1
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Mallard HJ, Wan S, Nidhi P, Hanscom-Trofy YD, Mohapatra B, Woods NT, Lopez-Guerrero JA, Llombart-Bosch A, Machado I, Scotlandi K, Kreiling NF, Perry MC, Mirza S, Coulter DW, Band V, Band H, Ghosal G. USP1 Expression Driven by EWS::FLI1 Transcription Factor Stabilizes Survivin and Mitigates Replication Stress in Ewing Sarcoma. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:1186-1204. [PMID: 37478161 PMCID: PMC10618738 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we identify USP1 as a transcriptional target of EWS::FLI1 and demonstrate the requisite function of USP1 in Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cell survival in response to endogenous replication stress. EWS::FLI1 oncogenic transcription factor drives most EWS, a pediatric bone cancer. EWS cells display elevated levels of R-loops and replication stress. The mechanism by which EWS cells override activation of apoptosis or cellular senescence in response to increased replication stress is not known. We show that USP1 is overexpressed in EWS and EWS::FLI1 regulates USP1 transcript levels. USP1 knockdown or inhibition arrests EWS cell growth and induces cell death by apoptosis. Mechanistically, USP1 regulates Survivin (BIRC5/API4) protein stability and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3/7 in response to endogenous replication stress. Notably, USP1 inhibition sensitizes cells to doxorubicin and etoposide treatment. Together, our study demonstrates that USP1 is regulated by EWS::FLI1, the USP1-Survivin axis promotes EWS cell survival, and USP1 inhibition sensitizes cells to standard of care chemotherapy. IMPLICATIONS High USP1 and replication stress levels driven by EWS::FLI1 transcription factor in EWS are vulnerabilities that can be exploited to improve existing treatment avenues and overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halle J. Mallard
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Shibiao Wan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Prakriti Nidhi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yvan D. Hanscom-Trofy
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Bhopal Mohapatra
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Nicholas T. Woods
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Antonio Llombart-Bosch
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología and Patologika Laboratory, Hospital QuironSalud, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isidro Machado
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología and Patologika Laboratory, Hospital QuironSalud, Valencia, Spain
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Natasha F. Kreiling
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Megan C. Perry
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sameer Mirza
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Donald W. Coulter
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Vimla Band
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Hamid Band
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Gargi Ghosal
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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2
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de Nigris F, Meo C, Palinski W. Combination of Genomic Landsscape and 3D Culture Functional Assays Bridges Sarcoma Phenotype to Target and Immunotherapy. Cells 2023; 12:2204. [PMID: 37681936 PMCID: PMC10486752 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic-based precision medicine has not only improved tumour therapy but has also shown its weaknesses. Genomic profiling and mutation analysis have identified alterations that play a major role in sarcoma pathogenesis and evolution. However, they have not been sufficient in predicting tumour vulnerability and advancing treatment. The relative rarity of sarcomas and the genetic heterogeneity between subtypes also stand in the way of gaining statistically significant results from clinical trials. Personalized three-dimensional tumour models that reflect the specific histologic subtype are emerging as functional assays to test anticancer drugs, complementing genomic screening. Here, we provide an overview of current target therapy for sarcomas and discuss functional assays based on 3D models that, by recapitulating the molecular pathways and tumour microenvironment, may predict patient response to treatments. This approach opens new avenues to improve precision medicine when genomic and pathway alterations are not sufficient to guide the choice of the most promising treatment. Furthermore, we discuss the aspects of the 3D culture assays that need to be improved, such as the standardisation of growth conditions and the definition of in vitro responses that can be used as a cut-off for clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena de Nigris
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Concetta Meo
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Wulf Palinski
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
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3
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ETV6 dependency in Ewing sarcoma by antagonism of EWS-FLI1-mediated enhancer activation. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:298-308. [PMID: 36658219 PMCID: PMC10101761 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The EWS-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein deregulates transcription to initiate the paediatric cancer Ewing sarcoma. Here we used a domain-focused CRISPR screen to implicate the transcriptional repressor ETV6 as a unique dependency in this tumour. Using biochemical assays and epigenomics, we show that ETV6 competes with EWS-FLI1 for binding to select DNA elements enriched for short GGAA repeat sequences. Upon inactivating ETV6, EWS-FLI1 overtakes and hyper-activates these cis-elements to promote mesenchymal differentiation, with SOX11 being a key downstream target. We show that squelching of ETV6 with a dominant-interfering peptide phenocopies these effects and suppresses Ewing sarcoma growth in vivo. These findings reveal targeting of ETV6 as a strategy for neutralizing the EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein by reprogramming of genomic occupancy.
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4
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Lanzi C, Cassinelli G. Combinatorial strategies to potentiate the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in fusion-positive sarcomas. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114944. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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5
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Damerell V, Pepper MS, Prince S. Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:246. [PMID: 34188019 PMCID: PMC8241855 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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6
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Luo W, Xu C, Phillips S, Gardenswartz A, Rosenblum JM, Ayello J, Lessnick SL, Hao HX, Cairo MS. Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 1A regulates cell cycle progression in Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1691-1704. [PMID: 32477459 PMCID: PMC7233808 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a malignant pediatric bone and soft tissue tumor. Patients with metastatic ES have a dismal outcome which has not been improved in decades. The major challenge in the treatment of metastatic ES is the lack of specific targets and rational combinatorial therapy. We recently found that protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 1A (PPP1R1A) is specifically highly expressed in ES and promotes tumor growth and metastasis in ES. In the current investigation, we show that PPP1R1A regulates ES cell cycle progression in G1/S phase by down-regulating cell cycle inhibitors p21Cip1 and p27Kip1, which leads to retinoblastoma (Rb) protein hyperphosphorylation. In addition, we show that PPP1R1A promotes normal transcription of histone genes during cell cycle progression. Importantly, we demonstrate a synergistic/additive effect of the combinatorial therapy of PPP1R1A and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibition on decreasing ES cell proliferation and migration in vitro and limiting xenograft tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Taken together, our findings suggest a role of PPP1R1A as an ES specific cell cycle modulator and that simultaneous targeting of PPP1R1A and IGF-1R pathways is a promising specific and effective strategy to treat both primary and metastatic ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Changxin Xu
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Phillips
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Janet Ayello
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | | | - Huai-Xiang Hao
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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7
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Casey DL, Lin TY, Cheung NKV. Exploiting Signaling Pathways and Immune Targets Beyond the Standard of Care for Ewing Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:537. [PMID: 31275859 PMCID: PMC6593481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumors includes bone and soft tissue tumors that are often characterized by a specific translocation between chromosome 11 and 22, resulting in the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. With the advent of multi-modality treatment including cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, the prognosis for patients with ES has substantially improved. However, a therapeutic plateau is now reached for both localized and metastatic disease over the last two decades. Burdened by the toxicity limits associated with the current frontline systemic therapy, there is an urgent need for novel targeted therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the current treatment paradigm of ES, and explore preclinical evidence and emerging treatments directed at tumor signaling pathways and immune targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana L Casey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tsung-Yi Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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8
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Tsai HP, Tsai TH, Hsieh YJ, Chen YT, Lee CL, Tsai YC, She TC, Lin CL, Chai CY, Kwan AL. Overexpression of Fli-1 in astrocytoma is associated with poor prognosis. Oncotarget 2018; 8:29174-29186. [PMID: 28418872 PMCID: PMC5438722 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Astrocytoma, a common and highly malignant type of brain tumor, is associated with poor overall survival despite advances in surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The nuclear transcription factor Fli-1 has been shown to increase cellular proliferation and tumorigenesis in many types of cancer; however, previous reports have not described a correlation between clinical outcomes and Fli-1 in astrocytoma patients. The present study aimed to elucidate the clinical role of Fli-1 in astrocytoma. Results High-level of Fli-1 protein expression was significantly association with World Health Organization (WHO) high grade and poor prognosis. A multivariate analysis revealed that the WHO grade and Fli-1 protein expression were independent factor of prognostic factors of patients with astrocytoma. In addition, Fli-1 silencing inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion and led to the downregulation of Ki-67, VEGF, and cyclin D1 expression in the astrocytoma cells. Materials and methods Fli-1 protein expression in astrocytoma tissue samples were detected via immunohistochemistry, and potential correlations between clinical parameters and Fli-1 expression were assessed in patients with astrocytoma. Additionally, proliferation, invasion, and migration assays of astrocytoma cell lines were conducted to evaluate the effects of short interfering RNA (siRNA) on these processes; in addition, these cells were subjected to western blotting to detect the expression levels of Fli-1, Ki-67, VEGF, and Cyclin D1. Conclusion Fli-1 shows promise as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic molecular target for astrocytoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Pei Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Hsin Tsai
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ju Hsieh
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Chen
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ling Lee
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chang She
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lung Lin
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Yin Chai
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Aij-Lie Kwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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9
