1
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Senanayake J, Mattingly RR, Sundararaghavan HG. Electrical stimulation of Schwann cells on electrospun hyaluronic acid carbon nanotube fibers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308207. [PMID: 39110684 PMCID: PMC11305570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by the development of benign neurofibromas, which can cause significant morbidity in affected individuals. While the molecular mechanisms underlying NF1 pathogenesis have been extensively studied, the development of effective therapeutic strategies remains a challenge. This paper presents the development and validation of a novel biomaterial testing model to enhance our understanding of NF1 pathophysiology, disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapeutic interventions. Our long-term goal is to develop an invitro model of NF1 to evaluate drug targets. We have developed an in vitro system to test the cellular behavior of NF1 patient derived cells on electroconductive aligned nanofibrous biomaterials with electrical stimulatory cues. We hypothesized that cells cultured on electroconductive biomaterial will undergo morphological changes and variations in cell proliferation that could be further enhanced with the combination of exogenous electrical stimulation (ES). In this study, we developed electrospun Hyaluronic Acid-Carbon Nanotube (HA-CNT) nanofiber scaffolds to mimic the axon's topographical and bioelectrical cues that influence neurofibroma growth and development. The cellular behavior was qualitatively and quantitively analyzed through immunofluorescent stains, Alamar blue assays and ELISA assays. Schwann cells from NF1 patients appear to have lost their ability to respond to electrical stimulation in the development and regeneration range, which was seen through changes in morphology, proliferation and NGF release. Without stimulation, the conductive material enhances NF1 SC behavior. Wild-type SC respond to electrical stimulation with increased cell proliferation and NGF release. Using this system, we can better understand the interaction between axons and SC that lead to tumor formation, homeostasis and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Senanayake
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Raymond R. Mattingly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America
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2
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Nguyen HTL, Kohl E, Bade J, Eng SE, Tosevska A, Al Shihabi A, Tebon PJ, Hong JJ, Dry S, Boutros PC, Panossian A, Gosline SJC, Soragni A. A platform for rapid patient-derived cutaneous neurofibroma organoid establishment and screening. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100772. [PMID: 38744290 PMCID: PMC11133839 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Localized cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs) are benign tumors that arise in the dermis of patients affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome. cNFs are benign lesions: they do not undergo malignant transformation or metastasize. Nevertheless, they can cover a significant proportion of the body, with some individuals developing hundreds to thousands of lesions. cNFs can cause pain, itching, and disfigurement resulting in substantial socio-emotional repercussions. Currently, surgery and laser desiccation are the sole treatment options but may result in scarring and potential regrowth from incomplete removal. To identify effective systemic therapies, we introduce an approach to establish and screen cNF organoids. We optimized conditions to support the ex vivo growth of genomically diverse cNFs. Patient-derived cNF organoids closely recapitulate cellular and molecular features of parental tumors as measured by immunohistopathology, methylation, RNA sequencing, and flow cytometry. Our cNF organoid platform enables rapid screening of hundreds of compounds in a patient- and tumor-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyen Thi Lam Nguyen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emily Kohl
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Bade
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stefan E Eng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Institute for Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anela Tosevska
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ahmad Al Shihabi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyton J Tebon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jenny J Hong
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Dry
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Institute for Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Sara J C Gosline
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Alice Soragni
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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3
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Williams KB, Larsson AT, Keller BJ, Chaney KE, Williams RL, Bhunia MM, Draper GM, Jubenville TA, Rathe SK, Moertel CL, Ratner N, Largaespada DA. Pharmacogenomic synthetic lethal screens reveal hidden vulnerabilities and new therapeutic approaches for treatment of NF1-associated tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.585959. [PMID: 38585724 PMCID: PMC10996510 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.585959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome, caused by heterozygous loss of function mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1. Individuals with NF1 develop benign tumors of the peripheral nervous system (neurofibromas), originating from the Schwann cell linage after somatic loss of the wild type NF1 allele, some of which progress further to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). There is only one FDA approved targeted therapy for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and none approved for MPNST. The genetic basis of NF1 syndrome makes associated tumors ideal for using synthetic drug sensitivity approaches to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities. We developed a drug discovery pipeline to identify therapeutics for NF1-related tumors using isogeneic pairs of NF1-proficient and deficient immortalized human Schwann cells. We utilized these in a large-scale high throughput screen (HTS) for drugs that preferentially kill NF1-deficient cells, through which we identified 23 compounds capable of killing NF1-deficient Schwann cells with selectivity. Multiple hits from this screen clustered into classes defined by method of action. Four clinically interesting drugs from these classes were tested in vivo using both a genetically engineered mouse model of high-grade peripheral nerve sheath tumors and human MPNST xenografts. All drugs tested showed single agent efficacy in these models as well as significant synergy when used in combination with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. This HTS platform yielded novel therapeutically relevant compounds for the treatment of NF1-associated tumors and can serve as a tool to rapidly evaluate new compounds and combinations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alex T Larsson
