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Díaz-Alvarez L, López-Cortés GI, Pérez-Figueroa E. Immunomodulation exerted by galectins: a land of opportunity in rare cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1301025. [PMID: 38022609 PMCID: PMC10663293 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1301025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare cancers represent only 5% of newly diagnosed malignancies. However, in some cases, they account for up to 50% of the deaths attributed to cancer in their corresponding organ. Part of the reason is that treatment options are generally quite limited, non-specific, and very often, only palliative. Needless to say, research for tailored treatments is warranted. Molecules that exert immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment are attractive drug targets. One such group is galectins. Thus, in this review we summarize the current knowledge about galectin-mediated immunomodulation in rare cancers, highlighting the research opportunities in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Díaz-Alvarez
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Erandi Pérez-Figueroa
- Unidad Periférica para el Estudio de la Neuroinflamación en Patologías Neurológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas e Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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2
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Veth TS, Francavilla C, Heck AJR, Altelaar M. Elucidating Fibroblast Growth Factor-Induced Kinome Dynamics Using Targeted Mass Spectrometry and Dynamic Modeling. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100594. [PMID: 37328066 PMCID: PMC10368922 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100594] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are paracrine or endocrine signaling proteins that, activated by their ligands, elicit a wide range of health and disease-related processes, such as cell proliferation and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The detailed molecular pathway dynamics that coordinate these responses have remained to be determined. To elucidate these, we stimulated MCF-7 breast cancer cells with either FGF2, FGF3, FGF4, FGF10, or FGF19. Following activation of the receptor, we quantified the kinase activity dynamics of 44 kinases using a targeted mass spectrometry assay. Our system-wide kinase activity data, supplemented with (phospho)proteomics data, reveal ligand-dependent distinct pathway dynamics, elucidate the involvement of not earlier reported kinases such as MARK, and revise some of the pathway effects on biological outcomes. In addition, logic-based dynamic modeling of the kinome dynamics further verifies the biological goodness-of-fit of the predicted models and reveals BRAF-driven activation upon FGF2 treatment and ARAF-driven activation upon FGF4 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim S Veth
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Francavilla
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Science, and Manchester Breast Centre, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health (FBMH), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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3
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Salle H, Durand S, Durand K, Bourthoumieu S, Lemnos L, Robert S, Pollet J, Passeri T, Khalil W, Froelich S, Adle-Biassette H, Labrousse F. Comparative analysis of histopathological parameters, genome-wide copy number alterations, and variants in genes involved in cell cycle regulation in chordomas of the skull base and sacrum. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:312-323. [PMID: 36779322 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad008] [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] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare tumors of the axial skeleton that are refractory to conventional therapy. Few studies have compared the morphological and molecular characteristics of chordomas according to the skull base and sacral locations. Histopathological data and changes revealed by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cell cycle regulation genes were analyzed for 28 skull base (SBCs) and 15 sacral (SC) chordomas. All cases were conventional chordomas. SBCs were significantly more frequent in patients aged <40 years and SCs predominated in patients aged >60 years. Mitotic indices ≥2 mitoses/10 high-power fields were correlated with high degrees of nuclear atypia and Ki67 labeling indices ≥6%. We identified 321 genomic positions, and copy number variation losses were more frequent than gain. Moreover, we report a panel of 85 genetic variants of cell cycle genes and the presence of molecular clusters for chordoma as well in CGH as in NGS. These new data strengthen the view that the chordoma should not be considered as a single molecular entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri Salle
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
- Inserm, CAPTuR (Contrôle de l'Activation Cellulaire, Progression Tumorale et Résistance; Thérapeutique), Faculty of Medicine, Limoges University, Limoges, France
| | - Stéphanie Durand
- Inserm, CAPTuR, GEIST Institute, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Inserm, CAPTuR (Contrôle de l'Activation Cellulaire, Progression Tumorale et Résistance; Thérapeutique), Faculty of Medicine, Limoges University, Limoges, France
| | | | - Leslie Lemnos
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Sandrine Robert
- Inserm, CAPTuR (Contrôle de l'Activation Cellulaire, Progression Tumorale et Résistance; Thérapeutique), Faculty of Medicine, Limoges University, Limoges, France
| | - Justine Pollet
- Plateforme Technique BISCEm US 42 INSERM/UMS 2015 CNRS, Limoges, France
| | - Thibault Passeri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lariboisière Hospital, University of Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Wassim Khalil
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Sébastien Froelich
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lariboisière Hospital, University of Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Homa Adle-Biassette
- AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, Service Anatomie Pathologique and Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - François Labrousse
- Inserm, CAPTuR (Contrôle de l'Activation Cellulaire, Progression Tumorale et Résistance; Thérapeutique), Faculty of Medicine, Limoges University, Limoges, France
- Department of Pathology, Limoges University Hospital, Limoges, France
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4