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Jacques C, Lamoureux F, Baud'huin M, Rodriguez Calleja L, Quillard T, Amiaud J, Tirode F, Rédini F, Bradner JE, Heymann D, Ory B. Targeting the epigenetic readers in Ewing sarcoma inhibits the oncogenic transcription factor EWS/Fli1. Oncotarget 2018; 7:24125-40. [PMID: 27006472 PMCID: PMC5029689 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing Sarcoma is a rare bone and soft tissue malignancy affecting children and young adults. Chromosomal translocations in this cancer produce fusion oncogenes as characteristic molecular signatures of the disease. The most common case is the translocation t (11; 22) (q24;q12) which yields the EWS-Fli1 chimeric transcription factor. Finding a way to directly target EWS-Fli1 remains a central therapeutic approach to eradicate this aggressive cancer. Here we demonstrate that treating Ewing Sarcoma cells with JQ1(+), a BET bromodomain inhibitor, represses directly EWS-Fli1 transcription as well as its transcriptional program. Moreover, the Chromatin Immuno Precipitation experiments demonstrate for the first time that these results are a consequence of the depletion of BRD4, one of the BET bromodomains protein from the EWS-Fli1 promoter. In vitro, JQ1(+) treatment reduces the cell viability, impairs the cell clonogenic and the migratory abilities, and induces a G1-phase blockage as well as a time- and a dose-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, in our in vivo model, we observed a tumor burden delay, an inhibition of the global vascularization and an increase of the mice overall survival. Taken together, our data indicate that inhibiting the BET bromodomains interferes with EWS-FLi1 transcription and could be a promising strategy in the Ewing tumors context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Jacques
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | - François Lamoureux
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | - Marc Baud'huin
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France.,Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Lidia Rodriguez Calleja
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | - Thibaut Quillard
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Amiaud
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | | | - Françoise Rédini
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
| | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dominique Heymann
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France.,Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Benjamin Ory
- INSERM, UMR 957, Équipe Labellisée Ligue 2012, Nantes, France.,Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, EA3822, Nantes, France
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10
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The sirtuin 1/2 inhibitor tenovin-1 induces a nonlinear apoptosis-inducing factor-dependent cell death in a p53 null Ewing’s sarcoma cell line. Invest New Drugs 2017; 36:396-406. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-017-0541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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11
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Tang F, Choy E, Tu C, Hornicek F, Duan Z. Therapeutic applications of histone deacetylase inhibitors in sarcoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2017; 59:33-45. [PMID: 28732326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas are a rare group of malignant tumors originating from mesenchymal stem cells. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are currently the only standard treatments for sarcoma. However, their response rates to chemotherapy are quite low. Toxic side effects and multi-drug chemoresistance make treatment even more challenging. Therefore, better drugs to treat sarcomas are needed. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAC inhibitors, HDACi, HDIs) are epigenetic modifying agents that can inhibit sarcoma growth in vitro and in vivo through a variety of pathways, including inducing tumor cell apoptosis, causing cell cycle arrest, impairing tumor invasion and preventing metastasis. Importantly, preclinical studies have revealed that HDIs can not only sensitize sarcomas to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but also increase treatment responses when combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs. Several phase I and II clinical trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of HDIs either as monotherapy or in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapeutic drugs for sarcomas. Combination regimen for sarcomas appear to be more promising than monotherapy when using HDIs. This review summarizes our current understanding and therapeutic applications of HDIs in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Tang
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Edwin Choy
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Chongqi Tu
- Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Francis Hornicek
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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12
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Endo A, Tomizawa D, Aoki Y, Morio T, Mizutani S, Takagi M. EWSR1/ELF5 induces acute myeloid leukemia by inhibiting p53/p21 pathway. Cancer Sci 2016; 107:1745-1754. [PMID: 27627705 PMCID: PMC5198945 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene is known to fuse with various partner genes to promote the development of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors and other sarcomas. In contrast, the association of EWSR1 chimeric fusion genes with leukemia has rarely been reported. We identified a novel EWSR1‐associated chimeric fusion gene in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia harboring 46, XY, t (11; 22) (p13; q12) karyotype abnormality. The patient was refractory to intensified chemotherapy including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Total RNA paired‐end sequencing identified a novel chimeric fusion gene as EWSR1/ELF5, a member of the E26 transformation‐specific transcription factor family. Transduction of EWSR1/ELF5 to NIH3T3 cells induced transformation by attenuating with the p53/p21‐dependent pathway. The injection of EWSR1/ELF5‐transduced NIH3T3 cells into NSG‐SCID mice systematically induced the development of tumors in vivo. These results revealed the oncogenic potency of EWSR1/ELF5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akifumi Endo
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tomizawa
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Leukemia and Lymphoma, Children's Cancer Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Aoki
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Morio
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuki Mizutani
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Takagi
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Harlow ML, Maloney N, Roland J, Guillen Navarro MJ, Easton MK, Kitchen-Goosen SM, Boguslawski EA, Madaj ZB, Johnson BK, Bowman MJ, D'Incalci M, Winn ME, Turner L, Hostetter G, Galmarini CM, Aviles PM, Grohar PJ. Lurbinectedin Inactivates the Ewing Sarcoma Oncoprotein EWS-FLI1 by Redistributing It within the Nucleus. Cancer Res 2016; 76:6657-6668. [PMID: 27697767 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is a great need to develop novel approaches to target oncogenic transcription factors with small molecules. Ewing sarcoma is emblematic of this need, as it depends on the continued activity of the EWS-FLI1 transcription factor to maintain the malignant phenotype. We have previously shown that the small molecule trabectedin interferes with EWS-FLI1. Here, we report important mechanistic advances and a second-generation inhibitor to provide insight into the therapeutic targeting of EWS-FLI1. We discovered that trabectedin functionally inactivated EWS-FLI1 by redistributing the protein within the nucleus to the nucleolus. This effect was rooted in the wild-type functions of the EWSR1, compromising the N-terminal half of the chimeric oncoprotein, which is known to be similarly redistributed within the nucleus in the presence of UV light damage. A second-generation trabectedin analogue lurbinectedin (PM01183) caused the same nuclear redistribution of EWS-FLI1, leading to a loss of activity at the promoter, mRNA, and protein levels of expression. Tumor xenograft studies confirmed this effect, and it was increased in combination with irinotecan, leading to tumor regression and replacement of Ewing sarcoma cells with benign fat cells. The net result of combined lurbinectedin and irinotecan treatment was a complete reversal of EWS-FLI1 activity and elimination of established tumors in 30% to 70% of mice after only 11 days of therapy. Our results illustrate the preclinical safety and efficacy of a disease-specific therapy targeting the central oncogenic driver in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res; 76(22); 6657-68. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt L Harlow
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nichole Maloney
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joseph Roland
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ben K Johnson
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | | | - Mary E Winn
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Lisa Turner
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | | | | | - Patrick J Grohar
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. .,Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,Helen De Vos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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14
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Osgood CL, Maloney N, Kidd CG, Kitchen-Goosen S, Segars L, Gebregiorgis M, Woldemichael GM, He M, Sankar S, Lessnick SL, Kang M, Smith M, Turner L, Madaj ZB, Winn ME, Núñez LE, González-Sabín J, Helman LJ, Morís F, Grohar PJ. Identification of Mithramycin Analogues with Improved Targeting of the EWS-FLI1 Transcription Factor. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:4105-18. [PMID: 26979396 PMCID: PMC4987166 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The goal of this study was to identify second-generation mithramycin analogues that better target the EWS-FLI1 transcription factor for Ewing sarcoma. We previously established mithramycin as an EWS-FLI1 inhibitor, but the compound's toxicity prevented its use at effective concentrations in patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We screened a panel of mithralogs to establish their ability to inhibit EWS-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma. We compared the IC50 with the MTD established in mice to determine the relationship between efficacy and toxicity. We confirmed the suppression of EWS-FLI1 at the promoter, mRNA, gene signature, and protein levels. We established an improved therapeutic window by using time-lapse microscopy to model the effects on cellular proliferation in Ewing sarcoma cells relative to HepG2 control cells. Finally, we established an improved therapeutic window using a xenograft model of Ewing sarcoma. RESULTS EC-8105 was found to be the most potent analogue and was able to suppress EWS-FLI1 activity at concentrations nontoxic to other cell types. EC-8042 was substantially less toxic than mithramycin in multiple species but maintained suppression of EWS-FLI1 at similar concentrations. Both compounds markedly suppressed Ewing sarcoma xenograft growth and inhibited EWS-FLI1 in vivo CONCLUSIONS These results provide a basis for the continued development of EC-8042 and EC-8105 as EWS-FLI1 inhibitors for the clinic. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 4105-18. ©2016 AACR.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Mice
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/antagonists & inhibitors
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Plicamycin/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/antagonists & inhibitors
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/mortality
- Transcription Factors
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy L Osgood
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nichole Maloney
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Christopher G Kidd
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Laura Segars
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Meti Gebregiorgis
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Girma M Woldemichael
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Laboratory, Inc., Molecular Targets Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Min He
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Savita Sankar
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Min Kang
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Malcolm Smith
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lisa Turner
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | - Mary E Winn
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | | | | | - Lee J Helman
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Patrick J Grohar
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Helen De Vos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University School of Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan.