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Bryant J Keller
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Rory L Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Minu M Bhunia
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Garrett M Draper
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tyler A Jubenville
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sue K Rathe
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Christopher L Moertel
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - David A Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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4
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Mazuelas H, Magallón-Lorenz M, Uriarte-Arrazola I, Negro A, Rosas I, Blanco I, Castellanos E, Lázaro C, Gel B, Carrió M, Serra E. Unbalancing cAMP and Ras/MAPK pathways as a therapeutic strategy for cutaneous neurofibromas. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e168826. [PMID: 38175707 PMCID: PMC11143965 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168826] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs) are benign Schwann cell (SC) tumors arising from subepidermal glia. Individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may develop thousands of cNFs, which greatly affect their quality of life. cNF growth is driven by the proliferation of NF1-/- SCs and their interaction with the NF1+/- microenvironment. We analyzed the crosstalk between human cNF-derived SCs and fibroblasts (FBs), identifying an expression signature specific to the SC-FB interaction. We validated the secretion of proteins involved in immune cell migration, suggesting a role of SC-FB crosstalk in immune cell recruitment. The signature also captured components of developmental signaling pathways, including the cAMP elevator G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68). Activation of Gpr68 by ogerin in combination with the MEK inhibitor (MEKi) selumetinib reduced viability and induced differentiation and death of human cNF-derived primary SCs, a result corroborated using an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived 3D neurofibromasphere model. Similar results were obtained using other Gpr68 activators or cAMP analogs/adenylyl cyclase activators in combination with selumetinib. Interestingly, whereas primary SC cultures restarted their proliferation after treatment with selumetinib alone was stopped, the combination of ogerin-selumetinib elicited a permanent halt on SC expansion that persisted after drug removal. These results indicate that unbalancing the Ras and cAMP pathways by combining MEKi and cAMP elevators could be used as a potential treatment for cNFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Mazuelas
- Hereditary Cancer Group, Translational Cancer Research Program, and
| | | | | | - Alejandro Negro
- Clinical Genomics Research Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genetics Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inma Rosas
- Clinical Genomics Research Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genetics Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Blanco
- Clinical Genomics Research Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genetics Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Castellanos
- Clinical Genomics Research Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genetics Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Conxi Lázaro
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO-IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Spain
| | - Bernat Gel
- Hereditary Cancer Group, Translational Cancer Research Program, and
- Departament de Fonaments Clínics, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Carrió
- Hereditary Cancer Group, Translational Cancer Research Program, and
| | - Eduard Serra
- Hereditary Cancer Group, Translational Cancer Research Program, and
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Spain
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5
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Zamora PO, Altay G, Santamaria U, Dwarshuis N, Donthi H, Moon CI, Bakalar D, Zamora M. Drug Responses in Plexiform Neurofibroma Type I (PNF1) Cell Lines Using High-Throughput Data and Combined Effectiveness and Potency. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5811. [PMID: 38136356 PMCID: PMC10742026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245811] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by heterozygous germline NF1 gene mutations that predispose patients to developing plexiform neurofibromas, which are benign but often disfiguring tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath induced by loss of heterozygosity at the NF1 locus. These can progress to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). There are no approved drug treatments for adults with NF1-related inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, and only one drug (selumetinib), which is an FDA-approved targeted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic pediatric plexiform neurofibromas, highlighting the need for additional drug screening and development. In high-throughput screening, the effectiveness of drugs against cell lines is often assessed by measuring in vitro potency (AC50) or the area under the curve (AUC). However, the variability of dose-response curves across drugs and cell lines and the frequency of partial effectiveness suggest that these measures alone fail to provide a full picture of overall efficacy. Methods: Using concentration-response data, we combined response effectiveness (EFF) and potency (AC50) into (a) a score characterizing the effect of a compound on a single cell line, S = log[EFF/AC50], and (b) a relative score, ΔS, characterizing the relative difference between a reference (e.g., non-tumor) and test (tumor) cell line. ΔS was applied to data from high-throughput screening (HTS) of a drug panel tested on NF1-/- tumor cells, using immortalized non-tumor NF1+/- cells as a reference. Results: We identified drugs with sensitivity, targeting expected pathways, such as MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT, as well as serotonin-related targets, among others. The ΔS technique used here, in tandem with a supplemental ΔS web tool, simplifies HTS analysis and may provide a springboard for further investigations into drug response in NF1-related cancers. The tool may also prove useful for drug development in a variety of other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chang In Moon
