1
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Du Y. The Hippo signalling pathway and its impact on eye diseases. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18300. [PMID: 38613348 PMCID: PMC11015399 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18300] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signalling pathway, an evolutionarily conserved kinase cascade, has been shown to be crucial for cell fate determination, homeostasis and tissue regeneration. Recent experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that the Hippo signalling pathway is involved in the pathophysiology of ocular diseases. This article provides the first systematic review of studies on the regulatory and functional roles of mammalian Hippo signalling systems in eye diseases. More comprehensive studies on this pathway are required for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of eye diseases and the development of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Du
- Precision Medicine Laboratory for Chronic Non‐communicable Diseases of Shandong Province, Institute of Precision MedicineJining Medical UniversityJiningShandongPeople's Republic of China
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2
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Mengoni M, Braun AD, Seedarala S, Bonifatius S, Kostenis E, Schanze D, Zenker M, Tüting T, Gaffal E. Transactivation of Met signaling by oncogenic Gnaq drives the evolution of melanoma in Hgf-Cdk4 mice. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00744-0. [PMID: 38360887 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Recent pan-cancer genomic analyses have identified numerous oncogenic driver mutations that occur in a cell-type and tissue-specific distribution. For example, oncogenic mutations in Braf and Nras genes arise predominantly in melanocytic neoplasms of the epidermis, while oncogenic mutations in Gnaq/11 genes arise mostly in melanocytic lesions of the dermis or the uvea. The mechanisms promoting cell-type and tissue-specific oncogenic events currently remain poorly understood. Here, we report that Gnaq/11 hotspot mutations occur as early oncogenic drivers during the evolution of primary melanomas in Hgf-Cdk4 mice. Additional single base substitutions in the Trp53 gene and structural chromosomal aberrations favoring amplifications of the chromosomal region containing the Met receptor gene accumulate during serial tumor transplantation and in cell lines established in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that the GnaqQ209L mutation transactivates the Met receptor. Overexpression of oncogenic GnaqQ209L in the immortalized melanocyte cell line promoted in vivo growth that was enhanced by transgenic Hgf expression in the tumor microenvironment. This cross-signaling mechanism explains the selection of oncogenic Gnaq/11 in primary Hgf-Cdk4 melanomas and provides an example of how oncogenic driver mutations, intracellular signaling cascades, and microenvironmental cues cooperate to drive cancer development in a tissue-specific fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Mengoni
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Dominik Braun
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sahithi Seedarala
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Bonifatius
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Denny Schanze
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Gaffal
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Synoradzki KJ, Paduszyńska N, Solnik M, Toro MD, Bilmin K, Bylina E, Rutkowski P, Yousef YA, Bucolo C, Zweifel SA, Reibaldi M, Fiedorowicz M, Czarnecka AM. From Molecular Biology to Novel Immunotherapies and Nanomedicine in Uveal Melanoma. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:778-800. [PMID: 38392052 PMCID: PMC10887618 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31020058] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Molecular biology studies of uveal melanoma have resulted in the development of novel immunotherapy approaches including tebentafusp-a T cell-redirecting bispecific fusion protein. More biomarkers are currently being studied. As a result, combined immunotherapy is being developed as well as immunotherapy with bifunctional checkpoint inhibitory T cell engagers and natural killer cells. Current trials cover tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), vaccination with IKKb-matured dendritic cells, or autologous dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor RNA. Another potential approach to treat UM could be based on T cell receptor engineering rather than antibody modification. Immune-mobilizing monoclonal T cell receptors (TCR) against cancer, called ImmTAC TM molecules, represent such an approach. Moreover, nanomedicine, especially miRNA approaches, are promising for future trials. Finally, theranostic radiopharmaceuticals enabling diagnosis and therapy with the same molecule bring hope to this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil J. Synoradzki
- Environmental Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Research, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Natalia Paduszyńska
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 5 Roentgen Str., 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (P.R.)
| | - Malgorzata Solnik
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 5 Roentgen Str., 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (P.R.)
| | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chmielna Str., 20-079 Lublin, Poland;
- Eye Clinic, Public Health Department, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Krzysztof Bilmin
- Research and Development Centre Novasome Sp. z o.o., 51-423 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Bylina
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 5 Roentgen Str., 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (P.R.)
