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Gelmi MC, Gezgin G, van der Velden PA, Luyten GPM, Luk SJ, Heemskerk MHM, Jager MJ. PRAME Expression: A Target for Cancer Immunotherapy and a Prognostic Factor in Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:36. [PMID: 38149971 PMCID: PMC10755595 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease with a high mortality, and new therapeutic options are being investigated. Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer testis antigen, expressed in the testis, but also in cancers, including uveal melanoma. PRAME is considered a target for immune therapy in several cancers, and PRAME-specific T cell clones have been shown to kill UM cells. Methods We studied the literature on PRAME expression in hematological and solid malignancies, including UM, and its role as a target for immunotherapy. The distribution of tumor features was compared between PRAME-high and PRAME-low UM in a 64-patient cohort from the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of 80 cases and differential gene expression analysis was performed in the LUMC cohort. Results PRAME is expressed in many malignancies, it is frequently associated with a negative prognosis, and can be the target of T cell receptor (TCR)-transduced T cells, a promising treatment option with high avidity and safety. In UM, PRAME is expressed in 26% to 45% of cases and is correlated with a worse prognosis. In the LUMC and the TCGA cohorts, high PRAME expression was associated with larger diameter, higher Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage, more frequent gain of chromosome 8q, and an inflammatory phenotype. Conclusions We confirm that PRAME is associated with poor prognosis in UM and has a strong connection with extra copies of 8q. We show that PRAME-specific immunotherapy in an adjuvant setting is promising in treatment of malignancies, including UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gulçin Gezgin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sietse J. Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Casciano F, Zauli E, Busin M, Caruso L, AlMesfer S, Al-Swailem S, Zauli G, Yu AC. State of the Art of Pharmacological Activators of p53 in Ocular Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3593. [PMID: 37509256 PMCID: PMC10377487 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The pivotal role of p53 in the regulation of a vast array of cellular functions has been the subject of extensive research. The biological activity of p53 is not strictly limited to cell cycle arrest but also includes the regulation of homeostasis, DNA repair, apoptosis, and senescence. Thus, mutations in the p53 gene with loss of function represent one of the major mechanisms for cancer development. As expected, due to its key role, p53 is expressed throughout the human body including the eye. Specifically, altered p53 signaling pathways have been implicated in the development of conjunctival and corneal tumors, retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, and intraocular melanoma. As non-selective cancer chemotherapies as well as ionizing radiation can be associated with either poor efficacy or dose-limiting toxicities in the eye, reconstitution of the p53 signaling pathway currently represents an attractive target for cancer therapy. The present review discusses the role of p53 in the pathogenesis of these ocular tumors and outlines the various pharmacological activators of p53 that are currently under investigation for the treatment of ocular malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Casciano
- Department of Translational Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrico Zauli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo Busin
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ospedali Privati Forlì "Villa Igea", 47122 Forlì, Italy
- Istituto Internazionale per la Ricerca e Formazione in Oftalmologia (IRFO), 47122 Forlì, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Caruso
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Saleh AlMesfer
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh 12329, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar Al-Swailem
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh 12329, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh 12329, Saudi Arabia
| | - Angeli Christy Yu
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ospedali Privati Forlì "Villa Igea", 47122 Forlì, Italy
- Istituto Internazionale per la Ricerca e Formazione in Oftalmologia (IRFO), 47122 Forlì, Italy
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KIT Expression Is Regulated by DNA Methylation in Uveal Melanoma Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910748. [PMID: 34639089 PMCID: PMC8509522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular tumor with a dismal prognosis. Despite the availability of precise molecular and cytogenetic techniques, clinicopathologic features with limited accuracy are widely used to predict metastatic potential. In 51 UM tissues, we assessed a correlation between the expression of nine proteins evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (Melan-A, S100, HMB45, Cyclin D1, Ki-67, p53, KIT, BCL2, and AIFM1) and the presence of UM-specific chromosomal rearrangements measured by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), to find IHC markers with increased prognostic information. Furthermore, mRNA expression and DNA methylation values were extracted from the whole-genome data, achieved by analyzing 22 fresh frozen UM tissues. KIT positivity was associated with monosomy 3, increasing the risk of poor prognosis more than 17-fold (95% CI 1.53–198.69, p = 0.021). A strong negative correlation was identified between mRNA expression and DNA methylation values for 12 of 20 analyzed positions, five located in regulatory regions of the KIT gene (r = −0.658, p = 0.001; r = −0.662, p = 0.001; r = −0.816; p < 0.001; r = −0.689, p = 0.001; r = −0.809, p < 0.001, respectively). DNA methylation β values were also inversely associated with KIT protein expression (p = 0.001; p = 0.001; p = 0.015; p = 0.025; p = 0.002). Our findings, showing epigenetic deregulation of KIT expression, may contribute to understanding the past failure to therapeutically target KIT in UM.
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Yang C, Wang Y, Hardy P. Emerging roles of microRNAs and their implications in uveal melanoma. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:545-559. [PMID: 32783068 PMCID: PMC11072399 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03612-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults with an extremely high mortality rate. Genetic and epigenetic dysregulation contribute to the development of UM. Recent discoveries have revealed dysregulation of the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) as one of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying UM tumorigenesis. Based on their roles, miRNAs are characterized as either oncogenic or tumor suppressive. This review focuses on the roles of miRNAs in UM tumorigenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis, as well as their therapeutic potentials. Particularly, the actions of collective miRNAs are summarized with respect to their involvement in major, aberrant signaling pathways that are implicated in the development and progression of UM. Elucidation of the underlying functional mechanisms and biological aspects of miRNA dysregulation in UM is invaluable in the development of miRNA-based therapeutics, which may be used in combination with conventional treatments to improve therapeutic outcomes. In addition, the expression levels of some miRNAs are correlated with UM initiation and progression and, therefore, may be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yang
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Yuejiao Wang
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Pierre Hardy
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1C5, Canada.
- Research Center of CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Room 2.17.004, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1C5, Canada.