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dana Bakalar
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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6
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Voigt E, Quelle DE. FOXM1, MEK, and CDK4/6: New Targets for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13596. [PMID: 37686402 PMCID: PMC10487994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713596] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are deadly sarcomas, which desperately need effective therapies. Half of all MPNSTs arise in patients with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), a common inherited disease. NF1 patients can develop benign lesions called plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs), often in adolescence, and over time, some PNFs, but not all, will transform into MPNSTs. A deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic alterations driving PNF-MPNST transformation will guide development of more targeted and effective treatments for these patients. This review focuses on an oncogenic transcription factor, FOXM1, which is a powerful oncogene in other cancers but little studied in MPNSTs. Elevated expression of FOXM1 was seen in patient MPNSTs and correlated with poor survival, but otherwise, its role in the disease is unknown. We discuss what is known about FOXM1 in MPNSTs relative to other cancers and how FOXM1 may be regulated by and/or regulate the most commonly altered players in MPNSTs, particularly in the MEK and CDK4/6 kinase pathways. We conclude by considering FOXM1, MEK, and CDK4/6 as new, clinically relevant targets for MPNST therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Voigt
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Dawn E. Quelle
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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7
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Staedtke V, Topilko P, Le LQ, Grimes K, Largaespada DA, Cagan RL, Steensma MR, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Blakeley JO, Rhodes SD, Ly I, Romo CG, Lee SY, Serra E. Existing and Developing Preclinical Models for Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Related Cutaneous Neurofibromas. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1378-1387. [PMID: 37330719 PMCID: PMC11246562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is caused by a nonfunctional copy of the NF1 tumor suppressor gene that predisposes patients to the development of cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs), the skin tumor that is the hallmark of this condition. Innumerable benign cNFs, each appearing by an independent somatic inactivation of the remaining functional NF1 allele, form in nearly all patients with NF1. One of the limitations in developing a treatment for cNFs is an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and limitations in experimental modeling. Recent advances in preclinical in vitro and in vivo modeling have substantially enhanced our understanding of cNF biology and created unprecedented opportunities for therapeutic discovery. We discuss the current state of cNF preclinical in vitro and in vivo model systems, including two- and three-dimensional cell cultures, organoids, genetically engineered mice, patient-derived xenografts, and porcine models. We highlight the models' relationship to human cNFs and how they can be used to gain insight into cNF development and therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Staedtke
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Piotr Topilko
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), Créteil, France
| | - Lu Q Le
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin Grimes
- SPARK Program in Translational Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David A Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ross L Cagan
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew R Steensma
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jaishri O Blakeley
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven D Rhodes
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ina Ly
- Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carlos G Romo
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sang Y Lee
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eduard Serra
- Hereditary Cancer Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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8
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Kastriti ME, Faure L, Von Ahsen D, Bouderlique TG, Boström J, Solovieva T, Jackson C, Bronner M, Meijer D, Hadjab S, Lallemend F, Erickson A, Kaucka M, Dyachuk V, Perlmann T, Lahti L, Krivanek J, Brunet J, Fried K, Adameyko I. Schwann cell precursors represent a neural crest-like state with biased multipotency. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108780. [PMID: 35815410 PMCID: PMC9434083 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) are nerve-associated progenitors that can generate myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells but also are multipotent like the neural crest cells from which they originate. SCPs are omnipresent along outgrowing peripheral nerves throughout the body of vertebrate embryos. By using single-cell transcriptomics to generate a gene expression atlas of the entire neural crest lineage, we show that early SCPs and late migratory crest cells have similar transcriptional profiles characterised by a multipotent "hub" state containing cells biased towards traditional neural crest fates. SCPs keep diverging from the neural crest after being primed towards terminal Schwann cells and other fates, with different subtypes residing in distinct anatomical locations. Functional experiments using CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function further show that knockout of the common "hub" gene Sox8 causes defects in neural crest-derived cells along peripheral nerves by facilitating differentiation of SCPs towards sympathoadrenal fates. Finally, specific tumour populations found in melanoma, neurofibroma and neuroblastoma map to different stages of SCP/Schwann cell development. Overall, SCPs resemble migrating neural crest cells that maintain multipotency and become transcriptionally primed towards distinct lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eleni Kastriti
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Louis Faure
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Dorothea Von Ahsen
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Johan Boström
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Tatiana Solovieva