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Zhao C, Tan T, Zhang E, Wang T, Gong H, Jia Q, Liu T, Yang X, Zhao J, Wu Z, Wei H, Xiao J, Yang C. A chronicle review of new techniques that facilitate the understanding and development of optimal individualized therapeutic strategies for chordoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1029670. [PMID: 36465398 PMCID: PMC9708744 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1029670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor that mainly occurs in the sacrum and the clivus/skull base. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for chordoma, but the local recurrence rate is high with unsatisfactory prognosis. Compared with other common tumors, there is not much research and individualized treatment for chordoma, partly due to the rarity of the disease and the lack of appropriate disease models, which delay the discovery of therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in modern techniques have enabled gaining a better understanding of a number of rare diseases, including chordoma. Since the beginning of the 21st century, various chordoma cell lines and animal models have been reported, which have partially revealed the intrinsic mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression with the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. In this study, we performed a systematic overview of the chordoma models and related sequencing studies in a chronological manner, from the first patient-derived chordoma cell line (U-CH1) to diverse preclinical models such as the patient-derived organoid-based xenograft (PDX) and patient-derived organoid (PDO) models. The use of modern sequencing techniques has discovered mutations and expression signatures that are considered potential treatment targets, such as the expression of Brachyury and overactivated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Moreover, computational and bioinformatics techniques have made drug repositioning/repurposing and individualized high-throughput drug screening available. These advantages facilitate the research and development of comprehensive and personalized treatment strategies for indicated patients and will dramatically improve their prognoses in the near feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Zhao
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Tan
- Department of Orthopedics, 905 Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Navy, Shanghai, China
| | - E. Zhang
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyi Gong
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Jia
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Tielong Liu
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinghai Yang
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhipeng Wu
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Wei
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianru Xiao
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Spinal Tumor Center, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
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5
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Karele EN, Paze AN. Chordoma: To know means to recognize. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188796. [PMID: 36089204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188796] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare type of bone cancer characterized by its locally aggressive and destructive behavior. Chordoma is located in one of the three primary regions: skull base/clivus, sacrum or mobile spine. Chordoma grows slowly, therefore its insidious onset leads to delayed diagnosis, accounting for the low survival rates. Treatment centers around successful en bloc resection with negative margins, though, considering the anatomically constrained site of growth, it frequently requires adjuvant radiotherapy. This article analyzes the existing literature with the aim to provide a better insight in the current state of research in chordoma classification, characteristics, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emija Nikola Karele
- Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, Riga LV-1007, Latvia.
| | - Anda Nikola Paze
- Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, Riga LV-1007, Latvia.
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6
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Downregulation of SHMT2 promotes the prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Exp Cell Res 2022; 415:113138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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7
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Dijkstra KK, Monkhorst K, Schipper LJ, Hartemink KJ, Smit EF, Kaing S, de Groot R, Wolkers MC, Clevers H, Cuppen E, Voest EE. Challenges in Establishing Pure Lung Cancer Organoids Limit Their Utility for Personalized Medicine. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107588. [PMID: 32375033 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical implementation of tumor organoids for personalized medicine requires that pure tumor organoids can be reliably established. Here, we present our experience with organoid cultures from >70 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples. We systematically evaluate several methods to identify tumor purity of organoids established from intrapulmonary tumors. Eighty percent of organoids from intrapulmonary lesions have a normal copy number profile, suggesting overgrowth by normal airway organoids (AOs). This is further supported by the failure to detect mutations found in the original tumor in organoids. Histomorphology alone is insufficient to determine tumor purity, but when combined with p63 immunostaining, tumor and normal AOs can be distinguished. Taking into account overgrowth by normal AOs, the establishment rate of pure NSCLC organoids is 17%. Therefore, current methods are insufficient to establish pure NSCLC organoids from intrapulmonary lesions. We discourage their use unless steps are taken to prevent overgrowth by normal AOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krijn K Dijkstra
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Monkhorst
- Department of Pathology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Luuk J Schipper
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Koen J Hartemink
- Department of Surgery, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Egbert F Smit
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sovann Kaing
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rosa de Groot
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Monika C Wolkers
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin Cuppen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hartwig Medical Foundation, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emile E Voest
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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8
