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Tirelli M, Bonfiglio F, Cantalupo S, Montella A, Avitabile M, Maiorino T, Diskin SJ, Iolascon A, Capasso M. Integrative genomic analyses identify neuroblastoma risk genes involved in neuronal differentiation. Hum Genet 2024:10.1007/s00439-024-02700-2. [PMID: 39192051 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have been decisive in elucidating the genetic predisposition of neuroblastoma (NB). The majority of genetic variants identified in GWAS are found in non-coding regions, suggesting that they can be causative of pathogenic dysregulations of gene expression. Nonetheless, pinpointing the potential causal genes within implicated genetic loci remains a major challenge. In this study, we integrated NB GWAS and expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) data from adrenal gland to identify candidate genes impacting NB susceptibility. We found that ZMYM1, CBL, GSKIP and WDR81 expression was dysregulated by NB predisposing variants. We further investigated the functional role of the identified genes through computational analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from single-cell and whole-tissue samples of NB, neural crest, and adrenal gland tissues, as well as through in vitro differentiation assays in NB cell cultures. Our results indicate that dysregulation of ZMYM1, CBL, GSKIP, WDR81 may lead to malignant transformation by affecting early and late stages of normal program of neuronal differentiation. Our findings enhance the understanding of how specific genes contribute to NB pathogenesis by highlighting their influence on neuronal differentiation and emphasizing the impact of genetic risk variants on the regulation of genes involved in critical biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Tirelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Bonfiglio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Sueva Cantalupo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalaura Montella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Maiorino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Sharon J Diskin
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 19104, Philadelphia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 19104, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80145, Naples, Italy.
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2
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Xu M, Hong JJ, Zhang X, Sun M, Liu X, Kang J, Stack H, Fang W, Lei H, Lacoste X, Okada R, Jung R, Nguyen R, Shern JF, Thiele CJ, Liu Z. Targeting SWI/SNF ATPases reduces neuroblastoma cell plasticity. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00206-1. [PMID: 39174852 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00206-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor cell heterogeneity defines therapy responsiveness in neuroblastoma (NB), a cancer derived from neural crest cells. NB consists of two primary subtypes: adrenergic and mesenchymal. Adrenergic traits predominate in NB tumors, while mesenchymal features becomes enriched post-chemotherapy or after relapse. The interconversion between these subtypes contributes to NB lineage plasticity, but the underlying mechanisms driving this phenotypic switching remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex ATPases are essential in establishing an mesenchymal gene-permissive chromatin state in adrenergic-type NB, facilitating lineage plasticity. Targeting SWI/SNF ATPases with SMARCA2/4 dual degraders effectively inhibits NB cell proliferation, invasion, and notably, cellular plasticity, thereby preventing chemotherapy resistance. Mechanistically, depletion of SWI/SNF ATPases compacts cis-regulatory elements, diminishes enhancer activity, and displaces core transcription factors (MYCN, HAND2, PHOX2B, and GATA3) from DNA, thereby suppressing transcriptional programs associated with plasticity. These findings underscore the pivotal role of SWI/SNF ATPases in driving intrinsic plasticity and therapy resistance in neuroblastoma, highlighting an epigenetic target for combinational treatments in this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason J Hong
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ming Sun
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xingyu Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeeyoun Kang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hannah Stack
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wendy Fang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xavier Lacoste
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Reona Okada
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Raina Jung
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rosa Nguyen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jack F Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Kiri S, Ryba T. Cancer, metastasis, and the epigenome. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:154. [PMID: 39095874 PMCID: PMC11295362 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02069-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and disease burden is expected to increase globally throughout the next several decades, with the majority of cancer-related deaths occurring in metastatic disease. Cancers exhibit known hallmarks that endow them with increased survival and proliferative capacities, frequently as a result of de-stabilizing mutations. However, the genomic features that resolve metastatic clones from primary tumors are not yet well-characterized, as no mutational landscape has been identified as predictive of metastasis. Further, many cancers exhibit no known mutation signature. This suggests a larger role for non-mutational genome re-organization in promoting cancer evolution and dissemination. In this review, we highlight current critical needs for understanding cell state transitions and clonal selection advantages for metastatic cancer cells. We examine links between epigenetic states, genome structure, and misregulation of tumor suppressors and oncogenes, and discuss how recent technologies for understanding domain-scale regulation have been leveraged for a more complete picture of oncogenic and metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Kiri
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando, 32827, Florida, USA.
| | - Tyrone Ryba
- Department of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 34243, Florida, USA.
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Nian Z, Wang D, Wang H, Liu W, Ma Z, Yan J, Cao Y, Li J, Zhao Q, Liu Z. Single-cell RNA-seq reveals the transcriptional program underlying tumor progression and metastasis in neuroblastoma. Front Med 2024; 18:690-707. [PMID: 39014137 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-024-1081-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common childhood malignancies. Sixty percent of patients present with widely disseminated clinical signs at diagnosis and exhibit poor outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms triggering NB metastasis remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we generated a transcriptomic atlas of 15 447 NB cells from eight NB samples, including paired samples of primary tumors and bone marrow metastases. We used time-resolved analysis to chart the evolutionary trajectory of NB cells from the primary tumor to the metastases in the same patient and identified a common 'starter' subpopulation that initiates tumor development and metastasis. The 'starter' population exhibited high expression levels of multiple cell cycle-related genes, indicating the important role of cell cycle upregulation in NB tumor progression. In addition, our evolutionary trajectory analysis demonstrated the involvement of partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (p-EMT) along the metastatic route from the primary site to the bone marrow. Our study provides insights into the program driving NB metastasis and presents a signature of metastasis-initiating cells as an independent prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target to inhibit the initiation of NB metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Nian
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Wenxu Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Zhenyi Ma
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yanna Cao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Lin X, Shao K, Lin Z, Liang Q, Li X, Chen H, Wu J. Identification of a ferroptosis-related gene signature for the prognosis of pediatric neuroblastoma. Transl Cancer Res 2024; 13:3678-3694. [PMID: 39145053 PMCID: PMC11319987 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-24-269] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Ferroptosis-related genes are correlated with the prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma (NB) remains unknown. This study aims to establish a prognostic ferroptosis-related gene model for predicting prognostic value in pediatric NB patients. Methods The gene expression array and clinical characteristics of NB were downloaded from a public database. Correlations between ferroptosis-related genes and drug responses were analyzed by Childhood Cancer Therapeutics. The prognostic model was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and was validated in NB patients from the ICGC cohort. The survival analysis was performed by Cox regression analysis. single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to quantify the immune cell infiltration correlation. Results Overall, 70 genes were identified as ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from 247 samples. Then, 13 ferroptosis-related genes were correlated with OS in the univariate Cox regression analysis. Five prognostic ferroptosis-related DEGs (pFR-DEGs) (STEAP3, MAP1LC3A, ULK2, MTOR and TUBE1), which were defined as the intersection of DEGs and prognostic ferroptosis-related genes, were identified and utilized to construct the prognostic signature. The correlation between five pFR-DEGs and drug responses was analyzed, and the box plots indicated that MTOR gene expression was highest, suggesting that MTOR expression is related to progressive NB disease. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the model had moderate predictive power. The survival analysis indicated that the high-risk group had poor overall survival (OS) (P=2.087×10-06). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the risk score as a significant prognostic risk factor [P=0.003, hazard ratio (HR) =1.933]. Immune cell infiltration correlation analysis showed that the high-risk group was related to more immune cells. Conclusions The present study indicated a difference in ferroptosis-related gene expression between low- and high-risk NB patients. The ferroptosis-related signature could serve as a prognostic prediction tool. Additionally, immune infiltration might play an important role in different risk groups for NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Kongfeng Shao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhuangbin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiandong Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junxin Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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6
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Winnicka D, Skowera P, Stelmach M, Styka B, Lejman M. Application of the FISH method and high-density SNP arrays to assess genetic changes in neuroblastoma-research by one institute. Acta Biochim Pol 2024; 71:12821. [PMID: 39049899 PMCID: PMC11267511 DOI: 10.3389/abp.2024.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Amplification of the MYCN gene has been observed in approximately 20%-30% of tumors. It is strongly correlated with advanced-stage disease, rapid tumor progression, resistance to chemotherapy and poor outcomes independent of patient age and stage of advanced disease. MYCN amplification identifies high-risk patients. To assess neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN amplification we used paraffin-embedded tissue sections in 57 patients and intraoperative tumor imprints in 10 patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive results for MYCN amplification have been observed in twelve patients' paraffin-embedded tissue sections and in three patients' intraoperative tumor imprints, which represents 22.4% of all patients tested in the analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization is a highly sensitive and useful technique for detecting MYCN amplification on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of neuroblastoma tumors and intraoperative tumor imprints thus facilitating therapeutic decisions based on the presence or absence of this important biologic marker. The presence of structural changes, regardless of MYCN gene amplification status, influences the clinical behavior of neuroblastoma. High-Density SNP Arrays have emerged as the perfect tools for detecting these changes due to their exceptional accuracy, sensitivity and ability to analyze copy number and allele information. Consequently, they are proven to be highly valuable in the genomic diagnosis of immature neuroectodermal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Magdalena Stelmach
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Xu Y, Qiu Z, Chen J, Huang L, Zhang J, Lin J. LINC00460 promotes neuroblastoma tumorigenesis and cisplatin resistance by targeting miR-149-5p/DLL1 axis and activating Notch pathway in vitro and in vivo. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:2003-2018. [PMID: 38161194 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01505-6] [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] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance and tumorigenesis. LncRNA LINC00460 was previously reported to play a critical regulatory role in many cancer development. Nevertheless, its role in modulating neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance has not been explored till now. Cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cell lines were established by exposing neuroblastoma cell lines to progressively increasing concentrations of cisplatin for 6 months. LINC00460, microRNA (miR)-149-5p, and delta-like ligand 1 (DLL1) mRNA expression was measured through RT-qPCR. The protein levels of DLL1, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and the Notch signaling-related molecules were measured via western blotting. The IC50 value for cisplatin, cell growth, metastasis and apoptosis were analyzed in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. The binding between LINC00460 (or DLL1) and miR-149-5p was validated through dual-luciferase reporter assay. The murine xenograft model was established to perform in vivo assays. LINC00460 and DLL1 levels were elevated, while miR-149-5p level was reduced in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. LINC00460 depletion attenuated IC50 values for cisplatin, weakened cell growth, metastasis, and EMT, and enhanced apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. Mechanically, LINC00460 sponged miR-338-3p to increase DLL1 level, thereby activating Notch signaling pathway. DLL1 overexpression antagonized LINC00460 silencing-induced suppression on neuroblastoma cell cisplatin resistance and malignant behaviors, while such effects were further reversed by treatment with DAPT, the inhibitor of Notch pathway. Additionally, LINC00460 knockdown further augmented cisplatin-induced impairment on tumor growth in vivo. LINC00460 contributes to neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance and tumorigenesis through miR-149-5p/DLL1/Notch pathway, providing new directions to improve the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy drugs applied in patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Cha-Zhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Cha-Zhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Jinwen Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Cha-Zhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Lihong Huang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Junshan Lin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Cha-Zhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
