1
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Pekkarinen M, Nordfors K, Uusi-Mäkelä J, Kytölä V, Hartewig A, Huhtala L, Rauhala M, Urhonen H, Häyrynen S, Afyounian E, Yli-Harja O, Zhang W, Helen P, Lohi O, Haapasalo H, Haapasalo J, Nykter M, Kesseli J, Rautajoki KJ. Aberrant DNA methylation distorts developmental trajectories in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302088. [PMID: 38499326 PMCID: PMC10948937 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are pediatric brain tumors known for their aggressiveness and aberrant but still unresolved epigenetic regulation. To better understand their malignancy, we investigated how AT/RT-specific DNA hypermethylation was associated with gene expression and altered transcription factor binding and how it is linked to upstream regulation. Medulloblastomas, choroid plexus tumors, pluripotent stem cells, and fetal brain were used as references. A part of the genomic regions, which were hypermethylated in AT/RTs similarly as in pluripotent stem cells and demethylated in the fetal brain, were targeted by neural transcriptional regulators. AT/RT-unique DNA hypermethylation was associated with polycomb repressive complex 2 and linked to suppressed genes with a role in neural development and tumorigenesis. Activity of the several NEUROG/NEUROD pioneer factors, which are unable to bind to methylated DNA, was compromised via the suppressed expression or DNA hypermethylation of their target sites, which was also experimentally validated for NEUROD1 in medulloblastomas and AT/RT samples. These results highlight and characterize the role of DNA hypermethylation in AT/RT malignancy and halted neural cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meeri Pekkarinen
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kristiina Nordfors
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Unit of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Joonas Uusi-Mäkelä
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville Kytölä
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anja Hartewig
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Huhtala
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna Rauhala
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Department of Neurosurgery, Tays Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Henna Urhonen
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sergei Häyrynen
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ebrahim Afyounian
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Yli-Harja
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Pauli Helen
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Department of Neurosurgery, Tays Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Lohi
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannu Haapasalo
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/031y6w871 Fimlab Laboratories Ltd, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Joonas Haapasalo
- Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Department of Neurosurgery, Tays Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/031y6w871 Fimlab Laboratories Ltd, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juha Kesseli
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kirsi J Rautajoki
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- https://ror.org/033003e23 Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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2
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Morisako T, Umebayashi D, Nagai T, Yamanaka T, Hirose T, Shishido-Hara Y, Konishi E, Hashimoto N. Two Cases of Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor in the Spinal Cord: Loss of SMARCB1 in a Child and Loss of SMARCA4 in an Adult. NMC Case Rep J 2024; 11:27-32. [PMID: 38410173 PMCID: PMC10895083 DOI: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2022-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We compare two cases of primary spinal atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), which rarely occurs in adults marked by SMARCA4 inactivation, and SMARCB1 inactivation for pediatric cases. AT/RT represents a highly malignant neoplasm comprising poorly differentiated constituents and rhabdoid cells, with SMARCB1(INI1) or infrequently SMARCA4 (BRG1) inactivation. These tumors are predominantly found in children but are rare in adults. While AT/RT can arise anywhere in the central nervous system, spinal cord localization is comparatively scarce. Despite mutation or loss of SMARCB1 at the 22q11.2 locus serving as the genetic hallmark of AT/RTs, infrequent cases of SMARCA4 inactivation with intact SMARCB1 protein expression are significant. We present each case of primary spinal tumors in a child and an adult, showing loss of the SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 proteins, respectively. Both tumors met the AT/RT diagnostic criteria. The histopathology demonstrated the presence of rhabdoid cells in both cases. Diagnosing primary spinal AT/RT with SMARCB1 protein loss remains a challenge. Nevertheless, the presence of SMARCB1 positivity alone must be noted to be insufficient to exclude the possibility of AT/RT diagnosis. In cases in which the diagnosis of AT/RT is highly suspected clinically, additional testing is warranted, including SMARCA4 analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamaki Morisako
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Umebayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nagai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takumi Yamanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takanori Hirose
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Hyogo Cancer Center, Akashi, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Shishido-Hara
- Department of Pathology and Applied Neurobiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eiich Konishi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Hashimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
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3
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Paun L, Lavé A, Jannelli G, Egervari K, Janssen I, Schaller K, von Bueren AO, Bartoli A. Pediatric Posterior Fossa ATRT: A Case Report, New Treatment Strategies and Perspectives. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050712. [PMID: 37239184 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Posterior fossa atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare childhood tumor usually associated with a dismal prognosis. Although upfront surgical gross total resection (GTR) has classically been the first line of treatment, new multimodal treatments, including two-stage surgery, are showing promising results in terms of overall survival (OS) and complication rate. We present a case of a 9-month-old child treated with two-staged surgery and chemotherapy. When deemed risky, multimodal treatments, including staged surgeries, can be a safe alternative to reduce surgical mortality and morbidity. At 23 months old, the patient had normal global development and no major impact on quality of life. We, therefore, discuss the most recent advancements from a treatment perspective, including molecular targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Paun
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Site Sainte-Anne, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Lavé
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, 94270 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Gianpaolo Jannelli
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
| | - Kristof Egervari
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Insa Janssen
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karl Schaller
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - André O von Bueren
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Bartoli
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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4
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Huang R, Wu Y, Zou Z. Combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapies for solid tumors: more choices for better effects. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1449-1464. [PMID: 36601794 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator that methylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27) and is closely related to the development and metastasis of tumors. It often shows gain-of-function mutations in hematological tumors, while it is often overexpressed in solid tumors. EZH2 inhibitors have shown good efficacy in hematological tumors in clinical trials but poor efficacy in solid tumors. Therefore, current research on EZH2 inhibitors has focused on exploring additional combination strategies in solid tumors. Herein we summarize the combinations and mechanisms of EZH2 inhibitors and other therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and epigenetic therapy, both in clinical trials and preclinical studies, aiming to provide a reference for better antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Huang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhengyun Zou
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
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5
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Del Savio E, Maestro R. Beyond SMARCB1 Loss: Recent Insights into the Pathobiology of Epithelioid Sarcoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172626. [PMID: 36078034 PMCID: PMC9454995 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a very rare and aggressive mesenchymal tumor of unclear origin and uncertain lineage characterized by a prevalent epithelioid morphology. The only recurrent genetic alteration reported in ES as yet is the functional inactivation of SMARCB1 (SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1), a key component of the SWI/SNF (SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable) chromatin remodeling complexes. How SMARCB1 deficiency dictates the clinicopathological characteristics of ES and what other molecular defects concur to its malignant progression is still poorly understood. This review summarizes the recent findings about ES pathobiology, including defects in chromatin remodeling and other signaling pathways and their role as therapeutic vulnerabilities.
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6
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Ishi Y, Zhang Y, Zhang A, Sasaki T, Piunti A, Suri A, Watanabe J, Abe K, He X, Katagi H, Bhalla P, Natsumeda M, Zou L, Shilatifard A, Hashizume R. Therapeutic Targeting of EZH2 and BET BRD4 in Pediatric Rhabdoid Tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:715-726. [PMID: 35247919 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activity of the H3K27 modifiers EZH2 and BRD4 is an important oncogenic driver for atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), and each is potentially a possible therapeutic target for treating AT/RT. We, therefore, determined whether targeting distinct histone modifier activities was an effective approach for treating AT/RT. The effects of EZH2 and BRD4 inhibition on histone modification, cell proliferation, and cell invasion were analyzed by immunoblotting, MTS assay, colony formation assay, and cell invasion assay. RNA- and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing were used to determine transcriptional and epigenetic changes in AT/RT cells treated with EZH2 and BRD4 inhibitors. We treated mice bearing human AT/RT xenografts with EZH2 and BRD4 inhibitors. Intracranial tumor growth was monitored by bioluminescence imaging, and the therapeutic response was evaluated by animal survival. AT/RT cells showed elevated levels of H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac), with expression of EZH2 and BRD4, and lack of SMARCB1 proteins. Targeted inhibition of EZH2 and BRD4 activities reduced cell proliferation and invasiveness of AT/RT in association with decreasing H3K27me3 and H3K27ac. Differential genomic occupancy of H3K27me3 and H3K27ac regulated specific gene expression in response to EZH2 and BRD4 inhibitions. A combination of EZH2 and BRD4 inhibition increased the therapeutic benefit in vitro and in vivo, outperforming either monotherapy. Overall, histones H3K27me3 and H3K27ac were elevated in AT/RT cells and distributed in distinct chromatin regions to regulate specific gene expression and to promote AT/RT growth. Targeting EZH2 and BRD4 activity is, therefore, a potential combination therapy for AT/RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitomo Ishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yongzhan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ali Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Takahiro Sasaki
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrea Piunti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Amreena Suri
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kouki Abe
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xingyao He
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hiroaki Katagi
- Department of Neurosurgical Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Pankaj Bhalla
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Manabu Natsumeda
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Lihua Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cells Transplantation, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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7
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Immunotherapy for SMARCB1-Deficient Sarcomas: Current Evidence and Future Developments. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030650. [PMID: 35327458 PMCID: PMC8945563 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in subunits of the SWItch Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex occur in 20% of all human tumors. Among these, the core subunit SMARCB1 is the most frequently mutated, and SMARCB1 loss represents a founder driver event in several malignancies, such as malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT), epithelioid sarcoma, poorly differentiated chordoma, and renal medullary carcinoma (RMC). Intriguingly, SMARCB1-deficient pediatric MRT and RMC have recently been reported to be immunogenic, despite their very simple genome and low tumor mutational burden. Responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors have further been reported in some SMARCB1-deficient diseases. Here, we will review the preclinical data and clinical data that suggest that immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for SMARCB1-defective tumors. We notably discuss the heterogeneity that exists among the spectrum of malignancies driven by SMARCB1-loss, and highlight challenges that are at stake for developing a personalized immunotherapy for these tumors, notably using molecular profiling of the tumor and of its microenvironment.
