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Vernet R, Fernandez E, Migliorini D, Ancrenaz V, Charrier E, Belkouch MC, Von Rohr O, Urwyler M, De Vito C, Renaux J, Villard J, Rubin O, Grogg J, Mach N. A First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Study with MVX-ONCO-1, a Personalized Active Immunotherapy, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:2089-2100. [PMID: 39041242 PMCID: PMC11322805 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Over two decades, most cancer vaccines failed clinical development. Key factors may be the lack of efficient priming with tumor-specific antigens and strong immunostimulatory signals. MVX-ONCO-1, a personalized cell-based cancer immunotherapy, addresses these critical steps utilizing clinical-grade material to replicate a successful combination seen in experimental models: inactivated patient's own tumor cells, providing the widest cancer-specific antigen repertoire and a standardized, sustained, local delivery over days of a potent adjuvant achieved by encapsulated cell technology. We conducted an open-label, single-arm, first-in-human phase I study with MVX-ONCO-1 in patients with advanced refractory solid cancer. MVX-ONCO-1 comprises irradiated autologous tumor cells coimplanted with two macrocapsules containing genetically engineered cells producing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Patients received six immunizations over 9 weeks without maintenance therapy. Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, and feasibility, whereas secondary objectives focused on efficacy and immune monitoring. Data from 34 patients demonstrated safety and feasibility with minor issues. Adverse events included one serious adverse event possibly related to investigational medicinal product and two moderate-related adverse events. More than 50% of the patients with advanced and mainly nonimmunogenic tumors showed clinical benefits, including partial responses, stable diseases, and prolonged survival. In recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, one patient achieved a partial response, whereas another survived for more than 7 years without anticancer therapy for over 5 years. MVX-ONCO-1 is safe, well tolerated, and beneficial across several tumor types. Ongoing phase IIa trials target patients with advanced recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after initial systemic therapy. SIGNIFICANCE This first-in-human phase I study introduces a groundbreaking approach to personalized cancer immunotherapy, addressing limitations of traditional strategies. By combining autologous irradiated tumor cells as a source of patient-specific antigens and utilizing encapsulated cell technology for localized, sustained delivery of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as an adjuvant, the study shows a very good safety and feasibility profile. This innovative approach holds the promise of addressing tumor heterogeneity by taking advantage of each patient's antigenic repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Vernet
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Eugenio Fernandez
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Denis Migliorini
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Virginie Ancrenaz
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Emily Charrier
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- MaxiVAX SA, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Marie-Claude Belkouch
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Olivier Von Rohr
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Muriel Urwyler
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Claudio De Vito
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Diagnostic Department, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | - Jean Villard
- Clinical Cell Therapy Lab, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Olivier Rubin
- Clinical Cell Therapy Lab, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | - Nicolas Mach
- Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Centre for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Chen Y, Zhang H. Immune microenvironment and immunotherapy for chordoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1374249. [PMID: 38983929 PMCID: PMC11232415 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1374249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Chordoma, as a rare, low-grade malignant tumor that tends to occur in the midline of the body, grows slowly but often severely invades surrounding tissues and bones. Due to the severe invasion and damage to the surrounding tissues, chordoma is difficult to be gross totally resected in surgery, and the progression of the residual tumor is often unavoidable. Besides, the tumor is insensitive to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, thus finding effective treatment methods for chordoma is urgent. Nowadays, immunotherapy has made a series of breakthroughs and shown good therapeutic effects in kinds of tumors, which brings new insights into tumors without effective treatment strategies. With the deepening of research on immunotherapy, some studies focused on the immune microenvironment of chordoma have been published, most of them concentrated on the infiltration of immune cells, the expression of tumor-specific antigen or the immune checkpoint expression. On this basis, a series of immunotherapy studies of chordoma are under way, some of which have shown encouraging results. In this review, we reviewed the research about immune microenvironment and immunotherapy for chordoma, combined with the existing clinical trials data, hoping to clarify the frontiers and limitations of chordoma immune research, and provide reference for follow-up immunotherapy research on chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Niu HQ, Zheng BY, Zou MX, Zheng BW. Complex immune microenvironment of chordoma: a road map for future treatment. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009313. [PMID: 38908855 PMCID: PMC11328617 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009313] [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] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordoma, a rare bone tumor, presents limited treatment options and patients typically exhibit poor survival outcomes. While immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating various tumors, research on the immune microenvironment of chordomas is still in its early stages. Therefore, understanding how the immune microenvironment of chordomas influences the outcomes of immunotherapy is crucial. METHODS We employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), bulk RNA-seq, CellChat, gene set variation analysis, as well as calculation of immune features to further dissect the complex immune microenvironment of chordoma. RESULTS Previous research by van Oost et al argued that compared with other sarcomas, chordomas typically exhibit an immunologically "hot" microenvironment, a conclusion with which we concur based on their research findings. Additionally, the authors suggest that T cell-mediated immunotherapy is feasible for the majority of chordomas. However, we are inclined to categorize them as an immune-excluded phenotype according to the latest classification methods, rather than persisting with the concepts of "cold" and "hot". Unlike them, we explored immune infiltration scores (IS), T lymphocyte scoring (TLS), and human leucocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) using Bulk RNA-seq data from 126 chordoma patients and found that higher IS, TLS, and higher HLA-I expression were associated with poorer patient prognosis. Additionally, CellChat analysis of scRNA-seq results from six chordoma patients revealed no direct interaction between T cells and tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy may be limited or even ineffective for patients with chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Qing Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Bo-Yv Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, General Hospital of the Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Alexander AY, Dhawan S, Venteicher AS. Role of immunotherapy in treatment refractory chordomas: review of current evidence. Front Surg 2024; 11:1375567. [PMID: 38881706 PMCID: PMC11177759 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1375567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chordomas are aggressive tumors that are thought to arise from remnants of the embryological notochord. They can arise along the ventromedial aspect of the sacrum, mobile spine, and clivus-with most cases occurring in the sacrum or skull base. Despite surgery and radiation, chordomas often progress and become refractory to further treatment. The high recurrence rate of chordomas has created an urgent need to develop new systemic treatment options. Recent case reports and clinical trials have highlighted the use of immunotherapy for refractory chordomas. In this review, we summarize the results of these studies and discuss the potential role of immunotherapy for chordomas. Methods The PUBMED database was queried for studies mentioning both "Chordoma" and "Immunotherapy." All case series and case reports that involved administration of an immunotherapy for chordoma were included. Additional studies that were found during literature review were added. ClinicalTrials.Gov was queried for studies mentioning both "Chordoma" and "Immunotherapy." The final cohort consisted of all clinical trials that utilized immunotherapy for chordomas of any location. Results Eight case reports and series detailing the use of immunotherapy for treatment refractory chordoma were identified. Most patients received immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, and two patients received therapy targeting this interaction along with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib. One patient received a vaccine derived from autologous tumor cells, and one patient received a viral vector that downregulated the effect of TGF-beta. One clinical trial utilized a brachyury vaccine in conjunction with standard of care radiotherapy. Conclusions Immunotherapy for chordoma is a promising area of investigation with increasing, but small, numbers of case series and clinical trials. Despite challenges in patient accrual, future directions in chordoma immunotherapy may lie in vaccine-based therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding chordoma heterogeneity and microenvironment will likely elucidate important chordoma features that will inform future clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yohan Alexander
- Department of Neurosurgery and Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sanjay Dhawan
- Department of Neurosurgery and Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Andrew S Venteicher
- Department of Neurosurgery and Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Desai R, Pelargos PE, Dunn IF. Chordoma: Genetics and Contemporary Management. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5877. [PMID: 38892063 PMCID: PMC11172617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115877] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chordomas, arising from notochord remnants, are rare neoplasms with aggressive growth patterns despite their histologically low-grade nature. This review explores their embryological origins, molecular markers like brachyury, and genetic alterations driving pathogenesis. Diagnosis relies on advanced imaging and biopsy confirmation due to overlapping features with chondrosarcoma. The WHO classification distinguishes conventional, dedifferentiated, and poorly differentiated chordomas, each with distinct prognostic implications. Recent genomic analyses uncovered recurrent mutations in PI3K signaling pathways and chromatin remodeling genes, informing prognostic models. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment, though adjuvant radiation complements surgical resection. Although chordomas are generally considered refractory to medical therapy, emerging targeted molecular strategies show potential promise in ongoing trials. This review aims to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of chordomas, guiding clinicians in diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian F. Dunn
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.D.); (P.E.P.)
