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Chen W, Dream S, Leung PY, Wu PK, Wong S, Park JI. Selpercatinib combination with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ effectively suppresses RET-mutant thyroid cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:39. [PMID: 38378752 PMCID: PMC10879150 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00536-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic alternation of REarranged during Transfection (RET) that leads to constitutive RET activation is a crucial etiological factor for thyroid cancer. RET is known to regulate mitochondrial processes, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We previously showed that the multi-kinase inhibitors vandetanib and cabozantinib increase the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in RET-mutated thyroid tumor cells and that this effect can be exploited to increase mitochondrial enrichment of Δψm-sensitive agents in the tumor cells. In this study, we hypothesized that the RET-selective inhibitor, selpercatinib, can increase Δψm and, subsequently, tumor cell uptake of the mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone (MitoQ) to the level to break the mitochondrial homeostasis and induce lethal responses in RET-mutated thyroid tumor cells. We show that selpercatinib significantly increased Δψm, and its combination with MitoQ synergistically suppressed RET-mutated human thyroid tumor cells, which we validated using RET-targeted genetic approaches. Selpercatinib and MitoQ, in combination, also suppressed CCDC6-RET fusion cell line xenografts in mice and prolonged animal survival more effectively than single treatments of each agent. Moreover, we treated two patients with CCDC6-RET or RETM918T thyroid cancer, who could not take selpercatinib at regular doses due to adverse effects, with a dose-reduced selpercatinib and MitoQ combination. In response to this combination therapy, both patients showed tumor reduction. The quality of life of one patient significantly improved over a year until the tumor relapsed. This combination of selpercatinib with MitoQ may have therapeutic potential for patients with RET-mutated tumors and intolerant to regular selpercatinib doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Sophie Dream
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Pui-Yin Leung
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Pui-Kei Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Stuart Wong
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
| | - Jong-In Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
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2
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Bulanova Pekova B, Sykorova V, Mastnikova K, Vaclavikova E, Moravcova J, Vlcek P, Lancova L, Lastuvka P, Katra R, Bavor P, Kodetova D, Chovanec M, Drozenova J, Matej R, Astl J, Hlozek J, Hrabal P, Vcelak J, Bendlova B. RET fusion genes in pediatric and adult thyroid carcinomas: cohort characteristics and prognosis. Endocr Relat Cancer 2023; 30:e230117. [PMID: 37882481 PMCID: PMC10620462 DOI: 10.1530/erc-23-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is associated with a broad range of different mutations, including RET (rearranged during transfection) fusion genes. The importance of characterizing RET fusion-positive tumors has recently increased due to the possibility of targeted treatment. The aim of this study was to identify RET fusion-positive thyroid tumors, correlate them with clinicopathological features, compare them with other mutated carcinomas, and evaluate long-term follow-up of patients. The cohort consisted of 1564 different thyroid tissue samples (including 1164 thyroid carcinoma samples) from pediatric and adult patients. Samples were analyzed for known driver mutations occurring in thyroid cancer. Negative samples were subjected to extensive RET fusion gene analyses using next-generation sequencing and real-time PCR. RET fusion genes were not detected in any low-risk neoplasm or benign thyroid tissue and were detected only in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), in 113/993 (11.4%) patients, three times more frequently in pediatric and adolescent patients (29.8%) than in adult patients (8.7%). A total of 20 types of RET fusions were identified. RET fusion-positive carcinomas were associated with aggressive tumor behavior, including high rates of lymph node (75.2%) and distant metastases (18.6%), significantly higher than in NTRK fusion, BRAF V600E and RAS-positive carcinomas. Local and distant metastases were also frequently found in patients with microcarcinomas positive for the RET fusions. 'True recurrences' occurred rarely (2.4%) and only in adult patients. The 2-, 5-, 10-year disease-specific survival rates were 99%, 96%, and 95%, respectively. RET fusion-positive carcinomas were associated with high invasiveness and metastatic activity, but probably due to intensive treatment with low patient mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vlasta Sykorova
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Mastnikova
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Vaclavikova
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Moravcova
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Vlcek
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrinology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Lancova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrinology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Lastuvka
- Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rami Katra
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bavor
- Department of Surgery, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Kodetova
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Chovanec
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Drozenova
- Department of Pathology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radoslav Matej
- Department of Pathology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Astl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, 3rd Faculty of Medicine and Military University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Hlozek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, 3rd Faculty of Medicine and Military University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Hrabal
- Department of Pathology, Military University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Vcelak
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bela Bendlova
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
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3
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The Genomic Landscape of Thyroid Cancer Tumourigenesis and Implications for Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051082. [PMID: 34062862 PMCID: PMC8147376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy that comprises mostly indolent differentiated cancers (DTCs) and less frequently aggressive poorly differentiated (PDTC) or anaplastic cancers (ATCs) with high mortality. Utilisation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and advanced sequencing data analysis can aid in understanding the multi-step progression model in the development of thyroid cancers and their metastatic potential at a molecular level, promoting a targeted approach to further research and development of targeted treatment options including immunotherapy, especially for the aggressive variants. Tumour initiation and progression in thyroid cancer occurs through constitutional activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway through mutations in BRAF, RAS, mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and/or receptor tyrosine kinase fusions/translocations, and other genetic aberrations acquired in a stepwise manner. This review provides a summary of the recent genetic aberrations implicated in the development and progression of thyroid cancer and implications for immunotherapy.