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8
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Epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric brain tumours: regulators lose control. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:167-185. [PMID: 35076654 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are essential to regulate gene expression during normal development. However, they are often disrupted in pathological conditions including tumours, where they contribute to their formation and maintenance through altered gene expression. In recent years, next generation genomic techniques has allowed a remarkable advancement of our knowledge of the genetic and molecular landscape of paediatric brain tumours and have highlighted epigenetic deregulation as a common hallmark in their pathogenesis. This review describes the main epigenetic dysregulations found in paediatric brain tumours, including at DNA methylation and histone modifications level, in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and in the expression of non-coding RNAs. How these altered processes influence tumour biology and how they can be leveraged to dissect the molecular heterogeneity of these tumours and contribute to their classification is also addressed. Finally, the availability and value of preclinical models as well as the current clinical trials exploring targeting key epigenetic mediators in paediatric brain tumours are discussed.
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9
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Nemes K, Johann PD, Tüchert S, Melchior P, Vokuhl C, Siebert R, Furtwängler R, Frühwald MC. Current and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches for Extracranial Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:479-498. [PMID: 35173482 PMCID: PMC8841298 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s289544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors (extracranial MRT) are rare, highly aggressive malignancies affecting mainly infants and children younger than 3 years. Common anatomic sites comprise the kidneys (RTK – rhabdoid tumor of kidney) and other soft tissues (eMRT – extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor). The genetic origin of these diseases is linked to biallelic pathogenic variants in the genes SMARCB1, or rarely SMARCA4, encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. Even if extracranial MRT seem to be quite homogeneous, recent epigenome analyses reveal a certain degree of epigenetic heterogeneity. Use of intensified therapies has modestly improved survival for extracranial MRT. Patients at standard risk profit from conventional therapies; most high-risk patients still experience a dismal course and often therapy resistance. Discoveries of clinical and molecular hallmarks and the exploration of experimental therapeutic approaches open exciting perspectives for clinical and molecularly stratified experimental treatment approaches. To ultimately improve the outcome of patients with extracranial MRTs, they need to be characterized and stratified clinically and molecularly. High-risk patients need novel therapeutic approaches including selective experimental agents in phase I/II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nemes
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Melchior
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rhoikos Furtwängler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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10
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Ota T, Ishikawa T, Yasuda R, Yasuda T, Okayama T, Inoue K, Dohi O, Yoshida N, Kamada K, Uchiyama K, Takagi T, Konishi H, Naito Y, Matsuyama K, Yamaguchi T, Ootsuka K, Yoshida A, Kishimoto M, Itoh Y. The first case of SMARCA4-deficient sarcoma of stomach. Clin J Gastroenterol 2022; 15:531-536. [PMID: 35175571 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-022-01606-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SMARCA4-deficient sarcoma was first reported in the chest and recently in the uterus, but not in the stomach. Here, we present a patient diagnosed with SMARCA4-deficient sarcoma of the stomach, using histochemistry. An emergency operation was performed due to perforation of the tumor. However, one month after the operation, two nodes recurred, and six cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of adriamycin and ifosfamide were administered. The combination chemotherapy showed a remarkable effect, and complete remission was achieved. The patient was alive without recurrence after 48-month follow-up. SMARCA4-deficient sarcoma is an exceedingly rare tumor with an extremely poor therapeutic response to anticancer drugs. Herein, we present the first case of SMARCA4-deficient sarcoma of the stomach, where a complete response to chemotherapy was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Ota
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Ritsu Yasuda
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Yasuda
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Okayama
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Ken Inoue
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Osamu Dohi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Naohisa Yoshida
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kamada
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Uchiyama
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Takagi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Konishi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuji Naito
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kiichi Matsuyama
- Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, 28-1 Moriminami-cho, Ishida, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, 601-1495, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamaguchi
- General Internal Medicine, Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, 28-1 Moriminami-cho, Ishida, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, 601-1495, Japan
| | - Kazuo Ootsuka
- Digestive Surgery, Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, 28-1 Moriminami-cho, Ishida, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, 601-1495, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Kishimoto
- Department of Pathology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoshito Itoh
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho Hirokoji Kawaramachi Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
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11
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Rechberger JS, Nesvick CL, Daniels DJ. Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT): disease mechanisms and potential drug targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:187-192. [PMID: 35142587 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2040017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julian S Rechberger
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Cody L Nesvick
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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12
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Qi L, Lindsay H, Kogiso M, Du Y, Braun FK, Zhang H, Guo L, Zhao S, Injac SG, Baxter PA, Su JM, Xiao S, Erickson SW, Earley EJ, Teicher B, Smith MA, Li XN. Evaluation of an EZH2 inhibitor in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models of pediatric brain tumors alone and in combination with chemo- and radiation therapies. J Transl Med 2022; 102:185-193. [PMID: 34802040 PMCID: PMC10228180 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-021-00700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Tazemetostat is an FDA-approved enhancer of zeste homolog (EZH2) inhibitor. To determine its role in difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumors, we examined EZH2 levels in a panel of 22 PDOX models and confirmed EZH2 mRNA over-expression in 9 GBM (34.6 ± 12.7-fold) and 11 medulloblastoma models (6.2 ± 1.7 in group 3, 6.0 ± 2.4 in group 4) accompanied by elevated H3K27me3 expression. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in 4 models (1 GBM, 2 medulloblastomas and 1 ATRT) via systematically administered tazemetostat (250 and 400 mg/kg, gavaged, twice daily) alone and in combination with cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p., twice) and/or radiation (2 Gy/day × 5 days). Compared with the untreated controls, tazemetostat significantly (Pcorrected < 0.05) prolonged survival times in IC-L1115ATRT (101% at 400 mg/kg) and IC-2305GBM (32% at 250 mg/kg, 45% at 400 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of tazemetostat with radiation was evaluated in 3 models, with only one [IC-1078MB (group 4)] showing a substantial, though not statistically significant, prolongation in survival compared to radiation treatment alone. Combining tazemetostat (250 mg/kg) with cisplatin was not superior to cisplatin alone in any model. Analysis of in vivo drug resistance detected predominance of EZH2-negative cells in the remnant PDOX tumors accompanied by decreased H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 expressions. These data supported the use of tazemetostat in a subset of pediatric brain tumors and suggests that EZH2-negative tumor cells may have caused therapy resistance and should be prioritized for the search of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Qi
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Holly Lindsay
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mari Kogiso
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuchen Du
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank K Braun
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sibo Zhao
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah G Injac
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patricia A Baxter
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jack Mf Su
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sophie Xiao
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiao-Nan Li
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Steinbügl M, Nemes K, Johann P, Kröncke T, Tüchert S, da Costa MJG, Ebinger M, Schüller U, Sehested A, Hauser P, Reinhard H, Sumerauer D, Hettmer S, Jakob M, Hasselblatt M, Siebert R, Witt O, Gerss J, Kerl K, Frühwald MC. Clinical evidence for a biological effect of epigenetically active decitabine in relapsed or progressive rhabdoid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29267. [PMID: 34347371 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refined therapy has helped to improve survival rates in rhabdoid tumors (RT). Prognosis for patients with chemoresistant, recurrent, or progressive RT remains dismal. Although decitabine, an epigenetically active agent, has mainly been evaluated in the management of hematologic malignancies in adults, safety in children has also been demonstrated repeatedly. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective series of patients who received decitabine upon relapse or progression following therapy according to the EU-RHAB regimen is presented. Due to the retrospective nature of analyses, response was defined as measurable regression of at least one lesion on imaging. 850k methylation profiling was done whenever tumor tissue was available. RESULTS A total of 22 patients with RT of any anatomical localization were included. Most patients (19/22) presented with metastases. All received low-dose decitabine with or preceding conventional chemotherapy. Patients received a median of two (1-6) courses of decitabine; 27.3% (6/22) demonstrated a radiological response. Molecular analyses revealed increased methylation levels in tumors from responders. No excessive toxicity was observed. Clinical benefits for responders included eligibility for early phase trials or local therapy. Responders showed prolonged time to progression and overall survival. Due to small sample size, statistical correction for survivorship bias demonstrated no significant effect on survival for responders. CONCLUSIONS Patients with RT demonstrate promising signs of antitumor activity after multiagent relapse therapy including decitabine. Analyses of methylation data suggest a specific effect on an epigenetic level. We propose to consider decitabine and other epigenetic drugs as candidates for further clinical investigations in RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Steinbügl
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Karolina Nemes
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Johann
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kröncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maria Joao Gil da Costa
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Division, University Hospital S. João Alameda Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Children's University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Sehested
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Hauser
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Harald Reinhard
- Department of Pediatrics, Asklepios Kinderklinik Sankt Augustin, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - David Sumerauer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Jakob
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm and Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Gerss
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
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14
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Melcher V, Kerl K. The Growing Relevance of Immunoregulation in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5601. [PMID: 34830753 PMCID: PMC8615622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are genetically heterogeneous solid neoplasms. With a prevailing poor prognosis and widespread resistance to conventional multimodal therapy, these aggressive tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths worldwide. Advancement in molecular research revealed their unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics and paved the way for more defined prognostication and targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, uncovering the intratumoral metrics on a single-cell level placed non-malignant cell populations such as innate immune cells into the context of tumor manifestation and progression. Targeting immune cells in pediatric brain tumors entails unique challenges but promising opportunities to improve outcome. Herein, we outline the current understanding of the role of the immune regulation in pediatric brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Melcher
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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15
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The BAF chromatin remodeling complexes: structure, function, and synthetic lethalities. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1489-1503. [PMID: 34431497 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BAF complexes are multi-subunit chromatin remodelers, which have a fundamental role in genomic regulation. Large-scale sequencing efforts have revealed frequent BAF complex mutations in many human diseases, particularly in cancer and neurological disorders. These findings not only underscore the importance of the BAF chromatin remodelers in cellular physiological processes, but urge a more detailed understanding of their structure and molecular action to enable the development of targeted therapeutic approaches for diseases with BAF complex alterations. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the composition, assembly, structure, and function of BAF complexes, and the consequences of their disease-associated mutations. Furthermore, we highlight intra-complex subunit dependencies and synthetic lethal interactions, which have emerged as promising treatment modalities for BAF-related diseases.
