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Lu Y, Chen X, Zeng W, Hua P, Shen Y, Qiu Y, He X, Zhang H. COL1A1::PDGFB fusion uterine sarcoma with a TERT promoter mutation. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23210. [PMID: 37870859 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
COL1A1::PDGFB fusion uterine sarcoma is a rare uterine mesenchymal tumor with some clinicopathological features that overlap with those of soft tissue dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. However, the varied clinicopathologic and genetic characteristics have not been fully revealed, which may be a potential pitfall for diagnosis. Here, we present a case of COL1A1::PDGFB fusion-positive uterine sarcoma in a 49-years-old female. Histologically, the tumor from the initial marginal excision predominantly exhibited high-grade fibrosarcomatous and myxofibrosarcoma-like appearances, while a low-grade focal area displaying storiform growth was identified in the residual tumor after subsequently extended resection. Immunohistochemically, the high-grade components mainly exhibited focal positivity for CD34 and mutated-type p53 immunoreactivity, whereas the low-grade component showed diffuse positivity for CD34 and wild-type p53 staining. The COL1A1::PDGFB fusion was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and next-generation sequencing. In addition, the TERT-124 C > T mutation was further identified in this lesion's fibrosarcomatous and classic storiform components. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case of COL1A1::PDGFB fusion uterine sarcoma with a TERT promoter mutation, which might be a novel genetic finding associated with tumorigenesis of this rare tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjing Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Longchang People's Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Ping Hua
- Department of Pathology, Chengdu Women's and Children's Center Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangmei Shen
- Department of pathology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Yang R, Han Y, Guan X, Hong Y, Meng J, Ding S, Long Q, Yi W. Regulation and clinical potential of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT/hTERT) in breast cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:218. [PMID: 37612721 PMCID: PMC10463831 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01244-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT/hTERT) serves as the pivotal catalytic subunit of telomerase, a crucial enzyme responsible for telomere maintenance and human genome stability. The high activation of hTERT, observed in over 90% of tumors, plays a significant role in tumor initiation and progression. An in-depth exploration of hTERT activation mechanisms in cancer holds promise for advancing our understanding of the disease and developing more effective treatment strategies. In breast cancer, the expression of hTERT is regulated by epigenetic, transcriptional, post-translational modification mechanisms and DNA variation. Besides its canonical function in telomere maintenance, hTERT exerts non-canonical roles that contribute to disease progression through telomerase-independent mechanisms. This comprehensive review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms governing hTERT in breast cancer and elucidates the functional implications of its activation. Given the overexpression of hTERT in most breast cancer cells, the detection of hTERT and its associated molecules are potential for enhancing early screening and prognostic evaluation of breast cancer. Although still in its early stages, therapeutic approaches targeting hTERT and its regulatory molecules show promise as viable strategies for breast cancer treatment. These methods are also discussed in this paper. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruozhu Yang
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yi Han
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xinyu Guan
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yue Hong
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jiahao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Shirong Ding
- Department of Oncology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Qian Long
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Wenjun Yi
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China.
