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Zhao B, Yang J, Ran F, Shi Y, Yang L, Duan Y, Shi Z, Li X, Zhang J, Li Z, Wang J. CircBIRC6 affects prostate cancer progression by regulating miR-574-5p and DNAJB1. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2399363. [PMID: 39258752 PMCID: PMC11404571 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2399363] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the three main types of cancer. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is routinely tested, it has disadvantages, such as poor prognostic ability. Therefore, finding more PCa markers and therapeutic targets remains a subject of study. CircRNAs have been found to have regulatory roles in various diseases, such as diabetes, Central Nervous System (CNS) neuropathy, etc. where their application in cancer is even more valuable. Therefore, this paper aims to search for differentially expressed circRNAs in PCa and find downstream targeting pathways related to autophagy. METHOD By detecting the expression of circRNA in the samples, hsa_circ_0119816 was finally identified as the research target. The properties of circRNA were verified by RNase R, actinomycin D, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The downstream target miRNAs and target proteins were predicted by an online database, and the targeting relationship was verified using dual luciferase and RNA Immunoprecipitation. The effects of circRNAs and their downstream signalling pathways on prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, EMT and autophagy were examined by CCK-8, Transwell, immunofluorescence and Western blotting. RESULTS CircBIRC6 is highly expressed in prostate cancer samples. Knockdown of its expression inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, EMT and autophagy and promotes apoptosis. CircBIRC6/miRNA-574-5p/DNAJB1 is a molecular axis that regulates prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Jinye Yang
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Fengming Ran
- Department of Pathology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Yuanlong Shi
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Libo Yang
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Yuanpeng Duan
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Zhiyu Shi
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Jianpeng Zhang
- Department of Urology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Zhiyao Li
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Kunming, China
| | - Jiansong Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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2
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Whittaker MK, Bendzunas GN, Shirani M, LeClair TJ, Shebl B, Dill TC, Coffino P, Simon SM, Kennedy EJ. Targeted Degradation of Protein Kinase A via a Stapled Peptide PROTAC. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1888-1895. [PMID: 39137166 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are bifunctional molecules that bind and recruit an E3 ubiquitin ligase to a targeted protein of interest, often through the utilization of a small molecule inhibitor. To expand the possible range of kinase targets that can be degraded by PROTACs, we sought to develop a PROTAC utilizing a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide as the targeting agent to bind the surface of a target protein of interest. In this study, we describe the development of a proteolysis-targeting chimera, dubbed Stapled Inhibitor Peptide - PROTAC or StIP-TAC, linking a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide with an E3 ligase ligand for targeted degradation of Protein Kinase A (PKA). This StIP-TAC molecule stimulated E3-mediated protein degradation of PKA, and this effect could be reversed by the addition of the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132. Further, StIP-TAC treatment led to a significant reduction in PKA substrate phosphorylation. Since many protein targets of interest lack structural features that make them amenable to small molecule targeting, development of StIP-TACs may broaden the potential range of protein targets using a PROTAC-mediated proteasomal degradation approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Whittaker
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - George N Bendzunas
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Mahsa Shirani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Timothy J LeClair
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Taylor C Dill
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Eileen J Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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3
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Long D, Chan M, Han M, Kamdar Z, Ma RK, Tsai PY, Francisco AB, Barrow J, Shackelford DB, Yarchoan M, McBride MJ, Orre LM, Vacanti NM, Gujral TS, Sethupathy P. Proteo-metabolomics and patient tumor slice experiments point to amino acid centrality for rewired mitochondria in fibrolamellar carcinoma. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101699. [PMID: 39208801 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101699] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare, lethal, early-onset liver cancer with a critical need for new therapeutics. The primary driver in FLC is the fusion oncoprotein, DNAJ-PKAc, which remains challenging to target therapeutically. It is critical, therefore, to expand understanding of the FLC molecular landscape to identify druggable pathways/targets. Here, we perform the most comprehensive integrative proteo-metabolomic analysis of FLC. We also conduct nutrient manipulation, respirometry analyses, as well as key loss-of-function assays in FLC tumor tissue slices from patients. We propose a model of cellular energetics in FLC pointing to proline anabolism being mediated by ornithine aminotransferase hyperactivity and ornithine transcarbamylase hypoactivity with serine and glutamine catabolism fueling the process. We highlight FLC's potential dependency on voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), a mitochondrial gatekeeper for anions including pyruvate. The metabolic rewiring in FLC that we propose in our model, with an emphasis on mitochondria, can be exploited for therapeutic vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Long
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Marina Chan
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mingqi Han
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zeal Kamdar
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rosanna K Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Pei-Yin Tsai
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Adam B Francisco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Joeva Barrow
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Mark Yarchoan
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew J McBride
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Lukas M Orre
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SciLifeLab, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Taranjit S Gujral
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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4
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Shirani M, Levin S, Shebl B, Requena D, Finkelstein TM, Johnson DS, Ng D, Lalazar G, Heissel S, Hojrup P, Molina H, de Jong YP, Rice CM, Singhi AD, Torbenson MS, Coffino P, Lyons B, Simon SM. Increased Protein Kinase A Activity Induces Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma Features Independent of DNAJB1. Cancer Res 2024; 84:2626-2644. [PMID: 38888469 PMCID: PMC11325150 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-4110] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer that is driven by the fusion of DNAJB1 and PRKACA, the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA). PKA activity is controlled through regulatory proteins that both inhibit catalytic activity and control localization, and an excess of regulatory subunits ensures PRKACA activity is inhibited. Here, we found an increase in the ratio of catalytic to regulatory units in FLC patient tumors driven by DNAJB1::PRKACA using mass spectrometry, biochemistry, and immunofluorescence, with increased nuclear localization of the kinase. Overexpression of DNAJB1::PRKACA, ATP1B1::PRKACA, or PRKACA, but not catalytically inactive kinase, caused similar transcriptomic changes in primary human hepatocytes, recapitulating the changes observed in FLC. Consistently, tumors in patients missing a regulatory subunit or harboring an ATP1B1::PRKACA fusion were indistinguishable from FLC based on the histopathological, transcriptomic, and drug-response profiles. Together, these findings indicate that the DNAJB1 domain of DNAJB1::PRKACA is not required for FLC. Instead, changes in PKA activity and localization determine the FLC phenotype. Significance: Alterations leading to unconstrained protein kinase A signaling, regardless of the presence or absence of PRKACA fusions, drive the phenotypes of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, reshaping understanding of the pathogenesis of this rare liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Shirani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Solomon Levin
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - David Requena
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Tova M. Finkelstein
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Daniel S. Johnson
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Gadi Lalazar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Søren Heissel
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Peter Hojrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Henrik Molina
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Ype P. de Jong
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Aatur D. Singhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | | | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - Barbara Lyons
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
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5
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Lee G, Muir TW. Distinct phases of cellular signaling revealed by time-resolved protein synthesis. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01677-3. [PMID: 38977789 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01677-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The post-translational regulation of protein function is involved in most cellular processes. As such, synthetic biology tools that operate at this level provide opportunities for manipulating cellular states. Here we deploy proximity-triggered protein trans-splicing technology to enable the time-resolved synthesis of target proteins from premade parts. The modularity of the strategy allows for the addition or removal of various control elements as a function of the splicing reaction, in the process permitting the cellular location and/or activity state of starting materials and products to be differentiated. The approach is applied to a diverse set of proteins, including the kinase oncofusions breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) and DNAJ-PKAc where dynamic cellular phosphorylation events are dissected, revealing distinct phases of signaling and identifying molecular players connecting the oncofusion to cancer transformation as new therapeutic targets of cancer cells. We envision that the tools and control strategies developed herein will allow the activity of both naturally occurring and designer proteins to be harnessed for basic and applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Tom W Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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6
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Liu Y, Wang B, Cheng Y, Fang Y, Hou Y, Mao Y, Wu X, Jiang D, He Y, Jin C. ASIC1 promotes migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma via the PRKACA/AP-1 signaling pathway. Carcinogenesis 2024; 45:399-408. [PMID: 38306794 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgae008] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits a high mortality rate due to its high invasion and metastatic nature, and the acidic microenvironment plays a pivotal role. Acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) is upregulated in HCC tissues and facilitates tumor progression in a pH-dependent manner, while the specific mechanisms therein remain currently unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which ASIC1 contributes to the development of HCC. Using bioinformatics analysis, we found a significant association between ASIC1 expression and malignant transformation of HCC, such as poor prognosis, metastasis and recurrence. Specifically, ASIC1 enhanced the migration and invasion capabilities of Li-7 cells in the in vivo experiment using an HCC lung metastasis mouse model, as well as in the in vitro experiments such as wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Furthermore, our comprehensive gene chip and molecular biology experiments revealed that ASIC1 promoted HCC migration and invasion by activating the PRKACA/AP-1 signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that targeting ASIC1 could have therapeutic potential for inhibiting HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Boshi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yipeng Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Yingjian Hou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Yong Mao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Xiaomin Wu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Donglin Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Youzhao He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214041, China
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7
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Sánchez Rivera FJ, Dow LE. How CRISPR Is Revolutionizing the Generation of New Models for Cancer Research. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041384. [PMID: 37487630 PMCID: PMC11065179 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041384] [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] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Cancers arise through acquisition of mutations in genes that regulate core biological processes like cell proliferation and cell death. Decades of cancer research have led to the identification of genes and mutations causally involved in disease development and evolution, yet defining their precise function across different cancer types and how they influence therapy responses has been challenging. Mouse models have helped define the in vivo function of cancer-associated alterations, and genome-editing approaches using CRISPR have dramatically accelerated the pace at which these models are developed and studied. Here, we highlight how CRISPR technologies have impacted the development and use of mouse models for cancer research and discuss the many ways in which these rapidly evolving platforms will continue to transform our understanding of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Sánchez Rivera
