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Hasegawa N, Hayashi T, Niizuma H, Kikuta K, Imanishi J, Endo M, Ikeuchi H, Sasa K, Sano K, Hirabayashi K, Takagi T, Ishijima M, Kato S, Kohsaka S, Saito T, Suehara Y. Detection of Novel Tyrosine Kinase Fusion Genes as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas Using DNA/RNA-based Clinical Sequencing. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2024; 482:549-563. [PMID: 38014853 PMCID: PMC10871756 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 1% of clinically treatable tyrosine kinase fusions, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase, RET proto-oncogene, and ROS proto-oncogene 1, have been identified in soft tissue sarcomas via comprehensive genome profiling based on DNA sequencing. Histologic tumor-specific fusion genes have been reported in approximately 20% of soft tissue sarcomas; however, unlike tyrosine kinase fusion genes, these fusions cannot be directly targeted in therapy. Approximately 80% of tumor-specific fusion-negative sarcomas, including myxofibrosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma, that are defined in complex karyotype sarcomas remain genetically uncharacterized; this mutually exclusive pattern of mutations suggests that other mutually exclusive driver oncogenes are yet to be discovered. Tumor-specific, fusion-negative sarcomas may be associated with unique translocations, and oncogenic fusion genes, including tyrosine kinase fusions, may have been overlooked in these sarcomas. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) Can DNA- or RNA-based analysis reveal any characteristic gene alterations in bone and soft tissue sarcomas? (2) Can useful and potential tyrosine kinase fusions in tumors from tumor-specific, fusion-negative sarcomas be detected using an RNA-based screening system? (3) Do the identified potential fusion tumors, especially in neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions in bone sarcoma, transform cells and respond to targeted drug treatment in in vitro assays? (4) Can the identified tyrosine kinase fusion genes in sarcomas be useful therapeutic targets? METHODS Between 2017 and 2020, we treated 100 patients for bone and soft tissue sarcomas at five institutions. Any biopsy or surgery from which a specimen could be obtained was included as potentially eligible. Ninety percent (90 patients) of patients were eligible; a further 8% (8 patients) were excluded because they were either lost to follow-up or their diagnosis was changed, leaving 82% (82 patients) for analysis here. To answer our first and second questions regarding gene alterations and potential tyrosine kinase fusions in eight bone and 74 soft tissue sarcomas, we used the TruSight Tumor 170 assay to detect mutations, copy number variations, and gene fusions in the samples. To answer our third question, we performed functional analyses involving in vitro assays to determine whether the identified tyrosine kinase fusions were associated with oncogenic abilities and drug responses. Finally, to determine usefulness as therapeutic targets, two pediatric patients harboring an NTRK fusion and an ALK fusion were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in clinical trials. RESULTS DNA/RNA-based analysis demonstrated characteristic alterations in bone and soft tissue sarcomas; DNA-based analyses detected TP53 and copy number alterations of MDM2 and CDK4 . These single-nucleotide variants and copy number variations were enriched in specific fusion-negative sarcomas. RNA-based screening detected fusion genes in 24% (20 of 82) of patients. Useful potential fusions were detected in 19% (11 of 58) of tumor-specific fusion-negative sarcomas, with nine of these patients harboring tyrosine kinase fusion genes; five of these patients had in-frame tyrosine kinase fusion genes ( STRN3-NTRK3, VWC2-EGFR, ICK-KDR, FOXP2-MET , and CEP290-MET ) with unknown pathologic significance. The functional analysis revealed that STRN3-NTRK3 rearrangement that was identified in bone had a strong transforming potential in 3T3 cells, and that STRN3-NTRK3 -positive cells were sensitive to larotrectinib in vitro. To confirm the usefulness of identified tyrosine kinase fusion genes as therapeutic targets, patients with well-characterized LMNA-NTRK1 and CLTC-ALK fusions were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in clinical trials, and a complete response was achieved. CONCLUSION We identified useful potential therapeutic targets for tyrosine kinase fusions in bone and soft tissue sarcomas using RNA-based analysis. We successfully identified STRN3-NTRK3 fusion in a patient with leiomyosarcoma of bone and determined the malignant potential of this fusion gene via functional analyses and drug effects. In light of these discoveries, comprehensive genome profiling should be considered even if the sarcoma is a bone sarcoma. There seem to be some limitations regarding current DNA-based comprehensive genome profiling tests, and it is important to use RNA testing for proper diagnosis and accurate identification of fusion genes. Studies on more patients, validation of results, and further functional analysis of unknown tyrosine kinase fusion genes are required to establish future treatments. CLINICAL RELEVANCE DNA- and RNA-based screening systems may be useful for detecting tyrosine kinase fusion genes in specific fusion-negative sarcomas and identifying key therapeutic targets, leading to possible breakthroughs in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Given that current DNA sequencing misses fusion genes, RNA-based screening systems should be widely considered as a worldwide test for sarcoma. If standard treatments such as chemotherapy are not effective, or even if the sarcoma is of bone, RNA sequencing should be considered to identify as many therapeutic targets as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Hasegawa
