1
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Shiraishi R, Cancila G, Kumegawa K, Torrejon J, Basili I, Bernardi F, Silva PBGD, Wang W, Chapman O, Yang L, Jami M, Nishitani K, Arai Y, Xiao Z, Yu H, Lo Re V, Marsaud V, Talbot J, Lombard B, Loew D, Jingu M, Okonechnikov K, Sone M, Motohashi N, Aoki Y, Pfister SM, Chavez L, Hoshino M, Maruyama R, Ayrault O, Kawauchi D. Cancer-specific epigenome identifies oncogenic hijacking by nuclear factor I family proteins for medulloblastoma progression. Dev Cell 2024; 59:2302-2319.e12. [PMID: 38834071 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Normal cells coordinate proliferation and differentiation by precise tuning of gene expression based on the dynamic shifts of the epigenome throughout the developmental timeline. Although non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark of cancer, the epigenomic shifts that occur during the transition from normal to malignant cells remain elusive. Here, we capture the epigenomic changes that occur during tumorigenesis in a prototypic embryonal brain tumor, medulloblastoma. By comparing the epigenomes of the different stages of transforming cells in mice, we identify nuclear factor I family of transcription factors, known to be cell fate determinants in development, as oncogenic regulators in the epigenomes of precancerous and cancerous cells. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NFIB validated a crucial role of this transcription factor by disrupting the cancer epigenome in medulloblastoma. Thus, this study exemplifies how epigenomic changes contribute to tumorigenesis via non-mutational mechanisms involving developmental transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Shiraishi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Gabriele Cancila
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Kohei Kumegawa
- Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Jacob Torrejon
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Irene Basili
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Flavia Bernardi
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Patricia Benites Goncalves da Silva
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Wanchen Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Owen Chapman
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Liying Yang
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Maki Jami
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Kayo Nishitani
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Yukimi Arai
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Zhize Xiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Hua Yu
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Valentina Lo Re
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Véronique Marsaud
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Julie Talbot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France
| | - Bérangère Lombard
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, Paris 75005, France
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, Paris 75005, France
| | - Maho Jingu
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan; Department of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Toho University, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Konstantin Okonechnikov
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Masaki Sone
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Toho University, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Norio Motohashi
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Lukas Chavez
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mikio Hoshino
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Cancer Cell Diversity Project, NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan; Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan.
| | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay 91400, France.
| | - Daisuke Kawauchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
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2
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Casey MJ, Chan PP, Li Q, Zu JF, Jette CA, Kohler M, Myers BR, Stewart RA. A simple and scalable zebrafish model of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114559. [PMID: 39078737 PMCID: PMC11404834 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and is stratified into three major subgroups. The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup represents ∼30% of all MB cases and has significant survival disparity depending upon TP53 status. Here, we describe a zebrafish model of SHH MB using CRISPR to create mutant ptch1, the primary genetic driver of human SHH MB. In these animals, tumors rapidly arise in the cerebellum and resemble human SHH MB by histology and comparative onco-genomics. Similar to human patients, MB tumors with loss of both ptch1 and tp53 have aggressive tumor histology and significantly worse survival outcomes. The simplicity and scalability of the ptch1-crispant MB model makes it highly amenable to CRISPR-based genome-editing screens to identify genes required for SHH MB tumor formation in vivo, and here we identify the gene encoding Grk3 kinase as one such target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie J Casey
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Priya P Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA
| | - Qing Li
- High-Throughput Genomics and Cancer Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ju-Fen Zu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Cicely A Jette
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Missia Kohler
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Benjamin R Myers
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rodney A Stewart
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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3
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Mary Martin T, K MS. Seaweeds and Their Secondary Metabolites: A Promising Drug Candidate With Novel Mechanisms Against Cancers and Tumor Angiogenesis. Cureus 2024; 16:e66662. [PMID: 39262521 PMCID: PMC11387980 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer continually remains a severe threat to public health and requires constant demand for novel therapeutic drug candidates. Due to their multi-target orientation, lesser toxicity, and easy availability, natural compounds attract more attention from current scientific research interest than synthetic drug molecules. The plants and microorganisms produce a huge variety of secondary metabolites because of their physiological diversification, and the seaweeds occupy a prominent position as effective drug resources. Seaweeds comprise microscopic or macroscopic photosynthetic, multicellular, eukaryotic marine algae that commonly inhabit the coastal regions. Several molecules (such as polysaccharides, lipids, proteinaceous fractions, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids) are derived from seaweeds, and those small molecules are well attractive and more effective in cancer research programs. Their structural variation, derivative diversity, and quantity vary with seaweed species and geographical origin. Their smaller molecular weight, unique derivatives, hydrophobicity, and degree of sulfation are reported to be causes of their crucial role against different cancer cells in vitro. Several reports showed that those compounds selectively discriminate between normal and cancer cells based on receptor variations, enzyme deficiency, and structural properties. The present review aimed to give a concise explanation regarding their structural diversity, extractability, and mechanism of action related to their anti-cancer activities based on recently published data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Mary Martin
- Zebrafish Facility, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - Meenakshi Sundaram K
- Zebrafish Facility, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
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4
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Abu Rabe D, Chdid L, Lamson DR, Laudeman CP, Tarpley M, Elsayed N, Smith GR, Zheng W, Dixon MS, Williams KP. Identification of Novel GANT61 Analogs with Activity in Hedgehog Functional Assays and GLI1-Dependent Cancer Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:3095. [PMID: 38999049 PMCID: PMC11243198 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29133095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in various cancers. Current FDA-approved inhibitors target the seven-transmembrane receptor Smoothened, but resistance to these drugs has been observed. It has been proposed that a more promising strategy to target this pathway is at the GLI1 transcription factor level. GANT61 was the first small molecule identified to directly suppress GLI-mediated activity; however, its development as a potential anti-cancer agent has been hindered by its modest activity and aqueous chemical instability. Our study aimed to identify novel GLI1 inhibitors. JChem searches identified fifty-two compounds similar to GANT61 and its active metabolite, GANT61-D. We combined high-throughput cell-based assays and molecular docking to evaluate these analogs. Five of the fifty-two GANT61 analogs inhibited activity in Hh-responsive C3H10T1/2 and Gli-reporter NIH3T3 cellular assays without cytotoxicity. Two of the GANT61 analogs, BAS 07019774 and Z27610715, reduced Gli1 mRNA expression in C3H10T1/2 cells. Treatment with BAS 07019774 significantly reduced cell viability in Hh-dependent glioblastoma and lung cancer cell lines. Molecular docking indicated that BAS 07019774 is predicted to bind to the ZF4 region of GLI1, potentially interfering with its ability to bind DNA. Our findings show promise in developing more effective and potent GLI inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Abu Rabe
