1
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Edwards DW, Kroepfl GM, Jackson JM, Chen S, Hudson-Price L, Srinivasa G, Kannan K, Liu Q, Michalek JE, Keller C. Developmental and therapeutic implications of IL4ra expression for rhabdomyosarcoma. Transgenic Res 2024:10.1007/s11248-024-00390-0. [PMID: 38851650 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-024-00390-0] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a solid tumor whose metastatic progression can be accelerated through interleukin-4 receptor alpha (Il4ra) mediated interaction with normal muscle stem cells (satellite cells). To understand the function of Il4ra in this tumor initiation phase of RMS, we conditionally deleted Il4ra in genetically-engineered RMS mouse models. Nullizygosity of Il4ra altered the latency, site and/or stage distribution of RMS tumors compared to IL4RA intact models. Primary tumor cell cultures taken from the genetically-engineered models then used in orthotopic allografts further defined the interaction of satellite cells and RMS tumor cells in the context of tumor initiation: in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), satellite cell co-injection was necessary for Il4ra null tumor cells engraftment, whereas in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), satellite cell co-injection decreased latency of engraftment of Il4ra wildtype tumor cells but not Il4ra null tumor cells. When refocusing on Il4ra wildtype tumors by single cell sequencing and cytokine studies, we have uncovered a putative signaling interplay of Il4 from T-lymphocytes being received by Il4ra + rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells, which in turn express Ccl2, the ligand for Ccr2 and Ccr5. Taken together, these results suggest that mutations imposed during tumor initiation have different effects than genetic or therapeutic intervention imposed once tumors are already formed. We also propose that CCL2 and its cognate receptors CCR2 and/or CCR5 are potential therapeutic targets in Il4ra mediated RMS progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Edwards
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 9025 NE Von Neumann Drive Ste 110, Hillsboro, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Kroepfl
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 9025 NE Von Neumann Drive Ste 110, Hillsboro, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Jacob M Jackson
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 9025 NE Von Neumann Drive Ste 110, Hillsboro, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Sonja Chen
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Lisa Hudson-Price
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 9025 NE Von Neumann Drive Ste 110, Hillsboro, OR, 97006, USA
| | | | | | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Joel E Michalek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 9025 NE Von Neumann Drive Ste 110, Hillsboro, OR, 97006, USA.
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2
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Shaw T, Barr FG, Üren A. The PAX Genes: Roles in Development, Cancer, and Other Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1022. [PMID: 38473380 PMCID: PMC10931086 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051022] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Since their 1986 discovery in Drosophila, Paired box (PAX) genes have been shown to play major roles in the early development of the eye, muscle, skeleton, kidney, and other organs. Consistent with their roles as master regulators of tissue formation, the PAX family members are evolutionarily conserved, regulate large transcriptional networks, and in turn can be regulated by a variety of mechanisms. Losses or mutations in these genes can result in developmental disorders or cancers. The precise mechanisms by which PAX genes control disease pathogenesis are well understood in some cases, but much remains to be explored. A deeper understanding of the biology of these genes, therefore, has the potential to aid in the improvement of disease diagnosis and the development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn Shaw
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20001, USA
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3
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Mancarella C, Morrione A, Scotlandi K. PROTAC-Based Protein Degradation as a Promising Strategy for Targeted Therapy in Sarcomas. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16346. [PMID: 38003535 PMCID: PMC10671294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216346] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are heterogeneous bone and soft tissue cancers representing the second most common tumor type in children and adolescents. Histology and genetic profiling discovered more than 100 subtypes, which are characterized by peculiar molecular vulnerabilities. However, limited therapeutic options exist beyond standard therapy and clinical benefits from targeted therapies were observed only in a minority of patients with sarcomas. The rarity of these tumors, paucity of actionable mutations, and limitations in the chemical composition of current targeted therapies hindered the use of these approaches in sarcomas. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an innovative pharmacological modality to directly alter protein abundance with promising clinical potential in cancer, even for undruggable proteins. TPD is based on the use of small molecules called degraders or proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which trigger ubiquitin-dependent degradation of protein of interest. In this review, we will discuss major features of PROTAC and PROTAC-derived genetic systems for target validation and cancer treatment and focus on the potential of these approaches to overcome major issues connected to targeted therapies in sarcomas, including drug resistance, target specificity, and undruggable targets. A deeper understanding of these strategies might provide new fuel to drive molecular and personalized medicine to sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Mancarella
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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4
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Searcy MB, Larsen RK, Stevens BT, Zhang Y, Jin H, Drummond CJ, Langdon CG, Gadek KE, Vuong K, Reed KB, Garcia MR, Xu B, Kimbrough DW, Adkins GE, Djekidel N, Porter SN, Schreiner PA, Pruett-Miller SM, Abraham BJ, Rehg JE, Hatley ME. PAX3-FOXO1 dictates myogenic reprogramming and rhabdomyosarcoma identity in endothelial progenitors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7291. [PMID: 37968277 PMCID: PMC10651858 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43044-1] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS) driven by the expression of the PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) fusion oncoprotein is an aggressive subtype of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. FP-RMS histologically resembles developing muscle yet occurs throughout the body in areas devoid of skeletal muscle highlighting that FP-RMS is not derived from an exclusively myogenic cell of origin. Here we demonstrate that P3F reprograms mouse and human endothelial progenitors to FP-RMS. We show that P3F expression in aP2-Cre expressing cells reprograms endothelial progenitors to functional myogenic stem cells capable of regenerating injured muscle fibers. Further, we describe a FP-RMS mouse model driven by P3F expression and Cdkn2a loss in endothelial cells. Additionally, we show that P3F expression in TP53-null human iPSCs blocks endothelial-directed differentiation and guides cells to become myogenic cells that form FP-RMS tumors in immunocompromised mice. Together these findings demonstrate that FP-RMS can originate from aberrant development of non-myogenic cells driven by P3F.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline B Searcy
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Randolph K Larsen
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Bradley T Stevens
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, 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
| | - Catherine J Drummond
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Casey G Langdon
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Katherine E Gadek
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kyna Vuong
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kristin B Reed
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Matthew R Garcia
- Department of Oncology, 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
| | - Darden W Kimbrough
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 38112, USA
| | - Grace E Adkins
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Nadhir Djekidel
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shaina N Porter
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Patrick A Schreiner
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Brian J Abraham
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jerold E Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Mark E Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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5
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Nakazawa K, Shaw T, Song YK, Kouassi-Brou M, Molotkova A, Tiwari PB, Chou HC, Wen X, Wei JS, Deniz E, Toretsky JA, Keller C, Barr FG, Khan J, Üren A. Piperacetazine Directly Binds to the PAX3::FOXO1 Fusion Protein and Inhibits Its Transcriptional Activity. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2030-2043. [PMID: 37732905 PMCID: PMC10557868 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The tumor-specific chromosomal translocation product, PAX3::FOXO1, is an aberrant fusion protein that plays a key role for oncogenesis in the alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). PAX3::FOXO1 represents a validated molecular target for alveolar RMS and successful inhibition of its oncogenic activity is likely to have significant clinical applications. Even though several PAX3::FOXO1 function-based screening studies have been successfully completed, a directly binding small-molecule inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1 has not been reported. Therefore, we screened small-molecule libraries to identify compounds that were capable of directly binding to PAX3::FOXO1 protein using surface plasmon resonance technology. Compounds that directly bound to PAX3::FOXO1 were further evaluated in secondary transcriptional activation assays. We discovered that piperacetazine can directly bind to PAX3::FOXO1 protein and inhibit fusion protein-derived transcription in multiple alveolar RMS cell lines. Piperacetazine inhibited anchorage-independent growth of fusion-positive alveolar RMS cells but not embryonal RMS cells. On the basis of our findings, piperacetazine is a molecular scaffold upon which derivatives could be developed as specific inhibitors of PAX3::FOXO1. These novel inhibitors could potentially be evaluated in future clinical trials for recurrent or metastatic alveolar RMS as novel targeted therapy options. SIGNIFICANCE RMS is a malignant soft-tissue tumor mainly affecting the pediatric population. A subgroup of RMS with worse prognosis harbors a unique chromosomal translocation creating an oncogenic fusion protein, PAX3::FOXO1. We identified piperacetazine as a direct inhibitor of PAX3::FOXO1, which may provide a scaffold for designing RMS-specific targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Nakazawa
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Taryn Shaw
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Young K. Song
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marilyn Kouassi-Brou
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Anna Molotkova
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Purushottam B. Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xinyu Wen
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jun S. Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emre Deniz
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Hillsboro, Oregon
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
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6
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Hüttner SS, Henze H, Elster D, Koch P, Anderer U, von Eyss B, von Maltzahn J. A dysfunctional miR-1-TRPS1-MYOG axis drives ERMS by suppressing terminal myogenic differentiation. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2612-2632. [PMID: 37452493 PMCID: PMC10492030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.003] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue tumor, comprising two major subtypes: the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-negative embryonal and the PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion-positive alveolar subtype. Here, we demonstrate that the expression levels of the transcriptional repressor TRPS1 are specifically enhanced in the embryonal subtype, resulting in impaired terminal myogenic differentiation and tumor growth. During normal myogenesis, expression levels of TRPS1 have to decrease to allow myogenic progression, as demonstrated by overexpression of TRPS1 in myoblasts impairing myotube formation. Consequentially, myogenic differentiation in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in vitro as well as in vivo can be achieved by reducing TRPS1 levels. Furthermore, we show that TRPS1 levels in RD cells, the bona fide model cell line for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, are regulated by miR-1 and that TRPS1 and MYOD1 share common genomic binding sites. The myogenin (MYOG) promoter is one of the critical targets of TRPS1 and MYOD1; we demonstrate that TRPS1 restricts MYOG expression and thereby inhibits terminal myogenic differentiation. Therefore, reduction of TRPS1 levels in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma might be a therapeutic approach to drive embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells into myogenic differentiation, thereby generating postmitotic myotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören S Hüttner
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Henriette Henze
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Dana Elster
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ursula Anderer
- Department of Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Björn von Eyss
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Julia von Maltzahn
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany.