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15
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Caropreso V, Darvishi E, Turbyville TJ, Ratnayake R, Grohar PJ, McMahon JB, Woldemichael GM. Englerin A Inhibits EWS-FLI1 DNA Binding in Ewing Sarcoma Cells. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:10058-66. [PMID: 26961871 PMCID: PMC4858959 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.701375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput screening of extracts from plants, marine, and micro-organisms led to the identification of the extract from the plant Phyllanthus engleri as the most potent inhibitor of EWS-FLI1 induced luciferase reporter expression. Testing of compounds isolated from this extract in turn led to the identification of Englerin A (EA) as the active constituent of the extract. EA induced both necrosis and apoptosis in Ewing cells subsequent to a G2M accumulation of cells in the cell cycle. It also impacted clonogenic survival and anchorage-independent proliferation while also decreasing the proportion of chemotherapy-resistant cells identified by high ALDH activity. EA also caused a sustained increase in cytosolic calcium levels. EA appears to exert its effect on Ewing cells through a decrease in phosphorylation of EWS-FLI1 and its ability to bind DNA. This effect is mediated, at least in part, through a decrease in the levels of the calcium-dependent protein kinase PKC-βI after a transient up-regulation.
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MESH Headings
- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/genetics
- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/metabolism
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- DNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Humans
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Phosphorylation/genetics
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/genetics
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Caropreso
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Emad Darvishi
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Thomas J Turbyville
- Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., and
| | - Ranjala Ratnayake
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
| | - James B McMahon
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Girma M Woldemichael
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Molecular Targets Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland 21702,
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16
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Giorgi C, Boro A, Rechfeld F, Lopez-Garcia LA, Gierisch ME, Schäfer BW, Niggli FK. PI3K/AKT signaling modulates transcriptional expression of EWS/FLI1 through specificity protein 1. Oncotarget 2015; 6:28895-910. [PMID: 26336820 PMCID: PMC4745699 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most frequent bone cancer in childhood and is characterized by the presence of the balanced translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12) in more than 85% of cases, generating a dysregulated transcription factor EWS/FLI1. This fusion protein is an essential oncogenic component of ES development which is necessary for tumor cell maintenance and represents an attractive therapeutic target. To search for modulators of EWS/FLI1 activity we screened a library of 153 targeted compounds and identified inhibitors of the PI3K pathway to directly modulate EWS/FLI1 transcription. Surprisingly, treatment of four different ES cell lines with BEZ235 resulted in down regulation of EWS/FLI1 mRNA and protein by ~50% with subsequent modulation of target gene expression. Analysis of the EWS/FLI1 promoter region (-2239/+67) using various deletion constructs identified two 14 bp minimal elements as being important for EWS/FLI1 transcription. We identified SP1 as modulator of EWS/FLI1 gene expression and demonstrated direct binding to one of these regions in the EWS/FLI1 promoter by EMSA and ChIP experiments. These results provide the first insights on the transcriptional regulation of EWS/FLI1, an area that has not been investigated so far, and offer an additional molecular explanation for the known sensitivity of ES cell lines to PI3K inhibition.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Bone Neoplasms/enzymology
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/genetics
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism
- Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Quinolines/pharmacology
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/genetics
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/enzymology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/genetics
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giorgi
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandar Boro
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Florian Rechfeld
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura A. Lopez-Garcia
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria E. Gierisch
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix K. Niggli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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Bledsoe KL, McGee-Lawrence ME, Camilleri ET, Wang X, Riester SM, van Wijnen AJ, Oliveira AM, Westendorf JJ. RUNX3 facilitates growth of Ewing sarcoma cells. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:2049-56. [PMID: 24812032 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric small round cell tumor that predominantly occurs in bone. Approximately 85% of Ewing sarcomas harbor the EWS/FLI fusion protein, which arises from a chromosomal translocation, t(11:22)(q24:q12). EWS/FLI interacts with numerous lineage-essential transcription factors to maintain mesenchymal progenitors in an undifferentiated state. We previously showed that EWS/FLI binds the osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 and prevents osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the role of another Runt-domain protein, RUNX3, in Ewing sarcoma. RUNX3 participates in mesenchymal-derived bone formation and is a context dependent tumor suppressor and oncogene. RUNX3 was detected in all Ewing sarcoma cells examined, whereas RUNX2 was detected in only 73% of specimens. Like RUNX2, RUNX3 binds to EWS/FLI via its Runt domain. EWS/FLI prevented RUNX3 from activating the transcription of a RUNX-responsive reporter, p6OSE2. Stable suppression of RUNX3 expression in the Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 delayed colony growth in anchorage independent soft agar assays and reversed expression of EWS/FLI-responsive genes. These results demonstrate an important role for RUNX3 in Ewing sarcoma.