- INBS PhD Program, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Lhoucine Chdid
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - David R Lamson
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Christopher P Laudeman
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Michael Tarpley
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Naglaa Elsayed
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Ginger R Smith
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Weifan Zheng
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Maria S Dixon
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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5
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Bamodu OA, Chung CC, Pisanic TR, Wu ATH. The intricate interplay between cancer stem cells and cell-of-origin of cancer: implications for therapeutic strategies. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1404628. [PMID: 38800385 PMCID: PMC11116576 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1404628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as pivotal players in tumorigenesis, disease progression, and resistance to therapies. Objective This comprehensive review delves into the intricate relationship between CSCs and the cell-of-origin in diverse cancer types. Design Comprehensive review of thematically-relevant literature. Methods We explore the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive the conversion of normal cells into CSCs and the impact of the cell-of-origin on CSC properties, tumor initiation, and therapeutic responses. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic interventions targeting CSCs based on their distinct cell-of-origin characteristics. Results Accruing evidence suggest that the cell-of-origin, the cell type from which the tumor originates, plays a crucial role in determining the properties of CSCs and their contribution to tumor heterogeneity. Conclusion By providing critical insights into the complex interplay between CSCs and their cellular origins, this article aims to enhance our understanding of cancer biology and pave the way for more effective and personalized cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Adebayo Bamodu
- Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, School of Clinical Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chen-Chih Chung
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Medical University - Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University - Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Thomas R. Pisanic
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology - Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wu JW, Liu Y, Dai XJ, Liu HM, Zheng YC, Liu HM. CD155 as an emerging target in tumor immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111896. [PMID: 38518596 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
CD155 is an immunoglobulin-like protein overexpressed in almost all the tumor cells, which not only promotes proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration of tumor cells, but also regulates immune responses by interacting with TIGIT, CD226 or CD96 receptors expressed on several immune cells, thereby modulating the functionality of these cellular subsets. As a novel immune checkpoint, the inhibition of CD155/TIGIT, either as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, has demonstrated efficacy in managing advanced solid malignancies. In this review, we summarize the intricate relationship between on tumor surface CD155 and its receptors, with further discussion on how they regulate the occurrence of tumor immune escape. In addition, novel therapeutic strategies and clinical trials targeting CD155 and its receptors are summarized, providing a strong rationale and way forward for the development of next-generation immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Wan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA Platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Application & Translation of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xing-Jie Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA Platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA Platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA Platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA Platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
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7
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Kresbach C, Holst L, Schoof M, Leven T, Göbel C, Neyazi S, Tischendorf J, Loose C, Wrzeszcz A, Yorgan T, Rutkowski S, Schüller U. Intraventricular SHH inhibition proves efficient in SHH medulloblastoma mouse model and prevents systemic side effects. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:609-622. [PMID: 37767814 PMCID: PMC10995518 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and requires intensive multimodal therapy. Long-term survival is still dissatisfying and, most importantly, survivors frequently suffer from severe treatment-associated morbidities. The sonic hedgehog pathway (SHH) in SHH MB provides a promising target for specific therapeutic agents. The small molecule Vismodegib allosterically inhibits SMO, the main upstream activator of SHH. Vismodegib has proven effective in the treatment of MB in mice and in clinical studies. However, due to irreversible premature epiphyseal growth plate fusions after systemic application to infant mice and children, its implementation to pediatric patients has been limited. Intraventricular Vismodegib application might provide a promising novel treatment strategy for pediatric medulloblastoma patients. METHODS Infant medulloblastoma-bearing Math1-cre::Ptch1Fl/Fl mice were treated with intraventricular Vismodegib in order to evaluate efficacy on tumor growth and systemic side effects. RESULTS We show that intraventricular Vismodegib treatment of Math1-cre::Ptch1Fl/Fl mice leads to complete or partial tumor remission only 2 days after completed treatment. Intraventricular treatment also significantly improved symptom-free survival in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, intraventricular application prevented systemic side effects in the form of anatomical or histological bone deformities. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that intraventricular application of a SHH pathway inhibitor combines the advantages of a specific treatment agent with precise drug delivery and might evolve as a promising new way of targeted treatment for SHH MB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catena Kresbach
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Center of Diagnostics, Institute of Neuropathology, Center of Diagnostics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lea Holst
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tara Leven
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Göbel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sina Neyazi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Tischendorf
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Loose
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonina Wrzeszcz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timur Yorgan
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rutkowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Center of Diagnostics, Institute of Neuropathology, Center of Diagnostics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Casey MJ, Chan PP, Li Q, Jette CA, Kohler M, Myers BR, Stewart RA. A Simple and Scalable Zebrafish Model of Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.03.577834. [PMID: 38370799 PMCID: PMC10871209 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.03.577834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and is stratified into three major subgroups. The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup represents ~30% of all MB cases and has significant survival disparity depending upon TP53 status. Here, we describe the first zebrafish model of SHH MB using CRISPR to mutate ptch1, the primary genetic driver in human SHH MB. These tumors rapidly arise adjacent to the valvula cerebelli and resemble human SHH MB by histology and comparative genomics. In addition, ptch1-deficient MB tumors with loss of tp53 have aggressive tumor histology and significantly worse survival outcomes, comparable to human patients. The simplicity and scalability of the ptch1 MB model makes it highly amenable to CRISPR-based genome editing screens to identify genes required for SHH MB tumor formation in vivo, and here we identify the grk3 kinase as one such target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie J. Casey