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Agosti E, Antonietti S, Zeppieri M, Ius T, Fiorindi A, Tel A, Robiony M, Panciani PP, Fontanella MM. Chordoma Genetic Aberrations and Targeted Therapies Panorama: A Systematic Literature Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2711. [PMID: 38731241 PMCID: PMC11084907 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Chordomas pose a challenge in treatment due to their local invasiveness, high recurrence, and potential lethality. Despite being slow-growing and rarely metastasizing, these tumors often resist conventional chemotherapies (CTs) and radiotherapies (RTs), making surgical resection a crucial intervention. However, achieving radical resection for chordomas is seldom possible, presenting therapeutic challenges. The accurate diagnosis of these tumors is vital for their distinct prognoses, yet differentiation is hindered by overlapping radiological and histopathological features. Fortunately, recent molecular and genetic studies, including extracranial location analysis, offer valuable insights for precise diagnosis. This literature review delves into the genetic aberrations and molecular biology of chordomas, aiming to provide an overview of more successful therapeutic strategies. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across major medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) up to 28 January 2023. The search strategy utilized relevant Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords related to "chordomas", "molecular biology", "gene aberrations", and "target therapies". The studies included in this review consist of preclinical cell studies, case reports, case series, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies reporting on genetic and biological aberrations in chordomas. Results: Of the initial 297 articles identified, 40 articles were included in the article. Two tables highlighted clinical studies and ongoing clinical trials, encompassing 18 and 22 studies, respectively. The clinical studies involved 185 patients diagnosed with chordomas. The tumor sites were predominantly sacral (n = 8, 44.4%), followed by clivus (n = 7, 38.9%) and lumbar spine (n = 3, 16.7%). Primary treatments preceding targeted therapies included surgery (n = 10, 55.6%), RT (n = 9, 50.0%), and systemic treatments (n = 7, 38.9%). Various agents targeting specific molecular pathways were analyzed in the studies, such as imatinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), erlotinib, and bevacizumab, which target EGFR/VEGFR. Common adverse events included fatigue (47.1%), skin reactions (32.4%), hypertension (23.5%), diarrhea (17.6%), and thyroid abnormalities (5.9%). Clinical outcomes were systematically assessed based on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and tumor response evaluated using RECIST or CHOI criteria. Notably, stable disease (SD) occurred in 58.1% of cases, and partial responses (PRs) were observed in 28.2% of patients, while 13.7% experienced disease progression (PD) despite targeted therapy. Among the 22 clinical trials included in the analysis, Phase II trials were the most prevalent (40.9%), followed by I-II trials (31.8%) and Phase I trials (27.3%). PD-1 inhibitors were the most frequently utilized, appearing in 50% of the trials, followed by PD-L1 inhibitors (36.4%), CTLA-4 inhibitors (22.7%), and mTOR inhibitors (13.6%). Conclusions: This systematic review provides an extensive overview of the state of targeted therapy for chordomas, highlighting their potential to stabilize the illness and enhance clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Agosti
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Sara Antonietti
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Marco Zeppieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Tamara Ius
- Neurosurgery Unit, Head-Neck and NeuroScience Department, University Hospital of Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fiorindi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Alessandro Tel
- Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head-Neck and NeuroScience Department, University Hospital of Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Massimo Robiony
- Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head-Neck and NeuroScience Department, University Hospital of Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Panciani
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Marco Maria Fontanella
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
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Ghosh PK, Ghosh A. Dysregulation of noncoding RNA in chordoma; implications in identifying potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:125. [PMID: 38236360 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09017-9] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare form of bone cancer develops in the spinal cord and skull. Instead of conventional (radio/chemotherapies) and targeted therapies, the disease is associated with high rate of recurrence and poor patient survival. Thus, for better disease management, the molecular pathogenesis of chordoma should be studied in detail to identify dysregulated biomolecules that can be targeted by novel therapeutics. Recent research showed frequent dysregulation of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) in association with aggressive tumor phenotypes like cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis in a variety of cancers, including chordoma. Apart from diagnostic and prognostic importance, noncoding RNAs may serve as promising targets for novel therapeutics in cancer. In this review, we summarized a list of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNA found to be dysregulated in chordoma from available data published in relevant databases (PubMed), as such an approach seems to be rare to date. The dysregulated noncoding RNAs were also associated with adverse tumor phenotypes to assess the impact on disease pathogenesis and, associated downstream molecular pathways were focused. Synthetic compounds and natural products that were reported to target the noncoding RNAs in other malignancies were also listed from published literature and proposed as potential therapeutic agents in chordoma. This review will provide information for further research on chordoma focusing on detailed characterization of dysregulated lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNA to understand the disease pathogenesis and, exploration of suitable natural and synthetic products targeting dysregulated non-coding RNAs to develop effective therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramit Kumar Ghosh
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Amlan Ghosh
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
- Genetics of Non-communicable Diseases, Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India.
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Blay JY, Chevret S, Le Cesne A, Brahmi M, Penel N, Cousin S, Bertucci F, Bompas E, Ryckewaert T, Soibinet P, Boudou-Rouquette P, Saada Bouzid E, Soulie P, Valentin T, Lotz JP, Tosi D, Neviere Z, Cancel M, Ray-Coquard I, Gambotti L, Legrand F, Lamrani-Ghaouti A, Simon C, Even C, Massard C. Pembrolizumab in patients with rare and ultra-rare sarcomas (AcSé Pembrolizumab): analysis of a subgroup from a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2, basket trial. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:892-902. [PMID: 37429302 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00282-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of diseases with few treatment options. Immunotherapy has shown little activity in studies including unselected sarcomas, but immune checkpoint blockers have shown activity in specific histotypes. We evaluated the activity of pembrolizumab in rare and ultra-rare sarcomas. METHODS AcSé Pembrolizumab is an ongoing phase 2, basket, multitumour study investigating the activity of pembrolizumab monotherapy in rare cancers. Here, we report the results obtained in patients with selected histotypes of rare sarcomas (incidence of less than one case per 1 000 000 people per year) recruited at 24 French hospitals. Key inclusion criteria were age 15 years or older, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1, and advanced disease that was untreated and resistant to treatment. Patients were given pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of every 21-day cycle for a maximum of 24 months. The primary endpoint was objective response rate at week 12 using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1, assessed by local investigators. The primary endpoint and safety were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. The AcSé Pembrolizumab study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03012620. FINDINGS Between Sept 4, 2017, and Dec 29, 2020, 98 patients were enrolled, of whom 97 received treatment and were included in analyses (median age 51 years [IQR 35-65]; 53 [55%] were male; 44 [45%] were female; no data were collected on race or ethnicity). 34 (35%) patients had chordomas, 14 (14%) had alveolar soft part sarcomas, 12 (12%) had SMARCA4-deficient sarcomas or malignant rhabdoid tumours, eight (8%) had desmoplastic small round cell tumours, six (6%) had epithelioid sarcomas, four (4%) had dendritic cell sarcomas, three (3%) each had clear cell sarcomas, solitary fibrous tumours, and myxoid liposarcomas, and ten (10%) had other ultra-rare histotypes. As of data cutoff (April 11, 2022), median follow-up was 13·1 months (range 0·1-52·8; IQR 4·3-19·7). At week 12, objective response rate was 6·2% (95% CI 2·3-13·0), with no complete responses and six partial responses in the 97 patients. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were anaemia (eight [8%] of 97), alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increase (six [6%]), and dyspnoea (five [5%]). 86 serious adverse events were reported in 37 patients. Five deaths due to adverse events were reported, none of which were determined to be related to treatment (two due to disease progression, two due to cancer, and one due to unknown cause). INTERPRETATION Our data show the activity and manageable toxicity of pembrolizumab in some rare and ultra-rare sarcoma histotypes, and support the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway as a potential therapeutic target in selected histotypes. The completion of the basket study will provide further evidence regarding the activity and toxicity of pembrolizumab in identified rare types of cancer. FUNDING The Ligue contre le cancer, INCa, MSD. TRANSLATION For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Yves Blay
- Centre Léon Bérard & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Sylvie Chevret
- Service de Biostatistique, Hôpital Saint Louis (AP-HP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Axel Le Cesne
- Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris, Villejuif, France
| | - Mehdi Brahmi
- Centre Léon Bérard & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | - Emmanuelle Bompas
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Centre René Gauducheau, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Soulie
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
| | | | | | - Diego Tosi
- Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Centre Val d'Aurelle, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Caroline Even
- Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris, Villejuif, France
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Shinojima N, Ozono K, Yamamoto H, Abe S, Sasaki R, Tomita Y, Kai A, Mori R, Yamamoto T, Uekawa K, Matsui H, Nosaka K, Matsuzaki H, Komohara Y, Mikami Y, Mukasa A. Lynch syndrome-associated chordoma with high tumor mutational burden and significant response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Brain Tumor Pathol 2023:10.1007/s10014-023-00461-w. [PMID: 37086325 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-023-00461-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor arising from notochordal tissue. Conventional treatments, such as radical resection and high-dose irradiation, frequently fail to control the tumor, resulting in recurrence and re-growth. In this study, genetic analysis of the tumor in a 72-year-old male patient with refractory conventional chordoma of the skull base revealed a high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and mutations in the MSH6 and MLH1 genes, which are found in Lynch syndrome. The patient and his family had a dense cancer history, and subsequent germline genetic testing revealed Lynch syndrome. This is the first report of a chordoma that has been genetically proven to be Lynch syndrome. Chordomas usually have low TMB; however, this is an unusual case, because the TMB was high, and immune checkpoint inhibitors effectively controlled the tumor. This case provides a basis for determining the indications for immunotherapy of chordoma based on the genetic analysis. Therefore, further extensive genetic analysis in the future will help to stratify the treatment of chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Shinojima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| | - Kazutaka Ozono
