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Schumann Y, Dottermusch M, Schweizer L, Krech M, Lempertz T, Schüller U, Neumann P, Neumann JE. Morphology-based molecular classification of spinal cord ependymomas using deep neural networks. Brain Pathol 2024:e13239. [PMID: 38205683 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Based on DNA-methylation, ependymomas growing in the spinal cord comprise two major molecular types termed spinal (SP-EPN) and myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE(-A/B)), which differ with respect to their clinical features and prognosis. Due to the existing discrepancy between histomorphogical diagnoses and classification using methylation data, we asked whether deep neural networks can predict the DNA methylation class of spinal cord ependymomas from hematoxylin and eosin stained whole-slide images. Using explainable AI, we further aimed to prospectively improve the consistency of histology-based diagnoses with DNA methylation profiling by identifying and quantifying distinct morphological patterns of these molecular ependymoma types. We assembled a case series of 139 molecularly characterized spinal cord ependymomas (nMPE = 84, nSP-EPN = 55). Self-supervised and weakly-supervised neural networks were used for classification. We employed attention analysis and supervised machine-learning methods for the discovery and quantification of morphological features and their correlation to the diagnoses of experienced neuropathologists. Our best performing model predicted the DNA methylation class with 98% test accuracy and used self-supervised learning to outperform pretrained encoder-networks (86% test accuracy). In contrast, the diagnoses of neuropathologists matched the DNA methylation class in only 83% of cases. Domain-adaptation techniques improved model generalization to an external validation cohort by up to 22%. Statistically significant morphological features were identified per molecular type and quantitatively correlated to human diagnoses. The approach was extended to recently defined subtypes of myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE-(A/B), 80% test accuracy). In summary, we demonstrated the accurate prediction of the DNA methylation class of spinal cord ependymomas (SP-EPN, MPE(-A/B)) using hematoxylin and eosin stained whole-slide images. Our approach may prospectively serve as a supplementary resource for integrated diagnostics and may even help to establish a standardized, high-quality level of histology-based diagnostics across institutions-in particular in low-income countries, where expensive DNA-methylation analyses may not be readily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannis Schumann
- Chair for High Performance Computing, Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Dottermusch
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonille Schweizer
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maja Krech
- Institute for Neuropathology, Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tasja Lempertz
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Institute of Neuropathology, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Neumann
- Chair for High Performance Computing, Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia E Neumann
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, UKE, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Ongoing Response in a Multiply Relapsed Metastatic Posterior Fossa Ependymoma A After Vorinostat and Concomitant Irradiation. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:e576-e579. [PMID: 33930008 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Posterior fossa ependymomas A confer the worst prognosis among all subtypes. They demonstrate distinct epigenetic changes, which can be targeted with epigenetic modifiers like histone deacetylase inhibitors (Vorinostat). We describe a 3-year-old male diagnosed with a posterior fossa ependymoma who had a number of recurrences requiring multimodal therapy. Molecular analysis demonstrated a BCL-6 corepressor mutation, and methylation profiling matched with posterior fossa ependymomas A. He received craniospinal irradiation and focal boost with Vorinostat. Serial imaging after irradiation revealed a progressively decreasing tumor burden with nearly complete resolution of disease at 15 months. Histone deacetylase inhibitors demonstrate promise in treatment of carefully selected cases of ependymoma.
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Targeted Therapy with Sirolimus and Nivolumab in a Child with Refractory Multifocal Anaplastic Ependymoma. REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/reports4020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric ependymoma (EPN) is the third most common central nervous system (CNS) tumor, with 90% arising intracranially. Management typically involves maximal surgical resection and radiotherapy, but patients’ outcome is poor. Moreover, there are only a few therapeutical options available for recurrent or refractory disease. In this report, we present the case of a 7-year-old girl with relapsed refractory multifocal grade III EPN who failed conventional treatments and experienced a stable and durable response to the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) nivolumab in association with the mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) inhibitor sirolimus. This experimental therapy was targeted on immune phenotypical analyses of the patient’s last relapse tumor sample, and this procedure should be routinely done to find new possible therapeutical approaches in recurrent solid tumors.
