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Apps JR, Gonzalez-Meljem JM, Guiho R, Pickles JC, Prince E, Schwalbe E, Joshi N, Stone TJ, Ogunbiyi O, Chalker J, Bassey A, Otto G, Davies R, Hughes D, Brandner S, Tan E, Lee V, Hayhurst C, Kline C, Castellano S, Hankinson T, Deutschbein T, Jacques TS, Martinez-Barbera JP. Recurrent adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas show MAPK pathway activation, clonal evolution and rare TP53-loss-mediated malignant progression. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:127. [PMID: 39127699 PMCID: PMC11316312 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01838-4] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The two types of craniopharyngioma, adamantinomatous (ACP) and papillary (PCP), are clinically relevant tumours in children and adults. Although the biology of primary craniopharyngioma is starting to be unravelled, little is known about the biology of recurrence. To fill this gap in knowledge, we have analysed through methylation array, RNA sequencing and pERK1/2 immunohistochemistry a cohort of paired primary and recurrent samples (32 samples from 14 cases of ACP and 4 cases of PCP). We show the presence of copy number alterations and clonal evolution across recurrence in 6 cases of ACP, and analysis of additional whole genome sequencing data from the Children's Brain Tumour Network confirms chromosomal arm copy number changes in at least 7/67 ACP cases. The activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, a feature previously shown in primary ACP, is observed in all but one recurrent cases of ACP. The only ACP without MAPK activation is an aggressive case of recurrent malignant human craniopharyngioma harbouring a CTNNB1 mutation and loss of TP53. Providing support for a functional role of this TP53 mutation, we show that Trp53 loss in a murine model of ACP results in aggressive tumours and reduced mouse survival. Finally, we characterise the tumour immune infiltrate showing differences in the cellular composition and spatial distribution between ACP and PCP. Together, these analyses have revealed novel insights into recurrent craniopharyngioma and provided preclinical evidence supporting the evaluation of MAPK pathway inhibitors and immunomodulatory approaches in clinical trials in against recurrent ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Apps
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Edgbaston Campus, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Jose Mario Gonzalez-Meljem
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Romain Guiho
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Oniris, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, Nantes Université, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Jessica C Pickles
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Eric Prince
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Edward Schwalbe
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nikhil Joshi
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Thomas J Stone
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Olumide Ogunbiyi
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jane Chalker
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Akang Bassey
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Georg Otto
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Davies
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sebastian Brandner
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Division of Neuropathology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Enrica Tan
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victoria Lee
- Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Cassie Kline
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sergi Castellano
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Todd Hankinson
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Timo Deutschbein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Medicover Oldenburg MVZ, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Thomas S Jacques
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Körner M, Spohn M, Schüller U, Bockmayr M. Transcriptomics-based characterization of the immuno-stromal microenvironment in pediatric low-grade glioma. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2386789. [PMID: 39135890 PMCID: PMC11318680 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2386789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunologic treatment options are uncommon in low-grade gliomas, although such therapies might be beneficial for inoperable and aggressive cases. Knowledge of the immune and stromal cells in low-grade gliomas is highly relevant for such approaches but still needs to be improved. Published gene-expression data from 400 low-grade gliomas and 193 high-grade gliomas were gathered to quantify 10 microenvironment cell populations with a deconvolution method designed explicitly for brain tumors. First, we investigated general differences in the microenvironment of low- and high-grade gliomas. Lower-grade and high-grade tumors cluster together, respectively, and show a general similarity within and distinct differences between these groups, the main difference being a higher infiltration of fibroblasts and T cells in high-grade gliomas. Among the analyzed entities, gangliogliomas and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas presented the highest overall immune cell infiltration. Further analyses of the low-grade gliomas presented three distinct microenvironmental signatures of immune cell infiltration, which can be divided into T-cell/dendritic/natural killer cell-, neutrophilic/B lineage/natural killer cell-, and monocytic/vascular/stromal-cell-dominated immune clusters. These clusters correlated with tumor location, age, and histological diagnosis but not with sex or progression-free survival. A survival analysis showed that the prognosis can be predicted from gene expression, clinical data, and a combination of both with a support vector machine and revealed the negative prognostic relevance of vascular markers. Overall, our work shows that low- and high-grade gliomas can be characterized and differentiated by their immune cell infiltration. Low-grade gliomas cluster into three distinct immunologic tumor microenvironments, which may be of further interest for upcoming immunotherapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meik Körner
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Bockmayr
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- bAIome - Center for Biomedical AI, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Gorodezki D, Schuhmann MU, Ebinger M, Schittenhelm J. Dissecting the Natural Patterns of Progression and Senescence in Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: From Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Implications. Cells 2024; 13:1215. [PMID: 39056798 PMCID: PMC11274692 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141215] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) comprise a heterogeneous set of low-grade glial and glioneuronal tumors, collectively representing the most frequent CNS tumors of childhood and adolescence. Despite excellent overall survival rates, the chronic nature of the disease bears a high risk of long-term disease- and therapy-related morbidity in affected patients. Recent in-depth molecular profiling and studies of the genetic landscape of PLGGs led to the discovery of the paramount role of frequent upregulation of RAS/MAPK and mTOR signaling in tumorigenesis and progression of these tumors. Beyond, the subsequent unveiling of RAS/MAPK-driven oncogene-induced senescence in these tumors may shape the understanding of the molecular mechanisms determining the versatile progression patterns of PLGGs, potentially providing a promising target for novel therapies. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies moreover indicate a strong dependence of PLGG formation and growth on the tumor microenvironment. In this work, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the multilayered cellular mechanisms and clinical factors determining the natural progression patterns and the characteristic biological behavior of these tumors, aiming to provide a foundation for advanced stratification for the management of these tumors within a multimodal treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gorodezki
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Martin U. Schuhmann
- Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Jens Schittenhelm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Levine AB, Nobre L, Das A, Milos S, Bianchi V, Johnson M, Fernandez NR, Stengs L, Ryall S, Ku M, Rana M, Laxer B, Sheth J, Sbergio SG, Fedoráková I, Ramaswamy V, Bennett J, Siddaway R, Tabori U, Hawkins C. Immuno-oncologic profiling of pediatric brain tumors reveals major clinical significance of the tumor immune microenvironment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5790. [PMID: 38987542 PMCID: PMC11237052 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49595-1] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
With the success of immunotherapy in cancer, understanding the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has become increasingly important; however in pediatric brain tumors this remains poorly characterized. Accordingly, we developed a clinical immune-oncology gene expression assay and used it to profile a diverse range of 1382 samples with detailed clinical and molecular annotation. In low-grade gliomas we identify distinct patterns of immune activation with prognostic significance in BRAF V600E-mutant tumors. In high-grade gliomas, we observe immune activation and T-cell infiltrates in tumors that have historically been considered immune cold, as well as genomic correlates of inflammation levels. In mismatch repair deficient high-grade gliomas, we find that high tumor inflammation signature is a significant predictor of response to immune checkpoint inhibition, and demonstrate the potential for multimodal biomarkers to improve treatment stratification. Importantly, while overall patterns of immune activation are observed for histologically and genetically defined tumor types, there is significant variability within each entity, indicating that the TIME must be evaluated as an independent feature from diagnosis. In sum, in addition to the histology and molecular profile, this work underscores the importance of reporting on the TIME as an essential axis of cancer diagnosis in the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian B Levine
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Clinician Investigator Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liana Nobre
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Anirban Das
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Division of Haematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott Milos
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bianchi
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Monique Johnson
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas R Fernandez
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucie Stengs
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott Ryall
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Ku
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mansuba Rana
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin Laxer
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Javal Sheth
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefanie-Grace Sbergio
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ivana Fedoráková
- Clinic of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Division of Haematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Bennett
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Division of Haematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Siddaway
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Uri Tabori
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Division of Haematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Amissah HA, Combs SE, Shevtsov M. Tumor Dormancy and Reactivation: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins. Cells 2024; 13:1087. [PMID: 38994941 PMCID: PMC11240553 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131087] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are a heterogeneous group of cell masses originating in various organs or tissues. The cellular composition of the tumor cell mass interacts in an intricate manner, influenced by humoral, genetic, molecular, and tumor microenvironment cues that dictate tumor growth or suppression. As a result, tumors undergo a period of a dormant state before their clinically discernible stage, which surpasses the clinical dormancy threshold. Moreover, as a genetically imprinted strategy, early-seeder cells, a distinct population of tumor cells, break off to dock nearby or extravasate into blood vessels to secondary tissues, where they form disseminated solitary dormant tumor cells with reversible capacity. Among the various mechanisms underlying the dormant tumor mass and dormant tumor cell formation, heat shock proteins (HSPs) might play one of the most important roles in how the dormancy program plays out. It is known that numerous aberrant cellular processes, such as malignant transformation, cancer cell stemness, tumor invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and signaling pathway maintenance, are influenced by the HSPs. An accumulating body of knowledge suggests that HSPs may be involved in the angiogenic switch, immune editing, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling cascades, crucial genetically imprinted strategies important to the tumor dormancy initiation and dormancy maintenance program. In this review, we highlight the biological events that orchestrate the dormancy state and the body of work that has been conducted on the dynamics of HSPs in a tumor mass, as well as tumor cell dormancy and reactivation. Additionally, we propose a conceptual framework that could possibly underlie dormant tumor reactivation in metastatic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneef Ahmed Amissah
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biology and Medical Biology, FEFU Campus, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia
- Diagnostics Laboratory Department, Trauma and Specialist Hospital, CE-122-2486, Central Region, Winneba P.O. Box 326, Ghana
| | - Stephanie E Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Maxim Shevtsov