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7
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Sroka MW, Skopelitis D, Vermunt MW, Preall JB, El Demerdash O, de Almeida LMN, Chang K, Utama R, Gryder B, Caligiuri G, Ren D, Nalbant B, Milazzo JP, Tuveson DA, Dobin A, Hiebert SW, Stengel KR, Mantovani R, Khan J, Kohli RM, Shi J, Blobel GA, Vakoc CR. Myo-differentiation reporter screen reveals NF-Y as an activator of PAX3-FOXO1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303859120. [PMID: 37639593 PMCID: PMC10483665 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303859120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent chromosomal rearrangements found in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) produce the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein, which is an oncogenic driver and a dependency in this disease. One important function of PAX3-FOXO1 is to arrest myogenic differentiation, which is linked to the ability of RMS cells to gain an unlimited proliferation potential. Here, we developed a phenotypic screening strategy for identifying factors that collaborate with PAX3-FOXO1 to block myo-differentiation in RMS. Unlike most genes evaluated in our screen, we found that loss of any of the three subunits of the Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) complex leads to a myo-differentiation phenotype that resembles the effect of inactivating PAX3-FOXO1. While the transcriptomes of NF-Y- and PAX3-FOXO1-deficient RMS cells bear remarkable similarity to one another, we found that these two transcription factors occupy nonoverlapping sites along the genome: NF-Y preferentially occupies promoters, whereas PAX3-FOXO1 primarily binds to distal enhancers. By integrating multiple functional approaches, we map the PAX3 promoter as the point of intersection between these two regulators. We show that NF-Y occupies CCAAT motifs present upstream of PAX3 to function as a transcriptional activator of PAX3-FOXO1 expression in RMS. These findings reveal a critical upstream role of NF-Y in the oncogenic PAX3-FOXO1 pathway, highlighting how a broadly essential transcription factor can perform tumor-specific roles in governing cellular state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marit W. Vermunt
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | - Raditya Utama
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | - Berkley Gryder
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH44106
| | | | - Diqiu Ren
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Benan Nalbant
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | | | | | | | - Scott W. Hiebert
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Kristy R. Stengel
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY10461
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133Milano, Italy
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Rahul M. Kohli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Junwei Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Gerd A. Blobel
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA19104
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8
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Selim O, Song C, Kumar A, Phelan R, Singh A, Federman N. A review of the therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors in rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1244035. [PMID: 37664028 PMCID: PMC10471891 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1244035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to summarize the putative role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and the effects of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) on RMS by elucidating and highlighting known oncogenic pathways, mechanisms of resistance, and the synergistic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors. We searched two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) for the keywords "Rhabdomyosarcoma, histone deacetylase, histone deacetylase inhibitors." We excluded three publications that did not permit access to the full text to review and those that focus exclusively on pleiomorphic RMS in adults. Forty-seven papers met the inclusion criteria. This review highlights that HDACi induce cytotoxicity, cell-cycle arrest, and oxidative stress in RMS cells. Ultimately, HDACi have been shown to increase apoptosis and the cessation of embryonal and alveolar RMS proliferation in vivo and in vitro, both synergistically and on its own. HDACi contain potent therapeutic potential against RMS. This review discusses the significant findings and the biological mechanisms behind the anti-cancer effects of HDACi. Additionally, this review highlights important clinical trials assessing the efficacy of HDACi in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Selim
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Clara Song
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Amy Kumar
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rebecca Phelan
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Arun Singh
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Noah Federman
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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9
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Chauhan S, Woods AD, Bharathy N, Lian X, Ricker CA, Mantz A, Zuercher WJ, Price LH, Morton MJ, Durrant E, Corbel SY, Sampath SC, Sampath SC, Joslin J, Keller C. Structure-activity relationship of dihydropyridines for rhabdomyosarcoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 667:138-145. [PMID: 37224633 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.114] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Childhood muscle-related cancer rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disease with a 50-year unmet clinical need for the patients presented with advanced disease. The rarity of ∼350 cases per year in North America generally diminishes the viability of large-scale, pharmaceutical industry driven drug development efforts for rhabdomyosarcoma. In this study, we performed a large-scale screen of 640,000 compounds to identify the dihydropyridine (DHP) class of anti-hypertensives as a priority compound hit. A structure-activity relationship was uncovered with increasing cell growth inhibition as side chain length increases at the ortho and para positions of the parent DHP molecule. Growth inhibition was consistent across n = 21 rhabdomyosarcoma cell line models. Anti-tumor activity in vitro was paralleled by studies in vivo. The unexpected finding was that the action of DHPs appears to be other than on the DHP receptor (i.e., L-type voltage-gated calcium channel). These findings provide the basis of a medicinal chemistry program to develop dihydropyridine derivatives that retain anti-rhabdomyosarcoma activity without anti-hypertensive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Chauhan
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
| | - Andrew D Woods
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Narendra Bharathy
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Xiaolei Lian
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Cora A Ricker
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Amy Mantz
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - William J Zuercher
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Lisa H Price
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Michael J Morton
- ApconiX Ltd, Alderley Park, Nether Alderley, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Eric Durrant
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Stéphane Y Corbel
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Srinath C Sampath
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Srihari C Sampath
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - John Joslin
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
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10
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Eichner LJ, Curtis SD, Brun SN, McGuire CK, Gushterova I, Baumgart JT, Trefts E, Ross DS, Rymoff TJ, Shaw RJ. HDAC3 is critical in tumor development and therapeutic resistance in Kras-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd3243. [PMID: 36930718 PMCID: PMC10022903 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add3243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
HDAC3 is one of the main targets of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in clinical development as cancer therapies, yet the in vivo role of HDAC3 in solid tumors is unknown. We identified a critical role for HDAC3 in Kras-mutant lung cancer. Using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), we found that HDAC3 is required for lung tumor growth in vivo. HDAC3 was found to direct and enhance the transcription effects of the lung cancer lineage transcription factor NKX2-1 to mediate expression of a common set of target genes. We identified FGFR1 as a critical previously unidentified target of HDAC3. Leveraging this, we identified that an HDAC3-dependent transcriptional cassette becomes hyperactivated as Kras/LKB1-mutant cells develop resistance to the MEK inhibitor trametinib, and this can be reversed by treatment with the HDAC1/HDAC3 inhibitor entinostat. We found that the combination of entinostat plus trametinib treatment elicits therapeutic benefit in the Kras/LKB1 GEMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian J. Eichner
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Stephanie D. Curtis
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Sonja N. Brun
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Caroline K. McGuire
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Irena Gushterova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Joshua T. Baumgart
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Elijah Trefts
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Debbie S. Ross
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Tammy J. Rymoff
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Reuben J. Shaw
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA USA
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11
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Muench MO, Fomin ME, Gutierrez AG, López-Terrada D, Gilfanova R, Nosworthy C, Beyer AI, Ostolaza G, Kats D, Matlock KL, Cairo S, Keller C. CD203c is expressed by human fetal hepatoblasts and distinguishes subsets of hepatoblastoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:927852. [PMID: 36845728 PMCID: PMC9947649 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.927852] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Hepatocytic cells found during prenatal development have unique features compared to their adult counterparts, and are believed to be the precursors of pediatric hepatoblastoma. The cell-surface phenotype of hepatoblasts and hepatoblastoma cell lines was evaluated to discover new markers of these cells and gain insight into the development of hepatocytic cells and the phenotypes and origins of hepatoblastoma. Methods Human midgestation livers and four pediatric hepatoblastoma cell lines were screened using flow cytometry. Expression of over 300 antigens was evaluated on hepatoblasts defined by their expression of CD326 (EpCAM) and CD14. Also analyzed were hematopoietic cells, expressing CD45, and liver sinusoidal-endothelial cells (LSECs), expressing CD14 but lacking CD45 expression. Select antigens were further examined by fluorescence immunomicroscopy of fetal liver sections. Antigen expression was also confirmed on cultured cells by both methods. Gene expression analysis by liver cells, 6 hepatoblastoma cell lines, and hepatoblastoma cells was performed. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate CD203c, CD326, and cytokeratin-19 expression on three hepatoblastoma tumors. Results Antibody screening identified many cell surface markers commonly or divergently expressed by hematopoietic cells, LSECs, and hepatoblasts. Thirteen novel markers expressed on fetal hepatoblasts were identified including ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3 (ENPP-3/CD203c), which was found to be expressed by hepatoblasts with widespread expression in the parenchyma of the fetal liver. In culture CD203c+CD326++ cells resembled hepatocytic cells with coexpression of albumin and cytokeratin-19 confirming a hepatoblast phenotype. CD203c expression declined rapidly in culture whereas the loss of CD326 was not as pronounced. CD203c and CD326 were co-expressed on a subset of hepatoblastoma cell lines and hepatoblastomas with an embryonal pattern. Conclusions CD203c is expressed on hepatoblasts and may play a role in purinergic signaling in the developing liver. Hepatoblastoma cell lines were found to consist of two broad phenotypes consisting of a cholangiocyte-like phenotype that expressed CD203c and CD326 and a hepatocyte-like phenotype with diminished expression of these markers. CD203c was expressed by some hepatoblastoma tumors and may represent a marker of a less differentiated embryonal component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus O. Muench
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, United States,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Marcus O. Muench,
| | - Marina E. Fomin
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Dolores López-Terrada
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States,Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Ashley I. Beyer
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Dina Kats
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | | | - Stefano Cairo
- Research and Development Unit, XenTech, Evry, France
| | - Charles Keller
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
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12
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Lannon M, Al-Sajee D, Bourgeois J, Sehl J, Reddy K, Lu JQ. Diagnosis and management of intraparenchymal rhabdomyosarcoma. Br J Neurosurg 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36597892 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2022.2163980] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intracranial rhabdomyosarcomas represent a rare condition, posing a diagnostic challenge to physicians. Brain intraparenchymal rhabdomyosarcomas are exceptionally rare with poorly understood pathogenesis. METHODS Here we report the first adult case of intraparenchymal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with brainstem and cranial nerve involvement. We conducted a literature search using Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed for published cases of patients with rhabdomyosarcoma of the brain. The keywords used were 'rhabdomyosarcoma' combined with 'intraparenchymal', 'parenchymal', 'cerebral' or 'brain' for title/abstract. Included cases were adult patients (>18 years of age). RESULTS A 59-year-old man presents with multiple cranial nerve palsies. MRI revealed a solitary pontine lesion that was not responsive to steroids. No systemic lesions were identified with an extensive imaging workup. A wide range of serum and cerebrospinal fluid tests were non-diagnostic during a ten-month workup until, ultimately, the patient died as a result of aspiration pneumonia. At autopsy, pathological examination on whole-brain autopsy revealed RMS, centred in the left side of pons with extension to the left side of the midbrain and the right side of pons with multiple cranial nerve involvement. There are only 20 adult cases of primary intraparenchymal RMS reported in the literature. Our present case is the first reported adult RMS in this location, with novel molecular information, providing some insight into the pathogenesis of this rare diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Intraparenchymal rhabdomyosarcoma without evidence of systemic primary disease is extremely rare, resulting in delayed diagnosis in some cases, particularly those not amenable to biopsy. The diagnostic challenge posed by this complementary case highlights the importance of maintaining a differential of neoplasm in the face of non-diagnostic investigations to the contrary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Lannon
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Dhuha Al-Sajee
- Neuropathology Section, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Bourgeois
- Neuropathology Section, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Canada
| | - John Sehl
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Canada
| | - Kesava Reddy
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jian-Qiang Lu
- Neuropathology Section, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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13
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PROX1 transcription factor controls rhabdomyosarcoma growth, stemness, myogenic properties and therapeutic targets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116220119. [PMID: 36459642 PMCID: PMC9894179 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116220119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric soft-tissue cancer with features of skeletal muscle. Because of poor survival of RMS patients and severe long-term side effects of RMS therapies, alternative RMS therapies are urgently needed. Here we show that the prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) transcription factor is highly expressed in RMS tumors regardless of their cell type of origin. We demonstrate that PROX1 is needed for RMS cell clonogenicity, growth and tumor formation. PROX1 gene silencing repressed several myogenic and tumorigenic transcripts and transformed the RD cell transcriptome to resemble that of benign mesenchymal stem cells. Importantly, we found that fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) mediated the growth effects of PROX1 in RMS. Because of receptor cross-compensation, paralog-specific FGFR inhibition did not mimic the effects of PROX1 silencing, whereas a pan-FGFR inhibitor ablated RMS cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Our findings uncover the critical role of PROX1 in RMS and offer insights into the mechanisms that regulate RMS development and growth. As FGFR inhibitors have already been tested in clinical phase I/II trials in other cancer types, our findings provide an alternative option for RMS treatment.