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Priya P. Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Cicely A. Jette
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Missia Kohler
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Myers
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rodney A. Stewart
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Lead contact
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9
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Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Navacci S, Basili I, Alfonsi R, Bernardi F, Moretti M, Conenna M, Cucinotta A, Coni S, Petroni M, De Smaele E, Giannini G, Maroder M, Canettieri G, Mastronuzzi A, Guardavaccaro D, Ayrault O, Infante P, Bufalieri F, Di Marcotullio L. SALL4 is a CRL3 REN/KCTD11 substrate that drives Sonic Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:170-187. [PMID: 38062245 PMCID: PMC10850099 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is crucial regulator of embryonic development and stemness. Its alteration leads to medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The SHH-MB subgroup is the best genetically characterized, however the molecular mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis are not fully understood and therapeutic benefits are still limited. Here, we show that the pro-oncogenic stemness regulator Spalt-like transcriptional factor 4 (SALL4) is re-expressed in mouse SHH-MB models, and its high levels correlate with worse overall survival in SHH-MB patients. Proteomic analysis revealed that SALL4 interacts with REN/KCTD11 (here REN), a substrate receptor subunit of the Cullin3-RING ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL3REN) and a tumor suppressor lost in ~30% of human SHH-MBs. We demonstrate that CRL3REN induces polyubiquitylation and degradation of wild type SALL4, but not of a SALL4 mutant lacking zinc finger cluster 1 domain (ΔZFC1). Interestingly, SALL4 binds GLI1 and cooperates with HDAC1 to potentiate GLI1 deacetylation and transcriptional activity. Notably, inhibition of SALL4 suppresses SHH-MB growth both in murine and patient-derived xenograft models. Our findings identify SALL4 as a CRL3REN substrate and a promising therapeutic target in SHH-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Loricchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Shirin Navacci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- Centro Nazionale per il Controllo e la Valutazione dei Farmaci, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Bernardi
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Conenna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cucinotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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10
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Sokolov D, Sharda N, Banerjee A, Denisenko K, Basalious EB, Shukla H, Waddell J, Hamdy NM, Banerjee A. Differential Signaling Pathways in Medulloblastoma: Nano-biomedicine Targeting Non-coding Epigenetics to Improve Current and Future Therapeutics. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:31-47. [PMID: 38151840 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128277350231219062154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastomas (MDB) are malignant, aggressive brain tumors that primarily affect children. The survival rate for children under 14 is approximately 72%, while for ages 15 to 39, it is around 78%. A growing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation of signaling mechanisms and noncoding RNA epigenetics play a pivotal role in this disease. METHODOLOGY This study conducted an electronic search of articles on websites like PubMed and Google. The current review also used an in silico databases search and bioinformatics analysis and an extensive comprehensive literature search for original research articles and review articles as well as retrieval of current and future medications in clinical trials. RESULTS This study indicates that several signaling pathways, such as sonic hedgehog, WNT/β-catenin, unfolded protein response mediated ER stress, notch, neurotrophins and TGF-β and ERK, MAPK, and ERK play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MDB. Gene and ncRNA/protein are also involved as an axis long ncRNA to sponge micro-RNAs that affect downstream signal proteins expression and translation affection disease pathophysiology, prognosis and present potential target hit for drug repurposing. Current treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; unfortunately, the disease often relapses, and the survival rate is less than 5%. Therefore, there is a need to develop more effective treatments to combat recurrence and improve survival rates. CONCLUSION This review describes various MDB disease hallmarks, including the signaling mechanisms involved in pathophysiology, related-causal genes, epigenetics, downstream genes/epigenes, and possibly the causal disease genes/non-protein coding (nc)RNA/protein axis. Additionally, the challenges associated with MDB treatment are discussed, along with how they are being addressed using nano-technology and nano-biomedicine, with a listing of possible treatment options and future potential treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Sokolov
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21201, USA
| | - Neha Sharda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21201, USA
| | - Aindrila Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kseniia Denisenko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21201, USA
| | - Emad B Basalious
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Al Kasr Al Aini 11562, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hem Shukla
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jaylyn Waddell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21201, USA
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aditi Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21201, USA
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11
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De Rosa A, Calvanese F, Ducray F, Vasiljevic A, Manet R, Raverot G, Jouanneau E. First evidence of anti-VEGF efficacy in an adult case of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma: Case report and illustrative review. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2023; 84:727-733. [PMID: 37865272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a neurosurgical challenge, due to location and to the substantial risk of morbidity associated with surgical resection. Recent advances in molecular research have identified a mutation signature in papillary craniopharyngiomas: BRAF V600E. This has led to targeted therapy, yielding positive results. Despite numerous studies of the pathophysiology of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, treatment options for molecular-based therapy are still lacking. The objective of our study was to provide an illustrative review of the literature on possible molecular targets in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and to report the case of a patient harboring an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma deemed unsuitable for surgical resection, in which an anti-VEGF antibody was used to achieve tumor control. CASE REPORT An 84-year-old-man was referred to our department with a history of visual loss caused by recurrent infundibular adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. A first surgical attempt to reduce the cystic portion of the tumor compressing the optic pathway failed. Due to rapid worsening of visual function, adjuvant therapy with bevacizumab was initiated before radiotherapy. RESULTS Neuroradiological and ophthalmological follow-up showed a decrease in tumor volume and improvement in visual function as early as 6 weeks after commencing therapy. These results were confirmed 3 months after commencement of chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was scheduled for long-term tumor control. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first in the literature in which targeted therapy using anti-VEGF was successfully used as a single agent to treat adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, with favorable outcome in terms of tumor shrinkage and clinical improvement. These preliminary results may open new perspectives for the management of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. Validation of this approach requires additional clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Rosa
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Skull Base and Pituitary Unit, Department of Neurosurgery B, Neurological Hospital Pierre-Wertheimer, Bron, 69677 Lyon, France.