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Haruaki Yamamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, 861-4193, Japan
| | - Sakiko Abe
- Department of Cancer Genome Center, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Rumi Sasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yusuke Tomita
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Azusa Kai
- Department of Cancer Genome Center, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Mori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Ken Uekawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Matsui
- Department of Cancer Genome Center, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Molecular Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto, University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kisato Nosaka
- Department of Cancer Treatment Center, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Hematology Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Matsuzaki
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Mikami
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Akitake Mukasa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1-1-1 Honjo Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
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Wang X, Chen Z, Li B, Fan J, Xu W, Xiao J. Immunotherapy as a Promising Option for the Treatment of Advanced Chordoma: A Systemic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010264. [PMID: 36612259 PMCID: PMC9818311 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010264] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the function and efficacy of immunotherapy as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of advanced chordoma. METHODS Literature search was conducted by two reviewers independently. Case reports, case series and clinical trials of immunotherapy for chordoma were retrieved systematically from Pubmed, Web of Science, Scoupus and Cochrane Library. Clinical outcome data extracted from the literature included median progression-free survival (PFS), median overall survival (OS), clinical responses and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS All studies were published between 2015 and 2022. Twenty-two eligible studies were selected for systemic review. PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were the most common used immunotherapy agents in chordoma, among which Pembrolizumab was the most frequently prescribed. CTLA-4 antibody was only used as combination therapy in chordoma. Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) was not observed in any vaccine targeting brachyury, and injection site response was the most frequent AV. The response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) were the most generally used evaluation standard in chordoma immunotherapy, and none of the included studies employed the Choi criteria. CONCLUSIONS No clinical data have demonstrated that CTLA-4 ICIs combined with PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs is more effective than ICIs monotherapy in treating chordoma, and ICIs in combination with other therapies exhibit more toxicity than monotherapy. PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs monotherapy is recommended as an immunotherapy in patients with advanced chordoma, which may even benefit PD-L1-negative patients. The brachyury vaccine has shown good safety in chordoma patients, and future clinical trials should focus on how to improve its therapeutic efficacy. The use of immunomodulatory agents is a promising therapeutic option, though additional clinical trials are required to evaluate their safety and effectiveness. RECIST does not seem to be an appropriate standard for assessing medications of intratumoral immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wei Xu
- Correspondence: (W.X.); (J.X.); Tel./Fax: +86-021-13761278657 (W.X.); +86-021-13701785283 (J.X.); +(086)-021-81885634 (W.X. & J.X.)
| | - Jianru Xiao
- Correspondence: (W.X.); (J.X.); Tel./Fax: +86-021-13761278657 (W.X.); +86-021-13701785283 (J.X.); +(086)-021-81885634 (W.X. & J.X.)
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11
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Ibodeng GOE, Alkharabsheh O, Thanikachalam K. A case of refractory chordoma of the clivus with a review of therapeutic targets. CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CANCER: CASE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpccr.2022.100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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12
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Freed DM, Sommer J, Punturi N. Emerging target discovery and drug repurposing opportunities in chordoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1009193. [PMID: 36387127 PMCID: PMC9647139 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1009193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of effective and personalized treatment options for patients with rare cancers like chordoma is hampered by numerous challenges. Biomarker-guided repurposing of therapies approved in other indications remains the fastest path to redefining the treatment paradigm, but chordoma's low mutation burden limits the impact of genomics in target discovery and precision oncology efforts. As our knowledge of oncogenic mechanisms across various malignancies has matured, it's become increasingly clear that numerous properties of tumors transcend their genomes - leading to new and uncharted frontiers of therapeutic opportunity. In this review, we discuss how the implementation of cutting-edge tools and approaches is opening new windows into chordoma's vulnerabilities. We also note how a convergence of emerging observations in chordoma and other cancers is leading to the identification and evaluation of new therapeutic hypotheses for this rare cancer.
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Mayo Clinic Clival Chordoma Case Series: Impact of Endoscopic Training on Clinical Care. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205104. [PMID: 36291887 PMCID: PMC9600266 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205104] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of clival chordoma in our group shifted around 2013 to mostly endoscopic, and proton beam was introduced for our multidisciplinary team. Consecutive patients who had surgical resection from 1987 to 2021 were reviewed. A total of 58 patients (39 patients after 2013) were analyzed. The mean tumor size was 3.7 cm, and the most common location was the upper clivus (43%). Compared to before 2013, after 2013, the endoscopic endonasal approach was more common (90%, p < 0.001), and more gross or near total resections (64%, p = 0.002) were attained. Ten cases (17%) were revision surgeries referred from elsewhere, and three cases (5%) underwent additional surgery elsewhere before adjuvant radiation. The postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 7%. Post-operative new cranial nerve deficits occurred in 32% before 2013, compared to 2.6% after 2013 (p = 0.004). For cases before 2013, 10 patients (53%) recurred during the median follow-up of 144 months (mean, 142 months), whereas for cases after 2013, seven patients (18%) recurred with a median follow-up of 35 months (mean, 42 months). 5-year progression-free survival was 58%, and 5-year overall survival was 87%. A specialized multidisciplinary team improved the resection rate compared to a historical cohort with an excellent morbidity profile.
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14
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Bishop AJ, Amini B, Lin H, Raza SM, Patel S, Grosshans DR, Ghia A, Farooqi A, Guadagnolo BA, Mitra D, Akdemir KC, Lazar AJ, Wang WL, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Bird J, Rhines LD, Somaiah N, Conley AP. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Have Clinical Activity in Patients With Recurrent Chordoma. J Immunother 2022; 45:374-378. [PMID: 35943386 PMCID: PMC9452485 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and tolerance of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for patients with recurrent chordoma. We reviewed the records of 17 patients with recurrent chordomas who received ICIs for progressing disease as part of their treatment between 2016 and 2020. Response was assessed using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors 1.1 criteria. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Clinical benefit was defined as having stable disease (SD), a partial response, or a complete response. The median follow-up from the start of ICIs was 29 months [interquartile range (IQR): 13-35 m]. The majority received pembrolizumab (n=9, 53%), and the median number of cycles delivered was 8 (IQR: 7-12). The 1-year OS was 87%, and the 1-year PFS was 56% with a median PFS of 14 months (95% CI, 5-17 mo). After ICI initiation, most patients (n=15, 88%) had clinical benefit consisting of a complete response (n=1, 6%), partial response (n=3, 18%), and stable disease (n=11, 65%). Among all responders (n=15), the median duration of response was 12 months. Toxicities were limited: 2 (12%) patients having grade 3/4 immune-related toxicities (colitis, grade 3; myocarditis, grade 4). We observed a high rate of clinical benefit and favorable durability from ICI use for patients with recurrent chordoma. These data provide support for the integration of ICIs as a standard first-line systemic therapy option for patients with recurrent chordoma. Prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate efficacy and enhance response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Justin Bird
- Orthopedic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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15
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Gao J, Huang R, Yin H, Song D, Meng T. Research hotspots and trends of chordoma: A bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:946597. [PMID: 36185236 PMCID: PMC9523362 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.946597] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chordoma is a type of mesenchymal malignancy with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Due to its rarity, the tumorigenic mechanism and optimal therapeutic strategy are not well known. Methods All relevant articles of chordoma research from 1 January 2000 to 26 April 2022 were obtained from Web of Science Core Collection database. Blibliometrix was used to acquire basic publication data. Visualization and data table of collaboration network, dynamic analysis, trend topics, thematic map, and factorial analysis were acquired using Blibliometrix package. VOSviewer was used to generate a visualization map of co-citation analysis and co-occurrence. Results A total of 2,285 articles related to chordoma were identified. The most influential and productive country/region was the United States, and Capital Medical University has published the most articles. Among all high-impact authors, Adrienne M. Flanagan had the highest average citation rate. Neurosurgery was the important periodical for chordoma research with the highest total/average citation rate. We focused on four hotspots in recent chordoma research. The research on surgical treatment and radiotherapy was relatively mature. The molecular signaling pathway, targeted therapy and immunotherapy for chordoma are not yet mature, which will be the future trends of chordoma research. Conclusion This study indicates that chordoma studies are increasing. Surgery and radiotherapy are well reported and always play fundamental roles in chordoma treatment. The molecular signaling pathway, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy of chordoma are the latest research hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxuan Gao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Runzhi Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huabin Yin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Song
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tong Meng, ; Dianwen Song,
| | - Tong Meng
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tong Meng, ; Dianwen Song,