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16
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Wen X, Cimera R, Aryeequaye R, Abhinta M, Athanasian E, Healey J, Fabbri N, Boland P, Zhang Y, Hameed M. Recurrent loss of chromosome 22 and SMARCB1 deletion in extra-axial chordoma: A clinicopathological and molecular analysis. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2021; 60:796-807. [PMID: 34392582 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Extra-axial chordoma is a rare neoplasm of extra-axial skeleton and soft tissue that shares identical histomorphologic and immunophenotypic features with midline chordoma. While genetic changes in conventional chordoma have been well-studied, the genomic alterations of extra-axial chordoma have not been reported. It is well known that conventional chordoma is a tumor with predominantly non-random copy number alterations and low mutational burden. Herein we describe the clinicopathologic and genomic characteristics of six cases of extra-axial chordoma, with genome-wide high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism array, fluorescence in situ hybridization and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. The patients presented at a mean age of 33 years (range: 21-54) with a female to male ratio of 5:1. Four cases were histologically conventional type, presented with bone lesions and three of them had local recurrence. Two cases were poorly differentiated chordomas, presented with intra-articular soft tissue masses and both developed distant metastases. All cases showed brachyury positivity and the two poorly differentiated chordomas showed in addition loss of INI-1 expression by immunohistochemical analysis. Three of four extra-axial conventional chordomas showed simple genome with loss of chromosome 22 or a heterozygous deletion of SMARCB1. Both poorly differentiated chordomas demonstrated a complex hyperdiploid genomic profile with gain of multiple chromosomes and homozygous deletion of SMARCB1. Our findings show that heterozygous deletion of SMARCB1 or the loss of chromosome 22 is a consistent abnormality in extra-axial chordoma and transformation to poorly differentiated chordoma is characterized by homozygous loss of SMARCB1 associated with genomic complexity and instability such as hyperdiploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Wen
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Cimera
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruth Aryeequaye
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mohanty Abhinta
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Edward Athanasian
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - John Healey
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicola Fabbri
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Patrick Boland
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Meera Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Plant-Fox AS, O'Halloran K, Goldman S. Pediatric brain tumors: the era of molecular diagnostics, targeted and immune-based therapeutics, and a focus on long term neurologic sequelae. Curr Probl Cancer 2021; 45:100777. [PMID: 34303558 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2021.100777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the second most common malignancy of childhood after acute leukemia and the number one cause of cancer-related mortality1. Over the past decade, advanced molecular diagnostics have led to the discovery of new molecularly-defined tumor types with prognostic and therapeutic implications. Methylation profiles, whole genome sequencing, and transcriptomics have defined subgroups and revealed heterogeneity within commonly defined tumor entities2,3. These findings have also revealed important differences between adult and pediatric brain tumors of similar histology. The majority of pediatric low grade gliomas (pLGG) are defined by alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway including BRAFV600E point mutation, K1AA1549-BRAF fusion, and FGFR1 alterations as opposed to IDH1/2 mutations and 1p/19q co-deletion seen more frequently in adult low grade gliomas4. These findings have led to targeted therapies, namely BRAF and MEK inhibitors, which are currently being evaluated in phase III clinical trials and may soon supplant chemotherapy as standard of care for pLGG's. While targeted therapy trials for pediatric brain tumors have had significant success, immunotherapy remains a challenge in a group of tumors with generally lower mutational burden compared to adult tumors and relatively "cold" immune microenvironment. Despite this, a wide array of immunotherapy trials including vaccine therapies, immune checkpoint blockade, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and viral therapies are on-going. Unique to pediatrics, multiple clinical trials have sought to answer the question of whether the most malignant pediatric brain tumors in the youngest patients can be successfully treated with high dose chemotherapy in lieu of radiation to avoid devastating long-term neurocognitive deficits. Due to the collaborative work of multiple pediatric neuro-oncology consortiums, the recent history of pediatric brain tumor research is one of efficient translation from bench to bedside in a rare group of tumors resulting in significant progress in the field. Here, advances in the areas of molecular characterization, targeted and immune-based therapies, and reduction in long term co-morbidities will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S Plant-Fox
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Division of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation/Neuro-Oncology. Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Katrina O'Halloran
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Division of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation/Neuro-Oncology. Chicago, Illinois
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18
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Schaefer IM, Al-Ibraheemi A, Qian X. Cytomorphologic Spectrum of SMARCB1-Deficient Soft Tissue Neoplasms. Am J Clin Pathol 2021; 156:229-245. [PMID: 33608696 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The SWI/SNF complex core subunit SMARCB1 is inactivated in a variety of neoplasms that share characteristic "rhabdoid" cytomorphology. The aim of this study was to evaluate SMARCB1-deficient soft tissue neoplasms on cytology to identify diagnostic clues. METHODS Eleven SMARCB1-deficient tumors, including six epithelioid sarcomas, three malignant rhabdoid tumors, one epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), and one poorly differentiated chordoma with fine-needle aspiration (FNA), serous effusion, or touch prep (TP) from two institutions, were included. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in two cases. RESULTS Evaluation of FNA (n = 4), effusion (n = 4), and TP (n = 3) in nine adult and two pediatric patients demonstrated cellular samples (n = 11), epithelioid cells with rhabdoid morphology (n = 9), eccentrically located nuclei with prominent nucleoli (n = 7), and cytoplasmic bodies (n = 4); two patients were diagnosed on FNA with cell block. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated SMARCB1 loss in all cases and keratin and/or EMA expression in all but the epithelioid MPNST; NGS identified SMARCB1 inactivation in both cases. CONCLUSIONS SMARCB1-deficient soft tissue neoplasms comprise a variety of tumors with epithelioid morphology and frequent expression of keratin and/or EMA. Recognition of characteristic rhabdoid morphology on cytology can prompt IHC and/or NGS testing for SMARCB1 deficiency and help establish the diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyaa Al-Ibraheemi
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaohua Qian
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
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19
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Shan Y, Cai J, Han Y, Xie C, Gao H, Zhang L, Li J, Tian R, Liang Y, Wang J, Chen C, Ji B, Tang J, Xu M, Gu S. An analysis of the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival outcomes of 36 extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumor patients. Transl Pediatr 2021; 10:1598-1609. [PMID: 34295774 PMCID: PMC8261579 DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracranial malignant Rhabdoid tumors (eMRTs) are rare but aggressive lesions in young children. This work aimed to review and analyze the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival of eMRTs so as to summarize experience for future therapy. METHODS A total of 36 eMRT cases were treated between January 2008 and August 2019 according to Shanghai Children's Medical Center (SCMC) multimodal protocol of mixed surgery, radiation and chemotherapy involving vincristine, carboplatin, doxorubicin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. We collected information including: age at diagnosis, tumor location, disease stage, therapy, outcomes, etc. Overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) were calculated and risk factors for survival were analyzed. RESULTS The patients had a median age of 1.80 years at diagnosis (range, 1.4 m-13.42 years), and were followed up for 9.17 months in median (range, 4 d-11.14 y). A total of 16 patients achieved complete remission (CR), and 7 survived without reoccurrence till December 2019. The 3-year EFS was 17.4% (95% CI: 11.0-23.8%) with a 3-year OS of 23.4% (95% CI: 15.8-31.0%). Recurrence was found only in children younger than the median age (1.80 y). Localized staging (Log Rank P=0.039 for OS and P=0.021) and older age (Log Rank P=0.016 for OS and P=0.002 for EFS) were associated with improved outcome. Younger age (Cox regression, OS, OR =2.610, 95% CI: 1.147-5.937, P=0.022; EFS, OR =3.401, 95% CI: 1.495-7.752, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for death and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Those eMRTs treated according to SCMC protocol turned out to have poor outcomes. Higher staging at diagnosis and reoccurrence in younger patients remain major threats to the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Shan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaoyang Cai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenjie Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Honxiang Gao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruicheng Tian
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changcheng Chen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Ji
- Operation Room, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Song Gu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Childrens' Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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Clapier CR. Sophisticated Conversations between Chromatin and Chromatin Remodelers, and Dissonances in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5578. [PMID: 34070411 PMCID: PMC8197500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of genome packaging into chromatin contribute to define specific cellular identity and function. Dynamic regulation of chromatin organization and nucleosome positioning are critical to all DNA transactions-in particular, the regulation of gene expression-and involve the cooperative action of sequence-specific DNA-binding factors, histone modifying enzymes, and remodelers. Remodelers are molecular machines that generate various chromatin landscapes, adjust nucleosome positioning, and alter DNA accessibility by using ATP binding and hydrolysis to perform DNA translocation, which is highly regulated through sophisticated structural and functional conversations with nucleosomes. In this review, I first present the functional and structural diversity of remodelers, while emphasizing the basic mechanism of DNA translocation, the common regulatory aspects, and the hand-in-hand progressive increase in complexity of the regulatory conversations between remodelers and nucleosomes that accompanies the increase in challenges of remodeling processes. Next, I examine how, through nucleosome positioning, remodelers guide the regulation of gene expression. Finally, I explore various aspects of how alterations/mutations in remodelers introduce dissonance into the conversations between remodelers and nucleosomes, modify chromatin organization, and contribute to oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric R Clapier