| | - Francesco Calvanese
- Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki University, Meilahden tornisairaala, Haartmaninkatu 4 Rakennus 1, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - François Ducray
- Cancer Initiation and Tumoral Cell Identity (CITI) Department, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL) Inserm 1052, CNRS 5286, université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, centre Léon-Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandre Vasiljevic
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, GHE, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Romain Manet
- Skull Base and Pituitary Unit, Department of Neurosurgery B, Neurological Hospital Pierre-Wertheimer, Bron, 69677 Lyon, France
| | - Gerald Raverot
- Endocrinology Department, Reference Center for Rare Pituitary Diseases HYPO, "groupement hospitalier Est" hospices civils de Lyon, "Claude-Bernard" Lyon 1 University, hôpital Louis-Pradel, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Jouanneau
- Skull Base and Pituitary Unit, Department of Neurosurgery B, Neurological Hospital Pierre-Wertheimer, Bron, 69677 Lyon, France; Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, University Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France
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12
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Quaglio D, Infante P, Cammarone S, Lamelza L, Conenna M, Ghirga F, Adabbo G, Pisano L, Di Marcotullio L, Botta B, Mori M. Exploring the Potential of Anthraquinone-Based Hybrids for Identifying a Novel Generation of Antagonists for the Smoothened Receptor in HH-Dependent Tumour. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302237. [PMID: 37565343 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Natural products (NPs) are highly profitable pharmacological tools due to their chemical diversity and ability to modulate biological systems. Accessing new chemical entities while retaining the biological relevance of natural chemotypes is a fundamental goal in the design of novel bioactive compounds. Notably, NPs have played a crucial role in understanding Hedgehog (HH) signalling and its pharmacological modulation in anticancer therapy. However, HH antagonists developed so far have shown several limitations, thus growing interest in the design of second-generation HH inhibitors. Through smart manipulation of the NPs core-scaffold, unprecedented and intriguing architectures have been achieved following different design strategies. This study reports the rational design and synthesis of a first and second generation of anthraquinone-based hybrids by combining the rhein scaffold with variously substituted piperazine nuclei that are structurally similar to the active portion of known SMO antagonists, the main transducer of the HH pathway. A thorough functional and biological investigation identified RH2_2 and RH2_6 rhein-based hybrids as valuable candidates for HH inhibition through SMO antagonism, with the consequent suppression of HH-dependent tumour growth. These findings also corroborated the successful application of the NPs-based hybrid design strategy in the development of novel NP-based SMO antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cammarone
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lara Lamelza
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Conenna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Adabbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pisano
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
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13
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Zhao J, Yang Y, Pan Y, Zhou P, Wang J, Zheng Y, Zhang X, Zhai S, Zhang X, Li L, Yang D. Transcription Factor GLI1 Induces IL-6-Mediated Inflammatory Response and Facilitates the Progression of Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3347-3356. [PMID: 37691264 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a neuroendocrine tumor whose pathogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of glioma-associated oncogene family zinc finger 1 (GLI1), a transcription factor in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, in ACP. We discovered that GLI1 regulates the expression of IL-6, thereby triggering inflammatory responses in ACP and influencing the tumor's progression. Analyzing the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database chip GSE68015, we found that GLI1 is overexpressed in ACP, correlating positively with the spite of ACP and inflammation markers. Knockdown of GLI1 significantly inhibited the levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in ACP cells, as well as cell proliferation and migration. We further identified a binding site between GLI1 and the promoter region of IL-6, demonstrating that GLI1 can enhance the expression of IL-6. These findings were verified in vivo, where activation of the SHH pathway significantly promoted GLI1 and IL-6 expressions in nude mice, inducing inflammation and tumor growth. Conversely, GLI1 knockdown markedly suppressed these processes. Our study uncovers a potential molecular mechanism for the occurrence of inflammatory responses and tumor progression in ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yongqiang Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Pan
- Institute of Radiation Therapy and Tumor Critical Care of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Pengcheng Zhou
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yingjuan Zheng
- Institute of Radiation Therapy and Tumor Critical Care of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiangxian Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiotherapy, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Suna Zhai
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiotherapy, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiqian Zhang
- Institute of Radiation Therapy and Tumor Critical Care of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Liming Li
- Comprehensive Hyperthermia Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
| | - Daoke Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, P.R. China
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14
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Niesen J, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, Krüger C, Schoof M, Modemann F, Schüller U. hGFAP-mediated GLI2 overexpression leads to early death and severe cerebellar malformations with rare tumor formation. iScience 2023; 26:107501. [PMID: 37608807 PMCID: PMC10440564 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The zinc-finger transcription factor GLI2 is frequently amplified in childhood medulloblastoma of the Sonic-hedgehog type (SHH-MB), with or without amplification of NMYC or deletion of TP53. Despite the aggressive tumor behavior, tumorigenesis is not well understood, and adequate mouse models are lacking. Therefore, we generated mice with a GLI2 overexpression under control of the hGFAP-promoter. These mice died within 150 days. The majority only survived until postnatal day 40. They displayed severe cerebellar hypoplasia, cortical malformations, but no brain tumors, except for one out of 23 animals with an undifferentiated hindbrain lesion. Additional loss of p53 did not result in cerebellar tumors, but partially rescued the cerebellar phenotype induced by GLI2 overexpression. Similarly, the combination of GLI2 and NMYC was neither sufficient for the development of SHH-MB. We therefore assume that the development of childhood SHH-MB in mice is either occurring in cellular origins outside the hGFAP-positive lineage or needs additional genetic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Niesen
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Centre HaTriCS4, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Centre, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irm Hermans-Borgmeyer
- Scientific Service Group for Transgenic Animals, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Krüger
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Centre, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Centre, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Modemann
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Centre HaTriCS4, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, II. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Research Institute Children’s Cancer Centre, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Slika H, Alimonti P, Raj D, Caraway C, Alomari S, Jackson EM, Tyler B. The Neurodevelopmental and Molecular Landscape of Medulloblastoma Subgroups: Current Targets and the Potential for Combined Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3889. [PMID: 37568705 PMCID: PMC10417410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite the use of multiple therapeutic approaches consisting of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multiagent chemotherapy, the prognosis of many patients with medulloblastoma remains dismal. Additionally, the high doses of radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents used are associated with significant short- and long-term complications and adverse effects, most notably neurocognitive delay. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and clinical integration of targeted treatment regimens with greater efficacy and superior safety profiles. Since the adoption of the molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma into wingless (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, group 3, and group 4, research efforts have been directed towards unraveling the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of each subtype. This review aims to delineate the progress that has been made in characterizing the neurodevelopmental and molecular features of each medulloblastoma subtype. It further delves into the implications that these characteristics have on the development of subgroup-specific targeted therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it highlights potential future avenues for combining multiple agents or strategies in order to obtain augmented effects and evade the development of treatment resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Divyaansh Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Chad Caraway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Eric M. Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
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16
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Zheng G, Ren J, Shang L, Bao Y. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway: A Role in Pain Processing. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1611-1630. [PMID: 36738366 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03864-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Pain, as one of the most prevalent clinical symptoms, is a complex physiological and psychological activity. Long-term severe pain can become unbearable to the body. However, existing treatments do not provide satisfactory results. Therefore, new mechanisms and therapeutic targets need to be urgently explored for pain management. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is crucial in embryonic development, cell differentiation and proliferation, and nervous system regulation. Here, we review the recent studies on the Shh signaling pathway and its action in multiple pain-related diseases. The Shh signaling pathway is dysregulated under various pain conditions, such as pancreatic cancer pain, bone cancer pain, chronic post-thoracotomy pain, pain caused by degenerative lumbar disc disease, and toothache. Further studies on the Shh signaling pathway may provide new therapeutic options for pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangda Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixiange 5, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Juanxia Ren