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16
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Huo X, Wang K, Song L, Yang Y, Zhu S, Ma J, Tian K, Fan Y, Wang L, Wu Z. Bibliometric analysis of publication trends in chordoma research (1992−2021). INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2022.101589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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17
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Xia C, Huang W, Chen YL, Fu HB, Tang M, Zhang TL, Li J, Lv GH, Yan YG, Ouyang ZH, Yao N, Wang C, Zou MX. Coexpression of HHLA2 and PD-L1 on Tumor Cells Independently Predicts the Survival of Spinal Chordoma Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 12:797407. [PMID: 35145510 PMCID: PMC8824251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.797407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy only achieves efficacy in some cancer patients, and less is known about other immune checkpoint molecules in chordoma. Here, we aimed to determine the expression of PD-L1, HHLA2, B7H3, IDO-1 and Galectin-9 in spinal chordoma and evaluated their association with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), clinicopathological characteristics and survival of patients. Methods Using multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF), we simultaneously measured the levels of five different immune checkpoint molecules and major TIL subsets in 92 human spinal chordoma samples. Results Tumor HHLA2 and PD-L1 were positive in 80.0% and 86.0% of cases, respectively. However, B7H3, IDO-1 and Galectin-9 positivity on tumor cells were only seen in 21.0% of cases, despite all showing predominantly stromal expression. Coexpression of these QIF markers in the tumor compartment was scarcely detected except for PD-L1 and HHLA2, which was observed in 69.6% of cases. While tumoral HHLA2 and stromal B7H3 expressions were associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype, suppressive immune response (specifically including elevated PD-1+ TILs level and decreased CD8+ TIL density) and poor prognosis, stromal levels of PD-L1 and Galectin-9 predicted the opposite outcomes. Importantly, HHLA2 and PD-L1 coexpression on tumor cells independently predicted both worse local recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion These data provide a better understanding of the immunosuppressive mechanism in chordoma and may be useful for the development of combination or novel immunotherapy approaches aiming to improve therapeutic efficacy and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Health Management Center, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.,Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Wei Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Health Management Center, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yun-Liang Chen
- Shenzhen Audaque Data Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Hai-Bin Fu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ming Tang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Tao-Lan Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi-Guo Yan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Ouyang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Nvzhao Yao
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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18
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Xiao D, Huang Y, Huang S, Zhuang J, Chen P, Wang Y, Zhang L. Targeted delivery of cancer drug paclitaxel to chordomas tumor cells via an RNA nanoparticle harboring an EGFR aptamer. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 212:112366. [PMID: 35144131 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Paclitaxel has been extensively used in clinics for cancer treatment. However, its limited solubility in aqueous solution and high occurrence of side effects have also been widely reported. In this study, we constructed a biocompatible RNA nanoparticle delivery system (3WJ-EGFRapt) that includes 3WJ (3-way junction) nanoparticle with a size of 4.85 ± 0.59 nm as a backbone and an EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) aptamer for specific targeting to chordomas cells, which owns the encapsulation ability of drug paclitaxel (PTX) for cancer therapy. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry results confirmed 3WJ-EGFRapt nanoparticle exhibited excellent specific targeting to chordomas cell U-CH2 which is an EGFR(+) cell line; while the 3WJ nanoparticle lose the targeted ability. Both of the two nanoparticles own no sensitivity to lung cancer cell H520 which is an EGFR(-) cell line. Moreover, the 3WJ-EGFRapt nanoparticle encapsulated drug PTX could enhance the inhibition efficiency of chordomas tumor cells U-CH2 as compared to free PTX alone. This work demonstrates that RNA-3WJ constructed with a targeting aptamer provides a compromising targeted drug delivery ability on chordomas cells for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yongxiong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Shuaihao Huang
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jianxiong Zhuang
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - P Chen
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Yi Wang
- Nanopeptide (Qingdao) Biotechnology LTD, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1, Canada.
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19
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Williamson LM, Rive CM, Di Francesco D, Titmuss E, Chun HJE, Brown SD, Milne K, Pleasance E, Lee AF, Yip S, Rosenbaum DG, Hasselblatt M, Johann PD, Kool M, Harvey M, Dix D, Renouf DJ, Holt RA, Nelson BH, Hirst M, Jones SJM, Laskin J, Rassekh SR, Deyell RJ, Marra MA. Clinical response to nivolumab in an INI1-deficient pediatric chordoma correlates with immunogenic recognition of brachyury. NPJ Precis Oncol 2021; 5:103. [PMID: 34931022 PMCID: PMC8688516 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-021-00238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Poorly differentiated chordoma (PDC) is a recently recognized subtype of chordoma characterized by expression of the embryonic transcription factor, brachyury, and loss of INI1. PDC primarily affects children and is associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here we describe the molecular and immune tumour microenvironment profiles of two paediatric PDCs produced using whole-genome, transcriptome and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and multiplex immunohistochemistry. Our analyses revealed the presence of tumour-associated immune cells, including CD8+ T cells, and expression of the immune checkpoint protein, PD-L1, in both patient samples. Molecular profiling provided the rationale for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, which resulted in a clinical and radiographic response. A dominant T cell receptor (TCR) clone specific for a brachyury peptide-MHC complex was identified from bulk RNA sequencing, suggesting that targeting of the brachyury tumour antigen by tumour-associated T cells may underlie this clinical response to ICI. Correlative analysis with rhabdoid tumours, another INI1-deficient paediatric malignancy, suggests that a subset of tumours may share common immune phenotypes, indicating the potential for a therapeutically targetable subgroup of challenging paediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Williamson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Craig M Rive
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniela Di Francesco
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emma Titmuss
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hye-Jung E Chun
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Scott D Brown
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katy Milne
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Erin Pleasance
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna F Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen Yip
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel G Rosenbaum
- Department of Radiology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KITZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa Harvey
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David Dix
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel J Renouf
- Pancreas Centre BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert A Holt
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Brad H Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Hirst
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Steven J M Jones
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Janessa Laskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shahrad R Rassekh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rebecca J Deyell
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marco A Marra
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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20
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Therapeutic Efficacy of Variable Biological Effectiveness of Proton Therapy in U-CH2 and MUG-Chor1 Human Chordoma Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236115. [PMID: 34885223 PMCID: PMC8656796 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chordoma is a rare, slow-growing cancer of the spinal cord. Photon radiation therapy and surgery are the standard of care for chordoma. Proton radiation therapy has become an increasingly common treatment in comparison to photon radiation therapy due to the ability to reduce off-target radiation dose. However, there is still an increased risk of toxicity to the surrounding critical structures that lead to poor treatment outcomes. Moreover, the biologic effectiveness of protons to sterilize chordoma cells remains uncertain and likely varies according to the proton energy spectrum throughout the proton field. We aim to investigate the tumoricidal properties of proton radiation therapy at the middle and end of the proton radiation field and elucidate variations in the relative biological effectiveness for chordoma cells. Our study helps quantify the therapeutic value of treating chordoma near the end of the proton field, where linear energy transfer is relatively high. Abstract Background: Chordoma is a cancer of spinal cord, skull base, and sacral area. Currently, the standard of care to treat chordoma is resection followed by radiation therapy. Since, chordoma is present in the spinal cord and these are very sensitive structures and often complete removal by surgery is not possible. As a result, chordoma has a high chance of recurrence and developing resistance to radiation therapy. In addition, treatment of chordoma by conventional radiation therapy can also damage normal tissues surrounding chordoma. Thus, current therapeutic options to treat chordoma are insufficient and novel therapies are desperately needed to treat locally advanced and metastatic chordoma. (2) Methods: In the present investigation, human chordoma cell lines of sacral origin MUG-Chor1 and U-CH2 were cultured and irradiated with Proton Beam Radiation using the clinical superconducting cyclotron and pencil-beam (active) scanning at Middle and End of the Spread-Out Bragg Peak (SOBP). Proton radiation was given at the following doses: Mug-Chor1 at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gy and U-CH2 at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 Gy. These doses were selected based on a pilot study in our lab and attempted to produce approximate survival fractions in the range of 1, 0.9, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.01, respectively, chosen for linear quadratic model fitting of the dose response. (3) Results: In this study, we investigated relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of proton radiation at the end of Spread Out Bragg Peak assuming that the reference radiation is a proton radiation in the middle of the SOBP. We observed differences in the survival of both Human chordoma cell lines, U-CH2 and MUG-Chor1. The data showed that there was a significantly higher cell death at the end of the Bragg peak as compared to middle of the Bragg peak. Based on the linear quadratic (LQ) fit for cell survival we calculated the RBE between M-SOBP and E-SOBP at 95% CI level and it was observed that RBE was higher than 1 at E-SOBP and caused significantly higher cell killing. Proton field at E-SOBP caused complex DNA damage in comparison to M-EOBP and the genes such as DNA topoisomerase 1, GTSE1, RAD51B were downregulated in E-SOBP treated cells. Thus, we conclude that there seems to be substantial variation in RBE (1.3–1.7) at the E-SOBP compared with the M-SOBP.