- Department of Oncological Sciences & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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21
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Epigenetic-Based Therapy-A Prospective Chance for Medulloblastoma Patients' Recovery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094925. [PMID: 34066495 PMCID: PMC8124462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most frequent and malignant brain tumors in children. The prognosis depends on the advancement of the disease and the patient's age. Current therapies, which include surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation, despite being quite effective, cause significant side effects that influence the central nervous system's function and cause neurocognitive deficits. Therefore, they substantially lower the quality of life, which is especially severe in a developing organism. Thus, there is a need for new therapies that are less toxic and even more effective. Recently, knowledge about the epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for medulloblastoma development has increased. Epigenetics is a phenomenon that influences gene expression but can be easily modified by external factors. The best known epigenetic mechanisms are histone modifications, DNA methylation, or noncoding RNAs actions. Epigenetic mechanisms comprehensively explain the complex phenomena of carcinogenesis. At the same time, they seem to be a potential key to treating medulloblastoma with fewer complications than past therapies. This review presents the currently known epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in medulloblastoma pathogenesis and the potential therapies that use epigenetic traits to cure medulloblastoma while maintaining a good quality of life and ensuring a higher median overall survival rate.
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22
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Hoffman LM, Richardson EA, Ho B, Margol A, Reddy A, Lafay-Cousin L, Chi S, Slavc I, Judkins A, Hasselblatt M, Bourdeaut F, Frühwald MC, Vibhakar R, Bouffet E, Huang A. Advancing biology-based therapeutic approaches for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors. Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:944-954. [PMID: 32129445 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare, highly malignant central nervous system cancer arising in infants and younger children, historically considered to be homogeneous, monogenic, and incurable. Recent use of intensified therapies has modestly improved survival for ATRT; however, a majority of patients will still succumb to their disease. While ATRTs almost universally exhibit loss of SMARCB1 (BAF47/INI1/SNF5), recent whole genome, transcriptome, and epigenomic analyses of large cohorts reveal previously underappreciated molecular heterogeneity. These discoveries provide novel insights into how SMARCB1 loss drives oncogenesis and confer specific therapeutic vulnerabilities, raising exciting prospects for molecularly stratified treatment for patients with ATRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey M Hoffman
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Elizabeth Anne Richardson
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben Ho
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashley Margol
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alyssa Reddy
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lucie Lafay-Cousin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics and Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Chi
- Pediatric Medical Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irene Slavc
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Judkins
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.,Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Franck Bourdeaut
- Curie Institute, Integrated Cancer Research Site, Paris, France.,Departments of Genetics and of Oncopediatry and Young Adults, Curie Institute, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Laboratory of Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, SIREDO Pediatric Oncology Center, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Children's Hospital, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,EU-RHAB Registry Working Group, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annie Huang
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Veo B, Danis E, Pierce A, Wang D, Fosmire S, Sullivan KD, Joshi M, Khanal S, Dahl N, Karam S, Serkova N, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Transcriptional control of DNA repair networks by CDK7 regulates sensitivity to radiation in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109013. [PMID: 33910002 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC-driven medulloblastoma is a major therapeutic challenge due to frequent metastasis and a poor 5-year survival rate. MYC gene amplification results in transcriptional dysregulation, proliferation, and survival of malignant cells. To identify therapeutic targets in MYC-amplified medulloblastoma, we employ a CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screen targeting 1,140 genes. We identify CDK7 as a mediator of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. Using chemical inhibitors and genetic depletion, we observe cessation of tumor growth in xenograft mouse models and increases in apoptosis. The results are attributed to repression of a core set of MYC-driven transcriptional programs mediating DNA repair. CDK7 inhibition alters RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and MYC association at DNA repair genes. Blocking CDK7 activity sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation leading to accrual of DNA damage, extending survival and tumor latency in xenograft mouse models. Our studies establish the selective inhibition of MYC-driven medulloblastoma by CDK7 inhibition combined with radiation as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susan Fosmire
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nathan Dahl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sana Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Natalie Serkova
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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24
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Pyziak K, Sroka-Porada A, Rzymski T, Dulak J, Łoboda A. Potential of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors for the treatment of SWI/SNF mutant cancers and tumor microenvironment modulation. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:730-753. [PMID: 33565092 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is commonly overexpressed or mutated in many cancer types, both of hematological and solid nature. Till now, plenty of EZH2 small molecule inhibitors have been developed and some of them have already been tested in clinical trials. Most of these inhibitors, however, are effective only in limited cases in the context of EZH2 gain-of-function mutated tumors such as lymphomas. Other cancer types with aberrant EZH2 expression and function require alternative approaches for successful treatment. One possibility is to exploit synthetic lethal strategy, which is based on the phenomenon that concurrent loss of two genes is detrimental but the deletion of either of them leaves cell viable. In the context of EZH2/PRC2, the most promising synthetic lethal target seems to be SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable chromatin remodeling complex (SWI/SNF), which is known to counteract PRC2 functions. SWI/SNF is heavily involved in carcinogenesis and its subunits have been found mutated in approximately 20% of tumors of different kinds. In the current review, we summarize the existing knowledge of synthetic lethal relationships between EZH2/PRC2 and components of the SWI/SNF complex and discuss in detail the potential application of existing EZH2 inhibitors in cancer patients harboring mutations in SWI/SNF proteins. We also highlight recent discoveries of EZH2 involvement in tumor microenvironment regulation and consequences for future therapies. Although clinical studies are limited, the fundamental research might help to understand which patients are most likely to benefit from therapies using EZH2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pyziak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Biology R&D, Ryvu Therapeutics S.A., Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Łoboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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25
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Johann PD. Invited Review: Dysregulation of chromatin remodellers in paediatric brain tumours - SMARCB1 and beyond. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 46:57-72. [PMID: 32307752 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in chromatin remodelling genes occur in approximately 25% of all human tumours (Kadoch et al. Nat Genet 45: 592-601, 2013). The spectrum of alterations is broad and comprises single nucleotide variants, insertion/deletions and more complex structural variations. The single most often affected remodelling complex is the SWI/SNF complex (SWItch/sucrose non-fermentable). In the field of paediatric neuro-oncology, the spectrum of affected genes implicated in epigenetic remodelling is narrower with SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 being the most frequent. The low mutation frequencies in many of the SWI/SNF mutant entities underline the fact that perturbed chromatin remodelling is the most salient factor in tumourigenesis and could thus be a potential therapeutic opportunity. Here, I review the genetic basis of aberrant chromatin remodelling in paediatric brain tumours and discuss their impact on the epigenome in the respective entities, mainly medulloblastomas and rhabdoid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Johann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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Early clinical and metabolic response to tazemetostat in advanced relapsed INI1 negative epithelioid sarcoma. Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO675. [PMID: 33815821 PMCID: PMC8015673 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with an incidence of 0.05 per 100,000 population in the USA. It is characterized by multiple local recurrences and regional lymph nodes form the commonest site of metastases. The function of Integrase Inhibitor 1 (INI1) protein is lost in more than 90% of cases, which was the basis for the introduction of tazemetostat into the therapeutic armamentarium for management of advanced ES. The efficacy and manageable toxicity profile of tazemetostat have been demonstrated recently, leading to its accelerated approval for treatment of advanced ES. We report one of the first real-world cases of relapsed, metastatic ES treated with tazemetostat. The patient attained partial response with the therapy and is tolerating the drug well without serious toxicities.