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lu Shang
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yanju Bao
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixiange 5, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
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17
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Huynh DT, Boyce M. Chemical Biology Approaches to Understanding Neuronal O-GlcNAcylation. Isr J Chem 2023; 63:e202200071. [PMID: 36874376 PMCID: PMC9983623 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a ubiquitous post-translational modification in mammals, decorating thousands of intracellular proteins. O-GlcNAc cycling is an essential regulator of myriad aspects of cell physiology and is dysregulated in numerous human diseases. Notably, O-GlcNAcylation is abundant in the brain and numerous studies have linked aberrant O-GlcNAc signaling to various neurological conditions. However, the complexity of the nervous system and the dynamic nature of protein O-GlcNAcylation have presented challenges for studying of neuronal O-GlcNAcylation. In this context, chemical approaches have been a particularly valuable complement to conventional cellular, biochemical, and genetic methods to understand O-GlcNAc signaling and to develop future therapeutics. Here we review selected recent examples of how chemical tools have empowered efforts to understand and rationally manipulate O-GlcNAcylation in mammalian neurobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc Tan Huynh
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael Boyce
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Zhou Z, Zhu B, Meng Q, Zhang T, Wu Y, Yu R, Gao S. Research progress in molecular pathology markers in medulloblastoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:139-156. [PMID: 36937322 PMCID: PMC10017192 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the commonest primary malignant brain cancer. The current treatment of MB is usually surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Although great progress has been made in the clinical management of MB, tumor metastasis and recurrence are still the main cause of death. Therefore, definitive and timely diagnosis is of great importance for improving therapeutic effects on MB. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) divided MB into four subtypes: wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), non-WNT/non-SHH group 3, and group 4. Each subtype of MB has a unique profile in copy number variation, DNA alteration, gene transcription, or post-transcriptional/translational modification, all of which are associated with different biological manifestations, clinical features, and prognosis. This article reviewed the research progress of different molecular pathology markers in MB and summarized some targeted drugs against these molecular markers, hoping to stimulate the clinical application of these molecular markers in the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bingxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingming Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yihao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rutong Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: Rutong Yu, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shangfeng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Shangfeng Gao, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
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19
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SHH/GLI2-TGF-β1 feedback loop between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages maintains epithelial-mesenchymal transition and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis in cholangiocarcinoma. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106564. [PMID: 36423790 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a dual role in tumors. However, the factors which drive the function of TAMs in cholangiocarcinoma remain largely undefined. METHODS SHH signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) indicators were detected in clinical tissues and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. TAMs were co-cultured with cholangiocarcinoma cells under conditions of hypoxia/normoxia. Polarized TAMs were counted by flow cytometry, and TGF-β1 levels in cell supernatants were detected by ELISA. The effects of glioma-associated oncogene GLI2 on TAMs themselves and cholangiocarcinoma cells were examined by conducting interference and overexpression assays. RESULTS The SHH signaling pathway and ERS were both activated in tumor tissues or tumor cell lines under conditions of hypoxia. In co-culture experiments, the presence of cholangiocarcinoma cells increased the proportion of M2-polarized TAMs and the secretion of TGF-β1 by TAMs, while knockdown of SHH expression reversed those increases. Overexpression of GLI2 in TAMS or stimulation of TAMS with Hh-Ag1.5 increased their levels of TGF-β1 expression. Furthermore, under co-culture conditions, interference with GLI2 expression in TAMs reduced the tumor cell migration, invasion, and ER homeostasis induced by Hh-Ag1.5-pretreated TAMs. Under conditions of hypoxia, the presence of cholangiocarcinoma cells promoted the expression of GLI2 and TGF-β1 in Tams, and in turn, TAMs inhibited the apoptosis and promoted the migration and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells. In vivo, an injection of cholangiocarcinoma cells plus TAMs contributed to the growth, EMT, and ER homeostasis of tumor tissue, while an injection of TAMs with GLI2 knockdown had the opposite effects. CONCLUSION Cholangiocarcinoma cells regulated TAM polarization and TGF-β1 secretion via a paracrine SHH signaling pathway, and in turn, TAMs promoted the growth, EMT, and ER homeostasis of cholangiocarcinoma cells via TGF-β1.
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20
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Estevez-Ordonez D, Gary SE, Atchley TJ, Maleknia PD, George JA, Laskay NMB, Gross EG, Devulapalli RK, Johnston JM. Immunotherapy for Pediatric Brain and Spine Tumors: Current State and Future Directions. Pediatr Neurosurg 2022; 58:313-336. [PMID: 36549282 PMCID: PMC10233708 DOI: 10.1159/000528792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Incidence in the USA has been on the rise for the last 2 decades. While therapeutic advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved survival and quality of life in many children, prognosis remains poor and current treatments have significant long-term sequelae. SUMMARY There is a substantial need for the development of new therapeutic approaches, and since the introduction of immunotherapy by immune checkpoint inhibitors, there has been an exponential increase in clinical trials to adopt these and other immunotherapy approaches in children with brain tumors. In this review, we summarize the current immunotherapy landscape for various pediatric brain tumor types including choroid plexus tumors, embryonal tumors (medulloblastoma, AT/RT, PNETs), ependymoma, germ cell tumors, gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors, and mesenchymal tumors. We discuss the latest clinical trials and noteworthy preclinical studies to treat these pediatric brain tumors using checkpoint inhibitors, cellular therapies (CAR-T, NK, T cell), oncolytic virotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, tumor vaccines, immunomodulators, and other targeted therapies. KEY MESSAGES The current landscape for immunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors is still emerging, but results in certain tumors have been promising. In the age of targeted therapy, genetic tumor profiling, and many ongoing clinical trials, immunotherapy will likely become an increasingly effective tool in the neuro-oncologist armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA,
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA,
| | - Sam E Gary
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Travis J Atchley
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Pedram D Maleknia
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jordan A George
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nicholas M B Laskay
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Evan G Gross
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rishi K Devulapalli
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - James M Johnston
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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21
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A Whole New Comprehension about ncRNA-Encoded Peptides/Proteins in Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215196. [PMID: 36358616 PMCID: PMC9654040 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing have disclosed the complexity of ORFs in ncRNAs. Thus, there is a dire need to deep into the real role of ncRNA-encoded proteins/peptides. Considerable progress has been achieved in several fields, ranging from the mechanism translation of ORFs in ncRNAs to various reliable detection means and experimental approaches. Several studies have been stressing functions and mechanisms of ncRNA-encoded peptides/proteins in cancers, which are helpful for us to understand the specific biological regulating procedure. Innovative research on animal models confirms the potential of clinical applications, such as being tumor biomarkers, antitumor drugs and cancer vaccines. In this review, we conclude the latest discoveries of ncRNA-encoded peptides/proteins, we are looking forwards to accelerating the pace of detection and diagnosis development in cancers. Abstract It is generally considered that non-coding RNAs do not encode proteins; however, more recently, studies have shown that lncRNAs and circRNAs have ORFs which are regions that code for peptides/protein. On account of the lack of 5′cap structure, translation of circRNAs is driven by IRESs, m6A modification or through rolling amplification. An increasing body of evidence have revealed different functions and mechanisms of ncRNA-encoded peptides/proteins in cancers, including regulation of signal transduction (Wnt/β-catenin signaling, AKT-related signaling, MAPK signaling and other signaling), cellular metabolism (Glucose metabolism and Lipid metabolism), protein stability, transcriptional regulation, posttranscriptional regulation (regulation of RNA stability, mRNA splicing and translation initiation). In addition, we conclude the existing detection technologies and the potential of clinical applications in cancer therapy.