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Chu Y, Nayyar G, Tian M, Lee DA, Ozkaynak MF, Ayala-Cuesta J, Klose K, Foley K, Mendelowitz AS, Luo W, Liao Y, Ayello J, Behbehani GK, Riddell S, Cripe T, Cairo MS. Efficiently targeting neuroblastoma with the combination of anti-ROR1 CAR NK cells and N-803 in vitro and in vivo in NB xenografts. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200820. [PMID: 38933492 PMCID: PMC11201149 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The prognosis for children with recurrent and/or refractory neuroblastoma (NB) is dismal. The receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), which is highly expressed on the surface of NB cells, provides a potential target for novel immunotherapeutics. Anti-ROR1 chimeric antigen receptor engineered ex vivo expanded peripheral blood natural killer (anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK) cells represent this approach. N-803 is an IL-15 superagonist with enhanced biological activity. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells with or without N-803 against ROR1+ NB models. Compared to mock exPBNK cells, anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells had significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against ROR1+ NB cells, and N-803 further increased cytotoxicity. High-dimensional analysis revealed that N-803 enhanced Stat5 phosphorylation and Ki67 levels in both exPBNK and anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells with or without NB cells. In vivo, anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK plus N-803 significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced survival in human ROR1+ NB xenografted NSG mice compared to anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK alone. Our results provide the rationale for further development of anti-ROR1 CAR exPBNK cells plus N-803 as a novel combination immunotherapeutic for patients with recurrent and/or refractory ROR1+ NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Gaurav Nayyar
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Meijuan Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Dean A. Lee
- Department of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mehmet F. Ozkaynak
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | | | - Kayleigh Klose
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Keira Foley
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | | | - Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Yanling Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Janet Ayello
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Gregory K. Behbehani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, the Ohio State University; Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stanley Riddell
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tim Cripe
- Department of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mitchell S. Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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9
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Wang C, Tan J, Jin Y, Li Z, Yang J, Jia Y, Xia Y, Gong B, Dong Q, Zhao Q. A mitochondria-related genes associated neuroblastoma signature - based on bulk and single-cell transcriptome sequencing data analysis, and experimental validation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1415736. [PMID: 38962012 PMCID: PMC11220120 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1415736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma (NB), characterized by its marked heterogeneity, is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. The status and functionality of mitochondria are crucial in regulating NB cell behavior. While the significance of mitochondria-related genes (MRGs) in NB is still missing in key knowledge. Materials and methods This study leverages consensus clustering and machine learning algorithms to construct and validate an MRGs-related signature in NB. Single-cell data analysis and experimental validation were employed to characterize the pivotal role of FEN1 within NB cells. Results MRGs facilitated the classification of NB patients into 2 distinct clusters with considerable differences. The constructed MRGs-related signature and its quantitative indicators, mtScore and mtRisk, effectively characterize the MRGs-related patient clusters. Notably, the MRGs-related signature outperformed MYCN in predicting NB patient prognosis and was adept at representing the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor cell stemness, and sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agents Cisplatin, Topotecan, and Irinotecan. FEN1, identified as the most contributory gene within the MRGs-related signature, was found to play a crucial role in the communication between NB cells and the TME, and in the developmental trajectory of NB cells. Experimental validations confirmed FEN1's significant influence on NB cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and invasiveness. Conclusion The MRGs-related signature developed in this study offers a novel predictive tool for assessing NB patient prognosis, immune infiltration, stemness, and chemotherapeutic sensitivity. Our findings unveil the critical function of FEN1 in NB, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyu Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaxiong Tan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Zongyang Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaxing Yang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Yubin Jia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuren Xia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Baocheng Gong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiuping Dong
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
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Prathipati P, Pathania AS, Chaturvedi NK, Gupta SC, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. SAP30, an oncogenic driver of progression, poor survival, and drug resistance in neuroblastoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:101543. [PMID: 38817681 PMCID: PMC11137595 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most devastating extracranial solid malignancy in children. Despite an intense treatment regimen, the prognosis for high-risk neuroblastoma patients remains poor, with less than 40% survival. So far, MYCN amplification status is considered the most prognostic factor but corresponds to only ∼25% of neuroblastoma patients. Therefore, it is essential to identify a better prognosis and therapy response marker in neuroblastoma patients. We applied robust bioinformatic data mining tools, such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis, cisTarget, and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering on two neuroblastoma patient datasets. We found Sin3A-associated protein 30 (SAP30), a driver transcription factor positively associated with high-risk, progression, stage 4, and poor survival in neuroblastoma patient cohorts. Tumors of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and relapse-specific patient-derived xenografts showed higher SAP30 levels. The advanced pharmacogenomic analysis and CRISPR-Cas9 screens indicated that SAP30 essentiality is associated with cisplatin resistance and further showed higher levels in cisplatin-resistant patient-derived xenograft tumor cell lines. Silencing of SAP30 induced cell death in vitro and led to a reduced tumor burden and size in vivo. Altogether, these results indicate that SAP30 is a better prognostic and cisplatin-resistance marker and thus a potential drug target in high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Prathipati
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Anup S. Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W. Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B. Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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11
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Romiani A, Simonsson K, Pettersson D, Al-Awar A, Rassol N, Bakr H, Lind D, Umapathy G, Spetz J, Palmer R, Hallberg B, Helou K, Forssell-Aronsson E. Comparison of 177Lu-octreotate and 177Lu-octreotide for treatment in human neuroblastoma-bearing mice. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31409. [PMID: 38826727 PMCID: PMC11141386 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) have a 5-year event-free survival of less than 50 %, and novel and improved treatment options are needed. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (SSTAs) could be a treatment option. The aims of this work were to compare the biodistribution and the therapeutic effects of 177Lu-octreotate and 177Lu-octreotide in mice bearing the human CLB-BAR NB cell line, and to evaluate their regulatory effects on apoptosis-related genes. Methods The biodistribution of 177Lu-octreotide in mice bearing CLB-BAR tumors was studied at 1, 24, and 168 h after administration, and the absorbed dose was estimated to tumor and normal tissues. Further, animals were administered different amounts of 177Lu-octreotate or 177Lu-octreotide. Tumor volume was measured over time and compared to a control group given saline. RNA was extracted from tumors, and the expression of 84 selected genes involved in apoptosis was quantified with qPCR. Results The activity concentration was generally lower in most tissues for 177Lu-octreotide compared to 177Lu-octreotate. Mean absorbed dose per administered activity to tumor after injection of 1.5 MBq and 15 MBq was 0.74 and 0.03 Gy/MBq for 177Lu-octreotide and 2.9 and 0.45 Gy/MBq for 177Lu-octreotate, respectively. 177Lu-octreotide treatment resulted in statistically significant differences compared to controls. Fractionated administration led to a higher survival fraction than after a single administration. The pro-apoptotic genes TNSFS8, TNSFS10, and TRADD were regulated after administration with 177Lu-octreotate. Treatment with 177Lu-octreotide yielded regulation of the pro-apoptotic genes CASP5 and TRADD, and of the anti-apoptotic gene IL10 as well as the apoptosis-related gene TNF. Conclusion 177Lu-octreotide gave somewhat better anti-tumor effects than 177Lu-octreotate. The similar effect observed in the treated groups with 177Lu-octreotate suggests saturation of the somatostatin receptors. Pronounced anti-tumor effects following fractionated administration merited receptor saturation as an explanation. The gene expression analyses suggest apoptosis activation through the extrinsic pathway for both radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Romiani
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Simonsson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - D. Pettersson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A. Al-Awar
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - N. Rassol
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - H. Bakr
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - D.E. Lind
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - G. Umapathy
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - J. Spetz
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - R.H. Palmer
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - B. Hallberg
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Helou
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E. Forssell-Aronsson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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12
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Jin W, Zhang Y, Zhao Z, Gao M. Developing targeted therapies for neuroblastoma by dissecting the effects of metabolic reprogramming on tumor microenvironments and progression. Theranostics 2024; 14:3439-3469. [PMID: 38948053 PMCID: PMC11209723 DOI: 10.7150/thno.93962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Synergic reprogramming of metabolic dominates neuroblastoma (NB) progression. It is of great clinical implications to develop an individualized risk prognostication approach with stratification-guided therapeutic options for NB based on elucidating molecular mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming. Methods: With a machine learning-based multi-step program, the synergic mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming-driven malignant progression of NB were elucidated at single-cell and metabolite flux dimensions. Subsequently, a promising metabolic reprogramming-associated prognostic signature (MPS) and individualized therapeutic approaches based on MPS-stratification were developed and further validated independently using pre-clinical models. Results: MPS-identified MPS-I NB showed significantly higher activity of metabolic reprogramming than MPS-II counterparts. MPS demonstrated improved accuracy compared to current clinical characteristics [AUC: 0.915 vs. 0.657 (MYCN), 0.713 (INSS-stage), and 0.808 (INRG-stratification)] in predicting prognosis. AZD7762 and etoposide were identified as potent therapeutics against MPS-I and II NB, respectively. Subsequent biological tests revealed AZD7762 substantially inhibited growth, migration, and invasion of MPS-I NB cells, more effectively than that of MPS-II cells. Conversely, etoposide had better therapeutic effects on MPS-II NB cells. More encouragingly, AZD7762 and etoposide significantly inhibited in-vivo subcutaneous tumorigenesis, proliferation, and pulmonary metastasis in MPS-I and MPS-II samples, respectively; thereby prolonging survival of tumor-bearing mice. Mechanistically, AZD7762 and etoposide-induced apoptosis of the MPS-I and MPS-II cells, respectively, through mitochondria-dependent pathways; and MPS-I NB resisted etoposide-induced apoptosis by addiction of glutamate metabolism and acetyl coenzyme A. MPS-I NB progression was fueled by multiple metabolic reprogramming-driven factors including multidrug resistance, immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting inflammatory microenvironments. Immunologically, MPS-I NB suppressed immune cells via MIF and THBS signaling pathways. Metabolically, the malignant proliferation of MPS-I NB cells was remarkably supported by reprogrammed glutamate metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, urea cycle, etc. Furthermore, MPS-I NB cells manifested a distinct tumor-promoting developmental lineage and self-communication patterns, as evidenced by enhanced oncogenic signaling pathways activated with development and self-communications. Conclusions: This study provides deep insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming-mediated malignant progression of NB. It also sheds light on developing targeted medications guided by the novel precise risk prognostication approaches, which could contribute to a significantly improved therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People's Hospital, Wenzhou, China, 325041