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Packard A, Klein WH, Costantini F. Ret signaling in ureteric bud epithelial cells controls cell movements, cell clustering and bud formation. Development 2021; 148:261695. [PMID: 33914865 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ret signaling promotes branching morphogenesis during kidney development, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. While Ret-expressing progenitor cells proliferate at the ureteric bud tips, some of these cells exit the tips to generate the elongating collecting ducts, and in the process turn off Ret. Genetic ablation of Ret in tip cells promotes their exit, suggesting that Ret is required for cell rearrangements that maintain the tip compartments. Here, we examine the behaviors of ureteric bud cells that are genetically forced to maintain Ret expression. These cells move to the nascent tips, and remain there during many cycles of branching; this tip-seeking behavior may require positional signals from the mesenchyme, as it occurs in whole kidneys but not in epithelial ureteric bud organoids. In organoids, cells forced to express Ret display a striking self-organizing behavior, attracting each other to form dense clusters within the epithelium, which then evaginate to form new buds. The ability of forced Ret expression to promote these events suggests that similar Ret-dependent cell behaviors play an important role in normal branching morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Packard
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - William H Klein
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Department of Systems Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Frank Costantini
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Liu M, Chen P, Hu HY, Ou-Yang DJ, Khushbu RA, Tan HL, Huang P, Chang S. Kinase gene fusions: roles and therapeutic value in progressive and refractory papillary thyroid cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:323-337. [PMID: 33387037 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03491-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the major type of thyroid cancer, is increasing rapidly around the world, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. There is poor prognosis for PTC involved in rapidly progressive tumors and resistance to radioiodine therapy. Kinase gene fusions have been discovered to be present in a wide variety of malignant tumors, and an increasing number of novel types have been detected in PTC, especially progressive tumors. As a tumor-driving event, kinase fusions are constitutively activated or overexpress their kinase function, conferring oncogenic potential, and their frequency is second only to BRAFV600E mutation in PTC. Diverse forms of kinase fusions have been observed and are associated with specific pathological features of PTC (usually at an advanced stage), and clinical trials of therapeutic strategies targeting kinase gene fusions are feasible for radioiodine-resistant PTC. This review summarizes the roles of kinase gene fusions in PTC and the value of clinical therapy of targeting fusions in progressive or refractory PTC, and discusses the future perspectives and challenges related to kinase gene fusions in PTC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Hui-Yu Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Deng-Jie Ou-Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Rooh-Afza Khushbu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Hai-Long Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Shi Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
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Gemignani F, Romei C, Ciampi R, Corrado A, Melaiu O, Figlioli G, Bonotti A, Foddis R, Cristaudo A, Pellegrini G, Vivaldi A, Cipollini M, Landi S, Elisei R. Polymorphisms Within the RET Proto-Oncogene and Risk of Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Thyroid 2020; 30:1579-1588. [PMID: 32228166 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (sMTC) is an uncommon neoplasia arising from the calcitonin-producing parafollicular cells of the thyroid. Previous studies evaluated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within RET (a pivotal proto-oncogene for this disease) are associated with the risk for developing sMTC, but the results are inconclusive. Methods: In this work, we evaluated the association of RET-SNPs c.74-126G>T (rs2565206), p.Gly691Ser (rs1799939, G>A), p.Leu769 = (rs1800861, G>T), p.Ser836 = (rs1800862, C>T), and p.Ser904 = (rs1800863, C>G) (listed in the order of their chromosomal location) with sMTC. This is one of the largest case-control association studies carried out on sMTC, including 585 sMTC cases (negative for germline mutations within RET), 1529 patients affected by sporadic nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (sNMTC), and 989 healthy controls, from central and southern Italy and collected in the period 2000-2017. Results: sNMTC patients showed similar genotype and allele frequencies compared with healthy controls. On the other hand, among sMTC patients, the T-allele of p.Leu769 = was less frequent (OR = 0.70 [CI 0.58-0.84], p = 1.9 × 10-4) and rare homozygotes TT showed an OR = 0.32 ([CI 0.17-0.60], p = 2.3 × 10-4). Moreover, a statistically significant excess of the haplotype 2 (characterized by the alleles T-G-G-C-C of the listed SNPs) was observed (p = 3.9 × 10-3). The SNPs were not associated with the expression of RET mRNA, that is, they did not exert an effect in cis as quantitative trait locus (cis-eQTL). However, a strong eQTL association was found for p.Leu769 = and the neighboring gene CSGALNACT2 (p = 9.3 × 10-50; effect-size = -0.65), whose function in cancer is unknown. Conclusions: This study shows that specific RET haplotypes, in particular haplotype 2 and the T-allele of p.Leu769 = , are associated with a reduced risk of sMTC in Italians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Romei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ciampi
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alda Corrado
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Bonotti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rudy Foddis
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfonso Cristaudo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellegrini
- Operative Unit of Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry Analyses, University Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agnese Vivaldi
- Operative Unit of Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry Analyses, University Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Landi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Cisanello, Pisa, Italy
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7
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RET Gene Fusions in Malignancies of the Thyroid and Other Tissues. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040424. [PMID: 32326537 PMCID: PMC7230609 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the identification of the BCR-ABL1 (Breakpoint Cluster Region-ABelson murine Leukemia) fusion in chronic myelogenous leukemia, gene fusions generating chimeric oncoproteins have been recognized as common genomic structural variations in human malignancies. This is, in particular, a frequent mechanism in the oncogenic conversion of protein kinases. Gene fusion was the first mechanism identified for the oncogenic activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET (REarranged during Transfection), initially discovered in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). More recently, the advent of highly sensitive massive parallel (next generation sequencing, NGS) sequencing of tumor DNA or cell-free (cfDNA) circulating tumor DNA, allowed for the detection of RET fusions in many other solid and hematopoietic malignancies. This review summarizes the role of RET fusions in the pathogenesis of human cancer.
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8
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Takeuchi K. Discovery Stories of RET Fusions in Lung Cancer: A Mini-Review. Front Physiol 2019; 10:216. [PMID: 30941048 PMCID: PMC6433883 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2004, a chemical inhibitor of the kinase activity of EGFR was reported to be effective in a subset of lung cancer patients with activating somatic mutations of EGFR. It remained unclear, however, whether kinase fusion genes also play a major role in the pathogenesis of lung cancers. The discovery of the EML4-ALK fusion kinase in 2007 was a breakthrough for this situation, and kinase fusion genes now form a group of relevant targetable oncogenes in lung cancer. In this mini-review article, the discovery of REarrangement during Transfection fusions, the third kinase fusion gene in lung cancer, is briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Takeuchi
- Division of Pathology, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.,Pathology Project for Molecular Targets, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Thyroid cancers of follicular origin in a genomic light: in-depth overview of common and unique molecular marker candidates. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:116. [PMID: 30089490 PMCID: PMC6081953 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0866-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, thyroid malignances have become more prevalent, especially among women. The most common sporadic types of thyroid tumors of follicular origin include papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Although modern diagnosis methods enable the identification of tumors of small diameter, tumor subtype differentiation, which is imperative for the correct choice of treatment, is still troublesome. This review discusses the recent advances in the field of molecular marker identification via next-generation sequencing and microarrays. The potential use of these biomarkers to distinguish among the most commonly occurring sporadic thyroid cancers is presented and compared. Geographical heterogeneity might be a differentiator, although not necessarily a limiting factor, in biomarker selection. The available data advocate for a subset of mutations common for the three subtypes as well as mutations that are unique for a particular tumor subtype. Tumor heterogeneity, a known issue occurring within solid malignancies, is also discussed where applicable. Public databases with datasets derived from high-throughput experiments are a valuable source of information that aid biomarker research in general, including the identification of molecular hallmarks of thyroid cancer.
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10
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Pesenti C, Muzza M, Colombo C, Proverbio MC, Farè C, Ferrero S, Miozzo M, Fugazzola L, Tabano S. MassARRAY-based simultaneous detection of hotspot somatic mutations and recurrent fusion genes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: the PTC-MA assay. Endocrine 2018; 61:36-41. [PMID: 29214440 PMCID: PMC5997117 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-017-1483-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We exploited the MassARRAY (MA) genotyping platform to develop the "PTC-MA assay", which allows the simultaneous detection of 13 hotspot mutations, in the BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, HRAS, TERT, AKT1, PIK3CA, and EIF1AX genes, and six recurrent genetic rearrangements, involving the RET and TRK genes in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS The assay was developed using DNA and cDNA from 12 frozen and 11 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples from 23 PTC cases, together with positive and negative controls. RESULTS The PTC-MA assay displays high sensitivity towards point mutations and gene rearrangements, detecting their presence at frequencies as low as 5%. Moreover, this technique allows quantification of the mutated alleles identified at each tested locus. CONCLUSIONS The PTC-MA assay is a novel MA test, which is able to detect fusion genes generated by genomic rearrangements concomitantly with the analysis of hotspot point mutations, thus allowing the evaluation of key diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers of PTC in a single experiment without any informatics analysis. As the assay is sensitive, robust, easily achievable, and affordable, it is suitable for the diagnostic practice. Finally, the PTC-MA assay can be easily implemented and updated by adding novel genetic markers, according to clinical requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pesenti
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Muzza
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Colombo
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Proverbio
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Farè
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Miozzo
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Fugazzola
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy.