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18
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Mariño-Enríquez A, Fletcher CD. Round cell sarcomas – Biologically important refinements in subclassification. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 53:493-504. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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19
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Kayarthodi S, Fujimura Y, Fang J, Morsalin S, Rao VN, Reddy ESP. Anti-Epileptic Drug Targets Ewing Sarcoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 1:87-100. [PMID: 25664332 DOI: 10.1166/jpsp.2014.1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is a rare form of bone cancer that most commonly affects children and adolescents. Chromosomal translocations are fundamental to the development of Ewing Sarcoma, linked to the changes in gene expression affecting transcription factors. Histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate transcription by modifying acetylation of both histones and transcription factors. Despite the use of multimodal therapeutic approaches current therapies are associated with significant short and long-term side effects. Hence, new therapeutic approaches are needed. In this study, we show that ERG/EWS-ERG, inhibits transcriptional activation properties of RXRα. These results suggest that ERG/EWS-ERG/EWS-Fli-1 may target transcriptional co-activators and transcriptional repressors and thereby regulate RXRα transcriptional activity. To understand the molecular mechanism of action, how the fusion protein targets nuclear receptor function, and to provide a clue for the cancer health disparity seen in Ewing Sarcoma, we hypothesized that the aberrant fusion protein, EWS-ERG/EWS-Fli-1 regulates HDACs-mediated repressor complex and inhibits the binding of transcriptional activator complex causing transcriptional repression of RXRα activity. Since it is known that HDACs regulate nuclear receptors, we proposed that HDAC inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug, may reverse the inhibitory properties of EWS-ERG/EWS-Fli-1 oncoprotein on RXRα transcriptional activity and might therefore be used as therapeutic agent in ES. We demonstrate that VPA reverses the inhibitory effect of EWSERG/EWS-Fli-1 on RXRα transcriptional activity and also inhibits the cell growth. Furthermore, VPA induces apoptosis and restored the expression of RXRα target genes RARβ, CRABPII and p21 activity and repressed the expression of aberrant fusion proteins, EWS-ERG and EWS-Fli-1 in Ewing Sarcoma cells. Thus, therapeutic regulation of transcriptional repressor properties of EWS-ERG/EWS-Fli-1 with an anti-epileptic drug with a promising new potential might have a profound impact on prevention, management and treatment of Ewing Sarcoma. Therapeutic use of VPA in minority patients may help reduce the health disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhalaxmi Kayarthodi
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
| | - Yasuo Fujimura
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
| | - Jinbo Fang
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
| | - Sharif Morsalin
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
| | - Veena N Rao
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
| | - E Shyam P Reddy
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, 30303, GA
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20
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Fisher C. The diversity of soft tissue tumours withEWSR1gene rearrangements: a review. Histopathology 2013; 64:134-50. [DOI: 10.1111/his.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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21
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Stoll G, Surdez D, Tirode F, Laud K, Barillot E, Zinovyev A, Delattre O. Systems biology of Ewing sarcoma: a network model of EWS-FLI1 effect on proliferation and apoptosis. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:8853-71. [PMID: 23935076 PMCID: PMC3799442 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most frequent pediatric bone tumor. In most of the patients, a chromosomal translocation leads to the expression of the EWS-FLI1 chimeric transcription factor that is the major oncogene in this pathology. Relative genetic simplicity of Ewing sarcoma makes it particularly attractive for studying cancer in a systemic manner. Silencing EWS-FLI1 induces cell cycle alteration and ultimately leads to apoptosis, but the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype are unclear. In this study, a network linking EWS-FLI1 to cell cycle and apoptosis phenotypes was constructed through an original method of network reconstruction. Transcriptome time-series after EWS-FLI1 silencing were used to identify core modulated genes by an original scoring method based on fitting expression profile dynamics curves. Literature data mining was then used to connect these modulated genes into a network. The validity of a subpart of this network was assessed by siRNA/RT-QPCR experiments on four additional Ewing cell lines and confirmed most of the links. Based on the network and the transcriptome data, CUL1 was identified as a new potential target of EWS-FLI1. Altogether, using an original methodology of data integration, we provide the first version of EWS-FLI1 network model of cell cycle and apoptosis regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautier Stoll
- Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris cedex 05, France, INSERM U900, Bioinformatique, biostatistique et épidémiologie d'un système complexe, Paris, France, Mines ParisTech, Fontainebleau, France, INSERM U830, Unité de Génétique et Biologie des Cancers, Paris, France and Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Paris, France
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22
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Agra N, Cidre F, García-García L, de la Parra J, Alonso J. Lysyl oxidase is downregulated by the EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein and its propeptide domain displays tumor supressor activities in Ewing sarcoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66281. [PMID: 23750284 PMCID: PMC3672102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone malignancy in children and young adults. It is driven by oncogenic fusion proteins (i.e. EWS/FLI1) acting as aberrant transcription factors that upregulate and downregulate target genes, leading to cellular transformation. Thus, identificating these target genes and understanding their contribution to Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis are key for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this study we show that lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme involved in maintaining structural integrity of the extracellular matrix, is downregulated by the EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein and in consequence it is not expressed in Ewing sarcoma cells and primary tumors. Using a doxycycline inducible system to restore LOX expression in an Ewing sarcoma derived cell line, we showed that LOX displays tumor suppressor activities. Interestingly, we showed that the tumor suppressor activity resides in the propeptide domain of LOX (LOX-PP), an N-terminal domain produced by proteolytic cleavage during the physiological processing of LOX. Expression of LOX-PP reduced cell proliferation, cell migration, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and formation of tumors in immunodeficient mice. By contrast, the C-terminal domain of LOX, which contains the enzymatic activity, had the opposite effects, corroborating that the tumor suppressor activity of LOX is mediated exclusively by its propeptide domain. Finally, we showed that LOX-PP inhibits ERK/MAPK signalling pathway, and that many pathways involved in cell cycle progression were significantly deregulated by LOX-PP, providing a mechanistic explanation to the cell proliferation inhibition observed upon LOX-PP expression. In summary, our observations indicate that deregulation of the LOX gene participates in Ewing sarcoma development and identify LOX-PP as a new therapeutic target for one of the most aggressive paediatric malignancies. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies based on the administration of LOX propeptide or functional analogues could be useful for the treatment of this devastating paediatric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Agra
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Florencia Cidre
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura García-García
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan de la Parra
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Osteoprotegerin inhibits bone resorption and prevents tumor development in a xenogenic model of Ewing's sarcoma by inhibiting RANKL. J Bone Oncol 2013; 2:95-104. [PMID: 26909278 PMCID: PMC4723385 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) associated with high osyeolytic lesions typically arises in the bones of children and adolescents. The development of multi-disciplinary therapy has increased current long-term survival rates to greater than 50% but only 20% for high risk group patients (relapse, metastases, etc.). Among new therapeutic approaches, osteoprotegerin (OPG), an anti-bone resorption molecule may represent a promising candidate to inhibit RANKL-mediated osteolytic component of ES and consequently to limit the tumor development. Xenogenic orthotopic models of Ewing's sarcoma were induced by intra-osseous injection of human TC-71 ES cells. OPG was administered in vivo by non-viral gene transfer using an amphiphilic non ionic block copolymer. ES bearing mice were assigned to controls (no treatment, synthetic vector alone or F68/empty pcDNA3.1 plasmid) and hOPG treated groups. A substantial but not significant inhibition of tumor development was observed in the hOPG group as compared to control groups. Marked bone lesions were revealed by micro-computed tomography analyses in control groups whereas a normal bone micro-architecture was preserved in the hOPG treated group. RANKL over-expressed in ES animal model was expressed by tumor cells rather than by host cells. However, TRAIL present in the tumor microenvironment may interfere with OPG effect on tumor development and bone remodeling via RANKL inhibition. In conclusion, the use of a xenogenic model of Ewing's sarcoma allowed discriminating between the tumor and host cells responsible for the elevation of RANKL production observed in this tumor and demonstrated the relevance of blocking RANKL by OPG as a promising therapy in ES.
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Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant tumor of children and young adults. Modern therapy for Ewing's sarcoma combines high-dose chemotherapy for systemic control of disease, with advanced surgical and/or radiation therapeutic approaches for local control. Despite optimal management, the cure rate for localized disease is only approximately 70%, whereas the cure rate for metastatic disease at presentation is less than 30%. Patients who experience long-term disease-free survival are at risk for significant side-effects of therapy, including infertility, limb dysfunction and an increased risk for second malignancies. The identification of new targets for innovative therapeutic approaches is, therefore, strongly needed for its treatment. Many new pharmaceutical agents have been tested in early phases of clinical trials in ES patients who have recurrent disease. While some agents led to partial response or stable disease, the percentages of drugs eliciting responses or causing an overall effect have been minimal. Furthermore, of the new pharmaceuticals being introduced to clinical practice, the most effective agents also have dose-limiting toxicities. Novel approaches are needed to minimize non-specific toxicity, both for patients with recurrence and at diagnosis. This report presents an overview of the potential molecular targets in ES and highlights the possibility that they may serve as therapeutic targets for the disease. Although additional investigations are required before most of these approaches can be assessed in the clinic, they provide a great deal of hope for patients with Ewing's sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babu Jully
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Talbot J, Brion R, Picarda G, Amiaud J, Chesneau J, Bougras G, Stresing V, Tirode F, Heymann D, Redini F, Verrecchia F. Loss of connexin43 expression in Ewing's sarcoma cells favors the development of the primary tumor and the associated bone osteolysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:553-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Ross KA, Smyth NA, Murawski CD, Kennedy JG. The biology of ewing sarcoma. ISRN ONCOLOGY 2013; 2013:759725. [PMID: 23346417 PMCID: PMC3549336 DOI: 10.1155/2013/759725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The goal of this study was to review the current literature on the biology of Ewing's sarcoma, including current treatments and the means by which an understanding of biological mechanisms could impact future treatments. Methods. A search of PubMed and The Cochrane Collaboration was performed. Both preclinical and clinical evidence was considered, but specific case reports were not. Primary research articles and reviews were analyzed with an emphasis on recent publications. Results. Ewing sarcoma is associated with specific chromosomal translocations and the resulting transcripts/proteins. Knowledge of the biology of Ewing sarcoma has been growing but has yet to significantly impact or produce new treatments. Localized cases have seen improvements in survival rates, but the same cannot be said of metastatic and recurrent cases. Standard surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments are reaching their efficacy limits. Conclusion. Improving prognosis likely lies in advancing biomarkers and early diagnosis, determining a cell(s) of origin, and developing effective molecular therapeutics and antiangiogenic agents. Preclinical evidence suggests the utility of molecular therapies for Ewing sarcoma. Early clinical results also reveal potential for novel treatments but require further development and evaluation before widespread use can be advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keir A. Ross
- Hospital for Special Surgery, 523 East 72nd Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Niall A. Smyth
- Hospital for Special Surgery, 523 East 72nd Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | - John G. Kennedy
- Hospital for Special Surgery, 523 East 72nd Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Bone sarcomas: from biology to targeted therapies. Sarcoma 2012; 2012:301975. [PMID: 23226965 PMCID: PMC3514839 DOI: 10.1155/2012/301975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary malignant bone tumours, osteosarcomas, and Ewing sarcomas are rare diseases which occur mainly in adolescents and young adults. With the current therapies, some patients remain very difficult to treat, such as tumour with poor histological response to preoperative CT (or large initial tumour volume for Ewing sarcomas not operated), patients with multiple metastases at or those who relapsed. In order to develop new therapies against these rare tumours, we need to unveil the key driving factors and molecular abnormalities behind the malignant characteristics and to broaden our understanding of the phenomena sustaining the metastatic phenotype and treatment resistance in these tumours. In this paper, starting with the biology of these tumours, we will discuss potential therapeutic targets aimed at increasing local tumour control, limiting metastatic spread, and finally improving patient survival.