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, USA
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8
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Murphy KC, Ruscetti M. Advances in Making Cancer Mouse Models More Accessible and Informative through Non-Germline Genetic Engineering. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041348. [PMID: 37277206 PMCID: PMC10982712 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) allow for modeling of spontaneous tumorigenesis within its native microenvironment in mice and have provided invaluable insights into mechanisms of tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies to treat human disease. However, as their generation requires germline manipulation and extensive animal breeding that is time-, labor-, and cost-intensive, traditional GEMMs are not accessible to most researchers, and fail to model the full breadth of cancer-associated genetic alterations and therapeutic targets. Recent advances in genome-editing technologies and their implementation in somatic tissues of mice have ushered in a new class of mouse models: non-germline GEMMs (nGEMMs). nGEMM approaches can be leveraged to generate somatic tumors de novo harboring virtually any individual or group of genetic alterations found in human cancer in a mouse through simple procedures that do not require breeding, greatly increasing the accessibility and speed and scale on which GEMMs can be produced. Here we describe the technologies and delivery systems used to create nGEMMs and highlight new biological insights derived from these models that have rapidly informed functional cancer genomics, precision medicine, and immune oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C Murphy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Marcus Ruscetti
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA;
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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9
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Hackenbruch C, Bauer J, Heitmann JS, Maringer Y, Nelde A, Denk M, Zieschang L, Kammer C, Federmann B, Jung S, Martus P, Malek NP, Nikolaou K, Salih HR, Bitzer M, Walz JS. FusionVAC22_01: a phase I clinical trial evaluating a DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript-based peptide vaccine combined with immune checkpoint inhibition for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma and other tumor entities carrying the oncogenic driver fusion. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1367450. [PMID: 38606105 PMCID: PMC11007196 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1367450] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript was identified as the oncogenic driver of tumor pathogenesis in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC), also known as fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), as well as in other tumor entities, thus representing a broad target for novel treatment in multiple cancer entities. FL-HCC is a rare primary liver tumor with a 5-year survival rate of only 45%, which typically affects young patients with no underlying primary liver disease. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment option if no metastases are present at diagnosis. There is no standard of care for systemic therapy. Peptide-based vaccines represent a low side-effect approach relying on specific immune recognition of tumor-associated human leucocyte antigen (HLA) presented peptides. The induction (priming) of tumor-specific T-cell responses against neoepitopes derived from gene fusion transcripts by peptide-vaccination combined with expansion of the immune response and optimization of immune function within the tumor microenvironment achieved by immune-checkpoint-inhibition (ICI) has the potential to improve response rates and durability of responses in malignant diseases. The phase I clinical trial FusionVAC22_01 will enroll patients with FL-HCC or other cancer entities carrying the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript that are locally advanced or metastatic. Two doses of the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion-based neoepitope vaccine Fusion-VAC-XS15 will be applied subcutaneously (s.c.) with a 4-week interval in combination with the anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody atezolizumab starting at day 15 after the first vaccination. Anti-PD-L1 will be applied every 4 weeks until end of the 54-week treatment phase or until disease progression or other reason for study termination. Thereafter, patients will enter a 6 months follow-up period. The clinical trial reported here was approved by the Ethics Committee II of the University of Heidelberg (Medical faculty of Mannheim) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (P-00540). Clinical trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration numbers EU CT Number: 2022-502869-17-01 and ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05937295).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hackenbruch
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jens Bauer
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S. Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yacine Maringer
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Denk
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lisa Zieschang
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christine Kammer
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Federmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Jung
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Martus
- Institute for Medical Biometrics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nisar P. Malek
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- The M3 Research Institute, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Konstantin Nikolaou
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Bitzer
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S. Walz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, Institute of Immunology, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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10
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Kirk AM, Crawford JC, Chou CH, Guy C, Pandey K, Kozlik T, Shah RK, Chung S, Nguyen P, Zhang X, Wang J, Bell M, Mettelman RC, Allen EK, Pogorelyy MV, Kim H, Minervina AA, Awad W, Bajracharya R, White T, Long D, Gordon B, Morrison M, Glazer ES, Murphy AJ, Jiang Y, Fitzpatrick EA, Yarchoan M, Sethupathy P, Croft NP, Purcell AW, Federico SM, Stewart E, Gottschalk S, Zamora AE, DeRenzo C, Strome SE, Thomas PG. DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion neoantigens elicit rare endogenous T cell responses that potentiate cell therapy for fibrolamellar carcinoma. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101469. [PMID: 38508137 PMCID: PMC10983114 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101469] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a liver tumor with a high mortality burden and few treatment options. A promising therapeutic vulnerability in FLC is its driver mutation, a conserved DNAJB1-PRKACA gene fusion that could be an ideal target neoantigen for immunotherapy. In this study, we aim to define endogenous CD8 T cell responses to this fusion in FLC patients and evaluate fusion-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) for use in cellular immunotherapies. We observe that fusion-specific CD8 T cells are rare and that FLC patient TCR repertoires lack large clusters of related TCR sequences characteristic of potent antigen-specific responses, potentially explaining why endogenous immune responses are insufficient to clear FLC tumors. Nevertheless, we define two functional fusion-specific TCRs, one of which has strong anti-tumor activity in vivo. Together, our results provide insights into the fragmented nature of neoantigen-specific repertoires in humans and indicate routes for clinical development of successful immunotherapies for FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Kirk
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jeremy Chase Crawford
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ching-Heng Chou
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Cliff Guy
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kirti Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tanya Kozlik
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ravi K Shah
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Shanzou Chung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Phuong Nguyen
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Matthew Bell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Robert C Mettelman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - E Kaitlynn Allen
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mikhail V Pogorelyy
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hyunjin Kim
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Anastasia A Minervina
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Walid Awad
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Resha Bajracharya
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Toni White
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Donald Long
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Brittney Gordon
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michelle Morrison
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Evan S Glazer
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yixing Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Fitzpatrick
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Nathan P Croft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sara M Federico
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stewart
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Anthony E Zamora
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Scott E Strome
- College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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11
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Daniel SK, Sullivan KM, Dickerson LK, van den Bijgaart RJE, Utria AF, Labadie KP, Kenerson HL, Jiang X, Smythe KS, Campbell JS, Pierce RH, Kim TS, Riehle KJ, Yeung RS, Carter JA, Barry KC, Pillarisetty VG. Reversing immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment of fibrolamellar carcinoma via PD-1 and IL-10 blockade. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5109. [PMID: 38429349 PMCID: PMC10907637 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55593-6] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver tumor driven by the DNAJ-PKAc fusion protein that affects healthy young patients. Little is known about the immune response to FLC, limiting rational design of immunotherapy. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and gene expression profiling were performed to characterize the FLC tumor immune microenvironment and adjacent non-tumor liver (NTL). Flow cytometry and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing were performed to determine the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the extent of T cell clonal expansion. Fresh human FLC tumor slice cultures (TSCs) were treated with antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), with results measured by cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. Immune cells were concentrated in fibrous stromal bands, rather than in the carcinoma cell compartment. In FLC, T cells demonstrated decreased activation and regulatory T cells in FLC had more frequent expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 than in NTL. Furthermore, T cells had relatively low levels of clonal expansion despite high TCR conservation across individuals. Combination PD-1 and IL-10 blockade signficantly increased cell death in human FLC TSCs. Immunosuppresion in the FLC tumor microenvironment is characterized by T cell exclusion and exhaustion, which may be reversible with combination immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Daniel
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - K M Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - L K Dickerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - R J E van den Bijgaart
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - A F Utria
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - K P Labadie
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - H L Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - X Jiang
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - K S Smythe
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J S Campbell
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - R H Pierce
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - T S Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - K J Riehle
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - R S Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - J A Carter
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - K C Barry
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - V G Pillarisetty
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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12
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Xu SM, Cheng Y, Fisher H, Janitz M. Recent advances in the investigation of fusion RNAs and their role in molecular pathology of cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 168:106529. [PMID: 38246262 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Gene fusions have had a significant role in the development of various types of cancer, oftentimes involved in oncogenic activities through dysregulation of gene expression or signalling pathways. Some cancer-associated chromosomal translocations can undergo backsplicing, resulting in fusion-circular RNAs, a more stable isoform immune to RNase degradation. This stability makes fusion circular RNAs a promising diagnostic biomarker for cancer. While the detection of linear fusion RNAs and their function in certain cancers have been described in literature, fusion circular RNAs lag behind due to their low abundance in cancer cells. This review highlights current literature on the role of linear and circular fusion transcripts in cancer, tools currently available for detecting of these chimeric RNAs and their function and how they play a role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Mei Xu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuning Cheng
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Harry Fisher
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Janitz
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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13