| | - Silvia Tabano
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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11
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene fusions are known in many cancers as driver or passenger mutations. They play an important role in both the etiology and pathogenesis of cancer and are considered as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers and possible therapeutic targets. The spectrum and prevalence of gene fusions in thyroid cancer ranges from single cases up to 80%, depending on the specific type of cancer. During last three years, massive parallel sequencing technologies have revealed new fusions and allowed detailed characteristics of fusions in different types of thyroid cancer. SUMMARY This article reviews all known fusions and their prevalence in papillary, poorly differentiated and anaplastic, follicular, and medullary carcinomas. The mechanisms of fusion formation are described. In addition, the mechanisms of oncogenic transformation, such as altered gene expression, forced oligomerization, and subcellular localization, are given. CONCLUSION The prognostic value and perspectives of the utilization of gene fusions as therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina D Yakushina
- 1 Research Centre for Medical Genetics , Moscow, Russian Federation
- 2 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexander V Lavrov
- 1 Research Centre for Medical Genetics , Moscow, Russian Federation
- 4 Russian National Research Medical University , Moscow, Russian Federation
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12
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Identification of a novel partner gene, KIAA1217, fused to RET: Functional characterization and inhibitor sensitivity of two isoforms in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36101-36114. [PMID: 27150058 PMCID: PMC5094986 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
REarranged during Transfection (RET) fusion genes are detected in approximately 1% of lung adenocarcinomas and known primarily as oncogenic driver factors. Here, we found a novel RET fusion gene, KIAA1217-RET, and examined the functional differences of RET51 and RET9 protein, fused with KIAA1217 in cancer progression and drug response. KIAA1217-RET, resulting from the rearrangement of chromosome 10, was generated by the fusion of KIAA1217 exon 11 and RET exon 11 from a non-small cell lung cancer patient. Expression of this gene led to increased cell growth and invasive properties through activations of the PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways and subsequently enabled oncogenic transformation of lung cells. We observed that cells expressing KIAA1217-RET9 fusion protein were more sensitive to vandetanib than those expressing KIAA1217-RET51 and both isoforms attenuated cellular growth via cell cycle arrest. These results demonstrated that KIAA1217-RET fusion represents a novel oncogenic driver gene, the products of which are sensitive to vandetanib treatment, and suggested that the KIAA1217-RET-fusion gene is a promising target for lung cancer treatment.
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13
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Ko YS, Hwang TS, Kim JY, Choi YL, Lee SE, Han HS, Kim WS, Kim SK, Park KS. Diagnostic Limitation of Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) on Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Can Be Partially Overcome by Preoperative Molecular Analysis: Assessment of RET/PTC1 Rearrangement in BRAF and RAS Wild-Type Routine Air-Dried FNA Specimens. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040806. [PMID: 28417935 PMCID: PMC5412390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular markers are helpful diagnostic tools, particularly for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Preoperative RET/PTC1 rearrangement analysis in BRAF and RAS wild-type indeterminate thyroid nodules would permit the formulation of an unambiguous surgical plan. Cycle threshold values according to the cell count for detection of the RET/PTC1 rearrangement by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using fresh and routine air-dried TPC1 cells were evaluated. The correlation of RET/PTC1 rearrangement between fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens was analyzed. RET/PTC1 rearrangements of 76 resected BRAF and RAS wild-type classical PTCs were also analyzed. Results of RT-PCR and the Nanostring were compared. When 100 fresh and air-dried TPC1 cells were used, expression of RET/PTC1 rearrangement was detectable after 35 and 33 PCR cycles, respectively. The results of RET/PTC1 rearrangement in 10 FNA and paired FFPE papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) specimens showed complete correlation. Twenty-nine (38.2%) of 76 BRAF and RAS wild-type classical PTCs had RET/PTC1 rearrangement. Comparison of RET/PTC1 rearrangement analysis between RT-PCR and the Nanostring showed moderate agreement with a κ value of 0.56 (p = 0.002). The RET/PTC1 rearrangement analysis by RT-PCR using routine air-dried FNA specimen was confirmed to be technically applicable. A significant proportion (38.2%) of the BRAF and RAS wild-type PTCs harbored RET/PTC1 rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sin Ko
- Diagnostic Pathology Center, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul KS013, Korea.
- Molecular Genetics and Pathology, Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Konkuk University, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Tae Sook Hwang
- Molecular Genetics and Pathology, Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Konkuk University, Seoul KS013, Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Ja Yeon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Hye Seung Han
- Molecular Genetics and Pathology, Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Konkuk University, Seoul KS013, Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Wan Seop Kim
- Molecular Genetics and Pathology, Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Konkuk University, Seoul KS013, Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Suk Kyeong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
| | - Kyoung Sik Park
- Department of Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul KS013, Korea.
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14
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Abstract
The ROS1 gene belongs to the sevenless subfamily of tyrosine kinase insulin receptor genes. A literature review identified a ROS1 fusion in 2.54% of the patients with lung adenocarcinoma and even higher frequencies in spitzoid neoplasms and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. At present, 26 genes were found to fuse with ROS1, some of them already known to fuse with RET and ALK. All the fusion proteins retain the ROS1 kinase domain, but rarely its transmembrane domain. Most of the partners have dimerization domains that are retained in the fusion, presumably leading to constitutive ROS1 tyrosine kinase activation. Some partners have transmembrane domains that are retained or not in the chimeric proteins. Therefore, different ROS1 fusions have distinct subcellular localization, suggesting that they may activate different substrates in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Uguen
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Brest, Brest, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078, Brest, France.,Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital Morvan, CHRU Brest, Brest, France
| | - Marc De Braekeleer
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Brest, Brest, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078, Brest, France.,Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Morvan, CHRU Brest, Brest, France
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15
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Romei C, Ciampi R, Elisei R. A comprehensive overview of the role of the RET proto-oncogene in thyroid carcinoma. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2016; 12:192-202. [PMID: 26868437 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2016.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene was identified in 1985 and, very soon thereafter, a rearrangement named RET/PTC was discovered in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). After this discovery, other RET rearrangements were found in PTCs, particularly in those induced by radiation. For many years, it was thought that these genetic alterations only occurred in PTC, but, in the past couple of years, some RET/PTC rearrangements have been found in other human tumours. 5 years after the discovery of RET/PTC rearrangements in PTC, activating point mutations in the RET proto-oncogene were discovered in both hereditary and sporadic forms of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In contrast to the alterations found in PTC, the activation of RET in MTC is mainly due to activating point mutations. Interestingly, in the past year, RET rearrangements that were different to those described in PTC were observed in sporadic MTC. The identification of RET mutations is relevant to the early diagnosis of hereditary MTC and the prognosis of sporadic MTC. The diagnostic and prognostic role of the RET/PTC rearrangements in PTC is less relevant but still important in patient management, particularly for deciding if a targeted therapy should be initiated. In this Review, we discuss the pathogenic, diagnostic and prognostic roles of the RET proto-oncogene in both PTC and MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Romei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ciampi
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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16
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A novel RET/PTC variant detected in a pediatric patient with papillary thyroid cancer without ionization history. Hum Pathol 2015; 46:1962-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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17
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Hamatani K, Eguchi H, Koyama K, Mukai M, Nakachi K, Kusunoki Y. A novel RET rearrangement (ACBD5/RET) by pericentric inversion, inv(10)(p12.1;q11.2), in papillary thyroid cancer from an atomic bomb survivor exposed to high-dose radiation. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:1809-14. [PMID: 25175022 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