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Niizuma
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Kikuta
- Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Tochigi Cancer Center, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Jungo Imanishi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology and Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Makoto Endo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ikeuchi
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keita Sasa
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Sano
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Hirabayashi
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Tochigi Cancer Center, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takagi
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Muneaki Ishijima
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kato
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Sasa K, Son R, Oguchi A, Ashizawa K, Hasegawa N, Kubota D, Suehara Y, Takagi T, Okubo T, Akaike K, Sugimoto K, Takahashi M, Sakamoto K, Hashimoto T, Mine S, Fukunaga T, Ishijima M, Hayashi T, Yao T, Murakawa Y, Saito T. NTRK2 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors with a special emphasis on the clinicopathological and prognostic impacts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:768. [PMID: 38191907 PMCID: PMC10774370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typically characterized by activating mutations of the KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). Recently, the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion was reported in a small subset of wild-type GIST. We examined trk IHC and NTRK gene expressions in GIST. Pan-trk immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive in 25 (all 16 duodenal and 9 out of 16 small intestinal GISTs) of 139 cases, and all pan-trk positive cases showed diffuse and strong expression of c-kit. Interestingly, all of these cases showed only trkB but not trkA/trkC expression. Cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) analysis identified increased number of genes whose promoters were activated in pan-trk/trkB positive GISTs. Imbalanced expression of NTRK2, which suggests the presence of NTRK2 fusion, was not observed in any of trkB positive GISTs, despite higher mRNA expression. TrkB expression was found in duodenal GISTs and more than half of small intestinal GISTs, and this subset of cases showed poor prognosis. However, there was not clear difference in clinical outcomes according to the trkB expression status in small intestinal GISTs. These findings may provide a possible hypothesis for trkB overexpression contributing to the tumorigenesis and aggressive clinical outcome in GISTs of duodenal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sasa
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Raku Son
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Akiko Oguchi
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Karin Ashizawa
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hasegawa
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kubota
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takagi
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketo Okubo
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Akaike
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamanashi Central Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kiichi Sugimoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Makoto Takahashi
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sakamoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Shinji Mine
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Tetsu Fukunaga
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Muneaki Ishijima
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yao
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- IFOM ETS - the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
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Liu X, Duan Y, Wang G, Zhu P. A novel TPD52L2-ROS1 gene fusion expanding the molecular alterations in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: case report and literature review. Diagn Pathol 2023; 18:105. [PMID: 37735390 PMCID: PMC10512592 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-023-01382-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a distinctive tumor composed of spindle cells accompanied by mixed inflammatory cells, and immunohistochemical positivity for ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein) can be detected in half of IMTs. The diagnosis of ALK-negative IMT could be a challenge. Recently, the fusions of some kinase genes, such as RET, NTRK1, ROS1, etc., are revealed in ALK-negative IMT. CASE PRESENTATION A 19-year-old woman presented with swelling of the left upper arm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a