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Servidei T, Meco D, Martini M, Battaglia A, Granitto A, Buzzonetti A, Babini G, Massimi L, Tamburrini G, Scambia G, Ruggiero A, Riccardi R. The BET Inhibitor OTX015 Exhibits In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity in Pediatric Ependymoma Stem Cell Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041877. [PMID: 33668642 PMCID: PMC7918371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood ependymomas are heterogenous chemoresistant neoplasms arising from aberrant stem-like cells. Epigenome deregulation plays a pivotal role in ependymoma pathogenesis, suggesting that epigenetic modifiers hold therapeutic promise against this disease. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenome readers of acetylated signals in histones and coactivators for oncogenic and stemness-related transcriptional networks, including MYC/MYCN (Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcritpion Factor)-regulated genes. We explored BET inhibition as an anticancer strategy in a panel of pediatric patient-derived ependymoma stem cell models by OTX015-mediated suppression of BET/acetylated histone binding. We found that ependymoma tissues and lines express BET proteins and their targets MYC and MYCN. In vitro, OTX015 reduced cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1-phase accumulation and apoptosis at clinically tolerable doses. Mechanistically, inhibitory p21 and p27 increased in a p53-independent manner, whereas the proliferative driver, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), decreased. Upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins and survivin downregulation were correlated with cell line drug sensitivity. Minor alterations of MYC/MYCN expression were reported. In vivo, OTX015 significantly improved survival in 2/3 orthotopic ependymoma models. BET proteins represent promising targets for pharmaceutical intervention with OTX015 against ependymoma. The identification of predictive determinants of sensitivity may help identify ependymoma molecular subsets more likely to benefit from BET inhibitor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Servidei
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-30155165
| | - Daniela Meco
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandra Battaglia
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessia Granitto
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexia Buzzonetti
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Gabriele Babini
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Luca Massimi
- UOC Neurochirurgia Infantile, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Gianpiero Tamburrini
- UOC Neurochirurgia Infantile, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Antonio Ruggiero
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Riccardo Riccardi
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
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Abstract
Brain tumours are the commonest solid neoplasms in children, accounting for one quarter of all childhood cancers. Our growing knowledge of basic developmental mechanisms has significantly contributed to understanding the pathogenesis of these tumours and is beginning to impact clinical decisions on how children with these diseases are treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Marino
- Blizard Institute, Barts Brain Tumour Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Richard J Gilbertson
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
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Pierscianek D, Teuber-Hanselmann S, Ahmadipour Y, Darkwah Oppong M, Unteroberdörster M, Müller O, Jabbarli R, Sure U, Zhu Y, El Hindy N. TET2 promotor methylation and TET2 protein expression in pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma. Neuropathology 2019; 40:138-143. [PMID: 31777116 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma (PF) is one of the most common brain tumors in children. Recently, two subtypes of PF were identified. PF-A has a dismal prognosis and shows a hypermethylation phenotype, whereas PF-B shows a great genomic instability. The ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) gene (TET2) has been linked to the regulation of DNA methylation. We analyzed TET2 promotor methylation and protein expression to assess the role of TET2 in PF. Medical records of all PF cases treated in our institution between 1993 and 2015 were evaluated regarding tumor histology, grade, tumor location, gender, age, tumor recurrence, distant metastasis, survival and time to progression. Subsequently, we analyzed TET2 promotor methylation using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. TET2 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Low TET2 expression was detected in seven of 17 cases. There was an association between low TET2 expression and tumor recurrence (P = 0.049). A TET2 promotor methylation was detected in five of 10 cases. There was no association between the TET2 promotor methylation with recurrence, tumor grade or gender. TET2 promotor methylation and low TET2 expression was detected in a subgroup of PF. Our data show an association between low TET2 expression and tumor recurrence in PF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yahya Ahmadipour
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Oliver Müller
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ramazan Jabbarli
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sure
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yuan Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nicolai El Hindy
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Spine- and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Werne, Hospital Lünen/Werne GmbH - St. Christophorus Hospital, Werne, Germany
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7
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Alexiou GA, Voulgaris S. Letter to the Editor. Second cancer risk in patients with spinal ependymomas. J Neurosurg Spine 2018; 29:612-613. [DOI: 10.3171/2018.6.spine18719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To synthesize, integrate, and comment on recent research developments to our understanding of the molecular basis of ependymoma (EPN), and to place this in context with current treatment and research efforts. RECENT FINDINGS Our recent understanding of the histologically defined molecular entity EPN has rapidly advanced through genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling studies. SUMMARY These advancements lay the groundwork for development of future EPN biomarkers, models, and therapeutics. Our review discusses these discoveries and their impact on our clinical understanding of this disease. Lastly, we offer insight into clinical and research areas requiring further validation, and open questions remaining in the field.