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3
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Claude E, de Lhoneux G, Pierreux CE, Marbaix E, de Ville de Goyet M, Boulanger C, Van Damme A, Brichard B, Decottignies A. Detection of alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism on tumor sections. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:32. [PMID: 35006465 PMCID: PMC8607387 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of adult cancer cells achieve cellular immortality by activating a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM). While this is mostly achieved by the de-silencing of hTERT telomerase gene expression, an alternative homologous recombination-based and telomerase-independent mechanism, known as ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres), is frequently activated in a subset of tumors, including paediatric cancers. Being absent from normal cells, the ALT mechanism offers interesting perspectives for new targeted cancer therapies. To date, however, the development of better translationally applicable tools for ALT detection in tumor sections is still needed. Here, using a newly derived ALT-positive cancer cell mouse xenograft model, we extensively examined how the previously known ALT markers could be used as reliable tools for ALT diagnosis in tumor sections. We found that, together with the detection of ultra-bright telomeric signals (UBS), an ALT hallmark, native telomeric FISH, that detects single-stranded C-rich telomeric DNA, provides a very sensitive and robust tool for ALT diagnosis in tissues. We applied these assays to paediatric tumor samples and readily identified three ALT-positive tumors for which the TMM was confirmed by the gold-standard C-circle amplification assay. Although the latter offers a robust assay for ALT detection in the context of research laboratories, it is more difficult to set up in histopathological laboratories and could therefore be conveniently replaced by the combination of UBS detection and native telomeric FISH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse Claude
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guillaume de Lhoneux
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Etienne Marbaix
- Cell Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Anatomopathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maëlle de Ville de Goyet
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cécile Boulanger
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - An Van Damme
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bénédicte Brichard
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic & Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes Unit, de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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4
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Farid Aql MM, Bahget SAEG, Kholoussi N, Abdel-Salam GMEH, Abdel Raouf H, Mohamed Eid M, Esmail REB. Telomerase Dysfunction in the Tumorigenesis of Genetic Disorders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2021; 10:56-68. [PMID: 34268254 PMCID: PMC8256828 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.10.1.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes present at the ends of chromosome to maintain its integrity. Telomere length is maintained by an enzyme called "telomerase". Thus, telomerase activity and telomere length are crucial for the initiation of cancer and tumors survival. Also, oxidative stress will cause DNA, protein, and/or lipid damage, which end with changes in chromosome instability, genetic mutation, and may affect cell growth and lead to cancer. Some genetic diseases such as chromosomal instability syndrome, overgrowth syndrome, and neurofibromatosis make the patients at higher risk for developing different types of cancers. Therefore, we aimed to estimate telomerase activity and oxidative stress in these patients. Blood samples were collected from 31 patients (10 with neurofibromatosis, 11 with chromosomal breakage, and 10 with overgrowth syndrome) and 12 healthy subjects. Blood hTERT mRNA was detected by real time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). All patients were subjected to chromosomal examination and chromosome breakage study using diepoxybutane method. Moreover, serum glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured among the control and patients groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the efficiency of telomerase activity as a biomarker for the prediction of cancer occurrence. The relative telomerase activity in neurofibromatosis patients was significantly higher than controls (P = 0.014), while it was non-significantly higher in chromosomal breakage and overgrowth patients (P = 0.424 and 0.129, respectively). NO levels in neurofibromatosis, chromosomal breakage and overgrowth patients significantly increased with respect to control (P = 0.021, 0.002, 0.050, respectively). GSH levels were non-significantly lower in neurofibromatosis and chromosomal breakage patients in comparison with the control group, while it remained unchanged in overgrowth patients. The GST activity was significantly upregulated in neurofibromatosis, chromosomal breakage and overgrowth groups in comparison with the control group (P = 0.001, 0.009, and 0.025, respectively). Chromosomal examination revealed normal karyotype in all four chromosomal breakage patients with positive diepoxybutane test. The results of the present study revealed altered telomerase activity and oxidative stress in the studied genetic disorders. More research studies with a larger number of patients are required to confirm whether this alteration is related to cancer occurrence risk or not.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Naglaa Kholoussi
- Immunogenetic Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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5