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Cameron Jackson
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Marianne Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Dies Meijer
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Saida Hadjab
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Alek Erickson
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Marketa Kaucka
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
| | | | - Thomas Perlmann
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Laura Lahti
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Jan Krivanek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of MedicineMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Jean‐Francois Brunet
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), INSERM, CNRS, École Normale SupérieurePSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Kaj Fried
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University ViennaViennaAustria
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9
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Fernández-Rodríguez J, Creus-Bachiller E, Zhang X, Martínez-Iniesta M, Ortega-Bertran S, Guha R, Thomas CJ, Wallace MR, Romagosa C, Salazar-Huayna L, Reilly KM, Blakely JO, Serra-Musach J, Pujana MA, Serra E, Villanueva A, Ferrer M, Lázaro C. A High-Throughput Screening Platform Identifies Novel Combination Treatments for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:1246-1258. [PMID: 35511749 PMCID: PMC9256801 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0947] [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: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are soft-tissue sarcomas that are the leading cause of mortality in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Single chemotherapeutic agents have shown response rates ranging from 18% to 44% in clinical trials, so there is still a high medical need to identify chemotherapeutic combination treatments that improve clinical prognosis and outcome. We screened a collection of compounds from the NCATS Mechanism Interrogation PlatE (MIPE) library in three MPNST cell lines, using cell viability and apoptosis assays. We then tested whether compounds that were active as single agents were synergistic when screened as pairwise combinations. Synergistic combinations in vitro were further evaluated in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft/orthoxenograft (PDOX) athymic models engrafted with primary MPNST matching with their paired primary-derived cell line where synergism was observed. The high-throughput screening identified 21 synergistic combinations, from which four exhibited potent synergies in a broad panel of MPNST cell lines. One of the combinations, MK-1775 with Doxorubicin, significantly reduced tumor growth in a sporadic PDOX model (MPNST-SP-01; sevenfold) and in an NF1-PDOX model (MPNST-NF1-09; fourfold) and presented greater effects in TP53 mutated MPNST cell lines. The other three combinations, all involving Panobinostat (combined with NVP-BGT226, Torin 2, or Carfilzomib), did not reduce the tumor volume in vivo at noncytotoxic doses. Our results support the utility of our screening platform of in vitro and in vivo models to explore new therapeutic approaches for MPNSTs and identified that combination MK-1775 with Doxorubicin could be a good pharmacologic option for the treatment of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Edgar Creus-Bachiller
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Maria Martínez-Iniesta
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Procure Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Ortega-Bertran
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rajarshi Guha
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Craig J. Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Margaret R. Wallace
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cleofe Romagosa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain.,Department of Pathology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Karlyne M. Reilly
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jaishri O. Blakely
- Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP), Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordi Serra-Musach
- Procure Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Pujana
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Procure Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Serra
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain.,Hereditary Cancer Group. The Institute for Health Science Research Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP) - PMPPC; Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Procure Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Ferrer
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.,Correspondence:Conxi Lázaro, Ph.D. Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL and CIBERONC. Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain, Tel: (+34) 93 2607145, , Marc Ferrer, Ph.D. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, Tel: (240) 515-4118,
| | - Conxi Lázaro
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain,Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain.,Correspondence:Conxi Lázaro, Ph.D. Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL and CIBERONC. Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain, Tel: (+34) 93 2607145, , Marc Ferrer, Ph.D. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, Tel: (240) 515-4118,
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10
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Brown RM, Farouk Sait S, Dunn G, Sullivan A, Bruckert B, Sun D. Integrated Drug Mining Reveals Actionable Strategies Inhibiting Plexiform Neurofibromas. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060720. [PMID: 35741605 PMCID: PMC9221468 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetic tumor predisposition syndromes, affecting up to 1 in 2500 individuals. Up to half of patients with NF1 develop benign nerve sheath tumors called plexiform neurofibromas (PNs), characterized by biallelic NF1 loss. PNs can grow to immense sizes, cause extensive morbidity, and harbor a 15% lifetime risk of malignant transformation. Increasingly, molecular sequencing and drug screening data from various preclinical murine and human PN cell lines, murine models, and human PN tissues are available to help identify salient treatments for PNs. Despite this, Selumetinib, a MEK inhibitor, is the only currently FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for symptomatic and inoperable PNs in pediatric NF1 patients. The discovery of alternative and additional treatments has been hampered by the rarity of the disease, which makes prioritizing drugs to be tested in future clinical trials immensely important. Here, we propose a gene regulatory network-based integrated analysis to mine high-throughput cell line-based drug data combined with transcriptomes from resected human PN tumors. Conserved network modules were characterized and served as drug fingerprints reflecting the biological connections among drug effects and the inherent properties of PN cell lines and tissue. Drug candidates were ranked, and the therapeutic potential of drug combinations was evaluated via computational predication. Auspicious therapeutic agents and drug combinations were proposed for further investigation in preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Brown
- Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Sameer Farouk Sait
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Griffin Dunn
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; (G.D.); (A.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Alanna Sullivan
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; (G.D.); (A.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Benjamin Bruckert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; (G.D.); (A.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Daochun Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; (G.D.); (A.S.); (B.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cancer Center, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-414-955-8158
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11
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Amaravathi A, Oblinger JL, Welling DB, Kinghorn AD, Chang LS. Neurofibromatosis: Molecular Pathogenesis and Natural Compounds as Potential Treatments. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698192. [PMID: 34604034 PMCID: PMC8485038 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurofibromatosis syndromes, including NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis, are tumor suppressor syndromes characterized by multiple nervous system tumors, particularly Schwann cell neoplasms. NF-related tumors are mainly treated by surgery, and some of them have been treated by but are refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics alongside the development of multiple animal models have provided a better understanding of NF tumor biology and facilitated target identification and therapeutic evaluation. Many targeted therapies have been evaluated in preclinical models and patients with limited success. One major advance is the FDA approval of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib for the treatment of NF1-associated plexiform neurofibroma. Due to their anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, selected natural compounds could be useful as a primary therapy or as an adjuvant therapy prior to or following surgery and/or radiation for patients with tumor predisposition syndromes, as patients often take them as dietary supplements and for health enhancement purposes. Here we review the natural compounds that have been evaluated in NF models. Some have demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects and may become viable treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Amaravathi
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Janet L Oblinger
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - D Bradley Welling
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - A Douglas Kinghorn
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Long-Sheng Chang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
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12
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Chang LS, Oblinger JL, Smith AE, Ferrer M, Angus SP, Hawley E, Petrilli AM, Beauchamp RL, Riecken LB, Erdin S, Poi M, Huang J, Bessler WK, Zhang X, Guha R, Thomas C, Burns SS, Gilbert TSK, Jiang L, Li X, Lu Q, Yuan J, He Y, Dixon SAH, Masters A, Jones DR, Yates CW, Haggarty SJ, La Rosa S, Welling DB, Stemmer-Rachamimov AO, Plotkin SR, Gusella JF, Guinney J, Morrison H, Ramesh V, Fernandez-Valle C, Johnson GL, Blakeley JO, Clapp DW. Brigatinib causes tumor shrinkage in both NF2-deficient meningioma and schwannoma through inhibition of multiple tyrosine kinases but not ALK. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252048. [PMID: 34264955 PMCID: PMC8282008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome caused by mutations in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene resulting in multiple schwannomas and meningiomas. There are no FDA approved therapies for these tumors and their relentless progression results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Through a combination of high throughput screens, preclinical in vivo modeling, and evaluation of the kinome en masse, we identified actionable drug targets and efficacious experimental therapeutics for the treatment of NF2 related schwannomas and meningiomas. These efforts identified brigatinib (ALUNBRIG®), an FDA-approved inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases including ALK, to be a potent inhibitor of tumor growth in established NF2 deficient xenograft meningiomas and a genetically engineered murine model of spontaneous NF2 schwannomas. Surprisingly, neither meningioma nor schwannoma cells express ALK. Instead, we demonstrate that brigatinib inhibited multiple tyrosine kinases, including EphA2, Fer and focal adhesion kinase 1 (FAK1). These data demonstrate the power of the de novo unbiased approach for drug discovery and represents a major step forward in the advancement of therapeutics for the treatment of NF2 related malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Sheng Chang
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Janet L. Oblinger
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Abbi E. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Marc Ferrer
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven P. Angus
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Eric Hawley
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Alejandra M. Petrilli
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona-Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Roberta L. Beauchamp
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Neurology, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Serkan Erdin
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Neurology, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ming Poi
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jie Huang
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Waylan K. Bessler
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rajarshi Guha
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Craig Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sarah S. Burns
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Thomas S. K. Gilbert
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Qingbo Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jin Yuan