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, China, 430060
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China, 999077
| | - Yubiao Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, China, 430060
| | - Zhijie Zhao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai, China, 200011
| | - Mingyong Gao
- Department of Orthopedics, Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People's Hospital, Wenzhou, China, 325041
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13
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Lampis S, Galardi A, Di Paolo V, Di Giannatale A. Organoids as a new approach for improving pediatric cancer research. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1414311. [PMID: 38835365 PMCID: PMC11148379 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1414311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
A key challenge in cancer research is the meticulous development of models that faithfully emulates the intricacies of the patient scenario, with emphasis on preserving intra-tumoral heterogeneity and the dynamic milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Organoids emerge as promising tool in new drug development, drug screening and precision medicine. Despite advances in the diagnoses and treatment of pediatric cancers, certain tumor subtypes persist in yielding unfavorable prognoses. Moreover, the prognosis for a significant portion of children experiencing disease relapse is dismal. To improve pediatric outcome many groups are focusing on the development of precision medicine approach. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about using organoid system as model in preclinical and clinical solid-pediatric cancer. Since organoids retain the pivotal characteristics of primary parent tumors, they exert great potential in discovering novel tumor biomarkers, exploring drug-resistance mechanism and predicting tumor responses to chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapies. We also examine both the potential opportunities and existing challenges inherent organoids, hoping to point out the direction for future organoid development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Lampis
- Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Galardi
- Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Di Paolo
- Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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14
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Miranda A, Pattnaik S, Hamilton PT, Fuss MA, Kalaria S, Laumont CM, Smazynski J, Mesa M, Banville A, Jiang X, Jenkins R, Cañadas I, Nelson BH. N-MYC impairs innate immune signaling in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj5428. [PMID: 38748789 PMCID: PMC11095474 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj5428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a challenging disease, especially for patients with immunologically "cold" tumors devoid of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We found that HGSC exhibits among the highest levels of MYCN expression and transcriptional signature across human cancers, which is strongly linked to diminished features of antitumor immunity. N-MYC repressed basal and induced IFN type I signaling in HGSC cell lines, leading to decreased chemokine expression and T cell chemoattraction. N-MYC inhibited the induction of IFN type I by suppressing tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling via reduced STING oligomerization, and by blunting RIG-I-like receptor signaling through inhibition of MAVS aggregation and localization in the mitochondria. Single-cell RNA sequencing of human clinical HGSC samples revealed a strong negative association between cancer cell-intrinsic MYCN transcriptional program and type I IFN signaling. Thus, N-MYC inhibits tumor cell-intrinsic innate immune signaling in HGSC, making it a compelling target for immunotherapy of cold tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Miranda
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Swetansu Pattnaik
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 370 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Phineas T. Hamilton
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Shreena Kalaria
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Céline M. Laumont
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Monica Mesa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
| | - Allyson Banville
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xinpei Jiang
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell Jenkins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Israel Cañadas
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brad H. Nelson
- Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
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15
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Maines LW, Keller SN, Smith RA, Schrecengost RS, Smith CD. Opaganib Downregulates N-Myc Expression and Suppresses In Vitro and In Vivo Growth of Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1779. [PMID: 38730731 PMCID: PMC11082966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children, grows aggressively and responds poorly to current therapies. We have identified a new drug (opaganib, also known as ABC294640) that modulates sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase-2 and elevating dihydroceramides by inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. The present studies sought to determine the potential therapeutic activity of opaganib in cell culture and xenograft models of NB. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that NB cells, including cells with amplified MYCN, are effectively killed by opaganib concentrations well below those that accumulate in tumors in vivo. Opaganib was shown to cause dose-dependent decreases in S1P and hexosylceramide levels in Neuro-2a cells, while concurrently elevating levels of dihydroceramides. As with other tumor cells, opaganib reduced c-Myc and Mcl-1 protein levels in Neuro-2a cells, and also reduced the expression of the N-Myc protein. The in vivo growth of xenografts of human SK-N-(BE)2 cells with amplified MYCN was suppressed by oral administration of opaganib at doses that are well tolerated in mice. Combining opaganib with temozolomide plus irinotecan, considered the backbone for therapy of relapsed or refractory NB, resulted in increased antitumor activity in vivo compared with temozolomide plus irinotecan or opaganib alone. Mice did not lose additional weight when opaganib was combined with temozolomide plus irinotecan, indicating that the combination is well tolerated. Opaganib has additive antitumor activity toward Neuro-2a tumors when combined with the checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA-4 antibody; however, the combination of opaganib with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies did not provide increased antitumor activity over that seen with opaganib alone. Overall, the data demonstrate that opaganib modulates sphingolipid metabolism and intracellular signaling in NB cells and inhibits NB tumor growth alone and in combination with other anticancer drugs. Amplified MYCN does not confer resistance to opaganib, and, in fact, the drug attenuates the expression of both c-Myc and N-Myc. The safety of opaganib has been established in clinical trials with adults with advanced cancer or severe COVID-19, and so opaganib has excellent potential for treating patients with NB, particularly in combination with temozolomide and irinotecan or anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Charles D. Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, 1214 Research Blvd, Suite 2015, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA
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16
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Saldana-Guerrero IM, Montano-Gutierrez LF, Boswell K, Hafemeister C, Poon E, Shaw LE, Stavish D, Lea RA, Wernig-Zorc S, Bozsaky E, Fetahu IS, Zoescher P, Pötschger U, Bernkopf M, Wenninger-Weinzierl A, Sturtzel C, Souilhol C, Tarelli S, Shoeb MR, Bozatzi P, Rados M, Guarini M, Buri MC, Weninger W, Putz EM, Huang M, Ladenstein R, Andrews PW, Barbaric I, Cresswell GD, Bryant HE, Distel M, Chesler L, Taschner-Mandl S, Farlik M, Tsakiridis A, Halbritter F. A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3745. [PMID: 38702304 PMCID: PMC11068915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47945-7] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Early childhood tumours arise from transformed embryonic cells, which often carry large copy number alterations (CNA). However, it remains unclear how CNAs contribute to embryonic tumourigenesis due to a lack of suitable models. Here we employ female human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and single-cell transcriptome and epigenome analysis to assess the effects of chromosome 17q/1q gains, which are prevalent in the embryonal tumour neuroblastoma (NB). We show that CNAs impair the specification of trunk neural crest (NC) cells and their sympathoadrenal derivatives, the putative cells-of-origin of NB. This effect is exacerbated upon overexpression of MYCN, whose amplification co-occurs with CNAs in NB. Moreover, CNAs potentiate the pro-tumourigenic effects of MYCN and mutant NC cells resemble NB cells in tumours. These changes correlate with a stepwise aberration of developmental transcription factor networks. Together, our results sketch a mechanistic framework for the CNA-driven initiation of embryonal tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid M Saldana-Guerrero
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Katy Boswell
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lisa E Shaw
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dylan Stavish
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca A Lea
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sara Wernig-Zorc
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Bozsaky
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Irfete S Fetahu
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Zoescher
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Pötschger
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie Bernkopf
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Celine Souilhol
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sophia Tarelli
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mohamed R Shoeb
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Polyxeni Bozatzi
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Rados
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Guarini
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle C Buri
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Miller Huang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Helen E Bryant
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Matthias Farlik
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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17
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Mohan D, Nambirajan A, Malik R, Sharma A, Suri V, Kaur K, Doddamani R, Garg A, Gupta S, Mallick S, Sharma MC. MYCN immunohistochemistry as surrogate marker for MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas. Hum Cell 2024; 37:704-713. [PMID: 38411836 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
MYCN (master regulator of cell cycle entry and proliferative metabolism) gene amplification defines a molecular subgroup of spinal cord ependymomas that show high-grade morphology and aggressive behavior. Demonstration of MYCN amplification by DNA methylation or fluorescence-in situ hybridization (FISH) is required for diagnosis. We aimed to (i) assess prevalence and clinicopathological features of MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas and (ii) evaluate utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MYCN protein as a surrogate for molecular testing. A combined retrospective-prospective study spanning 8 years was designed during which all spinal cord ependymomas with adequate tissue were subjected to MYCN FISH and MYCN IHC. Among 77 spinal cord ependymomas included, MYCN amplification was identified in 4 samples from 3 patients (3/74, 4%) including two (1st and 2nd recurrences) from the same patient. All patients were adults (median age at diagnosis of 32 years) including two females and one male. The index tumors were located in thoracic (n = 2) and lumbar (n = 1) spinal cord. One of the female patients had neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). All four tumors showed anaplastic histology. Diffuse expression of MYCN protein was seen in all four MYCN-amplified samples but in none of the non-amplified cases, thus showing 100% concordance with FISH results. On follow-up, the NF2 patient developed widespread spinal dissemination while another developed recurrence proximal to the site of previous excision. To conclude, MYCN-amplified spinal ependymomas are rare tumors, accounting for ~ 4% of spinal cord ependymomas. Within the limitation of small sample size, MYCN IHC showed excellent concordance with MYCN gene amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Mohan
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Aruna Nambirajan
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rafat Malik
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Agrima Sharma
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Vaishali Suri
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Kavneet Kaur
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ramesh Doddamani
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ajay Garg
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Subhash Gupta
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Supriya Mallick
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Mehar Chand Sharma
- Departments of Pathology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology and Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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18
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Dos Santos IL, Mitchell M, Nogueira PAS, Lafita-Navarro MC, Perez-Castro L, Eriom J, Kilgore JA, Williams NS, Guo L, Xu L, Conacci-Sorrell M. Targeting of neuroblastoma cells through Kynurenine-AHR pathway inhibition. FEBS J 2024; 291:2172-2190. [PMID: 38431776 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17109] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma poses significant challenges in clinical management. Despite its relatively low incidence, this malignancy contributes disproportionately to cancer-related childhood mortality. Tailoring treatments based on risk stratification, including MYCN oncogene amplification, remains crucial, yet high-risk cases often confront therapeutic resistance and relapse. Here, we explore the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a versatile transcription factor implicated in diverse physiological functions such as xenobiotic response, immune modulation, and cell growth. Despite its varying roles in malignancies, AHR's involvement in neuroblastoma remains elusive. Our study investigates the interplay between AHR and its ligand kynurenine (Kyn) in neuroblastoma cells. Kyn is generated from tryptophan (Trp) by the activity of the enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2). We found that neuroblastoma cells displayed sensitivity to the TDO2 inhibitor 680C91, exposing potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, combining TDO2 inhibition with retinoic acid or irinotecan (two chemotherapeutic agents used to treat neuroblastoma patients) revealed synergistic effects in select cell lines. Importantly, clinical correlation analysis using patient data established a link between elevated expression of Kyn-AHR pathway genes and adverse prognosis, particularly in older children. These findings underscore the significance of the Kyn-AHR pathway in neuroblastoma progression, emphasizing its potential role as a therapeutic target.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Kynurenine/metabolism