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27
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Understanding the epigenetic landscape and cellular architecture of childhood brain tumors. Neurochem Int 2020; 144:104940. [PMID: 33333210 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cancer-related cause of death in children and adolescents in the United States, affecting on average 1 in 2000 children per year. Recent advances in cancer genomics have led to profound discoveries about the underlying molecular biology and ontogeny of these tumors. In particular, these studies have revealed epigenetic dysregulation to be one of the main hallmarks of pediatric brain tumorigenesis. In this review, we will highlight a number of important recent findings about the nature of this dysregulation in different types of pediatric brain tumors as well as examine their implications for preclinical research and clinical practice. Specifically, we discuss the emergence of methylation signatures as tools for tumor stratification/classification while also highlighting the importance of mutations that directly affect the epigenome and clarifying their impact on risk stratification and pediatric brain tumor biology. We then incorporate recent advances in our understanding of pediatric brain tumor cellular architecture and emphasize the link between epigenetic dysregulation and the "stalled" development seen in many of these malignant neoplasms. Lastly, we explore recentwork investigating the use of these mutated epigenomic regulators as therapeutic targets and extrapolate their utility in overcoming this "stalling" to halt tumor growth.
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28
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Zhou Y, Shao C. Histone methylation can either promote or reduce cellular radiosensitivity by regulating DNA repair pathways. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2020; 787:108362. [PMID: 34083050 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2020.108362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the primary modalities for cancer treatment, and its efficiency usually relies on cellular radiosensitivity. DNA damage repair is a core content of cellular radiosensitivity, and the primary mechanism of which includes non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). By affecting DNA damage repair, histone methylation regulated by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs) participates in the regulation of cellular radiosensitivity via three mechanisms: (a) recruiting DNA repair-related proteins, (b) regulating the expressions of DNA repair genes, and (c) mediating the dynamic change of chromatin. Interestingly, both aberrantly high and low levels of histone methylation could impede DNA repair processes. Here we reviewed the mechanisms of the dual effects of histone methylation on cell response to radiation. Since some inhibitors of HMTs and HDMs are reported to increase cellular radiosensitivity, understanding their molecular mechanisms may be helpful in developing new drugs for the therapy of radioresistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchuan Zhou
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 2094 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunlin Shao
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 2094 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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29
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Curcio C, Cimera R, Aryeequaye R, Rao M, Fabbri N, Zhang Y, Hameed M. Poorly differentiated chordoma with whole-genome doubling evolving from a SMARCB1-deficient conventional chordoma: A case report. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2020; 60:43-48. [PMID: 32920865 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma from conventional chordoma has not been previously reported. We encountered a case of a poorly differentiated chordoma with evidence of whole-genome doubling arising from a SMARCB1-deficient conventional chordoma. The tumor presented as a destructive sacral mass in a 43-year-old man and was comprised of a highly cellular poorly differentiated chordoma with small, morphologically distinct nodules of conventional chordoma accounting for <5% of the total tumor volume. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed both components were strongly reactive for brachyury and lacked normal staining for INI1. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis identified multiple genomic imbalances in the conventional component, including deletions of 1p, 3p, and 22q (involving SMARCB1) and loss of chromosomes 5 and 15, while the poorly differentiated component exhibited the same aberrations at a more profound level with additional loss of chromosome 4, low level focal deletion of 17p (involving TP53), and tetraploidy. Homozygous deletion of SMARCB1 was present in both components. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed the relevant deletions in both components as well as genome doubling in the poorly differentiated tumor. This case suggests that SMARCB1 loss is an early event in rare conventional chordomas that could potentially evolve into poorly differentiated chordoma through additional genomic aberrations such as genome doubling. Further studies with additional patients will be needed to determine if genome doubling is a consistent pathway for evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Curcio
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Cimera
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruth Aryeequaye
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mamta Rao
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicola Fabbri
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Meera Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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30
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Kezlarian BE, Lin O, Dogan S. SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas of the head and neck region: a cytopathologic characterization. J Am Soc Cytopathol 2020; 9:494-501. [PMID: 32839151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2020.07.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION SMARCB1 encodes for a component of the SWI/SNF complex and is widely implicated in carcinogenesis. In the head and neck, SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas typically arise in the sinonasal tract but can be found at other sites. EZH2 inhibitors have emerged as potential targeted therapy against SWI/SNF-deficient tumors. We sought to characterize the cytomorphology of head and neck carcinomas with SMARCB1 deficiencies to identify potential candidates for targeted therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Head and neck carcinomas with SMARCB1 mutations were retrospectively identified and confirmed to be SMARCB1-deficient by both molecular (fluorescent in-situ hybridization or next generation sequencing) and immunohistochemical means. Cases with positive cytology were reviewed and their cytologic features cataloged. RESULTS A total of 19 specimens from 13 patients were reviewed, including 8 specimens from 7 sinonasal carcinomas, 4 specimens from 3 thyroid carcinomas, 3 specimens from 2 skin carcinomas, and 4 specimens from 1 carcinoma of unknown primary origin. High-grade features were common, including mitoses (11 of 19) necrosis (13 of 19) and multinucleation (16 of 19). Tumors showed either dense cytoplasm with distinct cell borders (10 of 19) or delicate cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders (9 of 19). Most tumors showed no distinct epithelial differentiation (12 of 19), while some (7 of 19) showed glandular or signet ring features. A minor cohort demonstrated rhabdoid cells (4 of 19). CONCLUSIONS Head and neck carcinomas with SMARCB1 deficiencies have a wide array of morphologies and tend to demonstrate high-grade features. Only a minor cohort demonstrate rhabdoid-type cells. Evaluation of SMARCB1 deficiency for potential targeted therapy should not be limited to tumors with rhabdoid morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie E Kezlarian
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Oscar Lin
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Snjezana Dogan
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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31
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Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Tumor Model Uncovers the Embryonic Stem Cell Signature as a Key Driver in Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor. Cell Rep 2020; 26:2608-2621.e6. [PMID: 30840885 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), which harbors SMARCB1 mutation and exhibits a characteristic histology of rhabdoid cells, has a poor prognosis because of the lack of effective treatments. Here, we establish human SMARCB1-deficient pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). SMARCB1-deficient hPSC-derived neural progenitor-like cells (NPLCs) efficiently give rise to brain tumors when transplanted into the mouse brain. Notably, activation of an embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like signature confers a rhabdoid histology in SMARCB1-deficient NPLC-derived tumors and causes a poor prognosis. Consistently, we find the activation of the ESC-like gene expression signature and an ESC-like DNA methylation landscape in clinical specimens of AT/RT. Finally, we identify candidate genes that maintain the activation of the ESC-like signature and the growth of AT/RT cells. Collectively, SMARCB1-deficient hPSCs offer the human models for AT/RT, which uncover the role of the activated ESC-like signature in the poor prognosis and unique histology of AT/RT.