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Rethinking childhood ependymoma: a retrospective, multi-center analysis reveals poor long-term overall survival. J Neurooncol 2017; 135:201-211. [PMID: 28733870 PMCID: PMC5658456 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-017-2568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ependymoma is the third most common brain tumor in children, but there is a paucity of large studies with more than 10 years of follow-up examining the long-term survival and recurrence patterns of this disease. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 103 pediatric patients with WHO Grades II/III intracranial ependymoma, who were treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Chicago’s Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital between 1985 and 2008, and an additional 360 ependymoma patients identified from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. For the institutional cohort, we evaluated clinical and histopathological prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using the log-rank test, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models. Overall survival rates were compared to those of the SEER cohort. Median follow-up time was 11 years. Ten-year OS and PFS were 50 ± 5% and 29 ± 5%, respectively. Findings were validated in the independent SEER cohort, with 10-year OS rates of 52 ± 3%. GTR and grade II pathology were associated with significantly improved OS. However, GTR was not curative for all children. Ten-year OS for patients treated with a GTR was 61 ± 7% and PFS was 36 ± 6%. Pathological examination confirmed most recurrent tumors to be ependymoma, and 74% occurred at the primary tumor site. Current treatment paradigms are not sufficient to provide long-term cure for children with ependymoma. Our findings highlight the urgent need to develop novel treatment approaches for this devastating disease.
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Pajtler KW, Mack SC, Ramaswamy V, Smith CA, Witt H, Smith A, Hansford JR, von Hoff K, Wright KD, Hwang E, Frappaz D, Kanemura Y, Massimino M, Faure-Conter C, Modena P, Tabori U, Warren KE, Holland EC, Ichimura K, Giangaspero F, Castel D, von Deimling A, Kool M, Dirks PB, Grundy RG, Foreman NK, Gajjar A, Korshunov A, Finlay J, Gilbertson RJ, Ellison DW, Aldape KD, Merchant TE, Bouffet E, Pfister SM, Taylor MD. The current consensus on the clinical management of intracranial ependymoma and its distinct molecular variants. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:5-12. [PMID: 27858204 PMCID: PMC5209402 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1643-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Multiple independent genomic profiling efforts have recently identified clinically and molecularly distinct subgroups of ependymoma arising from all three anatomic compartments of the central nervous system (supratentorial brain, posterior fossa, and spinal cord). These advances motivated a consensus meeting to discuss: (1) the utility of current histologic grading criteria, (2) the integration of molecular-based stratification schemes in future clinical trials for patients with ependymoma and (3) current therapy in the context of molecular subgroups. Discussion at the meeting generated a series of consensus statements and recommendations from the attendees, which comment on the prognostic evaluation and treatment decisions of patients with intracranial ependymoma (WHO Grade II/III) based on the knowledge of its molecular subgroups. The major consensus among attendees was reached that treatment decisions for ependymoma (outside of clinical trials) should not be based on grading (II vs III). Supratentorial and posterior fossa ependymomas are distinct diseases, although the impact on therapy is still evolving. Molecular subgrouping should be part of all clinical trials henceforth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian W Pajtler
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephen C Mack
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christian A Smith
- Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hendrik Witt
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amy Smith
- Arnold Palmer Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA
| | | | - Katja von Hoff
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karen D Wright
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Eugene Hwang
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Didier Frappaz
- Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Yonehiro Kanemura
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Clinical Research, Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Maura Massimino
- Fondazione IRCCS-Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Piergiorgio Modena
- Laboratory of Genetics, Pathology Unit, S. Anna General Hospital, Como, Italy
| | - Uri Tabori
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine E Warren
- National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric C Holland
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Koichi Ichimura
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - David Castel
- Département de Cancérologie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Gustave Roussy, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- UMR8203 "Vectorologie and Thérapeutiques Anticancéreuses", CNRS, Gustave Roussy, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter B Dirks
- Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Richard G Grundy