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14
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LaCombe R, Cecchini A, Seibert M, Cornelison DDW. EphA1 receptor tyrosine kinase is localized to the nucleus in rhabdomyosarcoma from multiple species. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio059352. [PMID: 36214254 PMCID: PMC9581518 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
While the typical role of receptor tyrosine kinases is to receive and transmit signals at the cell surface, in some cellular contexts (particularly transformed cells) they may also act as nuclear proteins. Aberrant nuclear localization of receptor tyrosine kinases associated with transformation often enhances the transformed phenotype (i.e. nuclear ErbBs promote tumor progression in breast cancer). Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue tumor in children, develops to resemble immature skeletal muscle and has been proposed to derive from muscle stem/progenitor cells (satellite cells). It is an aggressive cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 33% if it has metastasized. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the development and progression of many other tumor types, but there are only two published studies of Ephs localizing to the nucleus of any cell type and to date no nuclear RTKs have been identified in RMS. In a screen for protein expression of Ephs in canine RMS primary tumors as well as mouse and human RMS cell lines, we noted strong expression of EphA1 in the nucleus of interphase cells in tumors from all three species. This localization pattern changes in dividing cells, with EphA1 localizing to the nucleus or the cytoplasm depending on the phase of the cell cycle. These data represent the first case of a nuclear RTK in RMS, and the first time that EphA1 has been detected in the nucleus of any cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie LaCombe
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Alessandra Cecchini
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Morgan Seibert
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - DDW Cornelison
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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15
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Frankel AO, Lathara M, Shaw CY, Wogmon O, Jackson JM, Clark MM, Eshraghi N, Keenen SE, Woods AD, Purohit R, Ishi Y, Moran N, Eguchi M, Ahmed FUA, Khan S, Ioannou M, Perivoliotis K, Li P, Zhou H, Alkhaledi A, Davis EJ, Galipeau D, Randall RL, Wozniak A, Schoffski P, Lee CJ, Huang PH, Jones RL, Rubin BP, Darrow M, Srinivasa G, Rudzinski ER, Chen S, Berlow NE, Keller C. Machine learning for rhabdomyosarcoma histopathology. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1193-1203. [PMID: 35449398 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Correctly diagnosing a rare childhood cancer such as sarcoma can be critical to assigning the correct treatment regimen. With a finite number of pathologists worldwide specializing in pediatric/young adult sarcoma histopathology, access to expert differential diagnosis early in case assessment is limited for many global regions. The lack of highly-trained sarcoma pathologists is especially pronounced in low to middle-income countries, where pathology expertise may be limited despite a similar rate of sarcoma incidence. To address this issue in part, we developed a deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN)-based differential diagnosis system to act as a pre-pathologist screening tool that quantifies diagnosis likelihood amongst trained soft-tissue sarcoma subtypes based on whole histopathology tissue slides. The CNN model is trained on a cohort of 424 centrally-reviewed histopathology tissue slides of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and clear-cell sarcoma tumors, all initially diagnosed at the originating institution and subsequently validated by central review. This CNN model was able to accurately classify the withheld testing cohort with resulting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under curve (AUC) values above 0.889 for all tested sarcoma subtypes. We subsequently used the CNN model to classify an externally-sourced cohort of human alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma samples and a cohort of 318 histopathology tissue sections from genetically engineered mouse models of rhabdomyosarcoma. Finally, we investigated the overall robustness of the trained CNN model with respect to histopathological variations such as anaplasia, and classification outcomes on histopathology slides from untrained disease models. Overall positive results from our validation studies coupled with the limited worldwide availability of sarcoma pathology expertise suggests the potential of machine learning to assist local pathologists in quickly narrowing the differential diagnosis of sarcoma subtype in children, adolescents, and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur O Frankel
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | | | - Celine Y Shaw
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Owen Wogmon
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Jacob M Jackson
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Mattie M Clark
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Navah Eshraghi
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Stephanie E Keenen
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Andrew D Woods
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Reshma Purohit
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Yukitomo Ishi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nirupama Moran
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Assam, 786002, India
| | - Mariko Eguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Farhat Ul Ain Ahmed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sara Khan
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1×8, Canada
| | - Maria Ioannou
- Department of Pathology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis Larisa, 41110, Greece
| | | | - Pin Li
- Department of Urology, Bayi Children's Hospital, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Huixia Zhou
- Department of Urology, Bayi Children's Hospital, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Ahmad Alkhaledi
- Department of Oncology, Damascus University Hospitals: Damascus, Damascus, Syria
| | | | - Danielle Galipeau
- OHSU Biolibrary, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - R L Randall
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Agnieszka Wozniak
- Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Oncology & Research Unit Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Schoffski
- Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Oncology & Research Unit Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Che-Jui Lee
- Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Oncology & Research Unit Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul H Huang
- Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Robin L Jones
- Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Morgan Darrow
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | | | | | - Sonja Chen
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Noah E Berlow
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
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16
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Singh S, Abu-Zaid A, Jin H, Fang J, Wu Q, Wang T, Feng H, Quarni W, Shao Y, Maxham L, Abdolvahabi A, Yun MK, Vaithiyalingam S, Tan H, Bowling J, Honnell V, Young B, Guo Y, Bajpai R, Pruett-Miller SM, Grosveld GC, Hatley M, Xu B, Fan Y, Wu G, Chen EY, Chen T, Lewis PW, Rankovic Z, Li Y, Murphy AJ, Easton J, Peng J, Chen X, Wang R, White SW, Davidoff AM, Yang J. Targeting KDM4 for treating PAX3-FOXO1-driven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabq2096. [PMID: 35857643 PMCID: PMC9548378 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq2096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric transcription factors drive lineage-specific oncogenesis but are notoriously difficult to target. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood soft tissue sarcoma transformed by the pathognomonic Paired Box 3-Forkhead Box O1 (PAX3-FOXO1) fusion protein, which governs a core regulatory circuitry transcription factor network. Here, we show that the histone lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is a therapeutic vulnerability for PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4B substantially delayed tumor growth. Suppression of KDM4 proteins inhibited the expression of core oncogenic transcription factors and caused epigenetic alterations of PAX3-FOXO1-governed superenhancers. Combining KDM4 inhibition with cytotoxic chemotherapy led to tumor regression in preclinical PAX3-FOXO1+ RMS subcutaneous xenograft models. In summary, we identified a targetable mechanism required for maintenance of the PAX3-FOXO1-related transcription factor network, which may translate to a therapeutic approach for fusion-positive RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivendra Singh
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ahmed Abu-Zaid
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Helin Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Waise Quarni
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ying Shao
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lily Maxham
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alireza Abdolvahabi
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sivaraja Vaithiyalingam
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Protein Technologies Center, Molecular Interaction Analysis, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - John Bowling
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Victoria Honnell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brandon Young
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yian Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richa Bajpai
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Gerard C Grosveld
- Department of Genetics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mark Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yiping Fan
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Eleanor Y. Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Peter W. Lewis
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew J. Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - John Easton
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ruoning Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disease, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Stephen W. White
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew M. Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Ave, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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17
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Complex Elucidation of Cells-of-Origin in Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma: From Concepts to Real Life, Hide-and-Seek through Epigenetic and Transcriptional Reprogramming. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116310. [PMID: 35682989 PMCID: PMC9181261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116310] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) comprise a large group of mesenchymal malignant tumors with heterogeneous cellular morphology, proliferative index, genetic lesions and, more importantly, clinical features. Full elucidation of this wide diversity remains a central question to improve their therapeutic management and the identity of cell(s)-of-origin from which these tumors arise is part of this enigma. Cellular reprogramming allows transitions of a mature cell between phenotypes, or identities, and represents one key driver of tumoral heterogeneity. Here, we discuss how cellular reprogramming mediated by driver genes in STS can profoundly reshape the molecular and morphological features of a transformed cell and lead to erroneous interpretation of its cell-of-origin. This review questions the fact that the epigenetic context in which a genetic alteration arises has to be taken into account as a key determinant of STS tumor initiation and progression. Retracing the cancer-initiating cell and its clonal evolution, notably via epigenetic approach, appears as a key lever for understanding the origin of these tumors and improving their clinical management.