- Neuroblastoma/pathology
- Neuroblastoma/metabolism
- Neuroblastoma/genetics
- Neuroblastoma/drug therapy
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/metabolism
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/genetics
- Tryptophan Oxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Lopes Dos Santos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael Mitchell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Pedro A S Nogueira
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lizbeth Perez-Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joyane Eriom
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Kilgore
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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19
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Gandra D, Mulama DH, Foureau DM, McKinney KQ, Kim E, Smith K, Haw J, Nagulapally A, Saulnier Sholler GL. DFMO inhibition of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7207. [PMID: 38686627 PMCID: PMC11058673 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7207] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most high-risk neuroblastoma patients who relapse succumb to disease despite the existing therapy. We recently reported increased event-free and overall survival in neuroblastoma patients receiving difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) during maintenance therapy. The effect of DFMO on cellular processes associated with neuroblastoma tumorigenesis needs further elucidation. Previous studies have shown cytotoxicity with IC50 values >5-15 mM, these doses are physiologically unattainable in patients, prompting further mechanistic studies at therapeutic doses. METHODS We characterized the effect of DFMO on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, neurosphere formation, and protein expression in vitro using five established neuroblastoma cell lines (BE2C, CHLA-90, SHSY5Y, SMS-KCNR, and NGP) at clinically relevant doses of 0, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 2500 μM. Limiting Dilution studies of tumor formation in murine models were performed. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad and the level of significance set at p = 0.05. RESULTS There was not a significant loss of cell viability or gain of apoptotic activity in the in vitro assays (p > 0.05). DFMO treatment initiated G1 to S phase cell cycle arrest. There was a dose-dependent decrease in frequency and size of neurospheres and a dose-dependent increase in beta-galactosidase activity in all cell lines. Tumor formation was decreased in xenografts both with DFMO-pretreated cells and in mice treated with DFMO. CONCLUSION DFMO treatment is cytostatic at physiologically relevant doses and inhibits tumor initiation and progression in mice. This study suggests that DFMO, inhibits neuroblastoma by targeting cellular processes integral to neuroblastoma tumorigenesis at clinically relevant doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Gandra
- Department of PediatricsPenn State Health Children's HospitalHersheyPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - David H. Mulama
- Department of PediatricsLevine Children's HospitalCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - David M. Foureau
- Department of MedicineLevine Cancer InstituteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Elizabeth Kim
- Department of PediatricsLevine Children's HospitalCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Kaitlyn Smith
- Department of PediatricsLevine Children's HospitalCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jason Haw
- Department of PediatricsLevine Children's HospitalCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Abhinav Nagulapally
- Department of PediatricsPenn State Health Children's HospitalHersheyPennsylvaniaUSA
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20
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Sheeter DA, Garza S, Park HG, Benhamou LRE, Badi NR, Espinosa EC, Kothapalli KSD, Brenna JT, Powers JT. Unsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis Is Associated with Worse Survival and Is Differentially Regulated by MYCN and Tumor Suppressor microRNAs in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1590. [PMID: 38672672 PMCID: PMC11048984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification (MNA) and disruption of tumor suppressor microRNA (TSmiR) function are key drivers of poor outcomes in neuroblastoma (NB). While MYCN and TSmiRs regulate glucose metabolism, their role in de novo fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and unsaturated FAS (UFAS) remains poorly understood. Here, we show that FAS and UFAS (U/FAS) genes FASN, ELOVL6, SCD, FADS2, and FADS1 are upregulated in high-risk (HR) NB and that their expression is associated with lower overall survival. RNA-Seq analysis of human NB cell lines revealed parallel U/FAS gene expression patterns. Consistent with this, we found that NB-related TSmiRs were predicted to target these genes extensively. We further observed that both MYC and MYCN upregulated U/FAS pathway genes while suppressing TSmiR host gene expression, suggesting a possible U/FAS regulatory network between MYCN and TSmiRs in NB. NB cells are high in de novo synthesized omega 9 (ω9) unsaturated fatty acids and low in both ω6 and ω3, suggesting a means for NB to limit cell-autonomous immune stimulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven apoptosis from ω6 and ω3 unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, respectively. We propose a model in which MYCN and TSmiRs regulate U/FAS and play an important role in NB pathology, with implications for other MYC family-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A. Sheeter
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Secilia Garza
- Department of Chemistry, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA;
| | - Hui Gyu Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Lorraine-Rana E. Benhamou
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Niharika R. Badi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Erika C. Espinosa
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
| | - Kumar S. D. Kothapalli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - J. Thomas Brenna
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
- Department of Chemistry, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA;
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - John T. Powers
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA; (D.A.S.); (H.G.P.); (L.-R.E.B.); (N.R.B.); (E.C.E.)
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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21
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Stokes ME, Vasciaveo A, Small JC, Zask A, Reznik E, Smith N, Wang Q, Daniels J, Forouhar F, Rajbhandari P, Califano A, Stockwell BR. Subtype-selective prenylated isoflavonoids disrupt regulatory drivers of MYCN-amplified cancers. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:805-819.e9. [PMID: 38061356 PMCID: PMC11031350 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors have proven difficult to target with small molecules because they lack pockets necessary for potent binding. Disruption of protein expression can suppress targets and enable therapeutic intervention. To this end, we developed a drug discovery workflow that incorporates cell-line-selective screening and high-throughput expression profiling followed by regulatory network analysis to identify compounds that suppress regulatory drivers of disease. Applying this approach to neuroblastoma (NBL), we screened bioactive molecules in cell lines representing its MYC-dependent (MYCNA) and mesenchymal (MES) subtypes to identify selective compounds, followed by PLATESeq profiling of treated cells. This revealed compounds that disrupt a sub-network of MYCNA-specific regulatory proteins, resulting in MYCN degradation in vivo. The top hit was isopomiferin, a prenylated isoflavonoid that inhibited casein kinase 2 (CK2) in cells. Isopomiferin and its structural analogs inhibited MYC and MYCN in NBL and lung cancer cells, highlighting the general MYC-inhibiting potential of this unique scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Stokes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alessandro Vasciaveo
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jonnell Candice Small
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Arie Zask
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Eduard Reznik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Nailah Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jacob Daniels
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Farhad Forouhar
- Proteomics and Macromolecular Crystallography Shared Resource (PMCSR), Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Presha Rajbhandari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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22
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Buccarelli M, Castellani G, Fiorentino V, Pizzimenti C, Beninati S, Ricci-Vitiani L, Scattoni ML, Mischiati C, Facchiano F, Tabolacci C. Biological Implications and Functional Significance of Transglutaminase Type 2 in Nervous System Tumors. Cells 2024; 13:667. [PMID: 38667282 PMCID: PMC11048792 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080667] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is the most ubiquitously expressed member of the transglutaminase family. TG2 catalyzes the transamidation reaction leading to several protein post-translational modifications and it is also implicated in signal transduction thanks to its GTP binding/hydrolyzing activity. In the nervous system, TG2 regulates multiple physiological processes, such as development, neuronal cell death and differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. Given its different enzymatic activities, aberrant expression or activity of TG2 can contribute to tumorigenesis, including in peripheral and central nervous system tumors. Indeed, TG2 dysregulation has been reported in meningiomas, medulloblastomas, neuroblastomas, glioblastomas, and other adult-type diffuse gliomas. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the biological and functional relevance of TG2 in the pathogenesis of nervous system tumors, highlighting its involvement in survival, tumor inflammation, differentiation, and in the resistance to standard therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Cristina Pizzimenti
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Simone Beninati
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carlo Mischiati
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Francesco Facchiano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.C.); (L.R.-V.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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23
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Dhamdhere MR, Spiegelman VS. Extracellular vesicles in neuroblastoma: role in progression, resistance to therapy and diagnostics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385875. [PMID: 38660306 PMCID: PMC11041043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancer, and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite the current multi-modal treatment regimens, majority of patients with advanced-stage NBs develop therapeutic resistance and relapse, leading to poor disease outcomes. There is a large body of knowledge on pathophysiological role of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in progression and metastasis of multiple cancer types, however, the importance of EVs in NB was until recently not well understood. Studies emerging in the last few years have demonstrated the involvement of EVs in various aspects of NB pathogenesis. In this review we summarize these recent findings and advances on the role EVs play in NB progression, such as tumor growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, that could be helpful for future investigations in NB EV research. We also discuss different strategies for therapeutic targeting of NB-EVs as well as utilization of NB-EVs as potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir S. Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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24
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Oskouian B, Lee JY, Asgharzadeh S, Khan R, Zhang M, Weisbrod JR, Choi YJ, Puri L, Aguilar AE, Zhao P, Saba JD. AF1q is a universal marker of neuroblastoma that sustains N-Myc expression and drives tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2024; 43:1203-1213. [PMID: 38413795 PMCID: PMC11014797 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood, accounting for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite significant advances in our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, five-year survival rates for high-risk disease remain less than 50%, highlighting the importance of identifying novel therapeutic targets to combat the disease. MYCN amplification is the most frequent and predictive molecular aberration correlating with poor outcome in neuroblastoma. N-Myc is a short-lived protein primarily due to its rapid proteasomal degradation, a potentially exploitable vulnerability in neuroblastoma. AF1q is an oncoprotein with established roles in leukemia and solid tumor progression. It is normally expressed in brain and sympathetic neurons and has been postulated to play a part in neural differentiation. However, no role for AF1q in tumors of neural origin has been reported. In this study, we found AF1q to be a universal marker of neuroblastoma tumors. Silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells caused proteasomal degradation of N-Myc through Ras/ERK and AKT/GSK3β pathways, activated p53 and blocked cell cycle progression, culminating in cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, silencing AF1q attenuated neuroblastoma tumorigenicity in vivo signifying AF1q's importance in neuroblastoma oncogenesis. Our findings reveal AF1q to be a novel regulator of N-Myc and potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Oskouian
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna Y Lee
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia R Weisbrod
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Youn-Jeong Choi
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Latika Puri
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Ana E Aguilar
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Piming Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie D Saba
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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25