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Krishna Y, Acha-Sagredo A, Sabat-Pośpiech D, Kipling N, Clarke K, Figueiredo CR, Kalirai H, Coupland SE. Transcriptome Profiling Reveals New Insights into the Immune Microenvironment and Upregulation of Novel Biomarkers in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102832. [PMID: 33008022 PMCID: PMC7650807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare aggressive eye cancer. Although treatment of the eye tumour is successful, about 50% of UM patients develop a relapse of their cancer in the liver. At present, such advanced disease is not curable. A better understanding of the metastatic UM (mUM) in the liver is essential to improve patient survival. This study examines both the response of immune cells within the liver to the UM secondaries (metastases), as well as the expression of various proteins by the UM cells. Our study demonstrates that there is a limited immune response to the mUM, but reveals that a certain type of reactive immune cell: a protumourigenic subset of macrophage is dominant within the mUM. Our research also reveals novel proteins within the mUM, which are specific to these cells and therefore may be targetable in future therapies. Abstract Metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) to the liver is incurable. Transcriptome profiling of 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mUM liver resections and 6 control liver specimens was undertaken. mUMs were assessed for morphology, nuclear BAP1 (nBAP1) expression, and their tumour microenvironments (TME) using an “immunoscore” (absent/altered/high) for tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and macrophages (TAMs). Transcriptomes were compared between mUM and control liver; intersegmental and intratumoural analyses were also undertaken. Most mUM were epithelioid cell-type (75%), amelanotic (55%), and nBAP1-ve (70%). They had intermediate (68%) or absent (15%) immunoscores for TILs and intermediate (53%) or high (45%) immunoscores for TAMs. M2-TAMs were dominant in the mUM-TME, with upregulated expression of ANXA1, CD74, CXCR4, MIF, STAT3, PLA2G6, and TGFB1. Compared to control liver, mUM showed significant (p < 0.01) upregulation of 10 genes: DUSP4, PRAME, CD44, IRF4/MUM1, BCL2, CD146/MCAM/MUC18, IGF1R, PNMA1, MFGE8/lactadherin, and LGALS3/Galectin-3. Protein expression of DUSP4, CD44, IRF4, BCL-2, CD146, and IGF1R was validated in all mUMs, whereas protein expression of PRAME was validated in 10% cases; LGALS3 stained TAMs, and MFGEF8 highlighted bile ducts only. Intersegmental mUMs show differing transcriptomes, whereas those within a single mUM were similar. Our results show that M2-TAMs dominate mUM-TME with upregulation of genes contributing to immunosuppression. mUM significantly overexpress genes with targetable signalling pathways, and yet these may differ between intersegmental lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamini Krishna
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK;
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Amelia Acha-Sagredo
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Dorota Sabat-Pośpiech
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Natalie Kipling
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Kim Clarke
- Computational Biology Facility, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
| | - Carlos R. Figueiredo
- MediCity Research Laboratory and Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turun yliopisto, FI-20014 Turku, Finland;
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Sarah E. Coupland
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK;
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Centre, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK; (A.A.-S.); (D.S.-P.); (N.K.); (H.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-151-794-9104
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Thornton S, Kalirai H, Aughton K, Coupland SE. Unpacking the genetic etiology of uveal melanoma. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2020.1785872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Thornton
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trusts, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trusts, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karen Aughton
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah E. Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trusts, Liverpool, UK
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Li Y, He J, Qiu C, Shang Q, Qian G, Fan X, Ge S, Jia R. The oncolytic virus H101 combined with GNAQ siRNA-mediated knockdown reduces uveal melanoma cell viability. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:5766-5776. [PMID: 30320917 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma (UM) is a severe human malignancy with a high mortality rate, as well as high metastasis and recurrence potential. The active mutation of G protein subunit alpha q (GNAQ) or G protein subunit alpha 11 (GNA11) is a major trigger for UM. Oncolytic adenovirus H101 (H101) is the first oncolytic virus approved for clinical applications in cancer therapy by the China Food and Drug Administration. We investigated whether combining H101 with the downregulation of GNAQ expression would act synergistically in UM therapy. METHODS Three UM cell lines OMM2.3 and 92.1, harboring GNAQ mutation, and OCM1, harboring B-Raf proto-oncogene mutation, were chosen for our research. The cellular toxicity of adenoviral infection and the cell growth rate were measured with a Cell Counting Kit-8. Western blot analysis was used to detect GNAQ, p-MEK1/2, YAP, and p-YAP expression. The apoptosis and cell-cycle distribution of cells were evaluated with annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. RESULTS Our results revealed that OMM2.3 and 92.1 cells were more sensitive to H101 infection than OCM1 cells. GNAQ expression was markedly reduced by small interfering RNA, siGNAQ. Combined treatment of siGNAQ and H101 inhibited the proliferation and activated the apoptosis of OMM2.3 and 92.1 cells by blocking the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and increasing the phosphorylation of YAP. CONCLUSIONS In summary, a therapy combining H101 and siGNAQ is feasible, with potential utility as a novel targeted molecular therapy for UM, especially those carrying a GNAQ mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingfeng Shang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanxiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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A novel combinatorial treatment option for metastatic uveal melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26096-26108. [PMID: 29899845 PMCID: PMC5995237 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent intraocular tumor in adult patients. When metastases occur, systemic therapy with alkylating agents (fotemustine or dacarbazine (DTIC)) has shown only modest efficacy. The common chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) is not used to treat metastatic UM (mUM). To expand the chemotherapeutic arsenal for mUM, we tested the effect of DOX on UM cell mortality. We have previously shown that CREB knockdown enhances sensitivity to DOX. UM cells infected with recombinant MuLV-based replicative competent retroviruses (RCR) expressing shRNA targeting CREB were co-treated with either DTIC or DOX. We found that CREB knockdown increases the sensitivity of these cells to both DOX and DTIC in normoxia and more so in hypoxia as measured by cell survival and Caspase 3 activation. The ability to combine CREB knockdown by infection with the RCR recombinant virus which preferentially infects replicating tumor cells and chemotherapy to achieve the same amount of cell death in lower concentrations may result in fewer side effects of the drugs. This combination is a possible new treatment for mUM.
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Park JJ, Diefenbach RJ, Joshua AM, Kefford RF, Carlino MS, Rizos H. Oncogenic signaling in uveal melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2018; 31:661-672. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John J. Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Russell J. Diefenbach
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Anthony M. Joshua
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Kinghorn Cancer Centre; St Vincent’s Hospital; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Richard F. Kefford
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology; Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre; Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Matteo S. Carlino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology; Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre; Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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Alayed K, Schweitzer K, Awadallah A, Shetty S, Turakhia S, Meyerson H. A multicolour flow cytometric assay for c-MYC protein in B-cell lymphoma. J Clin Pathol 2018; 71:906-915. [PMID: 29769234 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIM Develop an objective assay to detect c-MYC protein expression using multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM) as an alternative to immunohistochemistry (IHC). METHODS 57 patient samples and 11 cell line samples were evaluated. Cell suspensions were obtained and c-MYC staining was performed in combination with CD45 and CD19 and, in some samples, CD10. The percentage of c-MYC+ cells by FCM was correlated with the percentage determined by IHC. The relationship between c-MYC protein expression and the presence of a c-MYC gene rearrangement in aggressive and high-grade lymphomas was also assessed. RESULTS c-MYC expression by FCM and IHC demonstrated a high degree of correlation in a training set of 33 patient cases, r=0.92, 11 cell line samples, r=0.81 and in a validation set of 24 aggressive and high-grade B-cell lymphomas, r=0.85. c-MYC gene was rearranged by fluorescence in situ hybridisation in 6/9 samples with high c-MYC expression (>40%) by FCM and 6/14 by IHC. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a reliable multicolour FCM assay to detect c-MYC expression suitable for clinical laboratories that should be helpful to accurately quantify c-MYC expression in B-cell lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Alayed
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pathology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karen Schweitzer
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Amad Awadallah
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Shashirekha Shetty
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Samir Turakhia
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Howard Meyerson
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Seidman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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11
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Hajkova N, Hojny J, Nemejcova K, Dundr P, Ulrych J, Jirsova K, Glezgova J, Ticha I. Germline mutation in the TP53 gene in uveal melanoma. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7618. [PMID: 29769598 PMCID: PMC5955881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed comprehensive molecular analysis of five cases of metastasizing uveal malignant melanoma (UM) (fresh-frozen samples) with an NGS panel of 73 genes. A likely pathogenic germline TP53 mutation c.760A > G (p.I254V) was found in two tumor samples and matched nontumor tissue. In three cases, pathogenic BAP1 mutation was detected together with germline missense variants of uncertain significance in ATM. All cases carried recurrent activating GNAQ or GNA11 mutation. Moreover, we analyzed samples from another 16 patients with primary UM by direct Sanger sequencing focusing only on TP53 coding region. No other germline TP53 mutation was detected in these samples. Germline TP53 mutation, usually associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, is a rare event in UM. To the best of our knowledge, only one family with germline TP53 mutation has previously been described. In our study, we detected TP53 mutation in two patients without known family relationship. The identification of germline aberrations in TP53 or BAP1 is important to identify patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome or BAP1 cancer syndrome, which is also crucial for proper genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Hajkova
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hojny
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Nemejcova
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Dundr
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Ulrych
- 1st Department of Surgery - Department of Abdominal, Thoracic Surgery and Traumatology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Jirsova
- Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Johana Glezgova
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Ticha
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Sulkowska M, Famulski W, Bakunowicz-Lazarczyk A, Chyczewski L, Sulkowski S. Bcl-2 Expression in Primary Uveal Melanoma. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 87:54-7. [PMID: 11669559 DOI: 10.1177/030089160108700112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aims Uveal malignant melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor. The aim of this study was the analysis of bcl-2 oncoprotein expression in this tumor type. The melanomas were evaluated according to tumor location and patient age and sex. The relationship between bcl-2 expression and histological type, clinicopathologic stage and the presence of a set of predetermined morphological parameters was analyzed. Methods The study involved 39 patients with ocular melanomas treated with surgery alone between 1983 and 1997. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were treated with anti-bcl-2 antibody (Dako No M0887). Immunolocalization of the bcl-2 oncoprotein was performed using the labeled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) method. bcl-2 expression in neoplastic cells was evaluated in a semiquantitative manner: lack of reactivity was defined as bcl-2 negative, reactivity present in less than 30% of cells as low bcl-2, and reactivity in more than 30% of cells as high bcl-2. The percentage of cells with a positive reaction was assessed independently by two pathologists, and the results were subjected to statistical analysis using Fischer's exact test. Results and conclusion No statistically significant correlation was found between the expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein and the clinicopathologic features analyzed. However, the high percentage of tumors with positive expression of this oncoprotein suggests that it plays a significant role in the biology of uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sulkowska
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Medical Academy of Bialystok, Poland.