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18
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Lanzi C, Cassinelli G. Combinatorial strategies to potentiate the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in fusion-positive sarcomas. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114944. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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19
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Bharathy N, Cleary MM, Kim JA, Nagamori K, Crawford KA, Wang E, Saha D, Settelmeyer TP, Purohit R, Skopelitis D, Chang K, Doran JA, Kirschbaum CW, Bharathy S, Crews DW, Randolph ME, Karnezis AN, Hudson-Price L, Dhawan J, Michalek JE, Ciulli A, Vakoc CR, Keller C. SMARCA4 biology in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:1647-1656. [PMID: 35094009 PMCID: PMC9985831 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and phenocopies a muscle precursor that fails to undergo terminal differentiation. The alveolar subtype (ARMS) has the poorest prognosis and represents the greatest unmet medical need for RMS. Emerging evidence supports the role of epigenetic dysregulation in RMS. Here we show that SMARCA4/BRG1, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme of the SWI/SNF complex, is prominently expressed in primary tumors from ARMS patients and cell cultures. Our validation studies for a CRISPR screen of 400 epigenetic targets identified SMARCA4 as a unique factor for long-term (but not short-term) tumor cell survival in ARMS. A SMARCA4/SMARCA2 protein degrader (ACBI-1) demonstrated similar long-term tumor cell dependence in vitro and in vivo. These results credential SMARCA4 as a tumor cell dependency factor and a therapeutic target in ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Bharathy
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA,Present Address: Gene Therapy Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA 19104 USA
| | - Megan M. Cleary
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | - Jin-Ah Kim
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | - Kiyo Nagamori
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | | | - Eric Wang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724 USA
| | - Debarya Saha
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA,CSIR-CCMB, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007 India
| | | | - Reshma Purohit
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | | | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724 USA
| | - Jessica A. Doran
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | - C. Ward Kirschbaum
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | - Suriya Bharathy
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | - Davis W. Crews
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | | | - Anthony N. Karnezis
- University of California C Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA,British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
| | - Lisa Hudson-Price
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
| | | | - Joel E. Michalek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | | | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
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20
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Giannikopoulos P, Parham DM. Rhabdomyosarcoma: How Advanced Molecular Methods Are Shaping the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Paradigm. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2021; 24:395-404. [PMID: 34107813 DOI: 10.1177/10935266211013621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For the past 40 years, progress in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has been focused on understanding its molecular basis and characterizing the mutations that drive its tumorigenesis and progression. Genetic predisposition to RMS has allowed discovery of key genetic pathways and driver mutations. Subclassification of RMS into embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS) subtypes has shifted from histology to PAX-FOXO1 fusion status, and new driver mutations have been found in spindle cell RMS. Comprehensive molecular profiling leveraging genome-scale next-generation sequencing (NGS) indicates that the RAS/RAF/PI3K axis is mutated in the majority of ERMS and modulated by downstream effects of PAX-FOXO1 fusions in ARMS. Because of the continued poor outcome of high-risk RMS, a variety of molecular targets have been or are now being tested in current or recent therapy trials. New techniques such as single cell sequencing, spatial multi-omics, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing offer potential for further discovery, but a need for clinically annotated specimens persists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Giannikopoulos
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David M Parham
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA (retired)
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21
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Expression of oncogenic HRAS in human Rh28 and RMS-YM rhabdomyosarcoma cells leads to oncogene-induced senescence. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16505. [PMID: 34389744 PMCID: PMC8363632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95355-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. The two predominant histologic variants of RMS, embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS and aRMS, respectively), carry very different prognoses. While eRMS is associated with an intermediate prognosis, the 5-year survival rate of aRMS is less than 30%. The RMS subtypes are also different at the molecular level-eRMS frequently has multiple genetic alterations, including mutations in RAS and TP53, whereas aRMS often has chromosomal translocations resulting in PAX3-FOXO1 or PAX7-FOXO1 fusions, but otherwise has a "quiet" genome. Interestingly, mutations in RAS are rarely found in aRMS. In this study, we explored the role of oncogenic RAS in aRMS. We found that while ectopic oncogenic HRAS expression was tolerated in the human RAS-driven eRMS cell line RD, it was detrimental to cell growth and proliferation in the human aRMS cell line Rh28. Growth inhibition was mediated by oncogene-induced senescence and associated with increased RB pathway activity and expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16 and p21. Unexpectedly, the human eRMS cell line RMS-YM, a RAS wild-type eRMS cell line, also exhibited growth inhibition in response to oncogenic HRAS in a manner similar to aRMS Rh28 cells. This work suggests that oncogenic RAS is expressed in a context-dependent manner in RMS and may provide insight into the differential origins and therapeutic opportunities for RMS subtypes.
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22
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Regina C, Hamed E, Andrieux G, Angenendt S, Schneider M, Ku M, Follo M, Wachtel M, Ke E, Kikuchi K, Henssen AG, Schäfer BW, Boerries M, Wagers AJ, Keller C, Hettmer S. Negative correlation of single-cell PAX3:FOXO1 expression with tumorigenicity in rhabdomyosarcoma. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/9/e202001002. [PMID: 34187933 PMCID: PMC8321661 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell PAX3:FOXO1 expression in rhabdomyosarcoma is variable. PAX3:FOXO1 low cell states are characterized by more efficient adhesion, migration and tumor-propagating capacity. Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous. Both primary human RMS cultures and low-passage Myf6Cre,Pax3:Foxo1,p53 mouse RMS cell lines, which express the fusion oncoprotein Pax3:Foxo1 and lack the tumor suppressor Tp53 (Myf6Cre,Pax3:Foxo1,p53), exhibit marked heterogeneity in PAX3:FOXO1 (P3F) expression at the single cell level. In mouse RMS cells, P3F expression is directed by the Pax3 promoter and coupled to eYFP. YFPlow/P3Flow mouse RMS cells included 87% G0/G1 cells and reorganized their actin cytoskeleton to produce a cellular phenotype characterized by more efficient adhesion and migration. This translated into higher tumor-propagating cell frequencies of YFPlow/P3Flow compared with YFPhigh/P3Fhigh cells. Both YFPlow/P3Flow and YFPhigh/P3Fhigh cells gave rise to mixed clones in vitro, consistent with fluctuations in P3F expression over time. Exposure to the anti-tropomyosin compound TR100 disrupted the cytoskeleton and reversed enhanced migration and adhesion of YFPlow/P3Flow RMS cells. Heterogeneous expression of PAX3:FOXO1 at the single cell level may provide a critical advantage during tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Regina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ebrahem Hamed
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Angenendt
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schneider
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manching Ku
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Wachtel
- University Children's Hospital, Children's Research Center and Department of Oncology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eugene Ke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ken Kikuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Anton G Henssen
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center of the Max Delbrück Center and Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- University Children's Hospital, Children's Research Center and Department of Oncology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amy J Wagers
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany .,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), Freiburg, Germany
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23
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Preclinical In Vivo Modeling of Pediatric Sarcoma-Promises and Limitations. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10081578. [PMID: 33918045 PMCID: PMC8069549 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric sarcomas are an extremely heterogeneous group of genetically distinct diseases. Despite the increasing knowledge on their molecular makeup in recent years, true therapeutic advancements are largely lacking and prognosis often remains dim, particularly for relapsed and metastasized patients. Since this is largely due to the lack of suitable model systems as a prerequisite to develop and assess novel therapeutics, we here review the available approaches to model sarcoma in vivo. We focused on genetically engineered and patient-derived mouse models, compared strengths and weaknesses, and finally explored possibilities and limitations to utilize these models to advance both biological understanding as well as clinical diagnosis and therapy.
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24
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Bukowinski A, Chang B, Reid JM, Liu X, Minard CG, Trepel JB, Lee MJ, Fox E, Weigel BJ. A phase 1 study of entinostat in children and adolescents with recurrent or refractory solid tumors, including CNS tumors: Trial ADVL1513, Pediatric Early Phase-Clinical Trial Network (PEP-CTN). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28892. [PMID: 33438318 PMCID: PMC9176707 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entinostat is an oral small molecule inhibitor of class I histone deacetylases (HDAC), which has not previously been evaluated in pediatrics. We conducted a phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose/recommended phase 2 dose (MTD/RP2D), toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of entinostat in children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors including central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. METHODS A rolling six dose escalation design evaluated two dose levels. Entinostat oral tablet formulation was administered once per week, four doses per 28-day cycle. PK and PD studies were performed. RESULTS Twenty-one eligible patients' median (range) age was 14 years (6-20). Six subjects were treated at 3 mg/m2 dose level and 15 were treated in 4 mg/m2 dose level. The study included patients with CNS tumors (n = 12), sarcomas (n = 6), or other solid tumors (n = 3). Eight patients were not fully evaluable for toxicity due to progression of disease prior to receiving the required percentage of protocol therapy. No cycle one dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed at either dose level. A three-fold higher area under the curve (AUC) was achieved in our cohort compared to adults using a similar dosing schedule. The PD studies showed increase in acetylated lysine in peripheral blood leukocytes at both doses. CONCLUSIONS Entinostat was well tolerated with no DLT observed. All patients experienced progression within the first two cycles, except one patient with ependymoma with stable disease. Based on PK and PD, the R2PD in pediatric patients with solid tumors is 4 mg/m2 orally administered once weekly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bukowinski
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bill Chang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Xiaowei Liu
- Children’s Oncology Group, Operation Center, Monrovia CA, USA
| | - Charles G. Minard
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jane B. Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Min-Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Brenda J. Weigel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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25
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Prioritization of Novel Agents for Patients with Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) New Agents for Rhabdomyosarcoma Task Force. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071416. [PMID: 33915882 PMCID: PMC8037615 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed in children and adolescents. Patients that are diagnosed with advanced or relapsed disease have exceptionally poor outcomes. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) convened a rhabdomyosarcoma new agent task force in 2020 to systematically evaluate novel agents for inclusion in phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials for patients diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, following a similar effort for Ewing sarcoma. The task force was comprised of clinicians and basic scientists who collectively identified new agents for evaluation and prioritization in clinical trial testing. Here, we report the work of the task force including the framework upon which the decisions were rendered and review the top classes of agents that were discussed. Representative agents include poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in combination with cytotoxic agents, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors in combination with type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR1) inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, and novel cytotoxic agents.