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Finlay
- Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Richard J Gilbertson
- Li Ka Shing Centre, CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David W Ellison
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kenneth D Aldape
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur & Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Ramaswamy V, Taylor MD. Treatment implications of posterior fossa ependymoma subgroups. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2016; 35:93. [PMID: 27846874 PMCID: PMC5111181 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-016-0155-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Posterior fossa ependymoma comprises two distinct molecular entities, ependymoma_posterior fossa A (EPN_PFA) and ependymoma_posterior fossa B (EPN_PFB), with differentiable gene expression profiles. As yet, the response of the two entities to treatment is unclear. To determine the relationship between the two molecular subgroups of posterior fossa ependymoma and treatment, we studied a cohort of 820 patients with molecularly profiled, clinically annotated posterior fossa ependymomas. We found that the strongest predictor of poor outcome in patients with posterior fossa ependymoma across the entire age spectrum was molecular subgroup EPN_PFA, which was recently reported in the paper entitled “Therapeutic impact of cytoreductive surgery and irradiation of posterior fossa ependymoma in the molecular era: a retrospective multicohort analysis” in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Patients with incompletely resected EPN_PFA tumors had a very poor outcome despite receiving adjuvant radiation therapy, whereas a substantial proportion of patients with EPN_PFB tumors can be cured with surgery alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Ramaswamy
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
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12
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Murphy B, Yin H, Maris JM, Kolb EA, Gorlick R, Reynolds CP, Kang MH, Keir ST, Kurmasheva RT, Dvorchik I, Wu J, Billups CA, Boateng N, Smith MA, Lock RB, Houghton PJ. Evaluation of Alternative In Vivo Drug Screening Methodology: A Single Mouse Analysis. Cancer Res 2016; 76:5798-5809. [PMID: 27496711 PMCID: PMC5050128 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Traditional approaches to evaluating antitumor agents using human tumor xenograft models have generally used cohorts of 8 to 10 mice against a limited panel of tumor models. An alternative approach is to use fewer animals per tumor line, allowing a greater number of models that capture greater molecular/genetic heterogeneity of the cancer type. We retrospectively analyzed 67 agents evaluated by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program to determine whether a single mouse, chosen randomly from each group of a study, predicted the median response for groups of mice using 83 xenograft models. The individual tumor response from a randomly chosen mouse was compared with the group median response using established response criteria. A total of 2,134 comparisons were made. The single tumor response accurately predicted the group median response in 1,604 comparisons (75.16%). The mean tumor response correct prediction rate for 1,000 single mouse random samples was 78.09%. Models had a range for correct prediction (60%-87.5%). Allowing for misprediction of ± one response category, the overall mean correct single mouse prediction rate was 95.28%, and predicted overall objective response rates for group data in 66 of 67 drug studies. For molecularly targeted agents, occasional exceptional responder models were identified and the activity of that agent confirmed in additional models with the same genotype. Assuming that large treatment effects are targeted, this alternate experimental design has similar predictive value as traditional approaches, allowing for far greater numbers of models to be used that more fully encompass the heterogeneity of disease types. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5798-809. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Murphy
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Han Yin
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - John M Maris
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - E Anders Kolb
- Department of Pediatrics, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Richard Gorlick
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York
| | - C Patrick Reynolds
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Min H Kang
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Stephen T Keir
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Raushan T Kurmasheva
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Texas
| | - Igor Dvorchik
- Biostatistics, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jianrong Wu
- Department of Biostatistics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Catherine A Billups
- Department of Biostatistics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Nana Boateng
- Department of Biostatistics St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Malcolm A Smith
- Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter J Houghton
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