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanotechnologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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柴 晓, 孙 子, 李 海, 朱 靓, 刘 小, 刘 延, 裴 斐, 常 青. [Clinicopathological characteristics of the CD8 + T lymphocytes infiltration and its mechanism in distinct molecular subtype of medulloblastoma]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2024; 56:512-518. [PMID: 38864138 PMCID: PMC11167556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of the CD8+ T cells infiltration from the 4 subtypes in medulloblastoma (MB), to analyze the relationship between CD8+ T cells infiltration and prognosis, to study the function of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11) and its receptor in CD8+ T cells infiltration into tumors and to explore the potential mechanism, and to provide the necessary clinicopathological basis for exploring the immunotherapy of MB. METHODS In the study, 48 clinical MB samples (12 cases in each of 4 subtypes) were selected from the multiple medical center from 2012 to 2019. The transcriptomics analysis for the tumor of 48 clinical samples was conducted on the NanoString PanCancer IO360TM Panel (NanoString Technologies). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from MB was carried out using CD8 primary antibody to analyze diffe-rential quantities of CD8+ T cells in the MB four subtypes. Through bioinformatics analysis, the relationship between CD8+T cells infiltration and prognosis of the patients and the expression differences of various chemokines in the different subtypes of MB were investigated. The expression of CXCR3 receptor on the surface of CD8+T cells in MB was verified by double immunofluorescence staining, and the underlying molecular mechanism of CD8+T cells infiltration into the tumor was explored. RESULTS The characteristic index of CD8+T cells in the WNT subtype of MB was relatively high, suggesting that the number of CD8+T cells in the WNT subtype was significantly higher than that in the other three subtypes, which was confirmed by CD8 immunohistochemical staining and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database analysis by using R2 online data analysis platform. And the increase of CD8+T cells infiltration was positively correlated with the patient survival. The expression level of CXCL11 in the WNT subtype MB was significantly higher than that of the other three subtypes. Immunofluorescence staining showed the presence of CXCL11 receptor, CXCR3, on the surface of CD8+T cells, suggesting that the CD8+T cells might be attracted to the MB microenvironment by CXCL11 through CXCR3. CONCLUSION The CD8+T cells infiltrate more in the WNT subtype MB than other subtypes. The mechanism may be related to the activation of CXCL11-CXCR3 chemokine system, and the patients with more infiltration of CD8+T cells in tumor have better prognosis. This finding may provide the necessary clinicopathological basis for the regulatory mechanism of CD8+T cells infiltration in MB, and give a new potential therapeutic target for the future immunotherapy of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- 晓东 柴
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- 北京大学基础医学院病理学系, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 子文 孙
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 海爽 李
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 靓怡 朱
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 小旦 刘
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- 北京大学基础医学院病理学系, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 延涛 刘
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 斐 裴
- 北京大学第三医院病理科, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- 北京大学基础医学院病理学系, 北京 100191Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 青 常
- 北京市神经外科研究所神经病理中心, 北京 100070Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100070, China
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Pollack IF, Felker J, Frederico SC, Raphael I, Kohanbash G. Immunotherapy for pediatric low-grade gliomas. Childs Nerv Syst 2024:10.1007/s00381-024-06491-9. [PMID: 38884777 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs) are the most common brain tumor types affecting children. Although gross-total resection remains the treatment of choice, many tumors are not amenable to complete removal, because they either involve midline structures, such as the optic chiasm or hypothalamus, and are not conducive to aggressive resection, or have diffuse biological features and blend with the surrounding brain. Historically, radiation therapy was used as the second-line option for disease control, but with the recognition that this often led to adverse long-term sequelae, particularly in young children, conventional chemotherapy assumed a greater role in initial therapy for unresectable tumors. A variety of agents demonstrated activity, but long-term disease control was suboptimal, with more than 50% of tumors exhibiting disease progression within 5 years. More recently, it has been recognized that a high percentage of these tumors in children exhibit constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway because of BRAF translocations or mutations, NFI mutations, or a host of other anomalies that converged on MAPK. This led to phase 1, 2, and 3 trials that explored the activity of blocking this signaling pathway, and the efficacy of this approach compared to conventional chemotherapy. Despite initial promise of these strategies, not all children tolerate this therapy, and many tumors resume growth once MAPK inhibition is stopped, raising concern that long-term and potentially life-long treatment will be required to maintain tumor control, even among responders. This observation has led to interest in other treatments, such as immunotherapy, that may delay or avoid the need for additional treatments. This chapter will summarize the place of immunotherapy in the current armamentarium for these tumors and discuss prior results and future options to improve disease control, with a focus on our prior efforts and experience in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian F Pollack
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA.
| | - James Felker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Stephen C Frederico
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Itay Raphael
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Gary Kohanbash
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
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8
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Sigaud R, Brummer T, Kocher D, Milde T, Selt F. MOST wanted: navigating the MAPK-OIS-SASP-tumor microenvironment axis in primary pediatric low-grade glioma and preclinical models. Childs Nerv Syst 2024:10.1007/s00381-024-06463-z. [PMID: 38789691 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG)-the most prevalent brain tumor in children-is essential for the identification and evaluation of novel effective treatments. This review explores the intricate relationship between the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and the tumor microenvironment (TME), integrating these elements into a unified framework termed the MAPK/OIS/SASP/TME (MOST) axis. This integrated approach seeks to deepen our understanding of pLGG and improve therapeutic interventions by examining the MOST axis' critical influence on tumor biology and response to treatment. In this review, we assess the axis' capacity to integrate various biological processes, highlighting new targets for pLGG treatment, and the need for characterized in vitro and in vivo preclinical models recapitulating pLGG's complexity to test targets. The review underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy in pLGG research, positioning the MOST axis as a pivotal approach in understanding pLGG. This comprehensive framework will open promising avenues for patient care and guide future research towards inventive treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Sigaud
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute, of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Kocher
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Selt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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9
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Vazaios K, van Berkum RE, Calkoen FG, van der Lugt J, Hulleman E. OV Modulators of the Paediatric Brain TIME: Current Status, Combination Strategies, Limitations and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5007. [PMID: 38732225 PMCID: PMC11084613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095007] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are characterised by their preference for infecting and replicating in tumour cells either naturally or after genetic modification, resulting in oncolysis. Furthermore, OVs can elicit both local and systemic anticancer immune responses while specifically infecting and lysing tumour cells. These characteristics render them a promising therapeutic approach for paediatric brain tumours (PBTs). PBTs are frequently marked by a cold tumour immune microenvironment (TIME), which suppresses immunotherapies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the capability of OVs to induce a proinflammatory immune response, thereby modifying the TIME. In-depth insights into the effect of OVs on different cell types in the TIME may therefore provide a compelling basis for using OVs in combination with other immunotherapy modalities. However, certain limitations persist in our understanding of oncolytic viruses' ability to regulate the TIME to enhance anti-tumour activity. These limitations primarily stem from the translational limitations of model systems, the difficulties associated with tracking reliable markers of efficacy throughout the course of treatment and the role of pre-existing viral immunity. In this review, we describe the different alterations observed in the TIME in PBTs due to OV treatment, combination therapies of OVs with different immunotherapies and the hurdles limiting the development of effective OV therapies while suggesting future directions based on existing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.V.); (F.G.C.); (J.v.d.L.)
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10
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Li H, Zhang W, Liu Y, Cai Z, Lan A, Shu D, Shen M, Li K, Pu D, Tan W, Liu S, Peng Y. UTRN as a potential biomarker in breast cancer: a comprehensive bioinformatics and in vitro study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7702. [PMID: 38565593 PMCID: PMC10987506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58124-5] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Utrophin (UTRN), known as a tumor suppressor, potentially regulates tumor development and the immune microenvironment. However, its impact on breast cancer's development and treatment remains unstudied. We conducted a thorough examination of UTRN using both bioinformatic and in vitro experiments in this study. We discovered UTRN expression decreased in breast cancer compared to standard samples. High UTRN expression correlated with better prognosis. Drug sensitivity tests and RT-qPCR assays revealed UTRN's pivotal role in tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, the Kruskal-Wallis rank test indicated UTRN's potential as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer and its utility in detecting T stage of breast cancer. Additionally, our results demonstrated UTRN's close association with immune cells, inhibitors, stimulators, receptors, and chemokines in breast cancer (BRCA). This research provides a novel perspective on UTRN's role in breast cancer's prognostic and therapeutic value. Low UTRN expression may contribute to tamoxifen resistance and a poor prognosis. Specifically, UTRN can improve clinical decision-making and raise the diagnosis accuracy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Zehao Cai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Ailin Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Shu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiying Shen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongyao Pu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhao Tan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengchun Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Peng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
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11
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Yang H, Li M, Deng Y, Wen H, Luo M, Zhang W. Roles and interactions of tumor microenvironment components in medulloblastoma with implications for novel therapeutics. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23233. [PMID: 38607297 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23233] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, can be classified into the wingless, sonic hedgehog (SHH), group 3, and group 4 subgroups. Among them, the SHH subgroup with the TP53 mutation and group 3 generally present with the worst patient outcomes due to their high rates of recurrence and metastasis. A novel and effective treatment for refractory medulloblastomas is urgently needed. To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to influence tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and chronic inflammation. Treatments targeting TME components have emerged as promising approaches to the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we summarize progress in research on medulloblastoma microenvironment components and their interactions. We also discuss challenges and future research directions for TME-targeting medulloblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huantao Wen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Luo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Dai Z, He Y, Zhang X, Tian Z, Zhu G, Ren Z, Ye L, Liu Z, Ma C, Cao W, Ji T. Head-and-neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Survival analysis and Clinically relevant immunohistochemical indicators. Oral Dis 2024; 30:1040-1051. [PMID: 36597156 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (HNDFSP) is extremely rare and not entirely understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinicopathological features of HNDFSP and identify the expression of its clinically relevant indicators, with the expectation of improving the existing treatment strategies. METHODS A long-term follow-up of patients with HNDFSP who received treatment between 2000 and 2021 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital was conducted. The clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical data of the patients were retrieved and analyzed. The endpoint of the study was the incidence of significant disease-related clinical events (recurrences or metastasis). RESULTS A total of 49 patients with HNDFSP were included in the study, with males (92.7%) predominating than females (7.3%). Eighteen patients developed recurrent disease (36.8%) after surgery, and the median time of recurrence was 48 months (interquartile, 20-74 months). Metastasis occurred in two cases (4.1%). Two patients died during follow-up, both with local recurrence, and one of them with intestinal metastasis. Post-operation radiotherapy was administered to eight patients (16.3%) and the effect in local control was remarkable. Age, tumor size, and negative margins with sufficient safety width were the main independent factors affecting the disease-free survival. Several potential targeted therapeutic indicators, including EZH2 (80.0%), EGFR (91.4%), PDGF (97.1%), PD-L1 (77.1%), and VEGF (77.1%), were positively expressed in most tumor samples. CONCLUSION HNDFSP is rare, significantly challenging to control locally, and has a worse prognosis with current treatment strategies. Wide local excision and long-term follow-up are needed. Radiotherapy could improve the prognosis of patients with HNDFSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlin Dai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Youya He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oral Pathology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guopei Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhu Ren