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26
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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27
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Berlow NE, Crawford KA, Bult CJ, Noakes C, Sloma I, Rudzinski ER, Keller C. Functional impact of a germline RET mutation in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2021; 7:mcs.a006049. [PMID: 33722797 PMCID: PMC8208040 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a006049] [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: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific mutations in the RET proto-oncogene are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, a hereditary syndrome characterized by tumorigenesis in multiple glandular elements. In rare instances, MEN2A-associated germline RET mutations have also occurred with non-MEN2A associated cancers. One such germline mutant RET mutation occurred concomitantly in a young adult diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a pediatric and young adult soft-tissue cancer with a generally poor prognosis. Although tumor tissue samples were initially unable to provide a viable cell culture for study, tumor tissues were sequenced for molecular characteristics. Through a hierarchical clustering approach, the index case sample was matched to several genetically similar cell models, which were transformed to express the same mutant RET as the index case and used to explore potential therapeutic options for mutant RET-bearing alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. We also determined whether the RET mutation associated with the index case caused synthetic lethality to select clinical agents. From our investigation, we did not identify synthetic lethality associated with the expression of that patient's RET variant, and overall we did not find experimental evidence for the role of RET in rhabdomyosarcoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah E Berlow
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, USA
| | - Kenneth A Crawford
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, USA
| | - Carol J Bult
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA
| | | | - Ido Sloma
- Champions Oncology, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, USA
| | | | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, USA
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28
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Lian X, Bond JS, Bharathy N, Boudko SP, Pokidysheva E, Shern JF, Lathara M, Sasaki T, Settelmeyer T, Cleary MM, Bajwa A, Srinivasa G, Hartley CP, Bächinger HP, Mansoor A, Gultekin SH, Berlow NE, Keller C. Defining the Extracellular Matrix of Rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:601957. [PMID: 33708626 PMCID: PMC7942227 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.601957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of childhood with a propensity to metastasize. Current treatment for patients with RMS includes conventional systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection; nevertheless, little to no improvement in long term survival has been achieved in decades-underlining the need for target discovery and new therapeutic approaches to targeting tumor cells or the tumor microenvironment. To evaluate cross-species sarcoma extracellular matrix production, we have used murine models which feature knowledge of the myogenic cell-of-origin. With focus on the RMS/undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) continuum, we have constructed tissue microarrays of 48 murine and four human sarcomas to analyze expression of seven different collagens, fibrillins, and collagen-modifying proteins, with cross-correlation to RNA deep sequencing. We have uncovered that RMS produces increased expression of type XVIII collagen alpha 1 (COL18A1), which is clinically associated with decreased long-term survival. We have also identified significantly increased RNA expression of COL4A1, FBN2, PLOD1, and PLOD2 in human RMS relative to normal skeletal muscle. These results complement recent studies investigating whether soft tissue sarcomas utilize collagens, fibrillins, and collagen-modifying enzymes to alter the structural integrity of surrounding host extracellular matrix/collagen quaternary structure resulting in improved ability to improve the ability to invade regionally and metastasize, for which therapeutic targeting is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Lian
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - J. Steffan Bond
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Narendra Bharathy
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Sergei P. Boudko
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Elena Pokidysheva
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Melvin Lathara
- Bioinformatics, Omics Data Automation, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Takako Sasaki
- Department of Matrix Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Teagan Settelmeyer
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Megan M. Cleary
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Ayeza Bajwa
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | | | | | - Hans Peter Bächinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Atiya Mansoor
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sakir H. Gultekin
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Noah E. Berlow
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Charles Keller
- Pediatric Cancer Biology, Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR, United States
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29
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Boudjadi S, Pandey PR, Chatterjee B, Nguyen TH, Sun W, Barr FG. A Fusion Transcription Factor-Driven Cancer Progresses to a Fusion-Independent Relapse via Constitutive Activation of a Downstream Transcriptional Target. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2930-2942. [PMID: 33589519 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeted monotherapies usually fail due to development of resistance by a subgroup of cells that evolve into recurrent tumors. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive myogenic soft-tissue cancer that is associated with a characteristic PAX3-FOXO1 gene fusion encoding a novel fusion transcription factor. In our myoblast model of PAX3-FOXO1-induced rhabdomyosarcoma, deinduction of PAX3-FOXO1 simulates a targeted therapy that antagonizes the fusion oncoprotein. This simulated therapy results initially in regression of the primary tumors, but PAX3-FOXO1-independent recurrent tumors eventually form after a delay. We report here that upregulation of FGF8, a direct transcriptional target of PAX3-FOXO1, is a mechanism responsible for PAX3-FOXO1-independent tumor recurrence. As a transcriptional target of PAX3-FOXO1, FGF8 promoted oncogenic activity in PAX3-FOXO1-expressing primary tumors that developed in the myoblast system. In the recurrent tumors forming after PAX3-FOXO1 deinduction, FGF8 expression was necessary and sufficient to induce PAX3-FOXO1-independent tumor growth through an autocrine mechanism. FGF8 was also expressed in human PAX3-FOXO1-expressing rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines and contributed to proliferation and transformation. In a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line with reduced PAX3-FOXO1 expression, FGF8 upregulation rescued oncogenicity and simulated recurrence after PAX3-FOXO1-targeted therapy. We propose that deregulated expression of a PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional target can generate resistance to therapy directed against this oncogenic transcription factor and postulate that this resistance mechanism may ultimately be countered by therapeutic approaches that antagonize the corresponding downstream pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: In a model of cancer initiated by a fusion transcription factor, constitutive activation of a downstream transcriptional target leads to fusion oncoprotein-independent recurrences, thereby highlighting a novel progression mechanism and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Boudjadi
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Puspa Raj Pandey
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Thanh Hung Nguyen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wenyue Sun
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.
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30
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Slemmons KK, Deel MD, Lin YT, Oristian KM, Kuprasertkul N, Genadry KC, Chen PH, Chi JTA, Linardic CM. A method to culture human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines as rhabdospheres demonstrates an enrichment in stemness and Notch signaling. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio.050211. [PMID: 33372065 PMCID: PMC7888706 DOI: 10.1242/bio.050211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of three-dimensional cell culture techniques has allowed cancer researchers to study the stemness properties of cancer cells in in vitro culture. However, a method to grow PAX3-FOXO1 fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS), an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma of childhood, has to date not been reported, hampering efforts to identify the dysregulated signaling pathways that underlie FP-RMS stemness. Here, we first examine the expression of canonical stem cell markers in human RMS tumors and cell lines. We then describe a method to grow FP-RMS cell lines as rhabdospheres and demonstrate that these spheres are enriched in expression of canonical stemness factors as well as Notch signaling components. Specifically, FP-RMS rhabdospheres have increased expression of SOX2, POU5F1 (OCT4), and NANOG, and several receptors and transcriptional regulators in the Notch signaling pathway. FP-RMS rhabdospheres also exhibit functional stemness characteristics including multipotency, increased tumorigenicity in vivo, and chemoresistance. This method provides a novel practical tool to support research into FP-RMS stemness and chemoresistance signaling mechanisms. Summary: Here we report on a method to culture human PAX3-FOXO1 fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma cells in three dimensions, and use these rhabdospheres as a novel tool to study their stemness and chemoresistance signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Slemmons
- Departments of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michael D Deel
- Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Yi-Tzu Lin
- Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Departments of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.,Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Katia C Genadry
- Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Po-Han Chen
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Departments of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina .,Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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31
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Gonzalez Curto G, Der Vartanian A, Frarma YEM, Manceau L, Baldi L, Prisco S, Elarouci N, Causeret F, Korenkov D, Rigolet M, Aurade F, De Reynies A, Contremoulins V, Relaix F, Faklaris O, Briscoe J, Gilardi-Hebenstreit P, Ribes V. The PAX-FOXO1s trigger fast trans-differentiation of chick embryonic neural cells into alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with tissue invasive properties limited by S phase entry inhibition. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009164. [PMID: 33175861 PMCID: PMC7682867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromosome translocations generating PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 chimeric proteins are the primary hallmarks of the paediatric fusion-positive alveolar subtype of Rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS). Despite the ability of these transcription factors to remodel chromatin landscapes and promote the expression of tumour driver genes, they only inefficiently promote malignant transformation in vivo. The reason for this is unclear. To address this, we developed an in ovo model to follow the response of spinal cord progenitors to PAX-FOXO1s. Our data demonstrate that PAX-FOXO1s, but not wild-type PAX3 or PAX7, trigger the trans-differentiation of neural cells into FP-RMS-like cells with myogenic characteristics. In parallel, PAX-FOXO1s remodel the neural pseudo-stratified epithelium into a cohesive mesenchyme capable of tissue invasion. Surprisingly, expression of PAX-FOXO1s, similar to wild-type PAX3/7, reduce the levels of CDK-CYCLIN activity and increase the fraction of cells in G1. Introduction of CYCLIN D1 or MYCN overcomes this PAX-FOXO1-mediated cell cycle inhibition and promotes tumour growth. Together, our findings reveal a mechanism that can explain the apparent limited oncogenicity of PAX-FOXO1 fusion transcription factors. They are also consistent with certain clinical reports indicative of a neural origin of FP-RMS. The fusion-positive subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS) is a rare malignant paediatric cancer, whose induction and evolution still remain to be deciphered. Out of the gross genetic aberrations found in these cancers, t(2:13) and t(1,13) chromosome translocations are the first to appear and lead to the expression of fusion proteins made of the DNA binding domains of either PAX3 or PAX7 and the transactivation domain of FOXO1. Both PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 have a strong impact on gene transcription, yet they only inefficiently promote the transformation of healthy cells into tumorigenic cells. To address this issue, we have used chick embryos to monitor in vivo the early response of cells to PAX-FOXO1 chimeric proteins. We showed that both proteins, but not the normal PAX3 and PAX7, transform neural cells into cells with FP-RMS molecular features. The PAX-FOXO1s also force polarized epithelial neural cells to adopt a mesenchymal phenotype with tissue invasive properties. However, the PAX-FOXO1s inhibit cell division and hence tumour growth. Genetically re-activating core cell cycle regulators rescues PAX-FOXO1 mediated cell cycle inhibition. Together, our findings bring further support to the idea that the PAX-FOXO1s are stricto sensu oncoproteins, whose oncogenicity is limited by negative effects on cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Line Manceau
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Baldi
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Selene Prisco
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Nabila Elarouci
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Causeret
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Team Genetics and Development of the Cerebral Cortex, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Daniil Korenkov
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Rigolet
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
| | - Frédéric Aurade
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien De Reynies
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Contremoulins
- ImagoSeine core facility of Institut Jacques Monod and member of France-BioImaging, France
| | - Frédéric Relaix
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, EnVA, EFS, IMRB, Créteil, France
| | - Orestis Faklaris
- ImagoSeine core facility of Institut Jacques Monod and member of France-BioImaging, France
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vanessa Ribes
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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32