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Yongzheng He
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shelley A. H. Dixon
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Andrea Masters
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David R. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Charles W. Yates
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head/Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Neurology, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Salvatore La Rosa
- Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - D. Bradley Welling
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anat O. Stemmer-Rachamimov
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Scott R. Plotkin
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Neurology, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James F. Gusella
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Justin Guinney
- Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute on Aging–Fritz-Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Neurology, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Cristina Fernandez-Valle
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona-Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Gary L. Johnson
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jaishri O. Blakeley
- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - D. Wade Clapp
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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13
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Greenberg AL, Choi WT, Shaked O, Lee AT, Berrahou IK, Jacques LG, Lebares CC. Appendiceal neurofibroma in a patient with neurofibromatosis 1 and recurrent abdominal infections from ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a case report. J Surg Case Rep 2021; 2021:rjab115. [PMID: 33898000 PMCID: PMC8055177 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjab115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Appendiceal neurofibromas are exceedingly rare, with neither experimental nor observational data to support evidence-based diagnosis or treatment. We describe the case of a 52-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) complicated by aqueductal stenosis and resultant hydrocephalus needing a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). She presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and was found to have abnormalities in the right hemiabdomen on cross-section imaging, also a Staphylococcus epidermidis growth at the distal portion of the VPS. She was initially treated with two rounds of intravenous antibiotics and VPS removal without improvement. She ultimately underwent an appendectomy, which revealed pathologic evidence of NF. The appendectomy was key to ruling out malignancy, addressing further symptoms and preventing future malignant transformation. This case highlights the importance of including appendiceal neurofibromas in the differential diagnoses of abdominal pain in patients with NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya L Greenberg
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Won-Tak Choi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oren Shaked
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anthony T Lee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Iman K Berrahou
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Line G Jacques
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carter C Lebares
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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14
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Tritz R, Benson T, Harris V, Hudson FZ, Mintz J, Zhang H, Kennard S, Chen W, Stepp DW, Csanyi G, Belin de Chantemèle EJ, Weintraub NL, Stansfield BK. Nf1 heterozygous mice recapitulate the anthropometric and metabolic features of human neurofibromatosis type 1. Transl Res 2021; 228:52-63. [PMID: 32781282 PMCID: PMC7779711 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a heritable cancer predisposition syndrome resulting from mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Genotype-phenotype correlations for NF1 are rare due to the large number of NF1 mutations and role of modifier genes in manifestations of NF1; however, emerging reports suggest that persons with NF1 display a distinct anthropometric and metabolic phenotype featuring short stature, low body mass index, increased insulin sensitivity, and protection from diabetes. Nf1 heterozygous (Nf1+/-) mice accurately reflect the dominant inheritance of NF1 and are regularly employed as a model of NF1. Here, we sought to identify whether Nf1+/- mice recapitulate the anthropometric and metabolic features identified in persons with NF1. Littermate 16-20 week-old male wildtype (WT) and Nf1+/- C57B/6J mice underwent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), indirect calorimetry, and glucose/insulin/pyruvate tolerance testing. In some experiments, tissues were harvested for NMR and histologic characterization. Nf1+/- mice are leaner with significantly reduced visceral and subcutaneous fat mass, which corresponds with an increased density of small adipocytes and reduced leptin levels. Additionally, Nf1+/- mice are highly reliant on carbohydrates as an energy substrate and display increased glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity, but normal response to pyruvate suggesting enhanced glucose utilization and preserved gluconeogenesis. Finally, WT and Nf1+/- mice subjected to high glucose diet were protected from diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. Our data suggest that Nf1+/- mice closely recapitulate the anthropometric and metabolic phenotype identified in persons with NF1, which will impact the interpretation of previous and future translational studies of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Tritz
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Tyler Benson
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Valerie Harris
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Farlyn Z Hudson
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - James Mintz
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Hanfang Zhang
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Simone Kennard
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Weiqin Chen
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - David W Stepp
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Gabor Csanyi
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Eric J Belin de Chantemèle
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Neal L Weintraub
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Brian K Stansfield
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.