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Joseph S, Pike S, Peng CC, Brown B, Xu L, Berry JL, Chévez-Barrios P, Hubbard GB, Grossniklaus HE. Retinoblastoma with MYCN Amplification Diagnosed from Cell-Free DNA in the Aqueous Humor. Ocul Oncol Pathol 2024; 10:15-24. [PMID: 38751495 PMCID: PMC11095586 DOI: 10.1159/000533311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The objective of this study was to report the clinicopathologic features of three cases of MYCN-amplified retinoblastoma identified genetically by aqueous humor sampling. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed using isolated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from aqueous humor of 3 retinoblastoma patients. We analyzed genomic copy number and mutational alterations, histologic and pathologic features, and clinical data. Results The most common genetic alteration identified in these three retinoblastoma cases was a focal MYCN amplification on 2p. All tumors showed an early age of diagnosis with a median of 9 months. The tumor histopathologic features included neovascularization and subretinal seeding in case 1, diffuse nature with choroidal and prelaminar optic nerve invasion in case 2, and complete vitreous seeding in case 3. Case 1 expressed RB protein and had no RB1 mutation, case 2 did not express RB protein and had an RB1 mutation, and case 3 did not express RB protein and likely had an epigenetic effect on RB expression. Conclusions Our report shows 3 cases of unilateral retinoblastomas diagnosed in patients ranging from 4 months to 18 months old. Genomic analysis from AH cfDNA revealed MYCN amplification with intact RB protein staining in case 1 and lack of RB staining in cases 2 and 3. RB1 mutational analysis in the AH confirmed a pathogenic variant in case 2. Clinical pathology showed features requiring aggressive treatment, specifically enucleation. Importance MYCN-amplified retinoblastomas demonstrate unique pathogenesis and aggressive behavior, regardless if MYCN is a primary or secondary driver of disease. Genomic analysis from aqueous humor may be useful when deciding to enucleate as opposed to treating conservatively. Focal MYCN amplification on 2p might be relevant for tumor growth in this subset of the retinoblastoma population in terms of targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Joseph
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Pike
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chen-Ching Peng
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brianne Brown
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liya Xu
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse L. Berry
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - G. Baker Hubbard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hans E. Grossniklaus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Chittavanich P, Saengwimol D, Roytrakul S, Rojanaporn D, Chaitankar V, Srimongkol A, Anurathapan U, Hongeng S, Kaewkhaw R. Ceftriaxone exerts antitumor effects in MYCN-driven retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma by targeting DDX3X for translation repression. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:918-938. [PMID: 37975412 PMCID: PMC10994227 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13553] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
MYCN proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor (MYCN) amplification is associated with aggressive retinoblastoma (RB) and neuroblastoma (NB) cancer recurrence that is resistant to chemotherapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new therapeutic tools. This study aimed to evaluate the potential repurposing of ceftriaxone for the treatment of MYCN-amplified RB and NB, based on the clinical observations that the drug was serendipitously found to decrease the volume of the MYCN-driven RB subtype. Using patient-derived tumor organoids and tumor cell lines, we demonstrated that ceftriaxone is a potent and selective growth inhibitor targeting MYCN-driven RB and NB cells. Profiling of drug-induced transcriptomic changes, cell-cycle progression, and apoptotic death indicated cell-cycle arrest and death of drug-treated MYCN-amplified tumor cells. Drug target identification, using an affinity-based proteomic and molecular docking approach, and functional studies of the target proteins revealed that ceftriaxone targeted DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X), thereby inhibiting translation in MYCN-amplified tumors but not in MYCN-nonamplified cells. The data suggest the feasibility of repurposing ceftriaxone as an anticancer drug and provide insights into the mechanism of drug action, highlighting DDX3X as a potential target for treating MYCN-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamorn Chittavanich
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Duangporn Saengwimol
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Functional Proteomics Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyNational Science and Technology Development AgencyPathum ThaniThailand
| | - Duangnate Rojanaporn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Vijender Chaitankar
- Biodata Mining and Discovery Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Atthapol Srimongkol
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Rossukon Kaewkhaw
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversitySamut PrakanThailand
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Guan Q, Zhang X, Liu J, Zhou C, Zhu J, Wu H, Zhuo Z, He J. ALKBH5 gene polymorphisms and risk of neuroblastoma in Chinese children from Jiangsu Province. CANCER INNOVATION 2024; 3:e103. [PMID: 38946930 PMCID: PMC11212286 DOI: 10.1002/cai2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma is one of the most common extracranial malignant solid tumors in children. AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) is an RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase that plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and development. We assessed the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ALKBH5 and the risk of neuroblastoma in a case-control study including 402 patients and 473 non-cancer controls. Methods Genotyping was determined by the TaqMan method. The association between ALKBH5 polymorphisms (rs1378602 and rs8400) and the risk of neuroblastoma was evaluated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results We found no strong association of ALKBH5 rs1378602 and rs8400 with neuroblastoma risk. Further stratification analysis by age, sex, primary site, and clinical stage showed that the rs1378602 AG/AA genotype was associated with a lower risk of neuroblastoma in males (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.97, p = 0.036) and children with retroperitoneal neuroblastoma (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.34-0.98, p = 0.040). Conclusions ALKBH5 SNPs do not seem to be associated with neuroblastoma risk. More studies are required to confirm this negative result and reveal the relationship between gene polymorphisms of the m6A modifier ALKBH5 and neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Guan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical CenterGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical CenterGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jiabin Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical CenterGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Chunlei Zhou
- Department of PathologyChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Jinhong Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, BiobankHarbin Medical University Cancer HospitalHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Department of PathologyChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Zhenjian Zhuo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical CenterGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Laboratory Animal Center, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Jing He
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical CenterGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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Singh S, Fang J, Jin H, Van de Velde LA, Wu Q, Cortes A, Morton CL, Woolard MA, Quarni W, Steele JA, Connelly JP, He L, Thorne R, Turner G, Confer T, Johnson M, Caufield WV, Freeman BB, Lockey T, Pruett-Miller SM, Wang R, Davidoff AM, Thomas PG, Yang J. RBM39 degrader invigorates natural killer cells to eradicate neuroblastoma despite cancer cell plasticity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586157. [PMID: 38585889 PMCID: PMC10996557 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The cellular plasticity of neuroblastoma is defined by a mixture of two major cell states, adrenergic (ADRN) and mesenchymal (MES), which may contribute to therapy resistance. However, how neuroblastoma cells switch cellular states during therapy remains largely unknown and how to eradicate neuroblastoma regardless of their cell states is a clinical challenge. To better understand the lineage switch of neuroblastoma in chemoresistance, we comprehensively defined the transcriptomic and epigenetic map of ADRN and MES types of neuroblastomas using human and murine models treated with indisulam, a selective RBM39 degrader. We showed that cancer cells not only undergo a bidirectional switch between ADRN and MES states, but also acquire additional cellular states, reminiscent of the developmental pliancy of neural crest cells. The lineage alterations are coupled with epigenetic reprogramming and dependency switch of lineage-specific transcription factors, epigenetic modifiers and targetable kinases. Through targeting RNA splicing, indisulam induces an inflammatory tumor microenvironment and enhances anticancer activity of natural killer cells. The combination of indisulam with anti-GD2 immunotherapy results in a durable, complete response in high-risk transgenic neuroblastoma models, providing an innovative, rational therapeutic approach to eradicate tumor cells regardless of their potential to switch cell states.
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29
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Abu-Zaid A, Fang J, Jin H, Singh S, Pichavaram P, Wu Q, Tillman H, Janke L, Rosikiewicz W, Xu B, Van De Velde LA, Guo Y, Li Y, Shendy NAM, Delahunty IM, Rankovic Z, Chen T, Chen X, Freeman KW, Hatley ME, Durbin AD, Murray PJ, Murphy AJ, Thomas PG, Davidoff AM, Yang J. Histone lysine demethylase 4 family proteins maintain the transcriptional program and adrenergic cellular state of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101468. [PMID: 38508144 PMCID: PMC10983111 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101468] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification (MNA) is a high-risk disease that has a poor survival rate. Neuroblastoma displays cellular heterogeneity, including more differentiated (adrenergic) and more primitive (mesenchymal) cellular states. Here, we demonstrate that MYCN oncoprotein promotes a cellular state switch in mesenchymal cells to an adrenergic state, accompanied by induction of histone lysine demethylase 4 family members (KDM4A-C) that act in concert to control the expression of MYCN and adrenergic core regulatory circulatory (CRC) transcription factors. Pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4 blocks expression of MYCN and the adrenergic CRC transcriptome with genome-wide induction of transcriptionally repressive H3K9me3, resulting in potent anticancer activity against neuroblastomas with MNA by inducing neuroblastic differentiation and apoptosis. Furthermore, a short-term KDM4 inhibition in combination with conventional, cytotoxic chemotherapy results in complete tumor responses of xenografts with MNA. Thus, KDM4 blockade may serve as a transformative strategy to target the adrenergic CRC dependencies in MNA neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abu-Zaid
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shivendra Singh
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | | | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Heather Tillman
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Laura Janke
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Wojciech Rosikiewicz
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lee-Ann Van De Velde
- Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yian Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Noha A M Shendy
- Department of Molecular Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ian M Delahunty
- Department of Molecular Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kevin W Freeman
- Genetics, Genomics & Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Mark E Hatley
- Department of Molecular Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Adam D Durbin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Peter J Murray
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; St Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; St Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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30
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Wang T, Liu L, Fang J, Jin H, Natarajan S, Sheppard H, Lu M, Turner G, Confer T, Johnson M, Steinberg J, Ha L, Yadak N, Jain R, Picketts DJ, Ma X, Murphy A, Davidoff AM, Glazer ES, Easton J, Chen X, Wang R, Yang J. Conditional c-MYC activation in catecholaminergic cells drives distinct neuroendocrine tumors: neuroblastoma vs somatostatinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.12.584622. [PMID: 38559042 PMCID: PMC10980015 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.12.584622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogenes (c-MYC, MYCN , MYCL ) are among the most deregulated oncogenic drivers in human malignancies including high-risk neuroblastoma, 50% of which are MYCN -amplified. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) based on the MYCN transgene have greatly expanded the understanding of neuroblastoma biology and are powerful tools for testing new therapies. However, a lack of c-MYC-driven GEMMs has hampered the ability to better understand mechanisms of neuroblastoma oncogenesis and therapy development given that c-MYC is also an important driver of many high-risk neuroblastomas. In this study, we report two transgenic murine neuroendocrine models driven by conditional c-MYC induction in tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (Dbh)-expressing cells. c-MYC induction in Th-expressing cells leads to a preponderance of Pdx1 + somatostatinomas, a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET), resembling human somatostatinoma with highly expressed gene signatures of δ cells and potassium channels. In contrast, c-MYC induction in Dbh-expressing cells leads to onset of neuroblastomas, showing a better transforming capacity than MYCN in a comparable C57BL/6 genetic background. The c-MYC murine neuroblastoma tumors recapitulate the pathologic and genetic features of human neuroblastoma, express GD2, and respond to anti-GD2 immunotherapy. This model also responds to DFMO, an FDA-approved inhibitor targeting ODC1, which is a known MYC transcriptional target. Thus, establishing c-MYC-overexpressing GEMMs resulted in different but related tumor types depending on the targeted cell and provide useful tools for testing immunotherapies and targeted therapies for these diseases.