tumor in the left postbrachium extended to the left axillary, serratus anterior muscle, and latissimus dorsi muscle. Histopathologically, the irregular-circumscribed tumor was composed of dense spindle-shaped cells with eosinophilic abundant cytoplasm and hyalinized mesenchyme in an inflammatory background. Immunohistochemically (IHC), tumor cells were positive for SMA, MDM2, and p16; the cells were negative for desmin, MyoD1, Myogenin, pan-cytokeratin, S100, SOX10, HMB45, Malen-A, CD34, CD31, CD99, and ALK. By RNA-based NGS, a novel fusion between TPD52L2 3' end of exon 1-4 and ROS1 5' end of exon 36-43 was revealed. ROS1 IHC staining was negative. The final diagnosis of IMT with TPD52L2-ROS1 fusion was made. Subsequently, the patient experienced a good clinical response to Crizotinib, and clinical follow-up showed stable disease after 9 months. CONCLUSION This report expands the spectrum of ROS1 gene rearrangements in the IMT and highlights the importance of molecular analysis of IMT for getting a diagnostic clue and determining potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yaqi Duan
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Ruzzi F, Angelicola S, Landuzzi L, Nironi E, Semprini MS, Scalambra L, Altimari A, Gruppioni E, Fiorentino M, Giunchi F, Ferracin M, Astolfi A, Indio V, Ardizzoni A, Gelsomino F, Nanni P, Lollini PL, Palladini A. ADK-VR2, a cell line derived from a treatment-naïve patient with SDC4-ROS1 fusion-positive primarily crizotinib-resistant NSCLC: a novel preclinical model for new drug development of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2022; 11:2216-2229. [PMID: 36519016 PMCID: PMC9742620 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-22-163] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ROS1 fusions are driver molecular alterations in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown high efficacy in patients whose tumors harbour a ROS1 fusion. However, the limited availability of preclinical models of ROS1-positive NSCLC hinders the discovery of new drugs and the understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance and strategies to overcome it. METHODS The ADK-VR2 cell line was derived from the pleural effusion of a treatment-naïve NSCLC patient bearing SDC4-ROS1 gene fusion. The sensitivity of ADK-VR2 and its crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 (selected in 3D culture in the presence of crizotinib) to different TKIs was tested in vitro, in both 2D and 3D conditions. Tumorigenic and metastatic ability was assessed in highly immunodeficient mice. In addition, crizotinib efficacy on ADK-VR2 was evaluated in vivo. RESULTS 2D-growth of ADK-VR2 cells was partially inhibited by crizotinib. On the contrary, the treatment with other TKIs, such as lorlatinib, entrectinib and DS-6051b, did not result in cell growth inhibition. TKIs showed dramatically different efficacy on ADK-VR2 cells, depending on the cell culture conditions. In 3D culture, ADK-VR2 growth was indeed almost totally inhibited by lorlatinib and DS-6051b. The clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed higher resistance to crizotinib treatment in vitro, compared to its parental cell line, in both 2D and 3D cultures. Similarly to ADK-VR2, ADK-VR2 AG143 growth was strongly inhibited by lorlatinib in 3D conditions. Nevertheless, ADK-VR2 AG143 sphere formation was less affected by TKIs treatment, compared to the parental cell line. In vivo experiments highlighted the high tumorigenic and metastatic ability of ADK-VR2 cell line, which, once injected in immunodeficient mice, gave rise to both spontaneous and experimental lung metastases while the crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed a slower growth in vivo. In addition, ADK-VR2 tumor growth was significantly reduced but not eradicated by crizotinib treatment. CONCLUSIONS The ADK-VR2 cell line is a promising NSCLC preclinical model for the study of novel targeted therapies against ROS1 fusions and the mechanisms of resistance to TKI therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ruzzi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Angelicola
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Nironi
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Semprini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Scalambra
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Altimari
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Gruppioni
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Giunchi
- Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Indio
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Divisione di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Gelsomino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Divisione di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Arianna Palladini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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van Oost S, Meijer DM, Kuijjer ML, Bovée JVMG, de Miranda NFCC. Linking Immunity with Genomics in Sarcomas: Is Genomic Complexity an Immunogenic Trigger? Biomedicines 2021; 9:1048. [PMID: 34440251 PMCID: PMC8391750 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas comprise a collection of highly heterogeneous malignancies that can be grossly grouped in the categories of sarcomas with simple or complex genomes. Since the outcome for most sarcoma patients has barely improved in the last decades, there is an urgent need for improved therapies. Immunotherapy, and especially T cell checkpoint blockade, has recently been a game-changer in cancer therapy as it produced significant and durable treatment responses in several cancer types. Currently, only a small fraction of sarcoma patients benefit from immunotherapy, supposedly due to a general lack of somatically mutated antigens (neoantigens) and spontaneous T cell immunity in most cancers. However, genomic events resulting from chromosomal instability are frequent in sarcomas with complex genomes and could drive immunity in those tumors. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms that shape the immune landscape of sarcomas will be crucial to overcoming the current challenges of sarcoma immunotherapy. This review focuses on what is currently known about the tumor microenvironment in sarcomas and how this relates to their genomic features. Moreover, we discuss novel therapeutic strategies that leverage the tumor microenvironment to increase the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy, and which could provide new avenues for the treatment of sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddh van Oost
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.v.O.); (D.M.M.); (M.L.K.); (N.F.C.C.d.M.)
| | - Debora M. Meijer
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.v.O.); (D.M.M.); (M.L.K.); (N.F.C.C.d.M.)
| | - Marieke L. Kuijjer
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.v.O.); (D.M.M.); (M.L.K.); (N.F.C.C.d.M.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Judith V. M. G. Bovée
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.v.O.); (D.M.M.); (M.L.K.); (N.F.C.C.d.M.)
| | - Noel F. C. C. de Miranda
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.v.O.); (D.M.M.); (M.L.K.); (N.F.C.C.d.M.)
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Tang F, Tie Y, Wei YQ, Tu CQ, Wei XW. Targeted and immuno-based therapies in sarcoma: mechanisms and advances in clinical trials. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188606. [PMID: 34371128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas represent a distinct group of rare malignant tumors with high heterogeneity. Limited options with clinical efficacy for the metastatic or local advanced sarcoma existed despite standard therapy. Recently, targeted therapy according to the molecular and genetic phenotype of individual sarcoma is a promising option. Among these drugs, anti-angiogenesis therapy achieved favorable efficacy in sarcomas. Inhibitors targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, mTOR, NTRK, metabolisms, and epigenetic drugs are under clinical evaluation for sarcomas bearing the corresponding signals. Immunotherapy represents a promising and favorable method in advanced solid tumors. However, most sarcomas are immune "cold" tumors, with only alveolar soft part sarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cellular therapies with TCR-engineered T cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and nature killer cells transfer show therapeutic potential. Identifying tumor-specific antigens and exploring immune modulation factors arguing the efficacy of these immunotherapies are the current challenges. This review focuses on the mechanisms, advances, and potential strategies of targeted and immune-based therapies in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Tang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Orthopeadics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong-Qi Tu
- Department of Orthopeadics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xia-Wei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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7
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Panagopoulos I, Heim S. Interstitial Deletions Generating Fusion Genes. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:167-196. [PMID: 33893073 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20251] [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: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A fusion gene is the physical juxtaposition of two different genes resulting in a structure consisting of the head of one gene and the tail of the other. Gene fusion is often a primary neoplasia-inducing event in leukemias, lymphomas, solid malignancies as well as benign tumors. Knowledge about fusion genes is crucial not only for our understanding of tumorigenesis, but also for the diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of cancer. Balanced chromosomal rearrangements, in particular translocations and inversions, are the most frequent genetic events leading to the generation of fusion genes. In the present review, we summarize the existing knowledge on chromosome deletions as a mechanism for fusion gene formation. Such deletions are mostly submicroscopic and, hence, not detected by cytogenetic analyses but by array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) and/or high throughput sequencing (HTS). They are found across the genome in a variety of neoplasias. As tumors are increasingly analyzed using aCGH and HTS, it is likely that more interstitial deletions giving rise to fusion genes will be found, significantly impacting our understanding and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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