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15
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Pollard K, Banerjee J, Doan X, Wang J, Guo X, Allaway R, Langmead S, Slobogean B, Meyer CF, Loeb DM, Morris CD, Belzberg AJ, Blakeley JO, Rodriguez FJ, Guinney J, Gosline SJC, Pratilas CA. A clinically and genomically annotated nerve sheath tumor biospecimen repository. Sci Data 2020; 7:184. [PMID: 32561749 PMCID: PMC7305302 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-0508-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve sheath tumors occur as a heterogeneous group of neoplasms in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The malignant form represents the most common cause of death in people with NF1, and even when benign, these tumors can result in significant disfigurement, neurologic dysfunction, and a range of profound symptoms. Lack of human tissue across the peripheral nerve tumors common in NF1 has been a major limitation in the development of new therapies. To address this unmet need, we have created an annotated collection of patient tumor samples, patient-derived cell lines, and patient-derived xenografts, and carried out high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic characterization to serve as a resource for further biologic and preclinical therapeutic studies. In this work, we release genomic and transcriptomic datasets comprised of 55 tumor samples derived from 23 individuals, complete with clinical annotation. All data are publicly available through the NF Data Portal and at http://synapse.org/jhubiobank. Measurement(s) | gene expression • gene_variant | Technology Type(s) | RNA sequencing • exome sequencing • DNA sequencing | Factor Type(s) | tumor type | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Homo sapiens • Homo sapiens/Mus musculus xenograft |
Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12037599
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Pollard
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Jiawan Wang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Shannon Langmead
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bronwyn Slobogean
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Christian F Meyer
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - David M Loeb
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Carol D Morris
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Allan J Belzberg
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Jaishri O Blakeley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Fausto J Rodriguez
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Christine A Pratilas
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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Williams KB, Largaespada DA. New Model Systems and the Development of Targeted Therapies for the Treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E477. [PMID: 32353955 PMCID: PMC7290716 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder and cancer predisposition syndrome (1:3000 births) caused by mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1. NF1 encodes neurofibromin, a negative regulator of the Ras signaling pathway. Individuals with NF1 often develop benign tumors of the peripheral nervous system (neurofibromas), originating from the Schwann cell linage, some of which progress further to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Treatment options for neurofibromas and MPNSTs are extremely limited, relying largely on surgical resection and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Identification of novel therapeutic targets in both benign neurofibromas and MPNSTs is critical for improved patient outcomes and quality of life. Recent clinical trials conducted in patients with NF1 for the treatment of symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas using inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) have shown very promising results. However, MEK inhibitors do not work in all patients and have significant side effects. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests single agent use of MEK inhibitors for MPNST treatment will fail. Here, we describe the preclinical efforts that led to the identification of MEK inhibitors as promising therapeutics for the treatment of NF1-related neoplasia and possible reasons they lack single agent efficacy in the treatment of MPNSTs. In addition, we describe work to find targets other than MEK for treatment of MPNST. These have come from studies of RAS biochemistry, in vitro drug screening, forward genetic screens for Schwann cell tumors, and synthetic lethal screens in cells with oncogenic RAS gene mutations. Lastly, we discuss new approaches to exploit drug screening and synthetic lethality with NF1 loss of function mutations in human Schwann cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B. Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David A. Largaespada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review summarizes recent advances on three important issues in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) management: the identification of specific NF1 gene mutations predicting the risk for developing neurological malignancies; the molecular features of NF1-associated tumors and their differences from sporadic neoplasms; genetic, epigenetic, or microenviromental factors leading benign tumors to a malignant transformation in NF1. RECENT FINDINGS The association between the risk of developing optic pathway glioma and specific germiline NF1 mutations is still debated and further studies are needed with large, new cohorts of patients. The available evidences suggest that gliomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in NF1 have a distinct genetic signatures, different from those observed in sporadic neoplasms. Some neoplasms, very rare in general population, such as subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, can be observed in NF1. A subgroup of low-grade NF1-gliomas, some MPNSTs and plexiform neurofibromas contain abundant T lymphocyte infiltrates suggesting that immunotherapy could be a potential therapeutic approach. SUMMARY These data support the notion that next-generation sequencing efforts are helpful in the genetic characterization of NF1-associated malignancies A better knowledge of those tumors at the genomic level, is essential for addressing new treatments and may contribute to a deeper comprehension of NF1/RAS signaling also in sporadic cancers.