During analysis of RET/PTC rearrangements in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) among atomic bomb survivors, a cDNA fragment of a novel type of RET rearrangement was identified in a PTC patient exposed to a high radiation dose using the improved 5' RACE method. This gene resulted from the fusion of the 3' portion of RET containing tyrosine kinase domain to the 5' portion of the acyl-coenzyme A binding domain containing 5 (ACBD5) gene, by pericentric inversion inv(10)(p12.1;q11.2); expression of the fusion gene was confirmed by RT-PCR. ACBD5 gene is ubiquitously expressed in various human normal tissues including thyroid. Full-length cDNA of the ACBD5-RET gene was constructed and then examined for tumorigenicity. Enhanced phosphorylation of ERK proteins in the MAPK pathway was observed in NIH3T3 cells transfected with expression vector encoding the full-length ACBD5/RET cDNA, while this was not observed in the cells transfected with empty expression vector. Stable NIH3T3 transfectants with ACBD5-RET cDNA induced tumor formation after their injection into nude mice. These findings suggest that the ACBD5-RET rearrangement is causatively involved in the development of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyohiro Hamatani
- Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Eguchi
- Division of Translational Research, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Koyama
- Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mayumi Mukai
- Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kei Nakachi
- Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kusunoki
- Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
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18
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Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements that lead to oncogenic kinase activation are observed in many epithelial cancers. These cancers express activated fusion kinases that drive the initiation and progression of malignancy, and often have a considerable response to small-molecule kinase inhibitors, which validates these fusion kinases as 'druggable' targets. In this Review, we examine the aetiologic, pathogenic and clinical features that are associated with cancers harbouring oncogenic fusion kinases, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), ROS1 and RET. We discuss the clinical outcomes with targeted therapies and explore strategies to discover additional kinases that are activated by chromosomal rearrangements in solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice T Shaw
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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19
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Interplay between Ret and Fap-1 regulates CD95-mediated apoptosis in medullary thyroid cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:778-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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20
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Weier HUG, Ito Y, Kwan J, Smida J, Weier JF, Hieber L, Lu CM, Lehmann L, Wang M, Kassabian HJ, Zeng H, O'Brien B. Delineating chromosomal breakpoints in radiation-induced papillary thyroid cancer. Genes (Basel) 2011; 2:397-419. [PMID: 22096618 PMCID: PMC3216054 DOI: 10.3390/genes2030397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent translocations are well known hallmarks of many human solid tumors and hematological disorders, where patient- and breakpoint-specific information may facilitate prognostication and individualized therapy. In thyroid carcinomas, the proto-oncogenes RET and NTRK1 are often found to be activated through chromosomal rearrangements. However, many sporadic tumors and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) arising in patients with a history of exposure to elevated levels of ionizing irradiation do not carry these known abnormalities. We developed a rapid scheme to screen tumor cell metaphase spreads and identify candidate genes of tumorigenesis and neoplastic progression for subsequent functional studies. Using a series of overnight fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments with pools comprised of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, it now becomes possible to rapidly refine breakpoint maps and, within one week, progress from the low resolution Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) maps or Giemsa-banding (G-banding) karyotypes to fully integrated, high resolution physical maps including a list of candiate genes in the critical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz-Ulrich G. Weier
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yuko Ito
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
- National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan; E-Mail:
| | - Johnson Kwan
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
| | - Jan Smida
- Clinical Cooperation Group Osteosarcoma, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; E-Mail:
| | - Jingly F. Weier
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
- Clinical Labs–Cytogenetics, University of California, 185 Berry Street Suite 290, San Francisco, CA 94143-0100, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Ludwig Hieber
- Department of Radiation Cytogenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr.1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; E-Mail:
| | - Chun-Mei Lu
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, No.35, Lane 215, Section 1, Chungshan Road, Taiping City, Taichung 411, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Lars Lehmann
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
- Department of Radiation Cytogenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr.1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; E-Mail:
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany; E-Mail:
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Diabetes, City of Hope, 1500 Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010-3012, USA; E-mail:
| | - Haig J. Kassabian
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hui Zeng
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
| | - Benjamin O'Brien
- Life Sciences Division, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; E-Mails: (H.-U.G.W.); (J.K.); (H.J.K.); (H.Z.)
- William Harvey Research Institute, Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Department of Anesthesiology, German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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21
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Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a common type of endocrine malignancy, and its incidence has been steadily increasing in many regions of the world. Initiation and progression of thyroid cancer involves multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations, of which mutations leading to the activation of the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways are crucial. Common mutations found in thyroid cancer are point mutation of the BRAF and RAS genes as well as RET/PTC and PAX8/PPARγ chromosomal rearrangements. The mutational mechanisms seem to be linked to specific etiologic factors. Chromosomal rearrangements have a strong association with exposure to ionizing radiation and possibly with DNA fragility, whereas point mutations probably arise as a result of chemical mutagenesis. A potential role of dietary iodine excess in the generation of BRAF point mutations has also been proposed. Somatic mutations and other molecular alterations have been recognized as helpful diagnostic and prognostic markers for thyroid cancer and are beginning to be introduced into clinical practice, to offer a valuable tool for the management of patients with thyroid nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri E Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PUH C-606, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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22
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Pignalosa D, Ritter S, Durante M. Inversions in Chromosome 10 of Human Thyroid Cells Induced by Accelerated Heavy Ions. Radiat Res 2010; 174:14-9. [DOI: 10.1667/rr1963.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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23
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Thyroid cancer: current molecular perspectives. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2010; 2010:351679. [PMID: 20369062 PMCID: PMC2847382 DOI: 10.1155/2010/351679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Accepted: 01/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The thyroid cancer is a rare oncological entity, representing no more than 1% of all human malignant neoplasms. Recently, it has been demonstrated a sharp increase in incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, equally occurring in both sexes. So far, multiple genetic alterations have been identified in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, leading to investigate the clinical utility of genetic studies. In particular, molecular genetic approaches searching for gene mutations in the material collected by fine needle ago-biopsy may have a particular utility in small nodules and in those specimens with an indeterminate cytology. The expansion of knowledge about genetic mutations occurring in different thyroid tumors has characterized recent years, allowing the identification of a correlation between specific mutations and phenotypic characteristics of thyroid cancers, essential for their prognosis. This review will briefly report on the histological features and the new entity represented by thyroid microcarcinoma and will focus on both environmental and genetic aspects associated with the occurrence of thyroid cancer.
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24
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Molecular rearrangements in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Clin Chim Acta 2009; 411:301-8. [PMID: 19958753 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2009.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 11/09/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer is unusual among epithelial malignancies in that it is associated with a number of chromosomal rearrangements. The most common of these is the Ret oncogene, normally silent in the follicular cell, but which has been shown to be rearranged to the promoter region of a variety of different genes, all of which are constituently expressed in the thyroid follicular cell. It has been suggested that chromosomes in the thyroid cell are arranged within the nucleus in such a way as to predispose the cell to inappropriate fusion in the advent of DNA double-strand breakage. The presence of tumour specific fusion genes, and their transcribed proteins, presents a possible therapeutic target for thyroid cancer, but the relative contribution of the gene rearrangement in the growth and development of the tumour will need careful evaluation before clinical studies could take place.
