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Seiboldt T, Zeiser C, Nguyen D, Celikyürekli S, Herter S, Najafi S, Stroh-Dege A, Meulenbroeks C, Mack N, Salem-Altintas R, Westermann F, Schlesner M, Milde T, Kool M, Holland-Letz T, Vogler M, Peterziel H, Witt O, Oehme I. Synergy of retinoic acid and BH3 mimetics in MYC(N)-driven embryonal nervous system tumours. Br J Cancer 2024; 131:763-777. [PMID: 38942989 PMCID: PMC11333474 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02740-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain paediatric nervous system malignancies have dismal prognoses. Retinoic acid (RA) is used in neuroblastoma treatment, and preclinical data indicate potential benefit in selected paediatric brain tumour entities. However, limited single-agent efficacy necessitates combination treatment approaches. METHODS We performed drug sensitivity profiling of 76 clinically relevant drugs in combination with RA in 16 models (including patient-derived tumouroids) of the most common paediatric nervous system tumours. Drug responses were assessed by viability assays, high-content imaging, and apoptosis assays and RA relevant pathways by RNAseq from treated models and patient samples obtained through the precision oncology programme INFORM (n = 2288). Immunoprecipitation detected BCL-2 family interactions, and zebrafish embryo xenografts were used for in vivo efficacy testing. RESULTS Group 3 medulloblastoma (MBG3) and neuroblastoma models were highly sensitive to RA treatment. RA induced differentiation and regulated apoptotic genes. RNAseq analysis revealed high expression of BCL2L1 in MBG3 and BCL2 in neuroblastomas. Co-treatments with RA and BCL-2/XL inhibitor navitoclax synergistically decreased viability at clinically achievable concentrations. The combination of RA with navitoclax disrupted the binding of BIM to BCL-XL in MBG3 and to BCL-2 in neuroblastoma, inducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS RA treatment primes MBG3 and NB cells for apoptosis, triggered by navitoclax cotreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Seiboldt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Constantia Zeiser
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analytics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simay Celikyürekli
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Herter
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Najafi
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Stroh-Dege
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Norman Mack
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rabia Salem-Altintas
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Westermann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schlesner
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analytics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics, Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Holland-Letz
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Heike Peterziel
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Oehme
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology (B310), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Terrinoni A, Micheloni G, Moretti V, Caporali S, Bernardini S, Minieri M, Pieri M, Giaroni C, Acquati F, Costantino L, Ferrara F, Valli R, Porta G. OTX Genes in Adult Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16962. [PMID: 38069286 PMCID: PMC10707059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OTX homeobox genes have been extensively studied for their role in development, especially in neuroectoderm formation. Recently, their expression has also been reported in adult physiological and pathological tissues, including retina, mammary and pituitary glands, sinonasal mucosa, in several types of cancer, and in response to inflammatory, ischemic, and hypoxic stimuli. Reactivation of OTX genes in adult tissues supports the notion of the evolutionary amplification of functions of genes by varying their temporal expression, with the selection of homeobox genes from the "toolbox" to drive or contribute to different processes at different stages of life. OTX involvement in pathologies points toward these genes as potential diagnostic and/or prognostic markers as well as possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Micheloni
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Vittoria Moretti
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Sabrina Caporali
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Minieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Pieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Giaroni
- Department of Medicina e Innovazione Tecnologica, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Acquati
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Lucy Costantino
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Centro Diagnostico Italiano, Via Saint Bon 20, 20147 Milano, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ferrara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Centro Diagnostico Italiano, Via Saint Bon 20, 20147 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Valli
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giovanni Porta
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via JH Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy
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da Costa Rosa M, Yamashita AS, Riggins GJ. Evaluation of a DNA demethylating agent in combination with all-trans retinoic acid for IDH1-mutant gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:711-723. [PMID: 34850159 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) mutations are diagnostic for Astrocytoma or Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant. In these IDH-mutant gliomas, retinoic acid-related gene expression is commonly silenced by DNA hypermethylation. DNA demethylating agents can epigenetically reprogram IDH-mutant cells and reduce proliferation, likely by re-expression of silenced tumor suppressor pathways. We hypothesized that DNA demethylation might restore the retinoic acid pathway and slow tumor growth. This was the rationale for a preclinical evaluation combining the DNA demethylating agent, 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza), and retinoic acid pathway activation with all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in IDH-mutant glioma. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of 5-Aza and atRA combination on cell proliferation, apoptosis and gene expression in human glioma cells. In addition, the efficacy of combination was tested in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) bearing the IDH1R132H mutation, utilizing subcutaneous and orthotopic models. RESULTS 5-Aza reduced the DNA methylation profile and increased the gene expression of retinoic acid-related genes. Combination of 5-Aza and atRA reduced cell growth, increased differentiation marker expression, and apoptosis in IDH1R132H glioma cells. Mechanistically, 5-Aza sensitized IDHIR132H glioma cells to atRA via upregulation of the retinoic acid pathway. Importantly, the drug combination reduced significantly the growth rate of subcutaneous tumors, but in an orthotopic mouse model the combination did not improve survival and 5-Aza alone provided the best survival benefit. CONCLUSION Use of DNA demethylating agent in combination with retinoids shows promise, but further optimization and preclinical studies are required for treatment of intracranial IDH-mutant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina da Costa Rosa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alex Shimura Yamashita
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gregory J Riggins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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4
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Li Z, Wei Y, Shao Y, Tang L, Gong J. Multi-omics analysis of intertumoral heterogeneity within medulloblastoma uncharted-pathway subtypes. Brain Tumor Pathol 2021; 38:234-242. [PMID: 34180021 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-021-00400-7] [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: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a common pediatric malignant brain tumor. There were four consensus molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group3 and Group4). Group 3 and Group 4 tumors exhibited a great degree of transcriptional overlap, and were neither derived from exact pathway aberration. We investigated transcriptional and chromatin accessibility of medulloblastoma by multi-omics single-cell analysis. Our work identified inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity within the Group 3, Group 4 and Group 3/4 intermediate subgroups. Unsupervised cluster of each tumor identified 9 cell clusters with transcriptional profiles and 6 cell clusters with chromatin accessibility profiles. OTX2 had the highest activity and expression level across the clusters in a special cluster based on open chromatin single-cell profilings. We identified multiple genes as a significant targeted gene within the OTX2 target genes, which made sense in prognosis. We analyzed the copy-number-variations which presented with expected subgroup distribution from transcriptional and chromatin accessibility profiles. Collectively, these data provide novel insights into Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma and provide a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicen Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Yifan Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yanqiu Shao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lei Tang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.
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Hatziagapiou K, Kakouri E, Lambrou GI, Koniari E, Kanakis C, Nikola OA, Theodorakidou M, Bethanis K, Tarantilis PA. Crocins: The Active Constituents of Crocus Sativus L. Stigmas, Exert Significant Cytotoxicity on Tumor Cells In Vitro. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394714666181029120446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background::Tumors of the childhood are considered to be grave and devastating pathologies, with high mortality rates. Current therapeutic options like cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy target both healthy and malignant cells, thus resulting in long-term neurological and intellectual sequelae and endocrinological disorders.Objectives::In this study, we focused on the anticancer potency of crocins, the main constituents of Crocus sativus L, stigmas. Crocins were first extracted using organic solvents from the dried stigmas and then were identified using the HPLC analysis.Materials and Methods::TE-671 cells were treated with the extract of crocins using a range of concentrations between 0.25-mg/ mL and 16 mg/mL. Viability of the cells was measured at 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. In addition, we have examined the expression levels of the p53 gene using Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR.Results::Results showed that crocins exerted significant cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in a concentration and time - dependent-manner on TE-671 cells. Furthermore, p53 manifested similar expression pattern as the anti-proliferative effect of crocin.Conclusion::Our data demonstrate that crocins could be a novel promising agent for the improvement of tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Hatziagapiou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kakouri
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George I. Lambrou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Koniari
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalabos Kanakis
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olti A. Nikola