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da Silva GG, Morais KS, Arcanjo DS, de Oliveira DM. Clinical Relevance of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres in Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:485-497. [PMID: 31924155 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200110112854] [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: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) is a pathway responsible for cell immortalization in some kinds of tumors. Since the first description of ALT is relatively recent in the oncology field, its mechanism remains elusive, but recent works address ALT-related proteins or cellular structures as potential druggable targets for more specific and efficient antitumor therapies. Moreover, some new generation compounds for antitelomerase therapy in cancer were able to provoke acquisition of ALT phenotype in treated tumors, enhancing the importance of studies on this alternative lengthening of the telomere. However, ALT has been implicated in different - sometimes opposite - outcomes, according to the tumor type studied. Then, in order to design and develop new drugs for ALT+ cancer in an effective way, it is crucial to understand its clinical implications. In this review, we gathered works published in the last two decades to highlight the clinical relevance of ALT on oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme G da Silva
- Department of Biological Basis of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Ceilandia Campus, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Karollyne S Morais
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Daniel S Arcanjo
- Department of Biological Basis of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Ceilandia Campus, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Diêgo M de Oliveira
- Department of Biological Basis of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Ceilandia Campus, Federal District, Brazil.,Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
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6
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Coskun S, Gamsizkan M, Yilmaz I, Yalcinkaya U, Sungur MA, Buyucek S, Onal B. BRAF mutation, TERT promoter mutation, and HER2 amplification in sporadic or neurofibromatosis-related neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: do these molecules have a signature in malignant transformation? APMIS 2020; 128:515-522. [PMID: 32580246 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13063] [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] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors may occur sporadically or related to neurofibromatosis (NF). Unless the mechanisms of tumorigenesis in NF related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are better understood, it remained unclear in sporadic cases. We aimed to investigate the genetic route for malignancy in both individuals with NF-1 and sporadic ones to open a way for targeted therapies in the future. We investigated the role of HER2 with Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail test, BRAF mutation (exon 15) and TERT promoter mutation frequency with Sanger sequencing method in respectively 25 sporadic neurofibromas, 25 NF-1 related neurofibromas and 25 MPNST cases from two institutes. Categorical data were analyzed and summarized as frequency and percentage. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS v.22 statistical package, and the statistical significance level was considered as 0.05. We identified TERT promoter mutation only in one sporadic MPNST (4%) and no BRAF mutation in any case. HER2 amplification is found in 10/25 (40%) MPNST cases. No mutations or gene amplification detected in neurofibromas (p < 0.001). MPNSTs are sarcomas with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. TERT promoter mutations and HER2 amplification may play a putative role in therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Coskun
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Gamsizkan
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
| | - Ismail Yilmaz
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Sultan Abdulhamid Khan Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ulviye Yalcinkaya
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ali Sungur
- Department of Statistics, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
| | - Seyma Buyucek
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
| | - Binnur Onal
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
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7
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The Role of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres Mechanism in Cancer: Translational and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040949. [PMID: 32290440 PMCID: PMC7226354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance mechanisms (i.e., telomerase activity (TA) and the alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) mechanism) contribute to tumorigenesis by providing unlimited proliferative capacity to cancer cells. Although the role of either telomere maintenance mechanisms seems to be equivalent in providing a limitless proliferative ability to tumor cells, the contribution of TA and ALT to the clinical outcome of patients may differ prominently. In addition, several strategies have been developed to interfere with TA in cancer, including Imetelstat that has been the first telomerase inhibitor tested in clinical trials. Conversely, the limited information available on the molecular underpinnings of ALT has hindered thus far the development of genuine ALT-targeting agents. Moreover, whether anti-telomerase therapies may be hampered or not by possible adaptive responses is still debatable. Nonetheless, it is plausible hypothesizing that treatment with telomerase inhibitors may exert selective pressure for the emergence of cancer cells that become resistant to treatment by activating the ALT mechanism. This notion, together with the evidence that both telomere maintenance mechanisms may coexist within the same tumor and may distinctly impinge on patients' outcomes, suggests that ALT may exert an unexpected role in tumor biology that still needs to be fully elucidated.
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8
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Claude E, Decottignies A. Telomere maintenance mechanisms in cancer: telomerase, ALT or lack thereof. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 60:1-8. [PMID: 32114293 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells acquire replicative immortality by activating a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM), either the telomerase or the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism. ALT is frequently activated in tumors derived from mesenchymal cells, which are more frequent in childhood cancers. Recent studies showed that, occasionally, cancer cells can arise without any TMM activation. Here, we discuss the challenge in assessing which TMM is activated in tumors. We also evaluate the prevalence of ALT mechanism in pediatric cancers and review the associated survival prognosis in different tumor types. Finally, we discuss about possible anti-TMM therapies for new emerging cancer treatments.