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25
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Henderson YC, Shellenberger TD, Williams MD, El-Naggar AK, Fredrick MJ, Cieply KM, Clayman GL. High rate of BRAF and RET/PTC dual mutations associated with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:485-91. [PMID: 19147753 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-0933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common thyroid malignancy, usually possesses BRAF mutation or rearranged in translation (RET)/PTC rearrangements. PTC usually possesses BRAF mutation or RET/PTC rearrangements. The mutation status of patients with recurrent PTC has never been characterized in a large population. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Mutation status was determined in a cohort of 54 patients with recurrent PTC and analyzed for clinicopathologic relationships. BRAF and ras mutations were determined by PCR and sequencing of genomic DNA. RET/PTC rearrangements were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS BRAF mutation in exon 15 (V600E) was found in 42/54 (77.8%) recurrent PTC patients. The RET/PTC rearrangements were detected in 9 of 54 (16.7%) patients. In addition, 5 of 54 (9.3%) recurrent PTC patients had both a BRAF mutation and a RET/PTC rearrangement. The prevalence of tumors with dual mutations found in the recurrent population far exceeds the frequency historically reported for patients with primary PTC. Patients with dual mutations were significantly older (80% older than 45 years) than patients with a BRAF mutation alone (38% older than 45 years). CONCLUSIONS Recurrent PTC is significantly associated with a predominant BRAF mutation. RET/PTC rearrangements, although commonly associated with primary PTCs in younger patients, are uncommonly found in recurrent PTC patients. In addition, the incidence of dual mutations was higher in patients with recurrent PTC than in those primary PTC, as reported by others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying C Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Pathology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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26
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Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase RET is expressed in a number of neuroblastoma tissues and cell lines, but its role in neuroblastoma remains to be determined. In this study, we examined the roles of RET protein in neuroblastoma by the RNA interference technique using the NB-39-nu neuroblastoma cell line. NB-39-nu neuroblastoma cells show high expression and elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of RET, although short interfering RNA against RET (RET siRNA) did not significantly inhibit cell proliferation or suppression of basal levels of phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 or protein kinase B (AKT). By the addition of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), both the expression and phosphorylation of RET and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT were further increased, whereas cell proliferation was not stimulated under normal culture conditions. However, proliferation of cells cultured under non-adherent conditions was significantly increased by GDNF. The increased proliferation was suppressed by RET siRNA, which also caused inhibition of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT. These results suggest that RET signaling plays an important role in GDNF-induced enhancement of non-adherent proliferation of NB-39-nu cells, which might contribute to the metastasis of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoyasu Futami
- Growth Factor Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0044, Japan
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27
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Kwan J, Baumgartner A, Lu CM, Wang M, Weier JF, Zitzelsberger HF, Weier HUG. BAC-FISH assays delineate complex chromosomal rearrangements in a case of post-Chernobyl childhood thyroid cancer. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009; 47:135-42. [PMID: 19995698 PMCID: PMC3033345 DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural chromosome aberrations are known hallmarks of many solid tumors. In the papillary form of thyroid cancer (PTC), for example, activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes, RET and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type I (NTRK1) by intra- and interchromosomal rearrangements has been suggested as a cause of the disease. However, many phenotypically similar tumors do not carry an activated RET or NTRK-1 gene or express abnormal ret or NTRK-1 transcripts. Thus, we hypothesize that other cellular RTK-type genes are aberrantly expressed in these tumors. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization-based methods, we are studying karyotype changes in a relatively rare subgroup of PTCs, i.e., tumors that arose in children following the 1986 nuclear accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Here, we report our technical developments and progress in deciphering complex chromosome aberrations in case S48TK, an aggressively growing PTC cell line, which shows an unusual high number of unbalanced translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Kwan
- Life Sciences Division, University of California, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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28
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Volpato CB, Martínez-Alfaro M, Corvi R, Gabus C, Sauvaigo S, Ferrari P, Bonora E, De Grandi A, Romeo G. Enhanced sensitivity of the RET proto-oncogene to ionizing radiation in vitro. Cancer Res 2008; 68:8986-92. [PMID: 18974143 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-1032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to ionizing radiation is a well-known risk factor for a number of human cancers, including leukemia and thyroid cancer. It has been known for a long time that exposure of cells to radiation results in extensive DNA damage; however, a small number of studies have tried to explain the mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis. The high prevalence of RET/PTC rearrangements in patients who have received external radiation, and the evidence of in vitro induction of RET rearrangements in human cells, suggest an enhanced sensitivity of the RET genomic region to damage by ionizing radiation. To assess whether RET is indeed more sensitive to radiations than other genomic regions, we used a COMET assay coupled with fluorescence in situ hybridization, which allows the measurement of DNA fragmentation in defined genomic regions of single cells. We compared the initial DNA damage of the genomic regions of RET, CXCL12/SDF1, ABL, MYC, PLA2G2A, p53, and JAK2 induced by ionizing radiation in both a lymphoblastoid and a fetal thyroid cell line. In both cell lines, RET fragmentation was significantly higher than in other genomic regions. Moreover, a differential distribution of signals within the COMET was associated with a higher percentage of RET fragments in the tail. RET was more susceptible to fragmentation in the thyroid-derived cells than in lymphoblasts. This enhanced susceptibility of RET to ionizing radiation suggests the possibility of using it as a radiation exposure marker.
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29
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Henderson YC, Ahn SH, Kang Y, Clayman GL. Sorafenib potently inhibits papillary thyroid carcinomas harboring RET/PTC1 rearrangement. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:4908-4914. [PMID: 18676765 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) are the most common type of thyroid malignancy with one of the two mutations, RET/PTC rearrangement or BRAF mutation. Both mutations are able to activate the MEK/ERK signaling transduction pathway and result in the activation of transcription factors that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Sorafenib (Nexavar, BAY 43-9006) is a multikinase inhibitor, and in this study, we tested its effects on PTC cells carrying either mutation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of sorafenib on cell proliferation and signaling were evaluated in vitro on PTC cells using growth curves, cell cycle analysis, and immunoblotting. Using an orthotopic mouse model, we determined the antitumor effects of sorafenib in vivo. RESULTS The concentration needed for 50% growth inhibition (GI(50)) by sorafenib was 0.14 mumol/L for the PTC cells with the RET/PTC1 rearrangement, and 2.5 mumol/L for PTC cells with a BRAF mutation, both readily achievable serum concentrations. After 3 weeks of oral administration of sorafenib (80 mg/kg/d) in mice, small (94% reduction compared with controls) or no tumor growth was detected in mice inoculated with PTC cells bearing the RET/PTC1 rearrangement, whereas the tumor volume of the orthotopic tumor implants of PTC cells with a BRAF mutation was reduced 53% to 54% (as compared with controls). CONCLUSIONS PTC cells carrying the RET/PTC1 rearrangement were more sensitive to sorafenib than PTC cells carrying a BRAF mutation. Because RET/PTC rearrangements are unique to thyroid carcinomas, our findings support the clinical evaluation of sorafenib for patients with PTC and the identification of patients most likely to respond to sorafenib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying C Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Soon-Hyun Ahn
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ya'an Kang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gary L Clayman
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Abstract
Numerous biologic processes and such diseases as cancer depend on activation of tyrosine kinase receptors. The RET tyrosine kinase receptor was discovered two decades ago as a transforming gene and was subsequently implicated in the formation of papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma. This article examines the data about the mechanism of activation of downstream signal transduction pathways by RET oncoproteins. Collectively, these findings have advanced the understanding of the processes underlying thyroid carcinoma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Domenica Castellone
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR G Salvatore, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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31
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Nikiforova MN, Nikiforov YE. Molecular genetics of thyroid cancer: implications for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2008; 8:83-95. [PMID: 18088233 DOI: 10.1586/14737159.8.1.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system and accounts for approximately 1% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. The most frequent type of thyroid malignancy is papillary carcinoma, which constitutes approximately 80% of all cases. Papillary carcinomas frequently have genetic alterations leading to the activation of the MAPK signal pathway. Those include RET/PTC rearrangement and point mutations of the BRAF and RAS genes. Mutations in these genes are found in over 70% of papillary carcinomas and they rarely overlap in the same tumor. Frequent genetic alterations in follicular carcinomas, the second most common type of thyroid malignancy, include RAS mutations and PAX8-PPAR gamma rearrangement. RET point mutations are crucial for the development of medullary thyroid carcinomas. Many of these mutations, particularly those leading to the activation of the MAPK pathway, are being actively explored as therapeutic targets for thyroid cancer. Detection of these genetic alterations using molecular techniques is important for preoperative fine-needle aspiration diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina N Nikiforova