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Robinson GW, Witt H, Resnick A. Exploiting Laboratory Insights to Improve Outcomes of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2016; 35:e540-6. [PMID: 27249765 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_159149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Over a relatively short period of time, owing to improvements in biotechnology, our ability to identify the molecular mechanisms within pediatric brain tumors has dramatically increased. These findings have reshaped the way that we describe these diseases and have provided insights into how to better treat these often devastating diseases. Although still far from reaching the full therapeutic potential these advancements hold, the impact of these findings is steadily taking hold of pediatric brain tumor management. In this article, we summarize the major discoveries within three common pediatric brain tumor categories; medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma. We discuss the current impact of these findings on treatment and the direction these findings may take the field of pediatric neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles W Robinson
- From the Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hendrik Witt
- From the Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adam Resnick
- From the Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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Dorfer C, Tonn J, Rutka JT. Ependymoma: a heterogeneous tumor of uncertain origin and limited therapeutic options. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 134:417-431. [PMID: 26948369 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-802997-8.00025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ependymomas are tumors that typically occur with an age-based site preference, with adults harboring supratentorial and spinal tumors and pediatric tumors being mainly in the posterior fossa. Despite their similar histologic appearance, the prognosis varies significantly by age and tumor location, with a better prognosis in increasing age. The mainstay of treatment remains surgical excision with or without radiation therapy as the tumor biology is poorly understood and chemotherapy is generally considered to be ineffective. More recently, molecular biology data have increased our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic changes that drive these tumors, but still it will take a lot of effort to find effective chemotherapeutic regimens. Currently, we are trying to define a subset of tumors, for which radiation therapy can be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dorfer
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joerg Tonn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinic of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich-Großhadern, Munich, Germany
| | - James T Rutka
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Mack SC, Agnihotri S, Bertrand KC, Wang X, Shih DJ, Witt H, Hill N, Zayne K, Barszczyk M, Ramaswamy V, Remke M, Thompson Y, Ryzhova M, Massimi L, Grajkowska W, Lach B, Gupta N, Weiss WA, Guha A, Hawkins C, Croul S, Rutka JT, Pfister SM, Korshunov A, Pekmezci M, Tihan T, Philips JJ, Jabado N, Zadeh G, Taylor MD. Spinal Myxopapillary Ependymomas Demonstrate a Warburg Phenotype. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:3750-8. [PMID: 25957288 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a distinct histologic variant of ependymoma arising commonly in the spinal cord. Despite an overall favorable prognosis, distant metastases, subarachnoid dissemination, and late recurrences have been reported. Currently, the only effective treatment for MPE is gross-total resection. We characterized the genomic and transcriptional landscape of spinal ependymomas in an effort to delineate the genetic basis of this disease and identify new leads for therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Gene expression profiling was performed on 35 spinal ependymomas, and copy number profiling was done on an overlapping cohort of 46 spinal ependymomas. Functional validation experiments were performed on tumor lysates consisting of assays measuring pyruvate kinase M activity (PKM), hexokinase activity (HK), and lactate production. RESULTS At a gene expression level, we demonstrate that spinal grade II and MPE are molecularly and biologically distinct. These are supported by specific copy number alterations occurring in each histologic variant. Pathway analysis revealed that MPE are characterized by increased cellular metabolism, associated with upregulation of HIF1α. These findings were validated by Western blot analysis demonstrating increased protein expression of HIF1α, HK2, PDK1, and phosphorylation of PDHE1A. Functional assays were performed on MPE lysates, which demonstrated decreased PKM activity, increased HK activity, and elevated lactate production. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that MPE may be driven by a Warburg metabolic phenotype. The key enzymes promoting the Warburg phenotype: HK2, PKM2, and PDK are targetable by small-molecule inhibitors/activators, and should be considered for evaluation in future clinical trials for MPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Mack
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sameer Agnihotri
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelsey C Bertrand
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xin Wang
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David J Shih
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hendrik Witt