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Ye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheqi Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyue Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Ji
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai, China
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13
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Gershon R, Polevikov A, Karepov Y, Shenkar A, Ben-Horin I, Alter Regev T, Dror-Levinsky M, Lipczyc K, Gasri-Plotnitsky L, Diamant G, Shapira N, Bensimhon B, Hagai A, Shahar T, Grossman R, Ram Z, Volovitz I. Frequencies of 4 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes potently predict survival in glioblastoma, an immune desert. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:473-487. [PMID: 37870293 PMCID: PMC10912003 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad204] [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: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GBM is an aggressive grade 4 primary brain tumor (BT), with a 5%-13% 5-year survival. Most human GBMs manifest as immunologically "cold" tumors or "immune deserts," yet the promoting or suppressive roles of specific lymphocytes within the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) is of considerable debate. METHODS We used meticulous multiparametric flow cytometry (FC) to determine the lymphocytic frequencies in 102 GBMs, lower-grade gliomas, brain metastases, and nontumorous brain specimen. FC-attained frequencies were compared with frequencies estimated by "digital cytometry." The FC-derived data were combined with the patients' demographic, clinical, molecular, histopathological, radiological, and survival data. RESULTS Comparison of FC-derived data to CIBERSORT-estimated data revealed the poor capacity of digital cytometry to estimate cell frequencies below 0.2%, the frequency range of most immune cells in BTs. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status was found to affect TME composition more than the gliomas' pathological grade. Combining FC and survival data disclosed that unlike other cancer types, the frequency of helper T cells (Th) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) correlated negatively with glioma survival. In contrast, the frequencies of γδ-T cells and CD56bright natural killer cells correlated positively with survival. A composite parameter combining the frequencies of these 4 tumoral lymphocytes separated the survival curves of GBM patients with a median difference of 10 months (FC-derived data; P < .0001, discovery cohort), or 4.1 months (CIBERSORT-estimated data; P = .01, validation cohort). CONCLUSIONS The frequencies of 4 TME lymphocytes strongly correlate with the survival of patients with GBM, a tumor considered an immune desert.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rotem Gershon
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Antonina Polevikov
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yevgeny Karepov
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Anatoly Shenkar
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Idan Ben-Horin
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Oncology Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Tal Alter Regev
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Meytal Dror-Levinsky
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Kelly Lipczyc
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Lital Gasri-Plotnitsky
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Diamant
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nati Shapira
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Barak Bensimhon
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Aharon Hagai
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Tal Shahar
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Rachel Grossman
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi Ram
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Volovitz
- The Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Neurosurgery Department, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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14
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Eckhardt A, Drexler R, Schoof M, Struve N, Capper D, Jelgersma C, Onken J, Harter PN, Weber KJ, Divé I, Rothkamm K, Hoffer K, Klumpp L, Ganser K, Petersen C, Ricklefs F, Kriegs M, Schüller U. Mean global DNA methylation serves as independent prognostic marker in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:503-513. [PMID: 37818983 PMCID: PMC10912005 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad197] [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: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) patients have a devastating prognosis. Here, we analyzed the potential prognostic value of global DNA methylation of the tumors. METHODS DNA methylation of 492 primary samples and 31 relapsed samples, each treated with combination therapy, and of 148 primary samples treated with radiation alone were compared with patient survival. We determined the mean methylation values and estimated the immune cell infiltration from the methylation data. Moreover, the mean global DNA methylation of 23 GBM cell lines was profiled and correlated to their cellular radiosensitivity as measured by colony formation assay. RESULTS High mean DNA methylation levels correlated with improved survival, which was independent from known risk factors (MGMT promoter methylation, age, extent of resection; P = 0.009) and methylation subgroups. Notably, this correlation was also independent of immune cell infiltration, as higher number of immune cells indeed was associated with significantly better OS but lower mean methylation. Radiosensitive GBM cell lines had a significantly higher mean methylation than resistant lines (P = 0.007), and improved OS of patients treated with radiotherapy alone was also associated with higher DNA methylation (P = 0.002). Furthermore, specimens of relapsed GBM revealed a significantly lower mean DNA methylation compared to the matching primary tumor samples (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that mean global DNA methylation is independently associated with outcome in glioblastoma. The data also suggest that a higher DNA methylation is associated with better radiotherapy response and less aggressive phenotype, both of which presumably contribute to the observed correlation with OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Eckhardt
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Richard Drexler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nina Struve
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred-Scheel Cancer Career Center HATRICs4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Capper
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudius Jelgersma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Onken
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Germany and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina J Weber
- Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Iris Divé
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Hoffer
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Klumpp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Ganser
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franz Ricklefs
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Department of Radiotherapy & Radiation Oncology, Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Feng R, Xu J, Huang J, Liu J, Wang X, Wang J, Zhang C, Li H, Wei Y, Ren G. An immune-related prognostic gene ULBP2 is correlated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy in breast cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23687. [PMID: 38205308 PMCID: PMC10776944 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the major dangerous tumors threatening women's lives. We here aimed to sort out prognostic immune-related genes by univariate Cox regression analysis and build a model of immune-related genes for forecasting the prognosis of BC patients. We identified UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) as a valuable gene for study in the model using related databases and algorithms analysis. We found the stromal and immune cells scores were higher in ULBP2 high expression group and ULBP2 was related to kinds of immune cells, most importantly had negative correlation with CD8+ T cell. Notably, ULBP2 was positively correlated with tumor mutational burden (TMB) and had relationship with many immune checkpoints. Correlation analysis revealed that ULBP2 expression was closely linked to the clinicopathological characters and negatively related to BC patient survival. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed the functional enrichment of differential genes related to ULBP2. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated pathway enrichment in ULBP2 high and low expression groups. In short, this study comprehensively investigated the potential function of ULBP2 in BC, which might make ULBP2 to be an important therapeutic target for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiazhou Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hongzhong Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuxian Wei
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Guosheng Ren
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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Sacdalan DB, Ul Haq S, Lok BH. Plasma Cell-Free Tumor Methylome as a Biomarker in Solid Tumors: Biology and Applications. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:482-500. [PMID: 38248118 PMCID: PMC10814449 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31010033] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a fundamental mechanism of epigenetic control in cells and its dysregulation is strongly implicated in cancer development. Cancers possess an extensively hypomethylated genome with focal regions of hypermethylation at CPG islands. Due to the highly conserved nature of cancer-specific methylation, its detection in cell-free DNA in plasma using liquid biopsies constitutes an area of interest in biomarker research. The advent of next-generation sequencing and newer computational technologies have allowed for the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that utilize methylation profiling to diagnose disease and stratify risk. Methylome-based predictive biomarkers can determine the response to anti-cancer therapy. An additional emerging application of these biomarkers is in minimal residual disease monitoring. Several key challenges need to be addressed before cfDNA-based methylation biomarkers become fully integrated into practice. The first relates to the biology and stability of cfDNA. The second concerns the clinical validity and generalizability of methylation-based assays, many of which are cancer type-specific. The third involves their practicability, which is a stumbling block for translating technologies from bench to clinic. Future work on developing pan-cancer assays with their respective validities confirmed using well-designed, prospective clinical trials is crucial in pushing for the greater use of these tools in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Benedict Sacdalan
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Sami Ul Haq
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Benjamin H. Lok
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Room 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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17
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Ciurej A, Lewis E, Gupte A, Al-Antary E. Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology: Will We Say Checkmate Soon? Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1843. [PMID: 38140246 PMCID: PMC10748105 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121843] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a relatively new class of immunotherapy which bolsters the host immune system by "turning off the brakes" of effector cells (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1). Although their success in treating adult malignancy is well documented, their utility in pediatric cancer has not yet been shown to be as fruitful. We review ICIs, their use in pediatric malignancies, and active pediatric clinical trials, exemplifying some of adult efforts that could be related to pediatric future trials and complications of ICI therapy. Through our review, we propose the consideration of ICI as standard therapy in lymphoma and various solid tumor types, especially in relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate ICI effectiveness in pediatric leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ciurej
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
| | - Elizabeth Lewis
- School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Avanti Gupte
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt Clemons, MI 48859, USA
| | - Eman Al-Antary
- Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.C.)