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Ma RK, Tsai PY, Farghli AR, Shumway A, Kanke M, Gordan JD, Gujral TS, Vakili K, Nukaya M, Noetzli L, Ronnekleiv-Kelly S, Broom W, Barrow J, Sethupathy P. DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion protein-regulated LINC00473 promotes tumor growth and alters mitochondrial fitness in fibrolamellar carcinoma. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011216. [PMID: 38512964 PMCID: PMC11020935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011216] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer that disproportionately affects adolescents and young adults. Currently, no standard of care is available and there remains a dire need for new therapeutics. Most patients harbor the fusion oncogene DNAJB1-PRKACA (DP fusion), but clinical inhibitors are not yet developed and it is critical to identify downstream mediators of FLC pathogenesis. Here, we identify long noncoding RNA LINC00473 among the most highly upregulated genes in FLC tumors and determine that it is strongly suppressed by RNAi-mediated inhibition of the DP fusion in FLC tumor epithelial cells. We show by loss- and gain-of-function studies that LINC00473 suppresses apoptosis, increases the expression of FLC marker genes, and promotes FLC growth in cell-based and in vivo disease models. Mechanistically, LINC00473 plays an important role in promoting glycolysis and altering mitochondrial activity. Specifically, LINC00473 knockdown leads to increased spare respiratory capacity, which indicates mitochondrial fitness. Overall, we propose that LINC00473 could be a viable target for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna K. Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Pei-Yin Tsai
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Alaa R. Farghli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexandria Shumway
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Matt Kanke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - John D. Gordan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Taranjit S. Gujral
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Khashayar Vakili
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Manabu Nukaya
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Leila Noetzli
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Wendy Broom
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joeva Barrow
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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14
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Lauer SM, Omar MH, Golkowski MG, Kenerson HL, Lee KS, Pascual BC, Lim HC, Forbush K, Smith FD, Gordan JD, Ong SE, Yeung RS, Scott JD. Recruitment of BAG2 to DNAJ-PKAc scaffolds promotes cell survival and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis in fibrolamellar carcinoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113678. [PMID: 38236773 PMCID: PMC10964278 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113678] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNAJ-PKAc fusion kinase is a defining feature of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). FLC tumors are notoriously resistant to standard chemotherapies, with aberrant kinase activity assumed to be a contributing factor. By combining proximity proteomics, biochemical analyses, and live-cell photoactivation microscopy, we demonstrate that DNAJ-PKAc is not constrained by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Consequently, the fusion kinase phosphorylates a unique array of substrates, including proteins involved in translation and the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2-associated athanogene 2 (BAG2), a co-chaperone recruited to the fusion kinase through association with Hsp70. Tissue samples from patients with FLC exhibit increased levels of BAG2 in primary and metastatic tumors. Furthermore, drug studies implicate the DNAJ-PKAc/Hsp70/BAG2 axis in potentiating chemotherapeutic resistance. We find that the Bcl-2 inhibitor navitoclax enhances sensitivity to etoposide-induced apoptosis in cells expressing DNAJ-PKAc. Thus, our work indicates BAG2 as a marker for advanced FLC and a chemotherapeutic resistance factor in DNAJ-PKAc signaling scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M Lauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mitchell H Omar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Martin G Golkowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Heidi L Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kyung-Soon Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bryan C Pascual
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Huat C Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Katherine Forbush
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - F Donelson Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John D Gordan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shao-En Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Raymond S Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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15
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Neumayer C, Ng D, Requena D, Jiang CS, Qureshi A, Vaughan R, Prakash TP, Revenko A, Simon SM. GalNAc-conjugated siRNA targeting the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion junction in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Ther 2024; 32:140-151. [PMID: 37980543 PMCID: PMC10787139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.11.012] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer caused by a dominant recurrent fusion of the heat shock protein (DNAJB1) and the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PRKACA). Current therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation have limited efficacy, and new treatment options are needed urgently. We have previously shown that FLC tumors are dependent on the fusion kinase DNAJB1::PRKACA, making the oncokinase an ideal drug target. mRNA degrading modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) provide an opportunity to specifically target the fusion junction. Here, we identify a potent and specific siRNA that inhibits DNAJB1::PRKACA expression. We found expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in FLC to be maintained at sufficient levels to effectively deliver siRNA conjugated to the GalNAc ligand. We observe productive uptake and siRNA activity in FLC patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of DNAJB1::PRKACA results in durable growth inhibition of FLC PDX in vivo with no detectable toxicities. Our results suggest that this approach could be a treatment option for FLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Neumayer
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Requena
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline S Jiang
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam Qureshi
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roger Vaughan
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Zhang Y, Li F, Han Z, Teng Z, Jin C, Yuan H, Zhang S, Sun K, Wang Y. Downregulated RBM5 Enhances CARM1 Expression and Activates the PRKACA/GSK3β Signaling Pathway through Alternative Splicing-Coupled Nonsense-Mediated Decay. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:139. [PMID: 38201567 PMCID: PMC10778212 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Downregulated RNA-binding motif protein 5 (RBM5) promotes the development and progression of various tumors, including bladder cancer (BC). Alternative splicing (AS) plays a crucial role in the progression of cancer by producing protein isomers with different functions or by promoting nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). However, whether RBM5 modulates the progression of BC through AS-NMD remains unexplored. In this study, we revealed that the downregulation of RBM5 expression promoted the expression of coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) in BC cells and tissues. Increased expression of CARM1 facilitated the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin axis and cell proliferation, which then contributed to the poor prognosis of patients with BC. Interestingly, RBM5 bound directly to CARM1 mRNA and participated in AS-NMD, downregulating the expression of CARM1. In addition, we revealed that protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA) functioned as a phosphorylated kinase of GSK3β, was regulated by CARM1 at the transcription level, and promoted the growth and progression of BC cells. Furthermore, in this study, we demonstrated a regulatory mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin activation through the RBM5/CARM1/PRKACA axis and identified a novel potential target for treating BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Zhenwei Han
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Zhihai Teng
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Chenggen Jin
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Hao Yuan
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Sihao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Kexin Sun
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Z.T.); (C.J.); (H.Y.); (K.S.)
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17
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Du L, Wilson BAP, Li N, Shah R, Dalilian M, Wang D, Smith EA, Wamiru A, Goncharova EI, Zhang P, O’Keefe BR. Discovery and Synthesis of a Naturally Derived Protein Kinase Inhibitor that Selectively Inhibits Distinct Classes of Serine/Threonine Kinases. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:2283-2293. [PMID: 37843072 PMCID: PMC10616853 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The DNAJB1-PRKACA oncogenic gene fusion results in an active kinase enzyme, J-PKAcα, that has been identified as an attractive antitumor target for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC). A high-throughput assay was used to identify inhibitors of J-PKAcα catalytic activity by screening the NCI Program for Natural Product Discovery (NPNPD) prefractionated natural product library. Purification of the active agent from a single fraction of an Aplidium sp. marine tunicate led to the discovery of two unprecedented alkaloids, aplithianines A (1) and B (2). Aplithianine A (1) showed potent inhibition against J-PKAcα with an IC50 of ∼1 μM in the primary screening assay. In kinome screening, 1 inhibited wild-type PKA with an IC50 of 84 nM. Further mechanistic studies including cocrystallization and X-ray diffraction experiments revealed that 1 inhibited PKAcα catalytic activity by competitively binding to the ATP pocket. Human kinome profiling of 1 against a panel of 370 kinases revealed potent inhibition of select serine/threonine kinases in the CLK and PKG families with IC50 values in the range ∼11-90 nM. An efficient, four-step total synthesis of 1 has been accomplished, enabling further evaluation of aplithianines as biologically relevant kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Brice A. P. Wilson
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ning Li
- Center
for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Rohan Shah
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Masoumeh Dalilian
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dongdong Wang
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Emily A. Smith
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Antony Wamiru
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ekaterina I. Goncharova
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ping Zhang
- Center
for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Barry R. O’Keefe
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Natural
Products Branch, Development Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer
Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer
Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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18
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Watanabe A, Harimoto N, Saito H, Kawabata-Iwakawa R, Seki T, Muranushi R, Hoshino K, Hagiwara K, Ishii N, Tsukagoshi M, Igarashi T, Araki K, Ikota H, Ishige T, Mimori K, Shirabe K. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and gene analysis. Surg Case Rep 2023; 9:168. [PMID: 37728655 PMCID: PMC10511385 DOI: 10.1186/s40792-023-01751-3] [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: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (FL-HCC) is rare in Japan. FL-HCC develops in young patients with no history of cirrhosis and tends to manifest lymphatic metastasis with clinical features similar to those of HCC. We present a case of FL-HCC in a young male patient. CASE PRESENTATION A 14-year-old male patient underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) to diagnose appendicitis, wherein a hepatic tumor was detected. Dynamic enhanced CT revealed a 35-mm solid tumor, which contrasted at the early phase of dynamic enhanced study of the right hepatic segments, with occlusion of the right portal vein. We performed right hepatectomy for these lesions. The patient experienced a single lymphatic recurrence on the hepatoduodenal ligament 12 months after the initial surgery. We performed lymphadenectomy for the recurrent tumor. We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and targeted DNA sequencing of the resected specimens (primary tumor, lymphatic metastasis, and normal liver). RNA-seq detected DNAJB1-PRKACA in both primary and metastatic lesions as previously reported. Furthermore, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to compare other gene expressions in this case with those of previously reported cases of FL-HCC and HCC in young patients. Principal component analysis of differentially expressed genes in the top 10% revealed that the gene expression in our case was similar to that of previous FL-HCC cases but was a different cluster from that in HCC cases in young patients. Mutational analysis did not detect any somatic mutations associated with carcinogenesis, including previously reported mutations (Kastenhuber et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114: 13076-84, 2017). CONCLUSION We encountered a case of FL-HCC, a rare hepatic tumor in an adolescent patient, and evaluated the genetic background. Our findings could contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and progression in patients with FL-HCC and thereby contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the future that may improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Watanabe
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Norifumi Harimoto
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Hideyuki Saito
- Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu, Japan
| | - Reika Kawabata-Iwakawa
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takaomi Seki
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ryo Muranushi
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kouki Hoshino
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kei Hagiwara
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Norihiro Ishii
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Mariko Tsukagoshi
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takamichi Igarashi
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Araki
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hayato Ikota
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Gunma University Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Ishige
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University Maebashi, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Koshi Mimori
- Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
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19
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Leiting JL, Hernandez MC, Bergquist JR, Yonkus JA, Abdelrahman AM, Torbenson MS, Tran NH, Halfdanarson TR, Graham RP, Smoot RL, Truty MJ. Therapeutic Efficacy of Temsirolimus in a Patient-derived Model of Metastatic Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In Vivo 2023; 37:1940-1950. [PMID: 37652480 PMCID: PMC10500502 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13290] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is a rare tumor presenting in younger patients without chronic liver disease. Up to 80-100% develop recurrent disease, necessitating additional surgery or systemic treatment. Systemic options and pre-clinical treatment studies are lacking. We previously described patient-derived xenograft (PDX) development, allowing for pre-clinical studies. Herein, we develop FLHCC PDX models and utilize these to define tumor characteristics and determine the efficacy of systemic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary and lymph node metastatic tumor tissues were obtained at the time of FLHCC resection in two patients. Tumor lysates were screened for protein upregulation. Cell lines were generated from metastatic and primary tumor tissue. The viability of the cell lines was assessed after treatment with temsirolimus, gemcitabine/oxaliplatin, and FOLFIRINOX. Two PDX models were developed from metastatic tissue. For in vivo studies, tumor-bearing mice were treated with temsirolimus, FOLFIRINOX, and Gemcitabine/oxaliplatin. RESULTS PDX models were successfully generated from metastatic FLHCC, which closely recapitulated the original tumor. Upregulation of mTOR was seen in metastatic tissue compared to primary tumors. Cell lines from metastatic tissue demonstrated significant sensitivity to temsirolimus. In vivo testing of PDX models demonstrated a significant response to single-agent temsirolimus with minimal toxicity. CONCLUSION Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of developing PDX models that closely recapitulate FLHCC. Upregulation of mTOR was seen in metastatic tissue compared to primary tissue. The efficacy of mTOR inhibition with temsirolimus treatment suggests that the upregulation of the mTOR pathway may be a significant mechanism for growth in metastatic lesions and a potential target for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nguyen H Tran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Rory L Smoot
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | - Mark J Truty
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A.;
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20
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Mukherjee S, Mukherjee SB, Frenkel-Morgenstern M. Functional and regulatory impact of chimeric RNAs in human normal and cancer cells. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1777. [PMID: 36633099 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1777] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Fusions of two genes can lead to the generation of chimeric RNAs, which may have a distinct functional role from their original molecules. Chimeric RNAs could encode novel functional proteins or serve as novel long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). The appearance of chimeric RNAs in a cell could help to generate new functionality and phenotypic diversity that might facilitate this cell to survive against new environmental stress. Several recent studies have demonstrated the functional roles of various chimeric RNAs in cancer progression and are considered as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and sometimes even drug targets. Further, the growing evidence demonstrated the potential functional association of chimeric RNAs with cancer heterogeneity and drug resistance cancer evolution. Recent studies highlighted that chimeric RNAs also have functional potentiality in normal physiological processes. Several functionally potential chimeric RNAs were discovered in human cancer and normal cells in the last two decades. This could indicate that chimeric RNAs are the hidden layer of the human transcriptome that should be explored from the functional insights to better understand the functional evolution of the genome and disease development that could facilitate clinical practice improvements. This review summarizes the current knowledge of chimeric RNAs and highlights their functional, regulatory, and evolutionary impact on different cancers and normal physiological processes. Further, we will discuss the potential functional roles of a recently discovered novel class of chimeric RNAs named sense-antisense/cross-strand chimeric RNAs generated by the fusion of the bi-directional transcripts of the same gene. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Department of Computer Science, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sunanda Biswas Mukherjee
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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21
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Zhang W, Xu Y, Wang X, Oikawa T, Su G, Wauthier E, Wu G, Sethupathy P, He Z, Liu J, Reid LM. Fibrolamellar carcinomas-growth arrested by paracrine signals complexed with synthesized 3-O sulfated heparan sulfate oligosaccharides. Matrix Biol 2023; 121:194-216. [PMID: 37402431 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.06.008] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinomas (FLCs), lethal tumors occurring in children to young adults, have genetic signatures implicating derivation from biliary tree stem cell (BTSC) subpopulations, co-hepato/pancreatic stem cells, involved in hepatic and pancreatic regeneration. FLCs and BTSCs express pluripotency genes, endodermal transcription factors, and stem cell surface, cytoplasmic and proliferation biomarkers. The FLC-PDX model, FLC-TD-2010, is driven ex vivo to express pancreatic acinar traits, hypothesized responsible for this model's propensity for enzymatic degradation of cultures. A stable ex vivo model of FLC-TD-2010 was achieved using organoids in serum-free Kubota's Medium (KM) supplemented with 0.1% hyaluronans (KM/HA). Heparins (10 ng/ml) caused slow expansion of organoids with doubling times of ∼7-9 days. Spheroids, organoids depleted of mesenchymal cells, survived indefinitely in KM/HA in a state of growth arrest for more than 2 months. Expansion was restored with FLCs co-cultured with mesenchymal cell precursors in a ratio of 3:7, implicating paracrine signaling. Signals identified included FGFs, VEGFs, EGFs, Wnts, and others, produced by associated stellate and endothelial cell precursors. Fifty-three, unique heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides were synthesized, assessed for formation of high affinity complexes with paracrine signals, and each complex screened for biological activity(ies) on organoids. Ten distinct HS-oligosaccharides, all 10-12 mers or larger, and in specific paracrine signal complexes elicited particular biological responses. Of note, complexes of paracrine signals and 3-O sulfated HS-oligosaccharides elicited slowed growth, and with Wnt3a, elicited growth arrest of organoids for months. If future efforts are used to prepare HS-oligosaccharides resistant to breakdown in vivo, then [paracrine signal-HS-oligosaccharide] complexes are potential therapeutic agents for clinical treatments of FLCs, an exciting prospect for a deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencheng Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200123, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yongmei Xu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Glycan Therapeutics Corporation, 617 Hutton Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
| | - Xicheng Wang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200123, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Tsunekazu Oikawa
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Guowei Su
- Glycan Therapeutics Corporation, 617 Hutton Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
| | - Eliane Wauthier
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Guoxiu Wu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200123, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Zhiying He
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200123, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200335, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Glycan Therapeutics Corporation, 617 Hutton Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
| | - Lola M Reid
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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22
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Salokas K, Dashi G, Varjosalo M. Decoding Oncofusions: Unveiling Mechanisms, Clinical Impact, and Prospects for Personalized Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3678. [PMID: 37509339 PMCID: PMC10377698 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated gene fusions, also known as oncofusions, have emerged as influential drivers of oncogenesis across a diverse range of cancer types. These genetic events occur via chromosomal translocations, deletions, and inversions, leading to the fusion of previously separate genes. Due to the drastic nature of these mutations, they often result in profound alterations of cellular behavior. The identification of oncofusions has revolutionized cancer research, with advancements in sequencing technologies facilitating the discovery of novel fusion events at an accelerated pace. Oncofusions exert their effects through the manipulation of critical cellular signaling pathways that regulate processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Extensive investigations have been conducted to understand the roles of oncofusions in solid tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Large-scale initiatives, including the Cancer Genome Atlas, have played a pivotal role in unraveling the landscape of oncofusions by characterizing a vast number of cancer samples across different tumor types. While validating the functional relevance of oncofusions remains a challenge, even non-driver mutations can hold significance in cancer treatment. Oncofusions have demonstrated potential value in the context of immunotherapy through the production of neoantigens. Their clinical importance has been observed in both treatment and diagnostic settings, with specific fusion events serving as therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. However, despite the progress made, there is still considerable untapped potential within the field of oncofusions. Further research and validation efforts are necessary to understand their effects on a functional basis and to exploit the new targeted treatment avenues offered by oncofusions. Through further functional and clinical studies, oncofusions will enable the advancement of precision medicine and the drive towards more effective and specific treatments for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giovanna Dashi
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Lee G, Muir TW. Distinct phases of cellular signaling revealed by time-resolved protein synthesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.10.548208. [PMID: 37503273 PMCID: PMC10369872 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.10.548208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The post-translational regulation of protein function is involved in most cellular processes. As such, synthetic biology tools that operate at this level provide opportunities for manipulating cellular states. Here, we deploy a proximity-triggered protein trans-splicing technology to enable the time-resolved synthesis of target proteins from pre-made parts. The modularity of the strategy allows for the addition or removal of various control elements as a function of the splicing reaction, in the process permitting the cellular location and/or activity state of starting materials and products to be differentiated. The approach is applied to a diverse set of proteins, including the kinase oncofusions BCR/ABL and DNAJB1/PRKACA where dynamic cellular phosphorylation events are dissected, revealing distinct phases of signaling and identifying molecular players connecting the oncofusion to cancer transformation as novel therapeutic targets of cancer cells. We envision that the tools and control strategies developed herein will allow the activity of both naturally occurring and designer proteins to be harnessed for basic and applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Tom W. Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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24
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Lauer SM, Omar MH, Golkowski MG, Kenerson HL, Pascual BC, Forbush K, Smith FD, Gordan J, Ong SE, Yeung RS, Scott JD. Recruitment of BAG2 to DNAJ-PKAc scaffolds promotes cell survival and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis in fibrolamellar carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546958. [PMID: 37425703 PMCID: PMC10327129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The DNAJ-PKAc fusion kinase is a defining feature of the adolescent liver cancer fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). A single lesion on chromosome 19 generates this mutant kinase by creating a fused gene encoding the chaperonin binding domain of Hsp40 (DNAJ) in frame with the catalytic core of protein kinase A (PKAc). FLC tumors are notoriously resistant to standard chemotherapies. Aberrant kinase activity is assumed to be a contributing factor. Yet recruitment of binding partners, such as the chaperone Hsp70, implies that the scaffolding function of DNAJ- PKAc may also underlie pathogenesis. By combining proximity proteomics with biochemical analyses and photoactivation live-cell imaging we demonstrate that DNAJ-PKAc is not constrained by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Consequently, the fusion kinase phosphorylates a unique array of substrates. One validated DNAJ-PKAc target is the Bcl-2 associated athanogene 2 (BAG2), a co-chaperone recruited to the fusion kinase through association with Hsp70. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses of FLC patient samples correlate increased levels of BAG2 with advanced disease and metastatic recurrences. BAG2 is linked to Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic factor that delays cell death. Pharmacological approaches tested if the DNAJ- PKAc/Hsp70/BAG2 axis contributes to chemotherapeutic resistance in AML12 DNAJ-PKAc hepatocyte cell lines using the DNA damaging agent etoposide and the Bcl-2 inhibitor navitoclax. Wildtype AML12 cells were susceptible to each drug alone and in combination. In contrast, AML12 DNAJ-PKAc cells were moderately affected by etoposide, resistant to navitoclax, but markedly susceptible to the drug combination. These studies implicate BAG2 as a biomarker for advanced FLC and a chemotherapeutic resistance factor in DNAJ-PKAc signaling scaffolds.