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Fahs A, Ramadan F, Ghamloush F, Ayoub AJ, Ahmad FA, Kobeissy F, Mechref Y, Zhao J, Zhu R, Hussein N, Saab R, Ghayad SE. Effects of the Oncoprotein PAX3-FOXO1 on Modulation of Exosomes Function and Protein Content: Implications on Oxidative Stress Protection and Enhanced Plasticity. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1784. [PMID: 33117671 PMCID: PMC7560303 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma classified into two major histologic subtypes: embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS). ARMS subtype is clinically more aggressive, and characterized by an oncogenic fusion protein PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) that drives oncogenic cellular properties. To understand the role of the fusion oncoprotein in paracrine signaling, we focused on secreted exosomes, which have been demonstrated to contribute to metastasis in multiple tumor types. Advanced Proteomics-bioinformatics analysis of the protein cargo of exosomes isolated from C2C12 myoblasts transduced with P3F fusion gene revealed 52 deregulated proteins compared to control cells, with 26 enriched and 26 depleted proteins. Using both PANTHER gene classification and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software, we found that the main biological processes in which the 52 deregulated proteins are involved, include “catalytic activity,” “binding,” “metabolic process,” and “cellular process.” The pathways engaging the 26 enriched proteins include the “14-3-3 mediated signaling,” “cell cycle,” and “ERK5, VEGF, IGF1,and p70S6K signaling.” Furthermore, the main nodes in which deregulated exosome proteins and miRNAs intersected revealed pathways conferring protection from stress and promoting plasticity. Based on the bioinformatics analysis and the altered exosome proteome profile, we performed biochemical functional analysis to study the diverse properties of these exosomes where angiogenesis, stemness, and anti-oxidative stress properties were validated using different platforms. P3F-modulated exosomes activated ERK, 4-EBP1, and MMP-2 in recipient cells, and enhanced angiogenesis and stemness. In addition, P3F led to lower cellular reactive oxygen species levels and enhanced resistance against oxidative stress; and treatment of stromal cells with P3F-modulated exosomes also conferred protection against exogenous oxidative stress. Our findings highlight the role of P3F fusion protein in modulating exosome cargo to confer a protective effect on recipient cells against oxidative stress and to promote plasticity and survival, potentially contributing to the known aggressive phenotype of the fusion gene-positive subtype of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assil Fahs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ramadan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ghamloush
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abeer J Ayoub
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Ali Ahmad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Jingfu Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Rui Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Nader Hussein
- Cancer Biology Stem Cells and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Raya Saab
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra E Ghayad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
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33
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Targeting the undruggable: exploiting neomorphic features of fusion oncoproteins in childhood sarcomas for innovative therapies. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 38:625-642. [PMID: 31970591 PMCID: PMC6994515 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
While sarcomas account for approximately 1% of malignant tumors of adults, they are particularly more common in children and adolescents affected by cancer. In contrast to malignancies that occur in later stages of life, childhood tumors, including sarcoma, are characterized by a striking paucity of somatic mutations. However, entity-defining fusion oncogenes acting as the main oncogenic driver mutations are frequently found in pediatric bone and soft-tissue sarcomas such as Ewing sarcoma (EWSR1-FLI1), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (PAX3/7-FOXO1), and synovial sarcoma (SS18-SSX1/2/4). Since strong oncogene-dependency has been demonstrated in these entities, direct pharmacological targeting of these fusion oncogenes has been excessively attempted, thus far, with limited success. Despite apparent challenges, our increasing understanding of the neomorphic features of these fusion oncogenes in conjunction with rapid technological advances will likely enable the development of new strategies to therapeutically exploit these neomorphic features and to ultimately turn the “undruggable” into first-line target structures. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the current literature on targeting neomorphic features of fusion oncogenes found in Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma, and give a perspective for future developments. Scheme depicting the different targeting strategies of fusion oncogenes in pediatric fusion-driven sarcomas. Fusion oncogenes can be targeted on their DNA level (1), RNA level (2), protein level (3), and by targeting downstream functions and interaction partners (4). ![]()
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34
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Ommer J, Selfe JL, Wachtel M, O'Brien EM, Laubscher D, Roemmele M, Kasper S, Delattre O, Surdez D, Petts G, Kelsey A, Shipley J, Schäfer BW. Aurora A Kinase Inhibition Destabilizes PAX3-FOXO1 and MYCN and Synergizes with Navitoclax to Induce Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Death. Cancer Res 2019; 80:832-842. [PMID: 31888889 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The clinically aggressive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) subtype is characterized by expression of the oncogenic fusion protein PAX3-FOXO1, which is critical for tumorigenesis and cell survival. Here, we studied the mechanism of cell death induced by loss of PAX3-FOXO1 expression and identified a novel pharmacologic combination therapy that interferes with PAX3-FOXO1 biology at different levels. Depletion of PAX3-FOXO1 in fusion-positive (FP)-RMS cells induced intrinsic apoptosis in a NOXA-dependent manner. This was pharmacologically mimicked by the BH3 mimetic navitoclax, identified as top compound in a screen from 208 targeted compounds. In a parallel approach, and to identify drugs that alter the stability of PAX3-FOXO1 protein, the same drug library was screened and fusion protein levels were directly measured as a read-out. This revealed that inhibition of Aurora kinase A most efficiently negatively affected PAX3-FOXO1 protein levels. Interestingly, this occurred through a novel specific phosphorylation event in and binding to the fusion protein. Aurora kinase A inhibition also destabilized MYCN, which is both a functionally important oncogene and transcriptional target of PAX3-FOXO1. Combined treatment with an Aurora kinase A inhibitor and navitoclax in FP-RMS cell lines and patient-derived xenografts synergistically induced cell death and significantly slowed tumor growth. These studies identify a novel functional interaction of Aurora kinase A with both PAX3-FOXO1 and its effector MYCN, and reveal new opportunities for targeted combination treatment of FP-RMS. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that Aurora kinase A and Bcl-2 family proteins are potential targets for FP-RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Ommer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joanna L Selfe
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleanor M O'Brien
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominik Laubscher
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Roemmele
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Kasper
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Delattre
- France INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisé LNCC, PSL Université, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Didier Surdez
- France INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisé LNCC, PSL Université, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Gemma Petts
- Department of Diagnostic Paediatric Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Diagnostic Paediatric Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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35
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Chen C, Dorado Garcia H, Scheer M, Henssen AG. Current and Future Treatment Strategies for Rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1458. [PMID: 31921698 PMCID: PMC6933601 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, and can be subcategorized histologically and/or based on PAX-FOXO1 fusion gene status. Over the last four decades, there have been no significant improvements in clinical outcomes for advanced and metastatic RMS patients, underscoring a need for new treatment options for these groups. Despite significant advancements in our understanding of the genomic landscape and underlying biological mechanisms governing RMS that have informed the identification of novel therapeutic targets, development of these therapies in clinical trials has lagged far behind. In this review, we summarize the current frontline multi-modality therapy for RMS according to pediatric protocols, highlight emerging targeted therapies and immunotherapies identified by preclinical studies, and discuss early clinical trial data and the implications they hold for future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Chen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heathcliff Dorado Garcia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monika Scheer
- Pediatrics 5, Klinikum Stuttgart, Olgahospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anton G. Henssen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the MDC and Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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36
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Houghton PJ, Kurmasheva RT. Challenges and Opportunities for Childhood Cancer Drug Development. Pharmacol Rev 2019; 71:671-697. [PMID: 31558580 PMCID: PMC6768308 DOI: 10.1124/pr.118.016972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer in children is rare with approximately 15,700 new cases diagnosed in the United States annually. Through use of multimodality therapy (surgery, radiation therapy, and aggressive chemotherapy), 70% of patients will be "cured" of their disease, and 5-year event-free survival exceeds 80%. However, for patients surviving their malignancy, therapy-related long-term adverse effects are severe, with an estimated 50% having chronic life-threatening toxicities related to therapy in their fourth or fifth decade of life. While overall intensive therapy with cytotoxic agents continues to reduce cancer-related mortality, new understanding of the molecular etiology of many childhood cancers offers an opportunity to redirect efforts to develop effective, less genotoxic therapeutic options, including agents that target oncogenic drivers directly, and the potential for use of agents that target the tumor microenvironment and immune-directed therapies. However, for many high-risk cancers, significant challenges remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Raushan T Kurmasheva
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
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37
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Yohe ME, Heske CM, Stewart E, Adamson PC, Ahmed N, Antonescu CR, Chen E, Collins N, Ehrlich A, Galindo RL, Gryder BE, Hahn H, Hammond S, Hatley ME, Hawkins DS, Hayes MN, Hayes-Jordan A, Helman LJ, Hettmer S, Ignatius MS, Keller C, Khan J, Kirsch DG, Linardic CM, Lupo PJ, Rota R, Shern JF, Shipley J, Sindiri S, Tapscott SJ, Vakoc CR, Wexler LH, Langenau DM. Insights into pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma research: Challenges and goals. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27869. [PMID: 31222885 PMCID: PMC6707829 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Overall survival rates for pediatric patients with high-risk or relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have not improved significantly since the 1980s. Recent studies have identified a number of targetable vulnerabilities in RMS, but these discoveries have infrequently translated into clinical trials. We propose streamlining the process by which agents are selected for clinical evaluation in RMS. We believe that strong consideration should be given to the development of combination therapies that add biologically targeted agents to conventional cytotoxic drugs. One example of this type of combination is the addition of the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 to the conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, vincristine and irinotecan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nabil Ahmed
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | | | | | | | | | - Rene L. Galindo
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | | | - Heidi Hahn
- University Medical Center Gӧttingen, Gӧttingen, Germany
| | | | - Mark E. Hatley
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Douglas S. Hawkins
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98105
| | - Madeline N. Hayes
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
| | | | - Lee J. Helman
- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027
| | | | | | - Charles Keller
- Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005
| | - Javed Khan
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | - Philip J. Lupo
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Rossella Rota
- Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Janet Shipley
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - David M. Langenau
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114
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38
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Hedrick E, Mohankumar K, Lacey A, Safe S. Inhibition of NR4A1 Promotes ROS Accumulation and IL24-Dependent Growth Arrest in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:2221-2232. [PMID: 31462501 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is overexpressed in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and inactivation of NR4A1 (siNR4A1) or treatment with the NR4A1 antagonist 1,1-bis(3'-indoly)-1-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) has antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on RMS cells. However, the mechanism by which NR4A1 inhibition exerts these effects is poorly defined. Here, we report that NR4A1 silencing or inhibition resulted in accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-dependent induction of the tumor suppressor-like cytokine IL24 in RMS cells. Mechanistically, NR4A1 was found to regulate the expression of the proreductant genes thioredoxin domain-containing 5 (TXNDC5) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), which are downregulated in RMS cells following NR4A1 knockdown or inhibition. Silencing TXNDC5 and IDH1 also induced ROS accumulation and IL24 expression in RMS cells, suggesting that NR4A1 antagonists mediate their antiproliferative and apoptotic effects through modulation of proreductant gene expression. Finally, cotreatment with the antioxidant glutathione or IL24-blocking antibody reversed the effects of NR4A1 inhibition, demonstrating the importance of both ROS and IL24 in mediating the cellular responses. IMPLICATIONS: Overall, these data elucidate the mechanism by which NR4A1 inhibition functions to inhibit the proliferation, survival, and migration of RMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Hedrick
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Alexandra Lacey
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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Concomitant targeting of Hedgehog signaling and MCL-1 synergistically induces cell death in Hedgehog-driven cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 465:1-11. [PMID: 31465840 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we show that concomitant inhibition of Hedgehog (HH) signaling by the glioma-associated oncogene homolog1 (GLI1)-targeting agent GANT61 and the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein family member MCL-1 by A-1210477 synergistically induces cell death in HH-driven cancers, i.e. rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and medulloblastoma (MB) cells. Combined genetic and pharmacological inhibition emphasized that co-treatment of GANT61 and A-1210477 indeed relies on inhibition of GLI1 (by GANT61) and MCL-1 (by A-1210477). Mechanistic studies revealed that A-1210477 triggers the release of BIM from MCL-1 and its shuttling to BCL-xL and BCL-2. Indeed, BIM proved to be required for GANT61/A-1210477-induced cell death, as genetic silencing of BIM using siRNA significantly rescues cell death upon GANT61/A-1210477 co-treatment. Similarly, genetic silencing of NOXA results in a significant reduction of GANT61/A-1210477-mediated cell death. Also, overexpression of MCL-1 or BCL-2 significantly protects RMS cells from GANT61/A-1210477-triggered cell death. Addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk significantly decreases GANT61/A-1210477-stimulated cell demise, indicating apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, GANT61 and A-1210477 synergize to engage mitochondrial apoptosis. These findings provide the rationale for further evaluation of dual inhibition of HH signaling and MCL-1 in HH-driven cancers.