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany. Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadia Hill
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kory Zayne
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Barszczyk
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Remke
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yuan Thompson
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marina Ryzhova
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany. Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luca Massimi
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Catholic University Medical School, Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Wieslawa Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology University of Warsaw, Children's Memorial Health Institute University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Boleslaw Lach
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nalin Gupta
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuro-Pathology and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, The Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building, San Francisco, California
| | - William A Weiss
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuro-Pathology and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, The Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building, San Francisco, California
| | - Abhijit Guha
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sidney Croul
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James T Rutka
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany. Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. CCU Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melike Pekmezci
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuro-Pathology and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, The Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building, San Francisco, California
| | - Tarik Tihan
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuro-Pathology and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, The Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building, San Francisco, California
| | - Joanna J Philips
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuro-Pathology and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, The Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building, San Francisco, California
| | - Nada Jabado
- Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University and the McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gelareh Zadeh
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Meco D, Servidei T, Lamorte G, Binda E, Arena V, Riccardi R. Ependymoma stem cells are highly sensitive to temozolomide in vitro and in orthotopic models. Neuro Oncol 2014; 16:1067-77. [PMID: 24526307 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ependymoma management remains challenging because of the inherent chemoresistance of this tumor. To determine whether ependymoma stem cells (SCs) might contribute to therapy resistance, we investigated the sensitivity of ependymoma SCs to temozolomide and etoposide. METHODS The efficacies of the two DNA damaging agents were explored in two ependymoma SC lines in vitro and in vivo models. RESULTS Ependymoma SC lines were highly sensitive to temozolomide and etoposide in vitro, but only temozolomide impaired tumor-initiation properties. Consistently, temozolomide but not etoposide showed significant antitumoral activity on ependymoma SC-driven subcutaneous and orthotopic xenografts by reducing the mitotic fraction. In vitro temozolomide at the EC50 (10 µM) induced accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase that was unexpectedly accompanied by downregulation of p27 and p21 without modulation of full-length p53 (FLp53). Differentiation-committed ependymoma SCs acquired resistance to temozolomide. Inhibition of proliferation was partly due to apoptosis, that occurred earlier in differentiated cells as compared to neurospheres. The activation of apoptosis correlated with an increase in p53β/γ isoforms without modulation of FLp53 under both serum-free and differentiation-promoting media. Incubation of cells in both conditions with temozolomide resulted in increased glioneuronal differentiation exhibiting elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein, galactosylceramidase, and βIII-tubulin expression compared to untreated controls. O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) transcript levels were very low in SCs, and were increased by treatment and, epigenetically, by differentiation through MGMT promoter unmethylation. CONCLUSION Ependymoma growth might be impaired by temozolomide through preferential depletion of a less differentiated, more tumorigenic, MGMT-negative cell population with stem-like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Meco
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
| | - Tiziana Servidei
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Lamorte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
| | - Elena Binda
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
| | - Riccardo Riccardi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (D.M., T.S., R.R.); Istituto CSS - Mendel Laboratory, Rome, Italy (G.L.); Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Building U3, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy (E.B.); Institute of Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (V.A.)
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