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25
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Levin SN, Tomasini MD, Knox J, Shirani M, Shebl B, Requena D, Clark J, Heissel S, Alwaseem H, Surjan R, Lahasky R, Molina H, Torbenson MS, Lyons B, Migler RD, Coffino P, Simon SM. Disruption of proteome by an oncogenic fusion kinase alters metabolism in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg7038. [PMID: 37343102 PMCID: PMC10284549 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg7038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a usually lethal primary liver cancer driven by a somatic dysregulation of protein kinase A. We show that the proteome of FLC tumors is distinct from that of adjacent nontransformed tissue. These changes can account for some of the cell biological and pathological alterations in FLC cells, including their drug sensitivity and glycolysis. Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a recurrent problem in these patients, and established treatments based on the assumption of liver failure are unsuccessful. We show that many of the enzymes that produce ammonia are increased and those that consume ammonia are decreased. We also demonstrate that the metabolites of these enzymes change as expected. Thus, hyperammonemic encephalopathy in FLC may require alternative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon N. Levin
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael D. Tomasini
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James Knox
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mahsa Shirani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Requena
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jackson Clark
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Søren Heissel
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hanan Alwaseem
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rodrigo Surjan
- General Surgery Division, Surgery Department, Hospital Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ron Lahasky
- Lahasky Medical Clinic, Abbeville, LA 70510, USA
- The Fibrolamellar Registry, New York, NY 10028, USA
| | - Henrik Molina
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Barbara Lyons
- The Fibrolamellar Registry, New York, NY 10028, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | | | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Fibrolamellar Registry, New York, NY 10028, USA
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Kong Y, Jiang C, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Qiu T. Small Molecule Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents Targeting Oncogenic Fusion Proteins: Current Status and Clinical. Molecules 2023; 28:4672. [PMID: 37375228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124672] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic fusion proteins, arising from chromosomal rearrangements, have emerged as prominent drivers of tumorigenesis and crucial therapeutic targets in cancer research. In recent years, the potential of small molecular inhibitors in selectively targeting fusion proteins has exhibited significant prospects, offering a novel approach to combat malignancies harboring these aberrant molecular entities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of small molecular inhibitors as therapeutic agents for oncogenic fusion proteins. We discuss the rationale for targeting fusion proteins, elucidate the mechanism of action of inhibitors, assess the challenges associated with their utilization, and provide a summary of the clinical progress achieved thus far. The objective is to provide the medicinal community with current and pertinent information and to expedite the drug discovery programs in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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27
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Rüland L, Andreatta F, Massalini S, Chuva de Sousa Lopes S, Clevers H, Hendriks D, Artegiani B. Organoid models of fibrolamellar carcinoma mutations reveal hepatocyte transdifferentiation through cooperative BAP1 and PRKAR2A loss. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2377. [PMID: 37137901 PMCID: PMC10156813 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37951-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a lethal primary liver cancer, affecting young patients in absence of chronic liver disease. Molecular understanding of FLC tumorigenesis is limited, partly due to the scarcity of experimental models. Here, we CRISPR-engineer human hepatocyte organoids to recreate different FLC backgrounds, including the predominant genetic alteration, the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion, as well as a recently reported background of FLC-like tumors, encompassing inactivating mutations of BAP1 and PRKAR2A. Phenotypic characterizations and comparisons with primary FLC tumor samples revealed mutant organoid-tumor similarities. All FLC mutations caused hepatocyte dedifferentiation, yet only combined loss of BAP1 and PRKAR2A resulted in hepatocyte transdifferentiation into liver ductal/progenitor-like cells that could exclusively grow in a ductal cell environment. BAP1-mutant hepatocytes represent primed cells attempting to proliferate in this cAMP-stimulating environment, but require concomitant PRKAR2A loss to overcome cell cycle arrest. In all analyses, DNAJB1-PRKACAfus organoids presented with milder phenotypes, suggesting differences between FLC genetic backgrounds, or for example the need for additional mutations, interactions with niche cells, or a different cell-of-origin. These engineered human organoid models facilitate the study of FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rüland
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Simone Massalini
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hans Clevers
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Pharma, Research and Early Development (pRED) of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Delilah Hendriks
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Benedetta Artegiani
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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28
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Simon SM. Fighting rare cancers: lessons from fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:335-346. [PMID: 36932129 PMCID: PMC10022574 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00554-w] [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] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The fight against rare cancers faces myriad challenges, including missed or wrong diagnoses, lack of information and diagnostic tools, too few samples and too little funding. Yet many advances in cancer biology, such as the realization that there are tumour suppressor genes, have come from studying well-defined, albeit rare, cancers. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a typically lethal liver cancer, mainly affects adolescents and young adults. FLC is both rare, 1 in 5 million, and problematic to diagnose. From the paucity of data, it was not known whether FLC was one cancer or a collection with similar phenotypes, or whether it was genetically inherited or the result of a somatic mutation. A personal journey through a decade of work reveals answers to these questions and a road map of steps and missteps in our fight against a rare cancer.
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29
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Wilson BAP, Li N, Martinez Fiesco JA, Dalilian M, Wang D, Smith EA, Wamiru A, Shah R, Goncharova EI, Beutler JA, Grkovic T, Zhang P, O’Keefe BR. Biochemical Discovery, Intracellular Evaluation, and Crystallographic Characterization of Synthetic and Natural Product Adenosine 3',5'-Cyclic Monophosphate-Dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) Inhibitors. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:633-650. [PMID: 37082750 PMCID: PMC10111623 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00010] [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: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The recent demonstration that adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) plays an oncogenic role in a number of important cancers has led to a renaissance in drug development interest targeting this kinase. We therefore have established a suite of biochemical, cell-based, and structural biology assays for identifying and evaluating new pharmacophores for PKA inhibition. This discovery process started with a 384-well high-throughput screen of more than 200,000 substances, including fractionated natural product extracts. Identified active compounds were further prioritized in biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays. Priority lead compounds were assessed in detail to fully characterize several previously unrecognized PKA pharmacophores including the generation of new X-ray crystallography structures demonstrating unique interactions between PKA and bound inhibitor molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice A. P. Wilson
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ning Li
- Center
for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Juliana A. Martinez Fiesco
- Center
for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Masoumeh Dalilian
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dongdong Wang
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Emily A. Smith
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Antony Wamiru
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Rohan Shah
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ekaterina I. Goncharova
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Advanced
Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick
National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - John A. Beutler
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Tanja Grkovic
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Natural
Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer
Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer
Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ping Zhang
- Center
for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Barry R. O’Keefe
- Molecular
Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Natural
Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer
Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer
Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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30
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Neumayer C, Ng D, Jiang CS, Qureshi A, Lalazar G, Vaughan R, Simon SM. Oncogenic Addiction of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Fusion Kinase DNAJB1-PRKACA. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:271-278. [PMID: 36302174 PMCID: PMC9811160 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gene fusions are drivers of many pediatric tumors. In fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a fusion of DNAJB1 and PRKACA is the dominant recurrent mutation. Expression of the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion gene in mice results in a tumor that recapitulates FLC. However, it is not known whether transient expression of DNAJB1-PRKACA is sufficient only to trigger tumor formation or whether ongoing expression is necessary for maintenance and progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We screened short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) tiled over the fusion junction and identified several potent and specific candidates in vitro and two independent FLC patient-derived xenografts (PDX). RESULTS We show that continued DNAJB1-PRKACA expression is not only required for continued tumor growth, but additionally its inhibition results in cell death. Inhibition of DNAJB1-PRKACA by an inducible shRNA in cells of PDX of FLC resulted in cell death in vitro. Induction of the shRNA inhibits FLC tumors growing in mice with no effect on xenografts from a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line engineered to express DNAJB1-PRKACA. CONCLUSIONS Our results validate DNAJB1-PRKACA as the oncogene in FLC and demonstrate both a continued requirement for the oncogene for tumor growth as well as an oncogenic addiction that can be exploited for targeted therapies. We anticipate our approach will be useful for investigations of other fusion genes in pediatric cancers and spur development of precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Neumayer
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | | | - Adam Qureshi
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY
| | - Gadi Lalazar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY,Current address: Digestive Disease Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center; Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Roger Vaughan
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY,Corresponding Author: Sanford M. Simon; The Rockefeller University; 1230 York Avenue; New York, NY 10065; Phone: 212-327-8130;
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31
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, de Souza HP, Machado MCC, Ardengh JC. Molecular Basis of Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cureus 2023; 15:e33750. [PMID: 36788919 PMCID: PMC9922532 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33750] [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] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a potentially fatal condition associated with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism involved in hyperammonemia in patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma was unclear until a possible physiopathological pathway was recently proposed. An ornithine transcarboxylase dysfunction was suggested as a result of increased ornithine decarboxylase activity induced by c-Myc overexpression. This c-Myc overexpression resulted from Aurora kinase A overexpression derived from the activity of a chimeric kinase that is the final transcript of a deletion in chromosome 19, common to all fibrolamellar carcinomas. We performed the analysis of the expression of all enzymes involved and tested for the mutation in chromosome 19 in fresh frozen samples of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, non-tumor liver, and hepatic adenomatosis. The specific DNAJB-PRKACA fusion protein that results from the recurrent mutation on chromosome 19 common to all fibrolamellar carcinoma was detected only in the fibrolamellar carcinoma sample. Fibrolamellar carcinoma and adenomyomatosis samples presented increased expression of Aurora kinase A, c-MYC, and ornithine decarboxylase when compared to normal liver, while ornithine transcarbamylase was decreased. The proposed physiopathological pathway is correct and that overexpression of c-Myc may also be responsible for hyperammonemia in patients with other types of rapidly growing hepatomas. This gives further evidence to apply new and adequate treatment to this severe complication.
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32