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13
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Sharma A, Stei MM, Fröhlich H, Holz FG, Loeffler KU, Herwig-Carl MC. Genetic and epigenetic insights into uveal melanoma. Clin Genet 2018; 93:952-961. [PMID: 28902406 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent primary intraocular tumor in Caucasian adults and is potentially fatal if metastases develop. While several prognostic genetic changes have been identified in UM, epigenetic influences are now getting closer attention. Recent technological advances have allowed to exam the human genome to a greater extent and have improved our understanding of several diseases including malignant tumors. In this context, there has been tremendous progress in the field of UM pathogenesis. Herein, we review the literature with emphasis on genetic alterations, epigenetic modifications and signaling pathways as well as possible biomarkers in UM. In addition, different research models for UM are discussed. New insights and major challenges are outlined in order to evaluate the current status for this potentially devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M M Stei
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - H Fröhlich
- Algorithmic Bioinformatics, BIT, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,UCB Biosciences GmbH, Monheim, Germany
| | - F G Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - K U Loeffler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M C Herwig-Carl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Helgadottir H, Höiom V. The genetics of uveal melanoma: current insights. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2016; 9:147-55. [PMID: 27660484 PMCID: PMC5019476 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s69210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant eye tumor in adults affecting ~7,000 individuals per year worldwide. UM is a rare subtype of melanoma with distinct clinical and molecular features as compared to other melanoma subtypes. UMs lack the most typical cutaneous melanoma-associated mutations (BRAF, NRAS, and NF1) and are instead characterized by a different set of genes with oncogenic or loss-of-function mutations. By next-generation sequencing efforts on UM tumors, several driver genes have been detected. The most frequent ones are BAP1, EIF1AX, GNA11, GNAQ, and SF3B1. In many cases, mutations in these genes appear in a mutually exclusive manner, have different risk of metastasis, and are consequently of prognostic importance. The majority of UM cases are sporadic but a few percentage of the cases occurs in families with an inherited predisposition for this malignancy. In recent years, germline mutations in the BAP1 gene have been found to segregate in an autosomal dominant pattern with numerous different cancer types including UM in cancer-prone families. This cancer syndrome has been denoted as the tumor predisposition syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildur Helgadottir
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska institutet; Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veronica Höiom
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska institutet
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15
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Awais R, Spiller DG, White MRH, Paraoan L. p63 is required beside p53 for PERP-mediated apoptosis in uveal melanoma. Br J Cancer 2016; 115:983-992. [PMID: 27584665 PMCID: PMC5061904 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: PERP (p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22), a transcriptional target of p53, is downregulated and contributes to the impairment of apoptosis in uveal melanoma (UM). Intriguingly, PERP is not induced in UM despite functional p53. p63, located on chromosome 3, which is characteristically altered in high-risk UM, can transactivate PERP. Here, we determine the functional role of p63 expression in the initiation of p53/PERP-mediated apoptosis in UM. Methods: PERP expression was monitored by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunoblotting in UM cell lines treated with DNA-damaging agents. The functional role of p63 was assessed by transient expression of p63-turbo GFP (p63-tGFP) in the apoptosis- resistant, 3q-deficient OCM-1 cells. Expression and localisation of p63, PERP and p53, and induction of apoptosis were characterised by qPCR, immunoblotting and live cell confocal microscopy. Results: PERP expression was significantly downregulated in all UM cell lines. DNA-damaging treatments failed to induce apoptosis and activate PERP in OCM-1 cells, which displayed non-functional levels of p63. Expression of p63-tGFP induced apoptosis with marked increase in PERP expression and associated p53 accumulation. Conclusions: Lack of p63 contributes to reduced PERP levels and impaired p53-mediated apoptosis in UM. p63 expression is required for PERP-mediated apoptosis in UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheela Awais
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - David G Spiller
- Systems Microscopy Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Michael R H White
- Systems Microscopy Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Luminita Paraoan
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
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16
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Némati F, de Montrion C, Lang G, Kraus-Berthier L, Carita G, Sastre-Garau X, Berniard A, Vallerand D, Geneste O, de Plater L, Pierré A, Lockhart B, Desjardins L, Piperno-Neumann S, Depil S, Decaudin D. Targeting Bcl-2/Bcl-XL induces antitumor activity in uveal melanoma patient-derived xenografts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e80836. [PMID: 24454684 PMCID: PMC3890263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Uveal melanoma (UM) is associated with a high risk of metastases and lack of efficient therapies. Reduced capacity for apoptosis induction by chemotherapies is one obstacle to efficient treatments. Human UM is characterized by high expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Consequently, regulators of apoptosis such as Bcl-2 family inhibitors may constitute an attractive approach to UM therapeutics. In this aim, we have investigated the efficacy of the Bcl-2/Bcl-XL inhibitor S44563 on 4 UM Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDXs) and derived-cell lines. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Four well characterized UM PDXs were used for in vivo experiments. S44563 was administered alone or combined with fotemustine either concomitantly or after the alkylating agent. Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1 expressions after S44563 administration were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS S44563 administered alone by at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. induced a significant tumour growth inhibition in only one xenograft model with a clear dose effect. However, when S44563 was concomitantly administered with fotemustine, we observed a synergistic activity in 3 out of the 4 tested models. In addition, S44563 administered after fotemustine induced a tumour growth delay in 2 out of 3 tested xenografts. Finally, IHC analyses showed that Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1 expression were not modified after S44563 administration. CONCLUSION The novel anti-apoptotic experimental compound S44563, despite a relative low efficacy when administered alone, increased the efficacy of fotemustine in either concomitant or sequential combinations or indeed subsequent to fotemustine. These data support further exploration of potential therapeutic effect of Bcl-2/Bcl-xl inhibition in human UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Némati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Guillaume Lang
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Guillaume Carita
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Aurélie Berniard
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - David Vallerand
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Geneste
- I.R.I.S., Institut de Recherches International Servier, Suresnes, France
| | - Ludmilla de Plater
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Alain Pierré
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
| | - Brian Lockhart
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
| | | | | | - Stéphane Depil
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
- I.R.I.S., Institut de Recherches International Servier, Suresnes, France
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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Werdich XQ, Jakobiec FA, Singh AD, Kim IK. A review of advanced genetic testing for clinical prognostication in uveal melanoma. Semin Ophthalmol 2013; 28:361-71. [PMID: 24010756 DOI: 10.3109/08820538.2013.825290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) has a strong propensity to metastasize and the prognosis for metastatic disease is very poor. It has been suggested that occult micrometastases are already present, but undetectable, in many patients at the time when the primary ocular tumor is diagnosed and treated. To identify high-risk patients for close monitoring and early intervention with prophylactic adjuvant systemic therapy, an accurate predictive system is necessary for stratifying those patients at risk of developing metastatic disease. To date, many clinical and histopathological features, molecular pathway characteristics, and genetic fingerprints of UM have been suggested for disease prognostication. Among the newest of them, tumor genetics has received the most attention in demonstrating promise as a prognostic tool. Because of the plethora of recent developments, we summarize and compare in this review the important standard and more advanced cytogenetic prognostic markers. We further describe the variety of genetic tests available for prognostication of UM, and provide a critical assessment of the respective advantages and disadvantages of these tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Q Werdich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts , USA and
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18
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Pereira PR, Odashiro AN, Lim LA, Miyamoto C, Blanco PL, Odashiro M, Maloney S, De Souza DF, Burnier MN. Current and emerging treatment options for uveal melanoma. Clin Ophthalmol 2013; 7:1669-82. [PMID: 24003303 PMCID: PMC3755706 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s28863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor in adults, with a 10-year cumulative metastatic rate of 34%. The most common site of metastasis is the liver (95%). Unfortunately, the current treatment of metastatic UM is limited by the lack of effective systemic therapy. Options for the management of the primary intraocular tumor include radical surgery as well as conservative treatments in order to preserve visual acuity. For metastatic disease, several approaches have been described with no standard method. Nevertheless, median survival after liver metastasis is poor, being around 4–6 months, with a 1-year survival of 10%–15%. In this review, the authors summarize current and promising new treatments for UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rusa Pereira