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Ardizzone A, Scuderi SA, Giuffrida D, Colarossi C, Puglisi C, Campolo M, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E, Paterniti I. Role of Fibroblast Growth Factors Receptors (FGFRs) in Brain Tumors, Focus on Astrocytoma and Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3825. [PMID: 33352931 PMCID: PMC7766440 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite pharmacological treatments and surgical practice options, the mortality rate of astrocytomas and glioblastomas remains high, thus representing a medical emergency for which it is necessary to find new therapeutic strategies. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) act through their associated receptors (FGFRs), a family of tyrosine kinase receptors consisting of four members (FGFR1-4), regulators of tissue development and repair. In particular, FGFRs play an important role in cell proliferation, survival, and migration, as well as angiogenesis, thus their gene alteration is certainly related to the development of the most common diseases, including cancer. FGFRs are subjected to multiple somatic aberrations such as chromosomal amplification of FGFR1; mutations and multiple dysregulations of FGFR2; and mutations, translocations, and significant amplifications of FGFR3 and FGFR4 that correlate to oncogenesis process. Therefore, the in-depth study of these receptor systems could help to understand the etiology of both astrocytoma and glioblastoma so as to achieve notable advances in more effective target therapies. Furthermore, the discovery of FGFR inhibitors revealed how these biological compounds improve the neoplastic condition by demonstrating efficacy and safety. On this basis, this review focuses on the role and involvement of FGFRs in brain tumors such as astrocytoma and glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Sarah A. Scuderi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Dario Giuffrida
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande (CT), Italy; (D.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande (CT), Italy; (D.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Caterina Puglisi
- IOM Ricerca Srl, Via Penninazzo 11, 95029 Viagrande (CT), Italy;
| | - Michela Campolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (S.A.S.); (M.C.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
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9
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Cottone L, Eden N, Usher I, Lombard P, Ye H, Ligammari L, Lindsay D, Brandner S, Pižem J, Pillay N, Tirabosco R, Amary F, Flanagan AM. Frequent alterations in p16/CDKN2A identified by immunohistochemistry and FISH in chordoma. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY CLINICAL RESEARCH 2020; 6:113-123. [PMID: 31916407 PMCID: PMC7164370 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The expression of p16/CDKN2A, the second most commonly inactivated tumour suppressor gene in cancer, is lost in the majority of chordomas. However, the mechanism(s) leading to its inactivation and contribution to disease progression have only been partially addressed using small patient cohorts. We studied 384 chordoma samples from 320 patients by immunohistochemistry and found that p16 protein was lost in 53% of chordomas and was heterogeneously expressed in these tumours. To determine if CDKN2A copy number loss could explain the absence of p16 protein expression we performed fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for CDKN2A on consecutive tissue sections. CDKN2A copy number status was altered in 168 of 274 (61%) of samples and copy number loss was the most frequent alteration acquired during clinical disease progression. CDKN2A homozygous deletion was always associated with p16 protein loss but only accounted for 33% of the p16‐negative cases. The remaining immunonegative cases were associated with disomy (27%), monosomy (12%), heterozygous loss (20%) and copy number gain (7%) of CDKN2A, supporting the hypothesis that loss of protein expression might be achieved via epigenetic or post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. We identified that mRNA levels were comparable in tumours with and without p16 protein expression, but other events including DNA promoter hypermethylation, copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity and expression of candidate microRNAs previously implicated in the regulation of CDKN2A expression were not identified to explain the protein loss. The data argue that p16 loss in chordoma is commonly caused by a post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanism that is yet to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cottone
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nadia Eden
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Inga Usher
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Hongtao Ye
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | | | - Daniel Lindsay
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Division of Neuropathology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jože Pižem
- Institute of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nischalan Pillay
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Roberto Tirabosco
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Fernanda Amary
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
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10
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Zhong H, Zhou Z, Lv GH, Li J, Zou MX. Letter to the Editor. Brachyury as prognostic biomarker in chordoma. J Neurosurg 2018; 129:273-275. [PMID: 29701545 DOI: 10.3171/2017.9.jns172108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhong
- 1Central Hospital of Yi Yang, Yiyang, China; and
| | - Zhihong Zhou
- 1Central Hospital of Yi Yang, Yiyang, China; and
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- 2The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- 2The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- 2The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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11
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Yamaguchi T, Imada H, Iida S, Szuhai K. Notochordal Tumors: An Update on Molecular Pathology with Therapeutic Implications. Surg Pathol Clin 2017; 10:637-656. [PMID: 28797506 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent molecular investigations of chordoma show common expression of various receptor tyrosine kinases and activation of downstream signaling pathways contributing to tumor growth and progression. The transcription factor brachyury (also known as T) is important in notochord differentiation, and germline duplication of the gene is often found in familial chordomas. Nuclear expression of brachyury is consistent in chordoma and in benign notochordal cell tumor. Based on the molecular evidence, targeting of several kinds of molecular agents has been attempted for the treatment of uncontrolled chordomas and achieved partial response or stable condition in many cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Pathology, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo Medical University, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-8555, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Imada
- Department of Pathology, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo Medical University, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-8555, Japan
| | - Shun Iida
- Department of Pathology, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo Medical University, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-8555, Japan
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box: 9600, Post Zone: R-01-P, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
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12