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Yasir S, Thompson S, Chen ZE, Knudson R, Knutson D, Kloft-Nelson S, Graham RP, Jain D, Simon SM, Wu TT, Torbenson M. Alternative lengthening of telomeres in primary hepatic neoplasms. Hum Pathol 2023; 131:79-86. [PMID: 36370823 PMCID: PMC10756352 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.11.003] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) phenotype is characterized by ultra-bright telomeres on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and is a marker of a unique mechanism of telomere maintenance in tumors. ALT does not occur in normal tissues. ALT has been described in hepatocellular carcinoma (5-10%) and in primary hepatic angiosarcomas (75%). To study the frequency of ALT in other primary hepatic tumors, a wide range of primary hepatic neoplasms were retrieved. The tumors included the following: intrahepatic and hilar cholangiocarcinomas (N = 110), hepatic adenomas (N = 35), hepatocellular carcinomas (N = 30), fibrolamellar carcinomas (n = 11), combined cholangiocarcinoma-hepatocellular carcinomas (N = 8), carcinosarcoma (N = 10), hepatoblastomas (N = 5), hemangiomas (N = 4), angiosarcomas (N = 8), epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas (N = 10), calcified nested stromal epithelial tumor (N = 2), embryonal sarcoma (N = 2), rhabdoid tumor (N = 1), bile duct adenoma (N = 1), and angiomyolipoma (N = 1). For epithelial tumors, ALT-FISH was positive in one carcinosarcoma (10% of cases), one cholangiocarcinoma (1% of cases), and one combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (13% of cases). In the hepatocellular carcinoma component of both the carcinosarcoma and the combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma, the tumor cells showed patchy marked nuclear pleomorphism akin to that described previously for chromophobe hepatocellular carcinoma, which are typically ALT FISH positive. The ALT-positive cholangiocarcinoma also showed patchy, striking nuclear pleomorphism. For soft tissue tumors, ALT was positive in two angiosarcomas (N = 2; 25% of cases). In summary, this study shows that ALT-FISH is positive in rare carcinosarcomas, cholangiocarcinomas, and combined cholangiocarcinoma-hepatocellular carcinoma. ALT is not a significant mechanism of telomere maintenance in hepatocellular adenomas or fibrolamellar carcinomas and was negative in all other tested primary hepatic neoplasms. ALT-FISH is also positive in a subset of primary hepatic angiosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Yasir
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Scott Thompson
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Zongming Eric Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Ryan Knudson
- Medical Genome Facility, Cytogenetics Core Laboratory, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Darlene Knutson
- Medical Genome Facility, Cytogenetics Core Laboratory, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Sara Kloft-Nelson
- Medical Genome Facility, Cytogenetics Core Laboratory, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Rondell P Graham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, NY, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Tsung-Teh Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Michael Torbenson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Berkovitz A, Migler RD, Qureshi A, Rosemore C, Torbenson MS, Vaughan R, Marcotte E, Simon SM. Clinical and demographic predictors of survival for fibrolamellar carcinoma patients-A patient community, registry-based study. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:3539-3549. [PMID: 36245434 PMCID: PMC9701473 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare primary liver cancer that affects primarily adolescents and young adults. It is associated with a poor overall prognosis. There is a need to better define risk factors, but small sample size has limited such studies. An FLC patient registry now provides data sufficient for statistically robust inferences. We leveraged a unique patient community-based FLC registry to analyze the prognostic impact of demographic and clinical characteristics evident at diagnosis. Variables were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In multivariable models of 149 patients (88 females and 61 males), female gender was associated with statistically significant improved survival with HR of 0.52 (95% CI 0.29-0.93). Factors evident at diagnosis that are associated with worse survival included the presence of 10 or more tumors within the liver (HR 7.1; 95% CI 2.4-21.04), and metastases at diagnosis (HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.19-3.94). Positive lymph nodes at diagnosis, despite being found significantly associated with worse survival in a univariate analysis, did not remain significant when adjusted for covariates in a multivariable analysis. We found no statistically significant effect of age at diagnosis nor tumor size at diagnosis on survival. Female gender may confer a favorable prognosis in FLC. Established high-risk prognostic factors that we confirmed in this Registry included the diagnostic presence of numerous intrahepatic tumors, and metastases. This is the first study derived from a FLC patient community-based registry, and highlights how registries of rare tumors can empower patients to meaningfully advance clinical and scientific discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amichai Berkovitz
- Laboratory of Cellular BiophysicsThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Adam Qureshi
- Hospital BiostatisticsThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Carly Rosemore
- Laboratory of Cellular BiophysicsThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of PediatricsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Roger Vaughan
- Hospital BiostatisticsThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Erin Marcotte
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular BiophysicsThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- The Fibrolamellar RegistryNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Kim HY, Hong S. Multi-Faceted Roles of DNAJB Protein in Cancer Metastasis and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14970. [PMID: 36499297 PMCID: PMC9737691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved molecular chaperones with diverse cellular activities, including protein folding, assembly or disassembly of protein complexes, and maturation process under diverse stress conditions. HSPs also play essential roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance across cancers. Among them, HSP40s are widely accepted as regulators of HSP70/HSP90 chaperones and an accumulating number of biological functions as molecular chaperones dependent or independent of either of these chaperones. Despite large numbers of HSP40s, little is known about their physiologic roles, specifically in cancer progression. This article summarizes the multi-faceted role of DNAJB proteins as one subclass of the HSP40 family in cancer development and metastasis. Regulation and deregulation of DNAJB proteins at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels contribute to tumor progression, particularly cancer metastasis. Furthermore, understanding differences in function and regulating mechanism between DNAJB proteins offers a new perspective on tumorigenesis and metastasis to improve therapeutic opportunities for malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Youn Kim
- Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Gachon University School of Medicine, 155 Gaetbel-ro Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
| | - Suntaek Hong
- Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Gachon University School of Medicine, 155 Gaetbel-ro Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
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35
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Schalm SS, O’Hearn E, Wilson K, LaBranche TP, Silva G, Zhang Z, DiPietro L, Bifulco N, Woessner R, Stransky N, Sappal D, Campbell R, Lobbardi R, Palmer M, Kim J, Ye C, Dorsch M, Lengauer C, Guzi T, Kadambi V, Garner A, Hoeflich KP. Evaluation of Protein Kinase cAMP-Activated Catalytic Subunit Alpha as a Therapeutic Target for Fibrolamellar Carcinoma. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2022; 2:307-321. [PMID: 39132655 PMCID: PMC11307690 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Background and Aims Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare, difficult-to-treat liver cancer primarily affecting pediatric and adolescent patients, and for which precision medicine approaches have historically not been possible. The DNAJB1-PRKACA gene fusion was identified as a driver of FLC pathogenesis. We aimed to assess whether FLC tumors maintain dependency on this gene fusion and determine if PRKACA is a viable therapeutic target. Methods FLC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) shRNA cell lines were implanted subcutaneously into female NOD-SCID mice and tumors were allowed to develop prior to randomization to doxycycline (to induce knockdown) or control groups. Tumor development was assessed every 2 days. To assess the effect of treatment with novel selective PRKACA small molecule kinase inhibitors, BLU0588 and BLU2864, FLC PDX tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously into NOD-SCID mice and tumors allowed to develop. Mice were randomized to treatment (BLU0588 and BLU2864, orally, once daily) or control groups and tumor size determined as previously. Results Knockdown of DNAJB1-PRKACA reversed a FLC-specific gene signature and reduced PDX tumor growth in mice compared to the control group. Furthermore, FLC PDX tumor growth was significantly reduced with BLU0588 and BLU2864 treatment vs control (P = .003 and P = .0005, respectively). Conclusion We demonstrated, using an inducible knockdown and small molecule approaches, that FLC PDX tumors were dependent upon DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion activity. In addition, this study serves as a proof-of-concept that PRKACA is a viable therapeutic target for FLC and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin O’Hearn
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin Wilson
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Grace Silva
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Neil Bifulco
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Darshan Sappal
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Riadh Lobbardi
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Palmer
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph Kim
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Chaoyang Ye
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Marion Dorsch
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Timothy Guzi
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Vivek Kadambi
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew Garner
- Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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36
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Chen KY, Popovic A, Hsiehchen D, Baretti M, Griffith P, Bista R, Baghdadi A, Kamel IR, Simon SM, Migler RD, Yarchoan M. Clinical Outcomes in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5347. [PMID: 36358766 PMCID: PMC9655068 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare form of liver cancer primarily affecting children and young adults. Although considered a subset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), FLC has unique molecular and pathologic characteristics, suggesting that it may require different treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used in the treatment of HCC, but efficacy and safety in FLC has not been characterized. METHODS We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with FLC to determine responses to ICI therapy. Response rates were assessed based on RECIST 1.1 criteria, and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS FLC tumors were characterized by low tumor mutational burden (TMB) and absent PD-L1 expression. We identified 19 patients who received ICIs, including 15 who received ICI therapy alone [programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, +/- cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor]. Objective tumor responses were observed in 3/19 patients (15.8%), including 2/15 patients (13.3%) who received ICIs alone, all partial responses. Median PFS and OS were 5.5 and 26.0 months, respectively. Grade 3-4 immune related adverse events were observed in 4/19 (21.1%) patients. CONCLUSIONS ICI therapy has modest clinical activity in FLC, and novel therapeutic combinations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Y. Chen
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Aleksandra Popovic
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - David Hsiehchen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Marina Baretti
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Paige Griffith
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Ranjan Bista
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79410, USA
| | - Azarakhsh Baghdadi
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ihab R. Kamel
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | | | - Mark Yarchoan
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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Bauer J, Köhler N, Maringer Y, Bucher P, Bilich T, Zwick M, Dicks S, Nelde A, Dubbelaar M, Scheid J, Wacker M, Heitmann JS, Schroeder S, Rieth J, Denk M, Richter M, Klein R, Bonzheim I, Luibrand J, Holzer U, Ebinger M, Brecht IB, Bitzer M, Boerries M, Feucht J, Salih HR, Rammensee HG, Hailfinger S, Walz JS. The oncogenic fusion protein DNAJB1-PRKACA can be specifically targeted by peptide-based immunotherapy in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6401. [PMID: 36302754 PMCID: PMC9613889 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript is the oncogenic driver in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a lethal disease lacking specific therapies. This study reports on the identification, characterization, and immunotherapeutic application of HLA-presented neoantigens specific for the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. DNAJB1-PRKACA-derived HLA class I and HLA class II ligands induce multifunctional cytotoxic CD8+ and T-helper 1 CD4+ T cells, and their cellular processing and presentation in DNAJB1-PRKACA expressing tumor cells is demonstrated by mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing further identifies multiple T cell receptors from DNAJB1-PRKACA-specific T cells. Vaccination of a fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma patient, suffering from recurrent short interval disease relapses, with DNAJB1-PRKACA-derived peptides under continued Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor therapy induces multifunctional CD4+ T cells, with an activated T-helper 1 phenotype and high T cell receptor clonality. Vaccine-induced DNAJB1-PRKACA-specific T cell responses persist over time and, in contrast to various previous treatments, are accompanied by durable relapse free survival of the patient for more than 21 months post vaccination. Our preclinical and clinical findings identify the DNAJB1-PRKACA protein as source for immunogenic neoepitopes and corresponding T cell receptors and provide efficacy in a single-patient study of T cell-based immunotherapy specifically targeting this oncogenic fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bauer
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Köhler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yacine Maringer
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philip Bucher
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Bilich
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melissa Zwick
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Severin Dicks
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marissa Dubbelaar
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Scheid
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Wacker
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Schroeder
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Rieth
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Denk
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marion Richter
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Reinhild Klein