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9
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Distinct biological responses of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer cells upon exposure to G-quadruplex interacting naphthalenediimide derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 177:401-413. [PMID: 31158753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules able to bind non-canonical G-quadruplex DNA structures (G4) have been recently tested as novel potential agents for the treatment of prostate cancer thanks to their repression of aberrant androgen receptor gene. However, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a letal form of prostate cancer, is still incurable. Here we tested two naphthalenediimide derivatives, previously reported as multitarget agents, on a couple of relevant mCRPC cell models (DU145 and PC-3). We showed that these compounds interfere with the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. Interestingly, both these two biological processes depend upon Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activation. By means of biological and analytical tools we showed that our compounds are efficient inducers of the structural transition of the EGFR promoter towards a G-quadruplex conformation, ultimately leading to a reduction of the receptor production. The overall result is an interesting cytotoxic profile for these two derivatives. Thanks to their activity at different steps, these compounds can open the way to novel therapeutic approaches for mCRPC that could contribute to escape resistance to selective treatments.
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Lawlor RT, Veronese N, Pea A, Nottegar A, Smith L, Pilati C, Demurtas J, Fassan M, Cheng L, Luchini C. Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) influences survival in soft tissue sarcomas: a systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:232. [PMID: 30871494 PMCID: PMC6419345 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomerase-independent mechanism used by a broad range of neoplasms to maintain telomere length, permitting uncontrolled replication during their progression. ALT has been described in different types of sarcoma, but a comprehensive analysis of its clinical significance is still lacking. Therefore, we provide here the first meta-analysis on this topic. METHODS We searched SCOPUS and PubMed through July 2018 to identify all studies that investigated the prognostic role of ALT in sarcomas. We considered the risk of death (risk ratio, RR) calculated as the number of death vs. total participants during follow-up in ALT+ versus ALT- patients as the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR), adjusted for the maximum number of covariates available, using ALT- patients as reference. RESULTS Eight articles comprising a total of 551 patients with sarcomas (226 ALT+ and 325 ALT-) were selected. The ALT+ group showed a higher mitotic count and a higher tumor grade compared with the ALT- group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, we demonstrate a strong impact of ALT on survival. In fact, ALT+ patients showed a statistically significant higher risk of death than ALT- patients, when also considering data from multivariate analyses (RR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.15-1.96; p = 0.003; HR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.22-3.38; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that ALT is associated with an increased risk of death in patients with sarcoma. In these neoplasms, ALT should be taken into account for a precise prognostic stratification and design of potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita T Lawlor
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- National Institute of Gastroenterology-Research Hospital, IRCCS "S. de Bellis", Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.,National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Pea
- Department of General and Pancreatic Surgery, The Pancreas Institute, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Nottegar
- Department of Surgery, Section of Pathology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Lee Smith
- Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Camilla Pilati
- Personalized Medicine, Pharmacogenomics, Therapeutic Optimization, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Jacopo Demurtas
- Primary Care Department, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale Scuro, 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
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Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
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12
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De Vitis M, Berardinelli F, Sgura A. Telomere Length Maintenance in Cancer: At the Crossroad between Telomerase and Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020606. [PMID: 29463031 PMCID: PMC5855828 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells undergo continuous telomere shortening as a consequence of multiple rounds of replications. During tumorigenesis, cells have to acquire telomere DNA maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) in order to counteract telomere shortening, to preserve telomeres from DNA damage repair systems and to avoid telomere-mediated senescence and/or apoptosis. For this reason, telomere maintenance is an essential step in cancer progression. Most human tumors maintain their telomeres expressing telomerase, whereas a lower but significant proportion activates the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. However, evidence about the coexistence of ALT and telomerase has been found both in vivo in the same cancer populations and in vitro in engineered cellular models, making the distinction between telomerase- and ALT-positive tumors elusive. Indeed, after the development of drugs able to target telomerase, the capability for some cancer cells to escape death, switching from telomerase to ALT, was highlighted. Unfortunately, to date, the mechanism underlying the possible switching or the coexistence of telomerase and ALT within the same cell or populations is not completely understood and different factors could be involved. In recent years, different studies have tried to shed light on the complex regulation network that controls the transition between the two TMMs, suggesting a role for embryonic cancer origin, epigenetic modifications, and specific genes activation—both in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we examine recent findings about the cancer-associated differential activation of the two known TMMs and the possible factors implicated in this process. Furthermore, some studies on cancers are also described that did not display any TMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Vitis