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40
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Kurmasheva RT, Bandyopadhyay A, Favours E, Del Pozo V, Ghilu S, Phelps DA, Erickson SW, Peer CJ, Figg WD, Smith MA, Houghton PJ. Evaluation of entinostat alone and in combination with standard-of-care cytotoxic agents against rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft models. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27820. [PMID: 31099166 PMCID: PMC6685061 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entinostat, a selective class I histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been reported to enhance the activity of cytotoxic agents and suppress expression of PAX3-FOXO1 in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). PROCEDURES Entinostat was tested against three rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines using 96-hour drug exposure. Entinostat alone or in binary combination with vincristine, actinomycin D or cyclophosphamide was tested in ARMS and two embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) xenograft models. Tumor growth was measured at weekly intervals. Drug-induced changes in acetylated histone H3(K9) and entinostat pharmacokinetics were determined. RESULTS In vitro, the IC50 concentration of entinostat ranged from 280 to 1300 nM. In vivo, entinostat significantly inhibited the growth of only Rh10 xenografts. For most studies, entinostat did not potentiate the activity of the cytotoxic agent. Exceptions included the vincristine and entinostat combination for Rh10 and the entinostat and actinomycin D combination for Rh10 and Rh18, although the effects were modest. For Rh18, the combination of entinostat with vincristine showed evidence of an antagonistic interaction compared with single-agent vincristine. Pharmacokinetic studies showed the average Cmax was 569.4 ng/mL (1.51 μM) with Tmax at 15 minutes, and total exposure (AUC0-12 h ) was 435.6 h × ng/mL. Entinostat treatment increased acetylated histone H3. CONCLUSIONS Entinostat demonstrated modest antitumor activity in only one of four models at dose and shedule that gave drug exposures relevant to human treatment. The addition of entinostat to standard-of-care cytotoxic agents was in most instances no more effective than the cytotoxic agents used alone. Entinostat demonstrated target inhibition with increased histone 2A acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edward Favours
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, Texas
| | - Vanessa Del Pozo
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, Texas
| | - Samson Ghilu
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, Texas
| | - Doris A. Phelps
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Cody J. Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, Texas
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41
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Chemical genomics reveals histone deacetylases are required for core regulatory transcription. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3004. [PMID: 31285436 PMCID: PMC6614369 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11046-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Identity determining transcription factors (TFs), or core regulatory (CR) TFs, are governed by cell-type specific super enhancers (SEs). Drugs to selectively inhibit CR circuitry are of high interest for cancer treatment. In alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, PAX3-FOXO1 activates SEs to induce the expression of other CR TFs, providing a model system for studying cancer cell addiction to CR transcription. Using chemical genetics, the systematic screening of chemical matter for a biological outcome, here we report on a screen for epigenetic chemical probes able to distinguish between SE-driven transcription and constitutive transcription. We find that chemical probes along the acetylation-axis, and not the methylation-axis, selectively disrupt CR transcription. Additionally, we find that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are essential for CR TF transcription. We further dissect the contribution of HDAC isoforms using selective inhibitors, including the newly developed selective HDAC3 inhibitor LW3. We show HDAC1/2/3 are the co-essential isoforms that when co-inhibited halt CR transcription, making CR TF sites hyper-accessible and disrupting chromatin looping. Core regulatory transcription factors are usually regulated by cell-type specific super enhancers (SEs). Here, the authors screen for chemical probes able to distinguish between SE-driven and promoter-driven transcription and find that histone deacetylases are selectively required for core regulatory transcription.
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Thoenen E, Curl A, Iwakuma T. TP53 in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 202:149-164. [PMID: 31276706 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genomic and functional study of existing and emerging sarcoma targets, such as fusion proteins, chromosomal aberrations, reduced tumor suppressor activity, and oncogenic drivers, is broadening our understanding of sarcomagenesis. Among these mechanisms, the tumor suppressor p53 (TP53) plays significant roles in the suppression of bone and soft tissue sarcoma progression. Although mutations in TP53 were thought to be relatively low in sarcomas, modern techniques including whole-genome sequencing have recently illuminated unappreciated alterations in TP53 in osteosarcoma. In addition, oncogenic gain-of-function activities of missense mutant p53 (mutp53) have been reported in sarcomas. Moreover, new targeting strategies for TP53 have been discovered: restoration of wild-type p53 (wtp53) activity through inhibition of TP53 negative regulators, reactivation of the wtp53 activity from mutp53, depletion of mutp53, and targeting of vulnerabilities in cells with TP53 deletions or mutations. These discoveries enable development of novel therapeutic strategies for therapy-resistant sarcomas. We have outlined nine bone and soft tissue sarcomas for which TP53 plays a crucial tumor suppressive role. These include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma (LPS), angiosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Thoenen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA
| | - Amanda Curl
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA
| | - Tomoo Iwakuma
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66010, USA; Translational Laboratory Oncology Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
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43
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Probabilistic modeling of personalized drug combinations from integrated chemical screen and molecular data in sarcoma. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:593. [PMID: 31208434 PMCID: PMC6580486 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5681-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer patients with advanced disease routinely exhaust available clinical regimens and lack actionable genomic medicine results, leaving a large patient population without effective treatments options when their disease inevitably progresses. To address the unmet clinical need for evidence-based therapy assignment when standard clinical approaches have failed, we have developed a probabilistic computational modeling approach which integrates molecular sequencing data with functional assay data to develop patient-specific combination cancer treatments. Methods Tissue taken from a murine model of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was used to perform single agent drug screening and DNA/RNA sequencing experiments; results integrated via our computational modeling approach identified a synergistic personalized two-drug combination. Cells derived from the primary murine tumor were allografted into mouse models and used to validate the personalized two-drug combination. Computational modeling of single agent drug screening and RNA sequencing of multiple heterogenous sites from a single patient’s epithelioid sarcoma identified a personalized two-drug combination effective across all tumor regions. The heterogeneity-consensus combination was validated in a xenograft model derived from the patient’s primary tumor. Cell cultures derived from human and canine undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma were assayed by drug screen; computational modeling identified a resistance-abrogating two-drug combination common to both cell cultures. This combination was validated in vitro via a cell regrowth assay. Results Our computational modeling approach addresses three major challenges in personalized cancer therapy: synergistic drug combination predictions (validated in vitro and in vivo in a genetically engineered murine cancer model), identification of unifying therapeutic targets to overcome intra-tumor heterogeneity (validated in vivo in a human cancer xenograft), and mitigation of cancer cell resistance and rewiring mechanisms (validated in vitro in a human and canine cancer model). Conclusions These proof-of-concept studies support the use of an integrative functional approach to personalized combination therapy prediction for the population of high-risk cancer patients lacking viable clinical options and without actionable DNA sequencing-based therapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5681-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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44
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Bharathy N, Berlow NE, Wang E, Abraham J, Settelmeyer TP, Hooper JE, Svalina MN, Bajwa Z, Goros MW, Hernandez BS, Wolff JE, Pal R, Davies AM, Ashok A, Bushby D, Mancini M, Noakes C, Goodwin NC, Ordentlich P, Keck J, Hawkins DS, Rudzinski ER, Mansoor A, Perkins TJ, Vakoc CR, Michalek JE, Keller C. Preclinical rationale for entinostat in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Skelet Muscle 2019; 9:12. [PMID: 31113472 PMCID: PMC6528217 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-019-0198-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in the pediatric cancer population. Survival among metastatic RMS patients has remained dismal yet unimproved for years. We previously identified the class I-specific histone deacetylase inhibitor, entinostat (ENT), as a pharmacological agent that transcriptionally suppresses the PAX3:FOXO1 tumor-initiating fusion gene found in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS), and we further investigated the mechanism by which ENT suppresses PAX3:FOXO1 oncogene and demonstrated the preclinical efficacy of ENT in RMS orthotopic allograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. In this study, we investigated whether ENT also has antitumor activity in fusion-negative eRMS orthotopic allografts and PDX models either as a single agent or in combination with vincristine (VCR). Methods We tested the efficacy of ENT and VCR as single agents and in combination in orthotopic allograft and PDX mouse models of eRMS. We then performed CRISPR screening to identify which HDAC among the class I HDACs is responsible for tumor growth inhibition in eRMS. To analyze whether ENT treatment as a single agent or in combination with VCR induces myogenic differentiation, we performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in tumors. Results ENT in combination with the chemotherapy VCR has synergistic antitumor activity in a subset of fusion-negative eRMS in orthotopic “allografts,” although PDX mouse models were too hypersensitive to the VCR dose used to detect synergy. Mechanistic studies involving CRISPR suggest that HDAC3 inhibition is the primary mechanism of cell-autonomous cytoreduction in eRMS. Following cytoreduction in vivo, residual tumor cells in the allograft models treated with chemotherapy undergo a dramatic, entinostat-induced (70–100%) conversion to non-proliferative rhabdomyoblasts. Conclusion Our results suggest that the targeting class I HDACs may provide a therapeutic benefit for selected patients with eRMS. ENT’s preclinical in vivo efficacy makes ENT a rational drug candidate in a phase II clinical trial for eRMS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13395-019-0198-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Bharathy
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
| | - Noah E Berlow
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Eric Wang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Jinu Abraham
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Teagan P Settelmeyer
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Jody E Hooper
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Matthew N Svalina
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA
| | - Zia Bajwa
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.,Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Martin W Goros
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Brian S Hernandez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Johannes E Wolff
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.,Present Address: AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Ranadip Pal
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | | | - Arya Ashok
- Champions Oncology, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - James Keck
- The Jackson Laboratory, Sacramento, CA, 95838, USA
| | | | | | - Atiya Mansoor
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Theodore J Perkins
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | | | - Joel E Michalek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, 12655 Sw Beaverdam Rd. W, Beaverton, OR, 97005, USA.