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Tatman PD, Osbun J, Yakkioui Y, Kaur S, Parada C, Busald T, Born D, Ahmad O, Zhang J, Ferreira M. Kinase Activity in Recurring Primary Skull Base Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas: Identification of Novel Pathways of Oncogenesis and Potential Drug Targets. World Neurosurg 2017. [PMID: 28647652 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.06.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordomas and chondrosarcomas can occur in the skull base. Currently, 45% of chordomas and 56% of chondrosarcomas recur within 5 years of surgery. The role of adjuvant therapy is highly debated. No pharmacotherapies have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for chordomas or chondrosarcomas. High propensity for recurrence and lack of definitive adjuvant therapy necessitate additional basic science research to identify molecular anomalies associated with recurrent disease. METHODS We pooled tumor lysates from patients based on clinical criteria into 4 groups: primary chordomas, primary chordomas that recurred, primary chondrosarcomas, and primary chondrosarcomas that recurred. We used a peptide labeling method, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation, to uniquely identify each tumor group. Phosphorylated peptides were identified and quantified via mass spectroscopy to determine and predict active kinases. RESULTS Six groups of phosphorylated peptides were associated with primary tumors that later recurred. Specific kinases associated with primary chordomas that recurred were FES and FER. Specific kinases associated with primary chondrosarcomas that recurred were FES, FER, SRC family kinases, PKC, ROCK, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling (JNK, ERK1, p38). CONCLUSIONS These data provide clinicians with a means to screen skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas to help identify tumors with a propensity to recur. Many of these kinases can be efficaciously inhibited by Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs that have not yet been used in clinical trials for treatment of skull base chordomas or chondrosarcomas. Validation of kinases identified in this study may advance treatment options for patients with these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D Tatman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joshua Osbun
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Youssef Yakkioui
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sumanpret Kaur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carolina Parada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tina Busald
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Donald Born
- Department of Neuropathology, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Owais Ahmad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Manuel Ferreira
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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13
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Genetic aberrations and molecular biology of skull base chordoma and chondrosarcoma. Brain Tumor Pathol 2017; 34:78-90. [PMID: 28432450 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-017-0283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are two major malignant bone neoplasms located at the skull base. These tumors are rarely metastatic, but can be locally invasive and resistant to conventional chemotherapies and radiotherapies. Accordingly, therapeutic approaches for the treatment of these tumors can be difficult. Additionally, their location at the skull base makes them problematic. Although accurate diagnosis of these tumors is important because of their distinct prognoses, distinguishing between these tumor types is difficult due to overlapping radiological and histopathological findings. However, recent accumulation of molecular and genetic studies, including extracranial location analysis, has provided us clues for accurate diagnosis. In this report, we review the genetic aberrations and molecular biology of these two tumor types. Among the abundant genetic features of these tumors, brachyury immunohistochemistry and direct sequencing of IDH1/2 are simple and useful techniques that can be used to distinguish between these tumors. Although it is still unclear why these tumors, which have such distinct genetic backgrounds, show similar histopathological findings, comparison of their genetic backgrounds could provide essential information.
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14
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Wei W, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Yan B, Feng Y, Li P. miR-219-5p inhibits proliferation and clonogenicity in chordoma cells and is associated with tumor recurrence. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:4568-4576. [PMID: 28105164 PMCID: PMC5228431 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor that is usually localized to the skull base, vertebral column and sacrum. The transcription factor brachyury, which is encoded by the T gene, has a critical role in the development and progression of chordoma, although the mechanisms underlying brachyury regulation remain unclear. The aim of the current study was to identify and characterize microRNAs (miRs) that regulate brachyury expression in chordoma. MicroRNAs that target brachyury were predicted using miRanda and TargetScan. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, miR-219-5p was shown to be significantly downregulated in chordoma tissues and the U-CH2 chordoma cell lines. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the inhibitory effect of miR-219-5p on brachyury mRNA expression. The expression level of brachyury was downregulated in U-CH2 cells following transfection with miR-219-5p mimics and upregulated following transfection with the miR-219-5p inhibitor. The effects of miR-219-5p on the proliferation and clonogenicity of chordoma cells were assessed using cell counting kit-8, EdU and clone formation assays. These in vitro results indicated that miR-219-5p may have an important role in regulating the cell proliferation and clonogenicity of human chordoma cells, potentially by targeting brachyury. Furthermore, the associations between the expression levels of miR-219-5p and various clinicopathological factors were analyzed, and miR-219-5p expression was shown to correlate with tumor extent and recurrence. These results suggested that miR-219-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in chordoma and, therefore, that miR-219-50 may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
| | - Qiuhang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
| | - Zhenlin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
| | - Bo Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
| | - Yanjun Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
| | - Pu Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, P.R. China
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15