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21
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Dridi M, Krebs-Drouot L, Meyronet D, Dumollard JM, Vassal F, Jouanneau E, Jacquesson T, Barrey C, Grange S, Boutonnat J, Péoc’h M, Karpathiou G. The Immune Microenvironment of Chordomas: An Immunohistochemical Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133335. [PMID: 34283048 PMCID: PMC8268246 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chordoma patients may be amenable to immunotherapy; however, the immune microenvironment of chordomas needs further investigation. We performed the immunohistochemical analysis of a chordoma series, showing that these tumors have a unique microenvironment characterized by the absence of PD-L1 tumor cell expression, but feature PD-L1+ immune cells playing a negative prognostic role. Abstract Chordomas are rare sarcomas that are usually treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy since these are chemo-resistant tumors, but immunotherapy could be a possible option for chordoma patients. However, few reports investigating the composition of the chordoma immune microenvironment exist. We immunohistochemically studied 81 chordomas regarding their immune microenvironment factors and compared them with clinicopathological data. Macrophages and CD4 cells were the most prominent inflammatory cell populations, followed by CD8 T cells, while CD20 B cells and high endothelial venules (MECA-79+) were less frequently found. PD-L1 (22C3) expression by inflammatory cells was found in 21 (26%) tumors and was associated with a larger tumor size. None of the cases showed the expression of PD-L1 by tumor cells. Survival analysis showed that younger patients had a better overall survival. Considering the immunohistochemical factors studied, higher CD8, the presence of PD-L1+ immune cells, and higher vascular density were adverse prognostic factors, but in multivariate analysis, only PD-L1+ immune cells retained prognostic significance. To conclude, chordoma tumor cells do not express PD-L1, but PD-L1+ immune cells seem to play a negative prognostic role, supporting the need for further studies in this field and the possible beneficial role of immunotherapy in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroa Dridi
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France; (M.D.); (J.M.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Lila Krebs-Drouot
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38700 Grenoble, France; (L.K.-D.); (J.B.)
| | - David Meyronet
- East Pathology Institute, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69677 Lyon, France;
- Cancer Cell Plasticity Department, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69373 Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, 69100 Lyon, France; (E.J.); (C.B.)
| | - Jean Marc Dumollard
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France; (M.D.); (J.M.D.); (M.P.)
| | - François Vassal
- Neurosurgery Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France;
| | - Emmanuel Jouanneau
- Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, 69100 Lyon, France; (E.J.); (C.B.)
- Department of Neurosurgery B, Neurological Hospital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Lyon, France;
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR5286, «Signaling, Metabolism and Tumor Progression» The Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69373 Lyon, France
| | - Timothée Jacquesson
- Department of Neurosurgery B, Neurological Hospital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Lyon, France;
- Department of Anatomy, Faculté de Médecine Lyon-Est, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Lyon, France
| | - Cédric Barrey
- Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, 69100 Lyon, France; (E.J.); (C.B.)
- Department of Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery, Neurological Hospital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Lyon, France
| | - Sylvain Grange
- Radiology Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France;
| | - Jean Boutonnat
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Grenoble, 38700 Grenoble, France; (L.K.-D.); (J.B.)
| | - Michel Péoc’h
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France; (M.D.); (J.M.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Georgia Karpathiou
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France; (M.D.); (J.M.D.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Wedekind MF, Widemann BC, Cote G. Chordoma: Current status, problems, and future directions. Curr Probl Cancer 2021; 45:100771. [PMID: 34266694 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2021.100771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare tumor that occurs along the axial spine in pediatrics and adults, with an incidence of approximately 350 cases per year in the United States. While typically described as slow-growing, many patients will eventually develop loco-regional relapse or metastatic disease with few treatment options. Despite numerous efforts over the last 10+ years, effective treatments for patients are lacking. As subtypes of chordoma are identified and described in more detail, further knowledge regarding the natural history of each type, tumor location, age differences, genomic variability, and an overall better understanding of chordoma may be the key to developing meaningful clinical trials and effective therapies for patients with chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Frances Wedekind
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Brigitte C Widemann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Gregory Cote
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Assi
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Faculty of medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
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24
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Traylor JI, Pernik MN, Plitt AR, Lim M, Garzon-Muvdi T. Immunotherapy for Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma: Current Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2408. [PMID: 34067530 PMCID: PMC8156915 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are rare but devastating neoplasms that are characterized by chemoradiation resistance. For both tumors, surgical resection is the cornerstone of management. Immunotherapy agents are increasingly improving outcomes in multiple cancer subtypes and are being explored in chordoma and chondrosarcoma alike. In chordoma, brachyury has been identified as a prominent biomarker and potential molecular immunotherapy target as well as PD-1 inhibition. While studies on immunotherapy in chondrosarcoma are sparse, there is emerging evidence and ongoing clinical trials for PD-1 as well as IDH inhibitors. This review highlights potential biomarkers and targets for immunotherapy in chordoma and chondrosarcoma, as well as current clinical evidence and ongoing trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey I. Traylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (J.I.T.); (M.N.P.); (A.R.P.)
| | - Mark N. Pernik
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (J.I.T.); (M.N.P.); (A.R.P.)
| | - Aaron R. Plitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (J.I.T.); (M.N.P.); (A.R.P.)
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Tomas Garzon-Muvdi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (J.I.T.); (M.N.P.); (A.R.P.)
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25
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Barber SM, Sadrameli SS, Lee JJ, Fridley JS, Teh BS, Oyelese AA, Telfeian AE, Gokaslan ZL. Chordoma-Current Understanding and Modern Treatment Paradigms. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051054. [PMID: 33806339 PMCID: PMC7961966 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a low-grade notochordal tumor of the skull base, mobile spine and sacrum which behaves malignantly and confers a poor prognosis despite indolent growth patterns. These tumors often present late in the disease course, tend to encapsulate adjacent neurovascular anatomy, seed resection cavities, recur locally and respond poorly to radiotherapy and conventional chemotherapy, all of which make chordomas challenging to treat. Extent of surgical resection and adequacy of surgical margins are the most important prognostic factors and thus patients with chordoma should be cared for by a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary surgical team in a quaternary center. Ongoing research into the molecular pathophysiology of chordoma has led to the discovery of several pathways that may serve as potential targets for molecular therapy, including a multitude of receptor tyrosine kinases (e.g., platelet-derived growth factor receptor [PDGFR], epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]), downstream cascades (e.g., phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K]/protein kinase B [Akt]/mechanistic target of rapamycin [mTOR]), brachyury—a transcription factor expressed ubiquitously in chordoma but not in other tissues—and the fibroblast growth factor [FGF]/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase [MEK]/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] pathway. In this review article, the pathophysiology, diagnosis and modern treatment paradigms of chordoma will be discussed with an emphasis on the ongoing research and advances in the field that may lead to improved outcomes for patients with this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Barber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.M.B.); (S.S.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Saeed S. Sadrameli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.M.B.); (S.S.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Jonathan J. Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (S.M.B.); (S.S.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Jared S. Fridley
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (J.S.F.); (A.A.O.); (A.E.T.)
| | - Bin S. Teh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Adetokunbo A. Oyelese
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (J.S.F.); (A.A.O.); (A.E.T.)
| | - Albert E. Telfeian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (J.S.F.); (A.A.O.); (A.E.T.)