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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32
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Catalano A, Dawson MA, Somana K, Opat S, Schwarer A, Campbell LJ, Iland H. The PRKAR1A gene is fused to RARA in a new variant acute promyelocytic leukemia. Blood 2007; 110:4073-6. [PMID: 17712046 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-06-095554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
We report the molecular and cytogenetic characterization of a novel variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The bone marrow showed 88% hypergranular promyelocytes, and the karyotype was 47,XY,+22 [5]/46,XY[30]. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) indicated disruption and deletion of the 5′-end of the RARA gene. Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid, idarubicin, and arsenic trioxide induced cytogenetic complete remission without morphologic evidence of residual leukemia. The diagnostic marrow was negative for PML-RARA transcripts by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but an atypical product was observed. Sequencing showed partial homology to the PRKAR1A gene, encoding the regulatory subunit type I-α of cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent protein kinase. RT-PCR using specific primers for PRKAR1A and RARA amplified 2 transcript splice variants of a PRKAR1A-RARA fusion gene, and PRKAR1A and RARA FISH probes confirmed the fusion. This novel PRKAR1A-RARA gene rearrangement is the fifth variant APL in which the RARA partner gene has been identified and the second known rearrangement of PRKAR1A in a malignant disease. This trial was registered at www.actr.org.au with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry as number 12605000070639.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Arsenicals/administration & dosage
- Australia
- Base Sequence/genetics
- Bone Marrow/pathology
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIalpha Subunit/genetics
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Humans
- Idarubicin/administration & dosage
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/pathology
- Male
- Mutant Chimeric Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Oxides/administration & dosage
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Registries
- Remission Induction
- Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
- Sequence Deletion/genetics
- Tretinoin/administration & dosage
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Catalano
- Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
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33
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Donatello S, Fiorino A, Degl'Innocenti D, Alberti L, Miranda C, Gorla L, Bongarzone I, Rizzetti MG, Pierotti MA, Borrello MG. SH2B1beta adaptor is a key enhancer of RET tyrosine kinase signaling. Oncogene 2007; 26:6546-59. [PMID: 17471236 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The RET gene encodes two main isoforms of a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) implicated in various human diseases. Activating germ-line point mutations are responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2-associated medullary thyroid carcinomas, inactivating germ-line mutations for Hirschsprung's disease, while somatic rearrangements (RET/PTCs) are specific to papillary thyroid carcinomas. SH2B1beta, a member of the SH2B adaptors family, and binding partner for several RTKs, has been recently described to interact with proto-RET. Here, we show that both RET isoforms and its oncogenic derivatives bind to SH2B1beta through the SRC homology 2 (SH2) domain and a kinase activity-dependent mechanism. As a result, RET phosphorylates SH2B1beta, which in turn enhances its autophosphorylation, kinase activity, and downstream signaling. RET tyrosine residues 905 and 981 are important determinants for functional binding of the adaptor, as removal of both autophosphorylation sites displaces its recruitment. Binding of SH2B1beta appears to protect RET from dephosphorylation by protein tyrosine phosphatases, and might represent a likely mechanism contributing to its upregulation. Thus, overexpression of SH2B1beta, by enhancing phosphorylation/activation of RET transducers, potentiates the cellular differentiation and the neoplastic transformation thereby induced, and counteracts the action of RET inhibitors. Overall, our results identify SH2B1beta as a key enhancer of RET physiologic and pathologic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Donatello
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Research Unit no. 3, Milan, Italy
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34
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Zafon C, Obiols G, Castellví J, Tallada N, Baena JA, Simó R, Mesa J. Clinical significance of RET/PTC and p53 protein expression in sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histopathology 2007; 50:225-31. [PMID: 17222251 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2006.02555.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Rearranged during Transfection (RET)/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and p53 are two genes involved in the pathogenesis of PTC. It has been suggested that RET/PTC expression is associated with higher rates of local extension and lymph node involvement, whereas p53 mutations are more frequent in poorly differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas. In addition, experimental studies have shown that p53 activity can modify the behaviour of PTC carrying RET/PTC. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of both RET/PTC and p53 in order to evaluate their usefulness as prognostic factors. METHODS AND RESULTS Resected specimens of 61 cases of PTC were studied immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody to RET and a monoclonal antibody to p53 protein. RET/PTC expression was associated with extrathyroid extension of PTC, at diagnosis (P < 0.05). In contrast, no relationship between p53 immunoreactivity and clinical status was found. In addition, p53 expression was more prevalent among RET/PTC+ patients, and significantly influenced the relationship observed between RET/PTC and extrathyroid extension of the disease. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that immunohistochemistry for both PTC/RET and p53 could be useful in the clinical evaluation of patients with PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Zafon
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital General i Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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35
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Weier HUG, Tuton TB, Ito Y, Chu LW, Lu CM, Baumgartner A, Zitzelsberger HF, Weier JF. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of chromosome 9-derived material in a human thyroid cancer cell line. Cytogenet Genome Res 2006; 114:284-91. [PMID: 16954668 DOI: 10.1159/000094215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2006] [Accepted: 02/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) increases significantly after exposure of the head and neck region to ionizing radiation, yet we know neither the steps involved in malignant transformation of thyroid epithelium nor the specific carcinogenic mode of action of radiation. Such increased tumor frequency became most evident in children after the 1986 nuclear accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine. In the eight years following the accident, the average incidence of childhood PTCs (chPTC) increased 70-fold in Belarus, 200-fold in Gomel, 10-fold in the Ukraine and 50-fold in Tschnigov, Kiev, Rovno, Shitomyr and Tscherkassy compared to the rate of about 1 tumor incidence per 106 children per year prior to 1986 (Likhtarev et al., 1995; Sobolev et al., 1997; Jacob et al., 1998). To study the etiology of radiation-induced thyroid cancer, we formed an international consortium to investigate chromosomal changes and altered gene expression in cases of post-Chernobyl chPTC. Our approach is based on karyotyping of primary cultures established from chPTC specimens, establishment of cell lines and studies of genotype-phenotype relationships through high resolution chromosome analysis, DNA/cDNA micro-array studies, and mouse xenografts that test for tumorigenicity. Here, we report the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based techniques for the molecular cytogenetic characterization of a highly tumorigenic chPTC cell line, S48TK, and its subclones. Using chromosome 9 rearrangements as an example, we describe a new approach termed 'BAC-FISH' to rapidly delineate chromosomal breakpoints, an important step towards a better understanding of the formation of translocations and their functional consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-U G Weier
- Life Sciences Division, University of California, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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36
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Cranston A, Carniti C, Martin S, Mondellini P, Hooks Y, Leyland J, Hodgson S, Clarke S, Pierotti M, Ponder BAJ, Bongarzone I. A Novel Activating Mutation in the RET Tyrosine Kinase Domain Mediates Neoplastic Transformation. Mol Endocrinol 2006; 20:1633-43. [PMID: 16469774 DOI: 10.1210/me.2004-0447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractWe report the finding of a novel missense mutation at codon 833 in the tyrosine kinase of the RET proto-oncogene in a patient with a carcinoma of the thyroid. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the R833C mutation induces transformed foci only when present in the long 3′ splice isoform and, in keeping with a model in which the receptor has to dimerize to be completely activated, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor stimulation leads the RETR833C receptor to a higher level of activation. Tyrosine kinase assays show that the RETR833C long isoform has weak intrinsic kinase activity and phosphorylation of an exogenous substrate is not elevated even in the presence of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. Furthermore, the R833C mutation is capable of sustaining the transformed phenotype in vivo but does not confer upon the transformed cells the ability to degrade the basement membrane in a manner analogous to metastasis. Our functional characterization of the R833C substitution suggests that, like the V804M and S891A mutations, this tyrosine kinase mutation confers a weak activating potential upon RET. This is the first report demonstrating that the introduction of an intracellular cysteine can activate RET. However, this does not occur via dimerization in a manner analogous to the extracellular cysteine mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Cranston
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cancer Research UK Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, UK.