- The Henry C Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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19
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Abstract
Like other cancers, uveal melanomas (UM) are characterised by an uncontrolled, clonal, cellular proliferation, occurring as a result of numerous genetic, and epigenetic aberrations. Signalling pathways known to be disrupted in UM include: (1) the retinoblastoma pathway, probably as a result of cyclin D1 overexpression; p53 signalling, possibly as a consequence of MDM2 overexpression; and the P13K/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase pathway pathways that are disturbed as a result of PTEN and GNAQ/11 mutations, respectively. Characteristic chromosomal abnormalities are common and include 6p gain, associated with a good prognosis, as well as 1p loss, 3 loss, and 8q gain, which correlate with high mortality. These are identified by techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridisation, comparative genomic hybridisation, microsatellite analysis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. UM can also be categorised by their gene expression profiles as class 1 or class 2, the latter correlating with poor survival, as do BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) inactivating mutations. Genetic testing of UM has enhanced prognostication, especially when results are integrated with histological and clinical data. The identification of abnormal signalling pathways, genes and proteins in UM opens the way for target-based therapies, improving prospects for conserving vision and prolonging life.
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20
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de Lange J, Teunisse AFAS, Vries MVD, Lodder K, Lam S, Luyten GPM, Bernal F, Jager MJ, Jochemsen AG. High levels of Hdmx promote cell growth in a subset of uveal melanomas. Am J Cancer Res 2012; 2:492-507. [PMID: 22957303 PMCID: PMC3433101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor pathway is inactivated in cancer either via direct mutation or via deregulation of upstream regulators or downstream effectors. P53 mutations are rare in uveal melanoma. Here we investigated the role of the p53 inhibitor Hdmx in uveal melanoma. We found Hdmx over-expression in a subset of uveal melanoma cell lines and fresh-frozen tumor samples. Hdmx depletion resulted in cell-line dependent growth inhibition, apparently correlating with differential Hdm2 levels. Surprisingly, p53 knockdown hardly rescued cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction upon Hdmx knockdown, whereas it effectively prevented growth suppression induced by the potent p53 activator Nutlin-3. In addition, two compounds inhibiting Hdmx function or expression, SAH-p53-8 and XI-011, also elicited a growth inhibitory effect in a partly p53-independent manner. These findings suggest a novel, growth-promoting function of Hdmx that does not rely on its ability to inhibit p53. We provide evidence for a contribution of p27 protein induction to the observed p53-independent G1 arrest in response to Hdmx knockdown. In conclusion, our study establishes the importance of Hdmx as an oncogene in a subset of uveal melanomas and widens the spectrum of its function beyond p53 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Job de Lange
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amina FAS Teunisse
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matty Verlaan-de Vries
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Lodder
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Lam
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gregorius PM Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Federico Bernal
- Metabolism Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD 20892-1374, USA
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Wang S, Neekhra A, Albert DM, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. Suppression of thrombospondin-1 expression during uveal melanoma progression and its potential therapeutic utility. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 130:336-41. [PMID: 22411663 DOI: 10.1001/archopthalmol.2011.1503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, is downregulated during progression of uveal melanoma and whether administration of TSP1 and/or its antiangiogenic peptides attenuate tumor growth. METHODS Tyrosinase-SV40 T-antigens (Tyr Tag) transgenic mice were used for evaluation of TSP1 expression during tumor progression using immunohistological methods. The therapeutic potential of TSP1 on tumor progression was evaluated either by crossing Tyr Tag mice with a line of transgenic mice overexpressing TSP1 in the eye or by administration of TSP1-mimetic peptide with known antiangiogenic, antitumor activity. Tumor areas were measured in histological sections using Optima software (Media Cybernetics, Inc). RESULTS The Tyr Tag tumors from 3-week-old mice showed significant TSP1 expression, which was dramatically downregulated in tumors from 12-week-old mice. Furthermore, the development and progression of tumor was significantly delayed in Tyr Tag TSP1 transgenic mice or Tyr Tag mice receiving TSP1-mimetic peptide (100 mg/kg/d). CONCLUSIONS Expression of TSP1 was decreased with the angiogenic switch during progression of uveal melanoma, and TSP1 and/or its antiangiogenic peptides were effective in attenuation of tumor growth. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Modulation of TSP1 expression and/or activity may be beneficial in treating uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoujian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792-4673, USA
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22
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Harbour JW. The genetics of uveal melanoma: an emerging framework for targeted therapy. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 25:171-81. [PMID: 22268848 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2012.00979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the second most common form of melanoma and the most common primary intraocular malignancy. Until recently, very little was known about the genetics of this aggressive cancer. Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors that are common in other cancers are conspicuously absent in uveal melanoma. In recent years, however, uveal melanoma has begun to yield its secrets, and a fascinating picture is emerging of how it develops and progresses. Mutations in the G(q) alpha subunits, encoded by GNAQ and GNA11, appear to be early or perhaps initiating events that require further mutations for malignant transformation. On the other hand, mutations in the BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) appear to occur later and demarcate a molecular brink beyond which metastasis becomes highly likely. BAP1 mutations can also occur in the germline, leading to a distinctive cancer predisposition syndrome. These mutations appear to be key events that provide the potential for targeted therapy. This article will review the genetic findings in uveal melanoma over the past two decades and suggest important areas for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- J William Harbour
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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24
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Davies L, Gray D, Spiller D, White MRH, Damato B, Grierson I, Paraoan L. P53 apoptosis mediator PERP: localization, function and caspase activation in uveal melanoma. J Cell Mol Med 2010; 13:1995-2007. [PMID: 19040420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00590.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22 (PERP) is a transcriptional target gene of p53 tumour suppressor that is specifically induced during apoptosis and not during cell cycle arrest. In primary uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular malignancy in adults that has a reportedly unaffected signalling pathway upstream of and including p53, PERP expression is down-regulated in the metastatic monosomy 3-type tumours, compared with the less aggressive disomy 3-type tumours. Here, we demonstrate experimentally, by the use of full-length PERP-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions and real-time confocal microscopy, the intracellular targeting and plasma membrane localization of PERP in living UM cells and show that expression of PERP induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in UM cells. Induction of PERP expression in GFP-PERP-transfected UM cells leads to increased levels of cleaved caspase-8 forms, as well as to reduction of its full-length substrate Bid, but not to detectable processing of caspase-9. The levels of mature caspase-8, -9 and -3 proteins significantly correlate with PERP expression levels in primary UMs. Transcriptional profiling of PERP and caspase-8 in tumour specimens indicates that the positive association of PERP and caspase-8 proteins is a consequence of post-translational processing, most likely at the level of caspase-8 cleavage, and not of increased transcription of pro-caspase-8. We conclude that PERP expression leads to activation of an extrinsic receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway, with a possible subsequent engagement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The findings underline the apoptotic pathway mediated by PERP as a critical mechanism employed by UM tumours to modulate susceptibility to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsay Davies
- Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Donna Gray
- Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Dave Spiller
- Centre for Cell Imaging, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mike R H White
- Centre for Cell Imaging, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Bertil Damato
- St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Grierson
- Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Luminita Paraoan
- Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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25
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Genetics of uveal melanoma and cutaneous melanoma: two of a kind? Dermatol Res Pract 2010; 2010:360136. [PMID: 20631901 PMCID: PMC2902045 DOI: 10.1155/2010/360136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma both derive from melanocytes but show remarkable differences in tumorigenesis, mode of metastatic spread, genetic alterations, and therapeutic response. In this review we discuss the differences and similarities along with the genetic research techniques available and the contribution to our current understanding of melanoma. The several chromosomal aberrations already identified prove to be very strong predictors of decreased survival in CM and UM patients. Especially in UM, where the overall risk of metastasis is high (45%), genetic research might aid clinicians in selecting high-risk patients for future systemic adjuvant therapies.