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Antonella Sgura
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Cimino-Reale G, Gandellini P, Santambrogio F, Recagni M, Zaffaroni N, Folini M. miR-380-5p-mediated repression of TEP1 and TSPYL5 interferes with telomerase activity and favours the emergence of an "ALT-like" phenotype in diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cells. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:140. [PMID: 28716051 PMCID: PMC5513108 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the molecular/cellular underpinnings of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), a fatal malignancy with limited therapeutic options, is of utmost importance for the fruitful management of the disease. In this context, we previously found that telomerase activity (TA), which accounts for the limitless proliferative potential of cancer cells, is prognostic for disease relapse and cancer-related death in DMPM patients. Consequently, the identification of factors involved in telomerase activation/regulation may pave the way towards the development of novel therapeutic interventions for the disease. Here, the capability of miR-380-5p, a microRNA negligibly expressed in telomerase-positive DMPM clinical specimens, to interfere with telomerase-mediated telomere maintenance and, hence, with cancer cell growth was assessed on preclinical models of DMPM. Methods DMPM cells were transfected with a miR-380-5p synthetic precursor, and the effects of miRNA replacement were evaluated in terms of growing capability, induction of apoptosis and interference with TA. Reiterated weekly transfections were also performed in order to analyse the phenotype arising upon prolonged miR-380-5p reconstitution in DMPM cells. Results The ectopic expression of miR-380-5p elicited a remarkable inhibition of TA and resulted in DMPM cell growth impairment and apoptosis induction. In particular, we demonstrated for the first time that these effects were the result of a molecular circuitry converging on telomerase associated protein 1 (TEP1), where the miRNA was able to target the gene both directly in unconventional targeting modality and indirectly via p53 accumulation consequent to miRNA-mediated downregulation of testis-specific protein, Y-encoded-like 5 gene. Moreover, miR-380-5p did not cause telomere attrition and cell growth arrest in long-term DMPM transfectants, which in turn showed slightly elongated telomeres and molecular features (e.g. c-circle DNA and reduced expression levels of chromatin remodeler ATRX) resembling an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) phenotype. Conclusions miR-380-5p interferes with TA in DMPM cells by targeting TEP1. Notably, in the long-term setting, miR-380-5p-mediated impairment of TA did not result in telomere attrition. Instead, a phenotype reminiscent of ALT emerged in DMPM cells as possible compensatory pathway that safeguards DMPM cell growth, an event that may be regarded as a potential resistance mechanism to anticancer therapies based on telomerase inhibitors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-017-0510-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Cimino-Reale
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Gandellini
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Santambrogio
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Recagni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Folini
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo, 42 - 20133, Milano, Italy.
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Amorim JP, Santos G, Vinagre J, Soares P. The Role of ATRX in the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) Phenotype. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:E66. [PMID: 27657132 PMCID: PMC5042396 DOI: 10.3390/genes7090066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are responsible for protecting chromosome ends in order to prevent the loss of coding DNA. Their maintenance is required for achieving immortality by neoplastic cells and can occur by upregulation of the telomerase enzyme or through a homologous recombination-associated process, the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The precise mechanisms that govern the activation of ALT or telomerase in tumor cells are not fully understood, although cellular origin may favor one of the other mechanisms that have been found thus far in mutual exclusivity. Specific mutational events influence ALT activation and maintenance: a unifying frequent feature of tumors that acquire this phenotype are the recurrent mutations of the Alpha Thalassemia/Mental Retardation Syndrome X-Linked (ATRX) or Death-Domain Associated Protein (DAXX) genes. This review summarizes the established criteria about this phenotype: its prevalence, theoretical molecular mechanisms and relation with ATRX, DAXX and other proteins (directly or indirectly interacting and resulting in the ALT phenotype).
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Amorim
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal.
| | - Gustavo Santos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Ipatimup), Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal.
- Departamento de Patologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-139, Portugal.