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31
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Xu M, Hong JJ, Ciardiello A, Lei H, Shern JF, Thiele CJ. MYCN drives oncogenesis by cooperating with the histone methyltransferase G9a and the WDR5 adaptor to orchestrate global gene transcription. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002240. [PMID: 38547242 PMCID: PMC11003700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002240] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
MYCN activates canonical MYC targets involved in ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, and represses neuronal differentiation genes to drive oncogenesis in neuroblastoma (NB). How MYCN orchestrates global gene expression remains incompletely understood. Our study finds that MYCN binds promoters to up-regulate canonical MYC targets but binds to both enhancers and promoters to repress differentiation genes. MYCN binding also increases H3K4me3 and H3K27ac on canonical MYC target promoters and decreases H3K27ac on neuronal differentiation gene enhancers and promoters. WDR5 facilitates MYCN promoter binding to activate canonical MYC target genes, whereas MYCN recruits G9a to enhancers to repress neuronal differentiation genes. Targeting both MYCN's active and repressive transcriptional activities using both WDR5 and G9a inhibitors synergistically suppresses NB growth. We demonstrate that MYCN cooperates with WDR5 and G9a to orchestrate global gene transcription. The targeting of both these cofactors is a novel therapeutic strategy to indirectly target the oncogenic activity of MYCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Man Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Hong
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amanda Ciardiello
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carol J. Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Lopez J, Subramanian T, Durell J, Levyn H, Wong R, Shah J, LaQuaglia MP, Gerstle JT. Posttreatment complications in pediatric cervical neuroblastoma: A retrospective case series at a tertiary cancer center. J Surg Oncol 2024; 129:219-223. [PMID: 37850570 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27482] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastomas rarely occur as primary tumors in the cervical region. Therefore, very little has been reported regarding treatment strategies, complications, and outcomes of these cervical neuroblastomas. The goal of this study is to review the presentation, management, and outcomes of all primary cervical pediatric neuroblastoma cases at a single tertiary care center. METHODS A retrospective cohort review of all neuroblastoma patients treated at a single center were performed. All patients with primary cervical neuroblastoma were reviewed for demographic information, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS Thirty (1.8%) patients were found to have undergone treatment for cervical neuroblastoma tumors diagnosed on average at 2.1 years old. Most presented with a swollen neck/palpable mass ± Horner's syndrome. Based on features including tumor staging, N-myc proto-oncogene protein (MYCN) amplification status, histology, most were deemed intermediate or high risk. Treatment strategies centered around chemotherapeutic regimens with surgery when possible as well as various adjuvant treatments including radiation therapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and a neuroblastoma vaccine. Ten (33.3%) of patients experienced treatment-related complications and four (13.3%) died as a result of their disease progression. All four patients were high-risk patients, two of which had MYCN amplification. CONCLUSION Cervical neuroblastomas generally have favorable outcomes. These tumors can be treated effectively with chemotherapy and surgical intervention with various adjuvant therapies. MYCN amplification and higher stage disease presentation contribute to worse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lopez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Division of Pediatric Head & Neck Surgery, AdventHealth for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tejas Subramanian
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Durell
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Helena Levyn
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard Wong
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jatin Shah
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael P LaQuaglia
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Justin Ted Gerstle
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, New York, USA
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Avila-Lopez P, Lauberth SM. Exploring new roles for RNA-binding proteins in epigenetic and gene regulation. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102136. [PMID: 38128453 PMCID: PMC11245729 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102136] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
A significant portion of the human proteome comprises RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that play fundamental roles in numerous biological processes. In the last decade, there has been a staggering increase in RBP identification and classification, which has fueled interest in the evolving roles of RBPs and RBP-driven molecular mechanisms. Here, we focus on recent insights into RBP-dependent regulation of the epigenetic and transcriptional landscape. We describe advances in methodologies that define the RNA-protein interactome and machine-learning algorithms that are streamlining RBP discovery and predicting new RNA-binding regions. Finally, we present how RBP dysregulation leads to alterations in tumor-promoting gene expression and discuss the potential for targeting these RBPs for the development of new cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Avila-Lopez
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shannon M Lauberth
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Goswami N, Singh A, Bharadwaj S, Sahoo AK, Singh IK. Targeting neuroblastoma by small-molecule inhibitors of human ALYREF protein: mechanistic insights using molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:1352-1367. [PMID: 37158061 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2204376] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a tumour of the sympathetic nervous system mainly prevalent in children. Many strategies have been employed to target several drug-targetable proteins for the clinical management of neuroblastoma. However, the heterogeneous nature of neuroblastoma presents serious challenges in drug development for its treatment. Albeit numerous medications have been developed to target various signalling pathways in neuroblastoma, the redundant nature of the tumour pathways makes its suppression unsuccessful. Recently, the quest for neuroblastoma therapy resulted in the identification of human ALYREF, a nuclear protein that plays an essential role in tumour growth and progression. Therefore, this study used the structure-based drug discovery method to identify the putative inhibitors targeting ALYREF for the Neuroblastoma treatment. Herein, a library of 119 blood-brain barrier crossing small molecules from the ChEMBL database was downloaded and docked against the predicted binding pocket of the human ALYREF protein. Based on docking scores, the top four compounds were considered for intermolecular interactions and molecular dynamics simulation analysis, which revealed CHEMBL3752986 and CHEMBL3753744 with substantial affinity and stability with the ALYREF. These results were further supported by binding free energies and essential dynamics analysis of the respective complexes. Hence, this study advocates the sorted compounds targeting ALYREF for further in vitro and in vivo assessment to develop a drug against neuroblastoma.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Goswami
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Neuropharmacology and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Archana Singh
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shiv Bharadwaj
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life and Applied Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Amaresh Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Indrakant K Singh
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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35
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Dong B, Zhang Y, Gao H, Liu J, Li J. Machine Learning Developed a MYC Expression Feature-Based Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-023-10625-0. [PMID: 38245886 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
MYC has been identified to profoundly influence a wide range of pathologic processes in cancers. However, the prognostic value of MYC-related genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remains unclarified. Gene expression data and clinical information of PAAD patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (training set). Validation sets included GSE57495, GSE62452, and ICGC-PACA databases. LASSO regression analysis was used to develop a risk signature for survival prediction. Single-cell sequencing data from GSE154778 and CRA001160 datasets were analyzed. Functional studies were conducted using siRNA targeting RHOF and ITGB6 in PANC-1 cells. High MYC expression was found to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis in patients with PAAD. Additionally, we identified seven genes (ADGRG6, LINC00941, RHOF, SERPINB5, INSYN2B, ITGB6, and DEPDC1) that exhibited a strong correlation with both MYC expression and patient survival. They were then utilized to establish a risk model (MYCsig), which showed robust predictive ability. Furthermore, MYCsig demonstrated a positive correlation with the expression of HLA genes and immune checkpoints, as well as the chemotherapy response of PAAD. RHOF and ITGB6, expressed mainly in malignant cells, were identified as key oncogenes regulating chemosensitivity through EMT. Downregulation of RHOF and ITGB6 reduced cell proliferation and invasion in PANC-1 cells. The developed MYCsig demonstrates its potential in enhancing the management of patients with PAAD by facilitating risk assessment and predicting response to adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, our study identifies RHOF and ITGB6 as novel oncogenes linked to EMT and chemoresistance in PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Yueshan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Han Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Precision Medicine, Accb Biotech. Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Jiankun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China.
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36
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Cermakova K, Tao L, Dejmek M, Sala M, Montierth MD, Chan YS, Patel I, Chambers C, Loeza Cabrera M, Hoffman D, Parchem RJ, Wang W, Nencka R, Barbieri E, Hodges HC. Reactivation of the G1 enhancer landscape underlies core circuitry addiction to SWI/SNF. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4-21. [PMID: 37993417 PMCID: PMC10783513 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1081] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Several cancer core regulatory circuitries (CRCs) depend on the sustained generation of DNA accessibility by SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers. However, the window when SWI/SNF is acutely essential in these settings has not been identified. Here we used neuroblastoma (NB) cells to model and dissect the relationship between cell-cycle progression and SWI/SNF ATPase activity. We find that SWI/SNF inactivation impairs coordinated occupancy of non-pioneer CRC members at enhancers within 1 hour, rapidly breaking their autoregulation. By precisely timing inhibitor treatment following synchronization, we show that SWI/SNF is dispensable for survival in S and G2/M, but becomes acutely essential only during G1 phase. We furthermore developed a new approach to analyze the oscillating patterns of genome-wide DNA accessibility across the cell cycle, which revealed that SWI/SNF-dependent CRC binding sites are enriched at enhancers with peak accessibility during G1 phase, where they activate genes involved in cell-cycle progression. SWI/SNF inhibition strongly impairs G1-S transition and potentiates the ability of retinoids used clinically to induce cell-cycle exit. Similar cell-cycle effects in diverse SWI/SNF-addicted settings highlight G1-S transition as a common cause of SWI/SNF dependency. Our results illustrate that deeper knowledge of the temporal patterns of enhancer-related dependencies may aid the rational targeting of addicted cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Cermakova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ling Tao
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Milan Dejmek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sala
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew D Montierth
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuen San Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ivanshi Patel
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney Chambers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mario Loeza Cabrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Development, Disease Models and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dane Hoffman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ronald J Parchem
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenyi Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eveline Barbieri
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - H Courtney Hodges
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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Mazar J, Brooks JK, Peloquin M, Rosario R, Sutton E, Longo M, Drehner D, Westmoreland TJ. The Oncolytic Activity of Zika Viral Therapy in Human Neuroblastoma In Vivo Models Confers a Major Survival Advantage in a CD24-dependent Manner. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:65-80. [PMID: 38214542 PMCID: PMC10775766 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumor, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer-related deaths. The long-term survival of patients with high-risk tumors is less than 40%, and MYCN amplification is one of the most common indicators of poor outcomes. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with mild constitutional symptoms outside the fetal period. Our published data showed that high-risk and recurrent neuroblastoma cells are permissive to ZIKV infection, resulting in cell type-specific lysis. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of ZIKV as an oncolytic treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma using in vivo tumor models. Utilizing both MYCN-amplified and non-amplified models, we demonstrated that the application of ZIKV had a rapid tumoricidal effect. This led to a nearly total loss of the tumor mass without evidence of recurrence, offering a robust survival advantage to the host. Detection of the viral NS1 protein within the tumors confirmed that a permissive infection preceded tissue necrosis. Despite robust titers within the tumor, viral shedding to the host was poor and diminished rapidly, correlating with no detectable side effects to the murine host. Assessments from both primary pretreatment and recurrent posttreatment isolates confirmed that permissive sensitivity to ZIKV killing was dependent on the expression of CD24, which was highly expressed in neuroblastomas and conferred a proliferative advantage to tumor growth. Exploiting this viral sensitivity to CD24 offers the possibility of its use as a prognostic target for a broad population of expressing cancers, many of which have shown resistance to current clinical therapies. SIGNIFICANCE Sensitivity to the tumoricidal effect of ZIKV on high-risk neuroblastoma tumors is dependent on CD24 expression, offering a prognostic marker for this oncolytic therapy in an extensive array of CD24-expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Mazar
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
- Burnett School of Biological Sciences, The University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
| | | | | | - Rosa Rosario
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
| | - Emma Sutton
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
| | - Matthew Longo
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