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Irina Bonzheim
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia Luibrand
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ursula Holzer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ines B Brecht
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Bitzer
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner Site, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Judith Feucht
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Hailfinger
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Polychronidis G, Murtha-Lemekhova A, Fuchs J, Karathanasi E, Hoffmann K. A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:1095-1103. [PMID: 36212724 PMCID: PMC9541294 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s296127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare primary liver tumor affecting predominantly younger and otherwise healthy patients. Typically, FLC presents with advanced disease due to the paucity of typical symptoms and no history of underlying liver disease. Depending on tumor characteristics and the patient's general condition, surgical treatment is the most promising treatment modality. Aggressive resection and liver transplantation have been utilized and are presently indispensable curative treatment options. Under certain circumstances surgical resection is also possible for metachronous metastases or local recurrence. Recent tumor biology discoveries have contributed to improved diagnostic specificity and systemic treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Polychronidis
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Anastasia Murtha-Lemekhova
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Juri Fuchs
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Evdokia Karathanasi
- Post-Graduate Program “Human Genetics- Genetic Counseling”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Katrin Hoffmann
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany,Correspondence: Katrin Hoffmann, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany, Email
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39
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Gulati R, Johnston M, Rivas M, Cast A, Kumbaji M, Hanlon MA, Lee S, Zhou P, Lake C, Schepers E, Min K, Yoon J, Karns R, Reid LM, Lopez‐Terrada D, Timchenko L, Parameswaran S, Weirauch MT, Ranganathan S, Bondoc A, Geller J, Tiao G, Shin S, Timchenko N. β-catenin cancer-enhancing genomic regions axis is involved in the development of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2950-2963. [PMID: 36000549 PMCID: PMC9512470 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a disease that occurs in children and young adults. The development of FLC is associated with creation of a fusion oncoprotein DNAJB1-PKAc kinase, which activates multiple cancer-associated pathways. The aim of this study was to examine the role of human genomic regions, called cancer-enhancing genomic regions or aggressive liver cancer domains (CEGRs/ALCDs), in the development of FLC. Previous studies revealed that CEGRs/ALCDs are located in multiple oncogenes and cancer-associated genes, regularly silenced in normal tissues. Using the regulatory element locus intersection (RELI) algorithm, we searched a large compendium of chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP) data sets and found that CEGRs/ALCDs contain regulatory elements in several human cancers outside of pediatric hepatic neoplasms. The RELI algorithm further identified components of the β-catenin-TCF7L2/TCF4 pathway, which interacts with CEGRs/ALCDs in several human cancers. Particularly, the RELI algorithm found interactions of transcription factors and chromatin remodelers with many genes that are activated in patients with FLC. We found that these FLC-specific genes contain CEGRs/ALCDs, and that the driver of FLC, fusion oncoprotein DNAJB1-PKAc, phosphorylates β-catenin at Ser675, resulting in an increase of β-catenin-TCF7L2/TCF4 complexes. These complexes increase a large family of CEGR/ALCD-dependent collagens and oncogenes. The DNAJB1-PKAc-β-catenin-CEGR/ALCD pathway is preserved in lung metastasis. The inhibition of β-catenin in FLC organoids inhibited the expression of CEGRs/ALCDs-dependent collagens and oncogenes, preventing the formation of the organoid's structure. Conclusion: This study provides a rationale for the development of β-catenin-based therapy for patients with FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhi Gulati
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Michael Johnston
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Maria Rivas
- Institute of BiosciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Ashley Cast
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Meenasri Kumbaji
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Margaret A. Hanlon
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Ping Zhou
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Charissa Lake
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Emily Schepers
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Kyung‐Won Min
- Department of BiologyGangneung‐Wonju National UniversityGangneungRepublic of Korea
| | - Je‐Hyun Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Rebekah Karns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Lola M. Reid
- Departments of Cell Biology and PhysiologyProgram in Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyUNC School of MedicineChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Dolores Lopez‐Terrada
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, and Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineOne Baylor PlazaHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Lubov Timchenko
- Department of NeurologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Sreeja Parameswaran
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and EtiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Matthew T. Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and EtiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental BiologyCCHMCDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | | | - Alexander Bondoc
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - James Geller
- Department of OncologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Gregory Tiao
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Soona Shin
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Nikolai Timchenko
- Division of General and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
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40
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Shebl B, Ng D, Lalazar G, Rosemore C, Finkelstein TM, Migler RD, Zheng G, Zhang P, Jiang CS, Qureshi A, Vaughan R, Yarchoan M, de Jong YP, Rice CM, Coffino P, Ortiz MV, Zhou D, Simon SM. Targeting BCL-XL in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e161820. [PMID: 36073545 PMCID: PMC9536265 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare and often lethal liver cancer with no proven effective systemic therapy. Inhibition of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-XL was found to synergize with a variety of systemic therapies in vitro using cells dissociated from patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of FLC or cells dissociated directly from surgical patient resections. As BCL-XL is physiologically expressed in platelets, prior efforts to leverage this vulnerability in other cancers have been hampered by severe thrombocytopenia. To overcome this toxicity, we treated FLC models with DT2216, a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) that directs BCL-XL for degradation via the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase, which is minimally expressed in platelets. The combination of irinotecan and DT2216 in vitro on cells directly acquired from patients or in vivo using several xenografts derived from patients with FLC demonstrated remarkable synergy and at clinically achievable doses not associated with significant thrombocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gadi Lalazar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carly Rosemore
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tova M. Finkelstein
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Caroline S. Jiang
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adam Qureshi
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roger Vaughan
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ype P. de Jong
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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41
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Narayan NJC, Requena D, Lalazar G, Ramos-Espiritu L, Ng D, Levin S, Shebl B, Wang R, Hammond WJ, Saltsman JA, Gehart H, Torbenson MS, Clevers H, LaQuaglia MP, Simon SM. Human liver organoids for disease modeling of fibrolamellar carcinoma. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1874-1888. [PMID: 35803261 PMCID: PMC9391427 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare, often lethal, liver cancer affecting adolescents and young adults, for which there are no approved therapeutics. The development of therapeutics is hampered by a lack of in vitro models. Organoids have shown utility as a model system for studying many diseases. In this study, tumor tissue and the adjacent non-tumor liver were obtained at the time of surgery. The tissue was dissociated and grown as organoids. We developed 21 patient-derived organoid lines: 12 from metastases, three from the liver tumor and six from adjacent non-tumor liver. These patient-derived FLC organoids recapitulate the histologic morphology, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptome of the patient tumor. Patient-derived FLC organoids were used in a preliminary high-throughput drug screen to show proof of concept for the identification of therapeutics. This model system has the potential to improve our understanding of this rare cancer and holds significant promise for drug testing and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J C Narayan
- Pediatric Surgical Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Requena
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gadi Lalazar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lavoisier Ramos-Espiritu
- High Throughput and Spectroscopy Center, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Solomon Levin
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ruisi Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - William J Hammond
- Pediatric Surgical Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James A Saltsman
- Pediatric Surgical Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Helmuth Gehart
- Hubrecht Institute, KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael S Torbenson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael P LaQuaglia
- Pediatric Surgical Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Toyota A, Goto M, Miyamoto M, Nagashima Y, Iwasaki S, Komatsu T, Momose T, Yoshida K, Tsukada T, Matsufuji T, Ohno A, Suzuki M, Ubukata O, Kaneta Y. Novel protein kinase cAMP-Activated Catalytic Subunit Alpha (PRKACA) inhibitor shows anti-tumor activity in a fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma model. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 621:157-161. [PMID: 35839742 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.008] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) is known as a highly aggressive liver cancer that typically affects young adults without virus infection. Since this type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy, surgery is the only known effective therapeutic option. Most FL-HCC patients express the fusion gene DNAJB1-PRKACA, which has been recognized as the signature of FL-HCC. It has also been reported that PRKACA kinase activity is essential for its oncogenic activity, suggesting that PRKACA kinase inhibition could be considered as an useful therapeutic target. In this study, we established an evaluation system for PRKACA kinase inhibitors and synthesized DS89002333, a novel PRKACA inhibitor. DS89002333 showed potent PRKACA inhibitory activity and inhibited fusion protein-dependent cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this compound showed anti-tumor activity in an FL-HCC patient-derived xenograft model expressing the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion gene. Our data suggest that DS89002333 could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for FL-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Toyota
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Megumi Goto
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Miyamoto
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Nagashima
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Iwasaki
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Komatsu
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Momose
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yoshida
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Tsukada
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuyoshi Matsufuji
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ami Ohno
- Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Yasuyuki Kaneta
- Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shinagawa R&D Center, 1-2-5 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Ahmed MB, Alghamdi AAA, Islam SU, Lee JS, Lee YS. cAMP Signaling in Cancer: A PKA-CREB and EPAC-Centric Approach. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132020. [PMID: 35805104 PMCID: PMC9266045 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death globally. Despite extensive research and considerable advances in cancer therapy, the fundamentals of the disease remain unclear. Understanding the key signaling mechanisms that cause cancer cell malignancy may help to uncover new pharmaco-targets. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates various biological functions, including those in malignant cells. Understanding intracellular second messenger pathways is crucial for identifying downstream proteins involved in cancer growth and development. cAMP regulates cell signaling and a variety of physiological and pathological activities. There may be an impact on gene transcription from protein kinase A (PKA) as well as its downstream effectors, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The position of CREB downstream of numerous growth signaling pathways implies its oncogenic potential in tumor cells. Tumor growth is associated with increased CREB expression and activation. PKA can be used as both an onco-drug target and a biomarker to find, identify, and stage tumors. Exploring cAMP effectors and their downstream pathways in cancer has become easier using exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) modulators. This signaling system may inhibit or accelerate tumor growth depending on the tumor and its environment. As cAMP and its effectors are critical for cancer development, targeting them may be a useful cancer treatment strategy. Moreover, by reviewing the material from a distinct viewpoint, this review aims to give a knowledge of the impact of the cAMP signaling pathway and the related effectors on cancer incidence and development. These innovative insights seek to encourage the development of novel treatment techniques and new approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Bilal Ahmed
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (M.B.A.); (J.-S.L.)
| | | | - Salman Ul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Cecos University, Peshawar, Street 1, Sector F 5 Phase 6 Hayatabad, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan;
| | - Joon-Seok Lee
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (M.B.A.); (J.-S.L.)