- Department of Clinical Trials, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 5 Roentgen Str., 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (P.R.)
| | - Yacoub A. Yousef
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), King Hussein Cancer Centre, Amman 11941, Jordan;
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Sandrine Anne Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Human Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic Section, Citta della Salute e della Scienza, Turin University, 10122 Turin, Italy;
| | - Michal Fiedorowicz
- Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M. Czarnecka
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 5 Roentgen Str., 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (P.R.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Deliktas O, Gedik ME, Koc I, Gunaydin G, Kiratli H. Modulation of AMPK Significantly Alters Uveal Melanoma Tumor Cell Viability. Ophthalmic Res 2023; 66:1230-1244. [PMID: 37647867 PMCID: PMC10614466 DOI: 10.1159/000533806] [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: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uveal melanoma (UM) responds poorly to targeted therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a pivotal serine/threonine protein kinase that coordinates vital processes such as cell growth. Targeting AMPK pathway, which represents a critical mechanism mediating the survival of UM cells, may prove to be a novel treatment strategy for UM. We aimed to demonstrate the effects of AMPK modulation on UM cells. METHODS In silico analyses were performed to compare UM and normal melanocyte cells via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The effects of AMPK modulation on cell viability and proliferation in UM cell lines with different molecular profiles (i.e., 92-1, MP46, OMM2.5, and Mel270) were investigated via XTT cell viability and proliferation assays after treating the cells with varying concentrations of A-769662 (AMPK activator) or dorsomorphin (AMPK inhibitor). RESULTS KEGG/GSEA studies demonstrated that genes implicated in the AMPK signaling pathway were differentially regulated in UM. Gene sets comprising genes involved in AMPK signaling and genes involved in energy-dependent regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin by liver kinase B1-AMPK were downregulated in UM. We observed gradual decreases in the numbers of viable UM cells as the concentration of A-769662 treatment increased. All UM cells demonstrated statistically significant decreases in cell viability when treated with 200 µm A-769662. Moreover, the effects of AMPK inhibition on UM cells were potent, since low doses of dorsomorphin treatment resulted in significant decreases in viabilities of UM cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values confirmed the potency of dorsomorphin treatment against UM in vitro. CONCLUSION AMPK may act like a friend or a foe in cancer depending on the context. As such, the current study contributes to the literature in determining the effects of therapeutic strategies targeting AMPK in several UM cells. We propose a new perspective in the treatment of UM. Targeting AMPK pathway may open up new avenues in developing novel therapeutic approaches to improve overall survival in UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Deliktas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa City Hospital, Nilufer, Turkey
| | - M. Emre Gedik
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Irem Koc
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gurcan Gunaydin
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hayyam Kiratli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
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Cao L, Chen S, Sun R, Ashby CR, Wei L, Huang Z, Chen ZS. Darovasertib, a novel treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1232787. [PMID: 37576814 PMCID: PMC10419210 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1232787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The FDA granted orphan drug designation to darovasertib, a first-in-class oral, small molecular inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), for the treatment of uveal melanoma, on 2 May 2022. Primary uveal melanoma has a high risk of progressing to metastatic uveal melanoma, with a poor prognosis. The activation of the PKC and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways play an essential role in the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma, and mutations in the G protein subunit alpha q (GNAQ), and G protein subunit alpha11 (GNA11) genes are considered early events in the development of uveal melanoma. Compared to other PKC inhibitors, such as sotrastaurin and enzastaurin, darovasertib is significantly more potent in inhibiting conventional (α, β) and novel (δ, ϵ, η, θ) PKC proteins and has a better tolerability and safety profile. Current Phase I/II clinical trials indicated that darovasertib, combined with the Mitogen-activated protein kinase/Extracellular (MEK) inhibitors, binimetinib or crizotinib, produced a synergistic effect of uveal melanoma. In this article, we summarize the development of drugs for treating uveal melanomas and discuss problems associated with current treatments. We also discuss the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic profile, adverse effects, and clinical trial for darovasertib, and future research directions for treating uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao
- Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Shuzhen Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Rainie Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, United States
- Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY, United States
| | - Charles R Ashby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Liuya Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zoufang Huang