- Burnett School of Biological Sciences, The University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
| | - Dennis Drehner
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
| | - Tamarah J. Westmoreland
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Nemours Parkway, Orlando, Florida
- Burnett School of Biological Sciences, The University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
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38
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Li S, Liu J, Wang G, Feng L, Yang X, Kan Y, Wang W, Yang J. Predictive value of 2-deoxy-2-fluorine-18-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters for MYCN amplification in high-risk neuroblastoma. Eur J Radiol 2024; 170:111243. [PMID: 38043380 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111243] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the predictive value of 2-deoxy-2-fluorine-18-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) parameters for MYCN amplification in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed by reviewing 68 HR-NB patients who underwent MYCN testing and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at our hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. Based on the results of MYCN testing, patients were categorized into either the MYCN-amplified (MNA) or MYCN non-amplified (MYCN-NA) group. The 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), peak standardized uptake value (SUVpeak), tumor metabolic volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), coefficient of variation (COV), and areas under the curve of cumulative SUV-volume histogram index (AUC-CSH index) were evaluated. Independent predictors were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and their diagnostic performance was evaluated using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SUVpeak was significantly associated with MYCN amplification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUVpeak was an independent predictor of MYCN amplification in HR-NB [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.673, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 0.494-0.917, P = 0.012]. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the predictive model including SUVpeak had higher diagnostic performance [area under the curve (AUC): 0.790, 95 % CI: 0.677-0.881, sensitivity: 0.861, specificity: 0.591, positive predictive value (PPV): 0.820, negative predictive value (NPV): 0.722] compared to using SUVpeak alone (AUC: 0.640, 95 % CI: 0.514-0.752, sensitivity: 0.630, specificity: 0.682, PPV: 0.806, NPV: 0.469). CONCLUSION SUVpeak can predict the MYCN amplification in HR-NB patients. The predictive model constructed by combining SUVpeak and age can distinguish MYCN status in HR-NB non-invasively with superior efficacy compared to using SUVpeak alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Li
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanyun Wang
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lijuan Feng
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Xu Yang
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ying Kan
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jigang Yang
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
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Salib A, Jayatilleke N, Seneviratne JA, Mayoh C, De Preter K, Speleman F, Cheung BB, Carter DR, Marshall GM. MYCN and SNRPD3 cooperate to maintain a balance of alternative splicing events that drives neuroblastoma progression. Oncogene 2024; 43:363-377. [PMID: 38049564 PMCID: PMC10824661 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02897-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Many of the pro-tumorigenic functions of the oncogene MYCN are attributed to its regulation of global gene expression programs. Alternative splicing is another important regulator of gene expression and has been implicated in neuroblastoma development, however, the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We found that MYCN up-regulated the expression of the core spliceosomal protein, SNRPD3, in models of neuroblastoma initiation and progression. High mRNA expression of SNRPD3 in human neuroblastoma tissues was a strong, independent prognostic factor for poor patient outcome. Repression of SNRPD3 expression correlated with loss of colony formation in vitro and reduced tumorigenicity in vivo. The effect of SNRPD3 on cell viability was in part dependent on MYCN as an oncogenic co-factor. RNA-sequencing revealed a global increase in the number of genes being differentially spliced when MYCN was overexpressed. Surprisingly, depletion of SNRPD3 in the presence of overexpressed MYCN further increased differential splicing, particularly of cell cycle regulators, such as BIRC5 and CDK10. MYCN directly bound SNRPD3, and the protein arginine methyltransferase, PRMT5, consequently increasing SNRPD3 methylation. Indeed, the PRMT5 inhibitor, JNJ-64619178, reduced cell viability and SNRPD3 methylation in neuroblastoma cells with high SNRPD3 and MYCN expression. Our findings demonstrate a functional relationship between MYCN and SNRPD3, which maintains the fidelity of MYCN-driven alternative splicing in the narrow range required for neuroblastoma cell growth. SNRPD3 methylation and its protein-protein interface with MYCN represent novel therapeutic targets. Hypothetical model for SNRPD3 as a co-factor for MYCN oncogenesis. SNRPD3 and MYCN participate in a regulatory loop to balance splicing fidelity in neuroblastoma cells. First MYCN transactivates SNRPD3 to lead to high-level expression. Second, SNRPD3 and MYCN form a protein complex involving PRMT5. Third, this leads to balanced alterative splicing (AS) activitiy that is favorable to neuroblastoma. Together this forms as a therapeutic vulnerability where SNRPD3 perturbation or PRMT5 inhibitors are selectively toxic to neuroblastoma by conditionally disturbing splicing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Salib
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Nisitha Jayatilleke
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Janith A Seneviratne
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Katleen De Preter
- Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Medical Research Building (MRB1), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Belamy B Cheung
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel R Carter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.
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40
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Kang Y, Yu Y, Liu Y, Pan Y, Zhang R, Ren D, Cai Z, Ma J, Xiong X, Zhang Q, Zhang C, Tu R. Identification of USP29 as a key regulator of nucleotide biosynthesis in neuroblastoma through integrative analysis of multi-omics data. Cancer Biol Ther 2023; 24:2237200. [PMID: 37463886 PMCID: PMC10355683 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2237200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells show enhanced nucleotide biosynthesis, which is essential for their unlimited proliferation, but the underlying mechanisms are not entirely clear. Ubiquitin specific peptidase 29 (USP29) was reported to sustain neuroblastoma progression by promoting glycolysis and glutamine catabolism; however, its potential role in regulating nucleotide biosynthesis in tumor cells remains unknown. In this study, we depleted endogenous USP29 in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma SK-N-BE2 cells by sgRNAs and conducted metabolomic analysis in cells with or without USP29 depletion, we found that USP29 deficiency caused a disorder of intermediates involved in glycolysis and nucleotide biosynthesis. De novo nucleotide biosynthesis was analyzed using 13C6 glucose as a tracer under normoxia and hypoxia. The results indicated that USP29-depleted cells showed inhibition of nucleotide anabolic intermediates derived from glucose, and this inhibition was more significant under hypoxic conditions. Analysis of RNA sequencing data in SK-N-BE2 cells demonstrated that USP29 promoted the gene expression of metabolic enzymes involved in nucleotide anabolism, probably by regulating MYC and E2F downstream pathways. These findings indicated that USP29 is a key regulator of nucleotide biosynthesis in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Kang
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yahuan Yu
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yijia Liu
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yiwen Pan
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Doudou Ren
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zeqiong Cai
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junpeng Ma
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaofan Xiong
- Precision Medicine Institute, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengsheng Zhang
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rongfu Tu
- Department of Cancer Precision Medicine, the MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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Smith N, Reznik E, Bisikirska B, Polychronidou V, Wang Q, Zask A, Forouhar F, Califano A, Stockwell BR. Kinases Controlling Stability of the Oncogenic MYCN Protein. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1664-1672. [PMID: 38116412 PMCID: PMC10726605 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified the natural products isopomiferin and pomiferin as powerful, indirect MYCN-ablating agents. In this work, we expand on their mechanism of action and find that casein kinase 2 (CK2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and serine/threonine protein kinase 38-like (STK38L), as well as STK38, work synchronously to create a field effect that maintains MYCN stability. By systematically inhibiting these kinases, we degraded MYCN and induced cell death. Additionally, we synthesized and tested several simpler and more cost-effective pomiferin analogues, which successfully emulated the compound's MYCN ablating activity. Our work identified and characterized key kinases that can be targeted to interfere with the stability of the MYCN protein in NBL cells, demonstrating the efficacy of an indirect approach to targeting "undruggable" cancer drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nailah Smith
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Eduard Reznik
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Brygida Bisikirska
- Department
of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia
University Medical Center, New
York City, New York 10032, United States
| | - Vasiliki Polychronidou
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Qian Wang
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Arie Zask
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Farhad Forouhar
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department
of Systems Biology, Columbia University
Medical Center, New York City, New York 10032, United States
| | - Brent R. Stockwell
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York City, New York 10027, United States
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42
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Stip MC, Teeuwen L, Dierselhuis MP, Leusen JHW, Krijgsman D. Targeting the myeloid microenvironment in neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:337. [PMID: 38087370 PMCID: PMC10716967 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02913-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cells (granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages) play an important role in neuroblastoma. By inducing a complex immunosuppressive network, myeloid cells pose a challenge for the adaptive immune system to eliminate tumor cells, especially in high-risk neuroblastoma. This review first summarizes the pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions of myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) during the development and progression of neuroblastoma. Secondly, we discuss how myeloid cells are engaged in the current treatment regimen and explore novel strategies to target these cells in neuroblastoma. These strategies include: (1) engaging myeloid cells as effector cells, (2) ablating myeloid cells or blocking the recruitment of myeloid cells to the tumor microenvironment and (3) reprogramming myeloid cells. Here we describe that despite their immunosuppressive traits, tumor-associated myeloid cells can still be engaged as effector cells, which is clear in anti-GD2 immunotherapy. However, their full potential is not yet reached, and myeloid cell engagement can be enhanced, for example by targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis. Though depletion of myeloid cells or blocking myeloid cell infiltration has been proven effective, this strategy also depletes possible effector cells for immunotherapy from the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, reprogramming of suppressive myeloid cells might be the optimal strategy, which reverses immunosuppressive traits, preserves myeloid cells as effectors of immunotherapy, and subsequently reactivates tumor-infiltrating T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein C Stip
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Loes Teeuwen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jeanette H W Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Vieira LS, Zhang Y, López Quiñones AJ, Hu T, Singh DK, Stevens J, Prasad B, Park JR, Wang J. The Plasma Membrane Monoamine Transporter is Highly Expressed in Neuroblastoma and Functions as an mIBG Transporter. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:239-248. [PMID: 37541765 PMCID: PMC10658915 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001672] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric cancer with low survival rates in high-risk patients. 131I-mIBG has emerged as a promising therapy for high-risk NB and kills tumor cells by radiation. Consequently, 131I-mIBG tumor uptake and retention are major determinants for its therapeutic efficacy. mIBG enters NB cells through the norepinephrine transporter (NET), and accumulates in mitochondria through unknown mechanisms. Here we evaluated the expression of monoamine and organic cation transporters in high-risk NB tumors and explored their relationship with MYCN amplification and patient survival. We found that NB mainly expresses NET, the plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT), and the vesicular membrane monoamine transporter 1/2 (VMAT1/2), and that the expression of these transporters is significantly reduced in MYCN-amplified tumor samples. PMAT expression is the highest and correlates with overall survival in high-risk NB patients without MYCN amplification. Immunostaining showed that PMAT resides intracellularly in NB cells and co-localizes with mitochondria. Using cells expressing PMAT, mIBG was identified as a PMAT substrate. In mitochondria isolated from NB cell lines, mIBG uptake was reduced by ∼50% by a PMAT inhibitor. Together, our data suggest that PMAT is a previously unrecognized transporter highly expressed in NB and could impact intracellular transport and therapeutic response to 131I-mIBG. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study identified that plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) is a novel transporter highly expressed in neuroblastoma and its expression level is associated with overall survival rate in high-risk patients without MYCN amplification. PMAT is expressed intracellularly in neuroblastoma cells, transports meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) and thus could impact tumor retention and response to 131I-mIBG therapy. These findings have important clinical implications as PMAT could represent a novel molecular marker to help inform disease prognosis and predict response to 131I-mIBG therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Salvador Vieira
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Antonio J López Quiñones
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Tao Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Dilip Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Jeffrey Stevens
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Bhagwat Prasad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Julie R Park
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
| | - Joanne Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (L.S.V., Y.Z., A.J.L.Q., T.H., J.W.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington (D.K.S., B.P.); and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington (J.S., J.R.P.)