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Margarita Theodorakidou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Bethanis
- Laboratory of Physics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros A. Tarantilis
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Williams AP, Garner EF, Stafman LL, Aye JM, Quinn CH, Marayati R, Stewart JE, Atigadda VR, Mroczek-Musulman E, Moore BP, Beierle EA, Friedman GK. UAB30, A Novel Rexinoid Agonist, Decreases Stemness In Group 3 Medulloblastoma Human Cell Line Xenografts. Transl Oncol 2019; 12:1364-1374. [PMID: 31362265 PMCID: PMC6664160 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE: In spite of advances in therapy for some subtypes, group 3 medulloblastoma continues to portend a poor prognosis. A subpopulation of medulloblastoma cells expressing the cell surface marker CD133 have been posited as possible stem cell like cancer cells (SCLCC), a potential source of drug resistance and relapse. Retinoids have been shown to affect SCLCC in other brain tumors. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the CD133-enriched cell population group 3 medulloblastoma cells would be sensitive to the novel rexinoid, UAB30. METHODS: Human medulloblastoma cell lines were studied. Cell sorting based on CD133 expression was performed. Both in vitro and in vivo extreme limiting dilution assays were completed to establish CD133 as a SCLCC marker in these cell lines. Cells were treated with either retinoic acid (RA) or UAB30 and sphere forming capacity and CD133 expression were assessed. Immunoblotting was used to assess changes in stem cell markers. Finally, mice injected with CD133-enriched or CD133-depleted cells were treated with UAB30. RESULTS: CD133-enriched cells more readily formed tumorspheres in vitro at lower cell concentrations and formed tumors in vivo at low cell numbers. Treatment with RA or UAB30 decreased CD133 expression, decreased tumorsphere formation, and decreased expression of cancer stem cell markers. In vivo studies demonstrated that tumors from both CD133-enriched and CD133-depleted cells were sensitive to treatment with UAB30. CONCLUSIONS: CD133 is a marker for medulloblastoma SCLCCs. Both CD133-enriched and CD133-depleted medulloblastoma cell populations demonstrated sensitivity to UAB30, indicating its potential as a therapeutic option for group 3 medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele P Williams
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Evan F Garner
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Laura L Stafman
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jamie M Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Colin H Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | | - Blake P Moore
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Elizabeth A Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
| | - Gregory K Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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7
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OTX1 and OTX2 Genes in Medulloblastoma. World Neurosurg 2019; 127:e58-e64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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8
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Garner EF, Stafman LL, Williams AP, Aye JM, Goolsby C, Atigadda VR, Moore BP, Nan L, Stewart JE, Hjelmeland AB, Friedman GK, Beierle EA. UAB30, a novel RXR agonist, decreases tumorigenesis and leptomeningeal disease in group 3 medulloblastoma patient-derived xenografts. J Neurooncol 2018; 140:209-224. [PMID: 30132166 PMCID: PMC6239946 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-2950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group 3 tumors account for approximately 25-30% of medulloblastomas and have the worst prognosis. UAB30 is a novel synthetic rexinoid shown to have limited toxicities in humans and significant efficacy in the pediatric neuroectodermal tumor, neuroblastoma. We hypothesized that treatment with UAB30 would decrease tumorigenicity in medulloblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). METHODS Three group 3 medulloblastoma PDXs (D341, D384 and D425) were utilized. Cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion assays were performed after treatment with UAB30 or 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA). Cell cycle analysis was completed using flow cytometry. A flank model, a cerebellar model, and a model of leptomeningeal metastasis using human medulloblastoma PDX cells was used to assess the in vivo effects of UAB30 and RA. RESULTS UAB30 treatment led to cell differentiation and decreased medulloblastoma PDX cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion and G1 cell cycle arrest in all three PDXs similar to RA. UAB30 and RA treatment of mice bearing medulloblastoma PDX tumors resulted in a significant decrease in tumor growth and metastasis compared to vehicle treated animals. CONCLUSIONS UAB30 decreased viability, proliferation, and motility in group 3 medulloblastoma PDX cells and significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo in a fashion similar to RA, suggesting that further investigations into the potential therapeutic application of UAB30 for medulloblastoma are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan F Garner
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Laura L Stafman
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adele P Williams
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jamie M Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Caroline Goolsby
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Venkatram R Atigadda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Blake P Moore
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Li Nan
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anita B Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gregory K Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- , Birmingham, USA.