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26
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Wackernagel W, Schneider M, Mayer C, Langmann G, Singh AD. Genetik des Aderhautmelanoms. SPEKTRUM DER AUGENHEILKUNDE 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00717-009-0360-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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27
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Singh AD, Tubbs R, Biscotti C, Schoenfield L, Trizzoi P. Chromosomal 3 and 8 status within hepatic metastasis of uveal melanoma. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2009; 133:1223-7. [PMID: 19653714 DOI: 10.5858/133.8.1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Several studies have evaluated clinical, histopathologic, cytogenetic, and molecular prognostic variables in uveal melanoma. However, it is not known whether the primary tumor cells maintain these aggressive attributes at the metastatic sites. OBJECTIVE To determine the status of chromosomes 3 and 8q and c-myc amplification using fluorescence in situ hybridization on hepatic metastatic lesions of primary uveal melanoma. DESIGN Ten patients with uveal melanoma with needle core biopsy-confirmed hepatic metastasis. Representative paraffin blocks were selected based on review of hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed for detection of monosomy 3 and amplification at the 8q24 MYC locus using standard methods. The tricolor chromosome enumeration probe 8 (CEP8)/IGH/MYC and the Urovysion probe consisting of CEP3, CEP7, CEP17, and 9P21 probes were used. A total of 200 interphase cells were scored. RESULTS Hepatic metastasis was confirmed in each case by needle core biopsy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed chromosome 3 monosomy in 5 of the 8 cases that could be satisfactorily evaluated. Aneusomy of chromosome 8 was observed in 2 cases. MYC amplification was observed in 5 samples. In a single case where the primary tumor was treated by enucleation, the chromosomal monosomy 3 and aneusomy of chromosome 8 were present both in the primary tumor and its hepatic metastatic lesion. CONCLUSIONS The presence of cytogenetic changes within the metastatic lesions confirms that chromosome 3 monosomy and aneusomy of chromosome 8 are not just markers of metastatic potential of the primary tumor but are also present within the hepatic metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun D Singh
- Department of Ophthalmic Oncology, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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Fecher LA, Amaravadi RK, Schuchter LM, Flaherty KT. Drug targeting of oncogenic pathways in melanoma. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2009; 23:599-618, x. [PMID: 19464605 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2009.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma continues to be one of the most aggressive and morbid malignancies once metastatic. Overall survival for advanced unresectable melanoma has not changed over the past several decades. However, the presence of some long-term survivors of metastatic melanoma highlights the heterogeneity of this disease and the potential for improved outcomes. Current research is uncovering the molecular and genetic scaffolding of normal and aberrant cell function. The known oncogenic pathways in melanoma and the attempts to develop therapy for them are discussed. The targeting of certain cellular processes, downstream of the common genetic alterations, for which the issues of target and drug validation are somewhat distinct, are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Fecher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 16 Penn Tower, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Overall mortality rate remains high because of the frequent development of metastatic disease, especially hepatic metastasis. While traditional systemic chemotherapies provide only marginal benefit to patients, local treatments for hepatic metastases, such as immunoembolization, have improved patient prognoses. Progress has also been made in identifying potential targets in the pathways involved in apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of uveal melanoma. Among these pathways, the c-Kit, c-Met, and IGF-1R signal pathways and the PTEN-related PI3K-Akt pathway are the most important targets. Clinical trials using blockades of these pathways in conjunction with strategies to facilitate apoptosis is a direction for future clinical trials. Application of these approaches in the adjuvant setting after primary therapy for high-risk uveal melanoma patients is also a future consideration to improve the clinical outcome of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takami Sato
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 1024, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. t_sato @mail.jci.tju.edu
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Niapour M, Yu Y, Berger SA. Regulation of Calpain Activity by c-Myc through Calpastatin and Promotion of Transformation in c-Myc-negative Cells by Calpastatin Suppression. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:21371-81. [DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m801462200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Przybyło M, Pocheć E, Link-Lenczowski P, Lityńska A. Beta1-6 branching of cell surface glycoproteins may contribute to uveal melanoma progression by up-regulating cell motility. Mol Vis 2008; 14:625-36. [PMID: 18385798 PMCID: PMC2276181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the influence of integrin expression as well as the oligosaccharide structure of surface N-glycoproteins on cell behavior of two primary uveal (92-1 and Mel202) and two primary cutaneous (FM55P and IGR-39) melanoma cell lines. METHODS Cell adhesion to fibronectin and cell migration on fibronectin (wound healing) were selected as the studied cell behavior parameters. The percentage of cells positive for expression of selected integrins was estimated by flow cytometric analysis. The influence of beta1-6 branched complex-type N-oligosaccharides on wound healing on fibronectin was investigated. Cell surface beta1-6 branched N-oligosaccharides were measured by their specific binding to PHA-L followed by flow cytometry, and the fibronectin receptors bearing beta1-6 GlcNAc branched N-linked glycans were identified. In addition, the transcript of GnT-V (the enzyme that catalyzes the addition of N-acetylglucosamine to the core mannose of di- and tri-antennary N-glycans through a beta1-6 linkage) was analyzed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Unlike the two examined cutaneous melanoma cell lines, neither of the uveal melanoma cells adhered to fibronectin. The adhesion efficiency of IGR-39 cells was twice that of FM55P cells. In contrast, uveal melanoma cells repaired scratch wounds on fibronectin-coated surfaces twice as fast as cutaneous melanoma cells did. The expression of alpha(3)beta(1), alpha(4)beta(1), alpha(5)beta(1), and alpha(v)beta(3) integrins, acting as fibronectin receptors, differed between the tested cell lines, and no distinct pattern distinguished uveal melanoma from cutaneous melanoma except for high expression of alpha(4)beta(1) integrin on both FM55P and IGR-39 cells. The results also demonstrated that the high levels of alpha(3)beta(1), alpha(4)beta(1), and alpha(5)beta(1) integrin expression on IGR-39 cells promoted their strong attachment to fibronectin-coated surfaces. In addition, 92-1, Mel202, and FM55P cells showed no or low adhesion to fibronectin, perhaps the result of low expression of fibronectin receptors excluding high expression of alpha(4)beta(1) integrin in FM55P cells. Cell migration was significantly decreased in three out of four PHA-L-treated cell lines, suggesting that beta1-6 branched complex type N-oligosaccharides are critical for 92-1, Mel202, and FM55P cell motility. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the tested cells did not differ in mRNA levels of beta1-6 -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V. However, FACS analysis showed that 92-1, Mel202 and IGR-39 cells expressed significantly higher amounts of beta1-6 branched N-oligosaccharides on the cell surface than FM55P cells did. All examined alpha(3), alpha(5), alpha(v), and beta(1) integrin subunits were shown to bear beta1-6 branched N-linked glycans. CONCLUSIONS The role of integrins and their N-glycosylation in the regulation of uveal melanoma growth and progression is largely unknown. These results reveal that cell surface complex-type N-glycans with GlcNAc beta1-6 branches are important factors determining the migration of primary uveal melanoma cells on fibronectin.