| | - Ziya L. Gokaslan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (J.S.F.); (A.A.O.); (A.E.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(401)-793-9132
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Pastor DM, Lee-Wisdom K, Arai AE, Sirajuddin A, Rosing DR, Korchin B, Gulley JL, Bilusic M. Fast Clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in a Patient Undergoing Vaccine Immunotherapy for Metastatic Chordoma: A Case Report. Front Oncol 2020; 10:603248. [PMID: 33330104 PMCID: PMC7717959 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.603248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been associated with perplexing clinical sequelae and phenomena that often have no clear link to the underlying infection. There is a wide spectrum of symptoms associated with infection, from minimal respiratory complaints to severe multi-organ failure, often resulting in death. Individuals with malignancies, particularly those whose treatments have left them immunocompromised or immunosuppressed, are among the patient populations thought to be at greater risk for more severe illness. A man with aggressive metastatic chordoma contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus and was diagnosed with COVID-19 while undergoing intravenous brachyury vaccine immunotherapy. His disease course was remarkably mild, and the virus cleared rapidly. Despite a treatment delay of 3 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the patient’s disease has been stable and tumor-related pain has significantly improved. This suggests not only an intact, functional immune system, but also one that appears to have been responsive to cancer treatment. It has been suggested that individuals undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer are at greater risk of severe SARS-CoV-2-related illnesses and complications. While immunosuppression may be a problem, particularly in those receiving conventional chemotherapeutic agents, it is possible that the non-specific effects of immune-enhancing therapies may confer some protection against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Pastor
- Medical Oncology Service, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Katherine Lee-Wisdom
- Medical Oncology Service, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Andrew E Arai
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Arlene Sirajuddin
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Douglas R Rosing
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - James L Gulley
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marijo Bilusic
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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27
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Wu X, Lin X, Chen Y, Kong W, Xu J, Yu Z. Response of Metastatic Chordoma to the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Pembrolizumab: A Case Report. Front Oncol 2020; 10:565945. [PMID: 33392069 PMCID: PMC7774333 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.565945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare primary bone tumor that exhibits insensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and has a poor prognosis. Currently, resection is the primary treatment for affected patients, but the subsequent rate of recurrence is high, and both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) are consequentially relatively short. This case report describes a patient who was diagnosed with metastatic chordoma that was found to possess the A1209fs mutation of the PBRM1 gene, which may be associated with beneficial responses to immunotherapies. The patient received pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) that targets the PD-1 receptor of lymphocytes, as second-line therapy, which he tolerated well (the most frequent adverse events were abnormal liver function and hyperglycemia, both of which were only grades 1-2), and achieved a PFS duration of 9.3 months. We hope these results will promote further research that will clarify the mechanisms underlying this beneficial response and that will further explore the use of immunotherapies in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wu
- Fu Zong Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangwu Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dongfang Hospital of Xiamen University, Fuzhou General Hospital of Fujian Medical University, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wencui Kong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dongfang Hospital of Xiamen University, Fuzhou General Hospital of Fujian Medical University, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinhe Xu
- Fu Zong Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zongyang Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dongfang Hospital of Xiamen University, Fuzhou General Hospital of Fujian Medical University, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force, PLA, Fuzhou, China
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28
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Genetic Testing Distinguishes Multiple Chondroid Chordomas with Neuraxial Bone Metastases from Multicentric Tumors. Case Rep Genet 2020; 2020:8877722. [PMID: 33312743 PMCID: PMC7719490 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8877722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chordomas are rare malignant bone tumors preferentially forming in neuraxial bones. Chondroid chordoma is a subtype of chordoma. Chordomas reportedly present as synchronous multiple lesions upon initial diagnosis. However, it remains unknown whether these lesions are multicentric or metastatic multiple chordoma tumors. Case Presentation. Here, we present the case of a 57-year-old woman with multiple chordomas at the clivus, C6, and T12 upon initial presentation. Sequential surgeries and radiotherapy were performed for these lesions, and postoperative histological diagnosis revealed that all lesions were chondroid chordomas. Next-generation sequencing revealed that these lesions harbored a common somatic mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c.3617A>C, which is not considered a pathogenic chordoma mutation, thus indicating that these lesions were not multicentric but rather multiple metastatic tumors. Subsequent multiple metastases to the lung and appendicular and axial bones were detected 15 months after the initial surgery. Recurrent lesions at the clivus progressed despite EGFR-targeted therapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Conclusion The present evidence indicates that multiple chordomas in this case were caused by multiple metastases rather than multicentric lesions. Multiple presentations of chordoma imply systemic dissemination of tumor cells, and novel efficient systemic therapy is required to treat this disease.
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29
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Cherix S, Traverso A, Bazan AA, Gallusser N, Heutschi-Ozturk H, Abou-Khalil S, Goetti P, Letovanec I, Montemurro M, Bize P. Image-guided percutaneous cryoablation of unresectable sacrococcygeal chordoma: Feasibility and outcome in a selected group of patients with long term follow-up. J Surg Oncol 2020; 123:497-504. [PMID: 33146425 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26288] [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: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor of the axial skeleton. Percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) is a minimally invasive technique that allows freezing of tumors under imaging control. The purpose of our retrospective study was to investigate the outcome of PCA in a selected cohort of patients with sacrococcygeal chordoma, with a minimum of 5 years follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four patients were treated in 10 sessions. The mean follow-up was 57.3 months. We evaluated the feasibility, the procedure-related complications, the impact on pain control and oncological outcomes. RESULTS Freezing of 100% of the tumor volume was possible in 60%. Pain control was not reliably evaluable. Local recurrence occurred in 90% of the treated lesions; the mean time to progression was 8.1 months (range 1.5-16). At last follow-up, one patient had died of the disease, one of another cause and one was receiving the best supportive care. The only patient alive without the disease had received additional carbon-ion radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rate after index PCA was 50%. CONCLUSION Complete freezing of the tumor was technically challenging, mainly due to the complex local anatomy. Recurrence occurred in 90% of the lesions treated. PCA should be considered with caution in the curative management of sacrococcygeal chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Cherix
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Traverso
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexander A Bazan
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Gallusser
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hafize Heutschi-Ozturk
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sami Abou-Khalil
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Goetti
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Igor Letovanec
- Department of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Montemurro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Bize
- Department of Radiodiagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinique Genolier, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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30
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Gill CM, Fowkes M, Shrivastava RK. Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Chordomas: A Review of the Literature in the Genomic Era. Neurosurgery 2020; 86:E118-E123. [PMID: 31504814 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyz342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare primary malignant tumors of the bones that occur along the skull base, spine, and sacrum. Long-term survival and neurological outcome continue to be challenging with continued low percentages of long-term survival. Recent studies have used genome, exome, transcriptome, and proteome sequencing to assess the mutational profile of chordomas. Most notably, Brachyury, or T-protein, has been shown to be an early mutational event in chordoma evolution. Clinically actionable mutations, including in the PI3K pathway, were identified. Preliminary evidence suggests that there may be mutational differences associated with primary tumor location. In this study, we review the therapeutic landscape of chordomas and discuss emerging targets in the genomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey M Gill
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Mary Fowkes
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Raj K Shrivastava
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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31
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Dufresne A, Lesluyes T, Ménétrier-Caux C, Brahmi M, Darbo E, Toulmonde M, Italiano A, Mir O, Le Cesne A, Le Guellec S, Valentin T, Chevreau C, Bonvalot S, Robin YM, Coindre JM, Caux C, Blay JY, Chibon F. Specific immune landscapes and immune checkpoint expressions in histotypes and molecular subtypes of sarcoma. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1792036. [PMID: 32923153 PMCID: PMC7458655 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1792036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare and aggressive connective tissue neoplasms for which curative therapeutic opportunities are limited in advanced phase. Clinical trials assessing immunotherapy in these tumors have so far reported limited efficacy. The objective of this study is to provide a description of the immunologic landscape of sarcomas to guide the next clinical trials of immunotherapy in these diseases. The gene expression profile of 93 immune checkpoint (ICP) and membrane markers (MM) of immune cells was analyzed in a series of 253 soft tissue sarcoma (synovial sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, sarcoma with complex genomic and GIST) using Agilent Whole Human Genome Microarrays. The unsupervised hierarchical clustering of gene expression level was found able to properly group patients according to the histological subgroup of sarcoma, indicating that each sarcoma subgroup is associated with a specific immune signature defined by its gene expression pattern. Using the prognostic impact of CIBERSORT signature on metastatic-free survival in each subgroup, specific target could be proposed for each of the four groups: Treg through ICOS and GITR in GIST, M0 macrophages in all four sarcoma subtypes, OX40 in SS, CD40 in GIST and SS. The immune landscape of sarcoma was found to be as heterogeneous as the histotypes and molecular subtypes, but strongly correlated to the histotype. Histotype adapted immunotherapeutic approaches in each sarcoma subtypes must be considered in view of these results, consistently with the already reported specific response of histotypes of ICPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dufresne
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - T Lesluyes
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Inserm U1218, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France.,Inserm UMR1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - C Ménétrier-Caux
- Inserm U1052, CNRS 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Brahmi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - E Darbo
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Inserm U1218, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux Bioinformatics Center (BCIB), Bordeaux, France
| | - M Toulmonde
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - A Italiano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - O Mir
- Department of Ambulatory Care, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - A Le Cesne
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - S Le Guellec
- Inserm UMR1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Department of Pathology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - T Valentin
- Inserm UMR1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - C Chevreau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - S Bonvalot
- Department of Surgery, Institut Curie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Y M Robin
- Department of Pathology, Centre Oscar Lambret, Lille, France
| | - J-M Coindre
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Department of Pathology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - C Caux
- Inserm U1052, CNRS 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bordeaux, France
| | - J Y Blay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, CNRS 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bordeaux, France
| | - F Chibon
- Inserm UMR1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
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Hoffman SE, Al Abdulmohsen SA, Gupta S, Hauser BM, Meredith DM, Dunn IF, Bi WL. Translational Windows in Chordoma: A Target Appraisal. Front Neurol 2020; 11:657. [PMID: 32733369 PMCID: PMC7360834 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare tumors that are notoriously refractory to chemotherapy and radiotherapy when radical surgical resection is not achieved or upon recurrence after maximally aggressive treatment. The study of chordomas has been complicated by small patient cohorts and few available model systems due to the rarity of these tumors. Emerging next-generation sequencing technologies have broadened understanding of this disease by implicating novel pathways for possible targeted therapy. Mutations in cell-cycle regulation and chromatin remodeling genes have been identified in chordomas, but their significance remains unknown. Investigation of the immune microenvironment of these tumors suggests that checkpoint protein expression may influence prognosis, and adjuvant immunotherapy may improve patient outcome. Finally, growing evidence supports aberrant growth factor signaling as potential pathogenic mechanisms in chordoma. In this review, we characterize the impact on treatment opportunities offered by the genomic and immunologic landscape of this tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Hoffman
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sally A Al Abdulmohsen
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Saksham Gupta
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Blake M Hauser
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David M Meredith
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ian F Dunn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Wenya Linda Bi
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW First clinical trials investigating immune check point (ICP) inhibitors in patients with sarcoma, regardless histological or molecular subtypes did not demonstrate any prolonged benefit. To maximize the chance of benefit from immunotherapy, recent strategies explore the combination of treatments and aim to improve identification of responsive histological subtypes. RECENT FINDINGS Combination of several ICP inhibitors tends to increase toxicity and efficacy. Mechanisms of synergistic action remain unclear. Combination of ICP blockade with tyrosine kinase inhibitor increases efficacy in specific histological subtypes already identified as sensitive to each drug separately. The role of the combination is not established yet. Several ongoing trials assess the combination of ICP blockade with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. ICP blockade seems highly effective in some selected histological subtypes like alveolar soft part sarcoma, chordoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor, and angiosarcoma. Encouraging preliminary results need to be confirmed in larger cohorts and biological mechanisms that sustain this efficacy should be further explored. Adoptive cell therapy seems very promising in synovialosarcoma. SUMMARY Significant efforts are underway to efficiently develop immunotherapy in patients with sarcoma and better characterize patients who would benefit the most from it.