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, United States
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Farhoumand LS, Liu H, Tsimpaki T, Hendgen-Cotta UB, Rassaf T, Bechrakis NE, Fiorentzis M, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. Blockade of ß-Adrenergic Receptors by Nebivolol Enables Tumor Control Potential for Uveal Melanoma in 3D Tumor Spheroids and 2D Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065894. [PMID: 36982966 PMCID: PMC10054088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults. A new systemic therapy is needed to reduce the high metastasis and mortality rate. As β-blockers are known to have anti-tumor effects on various cancer entities, this study focuses on investigating the effect of β1-selective blockers atenolol, celiprolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, esmolol, betaxolol, and in particular, nebivolol on UM. The study was performed on 3D tumor spheroids as well as 2D cell cultures, testing tumor viability, morphological changes, long-term survival, and apoptosis. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of all three β-adrenoceptors with a dominance of β2-receptors on cell surfaces. Among the blockers tested, solely nebivolol concentration-dependently decreased viability and altered 3D tumor spheroid structure. Nebivolol blocked the repopulation of cells spreading from 3D tumor spheroids, indicating a tumor control potential at a concentration of ≥20 µM. Mechanistically, nebivolol induced ATP depletion and caspase-3/7 activity, indicating that mitochondria-dependent signaling is involved. D-nebivolol or nebivolol combined with the β2-antagonist ICI 118.551 displayed the highest anti-tumor effects, suggesting a contribution of both β1- and β2-receptors. Thus, the present study reveals the tumor control potential of nebivolol in UM, which may offer a perspective for co-adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence or metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina S Farhoumand
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Theodora Tsimpaki
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike B Hendgen-Cotta
- CardioScience Labs, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- CardioScience Labs, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Nikolaos E Bechrakis
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Cerivastatin Synergizes with Trametinib and Enhances Its Efficacy in the Therapy of Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030886. [PMID: 36765842 PMCID: PMC9913575 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) is a highly aggressive, therapy-resistant disease. Driver mutations in Gα-proteins GNAQ and GNA11 activate MAP-kinase and YAP/TAZ pathways of oncogenic signalling. MAP-kinase and MEK-inhibitors do not significantly block MUM progression, likely due to persisting YAP/TAZ signalling. Statins inhibit YAP/TAZ activation by blocking the mevalonate pathway, geranyl-geranylation, and subcellular localisation of the Rho-GTPase. We investigated drugs that affect the YAP/TAZ pathway, valproic acid, verteporfin and statins, in combination with MEK-inhibitor trametinib. METHODS We established IC50 values of the individual drugs and monitored the effects of their combinations in terms of proliferation. We selected trametinib and cerivastatin for evaluation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Synergism was detected using isobologram and Chou-Talalay analyses. The most synergistic combination was tested in vivo. RESULTS Synergistic concentrations of trametinib and cerivastatin induced a massive arrest of proliferation and cell cycle and enhanced apoptosis, particularly in the monosomic, BAP1-mutated UPMM3 cell line. The combined treatment reduced ERK and AKT phosphorylation, increased the inactive, cytoplasmatic form of YAP and significantly impaired the growth of UM cells with monosomy of chromosome 3 in NSG mice. CONCLUSION Statins can potentiate the efficacy of MEK inhibitors in the therapy of UM.
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Construction and Verification of the Molecular Subtype and a Novel Prognostic Signature Based on Inflammatory Response-Related Genes in Uveal Melanoma. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030861. [PMID: 36769510 PMCID: PMC9918108 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of inflammation in tumorigenesis and progression has become prominent. This study aimed to construct and validate the molecular subtype and a novel prognostic signature based on inflammatory response-related genes in uveal melanoma (UM). Patients from the TCGA, GSE84976, and GSE22138 UM cohorts were enrolled. According to the consensus cluster analysis, patients were divided into two molecular subtypes, namely IC1 and IC2. Survival curves showed that patients in IC1 had a better prognosis. The IC2 subgroup had higher levels of immune cell infiltration and more enriched immunological pathways. There were statistical differences in the immune-inflammation microenvironment, immune checkpoint genes expression, and drug sensitivity. The prognostic signature constructed based on inflammatory response-related genes exhibited a stable predictive power. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the signature was a prognostic factor independent of clinical characteristics. Functional analyses showed that the high-risk group was associated with immunological response, inflammatory cell activation, and tumor-related signal pathways. The riskscore had a negative relationship with tumor purity and was positively correlated with immune and stromal scores. Furthermore, the prognostic signature could sensitively predict the response to drug treatments. In conclusion, the prognostic signature might aid in stratifying patients at risk premised on the prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity.