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Terribas E, Fernández M, Mazuelas H, Fernández-Rodríguez J, Biayna J, Blanco I, Bernal G, Ramos-Oliver I, Thomas C, Guha R, Zhang X, Gel B, Romagosa C, Ferrer M, Lázaro C, Serra E. KIF11 and KIF15 mitotic kinesins are potential therapeutic vulnerabilities for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:i62-i74. [PMID: 32642733 PMCID: PMC7317059 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdz061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) constitutes the leading cause of neurofibromatosis type 1–related mortality. MPNSTs contain highly rearranged hyperploid genomes and exhibit a high division rate and aggressiveness. We have studied in vitro whether the mitotic kinesins KIF11, KIF15, and KIF23 have a functional role in maintaining MPNST cell survival and can represent potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Methods We studied the expression of kinesin mRNAs and proteins in tumors and cell lines and used several in vitro functional assays to analyze the impact of kinesin genetic suppression (KIF15, KIF23) and drug inhibition (KIF11) in MPNST cells. We also performed in vitro combined treatments targeting KIF11 together with other described MPNST targets. Results The studied kinesins were overexpressed in MPNST samples. KIF15 and KIF23 were required for the survival of MPNST cell lines, which were also more sensitive than benign control fibroblasts to the KIF11 inhibitors ispinesib and ARRY-520. Co-targeting KIF11 and BRD4 with ARRY-520 and JQ1 reduced MPNST cell viability, synergistically killing a much higher proportion of MPNST cells than control fibroblasts. In addition, genetic suppression of KIF15 conferred an increased sensitivity to KIF11 inhibitors alone or in combination with JQ1. Conclusions The mitotic spindle kinesins KIF11 and KIF15 and the cytokinetic kinesin KIF23 play a clear role in maintaining MPNST cell survival and may represent potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Although further in vivo evidences are still mandatory, we propose a simultaneous suppression of KIF11, KIF15, and BRD4 as a potential therapy for MPNSTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Terribas
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en RED (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Fernández
- Cytometry Core Facility, Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helena Mazuelas
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO-IDIBELL-ONCOBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Biayna
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Blanco
- Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program, Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Bernal
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irma Ramos-Oliver
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Craig Thomas
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Chemical Genomics Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rajiv Guha
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Chemical Genomics Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Chemical Genomics Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernat Gel
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cleofé Romagosa
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en RED (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Ferrer
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Chemical Genomics Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Conxi Lázaro
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO-IDIBELL-ONCOBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en RED (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Serra
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias & Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en RED (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Engaging a community to enable disease-centric data sharing with the NF Data Portal. Sci Data 2019; 6:319. [PMID: 31836719 PMCID: PMC6910996 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant challenge facing rare disease communities is finding a sufficient quantity and variety of data to develop and test disease-specific hypotheses. Here we describe an approach to data sharing in which stakeholders from the neurofibromatosis (NF) research community collaborated to develop a disease-focused data portal with the goal of supporting scientists within and outside the community as well as clinicians and patient advocates.
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