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Stromecki M, Tatari N, Morrison LC, Kaur R, Zagozewski J, Palidwor G, Ramaswamy V, Skowron P, Wölfl M, Milde T, Del Bigio MR, Taylor MD, Werbowetski-Ogilvie TE. Characterization of a novel OTX2-driven stem cell program in Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:495-513. [PMID: 29377567 PMCID: PMC5891039 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary pediatric brain cancer. Among the most aggressive subtypes, Group 3 and Group 4 originate from stem/progenitor cells, frequently metastasize, and often display the worst prognosis, yet we know the least about the molecular mechanisms driving their progression. Here, we show that the transcription factor orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) promotes self-renewal while inhibiting differentiation in vitro and increases tumor initiation from MB stem/progenitor cells in vivo. To determine how OTX2 contributes to these processes, we employed complementary bioinformatic approaches to characterize the OTX2 regulatory network and identified novel relationships between OTX2 and genes associated with neuronal differentiation and axon guidance signaling in Group 3 and Group 4 MB stem/progenitor cells. In particular, OTX2 levels were negatively correlated with semaphorin (SEMA) signaling, as expression of 9 SEMA pathway genes is upregulated following OTX2 knockdown with some being potential direct OTX2 targets. Importantly, this negative correlation was also observed in patient samples, with lower expression of SEMA4D associated with poor outcome specifically in Group 4 tumors. Functional proof-of-principle studies demonstrated that increased levels of select SEMA pathway genes are associated with decreased self-renewal and growth in vitro and in vivo and that RHO signaling, known to mediate the effects of SEMA genes, is contributing to the OTX2 KD phenotype. Our study provides mechanistic insight into the networks controlled by OTX2 in MB stem/progenitor cells and reveals novel roles for axon guidance genes and their downstream effectors as putative tumor suppressors in MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Stromecki
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Nazanin Tatari
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Ludivine Coudière Morrison
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Ravinder Kaur
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jamie Zagozewski
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Gareth Palidwor
- Ottawa Bioinformatics Core Facility, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Center, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health and Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Patryk Skowron
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthias Wölfl
- University Children's Hospital, Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Center for Individualized Pediatric Oncology (ZIPO) and Brain Tumors, Translational Program, Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,CCU Pediatric Oncology (G340), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc R Del Bigio
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba and The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tamra E Werbowetski-Ogilvie
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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10
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Senfter D, Erkan EP, Özer E, Jungwirth G, Madlener S, Kool M, Ströbel T, Saydam N, Saydam O. Overexpression of minichromosome maintenance protein 10 in medulloblastoma and its clinical implications. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28598542 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overexpression of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins 2, 3, and 7 is associated with migration and invasion in medulloblastoma (MB). However, expression profiling of all prereplication complex (pre-RC) has not been addressed in MBs. PROCEDURE We performed mRNA expression profiling of a large set of pre-RC elements in cell lines and tumor tissues of MB. RNAi technology was employed for functional studies in MB cell lines. RESULTS Our data showed that most of the pre-RC components are significantly overexpressed in MB. Among all pre-RC mRNAs, MCM10 showed the highest level of expression (∼500- to 1,000-fold) in MB cell lines and tissues compared to the levels detected in cerebellum. In addition, RNAi silencing of MCM10 caused reduced cell proliferation and cell viability in MB cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study reveals that the pre-RC is dysregulated in MB. In addition, MCM10, a member of this complex, is significantly overexpressed in MB and is required for tumor cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Senfter
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erdogan Pekcan Erkan
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erdener Özer
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gerhard Jungwirth
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sibylle Madlener
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Germany
| | - Thomas Ströbel
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nurten Saydam
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Okay Saydam
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Molecular Neuro-oncology Research Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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11
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Japp AS, Klein-Hitpass L, Denkhaus D, Pietsch T. OTX2 Defines a Subgroup of Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors With Close Relationship to Choroid Plexus Tumors. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2017; 76:32-38. [PMID: 28025236 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlw101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are highly malignant brain tumors of early childhood that have been regarded as a homogenous entity characterized by inactivation of the SMARCB1/INI1 or SMARCA4/BRG1 genes as the only characteristic alteration. Recent studies suggest that similar to other embryonal tumors ATRT can also be divided into subgroups based on their mRNA or methylation profiles. Using microarray-based expression analysis of 12 patient ATRT specimens we demonstrated the existence of 2 subgroups of ATRT. One subgroup is characterized by high expression of OTX2, encoding a transcription factor involved in brain development. OTX2 expression was verified by immunohistochemistry and might function as a novel therapeutic target for this fatal tumor. High expression of OTX2 as well as expression of Kir7.1/KCNJ13, TRPM3 and ENPP2, which have all previously been linked to either choroid plexus epithelium or choroid plexus tumors (CPTs), suggests a close histogenetic relation of this subgroup to CPTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sophia Japp
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein-Hitpass
- Department of Cell Biology (Tumor Research), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dorota Denkhaus
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