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32
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Schaefer IM, Hornick JL. SWI/SNF complex-deficient soft tissue neoplasms: An update. Semin Diagn Pathol 2020; 38:222-231. [PMID: 32646614 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The SWItch Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex is a large multi-subunit protein assembly that orchestrates chromatin compaction and accessibility for gene transcription in an ATP-dependent manner. As a key epigenetic regulator, the SWI/SNF complex coordinates gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation, and its biologic functions, in part, antagonize the polycomb repressive complex 2. The mammalian SWI/SNF complex consists of 15 subunits encoded by 29 genes, some of which are recurrently mutated in human cancers, in the germline or sporadic setting. Most SWI/SNF-deficient tumors share common "rhabdoid" cytomorphology. SMARCB1 (INI1) is the subunit most frequently inactivated in soft tissue neoplasms. Specifically, SMARCB1 deficiency is observed as the genetic hallmark in virtually all malignant rhabdoid tumors, and most cases of epithelioid sarcoma and poorly differentiated chordoma. In addition, subsets of myoepithelial carcinoma (10-40%), extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (20%), epithelioid schwannoma (40%), and epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (70%) demonstrate SMARCB1 loss. The gene encoding the SS18 subunit is involved in the SS18-SSX rearrangement, which is pathognomonic of synovial sarcoma and indirectly inactivates SMARCB1. Finally, undifferentiated SMARCA4-deficient thoracic sarcomas are defined by SMARCA4 subunit inactivation, leading to SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 loss. Rarely, inactivation of alternate but biologically equivalent key regulators can substitute for canonical subunit deficiency, such as SMARCA4 inactivation in cases of SMARCB1-retained epithelioid sarcoma. This review briefly highlights SWI/SNF complex biologic functions and its roles in human cancer and provides a detailed update on recent advances in soft tissue neoplasms with canonical SWI/SNF complex deficiency, correlating morphologic, genomic, and immunohistochemical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga-Marie Schaefer
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jason L Hornick
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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33
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Dong S, Liu Q, Xu Z, Wang H. An Unusual Case of Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Case Report and Literature Review. Front Oncol 2020; 10:859. [PMID: 32537438 PMCID: PMC7267053 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a rare prostate cancer. Currently, a standard treatment regime for BCC of the prostate is lacking and most patients have a poor prognosis. We reported on a patient with BCC of the prostate whose cancer metastasized after undergoing a radical prostatectomy and whose prognosis improved after treatment with etoposide. Case Presentation: A 62-year-old male with a history of seminoma was admitted complaining of intermittent gross hematuria for 1 month. Following a prostate biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with BCC of the prostate and received radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy. Initially, the patient's symptoms improved; however, 2 years later, a chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed lung nodules. The patient did not exhibit any symptoms of BCC of the prostate; however, pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of the nodules confirmed metastatic BCC of the prostate. Chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin was well-tolerated but did not slow disease progression. Next-generation sequencing revealed mutations in the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM), SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily b-member 1 (SMARCB1), and phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1) genes. The patient did not receive targeted therapy owing to financial limitations and instead, etoposide was administered. A 9-month follow-up chest CT scan showed an 80% reduction in existing lung nodules and no new nodules had developed. Conclusion: Our patient, diagnosed with recurrent prostate BCC after receiving a radical prostatectomy, responded to treatment with etoposide. Radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy should remain first-line therapy; however, etoposide may be an alternative second-line therapy when other options are not available. Consensus regarding treatment plans, and the molecular mechanisms behind prostate BBC, must be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Dong
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, China
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Abstract
Soft-tissue sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of diseases with distinct genetic and clinical features accounting for up to 1% of cancer in adults and 15% of cancer in children. Epithelioid sarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive tumor affecting young adults that is characterized by loss of INI1 expression. INI1 (SMARCB1, SNF5, BAF47) is a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex that opposes the enzymatic function of EZH2. When INI1 loses its regulatory function, EZH2 activity is de-regulated, allowing EZH2 to play a driving, oncogenic role. Tazemetostat, a specific EZH2 inhibitor, has just been approved for patients with advanced epithelioid sarcoma and represents a new therapeutic option in this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Italiano
- Institut Bergonié, Early Phase Trial and Sarcoma Units, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33076, Bordeaux, CEDEX, France. .,INSERM U1218, Bordeaux, France. .,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
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Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Recent advances in sequencing techniques, and collaborative efforts to encode the mutational landscape of various tumor subtypes, have resulted in the identification of recurrent mutations that may present as actionable targets in these tumors. A number of molecularly targeted agents are approved or in development for the treatment of various tumor types in adult patients. Similarly, these agents are increasingly being incorporated into pediatric clinical trials, allowing for a targeted approach to treatment. However, due to the genetic heterogeneity of these tumors, focused clinical trials in pediatric patients are challenging and regulatory hurdles may delay access to therapeutic compounds that are in regular use in adult patients. The tumor site-agnostic clinical development of TRK inhibitors for pediatric solid tumors is a current example of how the combination of genetic testing and innovative clinical trial design can accelerate the clinical development of targeted agents for pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bornhorst
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.,Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and Neuroscience Research, The Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and Neuroscience Research, Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eugene I Hwang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. .,Center for Cancer and Immunology Research and Neuroscience Research, The Brain Tumor Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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SMARCA4-deficient Thoracic Sarcomas: Clinicopathologic Study of 30 Cases With an Emphasis on Their Nosology and Differential Diagnoses. Am J Surg Pathol 2020; 43:455-465. [PMID: 30451731 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
SMARCA4-deficient thoracic sarcoma (SMARCA4-DTS) is a recently described entity with an aggressive clinical course and specific genetic alterations of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex. In the present study, we reviewed the clinical and pathologic features of 30 cases of SMARCA4-DTS, discussed its main differential diagnoses and the challenging diagnostic scenarios that the average pathologist may face. In addition, we tested the specificity of the "SMARCA4-DTS immunohistochemical signature" (co-loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 with overexpression of SOX2) in a large cohort of intrathoracic malignancies. Patients ranged from 28 to 90 years of age (median: 48 y), with a marked male predominance (male:female=9:1) and they were usually smokers. Tumors were generally large compressive masses located in the mediastinum (n=13), pleura (n=5), lung (n=2) or in 2 or more of these topographies (n=10). Treatment strategies were varied, including 1 case treated with EZH2 inhibitors. Median overall survival was 6 months. Histologically, tumors were poorly differentiated frequently showing rhabdoid features. A subset of cases showed a focal myxoid stroma (7%, n=2/30) and rare cases displayed a previously unreported pattern simulating desmoplastic small round cell tumors (7%, n=2/30). Making a diagnosis was challenging when dealing with biopsy material from massively necrotic tumors and in this setting the expression of SOX2, CD34, and SALL4 proved useful. All tested cases displayed concomitant loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 and most tumors expressed epithelial markers (Pan-keratin or EMA) (n=29/30), SOX2 (n=26/27), and CD34 (n=17/27). SMARCB1 expression was retained in all cases (23/23). SALL4 and Claudin-4 were expressed in a subset of cases (n=7/21 and 2/19, respectively). TTF-1 and P63 were focally expressed in 1 case each. P40 and NUT were not expressed (0/23 and 0/20, respectively) The SMARCA4-DTS immunohistochemical signature was both sensitive and specific, with only a subset of small cell carcinoma of the ovary hypercalcemic type showing overlapping phenotypes. Our study confirms and expands the specific features of SMARCA4-DTS, emphasizing the fact that they can be straightforwardly identified by pathologists.
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Finetti MA, Grabovska Y, Bailey S, Williamson D. Translational genomics of malignant rhabdoid tumours: Current impact and future possibilities. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 61:30-41. [PMID: 31923457 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Rhabdoid Tumours (MRT) are the quintessential example of an epigenetic cancer. Mutation of a single gene, SMARCB1 or more rarely SMARCA4, is capable of causing one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers of early childhood and infancy. SMARCB1 encodes a core subunit of the SWI/SNF complex and its mutation evokes genome-wide downstream effects which may be counteracted therapeutically. Here we review and discuss the use of translational genomics in the study of MRT biology and the ways in which this has impacted clinical practice or may do so in the future. First, the diagnosis and definition of MRT and the transition from a histopathological to a molecular definition. Second, epigenetic and transcriptomic subgroups within MRT, their defining features and potential prognostic or therapeutic significance. Third, functional genomic studies of MRT by mouse modelling and forced re-expression of SMARCB1 in MRT cells. Fourth, studies of underlying epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. EZH2, HDACs) or deregulated kinases (e.g. PDGFR, FGFR1) and the potential therapeutic opportunities these provide. Finally, we discuss likely future directions and proffer opinion on how future translational genomics should be integrated into future biological/clinical studies to select and evaluate the best anti-MRT therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina A Finetti
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Yura Grabovska
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon Bailey
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Daniel Williamson
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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Katagi H, Louis N, Unruh D, Sasaki T, He X, Zhang A, Ma Q, Piunti A, Shimazu Y, Lamano JB, Carcaboso AM, Tian X, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V, Laurie KL, Kondo A, Wadhwani NR, Lulla R, Goldman S, Venneti S, Becher OJ, Zou L, Shilatifard A, Hashizume R. Radiosensitization by Histone H3 Demethylase Inhibition in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:5572-5583. [PMID: 31227500 PMCID: PMC6744979 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) has long been and remains the only treatment option for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). However, all patients show evidence of disease progression within months of completing RT. No further clinical benefit has been achieved using alternative radiation strategies. Here, we tested the hypothesis that histone demethylase inhibition by GSK-J4 enhances radiation-induced DNA damage, making it a potential radiosensitizer in the treatment of DIPG.Experimental Design: We evaluated the effects of GSK-J4 on genes associated with DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in DIPG cells by RNA sequence, ATAC sequence, and quantitative real-time PCR. Radiation-induced DNA DSB repair was analyzed by immunocytochemistry of DSB markers γH2AX and 53BP1, DNA-repair assay, and cell-cycle distribution. Clonogenic survival assay was used to determine the effect of GSK-J4 on radiation response of DIPG cells. In vivo response to radiation monotherapy and combination therapy of RT and GSK-J4 was evaluated in patient-derived DIPG xenografts. RESULTS GSK-J4 significantly reduced the expression of DNA DSB repair genes and DNA accessibility in DIPG cells. GSK-J4 sustained high levels of γH2AX and 53BP1 in irradiated DIPG cells, thereby inhibiting DNA DSB repair through homologous recombination pathway. GSK-J4 reduced clonogenic survival and enhanced radiation effect in DIPG cells. In vivo studies revealed increased survival of animals treated with combination therapy of RT and GSK-J4 compared with either monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results highlight GSK-J4 as a potential radiosensitizer and provide a rationale for developing combination therapy with radiation in the treatment of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Katagi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Nundia Louis
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Dusten Unruh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Takahiro Sasaki
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Xingyao He
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ali Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Quanhong Ma
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Andrea Piunti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Yosuke Shimazu
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jonathan Balquiedra Lamano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | | | - Xiao Tian
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Kathryn L Laurie
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cells Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Akihide Kondo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Nitin R Wadhwani
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rishi Lulla
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cells Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cells Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sriram Venneti
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr SPC 5054 Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Oren Josh Becher
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cells Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lihua Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Phi JH, Sun CH, Lee SH, Lee S, Park I, Choi SA, Park SH, Lee JY, Wang KC, Kim SK, Yun H, Park CK. NPM1 as a potential therapeutic target for atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:848. [PMID: 31462227 PMCID: PMC6714307 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are highly malignant brain tumors with inactivation of the SMARCB1 gene, which play a critical role in genomic transcriptional control. In this study, we analyzed the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of human AT/RTs to discover new druggable targets. Methods Multiplanar sequencing analyses, including whole exome sequencing (WES), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), and whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq), were performed on 4 AT/RT tissues. Validation of a druggable target was conducted using AT/RT cell lines. Results WES revealed that the AT/RT genome is extremely stable except for the inactivation of SMARCB1. However, we identified 897 significantly upregulated genes and 523 significantly downregulated genes identified using RNA-Seq, indicating that the transcriptional profiles of the AT/RT tissues changed substantially. Gene set enrichment assays revealed genes related to the canonical pathways of cancers, and nucleophosmin (NPM1) was the most significantly upregulated gene in the AT/RT samples. An NPM1 inhibitor (NSC348884) effectively suppressed the viability of 7 AT/RT cell lines. Network analyses showed that genes associated with NPM1 are mainly involved in cell cycle regulation. Upon treatment with an NPM1 inhibitor, cell cycle arrest at G1 phase was observed in AT/RT cells. Conclusions We propose that NPM1 is a novel therapeutic target for AT/RTs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-6044-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Phi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Hyun Sun
- Genome opinion Co., Ltd. 7, Yeonmujang 5ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmook Lee
- Graduated, Department of Statistics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Inho Park
- SD Genomics, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ah Choi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hye Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.,Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Chang Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ki Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Center for Precision Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chul-Kee Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.