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22
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Zhu J, Miller JN, Schuetz JD. An ABC transporter as a potential target against SHH-Medulloblastoma: From Benchtop to Bedside. Oncotarget 2022; 13:1017-1019. [PMID: 36093294 PMCID: PMC9457923 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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23
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Manetti F, Maresca L, Crivaro E, Pepe S, Cini E, Singh S, Governa P, Maramai S, Giannini G, Stecca B, Petricci E. Quinolines and Oxazino-quinoline Derivatives as Small Molecule GLI1 Inhibitors Identified by Virtual Screening. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1329-1336. [PMID: 35978701 PMCID: PMC9377010 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A virtual screening approach based on a five-feature pharmacophoric model for negative modulators of GLI1 was applied to databases of commercially available compounds. The resulting quinoline derivatives showed significant ability to reduce the GLI1 protein level and were characterized by submicromolar antiproliferative activity toward human melanoma A375 and medulloblastoma DAOY cell lines. Decoration of the quinoline ring and chemical rigidification to an oxazino-quinoline scaffold allowed us to deduce SAR considerations for future ligand optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Manetti
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Maresca
- Istituto
per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Istituto
per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Istituto
per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elena Cini
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Snigdha Singh
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Governa
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Samuele Maramai
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Stecca
- Istituto
per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elena Petricci
- Dipartimento
di Biotecnologie Chimica e Farmacia, Università
di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
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24
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Franceschi E, Giannini C, Furtner J, Pajtler KW, Asioli S, Guzman R, Seidel C, Gatto L, Hau P. Adult Medulloblastoma: Updates on Current Management and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153708. [PMID: 35954372 PMCID: PMC9367316 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant embryonal tumor of the posterior fossa belonging to the family of primitive neuro-ectodermic tumors (PNET). MB generally occurs in pediatric age, but in 14–30% of cases, it affects the adults, mostly below the age of 40, with an incidence of 0.6 per million per year, representing about 0.4–1% of tumors of the nervous system in adults. Unlike pediatric MB, robust prospective trials are scarce for the post-puberal population, due to the low incidence of MB in adolescent and young adults. Thus, current MB treatments for older patients are largely extrapolated from the pediatric experience, but the transferability and applicability of these paradigms to adults remain an open question. Adult MB is distinct from MB in children from a molecular and clinical perspective. Here, we review the management of adult MB, reporting the recent published literature focusing on the effectiveness of upfront chemotherapy, the development of targeted therapies, and the potential role of a reduced dose of radiotherapy in treating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Franceschi
- Nervous System Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Caterina Giannini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 59005, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Julia Furtner
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Kristian W. Pajtler
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sofia Asioli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Pituitary Unit, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Clemens Seidel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Lidia Gatto
- Department of Oncology, AUSL of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Peter Hau
- Wilhelm Sander NeuroOncology Unit & Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93055 Regensburg, Germany;
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25
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Neganova ME, Aleksandrova YR, Sukocheva OA, Klochkov SG. Benefits and limitations of nanomedicine treatment of brain cancers and age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:805-833. [PMID: 35779712 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, including brain cancers, is limited by a number of obstructions, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the heterogeneity and high invasiveness of tumors, the inaccessibility of tissues for early diagnosis and effective surgery, and anti-cancer drug resistance. Therapies employing nanomedicine have been shown to facilitate drug penetration across the BBB and maintain biodistribution and accumulation of therapeutic agents at the desired target site. The application of lipid-, polymer-, or metal-based nanocarriers represents an advanced drug delivery system for a growing group of anti-cancer chemicals. The nanocarrier surface is designed to contain an active ligand (cancer cell marker or antibody)-binding structure which can be modified to target specific cancer cells. Glioblastoma, ependymoma, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and primary CNS lymphomas were recently targeted by easily absorbed nanocarriers. The metal- (such as transferrin drug-loaded systems), polymer- (nanocapsules and nanospheres), or lipid- (such as sulfatide-containing nanoliposomes)-based nano-vehicles were loaded with apoptosis- and/or ferroptosis-stimulating agents and demonstrated promising anti-cancer effects. This review aims to discuss effective nanomedicine approaches designed to overcome the current limitations in the therapy of brain cancers and age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders. To accent current obstacles for successful CNS-based cancer therapy, we discuss nanomedicine perspectives and limitations of nanodrug use associated with the specificity of nervous tissue characteristics and the effects nanocarriers have on cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita E Neganova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1, Severnii pr., Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia
| | - Yulia R Aleksandrova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1, Severnii pr., Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia
| | - Olga A Sukocheva
- School of Health Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Sergey G Klochkov
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1, Severnii pr., Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia
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Wang W, Shiraishi R, Kawauchi D. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cerebellar Development and Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:864035. [PMID: 35573667 PMCID: PMC9100414 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.864035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway regulates the development of the central nervous system in vertebrates. Aberrant regulation of SHH signaling pathways often causes neurodevelopmental diseases and brain tumors. In the cerebellum, SHH secreted by Purkinje cells is a potent mitogen for granule cell progenitors, which are the most abundant cell type in the mature brain. While a reduction in SHH signaling induces cerebellar structural abnormalities, such as hypoplasia in various genetic disorders, the constitutive activation of SHH signaling often induces medulloblastoma (MB), one of the most common pediatric malignant brain tumors. Based on the existing literature on canonical and non-canonical SHH signaling pathways, emerging basic and clinical studies are exploring novel therapeutic approaches for MB by targeting SHH signaling at distinct molecular levels. In this review, we discuss the present consensus on SHH signaling mechanisms, their roles in cerebellar development and tumorigenesis, and the recent advances in clinical trials for MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanchen Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Shiraishi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of NCNP Brain Physiology and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kawauchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Daisuke Kawauchi,