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45
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Beretta GL, Corno C, Zaffaroni N, Perego P. Role of FoxO Proteins in Cellular Response to Antitumor Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010090. [PMID: 30646603 PMCID: PMC6356788 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
FoxO proteins (FoxOs) are transcription factors with a common DNA binding domain that confers selectivity for DNA interaction. In human cells, four proteins (FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4 and FoxO6), with redundant activity, exhibit mainly a positive effect on genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis regulation and drug resistance. Thus, FoxOs can affect cell response to antitumor agent treatment. Their transcriptional activity depends on post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and mono/poly-ubiquitination. Additionally, alterations in microRNA network impact on FoxO transcripts and in turn on FoxO levels. Reduced expression of FoxO1 has been associated with resistance to conventional agents (e.g., cisplatin) and with reduced efficacy of drug combinations in ovarian carcinoma cells. FoxO3 has been shown as a mediator of cisplatin toxicity in colorectal cancer. A requirement for FoxO3-induced apoptosis has been reported in cells exposed to targeted agents (e.g., gefitinib). Recently, the possibility to interfere with FoxO1 localization has been proposed as a valuable approach to improve cell sensitivity to cisplatin, because nuclear retention of FoxO1 may favor the induction of pro-apoptotic genes. This review focuses on the role of FoxOs in drug treatment response in tumor cells and discusses the impact of the expression of these transcription factors on drug resistance/sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Beretta
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Cristina Corno
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Paola Perego
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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46
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Kasiappan R, Jutooru I, Mohankumar K, Karki K, Lacey A, Safe S. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Inducing Triterpenoid Inhibits Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell and Tumor Growth through Targeting Sp Transcription Factors. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:794-805. [PMID: 30610105 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-1071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Methyl 2-trifluoromethyl-3,11-dioxo-18β-olean-1,12-dien-3-oate (CF3DODA-Me) is derived synthetically from glycyrrhetinic acid, a major component of licorice, and this compound induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RD and Rh30 rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells. CF3DODA-Me also inhibited growth and invasion and induced apoptosis in RMS cells, and these responses were attenuated after cotreatment with the antioxidant glutathione, demonstrating the effective anticancer activity of ROS in RMS. CF3DODA-Me also downregulated expression of specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 and prooncogenic Sp-regulated genes including PAX3-FOXO1 (in Rh30 cells). The mechanism of CF3DODA-Me-induced Sp-downregulation involved ROS-dependent repression of c-Myc and cMyc-regulated miR-27a and miR-17/20a, and this resulted in induction of the miRNA-regulated Sp repressors ZBTB4, ZBTB10, and ZBTB34. The cell and tumor growth effects of CF3DODA-Me further emphasize the sensitivity of RMS cells to ROS inducers and their potential clinical applications for treating this deadly disease. IMPLICATIONS: CF3DODA-Me and HDAC inhibitors that induce ROS-dependent Sp downregulation could be developed for clinical applications in treating rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kasiappan
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Indira Jutooru
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Keshav Karki
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Alexandra Lacey
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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47
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Bharathy N, Berlow NE, Wang E, Abraham J, Settelmeyer TP, Hooper JE, Svalina MN, Ishikawa Y, Zientek K, Bajwa Z, Goros MW, Hernandez BS, Wolff JE, Rudek MA, Xu L, Anders NM, Pal R, Harrold AP, Davies AM, Ashok A, Bushby D, Mancini M, Noakes C, Goodwin NC, Ordentlich P, Keck J, Hawkins DS, Rudzinski ER, Chatterjee B, Bächinger HP, Barr FG, Liddle J, Garcia BA, Mansoor A, Perkins TJ, Vakoc CR, Michalek JE, Keller C. The HDAC3-SMARCA4-miR-27a axis promotes expression of the PAX3:FOXO1 fusion oncogene in rhabdomyosarcoma. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/557/eaau7632. [PMID: 30459282 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aau7632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood with an unmet clinical need for decades. A single oncogenic fusion gene is associated with treatment resistance and a 40 to 45% decrease in overall survival. We previously showed that expression of this PAX3:FOXO1 fusion oncogene in alveolar RMS (aRMS) mediates tolerance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that the class I-specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor entinostat reduces PAX3:FOXO1 protein abundance. Here, we established the antitumor efficacy of entinostat with chemotherapy in various preclinical cell and mouse models and found that HDAC3 inhibition was the primary mechanism of entinostat-induced suppression of PAX3:FOXO1 abundance. HDAC3 inhibition by entinostat decreased the activity of the chromatin remodeling enzyme SMARCA4, which, in turn, derepressed the microRNA miR-27a. This reexpression of miR-27a led to PAX3:FOXO1 mRNA destabilization and chemotherapy sensitization in aRMS cells in culture and in vivo. Furthermore, a phase 1 clinical trial (ADVL1513) has shown that entinostat is tolerable in children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors and is planned for phase 1B cohort expansion or phase 2 clinical trials. Together, these results implicate an HDAC3-SMARCA4-miR-27a-PAX3:FOXO1 circuit as a driver of chemoresistant aRMS and suggest that targeting this pathway with entinostat may be therapeutically effective in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Bharathy
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
| | - Noah E Berlow
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
| | - Eric Wang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Jinu Abraham
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | | | - Jody E Hooper
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Matthew N Svalina
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Ishikawa
- Research Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Keith Zientek
- Research Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Zia Bajwa
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA.,Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Martin W Goros
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Brian S Hernandez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Johannes E Wolff
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Michelle A Rudek
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Linping Xu
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Nicole M Anders
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ranadip Pal
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | | | | | - Arya Ashok
- Champions Oncology, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - James Keck
- The Jackson Laboratory, Sacramento, CA 95838, USA
| | | | | | - Bishwanath Chatterjee
- Cancer Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA
| | - Hans Peter Bächinger
- Research Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Cancer Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-1500, USA
| | - Jennifer Liddle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Atiya Mansoor
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Theodore J Perkins
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | | | - Joel E Michalek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA.
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48
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Nguyen TH, Barr FG. Therapeutic Approaches Targeting PAX3-FOXO1 and Its Regulatory and Transcriptional Pathways in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Molecules 2018; 23:E2798. [PMID: 30373318 PMCID: PMC6278278 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a family of soft tissue cancers that are related to the skeletal muscle lineage and predominantly occur in children and young adults. A specific chromosomal translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14) that gives rise to the chimeric oncogenic transcription factor PAX3-FOXO1 has been identified as a hallmark of the aggressive alveolar subtype of RMS. PAX3-FOXO1 cooperates with additional molecular changes to promote oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis in various human and murine models. Its expression is generally restricted to RMS tumor cells, thus providing a very specific target for therapeutic approaches for these RMS tumors. In this article, we review the recent understanding of PAX3-FOXO1 as a transcription factor in the pathogenesis of this cancer and discuss recent developments to target this oncoprotein for treatment of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederic G. Barr
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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49
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Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. PAX3-FOXO1: Zooming in on an “undruggable” target. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 50:115-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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50
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Cleary MM, Mansoor A, Settelmeyer T, Ijiri Y, Ladner KJ, Svalina MN, Rubin BP, Guttridge DC, Keller C. NFκB signaling in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Dis Model Mech 2018; 10:1109-1115. [PMID: 28883017 PMCID: PMC5611971 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.030882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is a pediatric soft tissue cancer commonly associated with a chromosomal translocation that leads to the expression of a Pax3:Foxo1 or Pax7:Foxo1 fusion protein, the developmental underpinnings of which may give clues to its therapeutic approaches. In aRMS, the NFκB–YY1–miR-29 regulatory circuit is dysregulated, resulting in repression of miR-29 and loss of the associated tumor suppressor activity. To further elucidate the role of NFκB in aRMS, we first tested 55 unique sarcoma cell lines and primary cell cultures in a large-scale chemical screen targeting diverse molecular pathways. We found that pharmacological inhibition of NFκB activity resulted in decreased cell proliferation of many of the aRMS tumor cultures. Surprisingly, mice that were orthotopically allografted with aRMS tumor cells exhibited no difference in tumor growth when administered an NFκB inhibitor, compared to control. Furthermore, inhibition of NFκB by genetically ablating its activating kinase inhibitor, IKKβ, by conditional deletion in a mouse model harboring the Pax3:Foxo1 chimeric oncogene failed to abrogate spontaneous tumor growth. Genetically engineered mice with conditionally deleted IKKβ exhibited a paradoxical decrease in tumor latency compared with those with active NFκB. However, using a synthetic-lethal approach, primary cell cultures derived from tumors with inactivated NFκB showed sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax. When used in combination with an NFκB inhibitor, navitoclax was synergistic in decreasing the growth of both human and IKKβ wild-type mouse aRMS cells, indicating that inactivation of NFκB alone may not be sufficient for reducing tumor growth, but, when combined with another targeted therapeutic, may be clinically beneficial. Summary: In a genetically engineered mouse model of aRMS, disrupting the NFκB pathway facilitated tumor initiation, suggesting it is a modifier of the disease rather than the driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Cleary
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Atiya Mansoor
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Teagan Settelmeyer
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
| | - Yuichi Ijiri
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Katherine J Ladner
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Matthew N Svalina
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Molecular Genetics, Taussig Cancer Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Denis C Guttridge
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Charles Keller
- Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
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