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Treatment of dedifferentiated chordoma: a retrospective study from a large volume cancer center. J Neurooncol 2019; 144:369-376. [PMID: 31338785 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03239-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dedifferentiated chordomas (DC) are genetically and clinically distinct from conventional chordomas (CC), exhibiting frequent SMARCB1 alterations and a more aggressive clinical course. We compared treatment and outcomes of DC and CC patients in a retrospective cohort study from a single, large-volume cancer center. METHODS Overall, 11 DC patients were identified from 1994 to 2017 along with a cohort of 68 historical control patients with CC treated during the same time frame. Clinical variables and outcomes were collected from the medical record and Wilcoxon rank sum or Fisher exact tests were used to make comparisons between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were used to compare DC and CC overall survival. RESULTS DC demonstrated a bimodal age distribution at presentation (36% age 0-24; 64% age > 50). DC patients more commonly presented with metastatic disease than CC patients (36% vs. 3% p = 0.000). DC patients had significantly shorter time to local treatment failure after radiation therapy (11.1 months vs. 34.1 months, p = 0.000). The rate of distant metastasis following treatment was significantly higher in DC compared to CC (57% vs. 5%, p = 0.000). The median overall survival after diagnosis for DC was 20 months (95% CI 0-48 months) compared to 155 months (95% CI 94-216 months) for CC (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION DC patients exhibit significantly higher rates of both synchronous and metachronous metastases, as well as shorter overall survival rates compared to conventional chordoma. The relatively poor survival outcomes with conventional therapies indicate the need to study targeted therapies for the treatment of DC.
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Wu X, Scott H, Carlsson SV, Sjoberg DD, Cerundolo L, Lilja H, Prevo R, Rieunier G, Macaulay V, Higgins GS, Verrill CL, Lamb AD, Cunliffe VT, Bountra C, Hamdy FC, Bryant RJ. Increased EZH2 expression in prostate cancer is associated with metastatic recurrence following external beam radiotherapy. Prostate 2019; 79:1079-1089. [PMID: 31104332 PMCID: PMC6563086 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) promotes prostate cancer progression. We hypothesized that increased EZH2 expression is associated with postradiotherapy metastatic disease recurrence, and may promote radioresistance. METHODS EZH2 expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry in diagnostic prostate biopsies of 113 prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with curative intent. Associations between EZH2 expression in malignant and benign tissue in prostate biopsy cores and outcomes were investigated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. LNCaP and PC3 cell radiosensitivity was investigated using colony formation and γH2AX assays following UNC1999 chemical probe-mediated EZH2 inhibition. RESULTS While there was no significant association between EZH2 expression and biochemical recurrence following radiotherapy, univariate analysis revealed that prostate cancer cytoplasmic and total EZH2 expression were significantly associated with metastasis development postradiotherapy (P = 0.034 and P = 0.003, respectively). On multivariate analysis, the prostate cancer total EZH2 expression score remained statistically significant (P = 0.003), while cytoplasmic EZH2 expression did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.053). No association was observed between normal adjacent prostate EZH2 expression and biochemical recurrence or metastasis. LNCaP and PC3 cell treatment with UNC1999 reduced histone H3 lysine 27 tri-methylation levels. Irradiation of LNCaP or PC3 cells with a single 2 Gy fraction with UNC1999-mediated EZH2 inhibition resulted in a statistically significant, though modest, reduction in cell colony number for both cell lines. Increased γH2AX foci were observed 24 hours after ionizing irradiation in LNCaP cells, but not in PC3, following UNC1999-mediated EZH2 inhibition vs controls. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results reveal that high pretreatment EZH2 expression in prostate cancer in diagnostic biopsies is associated with an increased risk of postradiotherapy metastatic disease recurrence, but EZH2 function may only at most play a modest role in promoting prostate cancer cell radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Wu
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Helen Scott
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Sigrid V. Carlsson
- Department of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Urology Service at the Department of SurgeryMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Department of UrologyInstitute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg UniversityGothenburgSweden
| | - Daniel D. Sjoberg
- Department of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
| | - Lucia Cerundolo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Hans Lilja
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Surgery (Urology), and Medicine (GU‐Oncology)Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Department of Translational MedicineLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Remko Prevo
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Geoffrey S. Higgins
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Clare L. Verrill
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Alastair D. Lamb
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Vincent T. Cunliffe
- Department of Biomedical ScienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Chas Bountra
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Freddie C. Hamdy
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Bryant
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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Gorodetska I, Lukiyanchuk V, Peitzsch C, Kozeretska I, Dubrovska A. BRCA1 and EZH2 cooperate in regulation of prostate cancer stem cell phenotype. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:2974-2985. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ielizaveta Gorodetska
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ Rossendorf Dresden Germany
| | - Vasyl Lukiyanchuk
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ Rossendorf Dresden Germany
- Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ RossendorfInstitute of Radiooncology – OncoRay Dresden Germany
| | - Claudia Peitzsch
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ Rossendorf Dresden Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT)Partner Site Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, and; Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ Rossendorf (HZDR) Dresden Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
| | - Iryna Kozeretska
- Department of General and Medical GeneticsESC “The Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Kyiv Ukraine
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ Rossendorf Dresden Germany
- Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden ‐ RossendorfInstitute of Radiooncology – OncoRay Dresden Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
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Copeland RA. Protein methyltransferase inhibitors as precision cancer therapeutics: a decade of discovery. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0080. [PMID: 29685962 PMCID: PMC5915721 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein methyltransferases (PMTs) represent a large class of enzymes that catalyse the methylation of side chain nitrogen atoms of the amino acids lysine or arginine at specific locations along the primary sequence of target proteins. These enzymes play a key role in the spatio-temporal control of gene transcription by performing site-specific methylation of lysine or arginine residues within the histone proteins of chromatin, thus effecting chromatin conformational changes that activate or repress gene transcription. Over the past decade, it has become clear that the dysregulated activity of some PMTs plays an oncogenic role in a number of human cancers. Here we review research of the past decade that has identified specific PMTs as oncogenic drivers of cancers and progress toward the discovery and development of selective, small molecule inhibitors of these enzymes as precision cancer therapeutics. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Frontiers in epigenetic chemical biology’.