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12
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Patties I, Kortmann RD, Menzel F, Glasow A. Enhanced inhibition of clonogenic survival of human medulloblastoma cells by multimodal treatment with ionizing irradiation, epigenetic modifiers, and differentiation-inducing drugs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:94. [PMID: 27317342 PMCID: PMC4912728 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment regimes consisting of primary surgery followed by radio- and chemotherapy, achieve 5-year overall survival rates of only about 60 %. Therapy-induced endocrine and neurocognitive deficits are common late adverse effects. Thus, improved antitumor strategies are urgently needed. In this study, we combined irradiation (IR) together with epigenetic modifiers and differentiation inducers in a multimodal approach to enhance the efficiency of tumor therapy in MB and also assessed possible late adverse effects on neurogenesis. Methods In three human MB cell lines (DAOY, MEB-Med8a, D283-Med) short-time survival (trypan blue exclusion assay), apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle distribution, formation of gH2AX foci, and long-term reproductive survival (clonogenic assay) were analyzed after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-azadC), valproic acid (VPA), suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), abacavir (ABC), all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and resveratrol (RES) alone or combined with 5-aza-dC and/or IR. Effects of combinatorial treatments on neurogenesis were evaluated in cultured murine hippocampal slices from transgenic nestin-CFPnuc C57BL/J6 mice. Life imaging of nestin-positive neural stem cells was conducted at distinct time points for up to 28 days after treatment start. Results All tested drugs showed a radiosynergistic action on overall clonogenic survival at least in two-outof-three MB cell lines. This effect was pronounced in multimodal treatments combining IR, 5-aza-dC and a second drug. Hereby, ABC and RES induced the strongest reduction of clongenic survival in all three MB cell lines and led to the induction of apoptosis (RES, ABC) and/or autophagy (ABC). Additionally, 5-aza-dC, RES, and ABC increased the S phase cell fraction and induced the formation of gH2AX foci at least in oneout-of-three cell lines. Thereby, the multimodal treatment with 5-aza-dC, IR, and RES or ABC did not change the number of normal neural progenitor cells in murine slice cultures. Conclusion In conclusion, the radiosensitizing capacities of epigenetic and differentiation-inducing drugs presented here suggest that their adjuvant administration might improve MB therapy. Thereby, the combination of 5-aza-dC/IR with ABC and RES seemed to be the most promising to enhance tumor control without affecting the normal neural precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Patties
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
| | - Rolf-Dieter Kortmann
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Franziska Menzel
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annegret Glasow
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
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13
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Amayiri N, Al-Hussaini M, Swaidan M, Jaradat I, Qandeel M, Tabori U, Hawkins C, Musharbash A, Alsaad K, Bouffet E. Synchronous glioblastoma and medulloblastoma in a child with mismatch repair mutation. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:553-7. [PMID: 26293676 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-2883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Synchronous primary malignant brain tumors are rare. We present a 5-year-old boy with synchronous glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Both tumor samples had positive p53 stain and loss of PMS2 and MLH1 stains. The child had multiple café au lait spots and a significant family history of cancer. After subtotal resection of both tumors, he received craniospinal radiation with concomitant temozolomide followed by chemotherapy, alternating cycles of cisplatin/lomustine/vincristine with temozolomide. Then, he started maintenance treatment with cis-retinoic acid (100 mg/m(2)/day for 21 days). He remained asymptomatic for 34 months despite a follow-up brain MRI consistent with glioblastoma relapse 9 months before his death. Cis-retinoic acid may have contributed to prolong survival in this child with a probable biallelic mismatch repair syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Amayiri
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street, P.O. Box 1269, Al-Jubeiha, Amman, 11941, Jordan.
| | | | - Maisa Swaidan
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Imad Jaradat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Monther Qandeel
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Uri Tabori
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Jordan
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Division of Pathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Awni Musharbash
- Department of Surgery/Neurosurgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Khulood Alsaad
- Department of Pediatrics, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Jordan
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14
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Pharmacologic Wnt Inhibition Reduces Proliferation, Survival, and Clonogenicity of Glioblastoma Cells. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2015. [PMID: 26222502 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0000000000000227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wingless (Wnt) signaling is an important pathway in gliomagenesis and in the growth of stem-like glioma cells. Using immunohistochemistry to assess the translocation of β-catenin protein, we identified intranuclear staining suggesting Wnt pathway activation in 8 of 43 surgical samples (19%) from adult patients with glioblastoma and in 9 of 30 surgical samples (30%) from pediatric patients with glioblastoma. Wnt activity, evidenced by nuclear β-catenin in our cohort and high expression of its target AXIN2 (axis inhibitor protein 2) in published glioma datasets, was associated with shorter patient survival, although this was not statistically significant. We determined the effects of the porcupine inhibitor LGK974 on 3 glioblastoma cell lines with elevated AXIN2 and found that it reduced Wnt pathway activity by 50% or more, as assessed by T-cell factor luciferase reporters. Wnt inhibition led to suppression of growth, proliferation in cultures, and modest induction of cell death. LGK974 reduced NANOG messenger RNA levels and the fraction of cells expressing the stem cell marker CD133 in neurosphere cultures, induced glial differentiation, and suppressed clonogenicity. These data indicate that LGK974 is a promising new agent that can inhibit the canonical Wnt pathway in vitro, slow tumor growth, and deplete stem-like clonogenic cells, thereby providing further support for targeting Wnt in patients with glioblastoma.