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Ferguson LR, Chen H, Collins AR, Connell M, Damia G, Dasgupta S, Malhotra M, Meeker AK, Amedei A, Amin A, Ashraf SS, Aquilano K, Azmi AS, Bhakta D, Bilsland A, Boosani CS, Chen S, Ciriolo MR, Fujii H, Guha G, Halicka D, Helferich WG, Keith WN, Mohammed SI, Niccolai E, Yang X, Honoki K, Parslow VR, Prakash S, Rezazadeh S, Shackelford RE, Sidransky D, Tran PT, Yang ES, Maxwell CA. Genomic instability in human cancer: Molecular insights and opportunities for therapeutic attack and prevention through diet and nutrition. Semin Cancer Biol 2015; 35 Suppl:S5-S24. [PMID: 25869442 PMCID: PMC4600419 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability can initiate cancer, augment progression, and influence the overall prognosis of the affected patient. Genomic instability arises from many different pathways, such as telomere damage, centrosome amplification, epigenetic modifications, and DNA damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, and can be perpetuating, or limiting, through the induction of mutations or aneuploidy, both enabling and catastrophic. Many cancer treatments induce DNA damage to impair cell division on a global scale but it is accepted that personalized treatments, those that are tailored to the particular patient and type of cancer, must also be developed. In this review, we detail the mechanisms from which genomic instability arises and can lead to cancer, as well as treatments and measures that prevent genomic instability or take advantage of the cellular defects caused by genomic instability. In particular, we identify and discuss five priority targets against genomic instability: (1) prevention of DNA damage; (2) enhancement of DNA repair; (3) targeting deficient DNA repair; (4) impairing centrosome clustering; and, (5) inhibition of telomerase activity. Moreover, we highlight vitamin D and B, selenium, carotenoids, PARP inhibitors, resveratrol, and isothiocyanates as priority approaches against genomic instability. The prioritized target sites and approaches were cross validated to identify potential synergistic effects on a number of important areas of cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrew R Collins
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marisa Connell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Giovanna Damia
- Department of Oncology, Instituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Santanu Dasgupta
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, United States
| | | | - Alan K Meeker
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Amr Amin
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S Salman Ashraf
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department of Biology, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, United States
| | - Dipita Bhakta
- School of Chemical and BioTechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chandra S Boosani
- Department of BioMedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sophie Chen
- Department of Research & Development, Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Research Trust Laboratory, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hiromasa Fujii
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Gunjan Guha
- School of Chemical and BioTechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - William G Helferich
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - W Nicol Keith
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sulma I Mohammed
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Xujuan Yang
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Kanya Honoki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | | | - Satya Prakash
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sarallah Rezazadeh
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, United States
| | - Rodney E Shackelford
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - David Sidransky
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Phuoc T Tran
- Departments of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences, Oncology and Urology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Eddy S Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Christopher A Maxwell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.
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Abstract
Activation of a telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) is permissive for replicative immortality and a hallmark of human cancer. While most cancers rely on reactivation of telomerase, a significant fraction utilizes the recombination dependent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. ALT is enriched in tumors of mesenchymal origin, including those arising from bone, soft tissue, and the nervous system, and usually portends a poor prognosis. Recent insights into the mechanisms of ALT are uncovering novel avenues to exploit vulnerabilities and may facilitate clinical development of ALT detection assays and personalized treatment decisions based on TMM status. Treatments targeting ALT may hold promise for a broadly applicable therapeutic modality specific to mesenchymal lineage tumors, something that has thus far remained elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Dilley
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Pathology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Basser Research Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Roger A Greenberg
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Pathology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Basser Research Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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TERT promoter mutations and BRAF mutations are rare in sporadic, and TERT promoter mutations are absent in NF1-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. J Neurooncol 2014; 120:267-72. [PMID: 25035100 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hot spot mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT promoter mutations) occur frequently in tumors of neuroectodermal origin such as melanoma and glioma. Many of these tumors are of neuroectodermal or ectomesenchymal origin which is suggestive of TERT promoter mutations playing a role in the development of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). In melanoma a correlation has been suggested between the occurrence of TERT promoter mutations and v-RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) mutations. We investigated TERT promoter and BRAF mutation frequency in respectively 94 and 86 consecutive MPNST cases from our institute. TERT promoter mutation analysis on DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens was performed by SNaPshot analysis. Sequence analysis of BRAF was performed by bidirectional DNA sequencing. We identified TERT C228T or C250T promoter mutations in 10 % (9/94) and BRAF V600E mutations in 3 % (3/86) of MPNSTs. All TERT promoter- and BRAF mutations occurred in NF1 unrelated tumors. One co-occurrence of a TERT promoter- and a BRAF mutation was observed. In comparison with other neuroectodermal derived malignant neoplasms, TERT promoter mutations occur at relatively low frequency in MPNSTs. The observation of TERT promotor and BRAF mutations in sporadic MPNSTs and the absence of TERT promotor and rarity of BRAF mutations in NF1 related tumors may imply an alternative genetic route of tumor progression in both patient groups.