| | - Young-Sup Lee
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (M.B.A.); (J.-S.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-6353; Fax: +82-53-943-2762
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Huang L, Guan S, Feng L, Wei J, Wu L. Integrated analysis identified NPNT as a potential key regulator in tumor metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gene 2022; 825:146436. [PMID: 35304239 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the lethal malignancies worldwide. Tumor metastasis is the main cause of HCC related death. Although progress has been made in the mechanism study of HCC in the past decades, the underlying mechanism of HCC metastasis has not been fully illustrated. In the present study, bioinformatic analysis including weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), differentially expressed gene analysis, and gene enrichment analysis were applied to discover genes correlated with HCC metastasis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were applied to detect the expression of NPNT in HCC samples. Cell transfection, wound healing, matrigel transwell assays, and western blot assays were utilized to evaluate the effects of NPNT on cell migration and invasion and signaling pathway variation. We found that NPNT was up-regulated in HCC tumor tissues compared with normal tissues. Especially, NPNT was highly expressed in metastatic tumor compared with non-metastatic HCC tumors. Down-regulation of NPNT via siRNA transfection inhibited cell migration, invasion, and FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in HCC. Our results demonstrate that NPNT is a potential key regulator in HCC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingkun Huang
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shuzhen Guan
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Department of Pathology, the first Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinrui Wei
- Guangxi Scientific Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lichuan Wu
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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45
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Short SS, Kastenberg ZJ, Wei G, Bondoc A, Dasgupta R, Tiao GM, Watters E, Heaton TE, Lotakis D, La Quaglia MP, Murphy AJ, Davidoff AM, Mansfield SA, Langham MR, Lautz TB, Superina RA, Ott KC, Malek MM, Morgan KM, Kim ES, Zamora A, Lascano D, Roach J, Murphy JT, Rothstein DH, Vasudevan SA, Whitlock R, Lal DR, Hallis B, Bütter A, Baertschiger RM, Lapidus-Krol E, Putra J, Tracy ER, Aldrink JH, Apfeld J, Le HD, Park KY, Rich BS, Glick RD, Fialkowski EA, Utria AF, Meyers RL, Riehle KJ. Histologic type predicts disparate outcomes in pediatric hepatocellular neoplasms: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study. Cancer 2022; 128:2786-2795. [PMID: 35561331 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34256] [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: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare cancer in children, with various histologic subtypes and a paucity of data to guide clinical management and predict prognosis. METHODS A multi-institutional review of children with hepatocellular neoplasms was performed, including demographic, staging, treatment, and outcomes data. Patients were categorized as having conventional HCC (cHCC) with or without underlying liver disease, fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), and hepatoblastoma with HCC features (HB-HCC). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified predictors of mortality and relapse. RESULTS In total, 262 children were identified; and an institutional histologic review revealed 110 cHCCs (42%; 69 normal background liver, 34 inflammatory/cirrhotic, 7 unknown), 119 FLCs (45%), and 33 HB-HCCs (12%). The authors observed notable differences in presentation and behavior among tumor subtypes, including increased lymph node involvement in FLC and higher stage in cHCC. Factors associated with mortality included cHCC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; P = .038), elevated α-fetoprotein (HR, 3.1; P = .014), multifocality (HR, 2.4; P < .001), and PRETEXT (pretreatment extent of disease) stage IV (HR, 5.76; P < .001). Multivariate analysis identified increased mortality in cHCC versus FLC (HR, 2.2; P = .004) and in unresectable tumors (HR, 3.4; P < .001). Disease-free status at any point predicted survival. CONCLUSIONS This multi-institutional, detailed data set allowed a comprehensive analysis of outcomes for children with these rare hepatocellular neoplasms. The current data demonstrated that pediatric HCC subtypes are not equivalent entities because FLC and cHCC have distinct anatomic patterns and outcomes in concert with their known molecular differences. This data set will be further used to elucidate the impact of histology on specific treatment responses, with the goal of designing risk-stratified algorithms for children with HCC. LAY SUMMARY This is the largest reported granular data set on children with hepatocellular carcinoma. The study evaluates different subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma and identifies key differences between subtypes. This information is pivotal in improving understanding of these rare cancers and may be used to improve clinical management and subsequent outcome in children with these rare malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott S Short
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Zachary J Kastenberg
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Guo Wei
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Bondoc
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Roshni Dasgupta
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Greg M Tiao
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Erin Watters
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Todd E Heaton
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Dimitra Lotakis
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael P La Quaglia
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Sara A Mansfield
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Max R Langham
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Timothy B Lautz
- Department of Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Riccardo A Superina
- Department of Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Katherine C Ott
- Department of Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marcus M Malek
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Katrina M Morgan
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eugene S Kim
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Abigail Zamora
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Danny Lascano
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jonathan Roach
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Joseph T Murphy
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
| | - David H Rothstein
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sanjeev A Vasudevan
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Richard Whitlock
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dave R Lal
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Brian Hallis
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Andreana Bütter
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reto M Baertschiger
- Department of General and Pediatric Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eveline Lapidus-Krol
- Department of General and Pediatric Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan Putra
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elisabeth R Tracy
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer H Aldrink
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jordan Apfeld
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Hau D Le
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, American Family Children's Hospital, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Keon Y Park
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, American Family Children's Hospital, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Barrie S Rich
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell/Hofstra, New Hyde Park, New York
| | - Richard D Glick
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell/Hofstra, New Hyde Park, New York
| | - Elizabeth A Fialkowski
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Portland, Oregon
| | - Alan F Utria
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Portland, Oregon
| | - Rebecka L Meyers
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kimberly J Riehle
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Dinh TA, Utria AF, Barry KC, Ma R, Abou-Alfa GK, Gordan JD, Jaffee EM, Scott JD, Zucman-Rossi J, O’Neill AF, Furth ME, Sethupathy P. A framework for fibrolamellar carcinoma research and clinical trials. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:328-342. [PMID: 35190728 PMCID: PMC9516439 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), a rare, lethal hepatic cancer, occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults. Unlike hepatocellular carcinoma, FLC has no known association with viral, metabolic or chemical agents that cause cirrhosis. Currently, surgical resection is the only treatment demonstrated to achieve cure, and no standard of care exists for systemic therapy. Progress in FLC research illuminates a transition from an obscure cancer to one for which an interactive community seems poised to uncover fundamental mechanisms and initiate translation towards novel therapies. In this Roadmap, we review advances since the seminal discovery in 2014 that nearly all FLC tumours express a signature oncogene (DNAJB1-PRKACA) encoding a fusion protein (DNAJ-PKAc) in which the J-domain of a heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) co-chaperone replaces an amino-terminal segment of the catalytic subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Important gains include increased understanding of oncogenic pathways driven by DNAJ-PKAc; identification of potential therapeutic targets; development of research models; elucidation of immune mechanisms with potential for the development of immunotherapies; and completion of the first multicentre clinical trials of targeted therapy for FLC. In each of these key areas we propose a Roadmap for future progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A. Dinh
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,These authors contributed equally: Timothy A. Dinh, Alan F. Utria, Kevin C. Barry
| | - Alan F. Utria
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,These authors contributed equally: Timothy A. Dinh, Alan F. Utria, Kevin C. Barry
| | - Kevin C. Barry
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,These authors contributed equally: Timothy A. Dinh, Alan F. Utria, Kevin C. Barry
| | - Rosanna Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John D. Gordan
- Gastrointestinal oncology, University of California at San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of oncology, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John D. Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne université, Inserm, Université de Paris, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors, Paris, France
| | - Allison F. O’Neill
- Department of Paediatric Hematology/oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark E. Furth
- Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation, Greenwich, CT, USA.,;
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,;
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Francisco AB, Kanke M, Massa AP, Dinh TA, Sritharan R, Vakili K, Bardeesy N, Sethupathy P. Multi-omic analysis of microRNA-mediated regulation reveals a proliferative axis involving miR-10b in fibrolamellar carcinoma. JCI Insight 2022; 7:154743. [PMID: 35482409 PMCID: PMC9220943 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is an aggressive liver cancer primarily afflicting adolescents and young adults. Most patients with FLC harbor a heterozygous deletion on chromosome 19 that leads to the oncogenic gene fusion, DNAJB1-PRKACA. There are currently no effective therapeutics for FLC. To address that, it is critical to gain deeper mechanistic insight into FLC pathogenesis. We assembled a large sample set of FLC and nonmalignant liver tissue (n = 52) and performed integrative multiomic analysis. Specifically, we carried out small RNA sequencing to define altered microRNA expression patterns in tumor samples and then coupled this analysis with RNA sequencing and chromatin run-on sequencing data to identify candidate master microRNA regulators of gene expression in FLC. We also evaluated the relationship between DNAJB1-PRKACA and microRNAs of interest in several human and mouse cell models. Finally, we performed loss-of-function experiments for a specific microRNA in cells established from a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. We identified miR-10b-5p as the top candidate pro-proliferative microRNA in FLC. In multiple human cell models, overexpression of DNAJB1-PRKACA led to significant upregulation of miR-10b-5p. Inhibition of miR-10b in PDX-derived cells increased the expression of several potentially novel target genes, concomitant with a significant reduction in metabolic activity, proliferation, and anchorage-independent growth. This study highlights a potentially novel proliferative axis in FLC and provides a rich resource for further investigation of FLC etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B Francisco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Matt Kanke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Andrew P Massa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Timothy A Dinh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Ramja Sritharan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Khashayar Vakili
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States of America
| | - Nabeel Bardeesy
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
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48
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Tee SS, Kim N, Cullen Q, Eskandari R, Mamakhanyan A, Srouji RM, Chirayil R, Jeong S, Shakiba M, Kastenhuber ER, Chen S, Sigel C, Lowe SW, Jarnagin WR, Thompson CB, Schietinger A, Keshari KR. Ketohexokinase-mediated fructose metabolism is lost in hepatocellular carcinoma and can be leveraged for metabolic imaging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm7985. [PMID: 35385296 PMCID: PMC8985914 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to break down fructose is dependent on ketohexokinase (KHK) that phosphorylates fructose to fructose-1-phosphate (F1P). We show that KHK expression is tightly controlled and limited to a small number of organs and is down-regulated in liver and intestinal cancer cells. Loss of fructose metabolism is also apparent in hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma (HCC) patient samples. KHK overexpression in liver cancer cells results in decreased fructose flux through glycolysis. We then developed a strategy to detect this metabolic switch in vivo using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Uniformly deuterating [2-13C]-fructose and dissolving in D2O increased its spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) fivefold, enabling detection of F1P and its loss in models of HCC. In summary, we posit that in the liver, fructolysis to F1P is lost in the development of cancer and can be used as a biomarker of tissue function in the clinic using metabolic imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sui Seng Tee
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nathaniel Kim
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Quinlan Cullen
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roozbeh Eskandari
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arsen Mamakhanyan
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rami M. Srouji
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Chirayil
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sangmoo Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mojdeh Shakiba
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward R. Kastenhuber
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlie Sigel
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott W. Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - William R. Jarnagin
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig B. Thompson
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Schietinger
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kayvan R. Keshari
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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49
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Mehta S, Zhang J. Liquid-liquid phase separation drives cellular function and dysfunction in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:239-252. [PMID: 35149762 PMCID: PMC10036213 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00444-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a disease of uncontrollably reproducing cells. It is governed by biochemical pathways that have escaped the regulatory bounds of normal homeostatic balance. This balance is maintained through precise spatiotemporal regulation of these pathways. The formation of biomolecular condensates via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has recently emerged as a widespread mechanism underlying the spatiotemporal coordination of biological activities in cells. Biomolecular condensates are widely observed to directly regulate key cellular processes involved in cancer cell pathology, and the dysregulation of LLPS is increasingly implicated as a previously hidden driver of oncogenic activity. In this Perspective, we discuss how LLPS shapes the biochemical landscape of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Holczbauer Á, Wangensteen KJ, Shin S. Cellular origins of regenerating liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100416. [PMID: 35243280 PMCID: PMC8873941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant primary cancer arising from the liver and is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The cellular origin of HCC has been a topic of great interest due to conflicting findings regarding whether it originates in hepatocytes, biliary cells, or facultative stem cells. These cell types all undergo changes during liver injury, and there is controversy about their contribution to regenerative responses in the liver. Most HCCs emerge in the setting of chronic liver injury from viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcohol, and environmental exposures. The injuries are marked by liver parenchymal changes such as hepatocyte regenerative nodules, biliary duct cellular changes, expansion of myofibroblasts that cause fibrosis and cirrhosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, all of which may contribute to carcinogenesis. Addressing the cellular origin of HCC is the key to identifying the earliest events that trigger it. Herein, we review data on the cells of origin in regenerating liver and HCC and the implications of these findings for prevention and treatment. We also review the origins of childhood liver cancer and other rare cancers of the liver.
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