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Gorla L, Cantù M, Miccichè F, Patelli C, Mondellini P, Pierotti MA, Bongarzone I. RET oncoproteins induce tyrosine phosphorylation changes of proteins involved in RNA metabolism. Cell Signal 2006; 18:2272-82. [PMID: 16843637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2006.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2006] [Accepted: 05/16/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We report the identification of proteins induced in response to RET/PTC2, an oncogene implicated in thyroid cancers. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibody affinity resin was used to purify Tyr(P)-containing and interacting proteins from 293T and NIH3T3 cells which were transfected with kinase active or inactive RET/PTC and RETMEN2 oncogenes. Proteins were separated by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE, extracted by in-gel digestion, and identified by MALDI-TOF peptide mass fingerprinting. The expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of Sam68, a protein implicated in mRNA nucleocytoplasmic translocation and splicing, were further examined in RET-transfected cells and thyroid tumors. Of relevance, cells transfected with RETMEN2B examined for anti-phosphotyrosine bound proteins, showed other proteins implicated in splicing: DEAD-box p68 RNA helicase, SYNCRIP, and hnRNP K. Western blotting analysis suggested that these proteins are singularly tyrosine phosphorylated in RETMEN2B-transfected cells, and that they constitutively bind with Sam68. The study concludes that regulation of splicing factors is likely to be important in RET-mediated thyroid carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gorla
- Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Experimental Oncology and Lab. Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan Italy
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38
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Domingues R, Mendonça E, Sobrinho L, Bugalho MJ. Searching for RET/PTC rearrangements and BRAF V599E mutation in thyroid aspirates might contribute to establish a preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Cytopathology 2005; 16:27-31. [PMID: 15859312 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2303.2004.00223.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Searching for multiple molecular markers in thyroid aspirates appears to be a promising approach for establishing a preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS Based on this hypothesis, a total of 63 samples from 55 patients, were collected at random. RNA was extracted from the residue cells inside the needle used for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and thereafter molecular analysis was carried out both for RETrearrangements (type 1, 2, 3) and BRAF codon 599 mutation molecule. Results were compared with the cytological and histopathological diagnoses in 24 patients submitted to surgery. RESULTS 58% PTCs presented a genetic alteration either RET/PTC rearrangement, BRAF V599E mutation or both: three cases of PTCs (25%) presented a RET/PTC rearrangement; three cases of PTCs (25%) presented a BRAF V599E mutation and in one case (8%) both alterations were identified. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that searching for multiple molecular markers in thyroid aspirates may enhance the accuracy of FNAC and refine preoperative diagnosis of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Domingues
- Centro de Investigação de Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia Francisco Gentil, Centro Regional de Oncologia de Lisboa, SA, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Caudill CM, Zhu Z, Ciampi R, Stringer JR, Nikiforov YE. Dose-dependent generation of RET/PTC in human thyroid cells after in vitro exposure to gamma-radiation: a model of carcinogenic chromosomal rearrangement induced by ionizing radiation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90:2364-9. [PMID: 15671095 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2004-1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer in human populations. Chromosomal rearrangements involving the RET gene, known as RET/PTC, are prevalent in thyroid papillary carcinomas from patients with radiation history. We studied the generation of RET/PTC in HTori-3 immortalized human thyroid cells exposed to a range of doses of gamma-radiation and harvested 2, 5-6, and 9 d later. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 were detected by RT-PCR followed by Southern blotting and hybridization with internal oligonucleotide probes. No RET/PTC was found in cells harvested 2 and 5-6 d after irradiation, whereas 59 RET/PTC events were detected in cells collected 9 d after exposure. The average rate of RET/PTC induction was 0.1 x 10(-6) after exposure to 0.1 Gy, 1.6 x 10(-6) after 1 Gy, 3.0 x 10(-6) after 5 Gy, and 0.9 x 10(-6) after 10 Gy. When adjusted for cell survival, the rate after 10 Gy was comparable with those after 5 Gy. RET/PTC1 was more common than RET/PTC3 after each dose, comprising 80% of all rearrangements. In this study, we demonstrate a dose-dependent induction of RET/PTC rearrangements in human thyroid cells after exposure to 0.1-10 Gy gamma-radiation. This provides additional evidence for a direct link between this genetic event and radiation exposure and offers a powerful experimental system for studying radiation-induced carcinogenesis in the thyroid gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy M Caudill
- Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, P.O. Box 670529, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0529, USA
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Lee S, Hong SW, Moon WC, Oh MR, Lee JK, Ahn CW, Cha BS, Kim KR, Lee HC, Lim SK. High prevalence of c-RET expression in papillary thyroid carcinomas from the Korean population. Thyroid 2005; 15:259-66. [PMID: 15785245 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2005.15.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of the RET proto-oncogene, located on the long arms of chromosome 10, contributes to the development of thyroid cancers in two different ways. First, somatic rearrangements of RET with variable activation genes are frequently found in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Second, germ-line point mutations are responsible for the development of medullary thyroid carcinomas and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). There are several conflicting reports on the influences of RET expression and RET/PTC rearrangements on the clinical outcome of thyroid cancers. Therefore, the wild-type RET gene expression and RET/PTC-1, RET/PTC-2, RET/PTC-3 rearrangements were examined in thyroid carcinomas and other thyroid diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 8 follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs), 4 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC), 7 follicular adenomas (FAs), 23 hyperplasias, 6 normal thyroid tissues, and 39 normal portions from each tumor were included in this study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses were used to identify the RET gene and RET/PTC rearrangements. RESULTS From the RT-PCR analysis, 68.9% of the PTCs, a single case of FTC, and 22.2% of the hyperplasias expressed the RET gene. No RET gene expression was observed in ATCs, FAs, or normal thyroid tissues. One RET/PTC-1 and one RET/PTC-2 rearrangement were detected in the PTCs. No RET/PTC-3 rearrangement was detected in any specimen. The immunohistochemical results revealed that 66.7% of PTCs, 28.6% of FAs, and 18.2% of hyperplastic thyroid tissue specimens showed high levels of RET protein expression. Neither the normal thyroid tissues nor the FTCs and ATC, showed high levels of RET protein expression. The two methods are agreed in PTC and hyperplastic nodules, but not in FA and FTC. CONCLUSION PTCs among Koreans rarely showed RET/PTC rearrangements, but commonly showed increased RET gene expression. Compared to earlier reports indicating that the expression of the RET gene was limited to PTCs, the RET gene was also expressed in hyperplasias in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea
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41
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Fusco A, Viglietto G, Santoro M. A new mechanism of BRAF activation in human thyroid papillary carcinomas. J Clin Invest 2005. [DOI: 10.1172/jci200523987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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Schuetz G, Rosário M, Grimm J, Boeckers TM, Gundelfinger ED, Birchmeier W. The neuronal scaffold protein Shank3 mediates signaling and biological function of the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret in epithelial cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 167:945-52. [PMID: 15569713 PMCID: PMC2172453 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200404108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Shank proteins, initially also described as ProSAP proteins, are scaffolding adaptors that have been previously shown to integrate neurotransmitter receptors into the cortical cytoskeleton at postsynaptic densities. We show here that Shank proteins are also crucial in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. The PDZ domain–containing Shank3 protein was found to represent a novel interaction partner of the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret, which binds specifically to a PDZ-binding motif present in the Ret9 but not in the Ret51 isoform. Furthermore, we show that Ret9 but not Ret51 induces epithelial cells to form branched tubular structures in three-dimensional cultures in a Shank3-dependent manner. Ret9 but not Ret51 has been previously shown to be required for kidney development. Shank3 protein mediates sustained Erk–MAPK and PI3K signaling, which is crucial for tubule formation, through recruitment of the adaptor protein Grb2. These results demonstrate that the Shank3 adaptor protein can mediate cellular signaling, and provide a molecular mechanism for the biological divergence between the Ret9 and Ret51 isoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Schuetz
- MaxDelbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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43
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Omar E, Madhavan M, Othman NH. Immunohistochemical localisation of RET and p53 mutant protein of thyroid lesions in a North-Eastern Malaysian population and its prognostic implications. Pathology 2004; 36:152-9. [PMID: 15203751 DOI: 10.1080/00313020410001671993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate RET and p53 expression in local thyroid lesions, in order to shed light on the pathogenesis of papillary carcinoma and explain the high prevalence of this condition among the nodular hyperplasia (multi-nodular goitre) cases. METHODS Archival thyroid tissue was retrieved from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Pathology Department files and studied by immunohistochemistry for RET and p53 mutant protein. Normal tissues from 74 cases served as controls. RESULTS Fifty follicular adenoma, 66 nodular hyperplasia and 53 papillary carcinoma cases were studied. RET was expressed in 5.4% of normal thyroid tissue, 18% of follicular adenomas, 22.7% of nodular hyperplasia cases and 71.7% of papillary carcinomas. Its expression in papillary carcinoma was not associated with the coexistence of nodular hyperplasia lesions. p53 was expressed by 17% of papillary carcinomas. No association was found between p53 expression of nodular hyperplasia with or without co-existing papillary carcinoma. p53, rather than RET, was an excellent predictor of tumour lymph node metastasis and capsular invasion. p53 was also a significant prognosticator of survival outcome. CONCLUSIONS RET expression is highly prevalent in local papillary carcinoma, indicating a significant role in the pathogenesis of this tumour, with no apparent role in tumour behaviour and survival outcome. p53 on the other hand appears to be a significant factor in the latter events. The two genes appear to act in two different pathways: the former being an initiator, and the later a propagator of papillary carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Effat Omar
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
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Futreal PA, Coin L, Marshall M, Down T, Hubbard T, Wooster R, Rahman N, Stratton MR. A census of human cancer genes. Nat Rev Cancer 2004; 4:177-83. [PMID: 14993899 PMCID: PMC2665285 DOI: 10.1038/nrc1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2246] [Impact Index Per Article: 112.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A central aim of cancer research has been to identify the mutated genes that are causally implicated in oncogenesis (‘cancer genes’). After two decades of searching, how many have been identified and how do they compare to the complete gene set that has been revealed by the human genome sequence? We have conducted a ‘census’ of cancer genes that indicates that mutations in more than 1% of genes contribute to human cancer. The census illustrates striking features in the types of sequence alteration, cancer classes in which oncogenic mutations have been identified and protein domains that are encoded by cancer genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Andrew Futreal
- Cancer Genome Project, Human Genome Analysis Group and Pfam Group, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Cambs, CB10 1SA, UK
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45
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Nikiforov YE. The molecular pathways induced by radiation and leading to thyroid carcinogenesis. Cancer Treat Res 2004; 122:191-206. [PMID: 16209046 DOI: 10.1007/1-4020-8107-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
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Alvarez-Núñez F, Mora J, Matías-Guiu X. [Thyroid carcinomas of the follicular epithelium: tumor markers and oncogenes]. Med Clin (Barc) 2003; 121:264-9. [PMID: 12975039 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-7753(03)75192-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Several genes control cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Any alteration in the sequence or expression of these genes can cause an uncontrolled growth of the tissue and produce a tumor. Quantitative and qualitative gene expression studies using genes as tumor markers are essential for the diagnosis and prognosis of the tumor and its behavior. Oncogenes are genes that stimulate cell growth and have an increased expression. On the contrary, tumor suppressor genes are genes that inhibit cell growth and have a decreased expression in tumor cells. To study these tumor markers we apply simple and random molecular biology techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription and genomic sequencing. In the case of thyroid epithelial neoplasia, tumor markers such as PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1, telomerase, RET/PTC, b-catenine, PAX8/PPAR(1, ciclooxygenase, thyroid stimulating hormonal receptor (TSHR), and thyro-globulin are being investigated. These markers are analyzed for somatic mutations in the genetic sequence, chromosomical rearrangements, alterations in the promoter zone that affect gene expression, regulation and studies of genes at mRNA level. A deeper study of these markers is deemed to help improve the accuracy of tumor diagnosis, behavior and prognosis. Hence, more effective therapeutic options will be adapted to each individual, eventually reducing hospital costs.
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Abstract
A number of molecular abnormalities have been described in association with the progression from normal thyroid tissue to benign adenomas to well-differentiated and finally anaplastic epithelial thyroid cancer. These include upregulation of proliferative factors, such as growth hormones and oncogenes, downregulation of apoptotic and cell-cycle inhibitory factors, such as tumor suppressors, disruption of normal cell-to-cell interactions, and cellular immortalization. The progression model for thyroid carcinoma has not been proven, but evidence suggests that an evolutionary molecular process is involved, especially in the development of follicular thyroid cancers for which there are distinct intermediate phenotypes. We present a comprehensive evaluation of factors involved in thyroid tumorigenesis and attempt to describe preliminary attributes of a progression model. The organization of this model should also provide a template for the incorporation of new information as it is derived from large-scale genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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48
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Impact of molecular cytogenetics on localization and identification of cancer-related genes in endocrine tumor development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1097/00060793-200306000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Futami H, Egawa SI, Takasaki K, Tsukada T, Shiraishi M, Yamaguchi K. Allelic loss of DNA locus of the RET proto-oncogene in small cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2003; 195:59-65. [PMID: 12767512 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(03)00127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed all 21 exons of the RET proto-oncogene of paired genomic DNA from tumors and normal tissues in 12 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients for the presence of genetic alteration. Polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing revealed that heterozygosity of the RET proto-oncogene was lost in the tumor tissues of six patients out of eight informative SCLC patients, although point mutation was not evident in any tumors. These results suggest that a deletion of the chromosomal region including the RET proto-oncogene is involved in the pathogenesis of SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoyasu Futami
- Growth Factor Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, 104-0045 Tokyo, Japan.
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Alberti L, Carniti C, Miranda C, Roccato E, Pierotti MA. RET and NTRK1 proto-oncogenes in human diseases. J Cell Physiol 2003; 195:168-86. [PMID: 12652644 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.10252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RET and NTRK1 are receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) proteins which play a role in the development and maturation of specific component of the nervous system. Their alterations have been associated to several human diseases, including some forms of cancer and developmental abnormalities. These features have contributed to the concept that one gene can be responsible for more than one disease. Moreover, both genes encoding for the two RTKs show genetic alterations that belong to either "gain of function" or "loss of function" class of mutations. In fact, receptor rearrangements or point mutations convert RET and NTRK1 in dominantly acting transforming genes leading to thyroid tumors, whereas inactivating mutations, associated with Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) and congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), impair RET and NTRK1 functions, respectively. In this review we have summarized the main features of the two receptors, their physiological and pathological roles. In addition, we attempted to identify the correlations between the different genetic alterations and the related pathogenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisella Alberti
- Operative Unit Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Growth and Progression, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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