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt Clemons, MI 48859, USA
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18
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Cao L, Xie W, Ma W, Zhao H, Wang J, Liang Z, Tian S, Wang B, Ma J. The unique immune ecosystems in pediatric brain tumors: integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1238684. [PMID: 38094301 PMCID: PMC10716463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1238684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The significant progress of immune therapy in non-central nervous system tumors has sparked interest in employing the same strategy for adult brain tumors. However, the advancement of immunotherapy in pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors is not yet on par. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive comparative studies investigating the immune ecosystem in pediatric and adult CNS tumors at a high-resolution single-cell level. Methods In this study, we comprehensively analyzed over 0.3 million cells from 171 samples, encompassing adult gliomas (IDH wild type and IDH mutation) as well as four major types of pediatric brain tumors (medulloblastoma (MB), ependymoma (EPN), H3K27M-mutation (DIPG), and pediatric IDH-mutation glioma (P-IDH-M)). Our approach involved integrating publicly available and newly generated single-cell datasets. We compared the immune landscapes in different brain tumors, as well as the detailed functional phenotypes of T-cell and myeloid subpopulations. Through single-cell analysis, we identified gene sets associated with major cell types in the tumor microenvironment (gene features from single-cell data, scFes) and compared them with existing gene sets such as GSEA and xCell. The CBTTC and external GEO cohort was used to analyze and validate the immune-stromal-tumor patterns in pediatric brain tumors which might potentially respond to the immunotherapy. Results From the perspective of single-cell analysis, it was observed that major pediatric brain tumors (MB, EPN, P-IDH-M, DIPG) exhibited lower immune contents compared with adult gliomas. Additionally, these pediatric brain tumors displayed diverse immunophenotypes, particularly in regard to myeloid cells. Notably, the presence of HLA-enriched myeloid cells in MB was found to be independently associated with prognosis. Moreover, the scFes, when compared with commonly used gene features, demonstrated superior performance in independent single-cell datasets across various tumor types. Furthermore, our study revealed the existence of heterogeneous immune ecosystems at the bulk-RNA sequencing level among different brain tumor types. In addition, we identified several immune-stromal-tumor patterns that could potentially exhibit significant responses to conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conclusion The single-cell technique provides a rational path to deeply understand the unique immune ecosystem of pediatric brain tumors. In spite of the traditional attitudes of "cold" tumor towards pediatric brain tumor, the immune-stroma-tumor patterns identified in this study suggest the feasibility of immune checkpoint inhibitors and pave the way for the upcoming tide of immunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shuaiwei Tian
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baocheng Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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19
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Galvin RT, Jena S, Maeser D, Gruener R, Huang RS. Revealing Pan-Histology Immunomodulatory Targets in Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5455. [PMID: 38001715 PMCID: PMC10670190 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of immunotherapy for pediatric CNS malignancies has been limited by the poorly understood immune landscape in this context. The aim of this study was to uncover the mechanisms of immune suppression common among pediatric brain tumors. METHODS We apply an immunologic clustering algorithm validated by The Cancer Genome Atlas Project to an independent pediatric CNS transcriptomic dataset. Within the clusters, the mechanisms of immunosuppression are explored via tumor microenvironment deconvolution and survival analyses to identify relevant immunosuppressive genes with translational relevance. RESULTS High-grade diseases fall predominantly within an immunosuppressive subtype (C4) that independently lowers overall survival time and where common immune checkpoints (e.g., PDL1, CTLA4) are less relevant. Instead, we identify several alternative immunomodulatory targets with relevance across histologic diseases. Specifically, we show how the mechanism of EZH2 inhibition to enhance tumor immunogenicity in vitro via the upregulation of MHC class 1 is applicable to a pediatric CNS oncologic context. Meanwhile, we identify that the C3 (inflammatory) immune subtype is more common in low-grade diseases and find that immune checkpoint inhibition may be an effective way to curb progression for this subset. CONCLUSIONS Three predominant immunologic clusters are identified across pediatric brain tumors. Among high-risk diseases, the predominant immune cluster is associated with recurrent immunomodulatory genes that influence immune infiltrate, including a subset that impacts survival across histologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T. Galvin
- Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Sampreeti Jena
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (S.J.); (R.G.)
| | - Danielle Maeser
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Robert Gruener
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (S.J.); (R.G.)
| | - R. Stephanie Huang
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (S.J.); (R.G.)
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Cuomo M, Coretti L, Costabile D, Della Monica R, De Riso G, Buonaiuto M, Trio F, Bravaccio C, Visconti R, Berni Canani R, Chiariotti L, Lembo F. Host fecal DNA specific methylation signatures mark gut dysbiosis and inflammation in children affected by autism spectrum disorder. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18197. [PMID: 37875530 PMCID: PMC10598023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45132-0] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis involves several bidirectional pathway communications including microbiome, bacterial metabolites, neurotransmitters as well as immune system and is perturbed both in brain and in gastrointestinal disorders. Consistently, microbiota-gut-brain axis has been found altered in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We reasoned that such alterations occurring in ASD may impact both on methylation signatures of human host fecal DNA (HFD) and possibly on the types of human cells shed in the stools from intestinal tract giving origin to HFD. To test this hypothesis, we have performed whole genome methylation analysis of HFD from an age-restricted cohort of young children with ASD (N = 8) and healthy controls (N = 7). In the same cohort we have previously investigated the fecal microbiota composition and here we refined such analysis and searched for eventual associations with data derived from HFD methylome analysis. Our results showed that specific epigenetic signatures in human fecal DNA, especially at genes related to inflammation, associated with the disease. By applying methylation-based deconvolution algorithm, we found that the HFD derived mainly from immune cells and the relative abundance of those differed between patients and controls. Consistently, most of differentially methylated regions fitted with genes involved in inflammatory response. Interestingly, using Horvath epigenetic clock, we found that ASD affected children showed both epigenetic and microbiota age accelerated. We believe that the present unprecedented approach may be useful for the identification of the ASD associated HFD epigenetic signatures and may be potentially extended to other brain disorders and intestinal inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Coretti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Costabile
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
- SEMM-European School of Molecular Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Della Monica
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia De Riso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Buonaiuto
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Trio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Bravaccio
- Department of Translational Medical Science - Pediatric Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Visconti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore", Italian National Council of Research, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Berni Canani
- Department of Translational Medical Science - Pediatric Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Via G. Salvatore 482, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- SEMM-European School of Molecular Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesca Lembo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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21
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Messiaen J, Jacobs SA, De Smet F. The tumor micro-environment in pediatric glioma: friend or foe? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227126. [PMID: 37901250 PMCID: PMC10611473 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality related to cancer in children, where high-grade glioma harbor the worst prognosis. It has become obvious that pediatric glioma differs significantly from their adult counterparts, rendering extrapolations difficult. Curative options for several types of glioma are lacking, albeit ongoing research efforts and clinical trials. As already proven in the past, inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity plays an important role in the resistance to therapy and thus implicates morbidity and mortality for these patients. However, while less studied, the tumor micro-environment (TME) adds another level of heterogeneity. Knowledge gaps exist on how the TME interacts with the tumor cells and how the location of the various cell types in the TME influences tumor growth and the response to treatment. Some studies identified the presence of several (immune) cell types as prognostic factors, but often lack a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms, possibly leading to contradictory findings. Although the TME in pediatric glioma is regarded as "cold", several treatment options are emerging, with the TME being the primary target of treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to study the TME of pediatric glioma, so that the interactions between TME, tumoral cells and therapeutics can be better understood before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of the available insights into the composition and role of the TME across different types of pediatric glioma. Moreover, where possible, we provide a framework on how a particular TME may influence responses to conventional- and/or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Messiaen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra A. Jacobs
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Rumler S. Non-cellular immunotherapies in pediatric central nervous system tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1242911. [PMID: 37885882 PMCID: PMC10598668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1242911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer death in pediatric patients. New therapies are desperately needed for some of the most malignant of all cancers. Immunotherapy has emerged in the past two decades as an additional avenue to augment/replace traditional therapies (such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy). This article first discusses the unique nature of the pediatric CNS immune system and how it interacts with the systemic immune system. It then goes on to review three important and widely studied types of immune therapies: checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and radiation therapy, and touches on early studies of antibody-mediated immunogenic therapies, Finally, the article discusses the importance of combination immunotherapy for pediatric CNS tumors, and addresses the neurologic toxicities associated with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rumler
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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23
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Sahm F, Brandner S, Bertero L, Capper D, French PJ, Figarella-Branger D, Giangaspero F, Haberler C, Hegi ME, Kristensen BW, Kurian KM, Preusser M, Tops BBJ, van den Bent M, Wick W, Reifenberger G, Wesseling P. Molecular diagnostic tools for the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 classification of gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors; an EANO guideline. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1731-1749. [PMID: 37279174 PMCID: PMC10547522 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 5th edition of the WHO CNS tumor classification (CNS5, 2021), multiple molecular characteristics became essential diagnostic criteria for many additional CNS tumor types. For those tumors, an integrated, "histomolecular" diagnosis is required. A variety of approaches exists for determining the status of the underlying molecular markers. The present guideline focuses on the methods that can be used for assessment of the currently most informative diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers for the diagnosis of gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors. The main characteristics of the molecular methods are systematically discussed, followed by recommendations and information on available evidence levels for diagnostic measures. The recommendations cover DNA and RNA next-generation-sequencing, methylome profiling, and select assays for single/limited target analyses, including immunohistochemistry. Additionally, because of its importance as a predictive marker in IDH-wildtype glioblastomas, tools for the analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status are covered. A structured overview of the different assays with their characteristics, especially their advantages and limitations, is provided, and requirements for input material and reporting of results are clarified. General aspects of molecular diagnostic testing regarding clinical relevance, accessibility, cost, implementation, regulatory, and ethical aspects are discussed as well. Finally, we provide an outlook on new developments in the landscape of molecular testing technologies in neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- CCU Neuropathology, German Concortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Division of Neuropathology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Luca Bertero
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - David Capper
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pim J French
- Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dominique Figarella-Branger
- Aix-Marseille University, APHM, CNRS, INP, Institute Neurophysiopathol, CHU Timone, Service d’Anatomie Pathologique et de Neuropathologie, Marseille, France
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Christine Haberler
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika E Hegi
- Neuroscience Research Center and Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bjarne W Kristensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, The Bartholin Institute, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bastiaan B J Tops
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin van den Bent
- The Brain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Department of Neurology and Neurooncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guido Reifenberger
- Institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University, Medical Faculty, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands (P.W.)