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44
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Alfert A, Moreno N, Kerl K. The BAF complex in development and disease. Epigenetics Chromatin 2019; 12:19. [PMID: 30898143 PMCID: PMC6427853 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-019-0264-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complex BAF (= mammalian SWI/SNF complex) is crucial for the regulation of gene expression and differentiation. In the course of evolution from yeast to mammals, the BAF complex evolved an immense complexity with a high number of subunits encoded by gene families. In this way, tissue-specific BAF function and regulation of development begin with the combinatorial assembly of distinct BAF complexes such as esBAF, npBAF and nBAF. Furthermore, whole-genome sequencing reveals the tremendous role BAF complex mutations have in both neurodevelopmental disorders and human malignancies. Therefore, gaining a more elaborate insight into how BAF complex assembly influences its function and which role distinct subunits play, will hopefully give rise to a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and ultimately to new treatments for many human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Alfert
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Domagkstraße 24, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Natalia Moreno
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Domagkstraße 24, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Domagkstraße 24, 48149 Muenster, Germany
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45
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Erkek S, Johann PD, Finetti MA, Drosos Y, Chou HC, Zapatka M, Sturm D, Jones DTW, Korshunov A, Rhyzova M, Wolf S, Mallm JP, Beck K, Witt O, Kulozik AE, Frühwald MC, Northcott PA, Korbel JO, Lichter P, Eils R, Gajjar A, Roberts CWM, Williamson D, Hasselblatt M, Chavez L, Pfister SM, Kool M. Comprehensive Analysis of Chromatin States in Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor Identifies Diverging Roles for SWI/SNF and Polycomb in Gene Regulation. Cancer Cell 2019; 35:95-110.e8. [PMID: 30595504 PMCID: PMC6341227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Biallelic inactivation of SMARCB1, encoding a member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is the hallmark genetic aberration of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT). Here, we report how loss of SMARCB1 affects the epigenome in these tumors. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) on primary tumors for a series of active and repressive histone marks, we identified the chromatin states differentially represented in ATRTs compared with other brain tumors and non-neoplastic brain. Re-expression of SMARCB1 in ATRT cell lines enabled confirmation of our genome-wide findings for the chromatin states. Additional generation of ChIP-seq data for SWI/SNF and Polycomb group proteins and the transcriptional repressor protein REST determined differential dependencies of SWI/SNF and Polycomb complexes in regulation of diverse gene sets in ATRTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serap Erkek
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Biology Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina A Finetti
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, NE2 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Yiannis Drosos
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, USA
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, USA
| | - Marc Zapatka
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Sturm
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marina Rhyzova
- Department of Neuropathology, Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Stephan Wolf
- Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Mallm
- Genome Organization & Function Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-HIPO, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Beck
- Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-HIPO, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas E Kulozik
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- University Children's Hospital Augsburg, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; EU-RHAB Registry Center, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Paul A Northcott
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jan O Korbel
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Biology Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Lichter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology, DKFZ-HIPO, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Eils
- Genome Organization & Function Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, USA
| | - Charles W M Roberts
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 38105 Memphis, USA
| | - Daniel Williamson
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, NE2 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Lukas Chavez
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center at the NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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46
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Natsumeda M, Liu Y, Nakata S, Miyahara H, Hanaford A, Ahsan S, Stearns D, Skuli N, Kahlert UD, Raabe EH, Rodriguez FJ, Eberhart CG. Inhibition of enhancer of zest homologue 2 is a potential therapeutic target for high-MYC medulloblastoma. Neuropathology 2019; 39:71-77. [PMID: 30632221 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
MYC amplification is common in Group 3 medulloblastoma and is associated with poor survival. Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastomas are also known to have elevated levels of histone H3-lysine 27-tri-methylation (H3K27me3), at least in part due to high expression of the H3K27 methyltransferase enhancer of zest homologue 2 (EZH2), which can be regulated by MYC. We therefore examined whether MYC expression is associated with elevated EZH2 and H3K27me3 in medulloblastoma, and if high-MYC medulloblastomas are particularly sensitive to pharmacological EZH2 blockade. Western blot analysis of low (DAOY, UW228, CB SV40) and high (DAOY-MYC, UW228-MYC, CB-MYC, D425) MYC cell lines showed that higher levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 were associated with elevated MYC. In fixed medulloblastoma samples examined using immunohistochemistry, most MYC positive tumors also had high H3K27me3, but many MYC negative ones did as well, and the correlation was not statistically significant. All high MYC lines tested were sensitive to the EZH2 inhibitor EPZ6438. Many low MYC lines also grew more slowly in the presence of EPZ6438, although DAOY-MYC cells responded more strongly than parent DAOY cultures with lower MYC levels. We find that higher MYC levels are associated with increased EZH2, and pharmacological blockade of EZH2 is a potential therapeutic strategy for aggressive medulloblastoma with elevated MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Natsumeda
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Satoshi Nakata
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hiroaki Miyahara
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Allison Hanaford
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sama Ahsan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Duncan Stearns
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicolas Skuli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ulf D Kahlert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric H Raabe
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fausto J Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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47
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Veo B, Danis E, Pierce A, Sola I, Wang D, Foreman NK, Jin J, Ma A, Serkova N, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Combined functional genomic and chemical screens identify SETD8 as a therapeutic target in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. JCI Insight 2019; 4:122933. [PMID: 30626740 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in children, accounting for 20% of all childhood brain tumors. The molecular profiling of MB into 4 major subgroups (WNT, SHH, Grp3, and Grp4) emphasizes the heterogeneity of MB and opens paths in which treatments may be targeted to molecularly aggressive and distinct tumors. Current therapeutic strategies for Group 3 MB are challenging and can be accompanied by long-term side effects from treatment. The involvement of altered epigenetic machinery in neoplastic transformation in MB has become more evident. Thus, we performed an epigenomic RNAi and chemical screen and identified SETD8/PRE-SET7/KMT5a as a critical player in maintaining proliferation and cell survival of MB cells. We have found that inhibition of SETD8 effects the migration/invasive ability of MB cells. SETD8 alters H4K20me chromatin occupancy at key genes involved in tumor invasiveness and pluripotency. Interestingly, these results link the aggressive and metastatic behavior of MYC-driven MB with SETD8 activity. Based on our results, we suggest that SETD8 has a critical role mediating Group 3 MB tumorigenesis. Establishing a role for SETD8 as a factor in MYC-driven MB has potential to lead to more effective therapies needed to improve outcomes in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ismail Sola
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anqi Ma
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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48
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Lu B, Shi H. An In-Depth Look at Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT): Clinical Implications from Recent Molecular Findings. J Cancer 2019; 10:223-237. [PMID: 30662543 PMCID: PMC6329856 DOI: 10.7150/jca.26978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a highly aggressive cancer in young women. The histogenesis remains unclear although a potential origin of germ cells has been suggested recently. The high throughput next generation sequencing techniques have facilitated the identification of inactivating SMARCA4 mutations as the driver of SCCOHT. These findings may greatly impact on the prevention, diagnosis, molecular classification and treatment of SCCOHTs. The SMARCA4 mutations, typically associated with dual loss of BRG1 and BRM expression, are highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SCCOHT. Germline mutations of SMARCA4 support familial SCCOHT with a critical requirement of genetic counseling and possible prophylactic surgery for carriers. SCCOHT, malignant atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, thoracic sarcomas and some undifferentiated carcinomas harbor rhabdoid morphology and mutations in the SMARC genes, generating an emerging molecular classification of SMARC-mutated tumors. A multi-modality treatment approach consisting of surgery and high dose multi-agent chemotherapy in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors may have potential benefits for SCCOHT patients. Preliminary studies have implicated that the inhibitors targeting EZH2 and the receptor tyrosine kinase, and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy might be potentially effective for SCCOHT patients. These recent advances on molecular genetics, diagnosis and treatment of SCCOHT address the necessity of multiple institutional collaboration work among oncologist, pathologist, genomic scientist, geneticist, molecular biologist, and pharmacologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Lu
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China.,Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Haiyan Shi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China
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49
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Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related death during childhood. Unfortunately, the number of primary and metastatic brain tumors is steadily increasing while the mortality rates for many central nervous system (CNS) lesions have remained stagnant. Molecularly defined tumor classes have been added to the most recent 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification System of Central Nervous System Brain Tumors, driving potential new treatments and identifying targets to improve survival for these patients. Focusing on the genetic mutations most commonly seen in the pediatric CNS tumor population provides the ability to better define tumors based on shared molecular characteristics. Consequently, there is the potential for greater efficacy in targeted therapy to treat these identified genetic aberrations. Understanding the growing importance of molecular diagnosis in pediatric CNS tumors is vital to successfully using novel targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.
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50
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Wang C, Su K, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Chu D, Zhao Q, Guo R. MicroRNA-365 targets multiple oncogenes to inhibit proliferation, invasion, and self-renewal of aggressive endometrial cancer cells. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:5171-5185. [PMID: 30464615 PMCID: PMC6215916 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s174889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNA-365 (miR-365) has been reported to be a tumor suppressor miRNA. However, the role of miR-365 in progression of endometrial cancer (EC) has not been explored, in this study, we have found that re-expression of miRNA-365 inhibits cell proliferation, causes apoptosis and senescence. Materials and methods Overexpression of miR-365 attenuated cell migration and invasion, inhibited sphere-forming capacity, and enhanced the chemosensitivity to paclitaxel. In silico prediction tools identified the potential targets of miR-365. Results We identified EZH2 and FOS as targets of miR-365 and found that downregulating these genes imitated the tumor suppressive effect of miR-365. The outcomes of the study suggested that a reverse correlation existed between low miR-365 and overexpression of FOS and EZH2 in EC tissue specimens. Conclusion The study concludes that miR-365 acts as an important tumor suppressor and contributes by suppressing cell invasiveness, proliferation, and self-renewal in cancer cell lines by regulating multiple oncogenes. We establish that miR-365-EZH2/FOS pathway is an important target for treating EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Ke Su
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Danxia Chu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
| | - Ruixia Guo
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China,
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