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Wei AZ, Uriel M, Porcu A, Manos MP, Mercurio AC, Caplan MM, Hulse L, Seedor RS, Holovatska M, Francis J, Khan SA, McDonnell DE, Bogomolny D, Sato T, Marr BP, Haq R, Orloff M, Shoushtari A, Carvajal RD. Characterizing metastatic uveal melanoma patients who develop symptomatic brain metastases. Front Oncol 2022; 12:961517. [PMID: 36212499 PMCID: PMC9540230 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.961517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is an advanced ocular malignancy characterized by a hepatotropic pattern of spread. As the incidence of brain metastases (BM) in mUM patients has been thought to be low, routine CNS surveillance has not been recommended. Notably, no formal assessment of BM incidence in mUM has to date been published to support this clinical practice. We aimed to determine the true rate of BM in mUM and to clarify the clinical and genomic risk factors associated with BM patients through a collaborative multicenter, retrospective research effort. Data collected from 1,845 mUM patients in databases across four NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers from 2006-2021 were retrospectively analyzed to identify patients with BM. Brain imaging in most cases were performed due to onset of neurological symptoms and not for routine surveillance. An analysis of demographics, therapies, gene expression profile, tumor next generation sequencing (NGS) data, time to metastasis (brain or other), and survival in the BM cohort was completed. 116/1,845 (6.3%) mUM patients were identified with BM. The median age at time of UM diagnosis was 54 years old (range: 18-77). The median time to any metastasis was 4.2 years (range: 0-30.8). The most common initial metastatic site was the liver (75.9%). 15/116 (12.9%) BM patients presented with BM at the time of initial metastatic diagnosis. Median survival after a diagnosis of BM was 7.6 months (range: 0.4-73.9). The median number of organs involved at time of BM diagnosis was 3 (range: 1-9). DecisionDX-UM profiling was completed on 13 patients: 10-Class 2, 2-Class 1B, and 1-Class 1A. NGS and cytogenetic data were available for 34 and 21 patients, respectively. BM was identified in 6.3% of mUM cases and was associated with high disease burden and a median survival of under 8 months once diagnosed. Since most patients in this cohort were symptomatic, the incidence of asymptomatic BM remains unknown. These data suggest the use of routine brain imaging in all mUM patients at risk for developing BM for early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Z. Wei
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Matan Uriel
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Agata Porcu
- Department of Medical Oncology Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Ann C. Mercurio
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael M. Caplan
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Liam Hulse
- Department of Medical Oncology Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rino S. Seedor
- Department of Medical Oncology Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Jasmine Francis
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shaheer A. Khan
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Diana E. McDonnell
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dmitry Bogomolny
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Takami Sato
- Department of Medical Oncology Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Brian P. Marr
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rizwan Haq
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marlana Orloff
- Department of Medical Oncology Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Richard D. Carvajal
- Division of Hematology & Oncology Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Richard D. Carvajal,
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10
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Chen Y, Chen X, Wang X. Identification of a prognostic model using cuproptosis-related genes in uveal melanoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:973073. [PMID: 36111345 PMCID: PMC9468663 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.973073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common intraocular malignancy in adults remains uveal melanoma (UVM), and those with metastatic disease have a poor outlook. Proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells can be triggered by cuproptosis, affecting the survival of cancer patients. Nonetheless, cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) have not been identified in UVM. In this study, we analyzed 10 CRGs in 80 patients with UVM in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database regarding the alterations of the genes including copy number variation and methylation. We further constructed a prognostic gene model using these CRGs and built the risk score formula. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was applied to validate the risk score as an independent prognostic factor. The prognostic model was validated using 63 UVM samples from the GSE22138 cohort, an independent validation data set. Based on the risk scores for 80 patients with UVM from TCGA, we categorized the patients into high- and low-risk groups. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between groups were enriched in allograft rejection, hypoxia, glycolysis, TNFα signaling via NF-κB, and interferon-γ responses via Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). CD8 T cells and exhausted T cells were notably enriched in the high-risk group. In conclusion, the alteration of CRGs is related to patients with UVM, and the constructed CRG-related model may be helpful to predict the prognosis of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaozhen Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianggui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xianggui Wang,
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Farhoumand LS, Fiorentzis M, Kraemer MM, Sak A, Stuschke M, Rassaf T, Hendgen-Cotta U, Bechrakis NE, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. The Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Carvedilol Elicits Anti-Tumor Responses in Uveal Melanoma 3D Tumor Spheroids and May Serve as Co-Adjuvant Therapy with Radiation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133097. [PMID: 35804869 PMCID: PMC9264933 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Despite local tumor control, no effective therapy has been found to prevent metastasis, resulting in a high mortality rate. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-tumor potential of non-selective ß-blockers in 3D tumor spheroids grown from UM cell lines. Of the various ß-blockers tested, carvedilol and its enantiomers were most potent in decreasing the viability of Mel270 spheroids. Carvedilol at a concentration of 10–50 µM significantly elicited cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in spheroid cells. In result, carvedilol inhibited tumor spheroid growth and compactness, and furthermore prevented the long-term survival and repopulation of spreading spheroid cells. The drug sensitivity of the different spheroids grown from Mel270, 92-1, UPMD2, or UPMM3 cell lines was dependent on 3D morphology rather than on high-risk cytogenetic profile or adrenergic receptor expression levels. In fact, the monosomy-3-containing UPMM3 cell line was most responsive to carvedilol treatment compared to the other cell lines. The concurrent treatment of UPMM3 spheroids with carvedilol and 5 or 10 Gy irradiation revealed additive cytotoxic effects that provided tumor control. Collectively, our data demonstrate the anti-tumor properties of carvedilol and its enantiomers, which may serve as candidates for the co-adjuvant therapy of UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina S. Farhoumand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Miriam M. Kraemer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Ali Sak
- Department of Radiotherapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Stuschke
- Department of Radiotherapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.R.); (U.H.-C.)
| | - Ulrike Hendgen-Cotta
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.R.); (U.H.-C.)
| | - Nikolaos E. Bechrakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-201-723-6028
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