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15
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Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and, as such, has been the focus of tremendous efforts to genomically characterize it. What was once thought to be a single disease has been divided into multiple, molecularly unique subgroups through gene expression profiling. Each subgroup is not only unique in its origin and pathogenesis but also in the prognosis and potential therapeutic options. Targeted therapy of malignancies has long been the goal of clinical oncology. The progress made in the classification of medulloblastoma should be used as a model for future studies. With the evolution of epigenetic and genomic sequencing, especially when used in tandem with high-throughput pharmacologic screening protocols, the potential for subgroup-specific targeting is closer than ever. This review focuses on the development of the molecular classification system and its potential use in developing prognostic models as well as for the advancement of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Samkari
- Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; Section of Oncology, St Christopher׳s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA.
| | - Jason C White
- Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Roger J Packer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC; Brain Tumor Institute, Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Children׳s National Health System, Washington, DC
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16
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Bai RY, Staedtke V, Rudin CM, Bunz F, Riggins GJ. Effective treatment of diverse medulloblastoma models with mebendazole and its impact on tumor angiogenesis. Neuro Oncol 2014; 17:545-54. [PMID: 25253417 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Current standard treatments cure 40%-60% of patients, while the majority of survivors suffer long-term neurological sequelae. The identification of 4 molecular groups of medulloblastoma improved the clinical management with the development of targeted therapies; however, the tumor acquires resistance quickly. Mebendazole (MBZ) has a long safety record as antiparasitic in children and has been recently implicated in inhibition of various tyrosine kinases in vitro. Here, we investigated the efficacy of MBZ in various medulloblastoma subtypes and MBZ's impact on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and tumor angiogenesis. METHODS The inhibition of MBZ on VEGFR2 kinase was investigated in an autophosphorylation assay and a cell-free kinase assay. Mice bearing orthotopic PTCH1-mutant medulloblastoma allografts, a group 3 medulloblastoma xenograft, and a PTCH1-mutant medulloblastoma with acquired resistance to the smoothened inhibitor vismodegib were treated with MBZ. The survival benefit and the impact on tumor angiogenesis and VEGFR2 kinase function were analyzed. RESULTS We determined that MBZ interferes with VEGFR2 kinase by competing with ATP. MBZ selectively inhibited tumor angiogenesis but not the normal brain vasculatures in orthotopic medulloblastoma models and suppressed VEGFR2 kinase in vivo. MBZ significantly extended the survival of medulloblastoma models derived from different molecular backgrounds. CONCLUSION Our findings support testing of MBZ as a possible low-toxicity therapy for medulloblastomas of various molecular subtypes, including tumors with acquired vismodegib resistance. Its antitumor mechanism may be partially explained by inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Yuan Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.B., G.J.R.), Department of Neurology (V.S.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (F.B.); Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (C.M.R.)
| | - Verena Staedtke
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.B., G.J.R.), Department of Neurology (V.S.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (F.B.); Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (C.M.R.)
| | - Charles M Rudin
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.B., G.J.R.), Department of Neurology (V.S.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (F.B.); Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (C.M.R.)
| | - Fred Bunz
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.B., G.J.R.), Department of Neurology (V.S.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (F.B.); Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (C.M.R.)
| | - Gregory J Riggins
- Department of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.B., G.J.R.), Department of Neurology (V.S.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (F.B.); Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (C.M.R.)