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24
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Nabbi A, Beck P, Delaidelli A, Oldridge DA, Sudhaman S, Zhu K, Yang SYC, Mulder DT, Bruce JP, Paulson JN, Raman P, Zhu Y, Resnick AC, Sorensen PH, Sill M, Brabetz S, Lambo S, Malkin D, Johann PD, Kool M, Jones DTW, Pfister SM, Jäger N, Pugh TJ. Transcriptional immunogenomic analysis reveals distinct immunological clusters in paediatric nervous system tumours. Genome Med 2023; 15:67. [PMID: 37679810 PMCID: PMC10486055 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01219-x] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have shown variable response rates in paediatric patients highlighting the need to establish robust biomarkers for patient selection. While the tumour microenvironment in adults has been widely studied to delineate determinants of immune response, the immune composition of paediatric solid tumours remains relatively uncharacterized calling for investigations to identify potential immune biomarkers. METHODS To inform immunotherapy approaches in paediatric cancers with embryonal origin, we performed an immunogenomic analysis of RNA-seq data from 925 treatment-naïve paediatric nervous system tumours (pedNST) spanning 12 cancer types from three publicly available data sets. RESULTS Within pedNST, we uncovered four broad immune clusters: Paediatric Inflamed (10%), Myeloid Predominant (30%), Immune Neutral (43%) and Immune Desert (17%). We validated these clusters using immunohistochemistry, methylation immune inference and segmentation analysis of tissue images. We report shared biology of these immune clusters within and across cancer types, and characterization of specific immune cell frequencies as well as T- and B-cell repertoires. We found no associations between immune infiltration levels and tumour mutational burden, although molecular cancer entities were enriched within specific immune clusters. CONCLUSIONS Given the heterogeneity of immune infiltration within pedNST, our findings suggest personalized immunogenomic profiling is needed to guide selection of immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Nabbi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Pengbo Beck
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alberto Delaidelli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Derek A Oldridge
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sumedha Sudhaman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kelsey Zhu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - S Y Cindy Yang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - David T Mulder
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Jeffrey P Bruce
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Joseph N Paulson
- Department of Biostatistics, Genentech Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pichai Raman
- Division of Neurosurgery, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics and Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuankun Zhu
- Division of Neurosurgery, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics and Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam C Resnick
- Division of Neurosurgery, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics and Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brabetz
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sander Lambo
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Malkin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalie Jäger
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), B062, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 9-305, MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Canada.
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25
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Tran S, Plant-Fox AS, Chi SN, Narendran A. Current advances in immunotherapy for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Neurooncol Pract 2023; 10:322-334. [PMID: 37457224 PMCID: PMC10346396 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npad005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are rare and aggressive embryonal tumors of central nervous system that typically affect children younger than 3 years of age. Given the generally poor outcomes of patients with ATRT and the significant toxicities associated with conventional multi-modal therapies, there is an urgent need for more novel approaches to treat ATRT, one such approach being immunotherapy. The recent rise of large-scale, multicenter interdisciplinary studies has delineated several molecular and genetic characteristics unique to ATRT. This review aims to describe currently available data on the tumor immune microenvironment of ATRT and its specific subtypes and to summarize the emerging clinical and preclinical results of immunotherapy-based approaches. It will also highlight the evolving knowledge of epigenetics on immunomodulation in this epigenetically influenced tumor, which may help guide the development of effective immunotherapeutic approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son Tran
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ashley S Plant-Fox
- Division of Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant, and Neuro-Oncology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Susan N Chi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aru Narendran
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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26
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Ocasio JK, Budd KM, Roach JT, Andrews JM, Baker SJ. Oncohistones and disrupted development in pediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:367-388. [PMID: 37119408 PMCID: PMC10441521 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10105-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent, clonal somatic mutations in histone H3 are molecular hallmarks that distinguish the genetic mechanisms underlying pediatric and adult high-grade glioma (HGG), define biological subgroups of diffuse glioma, and highlight connections between cancer, development, and epigenetics. These oncogenic mutations in histones, now termed "oncohistones", were discovered through genome-wide sequencing of pediatric diffuse high-grade glioma. Up to 80% of diffuse midline glioma (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse glioma arising in other midline structures including thalamus or spinal cord, contain histone H3 lysine 27 to methionine (K27M) mutations or, rarely, other alterations that result in a depletion of H3K27me3 similar to that induced by H3 K27M. This subgroup of glioma is now defined as diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered. In contrast, histone H3 Gly34Arg/Val (G34R/V) mutations are found in approximately 30% of diffuse glioma arising in the cerebral hemispheres of older adolescents and young adults, now classified as diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3G34-mutant. Here, we review how oncohistones modulate the epigenome and discuss the mutational landscape and invasive properties of histone mutant HGGs of childhood. The distinct mechanisms through which oncohistones and other mutations rewrite the epigenetic landscape provide novel insights into development and tumorigenesis and may present unique vulnerabilities for pHGGs. Lessons learned from these rare incurable brain tumors of childhood may have broader implications for cancer, as additional high- and low-frequency oncohistone mutations have been identified in other tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Ocasio
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kaitlin M Budd
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jordan T Roach
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jared M Andrews
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA.
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27
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Yao B, Delaidelli A, Vogel H, Sorensen PH. Pediatric Brain Tumours: Lessons from the Immune Microenvironment. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:5024-5046. [PMID: 37232837 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of recent advances in tumour molecular subtyping, pediatric brain tumours (PBTs) remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. While some PBTs are treatable with favourable outcomes, recurrent and metastatic disease for certain types of PBTs remains challenging and is often fatal. Tumour immunotherapy has emerged as a hopeful avenue for the treatment of childhood tumours, and recent immunotherapy efforts have been directed towards PBTs. This strategy has the potential to combat otherwise incurable PBTs, while minimizing off-target effects and long-term sequelae. As the infiltration and activation states of immune cells, including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumour-associated macrophages, are key to shaping responses towards immunotherapy, this review explores the immune landscape of the developing brain and discusses the tumour immune microenvironments of common PBTs, with hopes of conferring insights that may inform future treatment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Yao
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Alberto Delaidelli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hannes Vogel
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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28
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Apps JR, Muller HL, Hankinson TC, Yock TI, Martinez-Barbera JP. Contemporary Biological Insights and Clinical Management of Craniopharyngioma. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:518-538. [PMID: 36574377 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are clinically aggressive tumors because of their invasive behavior and recalcitrant tendency to recur after therapy. There are 2 types based on their distinct histology and molecular features: the papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP), which is associated with BRAF-V600E mutations and the adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP), characterized by mutations in CTNNB1 (encoding β-catenin). Patients with craniopharyngioma show symptoms linked to the location of the tumor close to the optic pathways, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland, such as increased intracranial pressure, endocrine deficiencies, and visual defects. Treatment is not specific and mostly noncurative, and frequently includes surgery, which may achieve gross total or partial resection, followed by radiotherapy. In cystic tumors, frequent drainage is often required and intracystic instillation of drugs has been used to help manage cyst refilling. More recently targeted therapies have been used, particularly in PCP, but also now in ACP and clinical trials are underway or in development. Although patient survival is high, the consequences of the tumor and its treatment can lead to severe comorbidities resulting in poor quality of life, in particular for those patients who bear tumors with hypothalamic involvement. Accordingly, in these patients at risk for the development of a hypothalamic syndrome, hypothalamus-sparing treatment strategies such as limited resection followed by irradiation are recommended. In this review, we provide an update on various aspects of CP, with emphasis on recent advances in the understanding of tumor pathogenesis, clinical consequences, management, and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Richard Apps
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, Birth Defects Research Centre, GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Oncology Department, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK
| | - Hermann Lothar Muller
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Carl von Ossietzky University, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, 26133 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Todd Cameron Hankinson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Torunn Ingrid Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, Birth Defects Research Centre, GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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Gong J, Dong L, Wang C, Luo N, Han T, Li M, Sun T, Ding R, Han B, Li G. Molecular genomic landscape of pediatric solid tumors in Chinese patients: implications for clinical significance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04756-5. [PMID: 37140698 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04756-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric solid tumors are significantly different from adult tumors. Studies have revealed genomic aberrations in pediatric solid tumors, but these analyses were based on Western populations. Currently, it is not known to what extent the existing genomic findings represent differences in ethnic backgrounds. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed the basic clinical characteristics of the patients, including age, cancer type, and sex distribution, and further analyzed the somatic and germline mutations of cancer-related genes in a Chinese pediatric cohort. In addition, we investigated the clinical significance of genomic mutations on therapeutic, prognostic, diagnostic, and preventive actions. RESULTS Our study enrolled 318 pediatric patients, including 234 patients with CNS tumors and 84 patients with non-CNS tumors. Somatic mutation analysis showed that there were significant differences in mutation types between CNS tumors and non-CNS tumors. P/LP germline variants were identified in 8.49% of patients. In total, 42.8% patients prompted diagnostic, 37.7% patients prompted prognostic, 58.2% patients prompted therapeutic, and 8.5% patients prompted tumor-predisposing and preventive, and we found that genomic findings might improve clinical management. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first large-scale study to analyze the landscape of genetic mutations in pediatric patients with solid tumors in China. Genomic findings in CNS and non-CNS solid pediatric tumors provide evidence for the clinical classification and individualized treatment of pediatric tumors, and they will facilitate improvement of clinical management. Data presented in this study should serve as a reference to guide the future design of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Liujian Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University; Henan Children's Hospital; Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Chuanwei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ningning Luo
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tiantian Han
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tingting Sun
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ran Ding
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Han
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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30
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Gorini F, Miceli M, de Antonellis P, Amente S, Zollo M, Ferrucci V. Epigenetics and immune cells in medulloblastoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1135404. [PMID: 36968588 PMCID: PMC10036437 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1135404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant childhood tumor of the cerebellum. Transcriptional and epigenetic signatures have classified MB into four molecular subgroups, further stratified into biologically different subtypes with distinct somatic copy-number aberrations, driver genes, epigenetic alterations, activated pathways, and clinical outcomes. The brain tumor microenvironment (BTME) is of importance to regulate a complex network of cells, including immune cells, involved in cancer progression in brain malignancies. MB was considered with a “cold” immunophenotype due to the low influx of immune cells across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Recently, this assumption has been reconsidered because of the identification of infiltrating immune cells showing immunosuppressive phenotypes in the BTME of MB tumors. Here, we are providing a comprehensive overview of the current status of epigenetics alterations occurring during cancer progression with a description of the genomic landscape of MB by focusing on immune cells within the BTME. We further describe how new immunotherapeutic approaches could influence concurring epigenetic mechanisms of the immunosuppressive cells in BTME. In conclusion, the modulation of these molecular genetic complexes in BTME during cancer progression might enhance the therapeutic benefit, thus firing new weapons to fight MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gorini