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Scheipl S, Barnard M, Cottone L, Jorgensen M, Drewry DH, Zuercher WJ, Turlais F, Ye H, Leite AP, Smith JA, Leithner A, Möller P, Brüderlein S, Guppy N, Amary F, Tirabosco R, Strauss SJ, Pillay N, Flanagan AM. EGFR inhibitors identified as a potential treatment for chordoma in a focused compound screen. J Pathol 2016; 239:320-34. [PMID: 27102572 PMCID: PMC4922416 DOI: 10.1002/path.4729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumour with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. We undertook a focused compound screen (FCS) against 1097 compounds on three well-characterized chordoma cell lines; 154 compounds were selected from the single concentration screen (1 µm), based on their growth-inhibitory effect. Their half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) values were determined in chordoma cells and normal fibroblasts. Twenty-seven of these compounds displayed chordoma selective cell kill and 21/27 (78%) were found to be EGFR/ERBB family inhibitors. EGFR inhibitors in clinical development were then studied on an extended cell line panel of seven chordoma cell lines, four of which were sensitive to EGFR inhibition. Sapitinib (AstraZeneca) emerged as the lead compound, followed by gefitinib (AstraZeneca) and erlotinib (Roche/Genentech). The compounds were shown to induce apoptosis in the sensitive cell lines and suppressed phospho-EGFR and its downstream pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of substituent patterns suggested that EGFR-inhibitors with small aniline substituents in the 4-position of the quinazoline ring were more effective than inhibitors with large substituents in that position. Sapitinib showed significantly reduced tumour growth in two xenograft mouse models (U-CH1 xenograft and a patient-derived xenograft, SF8894). One of the resistant cell lines (U-CH2) was shown to express high levels of phospho-MET, a known bypass signalling pathway to EGFR. Neither amplifications (EGFR, ERBB2, MET) nor mutations in EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB4, PIK3CA, BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, PTEN, MET or other cancer gene hotspots were detected in the cell lines. Our findings are consistent with the reported (p-)EGFR expression in the majority of clinical samples, and provide evidence for exploring the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of patients with chordoma and studying possible resistance mechanisms to these compounds in vitro and in vivo. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Scheipl
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Michelle Barnard
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research Technology Discovery Laboratories, Cambridge, UK
- CRUK-MedImmune Alliance Laboratory, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lucia Cottone
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - David H Drewry
- GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- SGC-UNC, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William J Zuercher
- GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- SGC-UNC, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fabrice Turlais
- Cancer Research Technology Discovery Laboratories, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hongtao Ye
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Ana P Leite
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - James A Smith
- Cancer Research Technology Discovery Laboratories, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andreas Leithner
- Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Naomi Guppy
- University College London Advanced Diagnostics, London, UK
| | - Fernanda Amary
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Roberto Tirabosco
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | | | - Nischalan Pillay
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
- University College London Advanced Diagnostics, London, UK
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16
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Di Maio S, Yip S, Al Zhrani GA, Alotaibi FE, Al Turki A, Kong E, Rostomily RC. Novel targeted therapies in chordoma: an update. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2015; 11:873-83. [PMID: 26097380 PMCID: PMC4451853 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s50526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive skull base neoplasms known for local recurrence and not-infrequent treatment failure. Current evidence supports the role of maximal safe surgical resection. In addition to open skull-base approaches, the endoscopic endonasal approach to clival chordomas has been reported with favorable albeit early results. Adjuvant radiation is prescribed following complete resection, alternatively for gross residual disease or at the time of recurrence. The modalities of adjuvant radiation therapy reported vary widely and include proton-beam, carbon-ion, fractionated photon radiotherapy, and photon and gamma-knife radiosurgery. As of now, no direct comparison is available, and high-level evidence demonstrating superiority of one modality over another is lacking. While systemic therapies have yet to form part of any first-line therapy for chordomas, a number of targeted agents have been evaluated to date that inhibit specific molecules and their respective pathways known to be implicated in chordomas. These include EGFR (erlotinib, gefitinib, lapatinib), PDGFR (imatinib), mTOR (rapamycin), and VEGF (bevacizumab). This article provides an update of the current multimodality treatment of cranial base chordomas, with an emphasis on how current understanding of molecular pathogenesis provides a framework for the development of novel targeted approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Di Maio
- Division of Neurosurgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen Yip
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gmaan A Al Zhrani
- National Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fahad E Alotaibi
- National Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Abdulrahman Al Turki
- National Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Esther Kong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert C Rostomily
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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17
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Yakkioui Y, van Overbeeke JJ, Santegoeds R, van Engeland M, Temel Y. Chordoma: the entity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:655-69. [PMID: 25193090 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chordomas are malignant tumors of the axial skeleton, characterized by their locally invasive and slow but aggressive growth. These neoplasms are presumed to be derived from notochordal remnants with a molecular alteration preceding their malignant transformation. As these tumors are most frequently observed on the skull base and sacrum, patients suffering from a chordoma present with debilitating neurological disease, and have an overall 5-year survival rate of 65%. Surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy is the first-choice treatment modality in these patients, since chordomas are resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Even so, management of chordomas can be challenging, as chordoma patients often present with recurrent disease. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular events that contribute to the development of chordomas are promising; the most novel finding being the identification of brachyury in the disease process. Here we present an overview of the current paradigms and summarize relevant research findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Yakkioui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacobus J van Overbeeke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Santegoeds
