.O.); (Z.H.); (B.C.); (W.L.); (L.L.); (C.S.); (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (S.H.); Tel.: +86-20-38295980 (X.G.); +1-318-675-7759 (S.H.)
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15
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Adamus A, Ali I, Vasileiadis V, Al-Hileh L, Lisec J, Frank M, Seitz G, Engel N. Vincetoxicum arnottianum modulates motility features and metastatic marker expression in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:136. [PMID: 33947373 PMCID: PMC8097906 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03299-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prevention of metastatic invasion is one of the main challenges in the treatment of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Still the therapeutic options are limited. Therefore, an anti-tumor screening was initiated focusing on the anti-metastatic and anti-invasion properties of selected medicinal plant extracts and phytoestrogens, already known to be effective in the prevention and treatment of different cancer entities. Methods Treatment effects were first evaluated by cell viability, migration, invasion, and colony forming assays on the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RH-30 in comparison with healthy primary cells. Results Initial anti-tumor screenings of all substances analyzed in this study, identified the plant extract of Vincetoxicum arnottianum (VSM) as the most promising candidate, harboring the highest anti-metastatic potential. Those significant anti-motility properties were proven by a reduced ability for migration (60%), invasion (99%) and colony formation (61%) under 48 h exposure to 25 μg/ml VSM. The restricted motility features were due to an induction of the stabilization of the cytoskeleton – actin fibers were 2.5-fold longer and were spanning the entire cell. Decreased proliferation (PCNA, AMT, GCSH) and altered metastasis (e. g. SGPL1, CXCR4, stathmin) marker expression on transcript and protein level confirmed the significant lowered tumorigenicity under VSM treatment. Finally, significant alterations in the cell metabolism were detected for 25 metabolites, with levels of uracil, N-acetyl serine and propanoyl phosphate harboring the greatest alterations. Compared to the conventional therapy with cisplatin, VSM treated cells demonstrated a similar metabolic shutdown of the primary cell metabolism. Primary control cells were not affected by the VSM treatment. Conclusions This study revealed the VSM root extract as a potential, new migrastatic drug candidate for the putative treatment of pediatric alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with actin filament stabilizing properties and accompanied by a marginal effect on the vitality of primary cells. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03299-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Adamus
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Marburg, Germany
| | - Iftikhar Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, Pakistan.,Shandong Key Laboratory of TCM Quality Control Technology, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | | | - Luai Al-Hileh
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan Lisec
- Division 1.7 Analytical Chemistry, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Frank
- Medical Biology and Electron Microscopy Center, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Guido Seitz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadja Engel
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
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16
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Pal A, Leung JY, Ang GCK, Rao VK, Pignata L, Lim HJ, Hebrard M, Chang KT, Lee VK, Guccione E, Taneja R. EHMT2 epigenetically suppresses Wnt signaling and is a potential target in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. eLife 2020; 9:57683. [PMID: 33252038 PMCID: PMC7728445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is downregulated in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and contributes to the block of differentiation. Epigenetic mechanisms leading to its suppression are unknown and could pave the way toward novel therapeutic modalities. We demonstrate that EHMT2 suppresses canonical Wnt signaling by activating expression of the Wnt antagonist DKK1. Inhibition of EHMT2 expression or activity in human ERMS cell lines reduced DKK1 expression and elevated canonical Wnt signaling resulting in myogenic differentiation in vitro and in mouse xenograft models in vivo. Mechanistically, EHMT2 impacted Sp1 and p300 enrichment at the DKK1 promoter. The reduced tumor growth upon EHMT2 deficiency was reversed by recombinant DKK1 or LGK974, which also inhibits Wnt signaling. Consistently, among 13 drugs targeting chromatin modifiers, EHMT2 inhibitors were highly effective in reducing ERMS cell viability. Our study demonstrates that ERMS cells are vulnerable to EHMT2 inhibitors and suggest that targeting the EHMT2-DKK1-β-catenin node holds promise for differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Pal
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Yu Leung
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gareth Chin Khye Ang
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vinay Kumar Rao
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Luca Pignata
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huey Jin Lim
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maxime Hebrard
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Te Chang
- Department of Pathology, KK Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victor Km Lee
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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17