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Targeted therapy for uveal melanoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2008; 34:247-58. [PMID: 18226859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Revised: 11/28/2007] [Accepted: 12/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intra-ocular malignancy in adults. Overall mortality rate remains high because of the development of metastatic disease, which is highly resistant to systemic therapy. Improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cancers has led to a new generation of therapeutic agents that interfere with a specific pathway critical in tumor development or progression. Although no specific genes have been linked to the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma, which differs from that of cutaneous melanoma, progress has been made in identifying potential targets involved in uveal melanoma apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This review focuses on the prospects for improving the systemic therapy of uveal melanoma using molecularly targeted agents that are currently in clinical use as well as agents being tested in clinical trials. Preclinical studies suggest potential benefit of inhibitors of Bcl-2, ubiquitin-proteasome, histone deactylase, mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-AKT pathways, and receptor tyrosine kinases. Modifiers of adhesion molecules, matrix metalloproteinase, and angiogenic factors also have demonstrated potential benefit. Clinical trials of some of these approaches have been initiated in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma as well as in the adjuvant setting after primary therapy.
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Liao JD, Adsay NV, Khannani F, Grignon D, Thakur A, Sarkar FH. Histological complexities of pancreatic lesions from transgenic mouse models are consistent with biological and morphological heterogeneity of human pancreatic cancer. Histol Histopathol 2007; 22:661-76. [PMID: 17357096 PMCID: PMC3882316 DOI: 10.14670/hh-22.661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, it has received much less attention compared to other malignancies. There are several transgenic animal models available for studies of pancreatic carcinogenesis, but most of them do not recapitulate, histologically, human pancreatic cancer. Here we review some detailed molecular complexity of human pancreatic cancer and their reflection in histomorphological complexities of pancreatic lesions developed in various transgenic mouse models with a special concern for studying the effects of chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents. These studies usually require a large number of animals that are at the same age and gender and should be either homozygote or heterozygote but not a mixture of both. Only single-transgene models can meet these special requirements, but many currently available models require a mouse to simultaneously bear several transgene alleles. Thus it is imperative to identify new gene promoters or enhancers that are specific for the ductal cells of the pancreas and are highly active in vivo so as to establish new single-transgene models that yield pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas for chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Liao
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
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Pardo M, Dwek RA, Zitzmann N. Proteomics in uveal melanoma research: opportunities and challenges in biomarker discovery. Expert Rev Proteomics 2007; 4:273-86. [PMID: 17425462 DOI: 10.1586/14789450.4.2.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent primary intraocular tumor in adult humans. Despite the significant advances in diagnosis and treatment of UM in the last decades, the prognosis of UM sufferers is still poor. Metastatic liver disease is the leading cause of death in UM and can develop after a long disease-free interval, suggesting the presence of occult micrometastasis. Proteomics technology has opened new opportunities for elucidating the molecular mechanism of complex diseases, such as cancer. This article will review the recent developments in biomarker discovery for UM research by proteomics. In the last few years, the first UM proteomics-based analyses have been launched, yielding promising results. An update on recent developments on this field is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pardo
- Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Laboratorio de Endocrinología Molecular, Departamento de Medicina, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Gündüz K, Esmaeli B. Ocular oncology: diagnosis and management of malignant intraocular tumors. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2006. [DOI: 10.1586/17469899.1.2.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Li W, Sanki A, Karim RZ, Thompson JF, Soon Lee C, Zhuang L, McCarthy SW, Scolyer RA. The role of cell cycle regulatory proteins in the pathogenesis of melanoma. Pathology 2006; 38:287-301. [PMID: 16916716 DOI: 10.1080/00313020600817951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The transformation of melanocytes to melanoma cells is characterised by abnormal proliferation resulting from alterations in cell cycle regulatory mechanisms. This occurs through alterations in the two major cell cycle regulatory pathways, the retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 tumour suppressor pathways. This review summarises the current knowledge of alterations in these two pathways at G1/S transition and specifically the role of the key cell cycle regulatory proteins pRb, p16INK4a (p16), cyclin D1, p27Kip1 (p27), p53 and p21Waf1/Cip1 (p21) in the pathogenesis of melanoma. It also considers their prognostic significance. Current data indicate that alterations of cyclin kinase inhibitor (cdki) levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of melanoma and may be useful prognostic markers. However, large validation studies linked to comprehensive clinical follow up data are necessary to clarify the prognostic significance of cell cycle regulatory proteins in individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- The Sydney Melanoma Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
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Paraoan L, Gray D, Hiscott P, Ebrahimi B, Damato B, Grierson I. Expression of p53-induced apoptosis effector PERP in primary uveal melanomas: downregulation is associated with aggressive type. Exp Eye Res 2006; 83:911-9. [PMID: 16784742 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2006.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2006] [Revised: 04/27/2006] [Accepted: 04/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Expression of PERP (p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22) was investigated in primary uveal melanomas and its variation was analyzed in relation to clinico-pathological and cytogenetical characteristics of these tumors. The transcriptional level of PERP gene was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in 26 uveal melanomas with known chromosomes 3 and 8 status. PERP protein levels were assessed by Western blot analysis of 22 fresh-frozen tumors and by immunohistochemical analysis of 16 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens. Differential expression of PERP was identified in primary choroidal melanoma specimens, both at transcriptional and protein level. Reduced PERP mRNA level was significantly associated with monosomy 3 (two-way ANOVA and t-test, p=0.004) but not with gains in chromosome 8. Transcriptional downregulation of PERP did not present a statistically significant association with ciliary body involvement, size, PAS-positive loops or cell type. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry further demonstrated significantly reduced PERP protein level in monosomy 3 melanomas, as compared with disomy 3 tumors. The altered expression of PERP highlighted this apoptosis-specific target of p53 as a possible contributor to apoptosis in uveal melanoma with PERP downregulation being particularly relevant to the aggressive (monosomy 3) type of uveal melanoma. As PERP is a novel type of p53 effector that is likely to stimulate apoptosis through a mechanism distinct from that of Bcl-2-related mitochondrial effectors, further elucidation of its role in uveal melanoma pathogenesis will assist in the design of novel therapeutic approaches aimed at increasing the rate of apoptosis in this tumor.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Apoptosis
- Blotting, Western/methods
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8/genetics
- Down-Regulation
- Female
- Genes, Tumor Suppressor
- Humans
- Male
- Melanoma/genetics
- Melanoma/metabolism
- Melanoma/pathology
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Middle Aged
- Monosomy
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
- Transcription, Genetic
- Uveal Neoplasms/genetics
- Uveal Neoplasms/metabolism
- Uveal Neoplasms/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Luminita Paraoan
- Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UCD Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK.