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van Engeland
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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18
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Scheil-Bertram S, Kappler R, von Baer A, Hartwig E, Sarkar M, Serra M, Brüderlein S, Westhoff B, Melzner I, Bassaly B, Herms J, Hugo HH, Schulte M, Möller P. Molecular profiling of chordoma. Int J Oncol 2014; 44:1041-55. [PMID: 24452533 PMCID: PMC3977807 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of chordoma is still poorly understood, particularly with respect to differentially expressed genes involved in the primary origin of chordoma. In this study, therefore, we compared the transcriptional expression profile of one sacral chordoma recurrence, two chordoma cell lines (U-CH1 and U-CH2) and one chondrosarcoma cell line (U-CS2) with vertebral disc using a high-density oligonucleotide array. The expression of 65 genes whose mRNA levels differed significantly (p<0.001; ≥6-fold change) between chordoma and control (vertebral disc) was identified. Genes with increased expression in chordoma compared to control and chondrosarcoma were most frequently located on chromosomes 2 (11%), 5 (8%), 1 and 7 (each 6%), whereas interphase cytogenetics of 33 chordomas demonstrated gains of chromosomal material most prevalent on 7q (42%), 12q (21%), 17q (21%), 20q (27%) and 22q (21%). The microarray data were confirmed for selected genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. As in other studies, we showed the expression of brachyury. We demonstrate the expression of new potential candidates for chordoma tumorigenesis, such as CD24, ECRG4, RARRES2, IGFBP2, RAP1, HAI2, RAB38, osteopontin, GalNAc-T3, VAMP8 and others. Thus, we identified and validated a set of interesting candidate genes whose differential expression likely plays a role in chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roland Kappler
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra von Baer
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospitals of Ulm, Germany
| | - Erich Hartwig
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Ev. Diakonissenanstalt, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Michael Sarkar
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Massimo Serra
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Orthopedic Rizzoli Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Ingo Melzner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospitals of Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jochen Herms
- Department of Translational Brain Research, DZNE (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases) and Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schulte
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, Diakoniekrankenhaus, Rotenburg (Wümme), Germany
| | - Peter Möller
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospitals of Ulm, Germany
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19
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Hu Y, Mintz A, Shah SR, Quinones-Hinojosa A, Hsu W. The FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway is critical for chordoma cell growth and survival. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:1491-9. [PMID: 24445144 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that the expression of brachyury is necessary for chordoma growth. However, the mechanism associated with brachyury-regulated cell growth is poorly understood. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a regulator of brachyury expression in normal tissue, may also play an important role in chordoma pathophysiology. Using a panel of chordoma cell lines, we explored the role of FGF signaling and brachyury in cell growth and survival. Western blots showed that all chordoma cell lines expressed fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), FGFR3, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), whereas no cell lines expressed FGFR1 and FGFR4. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that chordoma cells produced FGF2. Neutralization of FGF2 inhibited MEK/ERK phosphorylation, decreased brachyury expression and induced apoptosis while reducing cell growth. Activation of the FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway by FGF2-initiated phosphorylation of FGFR substrate 2 (FRS2)-α (Tyr196) prevented apoptosis while promoting cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Immunofluorescence staining showed that FGF2 promoted the translocation of phosphorylated ERK to the nucleus and increased brachyury expression. The selective inhibition of FGFR, MEK and ERK phosphorylation by PD173074, PD0325901 and PD184352, respectively, decreased brachyury expression, induced apoptosis, and inhibited cell growth and EMT. Moreover, knockdown of brachyury by small hairpin RNA reduced FGF2 secretion, inhibited FGFR/MEK/ERK phosphorylation and blocked the effects of FGF2 on cell growth, apoptosis and EMT. Those findings highlight that FGFR/MEK/ERK/brachyury pathway coordinately regulates chordoma cell growth and survival and may represent a novel chemotherapeutic target for chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 and Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Akiva Mintz
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 and
| | - Sagar R Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | | | - Wesley Hsu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 and Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN The histological comparative study was performed on chordoma and notochordal cell rests (NCRs). OBJECTIVE To understand the histological similarity and homology of chordoma and NCRs, further supplying direct evidence of chordoma origin from NCRs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Although many studies supported the hypothesis that chordoma arise from NCRs, there has been little direct evidence reported to date. Of the base of our previous study, we conducted a comparative histological study among NCRs coexisting in chordoma, fetal NCRs, and chordoma tumor components. METHODS Thirty fetal nucleus pulposus and 46 chordoma specimens were harvested, and classic chordoma tumor markers and brachyury expression levels were investigated through immunohistochemical method. RESULTS The fetal NCRs existed in the form of clusters in the center of nucleus pulposus <36 gestational weeks; NCRs coexisting in chordoma specimens consisted of packed cells without extracellular myxoid matrix. Both the above-mentioned NCRs as well as chordoma tumor components showed high sensitivity for classic chordoma tumor makers (epithelial membrane antigen, AE1/AE3, CAM5.2, vimentin, S-100); both kinds of NCRs showed completely negative expression for brachyury, whereas chordoma tumor components demonstrated 100% positivity. CONCLUSION Our study results supported histological similarity and homology of NCRs coexisting in chordoma and in fetal nucleus pulposus. Brachyury activation probably takes an important role in chordoma tumoregenesis.