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Miceli
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualino de Antonellis
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Amente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, ‘AOU Federico II Policlinico, Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Ferrucci,
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31
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Xu D, Cao M, Wang B, Bi X, Zhang H, Wu D, Zhang C, Xu J, Xu Z, Zheng D, Chen L, Li P, Wang H, Liu Y, Jiang H, Li K. Epigenetically regulated lncRNAs dissect the intratumoural heterogeneity and facilitate immune evasion of glioblastomas. Theranostics 2023; 13:1490-1505. [PMID: 37056564 PMCID: PMC10086206 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Glioblastomas are the most common and malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors that occupied a highly heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TIME). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), whose expression can be modified by DNA methylation, are emerging as critical regulators in the immune system. However, knowledge about the epigenetic changes in lncRNAs and their contribution to the immune heterogeneity of glioma is still lacking. Methods: In this study, we integrated paired methylome and transcriptome datasets of glioblastomas and identified 2 robust immune subtypes based on lncRNA methylation features. The immune characteristics of glioma subtypes were compared. Furthermore, immune-related lncRNAs were identified and their relationships with immune evasion were evaluated. Results: Glioma immunophenotypes exhibited distinct immune-related characteristics as well as clinical and epigenetic features. 149 epigenetically regulated (ER) lncRNAs were recognized that possessed inverse variation in epigenetic and transcriptional levels between glioma subtypes. Immune-related lncRNAs were further identified through the investigation of their correlation with immune cell infiltrations and immune-related pathways. In particular, the 'Hot' glioma subtype with higher immunoactivity while a worse survival outcome was found to character immune evasion features. We finally prioritized candidate ER lncRNAs associated with immune evasion markers and response to glioma immunotherapy. Among them, CD109-AS1 and LINC02447 were validated as novel immunoevasive biomarkers for glioma through in vitro experiments. Conclusion: In summary, our study systematically reveals the crosstalk among DNA methylation, lncRNA, and immune regulation in glioblastomas, and will facilitate the development of epigenetic immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahua Xu
- Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Meng Cao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China
| | - Xiaoman Bi
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Deng Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Chunrui Zhang
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jiankai Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Zhizhou Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Dehua Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Liyang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Peihu Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Hongyan Jiang
- Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China
| | - Kongning Li
- Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
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32
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Bernstock JD, Blitz SE, Hoffman SE, Gerstl JVE, Chiocca EA, Friedman GK. Recent oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials outline a roadmap for the treatment of high-grade glioma. Neurooncol Adv 2023; 5:vdad081. [PMID: 37497017 PMCID: PMC10368374 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult and pediatric high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive cancers of the central nervous system that confer dismal clinical prognoses. Standard radiation and chemotherapy have demonstrated only limited efficacy in HGGs, motivating the accelerated investigation of novel modalities such as oncolytic virus (OV) therapies. OV centered therapies work through a mixed mechanism centered on oncolysis and the stimulation of an antitumor immune response. Three recent clinical trials utilizing herpes simplex virus-1 and adenovirus-based oncolytic virotherapy demonstrated not only the safety and efficacy of OVs but also novel dosing strategies that augment OV response potential. Considering these recent trials, herein we present a roadmap for future clinical trials of oncolytic immunovirotherapy in both adult and pediatric HGG, as well as persistent roadblocks related to the assessment of OV efficacy within and between trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Samantha E Hoffman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard-MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jakob V E Gerstl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory K Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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33
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Peterziel H, Jamaladdin N, ElHarouni D, Gerloff XF, Herter S, Fiesel P, Berker Y, Blattner-Johnson M, Schramm K, Jones BC, Reuss D, Turunen L, Friedenauer A, Holland-Letz T, Sill M, Weiser L, Previti C, Balasubramanian G, Gerber NU, Gojo J, Hutter C, Øra I, Lohi O, Kattamis A, de Wilde B, Westermann F, Tippelt S, Graf N, Nathrath M, Sparber-Sauer M, Sehested A, Kramm CM, Dirksen U, Kallioniemi O, Pfister SM, van Tilburg CM, Jones DTW, Saarela J, Pietiäinen V, Jäger N, Schlesner M, Kopp-Schneider A, Oppermann S, Milde T, Witt O, Oehme I. Drug sensitivity profiling of 3D tumor tissue cultures in the pediatric precision oncology program INFORM. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:94. [PMID: 36575299 PMCID: PMC9794727 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00335-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The international precision oncology program INFORM enrolls relapsed/refractory pediatric cancer patients for comprehensive molecular analysis. We report a two-year pilot study implementing ex vivo drug sensitivity profiling (DSP) using a library of 75-78 clinically relevant drugs. We included 132 viable tumor samples from 35 pediatric oncology centers in seven countries. DSP was conducted on multicellular fresh tumor tissue spheroid cultures in 384-well plates with an overall mean processing time of three weeks. In 89 cases (67%), sufficient viable tissue was received; 69 (78%) passed internal quality controls. The DSP results matched the identified molecular targets, including BRAF, ALK, MET, and TP53 status. Drug vulnerabilities were identified in 80% of cases lacking actionable (very) high-evidence molecular events, adding value to the molecular data. Striking parallels between clinical courses and the DSP results were observed in selected patients. Overall, DSP in clinical real-time is feasible in international multicenter precision oncology programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Peterziel
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nora Jamaladdin
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dina ElHarouni
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analytics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xenia F. Gerloff
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Herter
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Fiesel
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yannick Berker
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Blattner-Johnson
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schramm
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara C. Jones
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Reuss
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department Neuropathology at Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Present Address: Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Turunen
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aileen Friedenauer
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Holland-Letz
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Sill
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Weiser
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Core Facility Omics IT and Data Management (ODCF), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Previti
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Core Facility Omics IT and Data Management (ODCF), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gnanaprakash Balasubramanian
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas U. Gerber
- grid.412341.10000 0001 0726 4330Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zürich, CH-8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Gojo
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Hutter
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492St. Anna Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,grid.416346.2St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Øra
- grid.411843.b0000 0004 0623 9987Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund & Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olli Lohi
- grid.502801.e0000 0001 2314 6254Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland, and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Bram de Wilde
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Westermann
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Tippelt
- grid.410718.b0000 0001 0262 7331Pediatrics III Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, West German Cancer Center; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Norbert Graf
- grid.411937.9Department of Pediatric Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Nathrath
- grid.419824.20000 0004 0625 3279Department of Pediatric Oncology, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Sparber-Sauer
- grid.459687.10000 0004 0493 3975Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gKAöR, Olgahospital, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Pädiatrie 5 (Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie), Stuttgart, Germany ,University of Medicine Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Astrid Sehested
- grid.475435.4Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Christof M. Kramm
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- grid.410718.b0000 0001 0262 7331Pediatrics III Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, West German Cancer Center; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Olli Kallioniemi
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014 Finland
| | - Stefan M. Pfister
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelis M. van Tilburg
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T. W. Jones
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jani Saarela
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vilja Pietiäinen
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014 Finland
| | - Natalie Jäger
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schlesner
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analytics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7307.30000 0001 2108 9006Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics, Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Annette Kopp-Schneider
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Oppermann
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Oehme
- grid.510964.fHopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.461742.20000 0000 8855 0365National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Riedel NC, de Faria FW, Alfert A, Bruder JM, Kerl K. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Systems in Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumor Precision Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235972. [PMID: 36497454 PMCID: PMC9738956 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235972] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary brain tumors often possess a high intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity, which fosters insufficient treatment response for high-grade neoplasms, leading to a dismal prognosis. Recent years have seen the emergence of patient-specific three-dimensional in vitro models, including organoids. They can mimic primary parenteral tumors more closely in their histological, transcriptional, and mutational characteristics, thus approximating their intratumoral heterogeneity better. These models have been established for entities including glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. They have proven themselves to be reliable platforms for studying tumor generation, tumor-TME interactions, and prediction of patient-specific responses to establish treatment regimens and new personalized therapeutics. In this review, we outline current 3D cell culture models for adult and pediatric brain tumors, explore their current limitations, and summarize their applications in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. Riedel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Flavia W. de Faria
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Amelie Alfert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jan M. Bruder
- Department for Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for molecular Biomedicine, 48148 Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-251-83-47742; Fax: +49-251-83-47828
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Tong Q, Xu J, Wu A, Zhang C, Yang A, Zhang S, Lin H, Lu W. Pheophorbide A-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy Potentiates Checkpoint Blockade Therapy of Tumor with Low PD-L1 Expression. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112513. [PMID: 36432703 PMCID: PMC9697200 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112513] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has made a great success in cancer immunotherapy, the overall response rate to the ICB, such as anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy, remains only at 20-30%. One major reason is the low expression level of the immune checkpoint in a certain type of tumor cells and its insufficient activation of the host immune system. Herein, we reported a cyclic RGD (cRGD)-modified liposomal delivery system loading the anti-PD-L1 antibody and the photosensitizer pheophorbide A (Pa), allowing a targeting of the low PD-L1 expressing 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells through the recognition of an overexpression of αvβ3 integrin on the tumor cells. The Pa-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) elevated the expression of PD-L1 on the tumor cells. PDT, in combination with the anti-PD-L1 therapy, promoted the activation and maturation of dendritic cells as well as the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, resulting in the augmented antitumor immune response for the enhanced therapeutic effect. These results demonstrated the combined therapeutic effects of PDT and ICB on the tumor with low PD-L1 levels. Our study suggested that an increase in the PD-L1 expression in tumor cells by PDT would be a promising adjuvant treatment to overcome the ICB irresponsiveness.