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Ben Simon GJ, Abulafia A, Pe'er J. Apoptosis inhibitor, survivin, in posterior uveal melanoma: comparison among primary tumors, tumors resistant to brachytherapy, tumors with liver metastases, and liver metastases. Curr Eye Res 2006; 31:251-7. [PMID: 16531282 DOI: 10.1080/02713680600557014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the expression of survivin, an apoptosis inhibitor protein, in human posterior uveal melanoma. METHODS Specimens were divided according to eyes with tumors that were enucleated primarily, those resistant to brachytherapy, eyes from patients with known liver metastases, and liver metastases. RESULTS There was only low expression of survivin in uveal melanoma. No difference in survivin positive cell counts per high power field (PCC/HPF) were found among tumors that were enucleated primarily (n = 33), tumors with previous brachytherapy (n = 29), tumors with liver metastases (n = 12) or liver metastases (n = 18). Corresponding counts were 11.8 (+/-14.3), 11.8 (+/-16.8), 7.1 (+/-11.2), and 4.7 (+/-8.8) in the four groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Half of the liver metastases showed no staining for survivin. Twenty patients (24%) had tumor-related death at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Survivin is expressed in posterior uveal melanomas that were treated by enucleation, as well as in tumors that were previously treated with brachytherapy or liver metastases; however, its expression by immunostaining did not seem with correlate with the tumor biological activity.
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Ehlers JP, Worley L, Onken MD, Harbour JW. DDEF1 is located in an amplified region of chromosome 8q and is overexpressed in uveal melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:3609-13. [PMID: 15897555 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The molecular pathogenesis of uveal melanoma is poorly understood but is usually accompanied by amplification of chromosome 8q, suggesting the activation of one or more oncogenes. We recently identified a gene expression profile that distinguishes low-grade from high-grade melanomas. In this profile, a cluster of genes at chromosome 8q was overexpressed in high-grade tumors, providing an opportunity to search for potential oncogenes in this region. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Gene expression microarray analysis was done on 25 primary uveal melanomas. Microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry were done on a subset of these tumors. Cell motility was measured using a wound-healing assay. RESULTS In melanomas analyzed for microarray gene expression and CGH, gain of chromosome 8q correlated most strongly with expression of DDEF1, a gene located at 8q24. In contrast, the nearby MYC oncogene exhibited no significant change in expression. Confirming the microarray findings, DDEF1 mRNA levels and protein expression were significantly higher in high-grade melanomas. Furthermore, ectopic expression of DDEF1 in low-grade melanoma cells resulted in a significant increase in cell motility, a feature of high-grade metastasizing cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that DDEF1 overexpression may be a pathogenetically relevant consequence of chromosome 8q amplification, which commonly occurs in high-grade uveal melanomas. We conclude that DDEF1 may act as an oncogene in this cancer, and it may be a useful diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justis P Ehlers
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Bcl-2 protooncogene alterations are involved in tumorigenesis and may have prognostic ramifications. AIMS To investigate normal ocular structures and choroidal melanoma for: (1) Bcl-2 protein expression (semiquantitative staining values: SI, staining intensity; PP, percentage of positive cells; and IRS, immunoreactivity score) and (2) any associations between the staining values and clinicopathological features in these lesions. MATERIALS/METHODS Bcl-2 protein expression was analysed in 24 choroidal melanomas using immunoperoxidase staining methods. RESULTS Bcl-2 protein expression was seen in corneal epithelium, lens epithelium, the ciliary body, and retinal cells. In these structures, the mean (SEM) values were: 1.1 (0.1), 1.6 (0.3), 1.1 (0.1), and 2.3 (0.3), respectively, for SI; 1.6 (0.2), 1.7 (0.1), 1.7 (0.2), and 1.7 (0.2) for PP, respectively; and 1.9 (0.4), 2.7 (0.5), 1.9 (0.1), and 4.0 (0.8), respectively, for IRS. Based on Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, the lesions were divided into two groups. The first group comprised 12 tumours with Bcl-2 expression. Bcl-2 expression was significantly higher in this group compared with normal ocular structures (1.5 (0.1) v 2.8 (0.2), 1.7 (0.1) v 3.5 (0.1), and 2.6 (0.3) v 9.3 (0.9) for mean (SEM) SI, PP, and IRS scores, respectively; p = 0.00). The second group comprised 12 tumours lacking Bcl-2 protein expression. There was no significant correlation between Bcl-2 protein expression and most of the clinicopathological features of these lesions. CONCLUSIONS Bcl-2 protein expression is altered in choroidal melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Hussein
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt.
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Mudhar HS, Parsons MA, Sisley K, Rundle P, Singh A, Rennie IG. A critical appraisal of the prognostic and predictive factors for uveal malignant melanoma. Histopathology 2005; 45:1-12. [PMID: 15228438 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2004.01874.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H S Mudhar
- Department of Histopathology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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Erol N, Oner U, Artan S, Işiksoy S, Yurdakul S. Chromosomal abnormalities, p53 and Bcl-2 expression and clinical outcome in choroidal melanoma. Melanoma Res 2004; 14:473-8. [PMID: 15577317 DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200412000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether alterations of p53, Bcl-2 and chromosomes were present in choroidal melanoma and to further characterize the prognosis of these changes. METHODS The expression of p53 and Bcl-2 protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry from paraffin blocks. Tumours were analysed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to identify chromosomal aberrations. Fifteen tumours were studied, and the survival results were compared by Spearman correlation analysis with a mean follow-up of 36.5+/-8 months. The majority of tumours were mixed (eight cases), and the others were spindle cell (four cases) and epithelioid cell (three cases) types. Four patients have already died due to metastatic disease. RESULTS p53 was expressed at a low percentage in only two tumours. There were no differences in Bcl-2 expression in our cases. Bcl-2 was expressed by the majority of cells in all cases. Chromosomal copy number aberrations were detected in 10 of the 15 patients by CGH analyses. A gain at chromosome 8 and a loss at chromosome 3 were the most frequently seen abnormalities. The other aberrations observed were losses at 6q, 7q14 and 17p13-15, and gains at 6p and 18q. Two of the three cases with a loss at 17p13 showed a low percentage expression of p53. No relationship was determined between the chromosomal abnormalities, cell type, expression of p53 and survey. The presence of a chromosome 6q deletion in two of the four patients who died of metastatic disease may indicate that chromosome 6q deletion may be correlated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that choroidal melanomas show high levels of chromosomal alterations. Further studies are necessary to determine the correlation between chromosomal abnormalities and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmiye Erol
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Göz Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, Eskişehir, Turkey.