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27
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Lospinoso Severini L, Bufalieri F, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC): Is the Technology Looking at the Treatment of Brain Tumors? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:854352. [PMID: 35242765 PMCID: PMC8886235 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.854352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitylation, need to be tightly controlled to guarantee the accurate localization and activity of proteins. Ubiquitylation is a dynamic process primarily responsible for proteasome-mediated degradation of substrate proteins and crucial for both normal homeostasis and disease. Alterations in ubiquitylation lead to the upregulation of oncoproteins and/or downregulation of tumor suppressors, thus concurring in tumorigenesis. PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) is an innovative strategy that takes advantage by the cell’s own Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS). Each PROTAC molecule is composed by a ligand that recruits the target protein of interest (POI), a ligand specific for an E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme, and a linker that connects these units. Upon binding to the POI, the PROTAC recruits the E3 inducing ubiquitylation-dependent proteasome degradation of the POI. To date, PROTAC technology has entered in clinical trials for several human cancers. Here, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of PROTACs development and safety considerations for their clinical application. Furthermore, we will review the potential of PROTAC strategy as therapeutic option in brain tumor, focusing on glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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28
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Gatto L, Franceschi E, Tosoni A, Di Nunno V, Bartolini S, Brandes AA. Molecular Targeted Therapies: Time for a Paradigm Shift in Medulloblastoma Treatment? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:333. [PMID: 35053495 PMCID: PMC8773620 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a rare malignancy of the posterior cranial fossa. Although until now considered a single disease, according to the current WHO classification, it is a heterogeneous tumor that comprises multiple molecularly defined subgroups, with distinct gene expression profiles, pathogenetic driver alterations, clinical behaviors and age at onset. Adult medulloblastoma, in particular, is considered a rarer "orphan" entity in neuro-oncology practice because while treatments have progressively evolved for the pediatric population, no practice-changing prospective, randomized clinical trials have been performed in adults. In this scenario, the toughest challenge is to transfer the advances in cancer genomics into new molecularly targeted therapeutics, to improve the prognosis of this neoplasm and the treatment-related toxicities. Herein, we focus on the recent advances in targeted therapy of medulloblastoma based on the new and deeper knowledge of disease biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Gatto
- Medical Oncology Department, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (V.D.N.)
| | - Enrico Franceschi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Oncologia Medica del Sistema Nervoso, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (S.B.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Alicia Tosoni
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Oncologia Medica del Sistema Nervoso, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (S.B.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Nunno
- Medical Oncology Department, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (L.G.); (V.D.N.)
| | - Stefania Bartolini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Oncologia Medica del Sistema Nervoso, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (S.B.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Alba Ariela Brandes
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Oncologia Medica del Sistema Nervoso, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (S.B.); (A.A.B.)
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29
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Ray S, Chaturvedi NK, Bhakat KK, Rizzino A, Mahapatra S. Subgroup-Specific Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Markers Influencing Pediatric Medulloblastoma Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 12:diagnostics12010061. [PMID: 35054230 PMCID: PMC8774967 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor in pediatric patients. Mainstay of therapy remains surgical resection followed by craniospinal radiation and chemotherapy, although limitations to this therapy are applied in the youngest patients. Clinically, tumors are divided into average and high-risk status on the basis of age, metastasis at diagnosis, and extent of surgical resection. However, technological advances in high-throughput screening have facilitated the analysis of large transcriptomic datasets that have been used to generate the current classification system, dividing patients into four primary subgroups, i.e., WNT (wingless), SHH (sonic hedgehog), and the non-SHH/WNT subgroups 3 and 4. Each subgroup can further be subdivided on the basis of a combination of cytogenetic and epigenetic events, some in distinct signaling pathways, that activate specific phenotypes impacting patient prognosis. Here, we delve deeper into the genetic basis for each subgroup by reviewing the extent of cytogenetic events in key genes that trigger neoplastic transformation or that exhibit oncogenic properties. Each of these discussions is further centered on how these genetic aberrations can be exploited to generate novel targeted therapeutics for each subgroup along with a discussion on challenges that are currently faced in generating said therapies. Our future hope is that through better understanding of subgroup-specific cytogenetic events, the field may improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment to improve overall quality of life for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Kishor K. Bhakat
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Angie Rizzino
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sidharth Mahapatra
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 601 S Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (S.R.); (N.K.C.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (K.K.B.); (A.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(402)-599-7754
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30
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EZH2 as a new therapeutic target in brain tumors: Molecular landscape, therapeutic targeting and future prospects. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112532. [PMID: 34906772 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The brain tumor treatment depends on identification of molecular pathways involved in progression and malignancy. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has obtained much attention in recent years in field of cancer therapy due to its aberrant expression and capacity in modulating expression of genes by binding to their promoter and affecting methylation status. The present review focuses on EZH2 signaling in brain tumors including glioma, glioblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymomas, medulloblastoma and brain rhabdoid tumors. EZH2 signaling mainly participates in increasing proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. However, in medulloblastoma, EZH2 demonstrates tumor-suppressor activity. Furthermore, EZH2 can regulate response of brain tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Various molecular pathways can function as upstream mediators of EZH2 in brain tumors including lncRNAs and miRNAs. Owing to its enzymatic activity, EZH2 can bind to promoter of target genes to induce methylation and affects their expression. EZH2 can be considered as an independent prognostic factor in brain tumors that its upregulation provides undesirable prognosis. Both anti-tumor agents and gene therapies such as siRNA have been developed for targeting EZH2 in cancer therapy.