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Liu Y, Zhang J, Cao F, Dong X, Li J, Cao Y, Li Z, Guo Y, Yan J, Liu Y, Zhao Q. N6-methyladenosine-mediated overexpression of long noncoding RNA ADAMTS9-AS2 triggers neuroblastoma differentiation via regulating LIN28B/let-7/MYCN signaling. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e165703. [PMID: 37991019 PMCID: PMC10721320 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.165703] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastomas have shed light on the differentiation disorder that is associated with spontaneous regression or differentiation in the same tumor at the same time. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) actively participate in a broad spectrum of biological processes. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNA regulation of differentiation in neuroblastomas remain largely unknown. Here, we sequenced clinical samples of ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and neuroblastoma. We compared transcription profiles of neuroblastoma cells, ganglion cells, and intermediate state cells; verified the profiles in a retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation model and clinical samples; and screened out the lncRNA ADAMTS9 antisense RNA 2 (ADAMTS9-AS2), which contributed to neuroblastoma differentiation. ADAMTS9-AS2 upregulation in neuroblastoma cell lines inhibited proliferation and metastatic potential. Additional mechanistic studies illustrated that the interactions between ADAMTS9-AS2 and LIN28B inhibited the association between LIN28B and primary let-7 (pri-let-7) miRNA, then released pri-let-7 into cytoplasm to form mature let-7, resulting in the inhibition of oncogene MYCN activity that subsequently affected cancer stemness and differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that the observed differential expression of ADAMTS9-AS2 in neuroblastoma cells was due to N6-methyladenosine methylation. Finally, ADAMTS9-AS2 upregulation inhibited proliferation and cancer stem-like capabilities in vivo. Taken together, these results show that ADAMTS9-AS2 loss leads to malignant neuroblastoma by increasing metastasis and causing dysfunctional differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobao Dong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanna Cao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhanglin Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, and
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Obata H, Tsuji AB, Sudo H, Sugyo A, Hashiya K, Ikeda H, Itoh M, Minegishi K, Nagatsu K, Ogawa M, Bando T, Sugiyama H, Zhang MR. Novel Auger-Electron-Emitting 191Pt-Labeled Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide Targeting MYCN Increases Cytotoxicity and Cytosolic dsDNA Granules in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1526. [PMID: 38004392 PMCID: PMC10675227 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Auger electrons can cause nanoscale physiochemical damage to specific DNA sites that play a key role in cancer cell survival. Radio-Pt is a promising Auger-electron source for damaging DNA efficiently because of its ability to bind to DNA. Considering that the cancer genome is maintained under abnormal gene amplification and expression, here, we developed a novel 191Pt-labeled agent based on pyrrole-imidazole polyamide (PIP), targeting the oncogene MYCN amplified in human neuroblastoma, and investigated its targeting ability and damaging effects. A conjugate of MYCN-targeting PIP and Cys-(Arg)3-coumarin was labeled with 191Pt via Cys (191Pt-MYCN-PIP) with a radiochemical purity of >99%. The binding potential of 191Pt-MYCN-PIP was evaluated via the gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay, suggesting that the radioagent bound to the DNA including the target sequence of the MYCN gene. In vitro assays using human neuroblastoma cells showed that 191Pt-MYCN-PIP bound to DNA efficiently and caused DNA damage, decreasing MYCN gene expression and MYCN signals in in situ hybridization analysis, as well as cell viability, especially in MYCN-amplified Kelly cells. 191Pt-MYCN-PIP also induced a substantial increase in cytosolic dsDNA granules and generated proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-α/β, in Kelly cells. Tumor uptake of intravenously injected 191Pt-MYCN-PIP was low and its delivery to tumors should be improved for therapeutic application. The present results provided a potential strategy, targeting the key oncogenes for cancer survival for Auger electron therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honoka Obata
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (H.O.)
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Atsushi B. Tsuji
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Hitomi Sudo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Aya Sugyo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Kaori Hashiya
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hayato Ikeda
- Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Research Center for Electron Photon Science (ELPH), Tohoku University, Sendai 982-0826, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Itoh
- Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Minegishi
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (H.O.)
| | - Kotaro Nagatsu
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (H.O.)
| | - Mikako Ogawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Bando
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (iCeMS), Kyoto University, Yoshida-ushinomiyacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (H.O.)
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Altiner P, Çınaroğlu SS, Timucin AC, Timucin E. Computational completion of the Aurora interaction region of N-Myc in the Aurora a kinase complex. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18399. [PMID: 37884585 PMCID: PMC10603048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45272-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting protein-protein interactions of the Myc family is a viable pharmacological strategy for modulation of the levels of Myc oncoproteins in cancer. Aurora A kinase (AurA) and N-Myc interaction is one of the most attractive targets of this strategy because formation of this complex blocks proteasomal degradation of N-Myc in neuroblastoma. Two crystallization studies have captured this complex (PDB IDs: 5g1x, 7ztl), partially resolving the AurA interaction region (AIR) of N-Myc. Prompted by the missing N-Myc fragment in these crystal structures, we modeled the complete structure between AurA and N-Myc, and comprehensively analyzed how the incomplete and complete N-Myc behave in complex by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular dynamics simulations of the incomplete PDB complex (5g1x) repeatedly showed partial dissociation of the short N-Myc fragment (61-89) from the kinase. The missing N-Myc (19-60) fragment was modeled utilizing the N-terminal lobe of AurA as the protein-protein interaction surface, wherein TPX2, a well-known partner of AurA, also binds. Binding free energy calculations along with flexibility analysis confirmed that the complete AIR of N-Myc stabilizes the complex, accentuating the N-terminal lobe of AurA as a binding site for the missing N-Myc fragment (19-60). We further generated additional models consisting of only the missing N-Myc (19-60), and the fused form of TPX2 (7-43) and N-Myc (61-89). These partners also formed more stable interactions with the N-terminal lobe of AurA than did the incomplete N-Myc fragment (61-89) in the 5g1x complex. Altogether, this study provides structural insights into the involvement of the N-terminus of the AIR of N-Myc and the N-terminal lobe of AurA in formation of a stable complex, reflecting its potential for effective targeting of N-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Altiner
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), 31077, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Ahmet Can Timucin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emel Timucin
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Che J, Bing S, Lu J, Jin Z, Gao J, Sheng H, Li D, Yang B, He Q, Ying M, Dong X. Discovery of Novel Oxazepine Derivatives as Akt/ROCK Inhibitors for Growth Arrest and Differentiation Induction in Neuroblastoma Treatment. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13530-13555. [PMID: 37749892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma face limited treatment choices, typically involving a combination of cytotoxic and differentiation maintenance therapies due to a scarcity of drugs. Evidence suggests that targeted inhibitors may provide opportunities for inducing neuroblastoma differentiation while inhibiting proliferation. Here, we demonstrate the synergistic effect of inhibiting Akt and ROCK in antineuroblastoma and present the design and discovery of a new Akt/ROCK inhibitor, B12. It displays strong antiproliferative effects and excellent differentiation inducing activity against Neuro2a cells. Treatment with B12 results in the arrest of G0/G1 cell cycles, a significant decrease in N-myc protein level, and an increase in differentiation markers. The administration of B12 effectively suppresses xenograft tumor growth and promotes differentiation. Overall, the discovery of B12 based on the Akt/ROCK dual inhibition strategy may provide hope for the development of more effective and targeted therapies for this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shaowei Bing
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jialiang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zegao Jin
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haichao Sheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Dan Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Meidan Ying
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Pediatric Cancer Research Center, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
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49
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Ghosh A, Yekeler E, Teixeira SR, Dalal D, States L. Role of MRI radiomics for the prediction of MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:6726-6735. [PMID: 37178203 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09628-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluate MR radiomics and develop machine learning-based classifiers to predict MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. METHODS A total of 120 patients with neuroblastomas and baseline MR imaging examination available were identified of whom 74 (mean age ± standard deviation [SD] of 6 years and 2 months ± 4 years and 9 months; 43 females and 31 males, 14 MYCN amplified) underwent imaging at our institution. This was therefore used to develop radiomics models. The model was tested in a cohort of children with the same diagnosis but imaged elsewhere (n = 46, mean age ± SD: 5 years 11 months ± 3 years 9 months, 26 females and 14 MYCN amplified). Whole tumour volumes of interest were adopted to extract first-order histogram and second-order radiomics features. Interclass correlation coefficient and maximum relevance and minimum redundancy algorithm were applied for feature selection. Logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest were employed as the classifiers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the classifiers on the external test set. RESULTS The logistic regression model and the random forest both showed an AUC of 0.75. The support vector machine classifier obtained an AUC of 0.78 on the test set with a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 72%. CONCLUSION The study provides preliminary retrospective evidence demonstrating the feasibility of MRI radiomics in predicting MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. Future studies are needed to explore the correlation between other imaging features and genetic markers and to develop multiclass predictive models. KEY POINTS • MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas is an important determinant of disease prognosis. • Radiomics analysis of pre-treatment MR examinations can be used to predict MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. • Radiomics machine learning models showed good generalisability to external test set, demonstrating reproducibility of the computational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh Ghosh
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Centre, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Ensar Yekeler
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara Reis Teixeira
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deepa Dalal
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa States
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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50
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Kerkar AN, Chinnam D, Verma A, Peters NJ, Kakkar N, Trehan A, Singh M, Gupta K. MYCN amplification, TERT rearrangements and ATRX mutations in neuroblastoma: clinicopathological correlates- an Indian perspective. Virchows Arch 2023; 483:477-486. [PMID: 37460674 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03604-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood with a diverse clinical presentation and course. The early age of onset, high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis and tendency for spontaneous regression in infancy sets it apart from other childhood tumors. This heterogeneity is largely attributed to underlying genetic aberrations which are distinct in low-risk and high-risk NB. To this end, we sought to analyse our NB cases for the molecular alterations and find its correlation with clinical behaviour. METHODS NB cases (n = 50) diagnosed over last 7 years were retrospectively analysed for MYCN amplification (fluorescent-in-situ hybridization), TERT rearrangements (qRT-PCR), ATRX mutations (immunohistochemistry). These findings were correlated with demographic profiles, histologic features and clinical outcome. RESULTS Age ranged from 1 month to 30 years (mean 2.8 years) with male preponderance. Poorly differentiated subtype constituted the majority (64%), followed by differentiating (28%) and undifferentiated subtype (8%) which were equally distributed across all age groups. MYCN amplification, TERT-mRNA upregulation and ATRX mutations was observed in 30%, 42% and 24%, respectively. Cases with TERT-mRNA upregulation were distributed equally across all histological subtypes while those with ATRX mutations and MYCN amplification were frequent in poorly differentiated NB. ATRX mutation was mutually exclusive of TERT-mRNA upregulation and MYCN amplification. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly shorter overall and progression-free survival for tumors harboring MYCN amplification and TERT-mRNA upregulation, while that for ATRX mutant tumors was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide data indicating poor clinical outcome in NB carrying MYCN amplification and TERT-mRNA upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aadya N Kerkar
- Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Aanchal Verma
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Nitin J Peters
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Nandita Kakkar
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Amita Trehan
- Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Minu Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Kirti Gupta
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
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