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17
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Wortham M, Guo C, Zhang M, Song L, Lee BK, Iyer VR, Furey TS, Crawford GE, Yan H, He Y. Chromatin accessibility mapping identifies mediators of basal transcription and retinoid-induced repression of OTX2 in medulloblastoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107156. [PMID: 25198066 PMCID: PMC4157845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite an emerging understanding of the genetic alterations giving rise to various tumors, the mechanisms whereby most oncogenes are overexpressed remain unclear. Here we have utilized an integrated approach of genomewide regulatory element mapping via DNase-seq followed by conventional reporter assays and transcription factor binding site discovery to characterize the transcriptional regulation of the medulloblastoma oncogene Orthodenticle Homeobox 2 (OTX2). Through these studies we have revealed that OTX2 is differentially regulated in medulloblastoma at the level of chromatin accessibility, which is in part mediated by DNA methylation. In cell lines exhibiting chromatin accessibility of OTX2 regulatory regions, we found that autoregulation maintains OTX2 expression. Comparison of medulloblastoma regulatory elements with those of the developing brain reveals that these tumors engage a developmental regulatory program to drive OTX2 transcription. Finally, we have identified a transcriptional regulatory element mediating retinoid-induced OTX2 repression in these tumors. This work characterizes for the first time the mechanisms of OTX2 overexpression in medulloblastoma. Furthermore, this study establishes proof of principle for applying ENCODE datasets towards the characterization of upstream trans-acting factors mediating expression of individual genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wortham
- Department of Pathology, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute, and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Changcun Guo
- Department of Pathology, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute, and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Monica Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute, and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lingyun Song
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vishwanath R. Iyer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Terrence S. Furey
- Department of Genetics, Department of Biology, Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gregory E. Crawford
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Hai Yan
- Department of Pathology, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute, and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YH); (HY)
| | - Yiping He
- Department of Pathology, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute, and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YH); (HY)
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18
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Jones DTW, Northcott PA, Kool M, Pfister SM. The role of chromatin remodeling in medulloblastoma. Brain Pathol 2013; 23:193-9. [PMID: 23432644 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The unexpectedly high frequency and universality of alterations to the chromatin machinery is one of the most striking themes emerging from the current deluge of cancer genomics data. Medulloblastoma (MB), a malignant pediatric brain tumor, is no exception to this trend, with a wealth of recent studies indicating multiple alterations at all levels of chromatin processing. MB is typically now regarded as being composed of four major molecular entities (WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4), which vary in their clinical and biological characteristics. Similarities and differences across these subgroups are also reflected in the specific chromatin modifiers that are found to be altered in each group, and each new cancer genome sequence or microarray profile is adding to this important knowledge base. These data are fundamentally changing our understanding of tumor developmental pathways, not just for MB but also for cancer as a whole. They also provide a new class of targets for the development of rational, personalized therapeutic approaches. The mechanisms by which these chromatin remodelers are dysregulated in MB, and the consequences both for future basic research and for translation to the clinic, will be examined here.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T W Jones
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Bunt J, Hasselt NA, Zwijnenburg DA, Koster J, Versteeg R, Kool M. OTX2 sustains a bivalent-like state of OTX2-bound promoters in medulloblastoma by maintaining their H3K27me3 levels. Acta Neuropathol 2013. [PMID: 23179372 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-012-1069-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies showed frequent mutations in histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylases in medulloblastomas of Group 3 and Group 4, suggesting a role for H3K27 methylation in these tumors. Indeed, trimethylated H3K27 (H3K27me3) levels were shown to be higher in Group 3 and 4 tumors compared to WNT and SHH medulloblastomas, also in tumors without detectable mutations in demethylases. Here, we report that polycomb genes, required for H3K27 methylation, are consistently upregulated in Group 3 and 4 tumors. These tumors show high expression of the homeobox transcription factor OTX2. Silencing of OTX2 in D425 medulloblastoma cells resulted in downregulation of polycomb genes such as EZH2, EED, SUZ12 and RBBP4 and upregulation of H3K27 demethylases KDM6A, KDM6B, JARID2 and KDM7A. This was accompanied by decreased H3K27me3 and increased H3K27me1 levels in promoter regions. Strikingly, the decrease of H3K27me3 was most prominent in promoters that bind OTX2. OTX2-bound promoters showed high levels of the H3K4me3 and H3K9ac activation marks and intermediate levels of the H3K27me3 inactivation mark, reminiscent of a bivalent modification. After silencing of OTX2, H3K27me3 levels strongly dropped, but H3K4me3 and H3K9ac levels remained high. OTX2-bound bivalent genes showed high expression levels in D425, but the expression of most of these genes did not change after OTX2 silencing and loss of the H3K27me3 mark. Maintaining promoters in a bivalent state by sustaining H3K27 trimethylation therefore seems to be an important function of OTX2 in medulloblastoma, while other transcription factors might regulate the actual expression levels of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bunt
- Department of Oncogenomics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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20
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Bai RY, Staedtke V, Lidov HG, Eberhart CG, Riggins GJ. OTX2 represses myogenic and neuronal differentiation in medulloblastoma cells. Cancer Res 2012; 72:5988-6001. [PMID: 22986744 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The brain development transcription factor OTX2 is overexpressed and/or genomically amplified in most medulloblastomas, but the mechanistic basis for its contributions in this setting are not understood. In this study, we identified OTX2 as a transcriptional repressor and a gatekeeper of myogenic and neuronal differentiation in medulloblastoma cells. OTX2 binds to the MyoD1 core enhancer through its homeobox domain, and the remarkable repressor activity exhibited by the homeobox domain renders OTX2 transcriptionally repressive. RNA interference-mediated attenuation of OTX2 expression triggered myogenic and neuronal differentiation in vitro and prolonged the survival in an orthotopic medulloblastoma mouse model. Conversely, inducing myogenic conversion of medulloblastoma cells led to the loss of OTX2 expression. In medullomyoblastoma, a medulloblastoma subtype containing muscle elements, myogenic cells share cytogenetic signatures with the primitive tumor cells and OTX2 expression was lost in the differentiated myogenic cells. Thus, OTX2 functions via its homeobox domain as a suppressor of differentiation, and the loss of OTX2 expression is linked to the myogenesis in medullomyoblastoma. Together, our findings illustrate the origin of muscle cells in medullomyoblastomas and the oncogenic mechanism of OTX2 as a repressor of diverse differentiating potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Yuan Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA.