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Zhou J, Qi F, Chen Y, Zhang S, Zheng X, He W, Guo Z. Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy: From Organelle Targeting to Tumor Targeting. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:1027. [PMID: 36421144 PMCID: PMC9688568 DOI: 10.3390/bios12111027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted much attention in the field of anticancer treatment. However, PDT has to face challenges, such as aggregation caused by quenching of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and short 1O2 lifetime, which lead to unsatisfactory therapeutic effect. Aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgens)-based photosensitizers (PSs) showed enhanced ROS generation upon aggregation, which showed great potential for hypoxic tumor treatment with enhanced PDT effect. In this review, we summarized the design strategies and applications of AIEgen-based PSs with improved PDT efficacy since 2019. Firstly, we introduce the research background and some basic knowledge in the related field. Secondly, the recent approaches of AIEgen-based PSs for enhanced PDT are summarized in two categories: (1) organelle-targeting PSs that could cause direct damage to organelles to enhance PDT effects, and (2) PSs with tumor-targeting abilities to selectively suppress tumor growth and reduce side effects. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are discussed. We hope this review can offer new insights and inspirations for the development of AIEgen-based PSs for better PDT effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fen Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuncong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Nanchuang (Jiangsu) Institute of Chemistry and Health, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Shuren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weijiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zijian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Nanchuang (Jiangsu) Institute of Chemistry and Health, Nanjing 210000, China
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Marabitti V, Giansanti M, De Mitri F, Gatto F, Mastronuzzi A, Nazio F. Pathological implications of metabolic reprogramming and its therapeutic potential in medulloblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1007641. [PMID: 36340043 PMCID: PMC9627342 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1007641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-specific alterations in metabolism have been recognized to sustain the production of ATP and macromolecules needed for cell growth, division and survival in many cancer types. However, metabolic heterogeneity poses a challenge for the establishment of effective anticancer therapies that exploit metabolic vulnerabilities. Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most heterogeneous malignant pediatric brain tumors, divided into four molecular subgroups (Wingless, Sonic Hedgehog, Group 3 and Group 4). Recent progresses in genomics, single-cell sequencing, and novel tumor models have updated the classification and stratification of MB, highlighting the complex intratumoral cellular diversity of this cancer. In this review, we emphasize the mechanisms through which MB cells rewire their metabolism and energy production networks to support and empower rapid growth, survival under stressful conditions, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Additionally, we discuss the potential clinical benefits of currently available drugs that could target energy metabolism to suppress MB progression and increase the efficacy of the current MB therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Marabitti
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Giansanti
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Mitri
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gatto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Nazio
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Jin M, Wu J, Shi L, Zhou B, Shang F, Chang X, Dong X, Deng S, Liu L, Cai K, Nie X, Zhang T, Fan J, Liu H. Gut microbiota distinct between colorectal cancers with deficient and proficient mismatch repair: A study of 230 CRC patients. Front Microbiol 2022; 13. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.993285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancers (CRCs) with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) and proficient DNA mismatch repair (pMMR) exhibit heterogeneous tumor characteristics, distinct responses to immunotherapy, and different survival outcomes. However, it is unclear whether gut microbiota is distinct between CRCs with different MMR status. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry for four major MMR proteins to determine the MMR status in 230 CRC patients. The gut microbiota was profiled in cancerous and adjacent normal tissues by using bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing. The differences in microbiota diversity, composition and related metabolic pathways between patients with dMMR and pMMR CRCs were explored. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was further applied to validate the significant taxonomic differences at the genus level. In our study cohort, dMMR status was identified in 29 of 230 (12.61%) tumors. The richness (alpha-diversity) of gut microbiome in dMMR tumor tissue was higher compared with pMMR tumor tissues. The microbial community composition (beta-diversity) between the two groups was significantly different. The dMMR group was enriched considerably for some microbiota, including Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria at the phylum level and Fusobacterium, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Streptococcus, and Prevotella bacteria at the genus level. However, the pMMR group was dominated by Proteobacteria at the phylum level and Serratia, Cupriavidus and Sphingobium at the genus level. Moreover, a wide variety of microbiota associated functional pathways were observed with different MMR status. KEGG pathway analysis indicated a higher abundance of the biosynthesis and metabolic pathways of glycan and nucleotide, cell growth and death pathways, genetic replication and repair pathways in dMMR samples compared with the pMMR group. These findings demonstrate that CRC patients with different MMR status have distinct gut bacterial community richness, compositions and related metabolic pathways, suggesting basis that may explain the effectiveness of immunotherapy in dMMR tumors.
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van Bree NFHN, Wilhelm M. The Tumor Microenvironment of Medulloblastoma: An Intricate Multicellular Network with Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205009. [PMID: 36291792 PMCID: PMC9599673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The current treatment options for medulloblastoma, the most common malignant childhood brain cancer, are associated with many negative side effects and toxicities. Therefore, novel treatment options are needed that target the tumor without affecting the healthy tissue. Medulloblastoma tumors consist of a wide variety of cell types and extracellular components that make up the microenvironment of the tumor. This tumor microenvironment influences the development, progression, and relapse of medulloblastoma through different cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Obtaining insights into these interactions will help with gaining a better understanding of this malignancy. Additionally, it could support the search for new targets of treatments directed at components of the tumor microenvironment. Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous disease in which survival is highly affected by the underlying subgroup-specific characteristics. Although the current treatment modalities have increased the overall survival rates of MB up to 70–80%, MB remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality among children. This indicates that novel therapeutic approaches against MB are needed. New promising treatment options comprise the targeting of cells and components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME of MB consists of an intricate multicellular network of tumor cells, progenitor cells, astrocytes, neurons, supporting stromal cells, microglia, immune cells, extracellular matrix components, and vasculature systems. In this review, we will discuss all the different components of the MB TME and their role in MB initiation, progression, metastasis, and relapse. Additionally, we briefly introduce the effect that age plays on the TME of brain malignancies and discuss the MB subgroup-specific differences in TME components and how all of these variations could affect the progression of MB. Finally, we highlight the TME-directed treatments, in which we will focus on therapies that are being evaluated in clinical trials.
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Yang S, Zhou J, Chen Z, Sun Q, Zhang D, Feng Y, Wang X, Sun Y. A novel m7G-related lncRNA risk model for predicting prognosis and evaluating the tumor immune microenvironment in colon carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:934928. [PMID: 35992788 PMCID: PMC9386370 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.934928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
N7-Methylguanosine (m7G) modifications are a common type of posttranscriptional RNA modifications. Its function in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has garnered widespread focus in the past few years. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) played an essential part in tumor development and are closely associated with the tumor immune microenvironment. In this study, we employed a comprehensive bioinformatics approach to develop an m7G-associated lncRNA prognostic model based on the colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) database from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to identify m7G-related lncRNAs. Differential gene expression analysis was used to screen lncRNAs. Then, we gained 88 differentially expressed m7G-related lncRNAs. Univariate Cox analysis and Lasso regression analysis were performed to build an eight-m7G-related-lncRNA (ELFN1-AS1, GABPB1-AS1, SNHG7, GS1-124K5.4, ZEB1-AS1, PCAT6, C1RL-AS1, MCM3AP-AS1) risk model. Consensus clustering analysis was applied to identify the m7G-related lncRNA subtypes. We also verified the risk prediction effect of a gene signature in the GSE17536 test set (177 patients). A nomogram was constructed to predict overall survival rates. Furthermore, we analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high-risk and low-risk groups. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were conducted with the analyzed DEGs. At last, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), CIBERSORT, MCP-COUNTER, and Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithms were utilized to discover the relationship between the risk model and the TME. Consequently, the m7G-related lncRNA risk model for COAD patients could be a viable prognostic tool and treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yang
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahui Zhou
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingyang Sun
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhang
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yueming Sun, ; Xiaowei Wang,
| | - Yueming Sun
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yueming Sun, ; Xiaowei Wang,
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41
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Wei Z, Zeng X, Lei Y, He H, Jamal M, Zhang C, Tan H, Xie S, Zhang Q. TTYH3, a potential prognosis biomarker associated with immune infiltration and immunotherapy response in lung cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:108999. [PMID: 35858518 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The recognition of new diagnostic and prognostic biological markers for lung cancer is an essential and eager study. It's shown that ion channels play important roles in regulating various cellular processes and have been suggested to be associated with patient survival. However, tweety family member 3 (TTYH3), as a maxi-Cl- channel, its role in lung cancer remains elusive. METHODS The expression, diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of TTYH3 were analyzed by public databases and clinical samples. Cell functional experiments were used to explore the effects of TTYH3 on cell viability. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed underlying pathways that TTYH3 and its co-expressed genes were enriched in. TIMER, TIDE and R language analyses were used to detect the correlation between TTYH3 and immune infiltration cell and immunotherapy response. RESULTS TTYH3 was up-regulated in lung cancer tissues compared to normal tissues and possessed a prominent diagnostic and prognostic value. TTYH3 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Enrichment analyses showed that TTYH3 and its co-expressed genes were mainly involved in immune related signaling pathways. Further investigation clarified that TTYH3 had a positive correlation with the infiltration of TAMs, Treg infiltration as well as T cell exhaustion and high TTYH3 expression indicated worse immunotherapy response and shorter survival after immune checkpoint blockade treatment. CONCLUSION This study not only revealed the diagnostic and prognostic value of TTYH3 but also provided TTYH3-based estimation of immunotherapy response for lung cancer patients, which might provide new strategies like anti-TTYH3 combined with immune therapy for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Wei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingruo Zeng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufei Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hengjing He
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Muhammad Jamal
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengjie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Songping Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuping Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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42
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Tan M, Wang S, Li F, Xu H, Gao J, Zhu L. A methylation-driven genes prognostic signature and the immune microenvironment in epithelial ovarian cancer. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:635-646. [PMID: 35639961 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant gene methylation has been implicated in the development and progression of tumors. In this study, we aimed to identity methylation driven genes involved in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to establish a prognostic signature for patients with EOC. We identified and verified 6 MDGs that are closely related to the prognosis of ovarian cancer. A prognostic risk score model and nomogram for predicting the prognosis of ovarian cancer were constructed based on the six MDGs. It can also effectively reflect the immune environment and immunotherapy response of ovarian cancer. These MDGs have great significance to the implementation of individualized treatment and disease monitoring of ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzi Tan
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning Province, P R China.,Department of Gynecology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning Province, P R China
| | - Shengtan Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570011, P.R. China
| | - Feifei Li
- Department of Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Haoya Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, P.R. China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, P.R. China
| | - Liancheng Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, P.R. China
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43
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Li Y, Xu S, Xu D, Pan T, Guo J, Gu S, Lin Q, Li X, Li K, Xiang W. Pediatric Pan-Central Nervous System Tumor Methylome Analyses Reveal Immune-Related LncRNAs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:853904. [PMID: 35603200 PMCID: PMC9114481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.853904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common cancer diagnosis among children. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as critical regulators of gene expression, and they play fundamental roles in immune regulation. However, knowledge on epigenetic changes in lncRNAs in diverse types of pediatric CNS tumors is lacking. Here, we integrated the DNA methylation profiles of 2,257 pediatric CNS tumors across 61 subtypes with lncRNA annotations and presented the epigenetically regulated landscape of lncRNAs. We revealed the prevalent lncRNA methylation heterogeneity across pediatric pan-CNS tumors. Based on lncRNA methylation profiles, we refined 14 lncRNA methylation clusters with distinct immune microenvironment patterns. Moreover, we found that lncRNA methylations were significantly correlated with immune cell infiltrations in diverse tumor subtypes. Immune-related lncRNAs were further identified by investigating their correlation with immune cell infiltrations and potentially regulated target genes. LncRNA with methylation perturbations potentially regulate the genes in immune-related pathways. We finally identified several candidate immune-related lncRNA biomarkers (i.e., SSTR5-AS1, CNTN4-AS1, and OSTM1-AS1) in pediatric cancer for further functional validation. In summary, our study represents a comprehensive repertoire of epigenetically regulated immune-related lncRNAs in pediatric pan-CNS tumors, and will facilitate the development of immunotherapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Li
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Sicong Xu
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Dahua Xu
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Tao Pan
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jing Guo
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Shuo Gu
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qiuyu Lin
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xia Li
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.,College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kongning Li
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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Galbraith K, Snuderl M. DNA methylation as a diagnostic tool. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:71. [PMID: 35527288 PMCID: PMC9080136 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01371-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation of cytosines in CpG sites throughout the genome is an epigenetic mark contributing to gene expression regulation. DNA methylation patterns are specific to tissue type, conserved throughout life and reflect changes during tumorigenesis. DNA methylation recently emerged as a diagnostic tool to classify tumors based on a combination of preserved developmental and mutation induced signatures. In addition to the tumor classification, DNA methylation data can also be used to evaluate copy number variation, assess promoter methylation status of specific genes, such as MGMT or MLH1, and deconvolute the tumor microenvironment, assessing the tumor immune infiltrate as a potential biomarker for immunotherapy. Here we review the role for DNA methylation in tumor diagnosis.