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Schlottmann S, Erkizan HV, Barber-Rotenberg JS, Knights C, Cheema A, Uren A, Avantaggiati ML, Toretsky JA. Acetylation Increases EWS-FLI1 DNA Binding and Transcriptional Activity. Front Oncol 2012; 2:107. [PMID: 22973553 PMCID: PMC3435532 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is associated with a balanced chromosomal translocation that in most cases leads to the expression of the oncogenic fusion protein and transcription factor EWS-FLI1. EWS-FLI1 has been shown to be crucial for ES cell survival and tumor growth. However, its regulation is still enigmatic. To date, no functionally significant post-translational modifications of EWS-FLI1 have been shown. Since ES are sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI), and these inhibitors are advancing in clinical trials, we sought to identify if EWS-FLI1 is directly acetylated. We convincingly show acetylation of the C-terminal FLI1 (FLI1-CTD) domain, which is the DNA binding domain of EWS-FLI1. In vitro acetylation studies showed that acetylated FLI1-CTD has higher DNA binding activity than the non-acetylated protein. Over-expression of PCAF or treatment with HDI increased the transcriptional activity of EWS-FLI1, when co-expressed in Cos7 cells. However, our data that evaluates the acetylation of full-length EWS-FLI1 in ES cells remains unclear, despite creating acetylation specific antibodies to four potential acetylation sites. We conclude that EWS-FLI1 may either gain access to chromatin as a result of histone acetylation or undergo regulation by direct acetylation. These data should be considered when patients are treated with HDAC inhibitors. Further investigation of this phenomenon will reveal if this potential acetylation has an impact on tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Schlottmann
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Washington, DC, USA
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Berghuis D, Schilham MW, Vos HI, Santos SJ, Kloess S, Buddingh' EP, Egeler RM, Hogendoorn PC, Lankester AC. Histone deacetylase inhibitors enhance expression of NKG2D ligands in Ewing sarcoma and sensitize for natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis. Clin Sarcoma Res 2012; 2:8. [PMID: 22587892 PMCID: PMC3351702 DOI: 10.1186/2045-3329-2-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ewing sarcoma patients have a poor prognosis despite multimodal therapy. Integration of combination immunotherapeutic strategies into first-/second-line regimens represents promising treatment options, particularly for patients with intrinsic or acquired resistance to conventional therapies. We evaluated the susceptibility of Ewing sarcoma to natural killer cell-based combination immunotherapy, by assessing the capacity of histone deacetylase inhibitors to improve immune recognition and sensitize for natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Methods Using flow cytometry, ELISA and immunohistochemistry, expression of natural killer cell receptor ligands was assessed in chemotherapy-sensitive/-resistant Ewing sarcoma cell lines, plasma and tumours. Natural killer cell cytotoxicity was evaluated in Chromium release assays. Using ATM/ATR inhibitor caffeine, the contribution of the DNA damage response pathway to histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced ligand expression was assessed. Results Despite comparable expression of natural killer cell receptor ligands, chemotherapy-resistant Ewing sarcoma exhibited reduced susceptibility to resting natural killer cells. Interleukin-15-activation of natural killer cells overcame this reduced sensitivity. Histone deacetylase inhibitor-pretreatment induced NKG2D-ligand expression in an ATM/ATR-dependent manner and sensitized for NKG2D-dependent cytotoxicity (2/4 cell lines). NKG2D-ligands were expressed in vivo, regardless of chemotherapy-response and disease stage. Soluble NKG2D-ligand plasma concentrations did not differ between patients and controls. Conclusion Our data provide a rationale for combination immunotherapy involving immune effector and target cell manipulation in first-/second-line treatment regimens for Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Berghuis
- Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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30
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Kelleher FC, Thomas DM. Molecular pathogenesis and targeted therapeutics in Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumours. Clin Sarcoma Res 2012; 2:6. [PMID: 22587874 PMCID: PMC3351706 DOI: 10.1186/2045-3329-2-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ewing sarcoma/PNET is managed with treatment paradigms involving combinations of chemotherapy, surgery, and sometimes radiation. Although the 5-year survival rate of non-metastatic disease approaches 70%, those cases that are metastatic and those that recur have 5-year survival rates of less than 20%. Molecularly targeted treatments offer the potential to further improve treatment outcomes. METHODS A PUBMED search was performed from 1997 to 2011. Published literature that included the topic of the Ewing sarcoma/PNET was also referenced. RESULTS Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) antagonists have demonstrated modest single agent efficacy in phase I/II clinical trials in Ewing sarcoma/PNET, but have a strong preclinical rationale. Based on in vitro and animal data, treatment using antisense RNA and cDNA oligonucleotides directed at silencing the EWS-FLI chimera that occurs in most Ewing sarcoma/PNET may have potential therapeutic importance. However drug delivery and degradation problems may limit this therapeutic approach. Protein-protein interactions can be targeted by inhibition of RNA helicase A, which binds to EWS/FLI as part of the transcriptional complex. Tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand induction using interferon has been used in preclinical models. Interferons may be incorporated into future chemotherapeutic treatment paradigms. Histone deacetylase inhibitors can restore TGF-β receptor II allowing TFF-β signalling, which appears to inhibit growth of Ewing sarcoma/PNET cell lines in vitro. Immunotherapy using allogeneic natural killer cells has activity in Ewing sarcoma/PNET cell lines and xenograft models. Finally, cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors such as flavopiridol may be clinically efficacious in relapsed Ewing sarcoma/PNET. CONCLUSION Preclinical evidence exists that targeted therapeutics may be efficacious in the ESFT. IGF-1R antagonists have demonstrated efficacy in phase I/II clinical trials, although predicting responses remains a challenge. The future treatment of Ewing sarcoma/PNET is likely to be improved by these scientific advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fergal C Kelleher
- Department of Medical Oncology, St, Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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31
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Li Y, Li X, Fan G, Fukushi JI, Matsumoto Y, Iwamoto Y, Zhu Y. Impairment of p53 acetylation by EWS-Fli1 chimeric protein in Ewing family tumors. Cancer Lett 2012; 320:14-22. [PMID: 22266186 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12) yields the EWS-Fli1 fusion gene, which contributes to the development of Ewing Family Tumors (EFTs). Previous studies have shown the ability of EWS-Fli1 chimeric protein to silence p53 activity. Here we demonstrate that the introduction of EWS-Fli1 significantly inhibited p300-mediated acetylation of p53 at Lys-382 and depletion of EWS-Fli1 protein by small interfering RNAs (siRNA) in EFTs cells facilitated it in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, the deacetylation of p53 by EWS-Fli1 suppressed its transcriptional activity and enhanced mdm2-mediated p53 degradation. On the other hand, immunoprecipitation study shows that N-terminal region of EWS-Fli1 associated with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to forms a complex with p53. Knockdown of HDAC1, but not HDAC2 or HDAC3 protein restored the expression of p53 Lys-382 in EFTs cells. Overexpression of HDAC1 also significantly inhibited p53 transcriptional activity. Pharmacologic inhibitor of HDAC, trichostatin A (TSA) promoted p53-p300 interaction and recruitment of p53 Lys-382 to promoter regions of its target genes p21 and Puma, consequently inducing apoptosis and stabilizing the acetylation of p53 at Lys-382 together with the upregulation of p21 and Puma, which were impaired in EFTs cells after the knockdown of p53 expression. Our data indicate EWS-Fli1 might deacetylate p53 to inhibit its transcriptional function and protein stability via the recruitment of HDAC1. These results might elucidate a novel molecular mechanism about the abrogation of p53 pathway by EWS-Fli1 in EFTs pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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Picarda G, Surget S, Guiho R, Téletchéa S, Berreur M, Tirode F, Pellat-Deceunynck C, Heymann D, Trichet V, Rédini F. A functional, new short isoform of death receptor 4 in Ewing's sarcoma cell lines may be involved in TRAIL sensitivity/resistance mechanisms. Mol Cancer Res 2012; 10:336-46. [PMID: 22258765 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-11-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a high-grade neoplasm arising in bones of children and adolescents. Survival rate decreases from greater than 50% to only 20% after 5 years for patients not responding to treatment or presenting metastases at diagnosis. TRAIL, which has strong antitumoral activity, is a promising therapeutic candidate. To address TRAIL sensitivity, 7 human ES cell lines were used. Cell viability experiments [3'[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro-)benzene sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) assay] showed that 4 of the 7 ES cell lines were resistant to TRAIL. Western blotting and flow cytometry analyses revealed that DR5 was uniformly expressed by all ES cell lines, whereas DR4 levels were higher in sensitive cell lines. In TRAIL-sensitive TC-71 cells, knockdown of TNFRSF10A/DR4 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was associated with a loss of sensitivity to TRAIL, in spite of DR5 presence. Interestingly, we identified a new transcript variant that results from an alternative splicing and encodes a 310-amino acid protein which corresponds to the 468 aa of DR4 original isoform but truncated of aa 11 to 168 within the extracellular TRAIL-binding domain. According to modeling studies, the contact of this new DR4 isoform (bDR4) with TRAIL seemed largely preserved. The overexpression of bDR4 in a TRAIL-resistant cell line restored TRAIL sensitivity. TRAIL resensitization was also observed after c-FLIP knockdown by shRNA in two TRAIL-resistant cell lines, as shown by XTT assay and caspase-3 assay. The results presented in this study showed that DR4, both as the complete form or as its new short isoform, is involved in TRAIL sensitivity in ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Picarda