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TERT promoter hotspot mutations are recurrent in myxoid liposarcomas but rare in other soft tissue sarcoma entities. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2014; 33:33. [PMID: 24726063 PMCID: PMC4022359 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-33-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background Recently, recurrent point mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter region have been found in many human cancers, leading to a new transcription factor binding site, increased induction of TERT and subsequently to telomere maintenance. We determined the prevalence of TERT promoter mutations in soft tissue sarcomas of 341 patients comprising 16 entities and in 16 sarcoma cell lines covering 7 different soft tissue sarcoma types. Methods The sarcoma tissue samples were collected from the archives of the Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg and were composed of 39 myxoid liposarcomas (MLS), 61 dedifferentiated liposarcomas, 15 pleomorphic liposarcomas, 27 leiomyosarcomas, 25 synovial sarcomas (SS), 35 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), 40 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, 17 myxofibrosarcomas, 9 low grade fibromyxoid sarcomas, 10 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, 31 solitary fibrous tumors (SFT), 8 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, 9 angiosarcomas, 6 alveolar soft part sarcomas, 5 clear cell sarcomas and 4 epithelioid sarcomas. Sarcoma cell lines were obtained from the raising laboratories. A 193 bp fragment of the TERT promoter region covering the hot-spot mutations C228T and C250T was amplified, and direct sequencing of the PCR products was performed. Results TERT promoter mutations were detected in 36/341 sarcomas. They were highly recurrent in MLS (29/39; 74%) and were in the present MLS series not associated with the phenotype (myxoid vs. round cell variant), tumor grade, tumor site and patients’ median age or gender. In the remaining cases, TERT promoter mutations were found only in 7/302 sarcoma samples and confined to SFTs (4/31; 13%), MPNSTs (2/35; 6%), and SSs (1/25; 4%). Within the collection of sarcoma cell lines examined, TERT promoter mutations were detected in two MLS and in one of three MPNST cell lines. Conclusions TERT promoter mutations are frequent in MLSs including their round cell variants, representing the most prevalent mutation identified in this sarcoma entity to date, and in a minor fraction of SFTs, MPNSTs and SSs. The majority of sarcomas are devoid of TERT promoter hotspot mutations. These data suggest that telomere maintenance through increased expression of telomerase plays an important role in the pathogenesis especially of MLS.
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Meeker A, Heaphy C. Gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 386:101-20. [PMID: 23906538 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are relatively uncommon; comprising approximately 0.5% of all human cancers. Although they often exhibit relatively indolent clinical courses, GEP-NETs have the potential for lethal progression. Due to their scarcity and various technical challenges, GEP-NETs have been understudied. As a consequence, we have few diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for these tumors. Early detection and surgical removal is currently the only reliable curative treatment for GEP-NET patients; many of whom, unfortunately, present with advanced disease. Here, we review the genetics and epigenetics of GEP-NETs. The last few years have witnessed unprecedented technological advances in these fields, and their application to GEP-NETS has already led to important new information on the molecular abnormalities underlying them. As outlined here, we expect that "omics" studies will provide us with new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, inform the development of improved pre-clinical models, and identify novel therapeutic targets for GEP-NET patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Meeker
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Bond Street Research Annex Bldg., Room B300, 411 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.
| | - Christopher Heaphy
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Bond Street Research Annex Bldg., Room B300, 411 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
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Hung NA, Hsia H, Royds JA, Slatter TL. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms: Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications for the Pathologist and Oncologist. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/ojpathology.2013.31003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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