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45
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Eisemann T, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Coming in from the cold: overcoming the hostile immune microenvironment of medulloblastoma. Genes Dev 2022; 36:514-532. [PMID: 35680424 PMCID: PMC9186392 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349538.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that occurs predominantly in children. Despite intensive therapy, many patients die of the disease, and novel therapies are desperately needed. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in many cancers, the low mutational burden, limited infiltration of immune effector cells, and immune-suppressive microenvironment of medulloblastoma have led to the assumption that it is unlikely to respond to immunotherapy. However, emerging evidence is challenging this view. Here we review recent preclinical and clinical studies that have identified mechanisms of immune evasion in medulloblastoma, and highlight possible therapeutic interventions that may give new hope to medulloblastoma patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Eisemann
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92161, USA
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46
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Nemes K, Johann PD, Tüchert S, Melchior P, Vokuhl C, Siebert R, Furtwängler R, Frühwald MC. Current and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches for Extracranial Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:479-498. [PMID: 35173482 PMCID: PMC8841298 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s289544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors (extracranial MRT) are rare, highly aggressive malignancies affecting mainly infants and children younger than 3 years. Common anatomic sites comprise the kidneys (RTK – rhabdoid tumor of kidney) and other soft tissues (eMRT – extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor). The genetic origin of these diseases is linked to biallelic pathogenic variants in the genes SMARCB1, or rarely SMARCA4, encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. Even if extracranial MRT seem to be quite homogeneous, recent epigenome analyses reveal a certain degree of epigenetic heterogeneity. Use of intensified therapies has modestly improved survival for extracranial MRT. Patients at standard risk profit from conventional therapies; most high-risk patients still experience a dismal course and often therapy resistance. Discoveries of clinical and molecular hallmarks and the exploration of experimental therapeutic approaches open exciting perspectives for clinical and molecularly stratified experimental treatment approaches. To ultimately improve the outcome of patients with extracranial MRTs, they need to be characterized and stratified clinically and molecularly. High-risk patients need novel therapeutic approaches including selective experimental agents in phase I/II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nemes
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Melchior
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rhoikos Furtwängler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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Burns I, Gwynne WD, Suk Y, Custers S, Chaudhry I, Venugopal C, Singh SK. The Road to CAR T-Cell Therapies for Pediatric CNS Tumors: Obstacles and New Avenues. Front Oncol 2022; 12:815726. [PMID: 35155252 PMCID: PMC8829546 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.815726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common solid tumors diagnosed in children and are the leading cause of pediatric cancer-related death. Those who do survive are faced with the long-term adverse effects of the current standard of care treatments of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. There is a pressing need for novel therapeutic strategies to treat pediatric CNS tumors more effectively while reducing toxicity - one of these novel modalities is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Currently approved for use in several hematological malignancies, there are promising pre-clinical and early clinical data that suggest CAR-T cells could transform the treatment of pediatric CNS tumors. There are, however, several challenges that must be overcome to develop safe and effective CAR T-cell therapies for CNS tumors. Herein, we detail these challenges, focusing on those unique to pediatric patients including antigen selection, tumor immunogenicity and toxicity. We also discuss our perspective on future avenues for CAR T-cell therapies and potential combinatorial treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Burns
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - William D Gwynne
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Yujin Suk
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan Custers
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Iqra Chaudhry
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Chitra Venugopal
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sheila K Singh
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Pfister SM, Reyes-Múgica M, Chan JKC, Hasle H, Lazar AJ, Rossi S, Ferrari A, Jarzembowski JA, Pritchard-Jones K, Hill DA, Jacques TS, Wesseling P, López Terrada DH, von Deimling A, Kratz CP, Cree IA, Alaggio R. A Summary of the Inaugural WHO Classification of Pediatric Tumors: Transitioning from the Optical into the Molecular Era. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:331-355. [PMID: 34921008 PMCID: PMC9401511 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric tumors are uncommon, yet are the leading cause of cancer-related death in childhood. Tumor types, molecular characteristics, and pathogenesis are unique, often originating from a single genetic driver event. The specific diagnostic challenges of childhood tumors led to the development of the first World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Pediatric Tumors. The classification is rooted in a multilayered approach, incorporating morphology, IHC, and molecular characteristics. The volume is organized according to organ sites and provides a single, state-of-the-art compendium of pediatric tumor types. A special emphasis was placed on "blastomas," which variably recapitulate the morphologic maturation of organs from which they originate. SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, we briefly summarize the main features and updates of each chapter of the inaugural WHO Classification of Pediatric Tumors, including its rapid transition from a mostly microscopic into a molecularly driven classification systematically taking recent discoveries in pediatric tumor genomics into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miguel Reyes-Múgica
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - John K C Chan
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Henrik Hasle
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Departments of Pathology & Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Jason A Jarzembowski
- Department of Pathology, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Kathy Pritchard-Jones
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - D Ashley Hill
- Department of Pathology, Children's National Hospital, Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Thomas S Jacques
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Laboratory for Childhood Cancer Pathology, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers/VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dolores H López Terrada
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian P Kratz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ian A Cree
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Rita Alaggio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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49
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Tan W, Peng S, Li Z, Zhang R, Xiao Y, Chen X, Zhu J, Li B, Lv X. Identification of Therapeutic Targets and Prognostic Biomarkers among Genes from the Mediator Complex Family in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumour-Immune Microenvironment. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2021613. [PMID: 35069777 PMCID: PMC8776440 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2021613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is predominant among all types of primary liver cancers characterised by high morbidity and mortality. Genes in the mediator complex (MED) family are engaged in the tumour-immune microenvironment and function as regulatory hubs mediating carcinogenesis and progression across diverse cancer types. Whereas research studies have been conducted to examine the mechanisms in several cancers, studies that systematically focused on the therapeutic and prognostic values of MED in patients with HCC are limited. METHODS The online databases ONCOMINE, GEPIA, UALCAN, GeneMANIA, cBioPortal, OmicStudio, STING, Metascape, and TIMER were used in this study. RESULTS The transcriptional levels of all members of the MED family in HCC presented an aberrant high expression pattern. Significant correlations were found between the MED1, MED6, MED8, MED10, MED12, MED15, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED23, MED24, MED25, MED26, and MED27 expression levels and the pathological stage in the patients with HCC. The patients with high expression levels of MED6, MED8, MED10, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the members of the MED family were mainly enriched in the nucleobase-containing compound catabolic process, regulation of chromosome organisation, and transcriptional regulation by TP53. Significant correlations were found between the MED6, MED8, MED10, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 expression levels and all types of immune cells (B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells). B cells and MED8 were independent predictors of overall survival. We found significant correlations between the somatic copy number alterations of the MED6, MED8, MED10, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 molecules and the abundance of immune infiltrates. CONCLUSIONS Our study delineated a thorough landscape to investigate the therapeutic and prognostic potentials of the MED family for HCC cases, which yielded promising results for the development of immunotherapeutic drugs and construction of a prognostic stratification model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Shuai Peng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, China
| | - Zhuokai Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Ruiqian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Yangrui Xiao
- Department of Radiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Radiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Jinde Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Bingrong Li
- Department of Radiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
| | - Xinliang Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 323000, China
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Suk Y, Gwynne WD, Burns I, Venugopal C, Singh SK. Childhood Medulloblastoma: An Overview. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2423:1-12. [PMID: 34978683 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1952-0_1] [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: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, representing 60% of childhood intracranial embryonal tumors. Despite multimodal advances in therapies over the last 20 years that have yielded a 5-year survival rate of 75%, high-risk patients (younger than 3 years, subtotal resection, metastatic lesions at diagnosis) still experience a 5-year overall survival of less than 70%. In this introductory chapter on pediatric MB, we describe the initial discrimination of MB based on histopathological examination and the more recent progress made in global gene expression profiling methods that have allowed scientists to more accurately subclassify and prognosticate on MB based on molecular characteristics. The identification of subtype-specific molecular drivers and pathways presents novel therapeutic targets that could lead to MB subtype-specific treatment modalities. Additionally, we detail how the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis provides an explanation for tumor recurrence, and the potential for CSC-targeted therapies to address treatment-refractory MB. These personalized therapies can potentially increase MB survivorship and negate some of the long-term neurotoxicity associated with the current standard of care for MB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Suk
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - William D Gwynne
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Burns
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Chitra Venugopal
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sheila K Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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