- 1INSERM, Equipe labellisee LIGUE 2012 UMR 957, Laboratoire de Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, EA3822, Nantes, France
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Qin HX, Cui HK, Pan Y, Yang J, Ren YF, Hua CH, Hua FF, Qiao YH. HDAC6 siRNA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of HeLa cells and its related molecular mechanism. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2012; 13:3367-71. [PMID: 22994762 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.7.3367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) siRNA on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of the HeLa cervical carcinoma cell line and the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Division was into three groups: A, the untreated group; B, the control siRNA group; and C, the HDAC6 siRNA group. Lipofectamine 2000 was used for siRNA transfection, and Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were characterized using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS HDAC6 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the untreated and control siRNA groups. The CCK-8 kit results demonstrated that the proliferation of HeLa cells was clearly inhibited in the HDAC6 siRNA transfection group (P < 0.05). In addition, flow cytometry revealed that the early apoptotic rate (26.0% ± 0.87%) was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) as compared with the untreated group (10.6% ± 1.19%) and control siRNA group (8.61% ± 0.98%). Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that bcl-2 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21 and bax was up-regulated. CONCLUSION HDAC6 plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma, and the down-regulation of HDAC6 expression may be useful molecular therapeutic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Xia Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Dai X, Ma W, He X, Jha RK. Review of therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. Med Sci Monit 2011; 17:RA177-190. [PMID: 21804475 PMCID: PMC3539609 DOI: 10.12659/msm.881893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent forms of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy have replaced traditional surgical treatments, survival rates have undergone only marginal improvements. Current knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in each type of cancer has led to better approaches in cancer treatment. A number of cell signaling molecules are involved in tumorigenesis, and specific targets have been identified based on these signal transducers. This review highlights some of the important cellular pathways and potential therapeutic targets, tumor site-specific irradiation techniques, and novel drug delivery systems used to administer these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Dai
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Herrero-Martin D, Fourtouna A, Niedan S, Riedmann LT, Schwentner R, Aryee DNT. Factors Affecting EWS-FLI1 Activity in Ewing's Sarcoma. Sarcoma 2011; 2011:352580. [PMID: 22135504 PMCID: PMC3216314 DOI: 10.1155/2011/352580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) are characterized by specific chromosomal translocations, which give rise to EWS-ETS chimeric proteins. These aberrant transcription factors are the main pathogenic drivers of ESFT. Elucidation of the factors influencing EWS-ETS expression and/or activity will guide the development of novel therapeutic agents against this fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Herrero-Martin
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Argyro Fourtouna
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Niedan
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucia T. Riedmann
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raphaela Schwentner
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dave N. T. Aryee
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Phase I dose-escalating study of panobinostat (LBH589) Administered intravenously to Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. Invest New Drugs 2011; 30:1950-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-011-9751-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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37
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Erkizan HV, Scher LJ, Gamble SE, Barber-Rotenberg JS, Sajwan KP, Üren A, Toretsky JA. Novel peptide binds EWS-FLI1 and reduces the oncogenic potential in Ewing tumors. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:3397-408. [PMID: 21926473 DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.19.17734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing tumor is driven by the oncogenic EWS-FLI1 fusion protein that functions as an aberrant transcription factor. The identification of EWS-FLI1 protein partners is essential to enhance its vulnerability as a therapeutic target. We utilized phage display library screening against recombinant EWS-FLI1 protein. We identified 27 unique Ewing sarcoma binding peptides. The cytotoxicity evaluation of these peptides with in EWS-FLI1 containing cell lines yielded one potent peptide called ESAP1 (TMRGKKKRTRAN). ESAP1 binds EWS-FLI1 with 0.202 micromolar affinity as measured in surface plasmon resonance. The minimal interaction region of ESAP1 is characterized and found that the lysine residues are critical for cellular cytotoxicity. ESAP1 reduces the transcriptional activity of EWS-FLI1 as well as disrupts cell cycle kinetics in Ewing Tumor cells. These findings provide both a novel experimental probe and a potential therapeutic scaffold for Ewing Tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye V Erkizan
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Sankar S, Lessnick SL. Promiscuous partnerships in Ewing's sarcoma. Cancer Genet 2011; 204:351-65. [PMID: 21872822 PMCID: PMC3164520 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2011.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is a highly aggressive bone and soft tissue tumor of children and young adults. At the molecular genetic level Ewing's sarcoma is characterized by a balanced reciprocal translocation, t(11;22)(q24;q12), which encodes an oncogenic fusion protein and transcription factor EWS/FLI. This tumor-specific chimeric fusion retains the amino terminus of EWS, a member of the TET (TLS/EWS/TAF15) family of RNA-binding proteins, and the carboxy terminus of FLI, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors. In addition to EWS/FLI, variant translocation fusions belonging to the TET/ETS family have been identified in Ewing's sarcoma. These studies solidified the importance of TET/ETS fusions in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma and have since been used as diagnostic markers for the disease. EWS fusions with non-ETS transcription factor family members have been described in sarcomas that are clearly distinct from Ewing's sarcoma. However, in recent years there have been reports of rare fusions in "Ewing's-like tumors" that harbor the amino-terminus of EWS fused to the carboxy-terminal DNA or chromatin-interacting domains contributed by non-ETS proteins. This review aims to summarize the growing list of fusion oncogenes that characterize Ewing's sarcoma and Ewing's-like tumors and highlights important questions that need to be answered to further support the existing concept that Ewing's sarcoma is strictly a "TET/ETS" fusion-driven malignancy. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of action of the various different fusion oncogenes will provide better insights into the biology underlying this rare but important solid tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savita Sankar
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
| | - Stephen L. Lessnick
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
- Center for Children’s Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 84112
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
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Grohar PJ, Woldemichael GM, Griffin LB, Mendoza A, Chen QR, Yeung C, Currier DG, Davis S, Khanna C, Khan J, McMahon JB, Helman LJ. Identification of an inhibitor of the EWS-FLI1 oncogenic transcription factor by high-throughput screening. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011; 103:962-78. [PMID: 21653923 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djr156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal translocations generating oncogenic transcription factors are the hallmark of a variety of tumors, including many sarcomas. Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFTs) are characterized by the t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation that generates the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 and Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (EWS-FLI1) fusion transcription factor responsible for the highly malignant phenotype of this tumor. Although continued expression of EWS-FLI1 is believed to be critical for ESFT cell survival, a clinically effective small-molecule inhibitor remains elusive likely because EWS-FLI1 is a transcription factor and therefore widely felt to be "undruggable." METHODS We developed a high-throughput screen to evaluate more than 50 000 compounds for inhibition of EWS-FLI1 activity in TC32 ESFT cells. We used a TC32 cell-based luciferase reporter screen using the EWS-FLI1 downstream target NR0B1 promoter and a gene signature secondary screen to sort and prioritize the compounds. We characterized the lead compound, mithramycin, based on its ability to inhibit EWS-FLI1 activity in vitro using microarray expression profiling, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblot analysis, and in vivo using immunohistochemistry. We studied the impact of this inhibition on cell viability in vitro and on tumor growth in ESFT xenograft models in vivo (n = 15-20 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Mithramycin inhibited expression of EWS-FLI1 downstream targets at the mRNA and protein levels and decreased the growth of ESFT cells at half maximal inhibitory concentrations between 10 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8 to 13 nM) and 15 nM (95% CI = 13 to 19 nM). Mithramycin suppressed the growth of two different ESFT xenograft tumors and prolonged the survival of ESFT xenograft-bearing mice by causing a decrease in mean tumor volume. For example, in the TC32 xenograft model, on day 15 of treatment, the mean tumor volume for the mithramycin-treated mice was approximately 3% of the tumor volume observed in the control mice (mithramycin vs control: 69 vs 2388 mm(3), difference = 2319 mm(3), 95% CI = 1766 to 2872 mm(3), P < .001). CONCLUSION Mithramycin inhibits EWS-FLI1 activity and demonstrates ESFT antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Grohar
- Molecular Oncology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr-MSC 1104, 10 CRC 1W-3816, Bethesda, MD 20892-1104, USA.