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31
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Chai JY, Sugumar V, Alshawsh MA, Wong WF, Arya A, Chong PP, Looi CY. The Role of Smoothened-Dependent and -Independent Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Tumorigenesis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1188. [PMID: 34572373 PMCID: PMC8466551 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and are regulated via Smoothened (SMO)-dependent and SMO-independent mechanisms. The SMO-dependent route involves the common Hh-PTCH-SMO axis, and mutations or transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation at these levels lead to the constitutive activation of GLI transcription factors. Conversely, the SMO-independent route involves the SMO bypass regulation of GLI transcription factors by external signaling pathways and their interacting proteins or by epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GLI transcription factors expression. Both routes of GLI activation, when dysregulated, have been heavily implicated in tumorigenesis of many known cancers, making them important targets for cancer treatment. Hence, this review describes the various SMO-dependent and SMO-independent routes of GLI regulation in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers in order to provide a holistic view of the paradigms of hedgehog signaling networks involving GLI regulation. An in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between GLI and various signaling elements could help inspire new therapeutic breakthroughs for the treatment of Hh-GLI-dependent cancers in the future. Lastly, we have presented an up-to-date summary of the latest findings concerning the use of Hh inhibitors in clinical developmental studies and discussed the challenges, perspectives, and possible directions regarding the use of SMO/GLI inhibitors in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yi Chai
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
| | - Vaisnevee Sugumar
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia;
| | | | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Aditya Arya
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Building 184, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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32
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Caimano M, Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Drug Delivery Systems for Hedgehog Inhibitors in the Treatment of SHH-Medulloblastoma. Front Chem 2021; 9:688108. [PMID: 34164380 PMCID: PMC8215655 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.688108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of the cerebellum. Hyperactivation of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway is observed in about 30% of all MB diagnoses, thereby bringing out its pharmacological blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of this malignancy. Two main classes of HH inhibitors have been developed: upstream antagonists of Smoothened (SMO) receptor and downstream inhibitors of GLI transcription factors. Unfortunately, the poor pharmacological properties of many of these molecules have limited their investigation in clinical trials for MB. In this minireview, we focus on the drug delivery systems engineered for SMO and GLI inhibitors as a valuable approach to improve their bioavailability and efficiency to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), one of the main challenges in the treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Loricchio
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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33
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Bonandi E, Mori M, Infante P, Basili I, Di Marcotullio L, Calcaterra A, Catti F, Botta B, Passarella D. Design and Synthesis of New Withaferin A Inspired Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors. Chemistry 2021; 27:8350-8357. [PMID: 33811701 PMCID: PMC8251939 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Withanolides constitute a well-known family of plant-based alkaloids characterised by widespread biological properties, including the ability of interfering with Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway. Following our interest in natural products and in anticancer compounds, we report here the synthesis of a new class of Hh signalling pathway inhibitors, inspired by withaferin A, the first isolated member of withanolides. The decoration of our scaffolds was rationally supported by in silico studies, while functional evaluation revealed promising candidates, confirming once again the importance of natural products as inspiration source for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. A stereoselective approach, based on Brown chemistry, allowed the obtainment and the functional evaluation of the enantiopure hit compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bonandi
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di MilanoVia Golgi 1920133MilanItaly
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy Università degli Studi di SienaVia Aldo Moro 253100SienaItaly
| | - Paola Infante
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomeItaly
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity La Sapienza, RomaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity La Sapienza, RomaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci BolognettiDepartment of Molecular MedicineUniversity La SapienzaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
| | - Andrea Calcaterra
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of DrugsUniversity La Sapienza, RomaPiazzale Aldo Moro 500185RomeItaly
| | - Federica Catti
- Arkansas State UniversityCampus Querétaro Carretera Estatal 100, km 17.5. C.P.76270 Municipio de ColónQuerétaroMéxico
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of DrugsUniversity La Sapienza, RomaPiazzale Aldo Moro 500185RomeItaly
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di MilanoVia Golgi 1920133MilanItaly
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34
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Angrisani A, Di Fiore A, Di Trani CA, Fonte S, Petroni M, Lospinoso Severini L, Bordin F, Belloni L, Ferretti E, Canettieri G, Moretti M, De Smaele E. Specific Protein 1 and p53 Interplay Modulates the Expression of the KCTD-Containing Cullin3 Adaptor Suppressor of Hedgehog 2. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:638508. [PMID: 33898425 PMCID: PMC8060498 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.638508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in normal embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. On the other end, dysregulated Hh signaling triggers a prolonged mitogenic response that may prompt abnormal cell proliferation, favoring tumorigenesis. Indeed, about 30% of medulloblastomas (MBs), the most common malignant childhood cerebellar tumors, exhibit improper activation of the Hh signaling. The oncosuppressor KCASH2 has been described as a suppressor of the Hh signaling pathway, and low KCASH2 expression was observed in Hh-dependent MB tumor. Therefore, the study of the modulation of KCASH2 expression may provide fundamental information for the development of new therapeutic approaches, aimed to restore physiological KCASH2 levels and Hh inhibition. To this end, we have analyzed the TATA-less KCASH2 proximal promoter and identified key transcriptional regulators of this gene: Sp1, a TF frequently overexpressed in tumors, and the tumor suppressor p53. Here, we show that in WT cells, Sp1 binds KCASH2 promoter on several putative binding sites, leading to increase in KCASH2 expression. On the other hand, p53 is involved in negative regulation of KCASH2. In this context, the balance between p53 and Sp1 expression, and the interplay between these two proteins determine whether Sp1 acts as an activator or a repressor of KCASH2 transcription. Indeed, in p53–/– MEF and p53 mutated tumor cells, we hypothesize that Sp1 drives promoter methylation through increased expression of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and reduces KCASH2 transcription, which can be reversed by Sp1 inhibition or use of demethylating agents. We suggest therefore that downregulation of KCASH2 expression in tumors could be mediated by gain of Sp1 activity and epigenetic silencing events in cells where p53 functionality is lost. This work may open new venues for novel therapeutic multidrug approaches in the treatment of Hh-dependent tumors carrying p53 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simone Fonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Bordin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Belloni
- Department of Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Clinical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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35
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Consalez GG, Goldowitz D, Casoni F, Hawkes R. Origins, Development, and Compartmentation of the Granule Cells of the Cerebellum. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 14:611841. [PMID: 33519389 PMCID: PMC7843939 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2020.611841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Granule cells (GCs) are the most numerous cell type in the cerebellum and indeed, in the brain: at least 99% of all cerebellar neurons are granule cells. In this review article, we first consider the formation of the upper rhombic lip, from which all granule cell precursors arise, and the way by which the upper rhombic lip generates the external granular layer, a secondary germinal epithelium that serves to amplify the upper rhombic lip precursors. Next, we review the mechanisms by which postmitotic granule cells are generated in the external granular layer and migrate radially to settle in the granular layer. In addition, we review the evidence that far from being a homogeneous population, granule cells come in multiple phenotypes with distinct topographical distributions and consider ways in which the heterogeneity of granule cells might arise during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Giacomo Consalez
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Goldowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Filippo Casoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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