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Kitamura Y, Sasaki H, Kimura T, Miwa T, Takahashi S, Kawase T, Yoshida K. Molecular and clinical risk factors for recurrence of skull base chordomas: gain on chromosome 2p, expression of brachyury, and lack of irradiation negatively correlate with patient prognosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2013; 72:816-23. [PMID: 23965741 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e3182a065d0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are invasive tumors that develop from notochordal remnants and frequently occur in the skull base. The T gene and its product (brachyury) have recently been suggested to play an important role in chordoma progression. To date, few studies have investigated the relationship between the molecular/genetic characteristics of chordoma and patient prognosis. We analyzed 37 skull base chordomas for chromosomal copy number aberrations using comparative genomic hybridization, brachyury expression by immunohistochemistry, and T gene copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results of these molecular analyses and clinical parameters were compared with the patients' clinical courses. Univariate analyses using the log-rank test demonstrated that losses on chromosome 1p and gains on 1q and 2p were negatively correlated with progression-free survival, as were factors such as female sex, partial tumor removal, lack of postoperative irradiation, and high MIB-1 index. Expression of brachyury and copy number gain of the T gene were also significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival. Multivariate analysis using the Cox hazards model showed that lack of irradiation, gain on chromosome 2p, and expression of brachyury were independently associated with a poor prognosis. Our results suggest that brachyury-negative chordomas arebiologically distinct from brachyury-positive chordomas and that T/brachyury might be an appropriate molecular therapeutic target for chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Kitamura
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Kitamura Y, Sasaki H, Kimura T, Miwa T, Takahashi S, Kawase T, Yoshida K. Molecular and Clinical Risk Factors for Recurrence of Skull Base Chordomas: Gain on Chromosome 2p, Expression of Brachyury, and Lack of Irradiation Negatively Correlate With Patient Prognosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/jnen/72.9.814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Di Maio S, Kong E, Yip S, Rostomily R. Converging paths to progress for skull base chordoma: Review of current therapy and future molecular targets. Surg Neurol Int 2013; 4:72. [PMID: 23776758 PMCID: PMC3683175 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.112822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordomas of the skull base are rare locally aggressive neoplasms with a predilection for encapsulating critical neurovascular structures, bony destruction and irregular growth patterns, and from which patients succumb to recurrence and treatment failures. METHODS A review of the medical literature is performed, using standard search engines and identifying articles related to skull base chordomas, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, molecular genetics, and prospective trials. RESULTS A synthesis of the literature is presented, including sections on pathology, treatment, molecular genetics, challenges, and future directions. CONCLUSION Beyond an understanding of the current treatment paradigms for skull base chordomas, the reader gains insight into the collaborative approach applied to orphan diseases, of which chordomas is a prime exemplar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Di Maio
- Division of Neurosurgery, McGill University, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Szuhai K, Hogendoorn PCW. 'The chicken or the egg?' dilemma strikes back for the controlling mechanism in chordoma(#). J Pathol 2013; 228:261-5. [PMID: 22952146 DOI: 10.1002/path.4102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant tumour of bone showing notochordal differentiation with characteristic expression of the transcription factor brachyury (T). Next to giving insight into its differentiation spectrum, the expression of T can be used as an adjunct diagnostic tool. The expression of brachyury in chordoma is necessary to maintain cell proliferation in chordoma cell lines, indicating that in chordoma it might be a master regulator of oncogenesis. Identification and mapping of the full gene regulatory network in a recent work in The Journal of Pathology by Nelson and colleagues not only shed light on involved pathways but also indicated pathways for targeted therapy, including brachyury itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2330 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Nelson AC, Pillay N, Henderson S, Presneau N, Tirabosco R, Halai D, Berisha F, Flicek P, Stemple DL, Stern CD, Wardle FC, Flanagan AM. An integrated functional genomics approach identifies the regulatory network directed by brachyury (T) in chordoma. J Pathol 2012; 228:274-85. [PMID: 22847733 PMCID: PMC6089345 DOI: 10.1002/path.4082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Revised: 06/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant tumour of bone, the molecular marker of which is the expression of the transcription factor, brachyury. Having recently demonstrated that silencing brachyury induces growth arrest in a chordoma cell line, we now seek to identify its downstream target genes. Here we use an integrated functional genomics approach involving shRNA-mediated brachyury knockdown, gene expression microarray, ChIP-seq experiments, and bioinformatics analysis to achieve this goal. We confirm that the T-box binding motif of human brachyury is identical to that found in mouse, Xenopus, and zebrafish development, and that brachyury acts primarily as an activator of transcription. Using human chordoma samples for validation purposes, we show that brachyury binds 99 direct targets and indirectly influences the expression of 64 other genes, thereby acting as a master regulator of an elaborate oncogenic transcriptional network encompassing diverse signalling pathways including components of the cell cycle, and extracellular matrix components. Given the wide repertoire of its active binding and the relative specific localization of brachyury to the tumour cells, we propose that an RNA interference-based gene therapy approach is a plausible therapeutic avenue worthy of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Nelson