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21
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Bunt J, Hasselt NE, Zwijnenburg DA, Hamdi M, Koster J, Versteeg R, Kool M. OTX2 directly activates cell cycle genes and inhibits differentiation in medulloblastoma cells. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:E21-32. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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22
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Bai RY, Staedtke V, Aprhys CM, Gallia GL, Riggins GJ. Antiparasitic mebendazole shows survival benefit in 2 preclinical models of glioblastoma multiforme. Neuro Oncol 2011; 13:974-82. [PMID: 21764822 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nor077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain cancer, and despite treatment advances, patient prognosis remains poor. During routine animal studies, we serendipitously observed that fenbendazole, a benzimidazole antihelminthic used to treat pinworm infection, inhibited brain tumor engraftment. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments with benzimidazoles identified mebendazole as the more promising drug for GBM therapy. In GBM cell lines, mebendazole displayed cytotoxicity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 µM. Mebendazole disrupted microtubule formation in GBM cells, and in vitro activity was correlated with reduced tubulin polymerization. Subsequently, we showed that mebendazole significantly extended mean survival up to 63% in syngeneic and xenograft orthotopic mouse glioma models. Mebendazole has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for parasitic infections, has a long track-record of safe human use, and was effective in our animal models with doses documented as safe in humans. Our findings indicate that mebendazole is a possible novel anti-brain tumor therapeutic that could be further tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Yuan Bai
- Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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Jergil M, Forsberg M, Salter H, Stockling K, Gustafson AL, Dencker L, Stigson M. Short-time gene expression response to valproic acid and valproic acid analogs in mouse embryonic stem cells. Toxicol Sci 2011; 121:328-42. [PMID: 21427059 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prediction of developmental toxicity in vitro could be based on short-time toxicogenomic endpoints in embryo-derived cell lines. Microarray studies in P19 mouse embryocarcinoma cells and mouse embryos have indicated that valproic acid (VPA), an inducer of neural tube defects, deregulates the expression of many genes, including those critically involved in neural tube development. In this study, we exposed undifferentiated R1 mouse embryonic stem cells to VPA and VPA analogs for 6 h and used CodeLink whole-genome expression microarrays to define VPA-responsive genes correlating with teratogenicity. Compared with the nonteratogenic analog 2-ethyl-4-methylpentanoic acid, VPA and the teratogenic VPA analog (S)-2-pentyl-4-pentynoic acid deregulated a much larger number of genes. Five genes (of ∼2500 array probes correlating with the separation) were sufficient to effectively separate teratogens from nonteratogens. A large fraction of the target genes correlating with teratogenicity are functionally related to embryonic development and morphogenesis, including neural tube formation and closure. Similar responses in R1 were found for most genes previously identified as VPA responsive in P19 and embryos. A subset of target genes was evaluated as candidate markers predictive of potential teratogenicity against a range of known teratogens using TaqMan expression arrays. These marker genes showed a positive predictive value for the teratogens butyrate and trichostatin A, which like VPA and (S)-2-pentyl-4-pentynoic acid are known histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors but not for compounds that are likely to act by other mechanisms. This indicates that HDAC inhibition may be a major mechanism by which VPA induces gene deregulation and possibly teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Måns Jergil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 24, Sweden.
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