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Gambrelle J, Labialle S, Dayan G, Gayet L, Barakat S, Grange JD, Baggetto LG. Données cytogénétiques actuelles : vers la monosomie du chromosme 3 comme principal facteur pronostique du mélanome uvéal. J Fr Ophtalmol 2004; 27:1061-7. [PMID: 15557871 DOI: 10.1016/s0181-5512(04)96265-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most frequent intraocular cancer. The recent development of new technologies such as microsatellite analysis and comparative genomic hybridization have elucidated both the cytogenetics and the natural history of this disease. Fifty to 60% of uveal melanomas are linked to monosomy 3, which appears as an early and determinant event in tumor progression. Tumors with this anomaly have a very poor prognosis. Recent work suggests that this category of uveal melanomas represents a distinct pathological entity from that associated with normal disomy 3. Chromosome 6 aberrations probably make up a second entry point into the process of carcinogenesis, while gains in 8q seem to appear later in the natural history of uveal melanoma because of their higher frequency in larger tumors. Progress in genome analysis has identified regions in chromosomes 3, 6, and 8 as those most probably involved in tumorigenesis. It is to be hoped that this will soon lead to the discovery of the genes responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gambrelle
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, UMR5086, CNRS UCBL, Lyon
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Honda S, Hirai T, Handa JT, Okuno T, Saito I. EXPRESSION OF CELL CYCLE RELATED PROTEINS IN A RAPIDLY GROWING UVEAL MALIGNANT MELANOMA. Retina 2004; 24:646-9. [PMID: 15300098 DOI: 10.1097/00006982-200408000-00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the clinical and immunohistochemical findings of a rapidly growing uveal melanoma. METHODS A 71-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a juxtapapillary uveal melanoma by clinical examination. The tumor grew rapidly with a 31.5-day doubling time. An enucleation was performed, and immunohistochemical examination for cell cycle proteins was performed in addition to routine histopathologic examination. RESULTS The melanoma cells were classified as spindle B-cells. The tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 protein, but negative for S-100 protein. The tumor showed immunohistochemical staining for p16 and Bcl-2, although p53 was not detected. Immunoreactivity for pRb was found in normal retinal and choroidal cells but not in the tumor cells. CONCLUSION This report describes a unique case of rapidly growing uveal melanoma, which showed low histopathologic grade while the cell cycle protein immunohistochemical profile suggests a more aggressive phenotype. The evaluation of cell cycle proteins may be useful adjunctive method to enhance the understanding of uveal melanoma growth patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Honda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kitano Hospital, Tazukekofukai Medical Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
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Krecicki T, Fraczek M, Jelen M, Zatonski T, Szkudlarek T, Dus D. Expression of c-myc oncoprotein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Acta Otolaryngol 2004; 124:634-7. [PMID: 15267185 DOI: 10.1080/00016480310016064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE c-myc seems to play a pivotal role in normal growth and development as well in cellular transformation and carcinogenesis. Overexpression of the c-myc oncogene has been observed in many hematopoetic and solid tumors. The role of c-myc protein in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in general and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) in particular is far from clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between the level of c-myc protein in LSCCs and the clinicopathological data of patients, DNA ploidy and the SG2M phase index (PI). MATERIAL AND METHODS The c-myc protein level was evaluated immunohistochemically in tumor specimens from 50 patients with LSCC. The DNA index and SG2M PI were determined by means of flow cytometry. RESULTS We found c-myc protein in 34 (68%) tumors. Expression of c-myc protein was demonstrated to be frequent in nonmetastatic cases (p = 0.016). There was no association between c-myc protein level and age, primary tumor size, histological grading or type of cancer. In 13 (26%) cases we observed DNA aneuploid tumors. The mean value of the SG2M PI was 22.5%. Expression of c-myc protein was not related to SG2M PI or DNA ploidy. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that c-myc oncoprotein may be involved in the genesis of LSCC. Our findings suggest that the detectability of c-myc protein is associated with a lower metastatic potential. The c-myc oncogene is probably not as important in laryngeal cancers compared to other cancers. Further investigations must be performed to establish the value of predicting nodal metastases in LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Krecicki
- Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
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Blancato J, Singh B, Liu A, Liao DJ, Dickson RB. Correlation of amplification and overexpression of the c-myc oncogene in high-grade breast cancer: FISH, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemical analyses. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:1612-9. [PMID: 15083194 PMCID: PMC2409705 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we analysed gene amplification, RNA expression and protein expression of the c-myc gene on archival tissue specimens of high-grade human breast cancer, using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH), nonradioactive in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. The specific question that we addressed was whether expression of c-Myc mRNA and protein were correlated with its gene copy amplification, as determined by FISH. Although c-Myc is one of the most commonly amplified oncogenes in human breast cancer, few studies have utilised in situ approaches to directly analyse the gene copy amplification, RNA transcription and protein expression on human breast tumour tissue sections. We now report that by using the sensitive FISH technique, a high proportion (70%) of high-grade breast carcinoma were amplified for the c-myc gene, irrespective of status of the oestrogen receptor. However, the level of amplification was low, ranging between one and four copies of gene gains, and the majority (84%) of the cases with this gene amplification gained only one to two copies. Approximately 92% of the cases were positive for c-myc RNA transcription, and essentially all demonstrated c-myc protein expression. In fact, a wide range of expression levels were detected. Statistically significant correlations were identified among the gene amplification indices, the RNA expression scores and protein expression scores. c-myc gene amplification, as detected by FISH, was significantly associated with expression of its mRNA, as measured by the intensity of in situ hybridisation in invasive cells (P=0.0067), and by the percentage of invasive cells positive for mRNA expression (P=0.0006). c-myc gene amplification was also correlated with the percentage of tumour cells which expressed high levels of its protein, as detected by immunohistochemistry in invasive cells (P=0.0016). Thus, although multiple mechanisms are known to regulate normal and aberrent expression of c-myc, in this study, where in situ methodologies were used to evaluate high-grade human breast cancers, gene amplification of c-myc appears to play a key role in regulating expression of its mRNA and protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Blancato
- Institute for Molecular and Human Genetics, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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Abstract
In the past decade, there have been impressive advances in our understanding of chromosomal, genetic and molecular alterations that occur in uveal melanoma. Nevertheless, a coherent picture of the molecular pathogenesis of this eye cancer is yet to emerge. Herein, we review the findings to date, discuss the insights they provide, and suggest future directions for molecular research in uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Loercher
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Abstract
This article reviews the current pathogenesis, molecular changes, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular melanomas. Ocular melanomas can involve the eyelid, conjunctiva, intraocular structures, and the orbit. The most common eye melanoma involves the uveal tract and is responsible for approximately 13% of melanoma deaths. Uveal melanomas account for 10% of all melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devron H Char
- The Tumori Foundation, CPMC, Davies Campus, 45 Castro Street, Suite 309, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA.
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Brantley MA, Worley L, Harbour JW. Altered expression of Rb and p53 in uveal melanomas following plaque radiotherapy. Am J Ophthalmol 2002; 133:242-8. [PMID: 11812429 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9394(01)01362-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the expression of proteins in the Rb and p53 tumor suppressor pathways in uveal melanomas following plaque radiotherapy. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and cell culture studies. Immunohistochemistry for Rb, p16, cyclin D1, p53, HDM2, and Bcl-2 was performed on twelve eyes containing posterior uveal melanomas that were enucleated following plaque radiotherapy. Cell culture studies were performed in three cases. RESULTS The irradiated eyes were enucleated for radiation complications (five cases), local tumor recurrence (three cases), and other reasons (four cases). On histopathologic examination, all cases showed evidence of tumor cell loss. However, residual tumor cells were present in all cases, including those that were clinically regressed. Residual cells from three of the clinically regressed cases were cultured and demonstrated minimal cell division, marked cell death, and extensive chromosomal damage. Strong p53 staining was observed in six cases (50%) and was significantly associated with recent radiotherapy (P = .04). Abnormal cytoplasmic staining for Rb was observed in four cases (33%). CONCLUSIONS Plaque radiotherapy of uveal melanomas induces DNA damage, inhibits cell division, and promotes cell death. These changes may be due, at least in part, to induction of p53, which activates genes involved in both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Plaque radiotherapy can also cause alterations in the expression of Rb, but the significance of this finding will require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milam A Brantley
- Center for Ocular Oncology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Division of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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