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt’s House, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nischalan Pillay
- Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
| | | | - Nadège Presneau
- Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Roberto Tirabosco
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Dina Halai
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Fitim Berisha
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Derek L Stemple
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Claudio D Stern
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Fiona C Wardle
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt’s House, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK
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Abstract
Primary malignant bone tumors are rare sarcomas with an estimated frequency of about 2900 new cases per year; they constitute less than 0.2% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. The diagnosis and management of these neoplasms require a team approach, which includes orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists. With this approach and current treatment modalities, the 5-year survival for the most common malignant bone tumors, osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, are 70% and 60%, respectively. This review will summarize recent developments and advances in molecular pathogenesis of the more common primary malignant bone neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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27
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Le LP, Nielsen GP, Rosenberg AE, Thomas D, Batten JM, Deshpande V, Schwab J, Duan Z, Xavier RJ, Hornicek FJ, Iafrate AJ. Recurrent chromosomal copy number alterations in sporadic chordomas. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18846. [PMID: 21602918 PMCID: PMC3094331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular events in chordoma pathogenesis have not been fully delineated,
particularly with respect to copy number changes. Understanding copy number
alterations in chordoma may reveal critical disease mechanisms that could be
exploited for tumor classification and therapy. We report the copy number
analysis of 21 sporadic chordomas using array comparative genomic hybridization
(CGH). Recurrent copy changes were further evaluated with immunohistochemistry,
methylation specific PCR, and quantitative real-time PCR. Similar to previous
findings, large copy number losses, involving chromosomes 1p, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13,
14, and 18, were more common than copy number gains. Loss of
CDKN2A with or without loss of CDKN2B on
9p21.3 was observed in 16/20 (80%) unique cases of which six (30%)
showed homozygous deletions ranging from 76 kilobases to 4.7 megabases. One copy
loss of the 10q23.31 region which encodes PTEN was found in
16/20 (80%) cases. Loss of CDKN2A and PTEN expression in the majority of
cases was not attributed to promoter methylation. Our sporadic chordoma cases
did not show hotspot point mutations in some common cancer gene targets.
Moreover, most of these sporadic tumors are not associated with
T (brachyury) duplication or amplification. Deficiency of
CDKN2A and PTEN expression, although shared across many other different types of
tumors, likely represents a key aspect of chordoma pathogenesis. Sporadic
chordomas may rely on mechanisms other than copy number gain if they indeed
exploit T/brachyury for proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Phi Le
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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28
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Diaz RJ, Cusimano MD. The biological basis for modern treatment of chordoma. J Neurooncol 2011; 104:411-22. [PMID: 21384217 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-011-0559-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Chordomas are rare malignant tumors arising in bone of the spheno-occiput, sacrum, and vertebral column which can cause neurological deficit. Current management of chordoma involves safe resection followed by radiation therapy. However, surgical resection is often subtotal and chordoma often recurs despite optimal therapy. Despite years of effort, effective adjuvant therapy for denovo, recurrent and metastatic chordoma are absent and 5-year survival is at best 65%. While no chemotherapeutic agent has been demonstrated to be effective against chordoma in vivo, a greater understanding of the genetics and molecular biology of chordoma is opening up avenues of investigation towards the rational development of targeted therapies. Although enthusiasm for the use of already established or new investigational agents will increase with greater understanding of chordoma biology, laboratory studies of these agents are important prior to incorporation into clinical human trials. The authors review the current state of knowledge regarding chordoma and offer insight into potential new therapies for this rare and challenging tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Jose Diaz
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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29
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Shalaby A, Presneau N, Ye H, Halai D, Berisha F, Idowu B, Leithner A, Liegl B, Briggs TRW, Bacsi K, Kindblom LG, Athanasou N, Amary MF, Hogendoorn PCW, Tirabosco R, Flanagan AM. The role of epidermal growth factor receptor in chordoma pathogenesis: a potential therapeutic target. J Pathol 2010; 223:336-46. [DOI: 10.1002/path.2818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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30
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Presneau N, Shalaby A, Ye H, Pillay N, Halai D, Idowu B, Tirabosco R, Whitwell D, Jacques TS, Kindblom LG, Brüderlein S, Möller P, Leithner A, Liegl B, Amary FM, Athanasou NN, Hogendoorn PCW, Mertens F, Szuhai K, Flanagan AM. Role of the transcription factor T (brachyury) in the pathogenesis of sporadic chordoma: a genetic and functional-based study. J Pathol 2010; 223:327-35. [DOI: 10.1002/path.2816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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