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Fortson WS, Kayarthodi S, Fujimura Y, Xu H, Matthews R, Grizzle WE, Rao VN, Bhat GK, Reddy ESP. Histone deacetylase inhibitors, valproic acid and trichostatin-A induce apoptosis and affect acetylation status of p53 in ERG-positive prostate cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2011; 39:111-9. [PMID: 21519790 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
An ETS family member, ETS Related Gene (ERG) is involved in the Ewing family of tumors as well as leukemias. Rearrangement of the ERG gene with the TMPRSS2 gene has been identified in the majority of prostate cancer patients. Additionally, overexpression of ERG is associated with unfavorable prognosis in prostate cancer patients similar to leukemia patients. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate transcription as well as epigenetic status of genes through acetylation of both histones and transcription factors. Deregulation of HATs and HDACs is frequently seen in various cancers, including prostate cancer. Many cellular oncogenes as well as tumor viral proteins are known to target either or both HATs and HDACs. Several studies have demonstrated that there are alterations of HDAC activity in prostate cancer cells. Recently, we found that ERG binds and inhibits HATs, which suggests that ERG is involved in deregulation of protein acetylation. Additionally, it has been shown that ERG is associated with a higher expression of HDACs. In this study, we tested the effect of the HDAC inhibitors valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin-A (TSA) on ERG-positive prostate cancer cells (VCaP). We found that VPA and TSA induce apoptosis, upregulate p21/Waf1/CIP1, repress TMPRSS2-ERG expression and affect acetylation status of p53 in VCaP cells. These results suggest that HDAC inhibitors might restore HAT activity through two different ways: by inhibiting HDAC activity and by repressing HAT targeting oncoproteins such as ERG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell S Fortson
- Cancer Biology Program, Department of OB/GYN, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Grady Health System, 80 Jessie Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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α-Synuclein negatively regulates protein kinase Cδ expression to suppress apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons by reducing p300 histone acetyltransferase activity. J Neurosci 2011; 31:2035-51. [PMID: 21307242 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5634-10.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ), an important member of the novel PKC family, is a key oxidative stress-sensitive kinase that can be activated by caspase-3-dependent proteolytic cleavage to induce dopaminergic neuronal cell death. We now report a novel association between α-synuclein (αsyn), a protein associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, and PKCδ, in which αsyn negatively modulates the p300- and nuclear factor-κB (NFκB)-dependent transactivation to downregulate proapoptotic kinase PKCδ expression and thereby protects against apoptosis in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Stable expression of human wild-type αsyn at physiological levels in dopaminergic neuronal cells resulted in an isoform-dependent transcriptional suppression of PKCδ expression without changes in the stability of mRNA and protein or DNA methylation. The reduction in PKCδ transcription was mediated, in part, through the suppression of constitutive NFκB activity targeted at two proximal PKCδ promoter κB sites. This occurred independently of NFκB/IκBα (inhibitor of κBα) nuclear translocation but was associated with decreased NFκB-p65 acetylation. Also, αsyn reduced p300 levels and its HAT (histone acetyltransferase) activity, thereby contributing to diminished PKCδ transactivation. Importantly, reduced PKCδ and p300 expression also were observed within nigral dopaminergic neurons in αsyn-transgenic mice. These findings expand the role of αsyn in neuroprotection by modulating the expression of the key proapoptotic kinase PKCδ in dopaminergic neurons.
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The Two Faces of the FUS/EWS/TAF15 Protein Family. Sarcoma 2010; 2011:837474. [PMID: 21197473 PMCID: PMC3005952 DOI: 10.1155/2011/837474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
FUS, EWS, and TAF15 form the FET family of RNA-binding proteins whose genes are found rearranged with various transcription factor genes predominantly in sarcomas and in rare hematopoietic and epithelial cancers. The resulting fusion gene products have attracted considerable interest as diagnostic and promising therapeutic targets. So far, oncogenic FET fusion proteins have been regarded as strong transcription factors that aberrantly activate or repress target genes of their DNA-binding fusion partners. However, the role of the transactivating domain in the context of the normal FET proteins is poorly defined, and, therefore, our knowledge on how FET aberrations impact on tumor biology is incomplete. Since we believe that a full understanding of aberrant FET protein function can only arise from looking at both sides of the coin, the good and the evil, this paper summarizes evidence for the central function of FET proteins in bridging RNA transcription, processing, transport, and DNA repair.
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Cell Cycle Deregulation in Ewing's Sarcoma Pathogenesis. Sarcoma 2010; 2011:598704. [PMID: 21052502 PMCID: PMC2968116 DOI: 10.1155/2011/598704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of bone that usually contains the characteristic chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12). This translocation encodes the oncogenic fusion protein EWS/FLI, which acts as an aberrant transcription factor to deregulate target genes necessary for oncogenesis. One key feature of oncogenic transformation is dysregulation of cell cycle control. It is therefore likely that EWS/FLI and other cooperating mutations in Ewing's sarcoma modulate the cell cycle to facilitate tumorigenesis. This paper will summarize current published data associated with deregulation of the cell cycle in Ewing's sarcoma and highlight important questions that remain to be answered.