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Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) expression in chordoma and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) predicts prognosis of spinal chordoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 22:2324-2332. [DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02387-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Zou MX, Zheng BW, Liu FS, Wang XB, Hu JR, Huang W, Dai ZH, Zhang QS, Liu FB, Zhong H, Jiang Y, She XL, Li XB, Lv GH, Li J. The Relationship Between Tumor-Stroma Ratio, the Immune Microenvironment, and Survival in Patients With Spinal Chordoma. Neurosurgery 2020; 85:E1095-E1110. [PMID: 31501892 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyz333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, little is known about the clinical relevance of tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) in chordoma and data discussing the relationship between TSR and immune status of chordoma are lacking. OBJECTIVE To characterize TSR distribution in spinal chordoma, and investigated its correlation with clinicopathologic or immunological features of patients and outcome. METHODS TSR was assessed visually on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections from 54 tumor specimens by 2 independent pathologists. Multiplex immunofluorescence was used to quantify the expression levels of microvessel density, Ki-67, Brachyury, and tumor as well as stromal PD-L1. Tumor immunity status including the Immunoscore and densities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) subtypes were obtained from our published data and reanalyzed. RESULTS Bland-Altman plot showed no difference between mean TSR derived from the two observers. TSR was positively associated with stromal PD-L1 expression, the Immunoscore and CD3+ as well as CD4+ TILs density, but negatively correlated with tumor microvessel density, Ki-67 index, surrounding muscle invasion by tumor and number of Foxp3+ and PD-1+ TILs. Low TSR independently predicted poor local recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Moreover, patients with low TSR and low Immunoscore chordoma phenotype were associated with the worst survival. More importantly, combined TSR and Immunoscore accurately reflected prognosis and enhanced the ability of TSR or Immunoscore alone for outcome prediction. CONCLUSION These data reveal the significant impact of TSR on tumor progression and immunological response of patients. Subsequent use of agents targeting the stroma compartment may be an effective strategy to treat chordoma especially in combination with immune-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia-Rui Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhe-Hao Dai
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian-Shi Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Fu-Bing Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Central Hospital of Yi Yang, Yiyang, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Ling She
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South, University, Changsha, China
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Zou MX, Lv GH, Wang XB, Huang W, Li J, Jiang Y, She XL. Clinical Impact of the Immune Microenvironment in Spinal Chordoma: Immunoscore as an Independent Favorable Prognostic Factor. Neurosurgery 2020; 84:E318-E333. [PMID: 30032257 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyy274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, clinical implications of immune system cells in chordoma remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE To characterize in situ immune cell infiltrates, the Immunoscore, and investigate their correlation with clinicopathologic data of spinal chordoma patients and outcome. METHODS Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) subtypes were assessed in 54 tumor specimens using immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, Foxp3, PD-1, and PD-L1. RESULTS Overall, immune cell infiltrates were present in all samples and there was low or moderate correlation among several TILs subsets. PD-1+ TILs density, CD3+, and CD8+ TILs densities in the tumor interior (TI) subarea were associated with surrounding muscle invasion by tumor, whereas PD-L1+ TILs showed inverse association with tumor pathological grade and stage. The density of PD-1+ TILs, PD-L1+ TILs, CD4+ TILs, and CD3+ TILs both in the TI and combined tumor regions (TI and invasion margin) were significantly associated with local recurrence-free survival and overall survival (OS). However, Foxp3+ TILs (P = .024) and CD8+ TILs evaluated in the TI (P < .001) only correlated with OS. The Immunoscore predicted less aggressive clinical features and favorable outcomes. Patients with an Immunoscore of 4 had a median OS of 128 mo, while I0 (Immunoscore of 0) patients survived only 27 mo. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the Immunoscore was an independent favorable prognostic factor of both local recurrence-free survival (P = .026) and OS (P = .046). CONCLUSION Our data suggest a clinically relevant role of the immune microenvironment in spinal chordoma and identify the Immunoscore as promising prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Ling She
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Development of immune therapy in sarcoma faces the rarity and heterogeneity of the disease. This review analyses the data available from published clinical trials, and the new clinical strategies under assessment, developed in parallel to the exploration of biological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of immune therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Published data of four clinical trials assessing the efficacy of immune therapy in metastatic bone and soft-tissue sarcoma and associated translational programs are available. Response rate and progression-free survival with single-agent immune check point blockade in unselected sarcoma are low. No biomarkers of efficacy have been identified so far. To increase the efficacy of such treatments, combination of immune check point blockade with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted therapy is currently assessed. Signal of specific sensibility of some histological subtypes is explored. Adoptive cell therapy or vaccine seems particularly promising in translocation-associated sarcoma. SUMMARY Characterization of immune environment, mechanism of action of combined regimen and identification of biomarkers will be key steps to build the next clinical trials to improve the efficacy of such strategy.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chordoma is an exceedingly rare subtype of bone sarcoma. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into chordoma epidemiology, and an update on the recent advances in disease, biology and medical therapies. RECENT FINDINGS The incidence of chordoma is approximately 0.08/100 000 and the 5-year overall age-adjusted relative survival is 72% in the United States and 61% in Europe. Over the last years, significant steps forwards have been done in the comprehension of chordoma complexity, with insights gained into the biology and morphology of this disease. New entities have been described and potentially druggable molecular targets identified. This is becoming all the more relevant today, as new potentially active agents are under development. SUMMARY Chordoma is a complex disease because of its rarity, biological heterogeneity and peculiar clinical behaviour. Despite the progress done, the outcome in this disease remains unsatisfactory and the identification of active systemic treatments remains an urgent, unmet medical need.