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Jin H, Zhang M, Zhou H, Zhu S, Hu C. Survival and prognostic analysis of preoperative indicators in patients undergoing surgical resections with rhabdomyosarcoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22760. [PMID: 33120782 PMCID: PMC7581107 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Several preoperative blood and biochemical parameters are associated with postoperative survival in many kinds of tumors. The aim of this study is to study the predictive value of several routine preoperative blood and biochemical parameters on the prognosis patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).We retrospectively recruited 55 patients diagnosed with RMS and had surgery at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2010 and December 2018. Baseline characteristics of the patients, tumor features, surgery details, and values of several examinations were extracted. A long-term follow-up was conducted by phone call. A novel statistical analysis was subsequently carried out to look for the relationship of preoperative parameters and patients' prognosis.The ROC analysis showed an area under curve (AUC) of 0.608, 0.620, 0.626, 0.591, and 0.518 for neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) respectively, and the cut-off value of 2.843, 162.961, and 0.239 for NLR, PLR, and MLR respectively. The survival analysis showed that certain blood and biochemical parameters could cause differences in overall survival (OS) (P = .005 for NLR, P = .005 for PLR, and P = .007 for MLR) and progression free survival (PFS) (P = .029 for NLR, P = .008 for PLR, and P = .013 for MLR).Several preoperative blood and biochemical parameters are novel prognostic factors in RMS patients. Specifically, a higher NLR, PLR, and MLR value will predict a statistically shorter OS and PFS.In the future, surgeons should care more about NLR, PLR, and MLR values and several other parameters in patients' preoperative normal blood and biochemical tests to predict the postoperative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center
| | | | - Hui Zhou
- Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology
| | | | - Chenggong Hu
- Department of Critical Care Unit, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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18
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Camero S, Camicia L, Marampon F, Ceccarelli S, Shukla R, Mannarino O, Pizer B, Schiavetti A, Pizzuti A, Tombolini V, Marchese C, Dominici C, Megiorni F. BET inhibition therapy counteracts cancer cell survival, clonogenic potential and radioresistance mechanisms in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 479:71-88. [PMID: 32200036 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The antitumour effects of OTX015, a first-in-class BET inhibitor (BETi), were investigated as a single agent or in combination with ionizing radiation (IR) in preclinical in vitro models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common childhood soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we demonstrated the upregulation of BET Bromodomain gene expression in RMS tumour biopsies and cell lines compared to normal skeletal muscle. In vitro experiments showed that OTX015 significantly reduced RMS cell proliferation by altering cell cycle modulators and apoptotic related proteins due to the accumulation of DNA breaks that cells are unable to repair. Interestingly, OTX015 also impaired migration capacity and tumour-sphere architecture by downregulating pro-stemness genes and was able to potentiate ionizing radiation effects by reducing the expression of different drivers of tumour dissemination and resistance mechanisms, including the GNL3 gene, that we correlated for the first time with the RMS phenotype. In conclusion, our research sheds further light on the molecular events of OTX015 action against RMS cells and indicates this novel BETi as an effective option to improve therapeutic strategies and overcome the development of resistant cancer cells in patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK.
| | - Amalia Schiavetti
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Megiorni F. Epigenetics in rhabdomyosarcoma: cues to new biomarkers and targeted therapies. EBioMedicine 2020; 52:102673. [PMID: 32058940 PMCID: PMC7026726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Nahon-Esteve S, Martel A, Maschi C, Caujolle JP, Baillif S, Lassalle S, Hofman P. The Molecular Pathology of Eye Tumors: A 2019 Update Main Interests for Routine Clinical Practice. Curr Mol Med 2019; 19:632-664. [DOI: 10.2174/1566524019666190726161044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last few years, we have seen constant development of molecular
pathology for the care of patients with cancer. The information obtained from molecular
data has transformed our thinking about the biological diversity of cancers, particularly in
the field of ophthalmic oncology. It has reoriented the way in which therapeutic decisions
and decisions concerning patient surveillance are made, both in the area of pediatric
cancers, including rhabdomyosarcoma and retinoblastoma, and adult cancers, such as
uveal melanoma and lymphomas. A better definition of the molecular classification of
these cancers and of the different biological pathways involved is essential to the
understanding of both the pathologist and the onco-ophthalmologist. Molecular tests
based on targeted or expanded analysis of gene panels are now available. These tests
can be performed with tumor tissue or biofluids (especially blood) to predict the
prognosis of tumors and, above all, the benefit of targeted therapies, immunotherapy or
even chemotherapy. Looking for the BAP1 mutation in uveal melanoma is essential
because of the associated metastatic risk. When treating retinoblastoma, it is mandatory
to assess the heritable status of RB1. Conjunctival melanoma requires investigation into
the BRAF mutation in the case of a locally advanced tumor. The understanding of
genomic alterations, the results of molecular tests and/or other biological tests predictive
of a therapeutic response, but also of the limits of these tests with respect to the
available biological resources, represents a major challenge for optimal patient
management in ophthalmic oncology. In this review, we present the current state of
knowledge concerning the different molecular alterations and therapeutic targets of
interest in ophthalmic oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arnaud Martel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Célia Maschi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | | | | | - Sandra Lassalle
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
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