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Yang L, Hu HM, Zielinska-Kwiatkowska A, Chansky HA. FOXO1 is a direct target of EWS-Fli1 oncogenic fusion protein in Ewing's sarcoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 402:129-34. [PMID: 20933505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.09.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's family tumors are characterized by a specific t(11;22) chromosomal translocation that results in the formation of EWS-Fli1 oncogenic fusion protein. To investigate the effects of EWS-Fli1 on gene expression, we carried out DNA microarray analysis after specific knockdown of EWS-Fli1 through transfection of synthetic siRNAs. EWS-Fli1 knockdown increased expression of genes such as DKK1 and p57 that are known to be repressed by EWS-Fli1 fusion protein. Among other potential EWS-Fli1 targets identified by our microarray analysis, we have focused on the FOXO1 gene since it encodes a potential tumor suppressor and has not been previously reported in Ewing's cells. To better understand how EWS-Fli1 affects FOXO1 expression, we have established a doxycycline-inducible siRNA system to achieve stable and reversible knockdown of EWS-Fli1 in Ewing's sarcoma cells. Here we show that FOXO1 expression in Ewing's cells has an inverse relationship with EWS-Fli1 protein level, and FOXO1 promoter activity is increased after doxycycline-induced EWS-Fli1 knockdown. In addition, we have found that direct binding of EWS-Fli1 to FOXO1 promoter is attenuated after doxycycline-induced siRNA knockdown of the fusion protein. Together, these results suggest that suppression of FOXO1 function by EWS-Fli1 fusion protein may contribute to cellular transformation in Ewing's family tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells and the Origin of Ewing's Sarcoma. Sarcoma 2010; 2011. [PMID: 20953407 PMCID: PMC2952797 DOI: 10.1155/2011/276463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of Ewing's sarcoma is a subject of much debate. Once thought to be derived from primitive neuroectodermal cells, many now believe it to arise from a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). Expression of the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene in MSCs changes cell morphology to resemble Ewing's sarcoma and induces expression of neuroectodermal markers. In murine cells, transformation to sarcomas can occur. In knockdown experiments, Ewing's sarcoma cells develop characteristics of MSCs and the ability to differentiate into mesodermal lineages. However, it cannot be concluded that MSCs are the cell of origin. The concept of an MSC still needs to be rigorously defined, and there may be different subpopulations of mesenchymal pluripotential cells. Furthermore, EWS-FLI1 by itself does not transform human cells, and cooperating mutations appear to be necessary. Therefore, while it is possible that Ewing's sarcoma may originate from a primitive mesenchymal cell, the idea needs to be refined further.
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Stenman G, Andersson MK, Andrén Y. New tricks from an old oncogene: gene fusion and copy number alterations of MYB in human cancer. Cell Cycle 2010; 9:2986-95. [PMID: 20647765 DOI: 10.4161/cc.9.15.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MYB is a leucine zipper transcription factor that is essential for hematopoesis and for renewal of colonic crypts. There is also ample evidence showing that MYB is leukemogenic in several animal species. However, it was not until recently that clear evidence was presented showing that MYB actually is an oncogene rearranged in human cancer. In a recent study, a novel mechanism of activation of MYB involving gene fusion was identified in carcinomas of the breast and head and neck. A t(6;9) translocation was shown to generate fusions between MYB and the transcription factor gene NFIB. The fusions consistently result in loss of the 3'-end of MYB, including several highly conserved target sites for microRNAs that negatively regulate MYB expression. Deletion of these target sites may disrupt the repression of MYB, leading to overexpression of MYB-NFIB transcripts and protein and to transcriptional activation of critical MYB target genes associated with apoptosis, cell cycle control, cell growth/angiogenesis and cell adhesion. This study, together with previous and recent data showing rearrangements and copy number alterations of the MYB locus in T-cell leukemia and certain solid tumors, will be the main focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Stenman
- Lundberg Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Toomey EC, Schiffman JD, Lessnick SL. Recent advances in the molecular pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma. Oncogene 2010; 29:4504-16. [PMID: 20543858 PMCID: PMC3555143 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Revised: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 04/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumor development is a complex process resulting from interplay between mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors, host susceptibility factors, and cellular context. Great advances have been made by studying rare tumors with unique clinical, genetic, or molecular features. Ewing's sarcoma serves as an excellent paradigm for understanding tumorigenesis because it exhibits some very useful and important characteristics. For example, nearly all cases of Ewing's sarcoma contain the (11;22)(q24;q12) chromosomal translocation that encodes the EWS/FLI oncoprotein. Besides the t(11;22), however, many cases have otherwise simple karyotypes with no other demonstrable abnormalities. Furthermore, it seems that an underlying genetic susceptibility to Ewing's sarcoma, if it exists, must be rare. These two features suggest that EWS/FLI is the primary mutation that drives the development of this tumor. Finally, Ewing's sarcoma is an aggressive tumor that requires aggressive treatment. Thus, improved understanding of the pathogenesis of this tumor will not only be of academic interest, but may also lead to new therapeutic approaches for individuals afflicted with this disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma, while considering the questions surrounding this disease that still remain and how this knowledge may be applied to developing new treatments for patients with this highly aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Toomey
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Center for Children's Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Joshua D. Schiffman
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Center for Children's Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Stephen L. Lessnick
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Center for Children's Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
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Erkizan HV, Uversky VN, Toretsky JA. Oncogenic partnerships: EWS-FLI1 protein interactions initiate key pathways of Ewing's sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:4077-83. [PMID: 20547696 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-2261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapy for cancer, which is specifically directed toward the cancer without any potential for effects outside of controlling the tumor, is a gold standard for treatment. Ewing's sarcoma contains the potential target EWS-FLI1, as a result of a pathognomonic chromosomal translocation. The EWS-FLI1 fusion protein includes the EWS domain, a potent transcriptional activator alongside the highly conserved FLI1 ets DNA-binding domain. Because of the combination of these domains, the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein acts as an aberrant transcription factor whose expression results in cellular transformation. EWS-FLI1 functions by binding to normal cellular protein partners in transcription and splicing, similar to how a virus would corrupt normal cellular machinery for virion production. Therefore, understanding the protein-protein interactions of EWS-FLI1 and the pathways that are regulated by these partnerships will inform both oncogenesis and therapeutics. This review describes the known protein partners and transcriptional targets of EWS-FLI1, while proposing strategies for exploiting these partnerships with targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye V Erkizan
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Picarda G, Lamoureux F, Geffroy L, Delepine P, Montier T, Laud K, Tirode F, Delattre O, Heymann D, Rédini F. Preclinical evidence that use of TRAIL in Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma therapy inhibits tumor growth, prevents osteolysis, and increases animal survival. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:2363-74. [PMID: 20371692 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-1779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are high-grade neoplasms typically arising in the bones of children and adolescents. Despite improvement in therapy, the five-year survival rate is only 20% for patients not responding to treatment or presenting with metastases. Among new therapeutic strategies, the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF superfamily with strong antitumoral activity and minimal toxicity to most normal cells and tissues, was investigated by complementary approaches both in vitro and in preclinical models. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The sensitivity of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma cell lines to TRAIL was investigated in vitro by determining TRAIL receptor expression together with TRAIL effects on cell viability and apoptosis. Complementary preclinical studies were carried out in respective tumor models by inoculation of osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma tumor cells in paraosseous location. In addition, a model of lung nodule dissemination was developed by i.v. injection of osteosarcoma cells. RESULTS In vitro, both osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma cells that express the TRAIL death receptors were highly sensitive to TRAIL-induced caspase-8-mediated apoptosis. TRAIL administered in vivo by nonviral gene therapy inhibited primary bone tumor incidence and growth by 87% and prevented tumor-induced osteolysis, leading to a significant 2-fold increase in animal survival 40 days after tumor induction. Furthermore, TRAIL inhibited tumor nodule dissemination in lungs and increased survival in an osteosarcoma model. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that TRAIL is a promising candidate for the development of new therapeutic strategies in the most frequent malignant primary bone tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Picarda
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale UMR_S 957, Université de Nantes EA 3822, Nantes Atlantique Universités, Physiopathologie de la Résorption Osseuse et Thérapie des Tumeurs Osseuses Primitives, Nantes, France
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EWS/ETS proteins promote expression and regulate function of the homeodomain transcription factor BRN3A. Oncogene 2010; 29:3134-45. [PMID: 20348952 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs or EFTs) express neuronal markers, which indicates they may originate from cells at least partly committed to neuronal lineage. However, recent publications suggest EFT originates in mesenchymal stem cells, and EWS/ETS fusion proteins characteristic of EFT activate neuronal marker expression to confer a neural phenotype on EFT. Here we show that the neuronal marker BRN3A/POU4F1 is expressed abundantly at the protein level in primary EFT but not in rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma, and EFT cells exhibit high activity of the BRN3A proximal autoregulatory region. EWS/FLI-1 siRNA reduces BRN3A expression and promoter activity and EWS/ETS proteins are bound to the BRN3A locus, suggesting a direct function for EWS/ETS proteins in control of BRN3A expression. Differentiation-associated and autoregulatory activities of BRN3A are respectively impaired and altered in EFT cells, and EWS/FLI-1 siRNA can restore some BRN3A function. A potentially novel function for BRN3A in EFT cells is identified. These results extend the hypothesis that EWS/ETS proteins induce expression of neuronal markers such as BRN3A in EFT by showing that the function of those same markers may be restricted or controlled in an EWS/ETS-dependent manner.
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