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Mir O, Watson S, Blay JY. Letter: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Chordomas: A Review of the Literature in the Genomic Era. Neurosurgery 2020; 86:E480-E482. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Mir
- French Sarcoma Group Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute Villejuif, France
| | - Sarah Watson
- French Sarcoma Group Curie Institute Paris, France
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40
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Ozair MZ, Shah PP, Mathios D, Lim M, Moss NS. New Prospects for Molecular Targets for Chordomas. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2020; 31:289-300. [PMID: 32147018 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chordomas are malignant, highly recurrent tumors of the midline skeleton that arise from the remnants of the notochord. The development of systemic therapy is critically important to ultimately managing this tumor. Several ongoing trials are attempting to use molecular targeted therapies for mutated pathways in recurrent and advanced chordomas and have shown promise. In addition, immunotherapies, including brachyury-directed vaccination and checkpoint inhibition, have also been attempted with encouraging results. This article discusses the major pathways that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chordoma with an emphasis on molecular vulnerabilities that future therapies are attempting to exploit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan Ozair
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pavan Pinkesh Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Dimitrios Mathios
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nelson S Moss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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41
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Kremenevski N, Schlaffer SM, Coras R, Kinfe TM, Graillon T, Buchfelder M. Skull Base Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas. Neuroendocrinology 2020; 110:836-847. [PMID: 32541136 DOI: 10.1159/000509386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Skull base chordomas account for less than 0.2% and chondrosarcomas for less than 0.15% of all intracranial tumors. Although their clinical and imaging presentations are similar, they derive from different origins. Chordomas arise from embryonic remnants of the primitive notochord and chondrosarcomas from primitive mesenchymal cells or from the embryonic rest of the cranial cartilaginous matrix. Both entities are characterized by infiltration and destruction of the surrounding bone and soft tissue and a high locoregional recurrence rate. Chondrosarcomas, when treated with similar complex strategies, display a much better prognosis than chordomas. The overall survival is approximately 65% for chordomas and 80% for chondrosarcomas at 5 years and 30 and 50%, respectively, at 10 years. Chordomas are divided into the following 3 histological types: classical (conventional), chondroid, and dedifferentiated. Chondrosarcomas have conventional, mesenchymal, clear cell, and dedifferentiated subgroups. Both tumor entities often present with nonspecific symptoms, and headaches are the most reported initial symptom. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are required to determine the tumor localization and the extent of tumor growth. The treatment philosophy is to maximize tumor resection, minimize morbidity, and preserve function. Neurosurgical approaches commonly used for the resection of intracranial chordomas and chondrosarcomas are transsphenoidal, transbasal, cranio-orbitozygomatic, transzygomatic extended middle fossa, transcondylar, and transmaxillary approaches. Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are not sensitive to chemotherapy and there are no approved drugs for their treatment. The present treatment concept is a combination of surgical resection with a maximal excision and preserving patients' quality of life by adjuvant radiotherapy for both chordomas and chondrosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kremenevski
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany,
| | | | - Roland Coras
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Mehari Kinfe
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Graillon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Aix-Marseille University, APHM, CHU Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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[From bench to bedside for new treatment paradigms in chordomas: An update]. Bull Cancer 2019; 107:129-135. [PMID: 31882268 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chordomas are rare malignant tumours, which typically occur in the axial skeleton and skull base. They arise from embryonic remnants of the notochord. They constitute less than 5 % of primary bone tumours. They are characterised by their locally aggressive potential with high frequency of recurrences and a median overall survival of 6 years. The initial therapeutic strategy must be discussed in an expert centre and may involve surgery, preoperative radiotherapy, exclusive radiotherapy or therapeutic abstention. Despite this, more than 50 % of patients will be facing recurrences with few therapeutic options available at this advanced stage. This review aims to outline current treatment options available in chordomas, as well as discussing potentiality of new therapeutic approaches through their molecular characterization and the comprehension of their immunological environment.
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Moussalem CK, Massaad E, Baassiri W, Akhtar Anwar M, Kobeissy F, Eid A, Darwiche N, Omeis I. Spinal sarcomas and immunity: An undervalued relationship. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 64:36-50. [PMID: 31254615 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.06.009] [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: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas, especially spine sarcomas, are rare yet debilitating and are underestimated types of cancer. Treatment options for spine sarcomas are limited to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical intervention. Accumulating evidence suggests a complex course associated with the treatment of spine sarcomas as compared to other soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities since adjuvant therapy adds limited success to the oncological outcome. Likewise, the limitations of surgical interventions imposed by the proximity and high sensitivity of the spinal cord, leads to an increased recurrence and mortality rates associated with spine sarcomas. Finding novel treatment options to spine sarcomas as such is inevitable, necessitating a more thorough understanding of the different mechanisms of the underlying etiologies of these tumors. In this review, we discuss the most recent studies tackling the involvement of the immune system; a key player in the emergence of the different types of spine sarcomas and the promising immune-mediated targeted therapy that can be applied in these kind of rare cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel K Moussalem
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
| | - Elie Massaad
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wassim Baassiri
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
| | - M Akhtar Anwar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Eid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ibrahim Omeis
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon.
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Dufresne A, Brahmi M, Karanian M, Blay JY. Using biology to guide the treatment of sarcomas and aggressive connective-tissue tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 15:443-458. [PMID: 29666441 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-018-0012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that arise from cells of a mesenchymal origin. Surgery forms the mainstay of the treatment of most patients with localized sarcoma and might be followed or preceded by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In the metastatic setting, systemic treatments tend to improve survival and control symptoms. However, the adverse events and sometimes disappointing outcomes associated with these empirical approaches to treatment indicate a need for new approaches. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled more targeted treatment of many malignancies based on the presence of specific alterations. NGS analyses of sarcomas have revealed the presence of many alterations that can be targeted using therapies that are already used in patients with other forms of cancer. In this Review, we describe the genomic alterations considered to define specific nosological subgroups of sarcoma and whose contribution to oncogenesis provides a biological rationale for the use of a specific targeted therapy. We also report several less successful examples that should guide researchers and clinicians to better define the extent to which the identification of driver molecular alterations should influence the development of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armelle Dufresne
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France.
| | - Mehdi Brahmi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France
| | - Marie Karanian
- Department of Pathology, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Yves Blay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France
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Carmagnani Pestana R, Groisberg R, Roszik J, Subbiah V. Precision Oncology in Sarcomas: Divide and Conquer. JCO Precis Oncol 2019; 3:PO.18.00247. [PMID: 32914012 PMCID: PMC7446356 DOI: 10.1200/po.18.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare malignancies that exhibit remarkable heterogeneity, with more than 50 subtypes recognized. Advances in next-generation sequencing technology have resulted in the discovery of genetic events in these mesenchymal tumors, which in addition to enhancing understanding of the biology, have opened up avenues for molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This review focuses on how incorporation of next-generation sequencing has affected drug development in sarcomas and strategies for optimizing precision oncology for these rare cancers. In a significant percentage of soft tissue sarcomas, which represent up to 40% of all sarcomas, specific driver molecular abnormalities have been identified. The challenge to evaluate these mutations across rare cancer subtypes requires the careful characterization of these genetic alterations to further define compelling drivers with therapeutic implications. Novel models of clinical trial design also are needed. This shift would entail sustained efforts by the sarcoma community to move from one-size-fits-all trials, in which all sarcomas are treated similarly, to divide-and-conquer subtype-specific strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roman Groisberg
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jason Roszik
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Vivek Subbiah
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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46
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Meng T, Jin J, Jiang C, Huang R, Yin H, Song D, Cheng L. Molecular Targeted Therapy in the Treatment of Chordoma: A Systematic Review. Front Oncol 2019; 9:30. [PMID: 30775316 PMCID: PMC6367227 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Chordoma is a rare bone malignancy that affects the spine and skull base. Treatment dilemma leads to a high rate of local relapse and distant metastases. Molecular targeted therapy (MTT) is an option for advanced chordoma, but its therapeutic efficacy and safety have not been investigated systematically. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted on studies reporting MTT regimens for chordoma. Methods: Clinical trials, case series and case reports on chordoma MTT were identified using MEDLINE, Cochrane library and EMBASE, and systematically reviewed. Data on clinical outcomes, such as median overall survival, progression-free survival, response rate and adverse events (AEs) were extracted and analyzed. Results: Thirty-three eligible studies were selected for the systematic review, which indicated that imatinib and erlotinib were the most frequently used molecular targeted inhibitors (MTIs) for chordoma. For PDGFR-positive and/or EGFR-positive chordoma, clinical benefits were achieved with acceptable AEs. Monotherapy is preferred as the first-line of treatment, and combined drug therapy as the second-line treatment. In addition, the brachyury vaccine has shown promising results. Conclusions: The selection of MTIs for patients with advanced or relapsed chordoma should be based on gene mutation screening and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Monotherapy of TKIs is recommended as the first-line management, and combination therapy (two TKIs or TKI plus mTOR inhibitor) may be the choice for drug-resistant chordoma. Brachyury vaccine is a promising therapeutic strategy and requires more clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Meng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiali Jin
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, BIDMC Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Runzhi Huang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huabin Yin
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Song
- Shanghai Bone Tumor Institution, Shanghai, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liming Cheng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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47
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Salmons B, Gunzburg WH. Release characteristics of cellulose sulphate capsules and production of cytokines from encapsulated cells. Int J Pharm 2018; 548:15-22. [PMID: 29933063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The size and speed of release of proteins of different sizes from standard cellulose sulphate capsules (Cell-in-a-Box®) was investigated. Proteins with molecular weights of up to around 70kD can be released. The conformation, charge and concentration of the protein being released play a role in the release kinetics. Small proteins such as cytokines can be easily released. The ability to produce cytokines at a sustained and predefined level from encapsulated cells genetically engineered to overexpress such cytokines and implanted into patients may aid immunotherapies of cancer as well as infectious and other diseases. It will also allow allogeneic rather than autologous cells to be used. We show that cells encapsulated in polymers of cellulose sulphate are able to release cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) in a stimulated fashion e.g. using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin. Given the excellent documented safety record of cellulose sulphate in patients, these data suggest that clinical usage of the technology may be warranted for cancer treatment and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Salmons
- Austrianova Singapore Pte Ltd, Synapse, 3 Biopolis Drive, Singapore
| | - Walter H Gunzburg
- Austrianova Singapore Pte Ltd, Synapse, 3 Biopolis Drive, Singapore; Institute of Virology, Dept. of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A1210 Vienna, Austria.
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